Chapter 773 - Show of Strength (1/2)

As Nie Yan passed through the crowd of people, the familiar setting caused his heart to palpitate.

An indescribable sorrow welled up within him.

Visions of the past flashed before his eyes. It was precisely in this neon-filled world that he saw Tang Yao’s cold corpse sprawled out on the floor. The painful memories tugged at his mind, but only served to steel his resolve.

No matter what, Nie Yan wouldn’t sit back and resign himself to fate this time around. He wouldn’t allow the tragedies of his past life to repeat themselves.

Nie Yan calmed himself down and walked up the stairs to the top floor. He quickly found room 88 and walked in.

Someone was already waiting for Nie Yan inside. Seeing him enter, Wei Kai immediately stood up.

“Young Master Nie,” Wei Kai respectfully greeted.

“Mhm.” Nie Yan nodded, before glancing at the entrance.

Wei Kai hurriedly closed the door. “Don’t worry. I’ve made it clear to the staff that no one is to disturb us.”

Nie Yan sat down on the sofa. “Sit,” he said, looking over Wei Kai. Though his overall appearance hadn’t changed much since they last met just over a year ago, he did grow out a scraggly beard and seemed to give off a more mature impression.

Wei Kai hesitated for a moment before sitting down on the sofa across from Nie Yan.

Nie Yan took a glass of whiskey from the table and downed it in one gulp. He laid back on the sofa, crossing one leg over the other, and asked, “So, why are you looking for me?”

Wei Kai gulped, He forcefully calmed himself down. He knew this one moment would decide his fate. Rubbing his hands, he started, “Young Master Nie, it’s like this, I’d like to ask you to take us in. Me and my 1,000 brothers. I can vouch for all of them, they’re outstanding men who will definitely be useful to you. Plus, we have a pretty decent influence in Ninjiang.”

Wei Kai had seen his fair share of death. But in front of Nie Yan, he had a hard time keeping his calm. It still puzzled him. A year ago, Nie Yan was just some scrawny little brat who was fun to bully. But now, when facing the same person, he felt an ineffable pressure. He couldn’t explain it.

Nie Yan shook his head. “I have no interest in Ninjiang. I also don’t have any desire to poke my nose into the underworld.”

Wei Kai raised his head and stared at Nie Yan with a vacant expression. Then, why did Nie Yan have Tang Yao keep in touch with him?

Most recently, as his gang expanded, the pressure Wei Kai faced from the outside increased greatly. He needed a powerful backer to rely on, and fast. Nie Yan was undoubtedly the most suitable choice. Just a little effort from World Bloc, and all their obstacles would vanish.

Wei Kai believed Nie Yan was interested in what he could offer. So, he didn’t expect this reply.

Nie Yan understood places like Ninjiang were quite chaotic, no different from a slum. The underground scene there was too volatile and couldn’t be controlled by anyone. For Wei Kai to have to risen to his position given his young age proved he had some ability. However, he filled a position, nothing more. If he weren’t there, someone else would fill his place.

“Young Master Nie… If there’s anything you need me to do, please give me your instructions,” Wei Kai said respectfully. Seeing Nie Yan’s indifferent expression, he had no idea what to say.

“If I need you for anything, I’ll naturally get in touch with you. I’ll provide you with funding to help your organization grow. Let’s say I’ll keep supporting you. However, I have a few conditions. Human trafficking and sex work are off the table, and no innocent and unaffiliated parties are allowed to be harmed. If you do any of that and something happens, I won’t protect you. A rumour of you breaking these terms is all it takes, and I’ll immediately cut you off and make sure you learn the consequences,” Nie Yan coldly said. “I’ve never met a person called Wei Kai in my life, and you’ve never met Nie Yan. Do we understand each other?”

Wei Kai was a smart person. He immediately agreed. “We do.” Nie Yan wanted to have no relationship with him.

After getting his point across, Nie Yan didn’t say anything else. Wei Kai had joined under his banner. He didn’t know when Wei Kai would be of any use, but keeping him close by wouldn’t hurt. Of course, this was only a business arrangement. It’d be far more difficult to get Wei Kai to become completely obedient.

Nie Yan decided to bring Wei Kai under his umbrella, having him handle the matters in Ninjiang and start expanding his operations to Huahai. With World Bloc’s financial backing, there should be no hiccups. As long as they didn’t openly flout the law, as time passed, they would slowly become a powerful asset to him, able to do things he couldn’t do personally.

After chatting for a while, Nie Yan got up. “We won’t meet again. Tang Yao will contact you when I need you. I’ll be taking my leave.”

“Alright. Take care, Young Master Nie.” Wei Kai stood up and followed Nie Yan to the door.

“You can leave in 30 minutes,” Nie Yan said. He opened the door and left. As he walked away, he took out his phone and rang up Bayonet.

After Nie Yan left, Wei Kai sat back down on the sofa. He carefully replayed the conversation they had in his head. Nie Yan did indeed have powerful influence. The pressure he felt earlier was probably due to their difference in status. However, to think that would be enough to control him would be too naive. From his perspective, Nie Yan was simply a springboard for him to use. His real goal wasn’t merely to be the leader of a bunch of gangsters.

Truthfully, ever since Wei Kai rose to power in Ninjiang, the situation there had improved a lot. Though part of his business still happened under the table, he worked hard to move it above. He was definitely a step up compared to the other gangs.

After chilling around in room 88 for 20-odd minutes, Wei Kai coldly chuckled. Nie Yan was still an ignorant brat. His thinking was too simple and soft. If he thought this brief conversation was enough to control him, he had a whole ‘nother thing coming for him.