The other three Triad Bosses and the Ruby Rats lackeys in the vicinity saw how Jin cleanly bisected the notorious De Tian. Even as Jin came over to pick up the solidified dantian from the lower half of the body, the upper half of De Tian was still barely conscious and could not believe that the dungeon supplier annihilated him within seconds of his first counterattack.
“Anyone of you three also wants to come at me? I’ve offered all of you a peaceful solution by purchasing the land here. Yet, the Ruby Rat Boss came and attacked me on his own volition, did he not?” Jin asked with a forceful tone.
He now had the upper hand in negotiations.
The three other Triad Bosses were scared as they regarded this as a threat. If Jin could easily wipe out De Tian with a single stroke, that meant Jin was stronger than a Grade 11! “No wonder, Tiangong District Guardian Yuan was willing to part this small shopping district for this dungeon supplier.” Mu Bing, the Triad Boss for the Prosperous Pigs as well as the most experienced one among the three of them concluded.
“So, you also think we should make him an ally by sucking our pride up rather than make him our enemy?” Tang Wei asked as he suddenly saw an opportunity that could be struck.
“Well, we three haven’t done anything to him. Up until now, all our boys did was stand around. And at the end of the day, we are still the Triad Bosses of our Royal Zodiac Clans despite Chen Xun being the youngest and inexperienced one here.” Mu Bing replied, and Chen Xun realised what was going on.
“Just because I haven’t received my official initiation ceremony, doesn’t mean I am not taking up the duties of the previous Boss of Deranged Dogs.” Chen Xun commented, and Mu Bing had decided to say out what they were all thinking.
“So? What are you waiting for? Send away your own goons along with the Ruby Rats. I have had enough for the day.” Jin ordered as he lifted his sword and placed it on his shoulders since it was rather heavy to bear, holding it with just one hand. But instead of moving away, the Triad Bosses were having an internal discussion among themselves before Mu Bing decided to personally enter the fray.
Jin held his Odachi steady and the small portion of the Ruby Rats as well as the rest of the other gang’s goons who were already over the shock of the sudden death of Ruby Rat’s Boss, immediately went forward to protect Mu Bing. After all, Mu Bing was one of the oldest Triad Boss among the various clans and had sufficient influence despite his lack of cultivation.
Yet, instead of fighting, Mu Bing raised his hands up from afar and asked Jin for a truce to restart the negotiation instead. “We have a new proposition that we wish to discuss.”
“I do not see much of a proposition here. What I see is a lot of chaos, made by the leftover garbage still protecting you.” Jin pointed out as he held onto his sword.
“Forgive them. They are just doing this because of my identity. After you took care of their boss, their line of command is disrupted. It is pretty much protocol to conform and listen to the highest ranking and most experienced ally in such a situation.” Mu Bing explained as he asked all the surrounding lackeys to stand down.
The Ruby Rats obeyed and opened a passage for him to go through. Jin, on the other hand, refused to relax and instead stuck his odachi on the ground so he could pick it up at any moment of notice for another fight.
“Hmm, Jin. Is it? I am very curious. You really aren’t easy to read. You pretended to be weak, but in fact you yourself managed to defeat a Grade 11 with your own hands so effortlessly while not even revealing your cultivation to us. And yet here you are still wary of us as if we might have the upper hand. Will it help you relax if I tell you that De Tian, was the most powerful out of all of us?” Mu Bing remarked, but Jin continued to have his guard up.
“I see. You are indeed an experienced fighter. I know that a Dungeon Supplier has to experience a lot, to make a dungeon appear real. I heard rumours about you providing very realistic dungeons to the point of them being called lifelike. I daresay I no longer doubt your capabilities after witnessing today’s brief…encounter.” Mu Bing continued.
“There is no need for any flowery language. If you wish to negotiate, do it fast. Or else get the hell out. Other people still need to clean this place up, and I’m now forced to be the one to give out these statements which are a waste of my time when I could be attending to my business instead.” Jin felt like they were buying time unlike De Tian who was straight to the point.
“Not to mention there is a need to renovate this place considering how much thrashing your Ruby Rats gave. By the way, you can all expect a large invoice for all the damages caused.” Jin grumbled right in front of Mu Bing who he laughed.
“I see, I see. You are a businessman through and through. I am sorry to have wasted your time. As you may already know, we were indeed planning to build an entertainment venue. A Grand Casino. I was wondering if you would let us do that?” Mu Bing proposed. Jin did not even need to consider it, he just shook his head in disagreement.
“You have yet to hear me out. I guarantee you that the profit would be more than substantial. You might even get your land’s purchase worth within a month or two. We could even sweeten the deal and provide you with some manpower for the renovation of this place.”
“Not interested one bit. If I wanted to build a casino, I could just create one within my dungeon instance, and it would definitely be more interesting than whatever you might have planned. ” Jin said and Ku Wai who left by the side suddenly chimed in.
“I can vouch for it. His instances are out of this world. The current state of entertainment will be considered crap if you compare it to his.” Ku Wai said, and Jin smiled at his compliment.
“Maybe that’s why the Tiger Princess wished to keep this place alive. To send the Three Eyed Tigers to protect you is no ordinary feat I tell you.” Mu Bing replied as he noticed the Three Eyed Tigers gangsters suddenly bow near an alley behind Jin.
