Fyren nearly spat blood when he heard it.
These guys are from a completely different world than me, he thought. They have no idea how dangerous this sect really is!
"Master, this name... seems inappropriate, don't you think?"
"Huh? Not good?"
Fyren forced an awkward smile. "Yes, just a little."
Otto shrugged. "I think it's fine..."
Fyren shot him a glare. "Shut up! You don't understand the situation!"
Herbert pondered for a moment. "Well... one of my signature moves involves stealing bras..."
"Master, that still makes it the Bra Gang!"
"You don't get it—this 'bra' isn't that kind of 'bra.'"
"Sounds like the same thing to me!"
Herbert frowned, deep in thought. "As the old saying goes: The land of Yan and Zhao has bred many heroic souls since ancient times! Why don't we name it after a place? Let's call it..."
Fyren dropped to his knees, tears in his eyes. "Master, tell me the truth—did you use the computer to look at those photos?"
Herbert waved his hand dismissively. "Forget it, we're calling it the Bra Gang!"
Otto cheered excitedly. "Thank you, Master! Congratulations on becoming the founding master of the Bra Gang!"
"Mmm." Herbert nodded. "Now, listen closely—but keep it a secret. Your master's name is Herbert!"
Fyren sighed. "Makes sense."
Herbert continued, "Today, the two of you have become my disciples. From now on, you must treat each other with respect and never fight. Otherwise, I will kill you. I never planned to pass on my legacy anyway. Rather than raising two sinful disciples who slaughter each other, I'd sooner put a clean end to it myself."
"Yes, Master. We wouldn't dare."
"Good. Now go. I'll be leaving this place as well."
Otto panicked.
What the hell? We're just leaving? And you're leaving too?!
We've been kowtowing, groveling, and kissing your ass, and now that we're finally in, you're ditching us?
What kind of game are you playing?!
"Master, uh... how should my brothers and sisters seek your guidance? Where can we find you?"
"No need." Herbert said. "Aren't you all doing fine in Crystalpeak City? I'll come to you when the time's right. I won't drop by now and then to teach you bits and pieces. If you can learn, good. If not, tough luck. That's just how I teach—take it or leave it."
"This... alright."
Herbert burst into laughter. "Hahahaha! Excellent disciples! Today, I, Herbert, have established my own sect! Hahaha!"
With a gust of wind, Herbert shot out of the cave like a demon, soaring into the distant sky.
"Otto! Fyren! Remember your oaths! Hahaha..."
The two exchanged bewildered glances.
What just happened?
He's really leaving?
They stepped out of the cave, where Iron King and Sherry stood guard, eyeing them suspiciously.
Once they saw Otto and Fyren come out, they greeted them simultaneously: "Young lord!"
Fyren laughed. "Iron King, uh… According to my master's orders, I've sworn brotherhood with Otto! From now on, we're fellow disciples and sworn brothers—sharing blessings and hardships, bound as brothers for life! So let's leave the past behind!"
Otto turned to Fyren with a smile. "Fyren, senior brother, from now on, we're brothers. We should support and help each other, right?"
"Exactly! Big brother!"
Otto continued, "You swindled me out of five billion dollars in cash. Now that we're brothers, you'll return the money, won't you?"
"Aiya, big brother, that's… tricky!"
"What do you mean?"
"That five billion's already been handed to Mayor Ziv for welfare projects. So… it's unrecoverable now."
"Then just pay me back from your own funds! You're loaded!"
"My money? Even harder! I've signed a fifty-billion-dollar deal with the city government. Right now, my entire group's liquidity barely tops thirty billion. I still need to scrape together over ten billion in cash just to cover the gap!"
Otto's expression darkened. "Well, senior brother, if that's your stance… Don't blame me for disregarding our master's rules."
Fyren retreated a step. "Master forbade you from hitting me!"
"Hahaha!" Otto threw his head back, eyes sharp. "We're both Bra Gang disciples—of course I won't kill you. But… there are other ways to make you pay. And just because I won't kill you doesn't mean others won't."
Fyren glanced at Sherry. "She saw us kowtowing and swearing oaths. If you order her to kill me, she'll despise you!"
"Will she?"
Sherry said coldly, "Absolutely not."
Fyren gaped. "Snap out of it! I saved you—fed you both pills mouth-to-mouth!"
At this, Sherry's face flushed crimson with rage. "Not mentioning it was fine. Now? I want to kill you!"
Otto smirked. "Iron King. Your last chance: kill Fyren, and I spare your life."
Iron King roared, "Bullshit! My loyalty is to the YOUNG LORD—unshakable! I've sworn to follow Young Lord Fyren. Are you deaf?"
Otto seethed. Fyren slung an arm around his shoulders. "Brother, let's talk."
The two stepped aside. Fyren grinned.
"Senior brother, why the rush? It's just five billion. Just that plot of land. I'll find a solution after we return. Worst case, I'll scrape together two or three billion to help you secure it. That much is doable."
