"Hmph, Bai Weicheng, is this your excuse for losing territory one after another recently? And all of it snatched by the Qi Xiang Association. Could it be you've already defected to that woman?" another hall master named Wu Kai said sarcastically.
Bai Weicheng slammed the table with his remaining hand, enraged, "Wu, what do you mean by that!"
"You know exactly what I mean," Wu Kai sneered.
He and Bai Weicheng had always disliked each other. Bai Weicheng, relying on his status as a Xiantian realm martial artist, often targeted him. Now that Bai Weicheng was incapacitated, Wu Kai naturally wanted to retaliate for all the past grievances. Although Wu Kai was only a Houtian realm martial artist, he currently controlled the most territory, hence his assertive tone.
"Enough, both of you," Hei Biao said, frowning and slapping the table. "Now is not the time for internal strife. Most of the inner city territory is gone, and all that's left is the outer city. The guild's income has plummeted. We need to find a way to stabilize the situation quickly, or eventually, that bitch Ren Qixiang will leave us with nothing."
With the guild leader's intervention, Wu Kai said no more, only glaring at Bai Weicheng before turning to Hei Biao. "Guild leader, I do have a solution."
"What solution?"
Wu Kai leaned closer to the table and said, "In Jiangbei, we have the three major guilds, right? Besides our Black Tiger Guild and the Qi Xiang Association, there's also the Tian Huo Association."
"The Tian Huo Association?" Hei Biao frowned, lost in thought. "You mean Zhao Huo'er?"
Wu Kai's lips curled into a sly smile. "Yes, Guild leader, have you forgotten why the Tian Huo Association is called the Tian Huo Association?"
"Zhao Huo'er has dozens of firearms!"
"If we can get the Tian Huo Association to help us, Ren Qixiang will have to reconsider." Wu Kai finished, and Hei Biao fell into contemplation.
Among the three major powers in Jiangbei, the Tian Huo Association was the smallest in both territory and numbers. However, neither Hei Biao nor Ren Qixiang wanted any conflict with the Tian Huo Association. Despite their small numbers, they possessed dozens of firearms. Guns were considered controlled weapons now, and even if one had them, they couldn't be displayed openly. But firearms were different; they weren't on the controlled list. If someone angered the Tian Huo Association, pulling out dozens of firearms could turn even martial artists into a sieve. This was why Hei Biao and Ren Qixiang were wary of the Tian Huo Association.
Hei Biao stroked his chin and looked at Wu Kai. "The Tian Huo Association has always stayed out of matters between me and the Qi Xiang Association. Why would she help us?"
Wu Kai said, "Guild leader, do you think Zhao Huo'er would allow the Qi Xiang Association to destroy our Black Tiger Guild? Once the Qi Xiang Association's influence grows, making them the undisputed number one power in Jiangbei, what good would that do Zhao Huo'er? She'd likely be targeted soon enough."
Hei Biao thought about it and realized it made sense. The principle of 'not allowing others to sleep soundly beside one's bed' had always been true. He beckoned Wu Kai over and said, "You personally go to the Tian Huo Association. Promise Zhao Huo'er some benefits, and ideally, borrow her dozens of firearms."
Wu Kai's eyes lit up, and he nodded. "Alright, I'll leave immediately."
Just as Wu Kai was about to stand up, a cold voice reached their ears. "No need to go. Because you won't see tomorrow's sun."
All four tensed up, turning around simultaneously. Bai Weicheng stumbled back a couple of steps in fright. "Qin Xuan! How... how are you here!"
"Qin Xuan!" Hei Biao, though he hadn't met Qin Xuan in person, gritted his teeth in hatred at the name. If not for him, the Black Tiger Guild wouldn't be in such a pathetic state.
Qin Xuan slowly emerged from the shadows, looking at the room with a cold smile. "A bunch of smelly rats hiding in the dark."