FVN Chapter 37 Disintegration
Chapter 37 Disintegration
Moyuan Garden, study.
Lin Mo stood with his hands behind his back by the window, watching the lights gradually illuminate the courtyard. Han Li stood solemnly behind him, still carrying a faint scent of smoke and blood.
"Master, the matter has been settled. All eight guards of the brick kiln have been killed, the crossbows have been burned, and no survivors have been left."
Han Li's voice was deep and steady, "As you instructed, the information about the 'Seven Fiends Sect' has been leaked to Xie Xie of the 'Sand Scorpion' and Liu Hong of the 'Iron Palm Gang' through different channels."
Lin Mo nodded slightly, his gaze still fixed on the brightening sky outside the window: "How was the reaction?"
"Liu Hong has not yet given a direct response, but the 'Iron Palm Gang' has increased patrols in the areas bordering our territory this morning, clearly adopting a more wary and distant attitude. As for Xie Xie..."
Han Li paused, a mocking smile playing on his lips. "Just as dawn was breaking, he sent someone with a visiting card, his words earnest, hoping to explain the 'misunderstanding' to the manor lord in person."
"Misunderstand?"
Lin Mo turned around, his face expressionless. "Tell him, noon, Qingfeng Teahouse."
"Yes."
Han Li responded, then added, "As for 'Black Snake,' after last night's attack and the backlash from the rumors, nearly half of his men have fled, and the rest are in a state of panic. He himself seems to have retreated to his 'Snake Den' lair and strengthened its defenses, but... he's already a trapped beast."
Lin Mo sat back down at his desk, tapping his fingers lightly on the surface: "A cornered beast will fight back, which is the most dangerous thing. Tell Wang Ben to surround them for now without attacking, just keep a close watch. Our primary goal is to completely dismantle their alliance and make Xie Xie 'abandon the darkness and turn to the light'."
At noon, in a private room of Qingfeng Teahouse.
Xie Xie came alone, without even a personal guard. He was dressed in a simple gray cloth robe, with an almost fawning smile on his face, a stark contrast to the sinister and ruthless leader of "Sand Scorpion" he used to be.
"Master Lin... Master Lin."
As soon as Xie Xie entered, he bowed respectfully, his posture extremely humble. "I have offended you greatly before. I was truly blinded by that 'Black-tailed Snake' and acted foolishly. I hope the Master will forgive me!"
Lin Mo slowly poured a cup of tea, pushed it in front of him, and did not say anything.
Sweating beaded on Xie Xie's forehead. He took the teacup but dared not drink, continuing to explain, "That 'Black-tailed Serpent' is a wolf in sheep's clothing. Not only did he instigate me to defy the Master's new rules, but he also... he secretly colluded with the evil 'Seven Fiends Sect'! I knew nothing of this beforehand; if I had known, I would never have dared to join him!"
"Oh?"
Lin Mo raised his eyes, his gaze calm yet carrying an invisible pressure. "Did Master Xie really not know anything beforehand?"
Xie Xie's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly said, "I wouldn't dare to deceive the Master! I only heard about this today, and it gave me quite a fright! The 'Seven Fiends Sect' is so ruthless; once you get involved, you can't shake off the trouble! How could my little 'Sand Scorpion' dare to get involved with them? It was all the work of that 'Black-tailed Snake'!"
Lin Mo remained noncommittal, simply stating, "The new black market regulations aim for long-term stability and shared benefits. It's understandable that Boss Xie had some reservations before. However, choosing the wrong path often comes at a high price."
Xie Xie understood the warning in the words, and cold sweat poured down his back: "Yes, yes, yes, Master is right! I am willing to repent and correct my past mistakes. From now on, I will follow Master's lead! All channels and personnel under 'Sand Scorpion' will be at Master's disposal! I only ask that Master give me a way out!"
"The path to survival is a choice we make ourselves."
Lin Mo picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said, "Since Master Xie is willing to set things right, I naturally welcome it. However, words alone are not enough..."
Xie Xie immediately said, "I am willing to offer 30%... no, 50% of the profits from 'Sand Scorpion' to the Master as a token of my sincerity!"
Lin Mo shook his head: "I don't lack that little bit of money."
Xie Xie was taken aback, then immediately understood, and gritted his teeth, saying, "Then... I am willing to merge 'Sand Scorpion' into Silent Garden and obey the Master's orders! I only ask that the name 'Sand Scorpion' be preserved so that my brothers can have food to eat!"
This is the result Lin Mo truly desired. A direct takeover would inevitably lead to indigestion and a greater backlash. Retaining its name while effectively co-opting its power and channels is the best strategy.
"Boss Xie is truly understanding." A faint smile finally appeared on Lin Mo's face. "In that case, all past grievances will be wiped clean. From now on, we will need Boss Xie's full support to maintain order in the black market."
