He nodded in a daze “I’m in.”

Zi Yang let go of him and smiled “Good.” The old man woke up and said “Huh? I agreed?!” Zi Yang looked at him and the old man sighed, drained his wine cup and looked at Zi Yang, saying “I hope I don’t make a mistake.”

Zi Yang smiled and replied “You haven’t. By the way, old man, what’s your name?” the old man’s lips twitched as he responded “Zu Bai…”

Zi Yang nodded and said “Alright, Old Bai. We need to talk about your little organization then…” Zu Bai raised an eyebrow and Zi Yang tilted his head, continuing “First of all grab 5 of your best men, then rest can disappear. I only want the best of the best, as for the rest… I will handle your fresh blood.”

Zu Bai was stunned and Zi Yang added “Oh right! Forget about Intelligence, just focus on assassination. I have a plan for the intelligence aspect. You will come into contact with the intel when I actually have it in my grasp…” he muttered to himself after that “Hopefully, she is properly ready otherwise I’ll have to push back my plan for a year…”

He sighed to himself and Zu Bai sat there, stunned stiff.

Did he just say push back his plans for a year?

He couldn’t help but ask “Zi Yang… How much do you have planned?” Zi Yang looked at him and blinked “Just the next 5 years, why?” Zu Bai’s eyes twitched and he asked “What do you mean?”

Zi Yang looked at his fingers and said “The complete takeover of the city, the wiping of all hidden dangers, and the merging of the clans into my one Zi Clan, plus remodeling the city to my tastes…”

Zu Bai shivered and shut his mouth, this guy was too scary!

It was like everything was already in his hands.

He had plans for his plans!

What a mad man!

Zi Yang frowned and muttered “Though, the merging will be tough. Oh right! That reminds me…” he pulled out a paper and scribbled on it, saying “Old bai, sign this.”

Zu Bai looked at the paper and asked “What is this?” Zi Yang rolled his eyes and answered “Would I hurt you? Just sign it, jeez.” Zu Bai sighed and signed the paper without reading it.

A red light flashed and entered Zu Bai’s chest.

Zi Yang sighed “Old bai, here’s a warning. Never sign something you didn’t read.” Zu Bai shivered and said “What did you do to me?!” he tried to attack Zi Yang but felt intense pain, Zi Yang looked at him sadly and asked “Old Bai, do you think I’m a brainless idiot?”

Zu Bai sat in his chair and grinded his teeth, Zi Yang patted his shoulder and said seriously “Old bai, listen to me. Don’t be upset.” Zu Bai grinded his teeth and said “You-” Zi Yang cut him off and said “Old Bai. Do you truly trust me? Do you think I would trust you because of your word?”

Zu Bai shut his mouth.

Obviously not.

If he did that, he was a fool.

Zi Yang nodded and said “In these times, l can’t trust anyone without a back up plan. I’m not taking any chances, not only for my safety but my son’s as well.” Zu Bai looked at Zi Yang, who looked serious as he continued “The contract you just signed will stop you from disclosing any information that I give to you. Basically, it’s a secrecy contract. You can’t tell anyone and you can’t attack me or my son. Sorry, Old Bai. You’re a nice old man, but I just met you today, if I trusted you like that, I would probably die the next day.”

He looked at Zu Bai and said “This is insurance. You will not betray me, I will not allow it. Though if you really want to betray me, you’ll die. Not that it matters, I have your life and even if you’re gone, I’ll do the same to your grandson.” his eyes sharpened as he continued “I can manipulate that kid like a puppet, I’m sure you understand what I’m trying to say.”

Old Bai looked at Zi Yang silently as he added “I will not treat you poorly, I can promise you that. If you read the contract, it even says in it. You can look if you want.” Old Bai grabbed the contract and read it, it said ‘Zi Yang will not harm Zu Bai or his family and will not mistreat them, or use them as slaves, etc. should this be breached, Zi Yang will die and the contract will be nullified.’

Old Bai looked dazed and turned his attention to Zi Yang, who smiled “Put your faith in me, Old Bai. This little assassin doll house will become a force to be reckoned with. I promise.” Old Bai smiled weakly “I don’t really have a choice…”

Zi Yang smiled happily and nodded “Yup! You are tied to my pirate ship now, Old Bai.” Old Bai rubbed his forehead and muttered “I suddenly have a bad feeling… I should've beat you to death when I had the chance…” Zi Yang kept smiling as he nodded again, answering “Yup! You really should’ve! Anyway, get to scouting your own men. When I’m ready, I’ll call you to bring the 5 to me. See you, Old Bai!”

As he turned around and wheeled away, Old Bai sighed and wheeled him out of the building, looking sullen.

One minute he was a respected old man, now he was a pirate…

What sin did he commit in his last life…

Zi Yang passed by the assassins before looking at little Hei, saying “Come with me kid. You’re taking the mission I posted.” Little Hei looked confused and Old Bai said “Hei’er, go with him.” Little Hei said in shock “Gramps!?” Old Bai glared at him and the kid shivered before sulking over to Zi Yang.

He had looked at the mission, it was to protect Zi Yang for a month. It was a rich mission but none of the assassins wanted to do it because they didn’t like Zi Yang.

Suddenly!

Another man stood up and said “I will take this mission too.” Little Hei looked at him and said coldly “I have this mission already.” the man said expressionlessly “It says 2 people preferred.” Little Hei snorted and said “Whatever.” before pushing Zi Yang out of the hall.

The man followed the duo and Old Bai watched them go before looking at the rest of the assassins. They looked at him and he said “In the following days, we’ll have a ranking tournament. The top 5 will be awarded with Superior Body Refinement pills.” before disappearing.

The men in the hall all got lively, with the exception of a few, as they chattered about the prizes.

Completely unaware that failure meant death.

Zi Yang looked at the new guy and asked “What’s your name?” The man stayed silent and Zi Yang chuckled, “Then I’ll just call you Rico.” The man’s eyes twitched but he stayed silent.

Zi Yang smiled and waved “Alright, little Hei and Rico. I’m sure you have concealment techniques. Go conceal yourselves.” The two disappeared immediately and Zi Yang wheeled himself through town, returning back to the Zi Clan compound.