civilwarnovels Chapter 1308 - 634: Taking the Initiative (Part 2)
Chapter 1308 - 634: Taking the Initiative (Part 2)
Lin Chuqiao spread her hands, smiling self-deprecatingly:
"That’s the tricky part. You need to find an honest person with principles and convince them to join an underground organization like ours, without using any dirty tricks to force them. I’ve been racking my brain on what to do these past two days."
Fang Cheng looked at her troubled expression, a smile playing at the corner of his lips:
"Isn’t the opportunity right here today? He’s come to us willingly."
Hearing this, Lin Chuqiao smiled:
"Then let’s see how you, the big boss of the Illuminati, make your move to win him over and have him join willingly."
As she spoke, her gaze casually swept across the surroundings, peeking through the gaps in several layers of scaffolding and landing on the bustling street below.
Suddenly, her eyes sharpened, and she reminded:
"He’s here, Brother Cheng."
Fang Cheng heard her and followed her gaze, looking down.
At the alley entrance downstairs, Xiao Shuai was leading a hunched middle-aged man, quickly walking toward the entrance of the old building.
"I told him before,"
Lin Chuqiao quietly explained:
"our company’s chairman will be here this morning to inspect the renovation progress. No matter how grave the injustice, he could use this opportunity to seek help in person. I also confided that as long as you nod in agreement, there’s no problem in the East Capital’s underground world that can’t be solved."
"Heh."
Fang Cheng chuckled lightly, flexing his wrists,
"Perfect timing, I’ve been practicing my skills these past few days, and my hands are itching for some action."
He twisted his neck, speaking in a relaxed tone:
"Might as well show him how our Illuminati gets things done."
Lin Chuqiao, hearing this, stifled a laugh, her eyes sparkling with charm.
"Brother Cheng, why do I feel like this setup resembles an ancient bandit chief recruiting someone to join his gang, insisting they pledge their loyalty first?"
They joked and waited on the rooftop terrace.
A moment later, the rusty iron door leading to the roof terrace was pushed open.
Xiao Shuai led Wang Li inside.
He respectfully bowed to Fang Cheng, greeting him as "Chairman."
Then he withdrew from the terrace with great perception, closing the iron door behind him.
On the deserted terrace, there were only three people left.
Fang Cheng carefully sized up the man in front of him.
Wang Li appeared to be in his forties, but his temples were already gray, and the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes were as deep as if carved by a knife.
He wore a cheap jacket faded from washing, with frayed cuffs, and his whole body emitted a fishy and sweaty odor typical of someone who spent years in fish markets.
Heavy dark circles hung on his face, and his lips were dry and pale, making him look like a piece of rotten wood about to collapse.
However, the repaired pair of gold-rimmed glasses on his nose, and his struggling attempt to stand upright despite his trembling hands out of fear, barely showed a remnant of a scholar’s dignity.
Wang Li also caught sight of Fang Cheng’s appearance, and he visibly froze for a moment.
He originally imagined that the martial world figure, praised by Xiao Shuai as someone who could resolve everything, would be a burly, ferocious character.
Completely unexpected was this young man in front of him, respectfully referred to as "Chairman," who was handsome and upright, with a refined aura, more like a college student from a wealthy family.
"Thud."
After a brief moment of shock, the desperate urgency to save his daughter finally crushed his last bit of pride.
Wang Li’s legs gave way, his knees hitting the rough cement floor heavily.
"Boss, please have mercy, save my daughter! As long as you get her out, my life is yours; I’ll do any dirty job you want!"
His voice was hoarse, laden with sobs.
Fang Cheng frowned slightly, speaking:
"Stand up and talk."
However, Wang Li remained kneeling, as if his knees had taken root in the ground, clearly intending not to rise until Fang Cheng agreed.
Seeing this, Lin Chuqiao stepped forward in high heels, offering a hand in support.
"Mr. Wang."