"Definitely! Definitely!" Xie Xie nodded repeatedly, as if he had been granted a pardon.
"Since we're family, there's something I need to thank the head of the household for his help with right now," Lin Mo said, changing the subject.
"Please give your orders, Master!"
"That 'Black-tailed Snake' has colluded with evil forces and resisted stubbornly, becoming a cancer in the black market." Lin Mo's tone turned cold. "Now that Boss Xie has turned against the regime, it's up to you to clean house."
Xie Xie's body trembled violently, and the color drained from his face instantly. Being sent to deal with the "Black-tailed Snake" was a pledge of allegiance! Once he did it, he would be completely tied to Lin Mo's chariot, with no turning back.
Looking into Lin Mo's calm, unwavering eyes, he knew he had no choice. If he refused, he would never leave this teahouse; if he accepted, though he would be branded a traitor, at least he could preserve part of his business and his life.
"I... obey your command!" Xie Xie lowered his head, his voice hoarse.
That afternoon, Xie Xie, the leader of "Sand Scorpion," publicly announced that he was exposing the crimes of "Black Snake" in colluding with "Seven Fiends Gate." He stated that he had been deceived by them before, but now he had seen through their true colors and decided to sever ties with "Snake Cave." He would also obey the orders of the owner of Moyuan Garden and uphold the new rules of the black market.
The news caused an uproar in the black market.
Many smaller factions that had been observing the situation immediately switched sides and pledged their loyalty to Moyuan upon seeing "Sand Scorpion" defect. With everyone turning against them, "Snake Cave" was instantly left completely isolated.
At the same time, the intelligence network under Han Li's command once again exerted its power.
Evidence of crimes committed by "Black Snake" and his core henchmen was cleverly disseminated. Even the locations where "Black Snake" hid his private wealth and housed his mistresses were made public.
Some people who initially felt a little sympathy for "Black Snake" or were afraid of his accumulated power lost that sympathy and fear in the face of irrefutable evidence and exposed private property, and instead turned into contempt and anger.
Inside the "Snake Cave," everything was falling apart.
Apart from a few die-hard loyalists, most of the gang members, after learning of their leader's numerous misdeeds and impending doom, either secretly fled or surrendered to Moyuan or even to the defector "Sand Scorpion," hoping to atone for their crimes through meritorious service.
The "Snake Den," which once dominated the south of the city and rivaled the "Sand Scorpion," collapsed within a day or two, deserted by its followers. Only the "Black Rat Snake" remained, with a mere dozen or so loyal followers, trapped in a sturdy but completely surrounded courtyard.
As night fell, torches illuminated the mansion, and Wang Ben, leading the elite troops of Moyuan and some of the "Sand Scorpion" men, surrounded it completely. Xie Scorpion personally led the attack on his former ally to demonstrate his "loyalty."
Clashing weapons and screams could be heard from inside the mansion, but the resistance was clearly getting weaker and weaker.
Lin Mo did not go to the scene in person. He remained sitting in his study in Mo Garden, listening to the faint sounds of fighting coming from afar, his expression calm.
Han Li appeared silently and reported: "Master, Xie Xie has breached the outer courtyard, and 'Black Snake' has retreated into the inner courtyard to put up a stubborn resistance. He now has less than five loyal followers. In addition, our people monitoring the 'Iron Palm Gang' reported that Liu Hong, after learning that 'Black Snake' had colluded with the 'Seven Fiends Sect' and that his power was waning, has strictly ordered his gang members not to interfere in this matter and has sent someone to deliver gifts, saying it is to congratulate Master on eradicating the black market."
Lin Mo nodded. Liu Hong's choice was within his expectations; Liu Hong was a smart man who knew how to assess the situation.
"Tell Wang Ben to finish this quickly. Leave 'Black Snake's' head to Xie Xie to collect," Lin Mo instructed.
This severed head is a sign that Xie Xie has no way to turn back, and also the best warning to other potential troublemakers.
"Yes." Han Li accepted the order, and his figure disappeared into the darkness once more.
Just after midnight, Wang Ben and Xie Xie, covered in blood but looking excited, returned to Mo Garden together. Xie Xie was carrying a wooden box with the lid open, revealing the ferocious head of the "Black-tailed Snake" filled with resentment and astonishment.
"Master, the traitor has been killed!" Xie Xie knelt on one knee and raised the wooden box high above his head.
Lin Mo glanced at the head and waved his hand: "Dispose of it. Boss Xie, you've done a great job cleaning up this mess. From now on, you'll be in charge of maintaining order in the southern part of the black market."
"Thank you, Master Xie!" Xie Xie kowtowed heavily, his heart filled with mixed feelings, but mostly with relief at surviving the ordeal.
With the death of "Black Snake" and the submission of "Sand Scorpion" marking the end of the black market, no one dared to openly challenge the new rules established by Lin Mo.