“I have no objections. Chen Pi A Si was ruthless and merciless, eliminating the entire family of Fourth Master, including dozens of people! He was also disrespectful to the elders, treating Second Master and his wife with disdain. He should have been purged from the Nine Gates long ago!”
Half-Section Li said, sitting in his wheelchair.
Half-Section Li had a good relationship with Fourth Master, but after Chen Pi A Si killed Fourth Master’s family and replaced him, he became the Fourth of the Nine Gates.
This event had always haunted Half-Section Li.
However, due to Chen Pi A Si’s formidable martial arts skills and numerous followers, Half-Section Li, despite his resentment, could only endure it.
Now that Chen Pi A Si was dead, there was no longer anything to worry about.
Huo Xian Gu said, “But… giving the leadership position to Chen Wu seems too hasty. Among Chen Pi A Si’s followers, there are many more capable individuals.”
Wu Lao Gou said, “I agree with letting Chen Wu take over the leadership. At least he won’t be like Chen Pi A Si, indiscriminate in his killings and cruel in his methods. This is more conducive to the unity of our Nine Gates.”
Black-Back Lao Liu smiled, “I think Chen Wu is pretty good. Although he’s a bit reckless, he doesn’t have any bad intentions. I have faith in him. I think it’s fine for him to take over the leadership!”
Qi Tie Zui chimed in, “I have no objections either. Chen Wu is a pretty good kid. He’s much easier to deal with than Chen Pi A Si!”
Jie Jiu Ye nodded, “I also agree with letting Chen Wu take over the leadership. He’s not as arrogant as Chen Pi A Si, and he knows how to be grateful. He’s a person we can work with!”
The various gate leaders expressed their stances one after another.
Chen Pi A Si’s followers, however, were all gleeful, as if they had been liberated.
Good heavens, not a single person spoke up for Chen Pi A Si! It was evident how dreadful Chen Pi A Si’s character was!
Even in death, no one would plead his case!
Seeing the unanimous support for his decision, Zhang Da Fo Ye smiled contentedly.
“Since everyone agrees, then that’s settled!”
He waved to the guards beside him, “Bury him!”
“Yes, Commander!”
Two guards then found a worn straw mat, dragged Chen Pi A Si’s body to a nearby area, and buried him in a hastily dug hole.
Even a tombstone was too much to ask for!
Witnessing this, everyone couldn’t help but sigh.
Chen Pi A Si had been arrogant and domineering in his lifetime, even disregarding his own master. He had secretly harbored feelings for his master’s wife during his youth and even stole her personal belongings, almost causing a scandal for Er Yue Hong!
His methods were also brutal. He had killed several people for a mere one hundred copper coins. For a few crabs, he had beaten a fisherman to disability.
He was a man of egregious misconduct, a villain who had committed countless crimes.
Zhang Yun Feng killing Chen Pi A Si could be considered cleansing the Nine Gates. Surprisingly, it didn’t evoke any dissatisfaction from the others.
Instead, they all showed him respect and awe!
After dealing with Chen Pi A Si, everyone returned to the house and continued discussing the next course of action.
“That cave is very dangerous. I don’t recommend sending too many people in,” Zhang Yun Feng said to everyone.
“Besides the iron plate, was there nothing else? Are there any other passages, secret rooms, or anything like that?” Huo Xian Gu asked.
“There are indeed a few other passages, but I haven’t explored them yet. They must be perilous, I imagine!” Zhang Yun Feng said.
“You’re the leader. We’ll listen to you. You make the arrangements,” Zhang Da Fo Ye said with a smile.
“My suggestion is to send a few skilled individuals in first to scout the way, then we’ll make plans based on their findings,” Zhang Yun Feng said.
The Nine Gates leaders looked at each other, their faces filled with uncertainty.
The truth was, they didn’t want to send their best men to their deaths. They knew the dangers inside that cave. It was a near-death experience for anyone who entered.
“Those people from ‘It’ and the Wang family are a menace anyway. We might as well… let them go scouting,” Half-Section Li suggested.
“I agree! It’s a waste of resources to keep them alive, having to feed them and guard them. Let them play their last card!” Huo Xian Gu said with a cold expression.
“I agree too,” Er Yue Hong said.
The others also nodded in agreement.
They each had their own motives.
Using a group of insiders as cannon fodder, if they died, they died. If they lived, they would bring back information, making it a win-win situation!
The matter was thus smoothly settled.
During dinner, Chen Wu woke up.
When he learned that Chen Pi A Si was dead and that he – had become the new leader of the Third Gate, he burst into tears of joy.
Over the years he had spent under Chen Pi A Si, he had endured countless beatings, insults, and humiliations!
He had even been on the verge of being killed by Chen Pi A Si on several occasions.
He had lived in fear for so long, and now, his patience had paid off. He had finally reached his peak moment in life.
He couldn’t be more excited.
“Where is the benefactor? I need to see him. Quickly, take me to see him!” Chen Wu excitedly grabbed one of the followers.
“The leader is having dinner. I’ll take you there right away.”
The follower quickly helped Chen Wu to find Zhang Yun Feng.
Zhang Yun Feng was having a private meal, the same one as the Nine Gates leaders. They had their own kitchen and cooks.
The two arrived outside the kitchen and greeted the guards before entering.
Inside the kitchen, Zhang Yun Feng was having dinner with the Nine Gates leaders.
Chen Wu entered and went straight to Zhang Yun Feng, kneeling down without hesitation. He kowtowed, “Benefactor, your great kindness, Chen Wu – will never forget!”
Zhang Yun Feng set down his chopsticks and helped him up. “Don’t be like this. You’re a Nine Gates leader now. Don’t give people something to gossip about…”
But Chen Wu didn’t feel embarrassed at all. Instead, he said seriously, “You are my benefactor. It’s no disgrace for me to kowtow to you.
If you hadn’t killed Chen Pi A Si today, you would have seen my corpse tomorrow. I wouldn’t have been able to become the leader!”
Then, Chen Wu deeply bowed to the Nine Gates leaders and Zhang Yun Feng, “Thank you for your support!”
Seeing this, everyone nodded in satisfaction.
This was exactly the effect they were aiming for.
Chen Wu was very understanding and knew he was a newcomer. He was polite to these old leaders.
In the short term, there was no need to worry about him competing for interests with them.
This was why they had agreed to promote Chen Wu. It was all about interests!
“You haven’t had dinner yet, have you?” Zhang Da Fo Ye smiled, waving to Zhang Ri Shan, “Get him a set of chopsticks.”
“Yes, Commander!” Zhang Ri Shan nodded.
He then retrieved a set of chopsticks from the nearby cabinet for Chen Wu.
Thus, Chen Wu gained the recognition of the leaders of the Nine Gates and successfully became the leader of the Fourth Gate.
…
The next day, under the arrangement of the Nine Gates leaders, dozens of insiders were forced into the largest cave.
The Nine Gates leaders followed them, supervising these insiders. Zhang Yun Feng and Xiao Ge were responsible for leading the group.