"You guarantee it?"
"How can I be sure about this kind of thing?" Fyren said. "In business dealings worth hundreds of millions, nothing is ever 100% certain. We can only push things forward and depend on timing, connections, and luck. But with me here, isn't this kind of thing easy? Besides, since we're fellow disciples now, I genuinely want to be your friend. I'm always generous to my subordinates, let alone my own senior brother."
Otto's eyes narrowed. "Since Senior Brother has such intentions... well, we can discuss this long-term plan."
"Once we're back in Crystalpeak City, we'll find time to properly celebrate our brotherhood. Then we'll discuss in detail how to help you, Eldest Brother, achieve great things. With the four great clans of Crystalpeak City and my support, your path will be smooth!"
Otto was genuinely moved.
Though Fyren was clearly treacherous, it was true that he spent money freely and acted boldly. If he was willing to support Otto, annexing the other three families would definitely accelerate.
If Fyren proved loyal enough, Otto might even work under him temporarily - the kid's business acumen could be useful. With Fyren's help securing wealth in Northlandia, Otto could reap the benefits.
And even if Fyren became unusable later, once Otto consolidated control over the four families, dealing with this kid would be trivial. His life would be in Otto's hands eventually.
Thinking this, Otto said: "Senior brother, I'll be honest - I have big ambitions. I will unite the four major clans of Crystalpeak City, then all of Northlandia. If you truly support me, let's conquer Northlandia together as brothers! When I become ruler of this land, everything I have will be shared with you!"
"Excellent!" Fyren began passionately praising his Eldest Brother.
After finding the highway and making calls, Zaring arrived with vehicles an hour later.
At the hotel, everyone was shocked by Fyren's appearance - covered in tattered clothes, his arms, thighs and face bruised purple from falls, with bloody scrapes everywhere.
The manager immediately recognized him: "Fyren! How did you—"
"Bungee jumping accident," Fyren cut in. "Where's Chloe? I told her to wait here."
Chloe came running with attendants. "Fyren? What happened to—"
"Don't ask. Is the room ready?"
"Everything's prepared - banquet, red wine, the new clothes you requested..."
"Good. Give me the key card. Everyone else, leave."
"I can serve you..."
"No need. Leave."
The immediate crisis had passed, but a time bomb remained - Iron King and his four men.
Arriving at the presidential suite, the men were stunned. They could never afford such luxury at Mighty Syndicate. Though they'd just handled five billion dollars, their daily allowance was only a few thousand.
Waiters streamed in:
"Fyren, today's fresh lobster - twelve thousand each."
"Fyren, the king crab you ordered - twenty-three thousand each."
"Fyren, the Romanée-Conti you requested - three million per bottle."
"Fyren, the premium care set..."
The four men gaped. Their young lord was incredibly wealthy! Of course - he had five billion! No, wait - rumor said the Zhang family's Young Master Fyren considered five billion pocket change. Hadn't he recently invested fifty billion in a project?
Rich. Unbelievably rich.
Fyren emerged from the dressing room in fresh clothes, further dazzling them. So handsome!
"Sit. Eat and drink. No formalities."
Iron King hesitated. "Then... we won't stand on ceremony!"
The five men fell upon the food like starved wolves. As field operatives, they rarely saw their collected funds - Mighty Syndicate took nearly everything.
How many times had Iron King considered absconding with that five billion? But he'd never dared. Now their young lord was treating them - why hold back?
They devoured everything, uncorking three-million-dollar bottles like cheap beer. Fyren merely swirled his wine, observing.
Iron King grinned. "YOUNG LORD, you've fasted all day. Won't you eat?"
"You first. Then we'll talk."
After gorging themselves, Fyren took a few bites before setting down his fork. "Good?"
"Mmmmmm! Divine! This crab thigh meat - exquisite!"
Fyren smiled. "Want to eat like this daily?"
Iron King choked. "Impossible! We're grateful for this treat, but Young Lord shouldn't waste-"
"Even if you eight meals daily until eighty, you couldn't bankrupt me."
The men stammered, "Y-young Lord's wealth..."
"Also," Fyren continued, "monthly salaries: two hundred thousand each. Iron King, five hundred thousand. Satisfactory?"
Their eyes gleamed. "Thank you, Young Lord!"
"More: each gets a Crystalpeak City property - quality homes worth five million minimum. The deeds come tomorrow."
The men nearly prostrated themselves.
"Plus million-dollar luxury cars each. All living expenses covered."
Now they truly kowtowed. Over two million annual salaries! Six million for Iron King! Instant multimillion-dollar assets! No expenses - pure profit!
Who wouldn't kill for such work?
Fyren's tone cooled. "One condition: complete severance from Mighty Syndicate."
The men froze.
Calmly pouring more wine, Fyren met their eyes. "I want you to defect."