Online: I Can See Health Bars Chapter 1282 - 569: Three Strategies (Part 2)

Fang Yu departed with Ding Hui and the others, accompanied by the familiar boxes from Ding Hui, so no objections were raised to his leaving.

Once the trio had departed, the hall was left with the imposter Gang Leader and the four Hall Masters. The four Hall Masters stepped forward, their questions spilling out.

"Gang Leader, who was that individual? Is he truly someone worth recruiting personally?"

"Gang Leader, our Forest Snake Gang hasn't brought in a Guest Elder for what feels like ages. Why the sudden decision to recruit now?"

"Gang Leader, what exactly is occurring? Was he threatening you?"

As the four posed their individual queries, the fake Gang Leader raised a hand, signaling for quiet. The hall immediately fell silent.

Although the Gang Leader's current identity was an imposture, he had served as the true leader of the Forest Snake Gang for many years. Having worked closely with these Hall Masters throughout that time, he was adept at managing them.

"Esteemed Hall Masters, you may not be aware, but I received some very confidential news just a few days ago." The fake Gang Leader lowered his voice. The four Hall Masters' expressions turned grave, with some moving to secure the doors and check for any eavesdroppers.

The fake Gang Leader observed their actions without interference, waiting for them to finish before continuing slowly.

"According to secret intelligence, a newly emergent mysterious force intends to take over our Forest Snake Gang!"

His declaration was met with bewilderment. "Is this information reliable? The Forest Snake Gang isn't a small outfit to be swallowed so easily. Do they possess the necessary strength?"

"Gang Leader, aren't you being a bit too sensitive? Such gossip hardly sounds credible."

"Indeed, not credible at all!" one of them chimed in.

"Gang Leader, if you've specifically invited the Guest Elder to handle this emergency, does that imply this matter is most likely true?"

The fake Gang Leader let out a cold laugh. "Naturally, it is true! The source of this secret report is highly reliable. We've even uncovered their methods."

The four were astonished. Had an investigation proceeded this far? When had the Gang Leader established such a covert intelligence network?

"Gang Leader, what exactly are their plans to take over the Forest Snake Gang?"

"It's quite straightforward," the fake Gang Leader replied, pointing a finger at himself. "That force plans to employ an identical fake doppelganger of myself. After assassinating me, they intend to replace me! Had I not been privy to this intelligence beforehand, you all might have remained unaware even after I was killed and impersonated!"

The four Hall Masters knitted their brows. "This tactic... it bears resemblance to a demonic ploy."

"To seize our Forest Snake Gang using such a method? It's truly despicable!"

"Gang Leader, if this is their strategy, it suggests the opposing party's strength isn't overwhelming, preventing them from a direct takeover and thus resorting to such clandestine tricks."

"Gang Leader, my hall has been relatively quiet lately. Starting today, I shall remain by your side to ensure your safety!"

The four seemed to recognize the Gang Leader's own martial prowess was average, making the dastardly plan of substituting the leader seem remarkably feasible.

"I appreciate your concern, but rest assured, I have invited Diao Keqing to the Forest Snake Gang to serve as my protection. All your subsequent actions are to be coordinated by him; absolute obedience is expected!"

"Moreover, I have privately devised certain secret codes to verify identity, ensuring that the version of me you interact with is the authentic one. Should the codes fail to match, do not hesitate to act immediately! That would signify an imposter sent by the enemy, masquerading as me!"

Upon hearing this, the four Hall Masters expressed their admiration for the Gang Leader's astuteness. "Gang Leader is wise!"

"We shall adhere strictly to the Gang Leader's arrangements!"

"Should anyone dare to make a move, we will ensure that doppelganger never returns!"

"Gang Leader, alas—it's all due to the burdens of gang affairs weighing upon you. I recall you once possessed exceptional talent in Martial Arts, but managing the gang, working tirelessly day and night, left you no time for cultivation... otherwise, such petty schemes wouldn't even dare to target the Gang Leader!"

"Precisely, if the Gang Leader had dedicated himself to Martial Arts, his strength might perhaps have surpassed even ours."

"Enough said, Gang Leader. It is typically we who receive your care; this time, the duty falls upon us to protect you!"

Listening to the Hall Masters' words, the fake Gang Leader felt a swell of emotion. He realized that he, the imposter in the position of leadership, was the one genuinely interacting with and fostering bonds within the gang. The figurehead pulling strings from behind the scenes was merely a distant supervisor, consistently drawing from the gang's resources without ever contributing anything tangible.

