Online: I Can See Health Bars Chapter 1322 - 589: Black Rain and Black Night

Fa Xiao, the true mastermind behind the Forest Snake Gang, was currently assessing his forces.

While the Forest Snake Gang had strayed somewhat from his intended direction under that imposter's management over the years,

this divergence remained within acceptable bounds.

The decision to appoint Fa Hongwen back then was straightforward; it was clear that beyond their striking resemblance, his martial path was predictable.

A mere puppet, no matter how vigorously it writhed, could be easily crushed when the time came for a lesson.

Fa Xiao had initially planned to keep the puppet functioning for a few more years.

After all, the Forest Snake Gang had flourished during this period, with its annual contributions steadily increasing, a mutually beneficial arrangement.

However, unexpectedly, this puppet, lacking foresight, began making subtle, frequent moves.

"Does he truly believe the time is right, that he has grown, that he is qualified to challenge me?"

"First, it was Hall Master Tai Xuelin, who was quite close to you, and second, the trusted Tian Xinghan."

"Now, Tian Xinghan should have already gained control over you. Given the vast difference in strength between you and Tian Xinghan, you likely possess no means to fight back. At this very moment, you can only tremble in a corner, awaiting my arrival!"

What was described as counting manpower was, in reality, merely a precautionary measure.

Furthermore, Fa Hongwen's treachery brought to Fa Xiao's attention that his clandestine control still held certain vulnerabilities.

This stemmed from the insufficient infiltration of his own people into the Forest Snake Gang.

It had always been preserved as his forbidden treasure, akin to a logistical stronghold, a fallback option.

In his ascent, he could reign as the king of underground casinos, and in retreat, he could return to the ostensibly separate Forest Snake Gang, regain command, and rebuild calmly.

Fa Xiao had always managed the balance between advancement and retreat with precision.

But alas, the insatiable greed of humanity cannot be contained.

Granting the underlings too comfortable an existence, and they begin to think they can usurp the very master! They fail to grasp their proper station!

Now, with the Honey Casino under his belt, honored as the president of the Black Rain Commerce, and established connections with Song Qianlong, he already envisioned a future paved with prosperity!

The relatively minor Forest Snake Gang, though still of consequence, was no longer the paramount concern.

As a fallback route, the Forest Snake Gang needed its role redefined.

It was to be transformed into a standard subsidiary organization under his direct control.

From operating in the shadows to being openly acknowledged was not an impossible transition.

Consequently, his association with the Forest Snake Gang would necessitate a closer grip.

This implied purging the Forest Snake Gang of traitors favored by the puppet over the years, installing his own loyalists, and parachuting them into positions like Hall Master, thereby siphoning the power of the Forest Snake Gang.

Naturally, this required a transitional phase, hence the continued utility of the old Hall Master Tian Xinghan, who would maintain a semblance of order to placate the masses, extract remaining value, and subsequently be replaced.

Although a contingent was being dispatched for a complete overhaul and takeover of the Forest Snake Gang, the personnel involved could not be ordinary individuals.

A certain level of strength was indispensable to secure the territory.

"Gan Chulan, the inheritor of the Gan Family's twelve swordsmanship techniques, despite experiencing numerous trials over the years, his strength has ultimately stabilized at a respectable mid-tier level. While slightly inferior to Hall Masters like Tian Xinghan, his capabilities are more than sufficient for a primary combatant stationed long-term within the Forest Snake Gang."

"Shen Heilian, a former member of the White Lotus Sect who defected and is now known as Black Lotus, utilizes only White Lotus Sect martial arts. Her nature is sinuous and ruthless, often employed in clandestine operations. In life, she seeks only two things... Wealth! And men! Despite her constant indulgence in carnal pleasures, her strength steadily increases. Her overt power appears comparable to that of the Forest Snake Gang's Hall Masters, but her true capabilities likely surpass this considerably! This woman conceals herself too deeply; even I occasionally harbor a degree of apprehension towards her."

"Chu Chunxiao, possessing a male physique yet resembling a woman, practices a unique sword path. His soft swordsmanship fluidly shifts between rapid and slow strikes, making him nearly impossible to defend against for those of equal cultivation. Alongside Shen Heilian, he serves as the trump card for this operation! Furthermore, among my twelve concubines, he is the one I trust implicitly. All future affairs of the Forest Snake Gang will be overseen by him. He acts as the shield, with Shen Heilian as the sword, jointly safeguarding the Forest Snake Gang!"

"Huan Miyun, after dedicating years to business, experienced an accidental enlightenment. He abandoned commerce for the path of martial arts, and from that moment, his journey became remarkably smooth. Though his age is advancing, his martial arts cultivation continues to progress without encountering any bottlenecks. Among cultivators, he is perhaps the most inscrutable, capable of breaking through during battles as easily as one eats or drinks. However, it remains uncertain how much longer his physical body can endure such rapid advancements."

He meticulously reviewed each of the four primary figures one by one.

Fa Xiao brimmed with confidence regarding this upcoming expedition.

The Forest Snake Gang might have once represented everything to him.

But having matured, he now commanded a group of individuals far superior to the Forest Snake Gang, both in terms of current strength and future potential, vastly outshining the old guard of that organization.

Were it not for the established years of management, the abundant resources, and the reliable supply lines, Fa Xiao would have long ago dismissed the Forest Snake Gang and its stubborn elders. These old men, despite their lack of true strength, clung fiercely to outdated traditions while insisting they were dedicated to running their gang effectively.

The world, after all, was evolving!

The mightiest fist indeed dictated the eternal truth!

No matter the proficiency of a gang's management, it remained an ephemeral illusion, a reflection of the moon in the water, destined for eventual handover!

Fa Xiao released a few chilling laughs, his gaze shifting from the four principal forces to the retinue that trailed behind them.

Accompanying these four were individuals of a lesser caliber, those not meant for public display, yet each possessed a peculiar skill or a noteworthy characteristic.