Chapter Nineteen: Farewell, Madman!

Hu Sanhan’s face darkened instantly when he heard these words. He shot to his feet and slammed his fist hard onto the table.

“That bastard!”

Chen Yi arched his brow slightly, as if he had long foreseen this turn of events. He hadn’t expected it to happen so quickly, however.

“It seems he’s already made his move,” he said. “His aim is to force you to submit.”

Chen Yi tapped his finger lightly on the tabletop, his demeanor calm and penetrating.

“I didn’t expect him to be so despicable!” Hu Sanhan raged, barely restraining himself from overturning everything before him.

“Brother Hu, why don’t we work together? I can help you rescue your son,” Chen Yi said quietly, meeting Hu Sanhan’s gaze.

“You can rescue him?” Hu Sanhan eyed Chen Yi skeptically.

“Of course I can, but you’ll have to agree to cooperate,” Chen Yi replied confidently, with a slight smile.

Hu Sanhan didn’t agree immediately. Instead, he asked what methods Chen Yi had, and he was curious whether Chen Yi had also received a reward from the Wheel of Calamity on the first day.

Chen Yi countered, asking what Hu Sanhan had gained.

“You really don’t let yourself lose out, do you?” Hu Sanhan grumbled. “I got a strengthening serum—these muscles are from that. My strength is three times what it was. And I got an indestructible weapon—a golden broadsword.”

Chen Yi listened with admiration. No wonder Hu Sanhan had unified the Eastern District in the previous life. Starting off with two rewards was already far ahead of countless others. And this was only the beginning; when the era of apocalyptic mutations arrived, the items obtained early on would truly come into their own. The gaps between people would gradually widen.

“Now it’s your turn,” Hu Sanhan prompted.

“I, like you, got a serum to strengthen my body. And a double-edged knife as a weapon,” Chen Yi answered, producing an icy blue double-edged blade. Even from a distance, it seemed to emit a chilling aura.

“No wonder you were able to take down Wang Dong so quickly—you’re strong,” Hu Sanhan remarked. “So, how do you plan to rescue my son? And how will you kill Madman?”

He steered the conversation back to the main issue.

“Ambush. Encircle. Annihilate,” Chen Yi said, extending three fingers to match his words.

Yet such a simple strategy made Hu Sanhan doubtful.

After all, anyone could say such things, but how would it actually be done?

“First, call Madman here. You pretend to submit and let him bring people to take over this place. I’ll intercept them halfway; you attack his main base. He has two wives—most likely at his base—capture them,” Chen Yi laid out his plan in detail.

Hu Sanhan was stunned after hearing it.

“What kind of plan is this? How do you know Madman so well?” he asked, suspicious. “You make it sound so real.”

Chen Yi smiled with confidence. “I’ve spent these three days gathering a lot of information. I know Madman’s style, the distribution of his men, his weaknesses—I’ve got it all figured out.”

Hu Sanhan shook his head, still unconvinced. “How could you figure all that out in such a short time?”

“If you trust me, your son will be rescued. If not, then our conversation ends here,” Chen Yi said, rising to leave.

Hu Sanhan struggled inwardly, watching Chen Yi’s determined posture. In the end, he could not resist and gritted his teeth in agreement. “Fine, I’ll trust you. But if anything goes wrong, I won’t let you off!”

Chen Yi turned, his smile satisfied. “Don’t worry. Everything will go according to plan.”

After the two agreed on their strategy, Hu Sanhan was about to send men to contact Madman. But before they could act, Madman arrived himself.

“Hahaha, Boss Hu, where are you off to?” Madman swaggered in, several fierce-looking men at his heels.

Seeing his subordinates nervously trying to explain themselves, Hu Sanhan waved them away. After all, Madman had never shown respect for rules since their first meeting.

Suppressing his rage, Hu Sanhan forced a smile. “Madman, what brings you here in person?”

