As Ying Baolin spoke, his footsteps didn't falter. He walked directly to me, stopping face-to-face.
Then, he unleashed his full presence, his eyes level and fixed on me without blinking.
Though I didn't understand why Ying Baolin felt the need to confront me directly to force a choice, I didn't easily agree under the pressure of his aura.
As the old saying goes, a capable person never fears going hungry.
In today's society, no matter what field you're in, when faced with recruitment and poaching from others, if you agree without even considering it, you're a complete fool!
In the world of the Qianmen Blue Path, skilled gamblers never lack patrons; they are always sought after.
Therefore, after a brief pause, I replied, "I'm sorry, Boss Ying! I think I should consider it carefully."
As soon as I finished speaking, before Ying Baolin could even respond, Xiang Tianhua, who was standing nearby, immediately became enraged and pointed at me, shouting, "Damn it! Chen Xiang, do you think you're something special just because I offered you a little help?"
"Don't you understand your current status and position?"
"Boss Ying asking you to help him is a sign of respect. How dare you act so high and mighty?!"
"Don't think you're the bee's knees just because you have a few tricks up your sleeve! Do you know how many people in the Qianmen world in Wenzhou there are!"
"Don't think too highly of yourself!"
Hearing this, I sneered dismissively.
Xiang Tianhua's public insult was clearly him seeking personal revenge.
If I were to stoop to the level of arguing with such a defeated opponent, it would truly lower my own standing.
So, I ignored him completely and simply said coldly, "If I don't think highly of myself, then aren't you even worse than a pile of shit?!"
Upon hearing my insult, "worse than a pile of shit," Xiang Tianhua was instantly enraged. He flashed out from the crowd of the twelve dark lanterns and strode towards me.
However, just as Xiang Tianhua took a step, he suddenly heard Ying Baolin coldly reprimand him, "You disgraceful fool! Why are you coming out?"
"Have you already forgotten what happened earlier? Get back where you belong!"
When the boss got angry, Xiang Tianhua immediately wilted. He then turned and stood back within the ranks of the twelve dark lanterns.
However, his eyes, filled with a sinister gaze, were fixed on me, as if he wished he could devour me alive.
And I, not yielding an inch, stared back coldly, my eyes not even blinking.
What a joke!
While I might not be able to match the aura of a boss, dealing with a defeated opponent like Xiang Tianhua would be a piece of cake, easily handled and controlled in minutes.
After a brief, unexpected interlude.
"Chen Xiang!"
Shifting his gaze back to me, Ying Baolin said in a deep voice, "I already sent people to investigate earlier. Have things been particularly difficult for you in Ruichi recently?"
"Ever since Yun Jin took Shen Mengqing out and they returned, it seems you've lost your original status and favor in Ruichi!"
"The principle of a good bird choosing a tree to perch on and a wise minister choosing a lord to serve, I don't need to elaborate... you should understand this clearly, right?"
"Yun Jin's ship has unknowingly sailed to the brink of sinking."
"At this point, anyone with a brain knows that the most sensible course of action is to abandon ship and seek a new path."
"If you are willing to work for me, you will fill the only vacant position among the twelve dark lanterns!"
Ying Baolin's final statement carried significant weight.
The unspoken implication was that if I agreed and accepted his recruitment now, I would directly become the most favored among the twelve dark lanterns.
Seeing the thoughtful look in my eyes, Ying Baolin paused slightly before continuing, "Of course, if you have any additional conditions, you can also state them all at once."
"As long as they are not excessive, I will agree to everything!"
I remembered Uncle Tuo once saying that in the future, after I embarked on the Qianmen Blue Path, if I encountered patrons trying to recruit me, and they said things like "name your price," there were only two possibilities.
The first possibility: the other party genuinely valued talent.
The second possibility: they saw me as a tool.
Looking at it from all angles, I didn't believe Ying Baolin's cold recruitment was a sign of valuing talent.
Those who have long held positions of power might see their abilities in other areas degenerate into mediocrity, but their methods of managing subordinates would undoubtedly be top-notch!
A combination of gentleness and firmness, and a blend of rewards and punishments, were essential.
If Ying Baolin truly admired me and wanted to use me, there was no reason for him to offer such generous terms in front of so many of his old subordinates.
Favoring one over others would only sow discord and disintegrate morale.
Therefore, I was certain... this big shot who dominated the underground casinos of Wenzhou wanted to use me as a tool to conquer territories and sweep across all directions for him.
Having figured out Ying Baolin's intentions, I remained silent, not responding.
At the same time, I silently prayed for someone else to jump out and accuse me of being arrogant and self-important, so I could use that as an excuse to start an argument and divert the topic.
At this stage, as long as Ying Baolin didn't force me to reply, maintaining silence was the best option.
Because once I opened my mouth, I would have to choose between accepting and refusing.
Although I was initially quite inclined to accept the recruitment, the prerequisite was that there should be no deliberate traps laid for me to fall into.
But now, Ying Baolin had personally dug such a large pit for me to jump into, right in front of Xiang Tianhua and Luo Qiwu...
If I truly jumped in, I would be a complete fool!
...
I don't know how much time passed.
My silent response seemed to be beyond Ying Baolin's expectations.
However, he didn't get angry. Instead, he smiled and said, "Heh heh! Interesting, very interesting!"
"Do you know, Chen Xiang? You're the first person who dares not to answer me!"
"Aren't you afraid I'll make sure you never walk out of this door!?"
The moment Ying Baolin finished speaking, Xiang Tianhua and the others, who had been standing behind him, all rushed out in unison, surrounding me.
Seeing this, I remained silent.
I knew Ying Baolin was testing me, but he didn't know... I was also testing him!
If he wanted me to submit, yet intended to treat me specially, then tonight, even if it meant a complete breakdown in relations, I would never agree!
Ever since I clearly knew that Yu Shuang had successfully hitched her wagon to Ying Baolin's ship, my sole focus had been on her. I didn't have the spare time to engage in scheming with Xiang Tianhua and the others.
Therefore, as long as Ying Baolin didn't clarify his stance, my intention was: not to accept, not to refuse!
Just keep them hanging...