Special Forces Medic

Chapter 928 900: One Act of Rebellion, Banished for Life

This is a great place for murder and burying bodies, also a place favored by the like of Four In One. Using the wrong method, choosing the wrong person, and bringing to the wrong place, this marks the beginning of someone's failure.

In the conference room, the person Xiao Zhenfeng awaited was not Xiao Lin but rather the City Lord of the underground. His displeased frown deepened. "You shouldn't be here!" The coldness brooked no argument, sounding more like an indisputable fact. He didn't even bother to make the simple movement of raising his head, his eyes were lowered.

Xiao Zhenfeng's attitude stirred Lao Qing's anger, but he was kept outside by Lao Jiu. Lao Qing was irritable; he could not control his emotions well. Impulsiveness was his fatal flaw, rushing forward recklessly wasn't necessarily a bad thing on a battlefield, and daring people could generally live longer. But this was not a battlefield; what was needed here was brains.

Xiao Zhenfeng was the leader of the Xiao Family, a true high-ranking person. Even sitting there doing nothing, he exuded an aura that warned others to keep their distance.

'Black Crow' was his creation. This claim had been questioned by many; he wasn't an organizer, nor a genuine manipulator, so how did he come to be the founder? Ever since 'Black Crow' became a presence domestically, it was something of an anomaly; those aware of it knew its base was in Yanjing, while those who did not could hear about it everywhere but couldn't reach it. As for the dependent 'Underground', it wasn't Xiao Zhenfeng's idea. It was merely a necessity because of Yi, as he would say, it was just surviving in the unknown, attached to 'Black Crow'. And since it was attached, it was dispensable, something less substantial than a shadow. The 'Underground' was well-protected on both sides, benefiting from the needs of 'Black Crow'.

Lao Jiu pulled back his thoughts; humans are greedy. He was a human, not a mouse, not a creature that lived underground. His pale skin, void of sunlight, emitted a whiteness not belonging to humans, almost see-through under the light. His black hair had faded to gray, and perhaps one day, it would turn white like his skin. This was terrifying, not the outcome, but the process; thus, he began to regret, unwilling to endure the current state and wished to escape from such fate. So he took a small action initially.

"Mr. Xiao, I have some things to say." Lao Jiu stood with hands at his sides at a corner of the table, close to the door and far from Xiao Zhenfeng.

"If you have something to say, go to your 'Underground'. You should be very clear that you are not allowed to leave the city, much less appear on the surface. Recently, I've heard people mention seeing traces of you in Liger City; are you trying to break the rules? Or is it that you're starting to get restless, unable to bear the silence?"

Xiao Zhenfeng held a cylindrical porcelain cup with his left hand and supported its base with his right, leisurely sipping tea. A set of exquisite tea tools adorned the table, and next to him sat an elderly person with a long beard who kept his eyes closed and mouth shut. Despite this, his hands were not idle, repeatedly pouring steaming water over the porcelain cups.

Upon entering, Lao Jiu noticed this change. Previously, Flame Swallow always accompanied him, serving as Xiao Zhenfeng's watchdog outside the 'Underground'. This old man was a new face, but it wasn't something he should inquire about, so he remained silent.

"Take your younger brother back to the 'Underground', and I can pretend I didn't see anything."

"Mr. Xiao! Please allow me a little time, and I'll leave immediately after saying my piece. I absolutely will not delay you."

"Hmm?" Xiao Zhenfeng put down the cup. The elderly figure beside him immediately used a pair of wooden tongs to place it into a nearby wooden bucket. "You're not afraid of death?"

"I came at the risk of life, so I'm not afraid of your punishment."

"If you're here to discuss the independence of the 'Underground', there's no need to continue. You will forever only be an add-on to 'Black Crow'; this was the condition, a contract you yourself agreed to."

"So you knew all along." Before anything began, the penetrating mind had already afforded no room for discussion.

"Although your actions were small, it doesn't mean they can slip past my eyes. Yi is not here, yet you think your underground can replace 'Black Crow'? You believe that the assassins living in the 'Underground' take orders from you?"

"Mr. Xiao, 'Black Crow' cannot be without a leader even for a day; the assassins within the 'Underground' are anxious and unwilling to take more assignments."

"Since when did the 'Underground' start worrying about 'Black Crow' matters? You need to take care of your own duties; everything else is not your concern."

"Yes!"

Standing outside the door, Lao Qing saw Lao Jiu retreating and dashed inside at once. The elderly man beside him halted and stared in surprise at the identical face of Lao Jiu.

"Without the 'Underground', there would be no 'Black Crow'."

"Lao Qing!" As the words escaped, sweat broke on Lao Jiu's palms. "Mr. Xiao, Lao Qing is still immature; it's my failure in teaching."

