Chapter 148 - What To Do if You’re the Villain and the Heroine Likes You

Tie Weiqi has not made any significant movements yet, but Pang Ce has already begun to exhibit obvious signs of wavering. The predicaments of the two are quite different. The Iron Eagle Gang's development is booming, with its business expanding and connections in the court, flourishing in every aspect. On the other hand, the Short Knife Gang is not faring as well. Originally a small gang, it has now lost its top combat power with the fall of its leader, leaving it in a very awkward situation. Pang Ce knows that while appearing to be taking a tough stand by leading most of his gang to pressure Tie Weiqi, they are actually at their wits' end. With his brother injured, he is powerless to bring the gang together. The Short Knife Gang may not survive until his brother's recovery, as it might collapse due to internal strife or a lack of funds. Moreover, "Iron Falls, Flat Eagle" is not an empty title. Whether his brother can completely recover from his injuries is still uncertain. However, Tie Weiqi is not as relaxed as Pang Ce perceives him to be. The Short Knife Gang may be at its wit's end, but a camel starving to death is still bigger than a horse. If the Short Knife Gang insists on fighting to the end, the Iron Eagle Gang will also find it hard to catch its breath in the short term. Then, as Fan Ziruo said, a third party would truly benefit. In this world of Jianghu, there are more than just the Iron Eagle and Short Knife gangs. After giving Tie and Pang some time to think, Fan Ziruo noticed they seemed to have come to a realization and said, "Master He." He Yunxiao was worried about Fan Ziruo and had been at the center of the feud between the two gangs for a long time. When she suddenly called him, he quickly left Chu Fan and stood beside her. "Ziruo… Miss, what's the matter?" Seeing He Yunxiao hurriedly running to her side, Fan Ziruo couldn't help but feel joyous. She was good at observing, and what she loved to see the most were He Yunxiao's various unconscious acts of care, protection, and concern for her. The moment she called for him, he hurriedly came over, almost slipping up in his address due to his anxiety. Fan Ziruo truly felt that she had found the right person. He Yunxiao really put her at the forefront of his heart. She used to think that he was rather clumsy in many things, and sometimes he couldn't understand her thoughts. But now, she thought, Master He is indeed lovely. Seeing He Yunxiao come over, a smile naturally appeared from the depths of Fan Ziruo's heart, unintentionally stunning everyone present. She smiled at He Yunxiao, "Master He often studies in the study at the Fan residence, and has never paid tuition fees." He Yunxiao awkwardly responded, "I should pay, I should pay." Fan Ziruo softly said, "It's too formal to pay tuition fees. How about Master He treating Ziruo to a meal instead?" "Of course, I should." Fan Ziruo knew He Yunxiao would agree. Since they confirmed their relationship, Fan Ziruo instinctively regarded herself as He Yunxiao's fiancée. They had an affectionate relationship. She understood He Yunxiao's nature and was confident that while he might not dare to do big things, at least for small matters like having a meal, He Yunxiao would definitely pamper her. Securing the meal invitation, Fan Ziruo then turned to Tie Weiqi and Pang Ce and said, "It's getting late, time for dinner. Would you two gentlemen like to join me?" Seeing his master's intention to host and mediate between the two gangs, Pang Ce promptly said, "This disciple listens to the master." Fan Ziruo then asked, "What about Mr. Tie?" Tie Weiqi hesitated. His position within the Iron Eagle Gang is different from Pang Ce's. Although Tie Weiqi is the leader of the Iron Eagle Gang, there are many high-ranking elders under him. He does not have the final say. This is the downside of large gangs, for the sake of expansion, power tends to be widely distributed. Seeing He Yunxiao and Fan Ziruo about to go for a meal, Chu Fan recognized it as a great opportunity to observe them and said, "Brother Tie, Brother He is inviting us for a meal. What are you hesitating for?" Tie Weiqi knew exactly who held sway among the present participants. Therefore, following Chu Fan's statement, he promptly agreed, "Alright, I'll come too." Seeing Tie Weiqi's acceptance, Fan Ziruo smiled at her student and said, "Pang Ce, even if Mr. He has money, he can't afford to treat so many people from the Short Knife Gang, can he?" Pang Ce suddenly realized that his master was hinting at him to dismiss his gang first and