As the rickshaw melted into the crowd, Xiangzi emerged from the western city dock.

He’d spotted Old Ma earlier but couldn’t show himself yet.

Per the police bureau, Harmony Rickshaw Yard’s second-tier pullers had all perished in the Li family’s mining district.

That “all” included Xiangzi.

Coming to the sky dock with Liu Tang was already a risk.

Though Master Lin had arranged everything, ten days remained before the apprentice hall opened.

He couldn’t afford any slip-ups.

Liu Tang asked him to wait, and Xiangzi would.

But first, he had business to attend to.

—

Twilight cast a hazy glow.

In the southern city, Harmony Rickshaw Yard buzzed with activity.

Fourth Master Liu wore a silk robe and a sapphire-blue brocade vest tailored by Qianxiangyi, a silver pocket watch dangling from his waist, a jade thumb ring gleaming. He looked especially prosperous.

Nearing seventy, he’d spent the whole day greeting guests at the yard, showing no trace of fatigue.

Behind him stood Girl Hu in a red jacket and skirt, flanked by his adopted sons Liu Yi and Liu Quan.

After the recent upheaval, the yard had been closed for days. Today was its grand reopening.

It wasn’t a major event, but several southern city rickshaw bosses showed up uninvited.

The yard’s entrance was piled with flower baskets and congratulatory notes.

“Well, well! Old Master Xu, Young Master Xu, what an honor!” Liu Quan stepped forward from behind Fourth Master Liu, his words polite but his feet rooted far off.

The visitor was Old Master Xu of Debao Rickshaw Yard, famed for his knack for forging connections in Forty-Nine City.

At his side was a strikingly handsome young man—Young Master Xu, whom Xiangzi had seen in the eastern city.

Before his father spoke, Xu Bin flashed a warm smile. “Brother Quan, you’re too kind. How could Debao miss Harmony Rickshaw Yard’s big reopening?”

Xu Bin waved, and a servant stepped forward with a gold pixiu statue on a silk cushion.

Xu Bin personally presented the pure gold pixiu to Fourth Master Liu, smiling. “Fourth Master, congratulations on the reopening. Now that you’ve taken Ma Liu’s yard, the southern city’s rickshaw trade is truly secure.”

Fourth Master Liu’s eyes flicked over the pixiu, a faint smile on his lips. He clasped his fists in response, then chatted with Old Master Xu about southern city affairs.

Xu Bin didn’t mind, standing quietly, listening to the old men reminisce, offering a well-timed smile.

Forty-Nine City valued hierarchy, especially among rickshaw yards, where rank was rigid.

Though all were bosses, only those controlling ore lines were true players.

Before Harmony Rickshaw Yard, which held an ore line, Debao was a step below—especially now that Fourth Master Liu had seized Ma Liu’s yard!

He’d essentially claimed half the southern city!

Xu Bin mused privately: Harmony had been squeezed by Ma Liu, yet Fourth Master Liu had the last laugh.

Old ginger’s the spiciest.

But somehow, Xu Bin’s thoughts drifted to that tall young convoy leader.

Rumor said Harmony’s second-tier pullers all died in the Li family’s mining district. That young man likely didn’t escape.

A pity. A fine martial artist prospect, and decently loyal.

Xu Bin gave a wry smile—that’s the way of the world. Who could guarantee seeing tomorrow’s sun?

He glanced at Fourth Master Liu—seventy and thriving, but who knows when he’ll keel over?

Noticing Xu Bin standing alone, Liu Quan approached with a grin, striking up a chat.

Fourth Master Liu glanced at Liu Quan but said nothing.

Of Harmony’s four adopted sons, Liu Hu had hanged himself in the police bureau, and Liu Tang was lost in the Li family’s mining district.

Girl Hu was capable but, as a woman, couldn’t take center stage.

Now, Fourth Master Liu had only Liu Quan, whom he’d once overlooked, to rely on.

His lips held a smile, but his tiger-like eyes flickered with a faint shadow.

—

At that moment, in a small inn two stories up, not far from Harmony Rickshaw Yard, a pair of inky-black eyes coldly watched the lively scene from over ten zhang away.

The breeze stirred the curtains, twilight casting shifting shadows on Xiangzi’s face.

His expression was calm, fingers tracing a short gun.

With Fourth Master Liu openly claiming Ma Liu’s yard, Xiangzi’s final doubt was resolved:

When you can’t find the culprit, look to who profits most.

Behind this bloodbath stood Fourth Master Liu and the Li family.

In other words, this old, lean tiger had the blood of Xiangzi’s brothers on his hands.

The five-colored gold ore smuggling was likely a joint scheme by Liu and the Li family, pinning the blame on the pitiful, foolish Ma Liu.

Xiangzi exhaled softly, lowering the gun.

He wouldn’t rashly try to kill Fourth Master Liu—not just because the old man might have hidden tricks, but because someone who’d thrived in the southern city for decades surely had backing.

Fourth Master Liu was a martial artist—Xiangzi had known this.

His martial prowess might even rival Liu Tang’s.

Against a ruthless, cunning survivor like Liu, forged in blood, a failed first strike meant no second chance.

To act, it had to be a killing blow.

But Xiangzi was here for another purpose.

His gaze swept the bustling crowd, landing on the once-familiar front courtyard—if he wasn’t mistaken, the real ledger was hidden there.

He gave a bitter smile.

Only now did he realize—the ore line ledger Fourth Master Liu had given him was likely fake!

Its flaws were deliberate bait to hook him.

No wonder he’d studied it for so long and found only minor traces of Liu Hu and Jin Fugui’s schemes.

From start to finish, Xiangzi was just a pawn—a tool for Fourth Master Liu to muddy the waters.

In Harmony’s front courtyard, there had to be a true ledger. With Liu’s nature, he’d never leave himself without leverage against the Li family.

This was a man ruthless enough to sacrifice even his adopted sons.

If Xiangzi could get that ledger, it might not topple the Li family, but it would be more than enough to bring down Fourth Master Liu.

Right now, this old lean tiger, fresh off claiming Ma Liu’s yard, seemed at the height of his glory.

But in truth, he was merely the Li family’s dog on a leash.