"Boss, what's up? Why the rush to call me over? Did something happen?"
Scarface might not always be the sharpest tool in the shed, but his loyalty to Pan Xing was undeniable.
Back in the day, he was just a lowly underling tagging along with Pan Xing. The status he had now was entirely thanks to Pan Xing's mentorship.
If not for his limited capabilities, he might’ve already climbed to the rank of a hall master—or at the very least, become a formidable figure within the Righteous Brotherhood.
Instead of immediately losing his temper, Pan Xing eyed the "authentic" branded jacket Scarface was wearing and asked, "Where’d you get that outfit?"
"Huh? Oh, this?" Scarface tugged at the collar. "International luxury brand, right? Looks sharp, doesn’t it? Boss, if you like it, I’ll get you one too!"
Pan Xing’s lips twitched. This idiot probably couldn’t even tell the difference between a genuine article and a knockoff. But he didn’t have the patience to argue about it. Waving a hand dismissively, he said, "Keep the jacket. What’s going on with the train station?"
Completely missing the subtext in Pan Xing’s tone, Scarface perked up at the question, eager to boast about his achievements. "Boss, remember how you always told me to stop messing around? Well, I thought long and hard about it and decided I couldn’t keep wasting my life. I needed to step up, make something of myself! So, I rounded up my boys and took over the train station turf!"
"Boss, you wouldn’t believe how chaotic that place was. Only after securing it did I realize how many shady characters were operating there—child traffickers, smugglers, at least twenty different gangs. But don’t worry, I’ve got them all under control now. Most of them were sent packing to ‘safe locations,’ and the rest even started paying tribute to me. But I didn’t pocket a single cent—it all went straight to the Brotherhood’s treasury!"
"Boss, my loyalty to you is as solid as the sun and moon! If you don’t believe me, go ahead and check the books—every penny’s accounted for!"
"And I made it clear to my boys too—everything I have is thanks to you, Boss. Anyone who dares skim even a dime will answer to me!"
Scarface rambled on, but the more Pan Xing listened, the more uneasy he felt.
This fool… actually thought he was doing something good?
Then again, the kid was loyal—handing over all the profits without hesitation. If Pan Xing reprimanded him now, it might demoralize the other members.
Most of the underlings had no idea how deep the waters around the train station ran. All they saw was Scarface’s newfound prestige—how he’d seized a lucrative territory for the Brotherhood.
If the boss punished him instead of rewarding him, who’d be willing to fight for the gang in the future?
Pan Xing took a deep breath, forcing down his anger. "You… did well. Just don’t do it again."
Scarface blinked. "Boss, what do you mean?"
Pan Xing made his decision. "From now on, you’re the new master of the Black Tortoise Hall. But there’s one condition—you’ll have to give up the train station turf."
Scarface’s face lit up at first, thinking his efforts had finally been recognized. But the second part of the sentence hit him like a bucket of ice water.
Wait, a hall master without territory? What kind of joke was that? He’d be nothing but a figurehead!
Had he been too impressive lately? Made the boss suspicious?
Tch. Figures—being exceptional always invites envy.
Scarface looked at Pan Xing with wounded eyes. "Boss, my loyalty’s never wavered! But if I give up the turf, what’ll happen to my boys? How are they supposed to make a living?"
Pan Xing met his gaze steadily. "Scarface, times have changed. It’s not about brute force anymore, understand?"
"From now on, you’ll work directly under me, handling certain affairs. As for your men, they’ll be reassigned to my Azure Dragon Hall."
Pan Xing knew full well how capable Scarface’s crew was. Leaving them under Scarface’s command would be a waste—absorbing them into his own faction would significantly bolster his power.
Besides, this was also a test of Scarface’s loyalty.
No leader could afford to ignore the risk of an underling growing too powerful to control.
Scarface was already showing signs of it. Who’d have thought this kid had such ambition?
Though unhappy, Scarface didn’t dare defy his boss. "You’re the boss, your word is law! I’ll pull out of the train station. But… who’ll take over, Boss?"
Pan Xing was somewhat relieved by Scarface’s compliance. The guy might be reckless, but his loyalty was genuine.
Other hall masters would’ve come up with endless excuses to avoid losing power.
But Scarface? He accepted it without a fuss.
With devotion like that, how could Pan Xing stay angry?
"I’ll arrange for someone to take over the train station. You don’t need to worry about it."
"Alright, Boss." Scarface nodded. "I’ll go inform my boys."
Pan Xing gave a slight wave. "Go ahead."
After Scarface left, a woman in a striking red dress sauntered over, her movements fluid and alluring.
"Pan Xing, such a loyal subordinate—aren’t you going to nurture him properly?" Her voice was a lazy purr, dripping with charm.
Pan Xing smirked faintly. "Not for now. Hong Jiao, what brings you here?"
Hong Jiao feigned a pout. "Can’t I just miss you?"
"Oh? Is that so?" Pan Xing grinned, pulling her into his arms. "Then tell me—how did you miss me?"
Her cheeks flushed as she lightly pushed him away. "You’re terrible, always teasing me."
"Alright, alright. I actually came to discuss something serious."
"Go on."
"The Ten Thousand Dragons seem to have figured out Boss Lei’s cause of death. From the looks of it, they’re planning to move against you."
Pan Xing scoffed. "Those wet-behind-the-ears brats? You think I’m afraid of them? By the way, do you know who spread the rumor?"
Hong Jiao nodded. "I have a rough idea. Yu Corporation is currently dealing with succession issues."
Pan Xing was sharp—Hong Jiao’s words instantly clarified where the leak had come from. "I’m planning to assign Jiang Bing to take over the train station. What do you think?"
Hong Jiao’s eyes widened in surprise. "Pan Xing, shouldn’t you be giving up that territory?"
"And Jiang Bing? That man’s never been on your side. Handing it to him is just raising a tiger to bite you later!"
Pan Xing leisurely picked up the wine glass on the table and took a sip. "Originally, I had considered letting go of the lost territory. But now, so many of my men have been injured—I need an explanation, a proper resolution."
"As for Jiang Bing, I see potential in him. He reminds me of my younger self—full of drive and ambition."
Hong Jiao quietly studied Pan Xing, then suddenly let out a soft laugh, her smile blooming like spring flowers, breathtakingly beautiful. "Who would’ve thought the usually decisive Boss Pan could be such a sentimental schemer (old fox)."
She could almost guess the deeper meaning behind Pan Xing’s arrangement.
On the surface, Jiang Bing would gain immense prestige and power by taking over the train station territory. But in reality, he’d be shouldering far greater risks and pressure.
The most crucial point was that Jiang Bing wasn’t even a hall leader yet, yet he’d now control two territories alone. To outsiders, this could easily be misread as Pan Xing losing control over him—signaling a potential split.
If Pan Xing merely hinted at any dissatisfaction toward Jiang Bing, outsiders would no longer hesitate to move against him.
Indeed, every leader who rises to the top is anything but ordinary.
