Starting as dockworkers, they swept through Chongqing.

Half an hour later, the electric arc slowly subsided.

Xilun walked to the corner of the room, reached out with both hands, and suddenly grabbed a solid iron ball placed on the ground.

"rise."

He let out a low groan, his legs firmly planted on the ground like ancient trees, and he suddenly exerted force from his waist and back.

He lifted the iron ball, which was about half a person's height in diameter and weighed several hundred kilograms, with his bare hands, and then slowly and firmly pushed it upwards with both arms.

His physique, after a week of rest and intense exertion, has been completely solidified at its peak.

The small iron balls originally used for rehabilitation have been replaced by this terrifyingly large object at some point.

Although it couldn't compare to the imposing presence of a third-tier aberration like Lund, this pure physical strength was already quite extraordinary for an extraordinary individual who hadn't yet broken through to the second tier.

The iron ball rose and fell.

Fine beads of sweat began to appear on Xilun's cheeks, sliding down his chiseled muscles and shattering on the floor.

He didn't stop, pushing his muscles to the limit with each lift until his arms began to tremble uncontrollably and his lungs were pumping heavy breaths like bellows, at which point he suddenly let go.

"boom!"

The iron ball slammed into the specially made, thick shock-absorbing pad, causing the entire room to shake.

Instead of sitting down to rest immediately, Xilun dragged his exhausted body and slowly paced around the small room.

His chest heaved violently, coordinating with the breathing techniques of the "Great Sea Whale Guiding Technique," greedily absorbing the free energy in the air to repair those minor muscle injuries.

He made almost perfect use of every minute, constantly pushing his body to higher and higher limits.

Counting the days, the seven-day complete recuperation is over. The deep knife wounds that exposed bone and the hidden injuries caused by muscle backlash have scabbed over and fallen off under the terrifying self-healing power, leaving behind layers of light pink new skin.

The vacation I asked Yuri for is almost over.

Recalling the work of the escorts, Xiren shook his head.

That job wasn't very demanding to begin with, and since the last time they hunted that python-like creature at sea, there hadn't been any more troublesome news coming in.

He took a quick cold shower, changed into a clean black stand-up collar shirt, pushed open the door, and stepped into the morning mist of Saint Laurent.

Brotherhood headquarters.

When Siren appeared on that familiar street, the previously noisy gang members instantly fell silent.

The burly men on both sides stopped what they were doing, and when their eyes fell on the young man in the black shirt, they all unconsciously took a step back.

The look in their eyes was no longer that of equals or secret scrutiny; instead, it held an almost fanatical reverence.

Everyone lowered their heads in unison, making way for him.

This level of respect was no less than when they faced Yuri, the underground governor of the Southern District.

In the underworld, power is the absolute truth.

The image of Siren smashing Ross to pieces in the ring has become an indelible and terrifying mark on the minds of these gang members.

Xilun remained calm, ignoring the stares, and walked straight into the core area of ​​the headquarters.

Siren pushed open the heavy oak door to Yuri's office and walked in silently.

Behind the desk, Yuri, wearing gold-rimmed glasses, was writing something on parchment with his head down, a pen in his hand and his brow furrowed.

Xilun didn't speak, but stood quietly by the door, waiting patiently.

After a while, Yuri seemed to realize something. He looked up and saw Xiren standing in the shadows through his glasses.

This gang leader, who was usually unfazed even by the collapse of Mount Tai, suddenly panicked and abruptly pushed back his chair and stood up.

"Oh dear, Siron!"

Yuri quickly walked out from behind the desk, his tone tinged with reproach and barely concealed urgency, "Why didn't you say you were coming sooner?"

How long have you been standing outside? All my trivial matters are nothing compared to you!

Xiren looked at Yuri's slightly exaggerated posture, a faint smile appearing on his lips:

"Lord Yuri, you're too kind."

I just arrived and waited a little while, it's nothing."

"That won't do either." Yuri walked up to Xiren and said solemnly, "From now on, just tell me when you come, or have someone below inform you. Don't wait for me."

He warmly put his arm around Xilun's shoulder and ushered him into the reception area inside the office, where he himself sat down at the mahogany coffee table.

"How are you feeling?" Yuri looked Xilen up and down, his eyes filled with concern.

"Restored to its original state, or even better."

