Chapter 128: This Household Is Not Yours to Rule

Initially, the ten subordinates remained silent, but when one finally spoke up, the others followed suit, declaring their willingness.

Seeing their fearless responses, Chen Yang was quite satisfied. He handed out four dossiers to four of the men and said with a faint smile, "Alright, get to work. These four individuals enjoy singing, bathing, and gambling. Two of them should be leaving the bathhouse soon; make sure you seize the opportunity."

"Understood."

This time, the ten subordinates answered in unison.

"Good, get to it," Chen Yang said calmly.

The group turned and left the training hall. Once they were gone, Qin Hu frowned and looked at Chen Yang. "Mr. Chen, you've assigned them such a heavy task right from the start. I’m not sure they can handle it."

"You don't have any confidence in them?" Chen Yang asked, looking at Qin Hu.

"That’s right, I don't," Qin Hu replied honestly.

"It doesn't matter. Even if they fail, it will serve as a good test of their capabilities," Chen Yang remarked coolly.

"Understood. Is there anything you need me to do?" Qin Hu asked, his expression serious.

Chen Yang thought for a moment before replying, "Not for the time being. Just focus on managing the martial arts school for me."

"Understood," Qin Hu nodded earnestly.

After leaving Qin Hu, Chen Yang reappeared in Lin Qianyao’s office. Lin had been expecting him and was already waiting. As soon as Chen Yang entered, Lin stood up from his chair. "Mr. Chen."

Chen Yang smiled slightly. "The matter is finally underway."

Lin Qianyao’s expression was complex. "You mean having the martial arts school recruits capture Xu Tianmeng’s four top henchmen?"

"Exactly."

Chen Yang sat down on the brown leather sofa and looked at Lin. Lin sat back down as well, a look of helpless resignation on his face. "Mr. Chen, those men were only recently recruited. Are you really confident in letting them handle such a task?"

"I’m not, but the first step must be taken. We can't just keep them cooped up at home because we lack confidence in them," Chen Yang said with a light smile.

"But this is no small matter," Lin stated gravely.

Chen Yang chuckled. "I know. So, let’s wait and see how well those ten recruits can handle the job."

"Very well, I will wait with you," Lin replied solemnly.

Chen Yang closed his eyes and remained in the office, waiting for news. Time ticked by, and the room remained silent.

***

It wasn't until 10:00 PM that the silence was broken by the ringing of the phone in Chen Yang's hand. He quickly answered, "What is it?"

Qin Hu laughed. "Mr. Chen, news just came back. We've captured two of them."

"Is that so? Not bad. Were there any casualties?" Chen Yang asked with a smile.

"None reported so far," Qin Hu said earnestly.

"Good, good. What about the other two?"

Qin Hu frowned. "Not yet, but since we’ve already got two, it shouldn't take long to track down the others."

"Fine. Have your men bring those two 'mighty warriors' to the martial arts school. I’m coming over to see them immediately," Chen Yang said calmly.

"Understood," Qin Hu replied.

Chen Yang hung up and looked at a visibly excited Lin Qianyao. "Shall we go? Come with me to the school; we’ve already caught two of Xu Tianmeng’s top men."

"Let's go," Lin agreed without hesitation, as he was eager to see for himself.

Half an hour later, they arrived at the training hall. Two burly men were kneeling on the floor. One, with a crew cut, had a swollen left eye; the other, sporting a side-part, had blood on the corner of his mouth. Both had their hands tied tightly behind their backs, looking utterly miserable.

As Chen Yang entered, the man with the crew cut pleaded frantically, "Mr. Chen, please, let me go! I beg you, spare me!"

Chen Yang looked at him with contempt. He hadn't expected one of Xu Tianmeng’s four top lieutenants to be such a coward. He walked up to them slowly and said with a cold smile, "Why have you ended up like this? Don't blame anyone but yourselves for backing the wrong person."

"I have a heart condition, I can't take this!" the man begged. "Mr. Chen, please, just let me go. I'm begging you!"

"Let you go? Do you really think that's possible?" Chen Yang sneered. He thought to himself, *I went through all this effort to capture you, and you think I’ll just let you go? How naive.*

The man hung his head in despair, realizing that Chen Yang would not show mercy.

"Take them to the back room and hold them there," Chen Yang ordered Qin Hu.

"Understood," Qin Hu replied, and the two men were dragged away.

*Buzz…*

Just as Chen Yang and Lin were preparing to leave, Chen Yang’s phone rang unexpectedly. He pulled it out, curious. Lin also looked on with interest, wondering who would be calling at this hour.

Chen Yang answered, and to his surprise, Xu Tianmeng’s voice came through: "Mr. Chen, let's stop this game, shall we?"

"Xu Tianmeng?" A cold smirk tugged at the corner of Chen Yang's mouth.

***

"Xu Tianmeng?" Lin echoed, startled.

Xu Tianmeng continued, "Mr. Chen, I admit I am no match for you. Please, let me go. I’m done playing this game, alright?"

"Done playing? Why?" Chen Yang asked coldly.

"I guarantee you," Xu Tianmeng said earnestly, "if you let this matter drop, I, Xu Tianmeng, will never cross paths with you in Dongjiang City again. If I see you in the city, I will take a detour. Does that sound fair?"

"Tell me that to my face," Chen Yang said icily, before hanging up and turning off his phone.

He pocketed the device, and Lin asked, "Mr. Chen, was that really... Xu Tianmeng?"

"It was. Peculiar, isn't it?" Chen Yang sneered.

Lin pondered for a moment, then gave a mocking laugh. "Mr. Chen, I suspect Xu Tianmeng can no longer hide abroad and is looking to reconcile with you."

"That’s certainly the case. Regardless, let him return to the country first, and we'll see what he has to say in person," Chen Yang said softly.

Lin chuckled dismissively. "This Xu Tianmeng is truly interesting."

"Go home and get some rest. It’s late, and you must be tired," Chen Yang said.

"Very well," Lin nodded.

After dropping Chen Yang off at his hotel, Lin drove home.

The next day, at 3:00 PM, Chen Yang was busy at the martial arts school when Qin Hu hurried over and whispered, "Mr. Chen, Xu Tianmeng is here."

Chen Yang nodded. "I know. Come with me."

Chen Yang led Qin Hu to the entrance. Outside, they saw Xu Tianmeng standing with a dozen followers, looking haggard.

Chen Yang flashed a cold smile at him. "Still alive, are we?"

Xu Tianmeng’s brow furrowed tightly. "Mr. Chen, I have come to apologize. I’m done playing. From now on, you are the boss of the Dongjiang underworld. Please, just release my two men."

"Done playing? You were the one who wanted to play, and now you're the one who wants to quit. The game has already started—do you really think you can just walk away?" Chen Yang mocked.

"I was blind and didn't recognize your stature before. It was my mistake, all my fault. Please, be the bigger man and let me off the hook. I’m begging you."

"Let you off the hook? On what grounds?" Chen Yang asked coldly. *Does Xu Tianmeng think he can start and stop this game whenever he pleases? Who does he think he is, and why would I let him off so easily?*