Courtyard House: First, kill the hypocrites, leave none alive.

The plainclothes officer turned and strode out. The door closed behind him.

Yan Tong lit the cigar, took a puff, and slowly exhaled.

Smoke rose in the dim light, blurring his face.

The Northerners and Nguyen Hung—these two lines will inevitably become intertwined sooner or later.

He just needs to wait until they've fought enough before he comes out to clean up the mess.

He stubbed out his cigar in the ashtray, stood up, walked to the window, and pulled back the curtains a crack.

The sunlight streamed in, making him squint.

The streets of Yau Ma Tei were bustling with people, just as lively as ever.

Northwesterner, take your time and grow big. When you're big enough, someone will come and take you down.

A faint smile appeared on his lips, a smile that was brief, fleeting in the sunlight.

Yau Ma Tei, Golden Princess Nightclub.

Afternoon sunlight streamed through the blinds, casting dappled patterns of light and shadow inside the room.

The faint sounds of the bustling city outside the window could be heard, but after being separated by glass, only a muffled buzzing could be heard.

Chen Feng sat behind his desk, holding an account book in his hand, slowly flipping through it.

The skinny monkey stood in front of him, holding a few sheets of paper in his hand.

"Brother Da Gang, these are the account books from the newly acquired nightclubs. Last month's revenue was 30% higher than the month before last."

Chen Feng took the papers, read them once, and put them down.

"Are we manpower enough?"

The skinny monkey thought for a moment.

"Iron Head is keeping an eye on Princess Jin's side with his men. Mudfish is managing New World. As for the newly acquired companies, Gap Tooth said he'll keep an eye on them for now, and we'll assign others to them once things stabilize."

Chen Feng nodded.

"Have them keep a close eye on things. It's a newly closed establishment; things could easily go wrong."

The skinny monkey nodded.

"clear."

He stood there, not moving.

Chen Feng raised his head.

"Is there anything else?"

The skinny monkey hesitated for a moment.

"Brother Da Gang, there hasn't been much movement from Yan Tong lately."

Chen Feng looked at him.

"What? Afraid he'll cause trouble?"

The skinny monkey shook his head.

"It's not that I'm afraid. I mean, he's too quiet. Last time we refused to raise the fees."

Chen Feng leaned back in his chair.

Yan Tong is like an old fox.

When he's quiet, he's scheming.

Calculate how to get the greatest benefit with the least amount of effort.

He looked up at the skinny monkey.

"Just keep an eye on him."

The skinny monkey nodded.

"clear."

He turned around and strode out.

The door closed behind me.

Chen Feng stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the street outside.

Yan Tong, take your time calculating.

His face was expressionless.

A private club on Hong Kong Island.

A secluded private room was hidden deep within the club. The door was closed, shutting out the noise from outside.

The room was dimly lit, and the air was filled with the aroma of cigars.

Yan Tong sat on the sofa, a cigar between his fingers, slowly smoking.

Across from me sat a man—around forty years old, thin, wearing an old suit and gold-rimmed glasses, looking like a down-on-his-luck businessman.

But those eyes were very active, darting around, and everything they looked at seemed like they were scheming.

Zhou Yongling.

Yan Tong looked at him and exhaled a puff of smoke.

"Mr. Zhou, I heard you've been getting quite close to the Northerners lately?"

Zhou Yongling's smile froze for a moment, just a moment, and then he returned to normal.

"Master Yan is joking. I'm just a nobody, how could I dare to get so close to the Northerners? We just occasionally bump into each other, there's no real friendship between us."

Yan Tong looked at him, his eyes flashing with a cold light.

Zhou Yongling felt a chill run down his spine from his gaze, but he maintained a smile on his face.

Yan Tong placed the cigar on the edge of the ashtray and leaned forward slightly.

"Mr. Zhou, you are a smart man. Smart men know what to say and what not to say."

He paused.

"Let me know as soon as you hear anything from the Yankees."

Sweat began to bead on Zhou Yongling's forehead.

He looked at Yan Tong, at that smiling face, his mind racing.

Yan Tong was trying to win him over, but also threatening him.

Tell him that Yan Tong also needs to know about what's happening in the North. If he doesn't tell—

"Don't worry, Master Yan."

He nodded quickly.

"I will let you know as soon as I hear any news from the North.

Yan Tong smiled, but the smile was brief as he leaned back on the sofa.

"Mr. Zhou, you are a sensible person."

Zhou Yongling smiled awkwardly, not daring to respond.

Yan Tong stood up, walked up to him, and patted him on the shoulder.

"Work hard, and I'll reward you handsomely." He turned and strode toward the door.

The door opened, then closed again.

Zhou Yongling sat on the sofa, the smile on his face slowly fading.

He reached up and wiped the sweat from his forehead; his hand was still trembling.

Yan Tong asked him to keep an eye on the Northerners.

What should he do?

Tell the Northerners?

Pretending not to know anything?

Or perhaps—he dared not think further.

He stood up, strode out of the private room, and disappeared at the end of the corridor.

Princess Jin, third-floor office.

Chen Feng sat behind his desk.

The door was pushed open, and the skinny monkey walked in.

"Brother Dagang, Zhou Yongling is here."

Chen Feng raised his head.

"Let him in."

The skinny monkey turned and left.

A moment later, the door was pushed open and Zhou Yongling walked in.

He looked unwell, with sunken eyes, dry lips, and a generally troubled expression.

He walked up to Chen Feng and stopped. "Mr. Chen."

Chen Feng looked at him.

"sit."

Zhou Yongling sat down on the sofa, his bottom barely touching the edge, his back ramrod straight.

He hesitated for a moment, then spoke.

"Mr. Chen, Yan Tong is looking for me."

Chen Feng looked at him but didn't say anything.

Zhou Yongling continued, "He told me to keep an eye on you. If you make any moves, tell him immediately."

Chen Feng nodded. "Anything else?"

Zhou Yongling said, "He said to tell him as soon as there is any news from the North."

He paused, his voice hoarse.

"Mr. Chen, I—"

Chen Feng raised his hand to interrupt him.

"Tell him."

Zhou Yongling was stunned.

"Mr. Chen?"

Chen Feng stood up, walked to the window, turned his back to him, and looked at the street outside the window.

"Tell him that the Northman has been busy doing business lately. He's acquired a few more nightclubs and is growing bigger and bigger."

Zhou Yongling looked at him, his mind in turmoil.

This person, let him tell Yan Tong the news?

Why?

Chen Feng turned around and looked at him.

Give him whatever he wants. Make him think you belong to him.

Zhou Yongling's eyes lit up.

Chen Feng was making him a double agent—to give Yan Tong false information and keep an eye on Yan Tong's movements.

"Mr. Chen, I understand." He stood up.

Chen Feng walked back to his desk, took an envelope from the drawer, placed it on the desk, and pushed it over.

When Zhou Yongling opened it, he found a thick stack of banknotes inside.

"Mr. Chen, this—"

"Here you go. This is your reward for your hard work."

Zhou Yongling put the money away.

"Thank you, Mr. Chen."

Chen Feng nodded.

"Go."

Zhou Yongling turned around and walked out quickly.

The door closed behind me.

The skinny monkey walked over.

"Brother Da Gang, do you believe him?"

Chen Feng looked at him.

"What? You don't believe it?"