"Without the 'Underground', there would be no 'Black Crow'?" Xiao Zhenfeng repeated Lao Qing's words as if savoring their taste.

"Mr. Xiao, we shall take our leave now." Lao Jiu dragged the reluctant Lao Qing like pulling away from the door, but they were stopped by Xiao Zhenfeng.

"Lao Jiu!"

"Yes, Mr. Xiao."

"Was this idea yours, or is it your 'Underground's'?"

"What?" Lao Jiu hesitated to comprehend the meaning of this question. He is the 'Underground'. The underground is him; there's no distinction between the two.

"Without 'Black Crow', there would be no 'Underground'."

"Mr. Xiao!" Lao Jiu exclaimed in panic. "Lao Qing was just... Please give us another chance."

"With a rebellious heart, you can't stay by my side." Xiao Zhenfeng picked up the freshly brewed tea, the warmth of the porcelain cup soothing his palm. "Since you've brought it up, this matter will be handed over to 'Black Crow.' You all should be prepared!"

Lao Qing wanted to say something more but was dragged out by Lao Jiu. The woman in red, standing outside, held a long whip and crossed her arms. She didn't stop Lao Qing immediately, leaning against the wall. "Satisfied now?" Lao Jiu spoke coldly as he walked past her. The woman in red followed him in silence, neither explaining nor speaking. Although wronged, Lao Qing dared not act out further, knowing how near he had come to death.

"How does Master plan to deal with these people?" The elder who had been silent spoke, setting down the tea set and turning around to close the door. The quality tea time was thus disturbed, missing the best tea flavors.

"Let that unfilial son in." Xiao Zhenfeng set down the cup. The wooden table carved from tree roots added an inexplicable oddity to the square room.

"Young master has been eavesdropping outside for quite a while now." The old man chuckled, stroking his beard. Although unseen, he could ascertain the position, glancing towards the upper left corner of the corridor. "Young master, Master invites you in."

Xiao Lin removed the vent cover and jumped down. "Master Qin." Dust clung to his black clothes as he respectfully bowed his shoulders toward the elderly man before him, a junior's homage to a senior.

"The young master always does this; it might shorten my life," Master Qin said, guiding Xiao Lin into the meeting room and closing the door. Two guards suddenly appeared outside.

"Master Qin can certainly handle it; it's my duty." Xiao Lin rarely showed such respect to anyone else, which made Xiao Zhenfeng snort. Master Qin, however, didn't seem awkward, as he was accustomed to such situations. He wasn't genuinely angry, just a father's little jealousy.

"What type of tea would the young master like to drink?"

"Master Qin's tea has the richest flavor, but it's a pity it suits my old man more than us youngsters."

"Lately, the young master's been smoking quite a bit; some green tea would clear the lungs better." From his meticulous technique, Master Qin was evidently a tea expert and a strong presence, demonstrating a subtle dynamic that wasn't exactly master-servant among the three.

"Thank you, Master Qin." The amber liquid carried a fragrance that seemed to be beneficial, clearing the lungs even without drinking.

"Flame Swallow said you wished to see me!"

"Father must be prepared for a complete disclosure by being willing to see me?"

"I don't know if I, Xiao Zhenfeng, taught such an unfilial son who knows how to threaten his own family?" Xiao Zhenfeng continued to snort without any grace, while Master Qin chuckled from the side.

"Master's liver fire is strong lately, so let's switch to bitter tea. Today's not a day for plum dry snacks!"

"You tell me why this brat chooses entanglements with unrelated people instead of taking the straightforward path. I've said it many times: once the northern district's affairs end, you will go to the United States."

"Did Father meet with Xia Xue? Is it true?"

"She's not suitable to be your wife. Marrying her would be committing bigamy."

"Apart from her, I won't marry anyone else; you know this well. When dealing with Fatty Wang, you'd already approved. Now, are you going back on your word?"

"That was then, this is now!"

Xiao Lin raised an eyebrow, tapping his fingers on the table. "What's different? Is this another case of sacrificing my life for the Xiao Family?"

"Knowing the current turmoil in the Xiao Family, you should bear this responsibility."

"Has the person you chose for me agreed?"

"Have you met?" Xiao Zhenfeng's hand was nudged by Master Qin, softening his tone. "You must have heard of Murong Lengyue from the Murong Clan!"

"The woman whom the Middle Eastern gentlemen wanted to kidnap and blackmail last time?"

"Not 'that woman,' she is your fiancée."

"I'm not interested in political marriages. Moreover, if the Xiao Family has to rely on foreign clans to stabilize internal issues, well..."

"That's not for me to decide. You know your grandfather's temper."(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, feel free to visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)