You promised steampunk martial arts, but you've got an internal combustion engine in your chest

The wind howled outside the car window as the massive steel vehicle rumbled forward, its horn blaring incessantly.

"This story begins with the powerful backers behind our canal gang. In the past, the reason why our Shanghai canal gang was able to thrive in this area was because we were half dependent on a major overseas sect and had no roots."

Hua Xiangrong said slowly:

"That Wugen Ferry is the biggest overlord in the East China Sea. Although it is located overseas, it accounts for nearly 80% of our coastal ferry business. If we want to use their sea routes, we have to pay them 30% of our net profit every year."

"With the surge in waterway business over the past two years, they've actually demanded that our offerings be increased to 50%... If this continues, all the hard work and toil of our tens of thousands of disciples will be wasted on them. Who can swallow this insult?!"

Upon hearing this, Baili Jie nodded and said:

"I understand that principle. Everyone in the world is driven by profit. If the distribution of profits is unequal, the group will inevitably fall apart sooner or later. But... what does this have to do with my brother? Do you think my brother can help the Canal Gang break out of this predicament?"

Hua Xiangrong glanced at Baili Jing and smiled knowingly:

"Your brother certainly doesn't have that ability, but Chao Sheng Hui can."

"What exactly is the Chaosheng Society?" Baili Jing interrupted in a muffled voice.

"That was a shipping guild that suddenly rose to prominence in the last few years."

Hua Xiangrong patiently explained:

"They started their business from inland rivers and have expanded all the way to the coast. Their wealth and influence can only be described as unfathomable. They have countless experts in their ranks. In the past two years, the Chaosheng Association has taken more than 20% of the sea route business from Wugendu! Moreover, they show no signs of stopping and are still expanding."

Baili Jie suddenly realized:

"I understand now. The Canal Gang wants to secretly join forces with the Chaosheng Society and use their influence to completely get rid of Wugendu?"

However, Hua Xiangrong extended a jade-like finger and shook it, correcting her:

"Little brother, the word 'borrowing strength' isn't quite accurate. We... we don't just want to join forces with them; we want to completely break away from Wugendu and join the Chaosheng Society!"

Baili Jing raised his eyebrows, his face full of confusion:

"Hey, Sister Hua, isn't it all the same? You're unwilling to join the Rootless Ferry, but willing to join the Tide-Rising Society. Aren't you still just being someone's slave?"

"Hehehe, young man, you are indeed very perceptive, but you don't know that there is a world of difference between the two."

Hua Xiangrong chuckled:

"Wugendu is ruthless. If they swallow up the Canal Gang, all the branches and businesses will be taken over by them. The Canal Gang disciples will be scattered and dispersed. From then on, the name of the Canal Gang of Shencheng will no longer exist in this world."

"As for the Chaosheng Society... it is actually an alliance. As long as we join it and abide by its charter, we will still be in charge of the Shanghai Canal Gang! The annual tribute will only be 20%. Even a fool knows how to do this."

Baili Jie nodded and slowly said, "I understand. So... my brother is the key to the Cao Gang joining the Chao Sheng Society?"

"Yes, it's very important, extremely important!"

Hua Xiangrong suppressed her smile and said seriously:

"The Chaosheng Society has only been around for a short time and its foundation is too shallow, so it is eager for fresh blood."

"Any local gang that wants to join the alliance must, in addition to signing business terms, select a future successor with exceptional talent and send him to the Chao Sheng Association for training and to participate in buying and selling. After the training is complete, this person will return to his original gang and take over the reins."

Upon hearing this, Baili Jietong's face showed surprise:

"Young people... are the future leaders of each gang. The Chao Sheng Society's move is brilliant! This method ensures that all members, the future leaders of their respective gangs, develop loyalty and a sense of belonging to Chao Sheng from a young age!"

"In this way, when they go back to take over, these gangs will actually become branches of the Chao Sheng Society! The so-called alliance is just for show; this method of selecting future successors is what really matters."

"Indeed, this is precisely the most ingenious and terrifying aspect of the Chao Sheng Society."

Hua Xiangrong's beautiful eyes shone brightly as she winked at Baili Jie and giggled:

"Little brother, you really have a brilliant mind. I like you more and more... Now you know why our Second Master went to such lengths, even risking upsetting the Third Master, to protect your brother, right?"

Baili Jie smiled shyly, said nothing, and simply turned to look at the boiler.

Bai Lijing's head was buzzing, and he rubbed his temples, feeling a little dizzy.

"I understand that you want to protect me for your own benefit, but I still don't quite understand why you're going to such lengths."

Baili Jie sighed and continued the conversation:

"Brother, this is actually not hard to understand at all."

He quickly added his final speculation:

"I suspect that the Blackwater Gang's Third Master Ding was hiding the news of his son's crippling condition, intending to dissect you. His real purpose... was to make his son the future heir of the Canal Gang and then send him to the Chaosheng Society, so that the entire Canal Gang would belong to the Ding family in the future."

"And now, Third Master Ding has failed at the last hurdle. Brother, the superhuman strength you've displayed makes you the perfect candidate!"

"Baihuatang's high-profile support for you is actually telling the Chaosheng Society that you are the genius selected by the Cao Gang; on the other hand, they want us brothers to owe Baihuatang a debt of gratitude for saving our lives, so that no matter how high you rise or how much power you gain in the future, you will always become Baihuatang's strongest ally!"

Bai Lijing's mouth dropped open as he finally understood:

"I see! Damn, now that you put it this way, everyone's got it all figured out, huh? But... Second Master, I, Baili Jing, am truly grateful for your help this time."

Hua Xiangrong covered her mouth and giggled, her eyes full of anticipation:

"So, young man, as long as you can survive tonight's ordeal and save your life, your future will truly be limitless."

Baili Jing pursed his lips, rolled his eyes, and lay back down in the pile of black gold slag, muttering:

"What do you mean by 'limitless future'? It sounds nice, but in the end, I'm still just a laborer working for you... I used to carry loads at the docks, and I'll just continue carrying loads in a bigger place."

He was making jokes, but he was secretly muttering to himself.

Is this really how it's going to be, that Baihuatang will tie us to the Canal Gang's war machine?

If I really become the nominal heir of the Canal Gang and become one of their own, how am I supposed to get revenge on that fat bastard Ding Yan?

This matter... needs to be carefully considered.

He was still pondering when Huanhuan suddenly spoke up, quickly saying:

"We're almost there! Hold on tight and get ready!!"

Baili Jie asked instinctively:

"Ready? What's ready...?"

Rumble!!

Before he could finish speaking, the steam-powered cart suddenly jolted violently!

Then, a strong feeling of weightlessness appeared.

The feeling was like a large vehicle suddenly stepping off the edge of a cliff and hurtling off!