“Exactly. That is why any further negotiations about this land will be invalid. If I am not wrong, I believe I know what you are going to talk about next. Too bad for you, I am going to issue his disagreement to you instead.” A bespectacled male, seemingly in his mid thirties walked in, wearing a smart casual outfit, unlike the other Triad Bosses.
“Boss Ya Bai, it’s rare enough to see you in joint meetings and even rarer to see out in the open. If you are willing to come out of your den, then Jin must be a big deal.” Mu Bing commented as he nodded to acknowledge the Three Eyed Tiger Triad Boss’s presence. Ku Wai even bowed similarly along with the lackeys he commanded right in front of him.
“Jin, what this old pig was going to propose was to make them your go to partner as a dungeon supplier. They will then strike a deal with you since you just killed the boss of the Triad’s main dungeon supplier for Shenzhen.” Ya Bai explained, and Mu Bing sighed and nodded his head in agreement.
“In return, King’s Monster will cease its operations, assets will be liquefied for you to use. Alternatively, you can expand over King Monster’s current assets and take them under your control. You will effectively be the biggest dungeon supplier in Shenzhen with the Triad’s backing. In return, they have access to your dungeons at a low to no cost for training.” Ya Bai added, and he could see Jin’s reluctance or annoyance to that particular matter.
“They will, of course, assist in paying the operating costs and then some. Do note it is not just their triads, but the entire twelve triads who will benefit.”
“And since there are three Triad bosses here, with me as one of the senior bosses, we can also crown you the new Ruby Rat Triad Boss and the Ruby Rats here would have no choice but to follow you. Should you want to kill them all because of the crimes they have committed, you are allowed to do so at no consequences.” Mu Bing offered more in front of Ya Bai and Jin.
“What if I said no? Seeing how you are still the Boss, I would probably still be bound by all these Triad rules. Also, I assume that would somehow make me a subordinate of the Royal Zodiac Rats, wouldn’t it? I’d prefer being my own Boss.” Jin asked, and Ya Bai nodded.
The older man also figured Jin would go that route.
“Technically speaking, they will not be able to harm you in your own little territory should you refuse. But the moment you leave this strip of shopping space, be prepared to be killed anytime, anywhere. You don’t need me to tell you how the Triads have their own laws.” Ya Bai commented, and Jin shook his head.
“Is this how you coerced other people to join your cause? Either serve or die by the swords and guns of our Triads because you spewed our blood?” Jin shouted as he reminded them again that he was not the first to attack.
“That is why I am here to give you another alternative, Jin.” Ya Bai took out a tiger emblem and showed it to everyone. “Should you accept this, you will become an honorary member of the Royal Zodiac Tiger Clan. If anyone harms you, they will suffer the wrath of the Royal Zodiac Tiger family themselves.” Ya Bai shouted out loud and clear for everyone, including Chen Xun and Tang Wei who were at the back.
The Triad Bosses were shocked to hear that. Honorary members were indeed treated as part of the royal family by the clan themselves. They had proven themselves by accomplishing an invaluable service to the family. The number of honorary members of each clan, could be counted on one’s hand.
“No strings attached at all. No answering to anyone in the clans. This is the Tiger Lord’s way of repaying his debt to you, it seems.” Ya Bai announced, which reminded Jin about the favour for saving the Royal Zodiac Tiger’s Head, Hu Yuan Ba from the Banned Emperor’s assassination.
“Needless to say, the Princess played quite a huge role in this… including throwing a huge tantrum at Yuan Ba. It’s been a long time since I saw the Tiger Head being so powerless against his daughter. Definitely worth it to come out.” Ya Bai whispered to Jin.
“I see… I see…” Mu Bing was obviously disappointed that the revenge of the Triad’s was circumvented by this abrupt change of circumstances. Yet, he was not entirely saddened by the whole situation. “If that is the case, I will return as a businessman to you, Dungeon Supplier Jin. Please keep in mind that the only ones who attacked you were the Ruby Rats.”
“Mmm. If you are truly talking about business, then yes, I will not mind entertaining you.” Jin nodded, and Mu Bing finally saw a silver lining through this incident.
“Looks like you do not bear grudges like the Triads. That is a very promising trait.”
“Gains and losses are part and parcel of a businessman. What you lose today might very well be an opportunity to gain so much more.” Jin replied, and Mu Bing bowed a little before commanding the Prosperous Pigs and the rest of the Ruby Rats to disperse before they were caught by the police.
Chen Xun informed the Deranged Dogs to get ready to leave as well. Tang Wei, however, had to ask Ku Wai to let go of his Raunchy Roosters, who had been ruffed up by the Tigers.
“Well said. The next time we meet shall be on another kind of battlefield.” Mu Bing nodded in agreement and Jin bid him farewell.
“You sure about that? You know that we are Triads for a reason.” Chen Xun asked Mu Bing, who was returning to the car.
“All the more we have to be honourable. And trust me. He might not look like it, but Jin is greedier than De Tian. Both in ambition and in character.” Mu Bing smiled at himself as he asked Chen Xun to get Tang Wei and him out of the area.
While it was pleasing to know that the whole Triad business was somehow solved, there was another thing that bothered Jin.
The current state of Tiangong Shopping District.