Xilun answered calmly, but his tone revealed an undeniable confidence.

Upon hearing this, Yuri couldn't help but burst into laughter: "I've witnessed your incredible physique even from across the stands!"

That kind of ferocious power was something even Ross, the monster from the Platinum Club, couldn't match.

"You've recovered so quickly, I'm finally relieved."

After the laughter subsided, Yuri's expression gradually turned serious. He picked up the bone china teacup on the table, took a small sip, and seemed to be organizing his thoughts.

"Siren, now that you are fully recovered, I'd like to talk to you about serious matters."

Yuri stared into Xiren's eyes. "Do you have any plans for your future?"

Silen leaned back on the sofa, his fingers gently rubbing his knees. After a moment's thought, he said:

"I did think about it, but not too much."

The current focus is still on improving our strength.

Yuri nodded slightly, not surprised by the answer:

"With your current fame and the terrifying potential you've shown, the number of invitations from powerful nobles and influential groups to recruit you could probably overwhelm the Iron Cross's gates."

They are mostly drawn to your potential for the future.

He paused, his tone becoming extremely sincere:

"My brotherhood may not have much else, but it can't compare to those large families that have been around for centuries."

However, he still showed considerable sincerity towards his own brothers.

I, Yuri, never mistreat my own people.

Xilun listened quietly without interrupting.

Yuri stood up, walked to a huge map of Saint Laurent City hanging on the office wall, picked up a baton, and pointed to the gray area at the top of the map that represented chaos and poverty.

"Northern District." Yuri turned his head, his eyes gleaming with ambition. "Recently, the Brotherhood has been planning to expand outwards."

I've made a detailed plan to fully acquire a large abandoned factory in the North District, along with the shops and land on several nearby streets.

"I intend to use this place as the foundation of the Brotherhood in the North."

Yuri's voice gradually rose, "Starting from this point, we'll establish underground trading hubs, set up production lines, massively acquire the cheap raw materials unique to the North, and even integrate the cheap labor there. This is a very big game."

Yuri walked back to the sofa, placed his hands on the coffee table, and stared intently at Xiren:

"I really need someone who can keep things under control in this area."

"Or rather, appoint a reliable governor!"

The North District is different from the South District. There are no written rules there, only gang warfare and the brutal law of the jungle.

Without absolute military deterrence, any business would be devoured by those hungry wolves within days.

"My brotherhood's sincerity is undeniable."

Yuri revealed his trump card: "If you are willing to stay and do this job well, you will personally take 50% of all the profits from that huge industrial chain in the North District!"

The land, shops, factory acquisition funds, and even the initial expenses will all be covered by our brotherhood.

Xilun's pupils contracted slightly.

50% profit.

This is an extremely exaggerated number.

"Actually, the subsequent benefits from the North District aren't that important to me."

Yuri frankly stated, "My main goal is to use this to open up the interface for trade between the North and the South, so that goods from the South can flow out safely and resources from the North can flow in."

Once this connection is established, the Brotherhood will experience a qualitative leap forward.

After Yuri finished speaking, he sat back on the sofa and waited quietly for Xilun's reply.

Xilun lowered his eyes thoughtfully. This was indeed an extremely important job, not only because of the lure of money, but also because of its symbolism of power.

Once he takes over, he will face countless assassinations, power struggles, and bloody battles, but this will also be the best whetstone for his skills.

"I need to think about it." Xiren did not agree immediately, maintaining his usual caution.

Yuri, however, was not in a hurry. Instead, he smiled knowingly and said, "Knowing you as I do, you should accept it."

"Why?" Xilun raised his eyes.

"Because you have an untamed spirit in your bones, you are not the kind of person who is willing to tie yourself to the chariot of some nobleman."

Yuri astutely pointed out Xiren's character: "So you probably won't choose to join the genealogy of those powerful families to receive funding."

If you only choose to provide nominal sponsorship, the benefits and sincerity offered by those people are actually very limited.

Yuri leaned forward, his voice low and seductive:

"With me, as long as you do your job as the general manager, you can rightfully have 50% of the profits from a huge industrial chain."

Even many noble families with deep-rooted social standing might not be able to afford such working conditions.

After all, to them, you are ultimately an outsider with commoner blood, and they would never allow you to touch their core interests.

