"Big Brother Yun, I… I have something that I want to tell you…"
During breakfast, Tie Xiaohu scratched his head worriedly as he stuttered.
When Ling Yun saw how the two-meter tall and muscular Tie Xiaohu suddenly spoke like a shy lady, he chuckled happily. "We're brothers, so you can tell me anything you want. What's there to think about?"
In the past, Tie Xiaohu and Tang Meng always conversed naturally with Ling Yun without much consideration, just like brothers and friends would do. As Ling Yun grew more impressive and defied all odds, the two of them no longer looked at Ling Yun in the same manner. While the brotherhood grew more sincere than ever, there was an additional factor in their eyes called reverence.
Ling Yun understood that it was the reverence in one's backbone. The two brothers looked at him as though they were looking at a god. However, he didn't like this feeling because he knew that if this grew worse, they might not even be friends anymore in the future.
Ling Yun treated Tang Meng well and treated Tie Xiaohu equally well, but most importantly, he treated both of them as brothers for life. Between the two of them, one was currently responsible for his legitimate businesses, while the other controlled the underworld. Up until now, Ling Yun had never questioned how much money Tang Meng had and had never once checked on how much Green Dragon owned or its checkbook.
On the night of the Qingming Festival, the three of them fought for their lives together. Every person's life may be of different value in the eyes of someone else, but in the eyes of every individual, their own lives would always be the most important.
It was true that Ling Yun got Tang Meng and Tie Xiaohu to do work for him. For the clueless bystanders, Tang Meng and Tie Xiaohu were basically selling their lives for Ling Yun.
Take, for example, the night before Ling Yun opened his clinic when the five nouveau riches actually mentioned this point. Even though they didn't specify, anyone could tell that the nouveau riches were basically implying that Tang Meng was merely Ling Yun's dog.
However, only Ling Yun was aware that the work he got them to do was always the most meaningful for the three of them and that it would bring the greatest benefits for the three of them.
A person could only do one thing during a specific period of time. Would one choose to eat, drink, sh*t, piss, sleep, flirt, play cards, watch shows, surf the net, play games, study, work, earn money, and cultivate?
The number of benefits Tie Xiaohu and Tang Meng obtained while following Ling Yun to the Antique Market was a good example. Tang Meng's net worth increased by multiple folds just like that. Yesterday night, Tie Xiaohu learned a new skill in just two hours under Ling Yun's delicate guidance. He successfully advanced to Houtian Realm Level Four and had officially stepped into the world of cultivators.
And yesterday, what did the five nouveau riches do for the whole day? Dandan was at home playing his internet games, Haozi and Brother Fei were fooling around, Chick was still trying to flirt with his third rate female actress, and while Abing had huge aspirations, he couldn't find any opportunity to display his skills.
Naturally, Tang Meng and Tie Xiaohu understood this point, which was why they were hell-bent on following Ling Yun everywhere and doing whatever Ling Yun required them to do. So what if they were made to be chauffeurs? So what if they were made to run errands? They were happy to do anything for Ling Yun because they knew that with Ling Yun around, their future would be promising!
Among the previously renowned Seven Tigers of Qingshui, the five nouveau riches were still indulging in a life of luxury and living life muddle-headed. Meanwhile, Tang Meng had interacted with people of the highest status in Qingshui City on an equal footing. These people included leaders of Qingshui City's oil industry, the banks… and also Song Zhengyang, Murong Wenshi, and the Lord of Jade… In the two months that he hung out with Ling Yun, he managed to surpass the five nouveau riches by over a million miles!
A life like that was simply too fascinating!
However, Ling Yun's performance was unbelievably heaven-defying. After all, these two brothers were still only mortals who couldn't grasp the actual potential and ability of Ling Yun. In their eyes, Ling Yun was basically a god who must not be profaned!
A feeling like this exceeded any kind of brothership, let alone friendship, so how could they still achieve equal footing?
Putting Tang Meng's character out there, he was still lacking slightly in terms of his performance. As for Tie Xiaohu, Ling Yun actually imparted skills to him. While the two of them were friends in name, their relationship was actually more like master and disciple.
Therefore, the respect and reverence Tie Xiaohu had towards Ling Yun could never be measured. Since a long time ago, he had already given his life to Ling Yun. If he could have one more life, he wouldn't hesitate to give it straight to Ling Yun!
Ling Yun understood this, but he had no way to change anything. It was truly lonely at the top!
"Big Brother Yun… I… I don't want to manage Green Dragon anymore. I feel like it's too taxing, which makes it hard for me to focus on practicing my martial arts. I want to focus on my martial arts!
"Given my character, I think it's better for you to make me fight someone or beat someone up. Getting me to manage such a massive organization is simply…"
It seemed like Tie Xiaohu had been tortured so badly that he was finally unable to keep it in as he spilled everything.
Ling Yun chuckled when he heard about Tie Xiaohu's worry. He was aware that getting Tie Xiaohu to manage Green Dragon was like driving a duck onto a perch.
Green Dragon wasn't an ordinary underworld organization. It was a massive and complicated industry group that walked on the gray boundaries of the world and earned astonishing profits. In fact, the Dragon Head amassed about three hundred million in a year. This was even before considering the status and influence that he gained from this.
This required an extremely strong and astute person, someone who not only had to understand the rules of the underworld but someone who had negotiation abilities as well as management skills. Additionally, he had to be stern, vicious, and capable of controlling hundreds of subordinates in Green Dragon. Of course, a lot of time and energy were also needed to deal with the matters of Green Dragon!