make a good impression on the Iron Eagle Gang. Since the matter had progressed to the negotiation stage, there was really no need to block the gates with so many people. Pang Ce said, "Brother Sun, take the brothers home for dinner." Sun Leader was somewhat reluctant, but Pang Ce reassured him, "It's all right. I have Ms. Fan's help." After expressing their gratitude to Fan Ziruo, Sun Leader and several small leaders of the Short Knife Gang led the gang members and left ahead of the others. As soon as the Short Knife Gang left, Liu Feiying and other members of the Iron Eagle Gang approached Tie Weiqi. Liu Feiying was a lean and wiry youth who cursed as soon as he arrived. "Damn, the deputy leader, and the big elder, those damn…" Tie Weiqi stopped him with a series of coughs. Liu Feiying, upon seeing Fan Ziruo, couldn't help but resume talking. "Damn, whose girl is this, really pretty, oh, that waist…" Seeing Liu Feiying gazing at her, Fan Ziruo instinctively hid behind He Yunxiao. He Yunxiao was even more decisive, using his ninth-grade cultivation to place his foot on Liu Feiying's face, massaging his facial features until they contorted, then sending him flying. "I, He Yunxiao, cannot bear to hear foul language." He then pointed at several Iron Eagle gang members who were preparing to avenge Liu Feiying, "Any of you have a problem?" He Yunxiao's long-suppressed arrogant demeanor was now fully revealed. Damn, I kindly pacify the female lead, and you all think I have a good temper, right? In the world of martial arts, the power of the various major gangs is immense. It is common for some to control areas hundreds of miles away from the court, forming small countries far from the imperial capital. However, in the imperial capital of Yinjing, the imperial court is indeed much more significant than the martial world. The Iron Eagle Gang is simply no match for the Wujing Marquis' residence. Even the backing of the Great Court of Justice's Minister, the Grand Prefect of Dai, is respectful to General He Yuanhao. Though his brothers from the Iron Eagle Gang were beaten by He Yunxiao, Tie Weiqi not only couldn't side with them but also had to placate He Yunxiao, saying in a gentle tone, "Brother He, do not be angry. It's my fault for not managing them properly. I promise to discipline them more strictly and prevent them from using foul language in the future." He Yunxiao wanted to go over and kick Liu Feiying, but considering Chu Fan's presence, he refrained from doing so. He couldn't let Chu Fan think that he was the villain. "It's fine, I was a bit rash too. Let's not talk about this, let's go for dinner." Tie Weiqi smiled and said, "If it's dinner, it should be at Spring…" He was swiftly interrupted by He Yunxiao, "Ah right, Spring Jade Forest, it's a great place! The food there is excellent, I know." Tie Weiqi knew that Spring Jade Forest was He Yunxiao's usual haunt, but seeing that he didn't plan to go there now, he tactfully agreed, "Ah yes, the food at Spring Jade Forest is indeed excellent. Brother Chu, Miss Fan, Brother Pang, shall we go there?" The few of them had no objections. After all, they were here to resolve conflicts between the gangs. Whatever they ate was just a formality. Spring Jade Forest Restaurant was not far from there. After some discussion, Fan Ziruo was carried to the restaurant in the He residence's carriage, while the others walked. He Yunxiao led Fan Ziruo to the carriage. He felt fortunate that he had come to his senses and hadn't mentioned the words "Spring Wind Pavilion" to Tie Weiqi. Setting aside the fact that it was originally Du Meimei's refuge and a place of heartache, it was a significant place because Sister Jiang was still there. Since the place was well-known to others, whenever he goes, Sister Jiang would surely hear about it. The standoff between the female leads Chu Xiaoxiao and Fan Ziruo had already made He Yunxiao fearful. Although Sister Jiang's temper shouldn't lead to a direct confrontation with Fan Ziruo, no one could guarantee what might happen when they meet. Each of the female leads had very strong personalities, making it almost impossible for them to get along peacefully. Even if Du Meimei and Fan Ziruo could get along, it was based on the premise that Du Meimei and his relationship must remain confidential. He doubted whether the sisterly bond between these two would hold after they meet in the future with frankness. He Yunxiao secretly envied the protagonist Chu Fan. If he had even half of Chu Fan's protagonist halo, the harem wouldn't have been in such a mess. He still needed to become stronger! Tl: Soothsayer.io