Xilun silently calculated in his heart.

Yuri is right.

Although he made a name for himself, to most forces he was just a useful henchman.

Unless he chooses to marry into a noble family and slowly accumulate decades of experience, acquiring the vast resources needed to advance to a higher level is as difficult as ascending to heaven.

Staying with the Brotherhood and controlling a district is indeed an excellent springboard for development.

After a long silence.

Xilun raised his head, looked calmly at Yuri, and slowly uttered four words: "Then I'll give it a try."

Before we knew it, it was already afternoon.

The salty sea breeze swept across the docks in the southern district, and huge steamships roared deafeningly from their berths, sending plumes of black smoke soaring into the sky.

Xilun walked along the slightly muddy wooden boardwalk toward the dock management office.

Now that he has decided to take over the position of North District General Manager, he naturally needs to come here to hand over his previous work as a protector.

As they passed by the laborers carrying goods, many of the familiar workers stopped in their tracks upon seeing Xilun, their eyes flashing with fear and curiosity. They kept their distance and dared not greet him as casually as before.

Xilun was already used to this.

He arrived at the office of the dock supervisor, Losas, raised his hand, and gently tapped his knuckles on the weathered wooden door.

"Come in," came Losas's calm voice from inside.

Xilun pushed open the door and entered.

Lothar, who was behind his desk, was flipping through a thick stack of nautical logs when he heard footsteps and casually looked up.

However, when he realized that the person entering was Siron, Lothar's expression changed subtly.

His body, which had been casually leaning back in the chair, suddenly stiffened. He seemed to fall into a brief silence, his Adam's apple bobbing up and down.

Finally, Lothar forced a smile that looked more like a grimace: "Siron... you've come."

He stood up from the chair and somewhat awkwardly wiped his hands on his trouser legs:

"I heard you're a knight now... Congratulations."

I've been quite busy at the docks lately and haven't been able to go to the game in person.

Xilun moved closer and walked to the desk.

He keenly sensed the strange aura emanating from Losas.

This manager, who once commanded respect and bossed his subordinates around at the docks, now lowered his head slightly, not daring to look Xilun in the eye.

But he couldn't help but glance at Xilun's calm face out of the corner of his eye, his eyes filled with a mixture of awe and inexplicable estrangement and distance.

Silen looked at him quietly, and suddenly felt the same way he had felt when he broke up with Cage.

That is the chasm that arises instinctively between people at the bottom and those in power after a drastic change in their social status.

This chasm is bottomless; no matter how peaceful you are, the other party will automatically lower their own standards.

"Thank you." Xiren nodded slightly, not exposing Losas's awkwardness, and stated his purpose directly, "I'm here to collect the handover documents regarding the development of the North District that Lord Yuri mentioned."

Upon hearing this, Losas's face paled even further, and he could only force a smile.

Originally, the lucrative position of North District Development Manager should have been filled by him, a veteran who had worked his way up in the Brotherhood for many years, or by some second-tier extraordinary individual.

He had even been secretly preparing for this for a long time.

But now it seems that the higher-ups have unhesitatingly handed over this position to the rising god of death.

"Okay... okay, please wait a moment."

Losas nodded absentmindedly and turned to walk toward the metal filing cabinet behind him.

His movements were somewhat flustered, and he picked up the wrong file several times.

After tidying up for a while, he handed a thick stack of parchment scrolls to Xilun.

After doing all this, Losas felt as if all his strength had been drained. He sighed deeply and slumped back into his chair.

He looked up at Xilun's tall and imposing figure, recalling how taciturn the young man had been when he first arrived at the dock a few months ago, and a deep sense of powerlessness welled up in his heart.

"Sirens..." Losas blurted out instinctively.

Then, he gritted his teeth and finally uttered the title that he felt humiliated but had no choice but to accept: "Sir."

The moment the word "sir" was uttered, the invisible barrier between the two was completely broken.

"Sir, please take a look and see if there are any omissions or missing items?"

Lothas's tone had completely shifted to that of a subordinate speaking humbly to a superior.

Xilun looked at the dossier in his hand but did not read it.

He pursed his lips, gave Lothar a deep look, and said calmly, "That's enough."

Without further ado, Xilun turned around, tucked the file under his arm, and pushed open the door to leave.