However, Tie Xiaohu was more brawn than brain, and he only loved fighting and martial arts. Seeing how strong Ling Yun was, he no longer had the mood and heart to manage Green Dragon.
Hence, Tie Xiaohu wanted to make use of this opportunity to let Ling Yun know how he felt about everything.
"Alright, since you don't wish to manage it anymore, we shall get someone to replace you. Within Green Dragon's internal department, are there any suitable candidates?"
Ling Yun was very direct. He knew that Tie Xiaohu only told him all this because he really couldn't take it anymore.
"No… And also, I don't trust anyone else with this…" Tie Xiaohu furrowed his brows as he answered.
"Hehe, Big Brother Yun, I think Tang Meng can manage this, so why don't we make him the boss?" Tie Xiaohu's eyes suddenly lit up as he commented.
Ling Yun laughed out loud as he said, "Tang Meng? Initially, Tang Meng would really be interested because of his desire for the three hundred million. However, even if you beg him now, he will never go there!"
Ling Yun knew that Tang Meng could take up the position, but Ling Yun had a strict principle for Tang Meng that he was unwilling to break. Ling Yun would never let Tang Meng be related to any criminal activities.
Moreover, Ling Yun's clinic collected assets worth a few hundred million. Yesterday at Antique Market, he even managed to collect so many raw jade stones, which could keep Tang Meng busy for a long while. He never had enough energy and spirit to do anything else, so why would he have the heart to manage Green Dragon?
All the ill-gotten gains had Tang Meng's head spinning badly. His most important task now would be to think of ways to transform Ling Yun's wealth into a massive benefit supply chain. He wanted to use the money to grow more money to produce even more wealth for Ling Yun and himself. He wouldn't be interested in anything else at this moment.
Besides, Tang Meng was still merely an 18-year-old child. Even though he was street smart, knowledgeable, and astute, he still lacked in experience compared to Ling Yun.
Ling Yun was certain that Tie Xiaohu wouldn't be the only one pouring out his grievances to Ling Yun. Tang Meng would probably look for him to do the same soon because his side was much more problematic.
Seeing how Tie Xiaohu stared at him, Ling Yun smiled and said, "Xiaohu, bear with this for about half a month more, will you? Throughout this period, I will help you think of a solution when I'm free!"
Ling Yun didn't have any suitable candidates at the moment either.
Tie Xiaohu pouted when he heard that he still had to do this for half a month. Without talking about anything else, just signing the countless documents every day was driving him crazy!
"Big Brother Yun, you have to hurry because I really want to focus on cultivating…" Tie Xiaohu frowned as he pleaded.
"Alright, alright, alright, I'll definitely try my best…" Ling Yun knew that Tie Xiaohu was at his limits, which was why he agreed so quickly. Soon after, he asked, "Xiaohu, you have to answer me seriously. Do you still want to take part in the college entrance examinations? Do you still want to go to university?"
If Tie Xiaohu replied that he wanted to, Ling Yun would certainly find ways for him to enter a university. In fact, even Yanjing University wouldn't be a problem.
Tie Xiaohu was so frightened that he hurriedly shook his hands. "I won't go there even if you beat me to death! I won't be participating in the college entrance examinations either!"
"Big Brother Yun, I don't want to do anything now except focus on my cultivation and martial arts. When you enter Beijing to enroll in university, I can be your chauffeur…"
Ling Yun almost choked on his own saliva as he replied, "F*ck! It seems you're really ambitious, yeah? Giving up on being the cool and impressive boss of Green Dragon just to be my chauffeur…"
Tie Xiaohu snickered. "If I can drive Big Brother Yun around, I'm willing to be a chauffeur for life!"
Even though Ling Yun was still laughing when he heard this, he felt the warmth in his heart. Of course, he wouldn't require Tie Xiaohu to be his chauffeur for life because once he reached Qi Cultivation Level Four, he would be able to fly around. While he couldn't fly too far with one mouthful of air, he could easily circle two rounds around Qingshui City.
"Since you don't wish to go this path, I don't have to consider this matter for you. Practice and train well! I will bring you in search of the pinnacle of martial arts."
Tie Xiaohu felt touched when he realized that Ling Yun was still concerned over whether he was going to take the college entrance examinations even with his busy schedule.
He was willing to die a thousand times for a big brother like that.
"Big Brother Yun, I'll definitely work hard!" Tie Xiaohu set his mind to this, and his spirits were instantly lifted.
"I believe you can do it!" Ling Yun smiled, truly looking confident and convinced.
So who should he find to replace Tie Xiaohu to manage Green Dragon? Ling Yun was once again feeling vexed.
Ling Yun thought of Dao Yong but dismissed that almost immediately. He could tell that Dao Yong had lost his vigor and influence. A person like this wouldn't survive after being placed in a powerful position.
When Ling Yun realized there were really no suitable candidates at this moment, he gave up for the time being. He wanted to look for more options before coming to a conclusion.
"Have you finished your meal?"
"Yes!"
"Let's go! I'll head to school for my classes while you go get busy with your matters. Oh yes, if you want to cultivate, there's no need to consider anywhere else. Go straight to Mansion Number One, cultivating there is the fastest!"
"I understand, Big Brother Yun!"
The two of them got up and left.