Chapter Ninety-Nine: Underlying Currents Surge

Page (1/3)

In recent days, due to his rising prominence, Sayigard’s once youthful face had gained a hint of maturity, but more than that, it was filled with pride. Within the South Sea Gang, Sayigard had now become the second-in-command. Although the gang had been established for just over a month, Sayigard’s reputation had already made a significant impact.

Today, there were some goods at the dock that originally required his personal supervision for unloading. However, Sayigard suddenly changed his mind, instructing several trusted aides to handle the dock, then, accompanied by two men, he hurried to the old, well-established musical instrument shop that he and Ding Li had visited before. Of course, this was a spontaneous decision on Sayigard’s part, unaware that he was about to face a great catastrophe.

Before this, the Cao Trading Company had also taken action. Cao Xiangming, the young master of the Cao family, had learned everything that had transpired in Fuxu Town. His top lieutenants, Cao Yin and Cao Hai, were already dead, and another, Cao You, was completely incapacitated—his limbs had been broken to the point he couldn’t even care for himself.

Moreover, Cao Xiangming discovered that Hua Laowu, recently supported in Fuxu Town, had been wiped out overnight by the South Sea Gang. Hua Laowu’s body was found in Little South Sea, and not a single one of his capable assistants was left.

In a fit of rage, Cao Xiangming abandoned any scruples and, since yesterday, had targeted Ding Li’s only remaining family member in Guangzhou Prefecture—Liu Sheng. However, due to the recent relocation of the Ding estate and the large number of South Sea Gang members present, plus Sayigard’s constant presence guarding Liu Sheng, Cao Xiangming’s men, Cao Si and Cao Chen, had no chance to strike.

Early this morning, a hidden scout outside the Ding estate reported news that thrilled Cao Xiangming: Liu Sheng had left the estate, accompanied by only a dozen or so people, including four maids and a scholar-like youth named Xu Hong. This news was exhilarating enough for Cao Xiangming to immediately recall Cao Si and Cao Chen back to the estate.

“This is a perfect opportunity. That brat Ding Li is still in Fuxu Town. If we can capture his woman in one fell swoop, we won’t have to worry about him causing any trouble!” Normally composed, Cao Xiangming was now unable to contain his excitement. From the surviving Cao You, he learned that even the combined efforts of Cao Yin and Cao Hai in two attacks had failed to harm Ding Li, and Cao Hai had ultimately lost his life. Thus, dealing with Ding Li required the utmost caution.

Though the current methods were underhanded, Cao Xiangming no longer cared. A few days ago, while preparing to deal with the Three Heroes of Duanzhou, the death of his trusted subordinate Cao Yin had made him suspicious of Ding Li. Although he still had no clue about the whereabouts of Wang Ling, who escaped that night, Cao Xiangming had already linked the two in his mind.

“You’re right, young master!” said Cao Si, whose delicate appearance belied a cruel and hateful spirit in his eyes. “Ding Li must answer for the deaths of Cao Yin and Cao Hai! Once this plan succeeds, even if he’s a dragon, he won’t be able to stir up any trouble!”

“Young master, aren’t you supposed to go to the dock later?” Cao Chen, who had remained silent, hesitated before nodding in agreement but glanced at their lord with concern, frowning slightly. “If the two of us go after that Liu Sheng girl, who will accompany you to the dock?”

“It’s nothing serious at the dock. It’s broad daylight—what could possibly happen?” Cao Xiangming waved off the concern with a dismissive shake of his head. Then, with a slight sneer and a faint frown, he muttered, “I’ll have to see that damn Tian Xiangwen’s face again today! What a headache! I don’t understand why the Tian family pushes that brat forward even though we cooperate with them. Just thinking about his arrogant face makes me dizzy!”

As he spoke, Cao Xiangming rubbed his forehead, looking troubled. Cao Si and Cao Chen exchanged weary smiles. They knew well their lord’s vexations. Tian Xiangwen’s reputation throughout Guangzhou was abysmal. Although Cao Xiangming’s own dealings were hardly honorable, by comparison, he was almost a gentleman beside Tian’s villainy.

Page (2/3)

Their names were almost comical. The eldest son of the Tian family was Tian Xiangwen, son of Tian Gaolang, a eunuch at court. Though high-ranking and powerful, in the eyes of the civil officials of equal standing, he remained a lowly eunuch. Tian Gaolang had named his son “Xiangwen” with the hope that the boy would one day establish himself among the court’s literati, hoping to soften the disdain of those self-righteous officials.