No matter how you look at it, I’m the one who’s the real Gang Leader of the Forest Snake Gang!

The fake leader clenched his fist, issued a few more commands, and after ensuring they would keep it a secret, he hastily departed.

He still needed to convene with Fang Yu to properly manage this entire affair.

...

Inside the room.

Ding Hui happily tapped her feet and hummed an indistinct little tune.

The quarters provided by the Forest Snake Gang were quite spacious, resembling a large residence within a courtyard.

Although Fang Yu and Ding Hui were destined to share a sleeping chamber, Ding Hui had the liberty to utilize the other vacant rooms for her laboratory or as storage for the few boxes of materials.

In essence, this arrangement offered a provisional stability, facilitating their research endeavors. Ding Hui found herself quite content.

"My Lord!"

At this precise moment, the voice of the imposter leader resonated from beyond the door.

[Fa Hongbao: 851/851.]

Adorned with a sycophantic grin, he promptly entered.

"My Lord..."

He intended to voice something further but his gaze fell upon Ding Hui, who was meticulously examining every nook and cranny of the room, leaving him uncertain whether he ought to proceed.

"Proceed, she is one of us."

Since Fang Yu had given his assent, the false leader naturally let down his guard and whispered urgently, "My Lord, you nearly gave me a heart attack. We had explicitly agreed to arrive today, so why did you delay until the verge of sunset to appear..."

The fake leader felt an overwhelming sense of injustice; he had risked everything, placed all his chips on the table, yet the pivotal individual appeared to treat the matter with nonchalance...

"A slight impediment occurred en route. By the way, have you devised a method to draw out the individual orchestrating this from the shadows?"

Upon Fang Yu’s inquiry, the fake leader’s demeanor instantly brightened.

"My Lord, I have conceived three potential strategies!"

"The most rudimentary approach..." He was about to elaborate when he abruptly recalled something and cast a glance around.

"Where is my wife?"

Fang Yu offered a slight shrug, replying, "She has returned to the chambers to recuperate."

Then, there were no further impediments.

The fake leader proceeded, "The most rudimentary strategy involves me making public appearances at various gatherings with that man's original spouse."

"Individuals possess a possessive instinct. Although I have usurped that fellow's position, he established certain protocols, such as... an absolute prohibition against interacting with his woman."

"Therefore, I surmise that by employing this tactic, it could potentially provoke that individual and compel his emergence!"

Fang Yu listened and gave a subtle nod.

"It appears viable, but why do you categorize it as the most rudimentary strategy?"

The fake leader presented a semblance of a bitter smile, articulating, "Because that fellow, despite forbidding me from approaching his woman, has never once themselves interacted with her since I assumed control. She has consistently been left unattended, enduring loneliness and despondency..."

Fang Yu grasped the implication.

Heartless, indeed.

The genuine leader likely held little regard for the original wife, had simply procured a substitute, and then vanished.

Had this stratagem been implemented immediately following the transition, it might have yielded some results. Now, after years of estrangement from the gang leader’s wife, sentiments would have undoubtedly waned. If another were to claim his woman, he likely would remain indifferent.

Nevertheless, it retained a degree of feasibility and could be considered as a fallback plan.

"What about the intermediate and superior strategies?"

The fake leader swiftly regained his composure from a somewhat melancholic state and enunciated, "The intermediate strategy pertains to the concept of an inside informant. Simply put, I harbor suspicions that within the upper echelons of the Forest Snake Gang, there might exist an individual placed there by that very fellow, a person who could possibly possess knowledge of the actual circumstances."

"This individual must have maintained clandestine contact with that fellow, ensuring that the information or resources I unilaterally supply have never been erroneous. If it were a direct, one-on-one connection, they would be entirely unaware of the gang's current internal dynamics, would they not be completely maneuvered by me?"

"While I never dared to ascertain this previously, if I were to harbor such intentions and they lacked a contingency plan, they could be entirely misled by me. This sort of scenario is likely something they would not permit, hence, the existence of an informant is probable."

"My priority lies with this intermediate strategy. You have already made the acquaintance of the gang's four Hall Masters, and I have assigned distinct duties to each. Following a period of observation, I should be able to uncover certain indications. Should it be confirmed that the four present no anomalies, I shall broaden the scope of my scrutiny to encompass the Captains subordinate to the primary halls as targets for surveillance."