Madman’s gaze swept the room and finally landed on Chen Yi. “Oh? Who’s this? When did you recruit such a spirited new subordinate?”

A flash of murderous intent flickered in Chen Yi’s eyes. This was the man who, in his previous life, had forced him to watch his brothers tortured to death. Since then, the shadow had never left his heart, haunting his dreams, nearly becoming a demon.

At that moment, he longed to slay Madman on the spot.

But killing Madman was easy; wiping out his entire force was not. Otherwise, another Madman—or even a third—could rise in his place.

For the sake of the plan, Chen Yi concealed his feelings and kept silent.

“This is my new assistant, Little Chen,” Hu Sanhan said with a smile.

Madman stepped closer, sizing Chen Yi up and down. “Not bad—looks pretty tough.”

He spoke loudly, then plopped himself down in Hu Sanhan’s office chair without ceremony.

Hu Sanhan’s face darkened, but he could only force a smile and swallow his anger.

“Madman, what do you want?” he asked.

“Nothing too important,” Madman replied. “Just that the Eastern District needs to unite. If we don’t, resources will run out fast, and it’ll be over for us all.”

The ambition on Madman’s face was barely concealed by his grin.

Hu Sanhan’s face was stern. “And how do you plan to unite it?”

Madman gave a wicked smile. “Just one thing: submit to me, and we’ll join forces. As for that new leader, he’s just a kid—no threat.”

As the words fell, Hu Sanhan’s gaze turned cold, but he quickly hid it.

He sneered inwardly. Madman, the new base leader you underestimate is standing right in front of me. Today, I’ll see who outplays whom!

“Madman, where’s my son?” Hu Sanhan asked. “If you want cooperation, you should show some sincerity and guarantee his safe return.”

Hu Sanhan’s fists clenched, his knuckles pale.

Madman nodded. “That’s not a problem. My men will bring him back, but there’s one condition: you must kneel before me in front of your own people and admit your submission.”

Hu Sanhan’s pupils contracted sharply, his hand gripping the chair’s arm, his face livid. “Madman, don’t go too far!”

Madman’s underling immediately shouted, “Boss Hu, don’t be ungrateful! How dare you defy our boss?”

Chen Yi stepped forward, his gaze cold and sharp as a blade, staring down the underling. “What are you shouting for? Is it your place to interrupt when the boss is speaking?”

The underling was so intimidated by Chen Yi’s stare that he shuddered and stepped back.

Madman noticed Chen Yi’s attitude and looked at Hu Sanhan with some amusement. “Boss Hu, your Little Chen’s got quite the presence.”

Chen Yi looked at Madman coldly, his mind already working out his strategy. He sensed this was a perfect opportunity to infiltrate the enemy. If he agreed now, they could coordinate from inside and out, with even greater secrecy.

His eyes flickered as he gave Hu Sanhan a meaningful look.

Hu Sanhan hesitated, then asked, “What, are you trying to steal my subordinate too? You should know he’s my best fighter!”

Madman was secretly delighted, though he kept a cold demeanor.

“How can you call it stealing? We’re all family. What’s yours is mine. Unless you don’t want to—do you want your son or not?”

Hu Sanhan pretended to be annoyed, barking, “Madman! You—” He broke off, then glanced at Chen Yi, appealing, “Brother, just help me out this once.”

Chen Yi feigned disappointment. “Brother, you… I didn’t think you’d really give me up.”

Madman laughed heartily, clapping his hands. “Out with the old, in with the new. Follow the right leader and you’ll achieve something.”

“Little brother, from now on, work by my side. There aren’t so many rules—I’m the real boss for you!”

Chen Yi and Hu Sanhan exchanged a covert glance, then Chen Yi put on an angry expression.

He moved to stand behind Madman and shouted at Hu Sanhan, “One day, I’ll make you regret this!”

Madman was even more pleased.

“Hahaha! I like your straightforward attitude! From now on, you’re with me. Do your best!”