Upon hearing Zhao Weixiang's words outside, the smile on Lin Muyang's face gradually faded.
Could the explosion and fire at the dockyard have been orchestrated by Wang Shi behind the scenes?
He knew Wang Shi—had known him for quite some time, in fact.
Back then, when Wang Shi had captured one of Liu Yutong's friends and she came demanding his release, it was Lin Muyang who stepped in to mediate.
At the time, he thought his warning would be enough to settle the matter, assuming Wang Shi wouldn’t dare retaliate against Liu Yutong.
But now, it seemed this sycophant, who had always bowed and scraped before him, was far more vindictive than he’d imagined.
Of course, this might also be tied to Wang Shi’s expulsion from the Yilian Society.
Lin Muyang had also caught wind of the rumors about a potential alliance between the Yilian Society and Liu Yutong’s Wanlong Society—why else would he have bet on the Yilian Society’s victory today?
However, compared to the underworld bosses, he didn’t particularly care about such matters.
Whether it was Liu Yutong—the woman he loved—or some other gang leader swallowing up rival factions, it made no difference to him.
Because no matter who rose to power, as long as they operated within Bright Pearl City, they’d have to tread carefully in his presence.
This was the natural advantage his status afforded him. Unless someone had dirt on him, even the most formidable figures in the underworld couldn’t stand as his equal.
So even if Liu Yutong took over the Yilian Society, he’d only admire her capability—nothing more.
As for Wang Shi’s departure from the Yilian Society, while he’d heard about it, he couldn’t be bothered to look into it.
In his eyes, Wang Shi was nothing more than a lackey, utterly insignificant.
Especially now that Wang Shi had lost his position as a Yilian Society captain—he wasn’t even worth a second glance.
Yet who could’ve imagined this bastard would be so ruthless as to try and burn Liu Yutong alive?
This was absolutely unforgivable!
About three minutes later, Zhao Weixiang returned to the room, wearing an apologetic expression. "Sorry, Young Master Lin, that took a bit longer than expected."
"My men just brought some good news—your investment project is making progress. I told you, Young Master Lin, fortune favors you. Your beloved narrowly escaped danger, and now your project’s prospects are looking up. A double blessing, hahaha..."
Despite Zhao Weixiang’s hearty laughter, Lin Muyang remained expressionless, his gaze fixed coldly on him.
Zhao Weixiang instinctively glanced down at his clothes, then back up. "Why are you looking at me like that? There’s nothing wrong with my outfit."
"Boss Zhao, what you were discussing outside wasn’t about the investment, was it?" Lin Muyang’s tone had shifted.
Previously, he’d always addressed Zhao Weixiang as "Brother Zhao" out of courtesy, since the man knew how to read the room and matched his temperament.
But now, the sudden switch to "Boss Zhao" carried an unmistakable edge of displeasure.
Zhao Weixiang tried to brush it off. "Young Master Lin, we really were talking about the investment. My men said—"
Lin Muyang cut him off impatiently. "Boss Zhao, if you keep lying to me, we won’t even be friends after this!"
Zhao Weixiang panicked. "Young Master Lin, what’s gotten into you? Did I do something to upset you?"
Lin Muyang went straight to the point. "Tell me—were you talking about the fire just now?"
Hearing this, Zhao Weixiang feigned a sigh and slapped his thigh. "Fine, fine, I’ll talk. It was about the fire at East Harbor. Wang Shi was behind it."
Lin Muyang’s expression darkened with confirmation. "Then why did you lie to me earlier? Why not tell me the truth?!"
Zhao Weixiang put on a look of concern. "Young Master Lin, I thought since Miss Liu was unharmed, telling you would only make you angry for no reason."
"Besides, Wang Shi was your friend—and mine too. Who’d have thought he’d stoop so low? I didn’t want you to take it too hard. I was shocked myself."
"But don’t worry, Young Master Lin. I’ll make sure Wang Shi gives you an explanation."
"What friend? That bastard doesn’t deserve the title!"
Lin Muyang suddenly grabbed a wine glass from the table and hurled it to the ground!
The shattering sound made Zhao Weixiang jump.
