Elder Liu sneered, "Overlord Brother, could it be you who’s colluding with the Zoroastrian Sect?"
"Heh heh, I surely don’t have the guts for that, but Elder Liu, your Guild Cao manages the transport routes, this couldn’t possibly be related to you, could it?"
"Our Guild Cao is law-abiding; we’d never get involved in such life-threatening schemes. However, your Fishing Guild is filled with all sorts. Can’t be too sure with you guys."
Nan Batian declared, "My Fishing Guild would never do such a thing either."
The two exchanged verbal jabs before turning around and leading their men away.
No one seemed to suspect Peng Shizhong; after all, he’d always been honest.
Leaving Darugachi Mansion,
Liu Laoguai looked at Bai Mosheng and said, "Mr. Bai, this wasn’t our doing, was it?"
"Leader can rest assured. I keep a tight watch on the iron from our mines. All our secret sales are to our regular clients; not a soul from the Zoroastrian Sect."
"Good, then I’m relieved. Getting mixed up with the Zoroastrian Sect these days is no laughing matter."
Liu Laoguai then mounted his horse and left.
A similar situation took place with Nan Batian. Once outside, he asked his Eagle Guard, Tang Ziyue,
"Any troubles with the iron mine?"
"Rest assured, Leader. It wouldn’t be the Fishing Guild Disciples; I keep a close eye on the mine every day. It hasn’t sold to the Zoroastrian Sect."
"Good. Be careful though. Oh, and halt the supply to the Black Market to lay low for a while."
Tang Ziyue nodded in agreement.
Suddenly, Qin Ying said from the side, "Leader, if it’s not us and not Guild Cao, who could it be?"
Nan Batian paused, his gaze shifting to the lagging Peng Shizhong.
With narrowed eyes, he chuckled, "Heh, if that’s the case, things could get interesting."
He then slowly added, "Elder Brother."
"Yes, Leader? What are your orders?"
"Nothing much; I just wanted to check if there was any trouble with my mine. How about yours, any problems?"
Peng Shizhong said, "No problems."
Nan Batian stated, "Good. If there is a problem, we must root it out. You can deceive anyone, but not Darugachi. Elder Brother, take good care of yourself!"
Peng Shizhong narrowed his eyes, "Younger Brother, you suspect it’s from my side?"
"I certainly can’t jump to conclusions. But if Elder Brother is confident, then that’s a good thing. If it’s not sorted out in time, though, your White Tiger Hall could suffer."
"But to think thoroughly, such an act can hardly go unnoticed without the involvement of Elder Brother’s adoptive son. It’s a pity Elder Brother just lost one adoptive son, now perhaps another one’s in danger!"
Peng Shizhong’s forehead creased upon hearing this.
Nan Batian continued, "Elder Brother, you better conduct a thorough self-examination. The higher-ups are watching, and so am I. Don’t let it affect my Fishing Guild."
After these words, Nan Batian said, "Elder Brother, I take my leave."
Waving his hand, he led his men away.
Peng Shizhong’s face darkened!
Could it really have been his adoptive son?
"Cough cough cough..."
Thinking about this, he suddenly started coughing violently, the emotional upheaval aggravating his injuries. With each cough, blood spilled from his mouth.
Peng Fu hurriedly approached, to which Peng Shizhong gestured to stop, "Back to the mansion, summon the eldest, second, and third brothers immediately for a meeting!"
Peng Fu promptly agreed and instructed the ordinary guards following behind, "Go call for Old Master, Second Master, and Third Master."
The guard, hearing this, quickly sped off to summon Feng Xuan and the others.
"Cough cough cough..."
As the guard left, Peng Shizhong coughed even more violently.
At this moment, Peng Fu said, "Master, should we send a message to Fifth Master?"
While coughing, Peng Shizhong waved his hand, "No need, let him investigate as usual."
As he wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, he walked forward, his body seemingly bent by several years.
He now had a suspicion that among his men in White Tiger Hall who caused such a stir without being noticed, it must’ve been either his eldest or second son.
He didn’t really care about them colluding with the Zoroastrian Sect, selling pig iron to them. Even if it was a capital offense, that didn’t bother him. But for them to kill for their own gain, to kill Fourth Brother, to kill their own brother, was something Peng Shizhong could not abide.
"Heh, Jianghu, this is Jianghu!"
Peng Shizhong reflected on the past when he and Nan Batian were brothers, fighting to the death for leadership of the gang.
But deep in his heart, he cherished the bonds between brothers, so when he adopted his sons, he always hoped they would live in harmony and support each other.
But now it seemed his teachings had failed; they were walking the same path he had.
Brothers fighting each other, life and death struggles - it must be fate!
This was the punishment from the heavens for them to kill a brother over personal interest!
With this thought, Peng Shizhong felt a burning within, pain in his chest.
And his coughing grew worse...
North Mountain Iron Mine!
"Is this the North Mountain Iron Mine?"
Chen Jie looked at the barren mountain before him and asked the captain of the Eagle Guard, who was named Eagle. He replied, "Yes, this is the North Mountain Iron Mine. Our mining area is to the south."
Chen Jie gestured to the others.
"Belong to Nan Batian and the others."
Chen Jie nodded, striding toward the mining area of the North Mountain Iron Mine’s White Tiger Hall.
Upon arrival, Manager Qian Shun, who had just returned for a tea break, stood up immediately upon hearing the news.
"What, Fifth Master is here?"
The underling confirmed, "It’s really Fifth Master."
Hearing this, Qian Shun quickly said, "Quick, follow me to welcome him."