She gently advised,
"Our chairman dislikes using morality as leverage in negotiations. If you truly want to save your daughter, stand up and explain the situation clearly."
"You must understand, the longer the delay, the more dangerous it is for your daughter there."
These words hit a nerve, causing Wang Li’s whole body to tremble instantly.
He quickly propped himself up with his hands and managed to stand.
Then, wiping the moisture from the corners of his eyes, he began to explain the situation, his lips trembling:
"It’s the Blue Ice Bar, a territory run by the ’Poison Snake Gang.’
They called me suddenly two nights ago, saying Yaoyao broke their significant bottle of liquor, owing them three hundred thousand. Since I couldn’t come up with the money, they said they would keep Yaoyao there, forcing her to entertain guests to pay off the debt..."
As he spoke, Wang Li was so anxious he tapped his feet, his hands clenching into fists helplessly in front of him:
"Those people are all knife-wielding outlaws, ruthless, I’ve heard they’ve blood on their hands, running rampant in this area, with no one daring to cross them."
"Even if I called the police now, by the time they file the case and come through the procedures, Yaoyao might have been violated by them already..."
At this point, a choking sound came from his throat, unable to continue, fearing his dreadful thoughts might become reality.
Fang Cheng listened quietly, asking calmly:
"Are you sure she’s locked up in that bar?"
"Sure!"
Wang Li nodded repeatedly:
"I kept watch in the alley behind the bar all night yesterday and didn’t see them take anyone out. I even secretly inquired from Yaoyao’s colleagues; she’s definitely still locked inside."
Upon hearing this, Fang Cheng stepped forward, patting Wang Li’s dust-covered shoulder:
"Lead the way."
Wang Li looked up abruptly, staring at Fang Cheng in disbelief.
"Lead...lead the way?"
He stammered, asking, "Are we going now?"
Fang Cheng replied with a question:
"What, you’re not in a hurry anymore?"
Wang Li, startled, waved his hands hastily:
"That’s not what I meant, I’m saying those guys are tough, we should prepare before going."
He looked around, seemingly searching for bodyguards or thugs to accompany them to the rescue.
In his mind, such a wealthy and powerful big shot would at most make a call, arranging for a dozen or so subordinates armed with weapons to get the girl back.
Yet the seemingly scholarly young man in front seemed ready to take the risk himself?
That was the Poison Snake Gang’s territory, with dozens of gang members guarding the place!
Fang Cheng provided no explanation, simply bypassing him and heading for the iron door.
"Brother Cheng, let me go with you."
Lin Chuqiao followed with a couple of steps, softly suggesting.
Fang Cheng stopped, turning to look at her, instructing:
"You stay here, someone needs to oversee the construction site. It’s just dealing with a bunch of thugs; I’ll be back soon, and we can have dinner together."
Upon hearing this, Lin Chuqiao’s eyes lit up with joy, and she obediently nodded, ceasing to insist.
Walking ahead, Fang Cheng pushed open the iron door, leading the anxious Wang Li downstairs.
Actually, neither Lin Chuqiao nor Wang Li understood Fang Cheng’s true intention.
Dealing with a non-mainstream gang really only required a word from him.
Whether having Xiao Shuai bring along a few brothers from the Red Tiger Gang, or sending Big Hammer, Fatty Hu, and others to sweep the scene, they could easily get the person out.
But Fang Cheng chose to run this errand himself for one reason only.
It was to establish authority and gain trust.
Someone like Wang Li, who was highly principled and meticulous, would find it hard to completely put aside his misgivings with only verbal goodwill.
Only by appearing as a savior in his most desperate moment, using formidable means to rescue his daughter from the Demon Cave,
such extreme violence and redemption could cause the strongest psychological impact.
By then, using the "Spiritual Resonance" ability, one could establish an unbreakable mental bond at the person’s most vulnerable moment.
This was the most effective means to ensure the absolute loyalty of a core financial director.