However, Tian Gaolang had clearly overestimated his son. Instead of becoming a scholar, Tian Xiangwen was obsessed with martial ideals. Although surrounded by a retinue of servants and bodyguards, not one could stand against him.

Cao Xiangming’s own name was equally emblematic. His father, Cao Wei, the Overseer of Eastern Lingnan, seemed to wish his only beloved son to act with righteousness and transparency. Yet Cao Wei had spent decades engaged in covert struggles at his high post, and Cao Xiangming had been raised amid such intrigue. His methods mirrored his father’s—ruthless and unscrupulous behind the scenes in pursuit of his goals.

After reiterating his orders, Cao Xiangming waved Cao Si and Cao Chen away, then pondered his plan a moment longer. He then called for a servant and instructed preparations for a carriage to take him to the dock.

In a guest room of the Zhang estate, perhaps worried about Liu Sheng, Ding Li awoke not long after falling asleep. Feeling much less fatigued, he noticed it was just past early morning. After some thought, he decided to return home. After a quick wash, he greeted the brothers guarding the estate’s gate and leisurely strolled back.

Ding Li’s mood was complex on the way—though even he could not quite explain why. Ultimately, he mused inwardly that perhaps it was due to the many recent events: in an instant, he had risen from a dock laborer to the top figure of the South Sea Gang, and moved from a dilapidated slum house to a grand mansion most could only dream of.

With a heart full of joy, tinged with pride and delight, Ding Li found today’s sunlight unusually brilliant, as if nature itself conspired to mirror his mood.

However, near the new mansion, as he passed an alley, his steps suddenly faltered, then resumed. A flicker of caution flashed in his eyes, his expression briefly shifted before he hummed a little tune Liu Sheng had forced him to learn days before, wandering casually while scanning his surroundings with feigned indifference.

Suddenly, Ding Li darted into a side alley, quickening his pace toward the alley’s far end, disappearing around the corner in the blink of an eye. Moments later, nimble and fleet-footed, he was weaving through several alleys, as if fleeing for his life.

In the alley that had aroused Ding Li’s suspicion, three young men dressed in short shirts leaned against the wall at the far corner. Their spirits were low, their faces exhausted. They had been waiting there for two days and nights. Recently, after sending off valuable intelligence, they expected to return home to rest and claim their reward. Instead, orders came through to remain on guard, forbidding them to leave without explicit command.

The rising heat made them increasingly irritable, and they grumbled about the hardship of their task. Having believed their mission complete, they were utterly unguarded, their nerves and bodies so fatigued that even the cold brick wall might lull them to sleep.

“Bang!”

Page (3/3)

Suddenly, a muffled thud jolted one of them, whose eyes were half-closed, into full alert. Turning instinctively toward the sound, he was met by a fist seemingly larger than his face.

“Bang!”

A solid, heavy punch struck his face, flooding him with a rush of bitter, sour, sweet, and spicy sensations all at once. But the feeling vanished as his consciousness faded.

“Don’t move!” Ding Li’s voice was cold and sharp. Two companions lay sprawled on the ground, one bleeding from mouth and nose. The remaining short-statured man, unsure whether lucky or doomed, felt as if a bucket of ice water had been poured over him, chilling him to the bone and instantly sobering him.

When he saw the ghostlike figure of Ding Li before him, his mouth gaped wide enough to swallow a duck egg, instinctively wanting to scream.

“Dare to scream and I’ll kill you immediately!” Ding Li raised the short dagger in his hand, pressing its cold blade against the man’s lower lip. His expression was calm, his tone even, but the murderous intent blazing in his black eyes left no room for defiance.

Feeling the icy steel against his lip, the man no longer felt refreshed but overwhelmed by a bone-deep chill.

“Spare... spare me...” After a moment, realizing the dagger only rested there, he summoned courage, his throat moving as he pleaded in terror.

“No problem, but you have to cooperate!” Ding Li replied straightforwardly, nodding and stating his condition.

“Cooperate? Yes, yes, definitely cooperate!” The man hurriedly agreed, wanting to nod but afraid any sudden movement might cause the dagger to plunge into his throat. He could only blink fearfully at Ding Li’s eyes filled with dread.