Yu Shuang, who had not spoken a word since Helian Shan’s appearance, could no longer hold back.
The moment Yu Shuang’s voice echoed, the blade of the cleaver in Helian Shan’s hand stopped just above Cao Jie’s head, less than a centimeter from his scalp.
Witnessing this, a barely perceptible flicker of surprise flashed in Yu Shuang’s eyes as she sat in her office chair. She then coldly reprimanded with a poker face, "Xiao Jie! After all these years you've spent navigating the Anhai underworld, you haven't even heard of Brother Shan of Nancheng!?"
"This is your senior! Hurry up and apologize to him, then take your men and scram!"
"..."
"Nan, Nancheng... Brother Shan!?"
As if recalling something, after Yu Shuang revealed Helian Shan’s identity, Cao Jie immediately became docile.
He glanced at me, then at Helian Shan, and softened his stance with a smile, "Brother Shan, my apologies! I didn't know it was you."
"Sorry, sorry, my bad!"
Upon hearing this, Helian Shan’s lips curved upwards. He patted Cao Jie’s shoulder and sneered, "Heh. Young man, it's good to be bold."
"But remember this! When people in the martial world act, they must follow through on their words."
"From now on, when you go out to handle matters, don't make promises you can't keep."
"While it's just a matter of opening your mouth, and it might not seem like a loss, however..."
"The reputation and face of us martial world individuals are never won through boastful words, but earned through one sword strike after another, one gun shot after another!"
"So, speak less and do more."
Cao Jie, standing silently, remained rooted to the spot, nodding his head repeatedly like a pecking chick.
After Cao Jie left with his subordinates, I handed the shotgun back to Helian Shan and asked, "Brother Shan, what's going on?"
"You... know each other!?"
Hearing this, Helian Shan tilted his head and looked at me with a helpless expression, replying, "Not only do I know her, but Ming Tai knows her too!"
"Hmm... there are many complicated matters involved! I'll tell you more when we have time."
"Oh, right! Since everyone knows each other, there's no need for formalities."
With that, Helian Shan swaggered over to Yu Shuang's desk and plunked himself down.
And he stayed there for four to five hours...
...
In the evening, after leaving the Baole Chess and Card Room.
Although I didn't successfully retrieve the evidence, Yu Shuang made a backup for me to take.
Furthermore, in addition to the previous two hundred thousand, she offered another two hundred thousand, totaling four hundred thousand, as compensation.
However, I did not accept Yu Shuang's compensation, only taking the original two hundred thousand.
And I handed all this money over to Helian Shan, settling the account. The reason for giving Helian Shan more money was because I knew he had stepped in to help me out of respect for Uncle Tuo.
This was Uncle Tuo's connection with him, not mine. Therefore, it was only right that I shouldn't treat him unfairly.
On the way out, Helian Shan and I started chatting intermittently about Uncle Tuo's affairs and whereabouts.
The main questions revolved around whether Uncle Tuo had truly re-entered the martial world for revenge and where he was now.
Unfortunately, Helian Shan did not answer directly, instead deflecting and spouting frustrating remarks like, "It's not time for you to know yet."
Seeing that he was unwilling to tell the truth, I didn't press further.
At dusk, on a street bathed in the setting sun.
Just before we parted ways, Helian Shan suddenly handed me the bag containing two hundred thousand cash, which Yu Shuang had given him, and said seriously, "Xiangzi, since you're now venturing into the martial world and the blue path, you should keep this money for emergencies."
Upon hearing this, I didn't even reach out my hand, shaking my head and replying, "Brother Shan, I borrowed the money to buy the evidence from you in the first place, so you should keep it."
"No!"
Helian Shan said with a solemn expression, "Xiangzi, you don't need to be polite with me."
"Although that girl Yu Shuang is quite cunning and doesn't always play by the rules, what she said... I agree with it very much."
"Your revenge cannot be fully resolved with just a few photos and a video."
"If you need money later, at least this two hundred thousand can help you out in a pinch."
"So, you should take this money."
"If it's not enough, just call me."
"Although your Brother Shan no longer makes a living by handling matters in the martial world, I still have some savings."
"You are Ming Tai's disciple, and Ming Tai is my brother, so... you are naturally half my disciple!"
"It's only natural for a master to support his disciple!"
Hearing this, my nose couldn't help but sting slightly.
I had thought Helian Shan was helping me so diligently out of respect for Uncle Tuo, but I never expected him to...
Patting my shoulder, Helian Shan said seriously, "Before I go, let me give you a few more words of advice."
"First, regarding revenge."
"Hatred is a double-edged sword! If used well, it can become the driving force for your continuous growth."
"But if it's misused, it can become a stumbling block on your path forward."
"Therefore, don't let hatred blind your eyes, and certainly don't let hatred dictate your thoughts."
"Second, it's about the Thousand Doors and the blue path."
"I remember Ming Tai telling me that you are the blue path rising star he values and anticipates the most!"
"Xiangzi, do you know why Ming Tai said that?"
Hearing this, I shook my head blankly.
"It's simple, and it's still because of hatred!"
"At that time, despite being consumed by hatred, you were still able to maintain a bright and upward-looking heart!"
"But what about now!?"
"From beginning to end, you've been led around by Yu Shuang! While the subjective reason for this situation is the significant gap in strength between you and her."
"Objectively speaking, it's because you let your emotions be driven by hatred, which is why you've repeatedly found yourself in a passive position."
"However, fortunately, that girl is somewhat reasonable and hasn't done anything too outrageous."
"Finally, Brother Shan has a few more words of advice for you."
"The path you walk is your own."
"Your reputation is also earned by yourself."
"Brothers and friends can support you for a time, but they cannot support you for a lifetime!"
"Therefore, being strong yourself is true strength!"
"Alright! That's all for now."
"I'm leaving, Xiangzi. Ponder over this yourself."
With that, before I could even react, Helian Shan got into his beloved black Santana and sped away.
It wasn't until Helian Shan and his car had completely disappeared that I slowly came back to my senses.
Gazing in the direction Helian Shan had gone, my expression became exceptionally solemn.
"Thanks, Brother Shan!"