Then, pointing furiously at him, Lin Muyang roared, "Zhao Weixiang, I treated you as a real friend! And this is how you repay me? Playing games with me? Something this big, and you tried to hide it? That dog Wang Shi tried to burn Yutong alive, and you’re still covering for him?!"
"Young Master Lin, calm down!" Zhao Weixiang pleaded. "I just didn’t want you to act rashly! Wang Shi used to follow you—if you found out it was him, you might do something irreversible. I was thinking of your best interests!"
"My best interests?!"
Lin Muyang scoffed. "If you really cared, you’d have told me everything instead of playing dumb! Now, out with it—does that bastard Wang Shi have someone backing him? Was he put up to this?"
"He wouldn’t dare pull this off alone—I know there’s someone behind him!"
"Zhao Weixiang, think very carefully before you answer. If you don’t come clean, forget being friends—I’ll have your damn nightclub shut down by tomorrow! Believe me?!"
"Aiya, Young Master Lin, why go this far?" Zhao Weixiang sighed in apparent helplessness.
"Talk!" Lin Muyang pressed.
Cornered, Zhao Weixiang raised his hands in surrender. "Alright, alright! I’ll talk. I’ll tell you everything I know, okay?"
"It’s not that complicated. You’ve probably heard about the recent upheaval in the Yilian Society—Wang Shi getting kicked out?"
Lin Muyang nodded. "I know. But he wouldn’t have the guts to set a fire alone!"
Zhao Weixiang agreed. "You’re right, Young Master Lin. He wouldn’t dare. The man values his life too much—if he acted alone, he’d never survive the combined retaliation from the underworld and Miss Liu."
Lin Muyang stared at him. "So who’s supporting him?"
Zhao Weixiang reached into his jacket pocket, pulled out a USB drive, and slid it across the table.
"Everything I know is here."
Lin Muyang immediately took the drive to Zhao Weixiang’s office computer, plugged it in, and began reviewing the contents.
The drive contained only one surveillance video, clearly showing Wang Shi and several influential underworld figures in a restaurant, arms around each other’s shoulders like brothers.
Zhao Weixiang walked over and pointed at the screen. "They were eating at a friend’s restaurant. After my men suspected Wang Shi might be behind the fire, they rushed to get this footage."
"Although this footage can't directly prove that they were the ones backing Wang Shi, I’m certain they’re involved. The restaurant staff also recalled hearing them mention Miss Liu Yutong’s name repeatedly during their conversation."
"Think about it, Lin Shao—from their perspective, if the Wanlong Society and the Yishe Alliance join forces, it’s a huge threat to them! And after what we just saw in the arena match, how effortlessly the Yishe Alliance won—how could they not be afraid?"
"Bottom line, whether out of fear or to protect their own turf and interests, they have every motive to eliminate Liu Yutong and Scarface, just to throw everything into chaos."
Lin Muyang agreed, but he still had doubts. "But they were right there in the middle of it too. Aren’t they afraid of getting burned themselves?"
Zhao Weixiang explained, "That’s exactly how cunning they are. There’s an old saying: ‘Nothing ventured, nothing gained.’ By being on-site themselves, they can completely clear their names—even pose as victims."
"Who knows? They might even use this as an excuse to turn the tables and team up against the Yishe Alliance—against Miss Liu."
"What a case of the thief crying ‘Stop thief!’ These bastards have gone too far!" Lin Muyang’s fury burned hotter as he listened.
Zhao Weixiang’s analysis perfectly filled the last gaps in his suspicions, laying bare the ruthless scheming of old foxes like Zhao Tianxing.
Lin Muyang stared at the screen, where the crime bosses were laughing and slapping each other on the back, his heart boiling with murderous intent.
These scum not only wanted blood—they wanted to walk away clean and even pin the blame on others!
Zhao Weixiang patted Lin Muyang’s shoulder, his tone seemingly comforting but laced with deeper meaning. "Lin Shao, forgive my bluntness, but Bright Pearl City is a mess right now. Everyone’s just looking out for themselves—it’s chaos. Even my friends who wanted to invest here are having second thoughts. One wrong move, and they could lose everything."
