As the most powerful and prestigious lineage in Obsidian City, the Yan family's patience exceeded even Li Qing and Tian Long's expectations.
Nearly three days passed, yet the Yan family had not uttered a word about demanding Li Qing from the Righteous Gang, as though they didn't know Li Qing had been captured by the Righteous Gang.
Once the three days were up, even Tian Long himself was growing restless. During that time, he visited the prison several times, wondering whether he should bring up this matter himself and send Li Qing to the Yan family for them to handle.
However, Li Qing shook his head and rejected the proposal. He gave Tian Long only one answer: wait!
As one who had achieved longevity, he had far more patience than anyone else. No matter what, he still had more than a hundred years of lifespan left. He could afford to wait slowly.
During this time, the bearing Li Qing displayed was remarkably like that of an old hunter, quietly waiting for his prey to take the bait.
"I'm clearer than anyone about what that Second Young Master Yan is plotting. He merely wants me to suffer a little more here, then rescue me from fire and water at the very end. Only then can he win over my heart as well."
Li Qing sneered, keenly seeing through the other's intentions.
He understood better than anyone the principle of delivering charcoal in the snow.
After all, a blacksmith who knew some fighting techniques and possessed considerable strength was still quite valuable in Obsidian City.
The Yan family had no reason not to be tempted. This was also the greatest support behind Li Qing's plan: his confidence in the value he had displayed.
Nearly another two days passed in this manner. At last, Li Qing and Tian Long received the news they had been waiting for so desperately.
Having received Second Young Master Yan's orders, Yan San paid a visit to the Righteous Gang's main headquarters.
Tian Long sat boldly in the seat of honor, and the wild delight in his eyes flashed briefly before his expression quickly returned to normal.
"Zhao Kou, go call that Yan San in."
A young man with a pale, frail face but vicious eyes nodded and replied, "Yes, Gang Leader!"
This young man was the very person who had wanted to join the Righteous Gang several days ago, only to be cut down by Tian Long with a single slash.
He had successfully endured it. Despite such terrifying injuries, he had not died, and he naturally joined the Righteous Gang, earning Tian Long's trust.
Before long, Yan San came in. His expression was exceedingly smug. With the Yan family at his back, even the infamously wicked Righteous Gang Did Not Dare To do anything to him.
This was the confidence being a Yan family lackey gave him!
"Ha ha ha, greetings, Heavenly Dragon Gang Leader. The Second Young Master asked me to convey his regards." Yan San entered with a beaming face and clasped his fists. His etiquette was quite thorough.
Yet the smugness between his brows and in his eyes could not be concealed, and it made Tian Long, seated high in the seat of honor, deeply displeased.
At once, Tian Long made up his mind. After wiping out the Yan family, he would use this lackey as the first one under his blade!
"Ha ha, I'm doing very well. If only I could eat my fill every day, that would be even better!" Tian Long said with a false smile. "Speak. What brings you to my Righteous Gang?"
"Heavenly Dragon Gang Leader, the Second Young Master sent me here to ask about that blacksmith you captured a few days ago. I wonder how he is doing now?" Yan San stated his purpose directly.
Upon Hearing this, Tian Long merely sneered. "Hmph, my Righteous Gang has no surplus grain to feed idle people. That blacksmith has refused to serve me, so I was planning to carve him into a human stick in a few days!"
At These Words, fine beads of cold sweat appeared on Yan San's forehead, and he thought that he had arrived in time after all.
"Ahem, Heavenly Dragon Gang Leader, the Second Young Master sent me to ask you for that person. Please show mercy!"
Bam!
Tian Long's face turned completely cold and stern. "Yan Gui'an asks for a person and expects one? Where would that leave the dignity of my Righteous Gang?"
Yan San wiped the sweat from his forehead and hurriedly said, "Heavenly Dragon Gang Leader, the Second Young Master certainly isn't asking for him for nothing. Recently, the Yan family obtained some Blood Jade Mushrooms. He intends to trade half a jin of Blood Jade Mushrooms, ten jin of White Meat Mushrooms, and fifty jin of Black Rye Mushrooms for him!"
Only after hearing these terms did Tian Long's expression gradually ease, and then he burst into loud laughter.
"Ha ha ha ha, Second Young Master Yan is truly too courteous! In that case, there's no use for me to keep that Li Qing. Later, I will personally lead people to escort him to the Yan estates!"
Yan San could not help but sneer inwardly a few times, though he kept a smiling face outwardly.
The two sides exchanged several more hypocritical pleasantries, and the conversation came to an end.
After Yan San left, the corners of Tian Long's mouth could not help but rise.
All this was within the plan. It was simply perfect. That Li Qing truly foresaw everything like a god.
Originally, to escort Li Qing to the Yan family, he only needed to send a few underlings. As the leader of a gang, going along himself would seem rather out of place.
But after a round of haggling, the Yan family would surely promise additional benefits. That way, he could go to their door openly and properly, handing over the person with one hand and taking the goods with the other.
Filled with excitement, Tian Long could not help recalling his performance just now.
Only after confirming that there were no flaws did he finally relax.
"Zhao Kou, have someone find several bundles of hemp rope. The more, the better."
"Wei Tian, come with me to the prison where Li Qing is being held."
Wei Tian and that vicious young man answered at the same time, "Yes, Gang Leader!"
Inside the Righteous Gang's prison, the place was filled everywhere with the stench of mold and decay.
To make the act convincing, Li Qing had endured that foul smell all these days, unwilling to let anyone else notice anything unusual.
Suddenly, a hearty burst of laughter came from outside the prison.
"Ha ha ha ha, Brother Li Qing, you really did foresee everything like a god! Everything that happened today was exactly as you said before!" Tian Long strode into the cell with wild laughter, smiling as he spoke to Li Qing.
When Li Qing looked up, he saw Tian Long's gleaming bald head enter, with Wei Tian following at his side.
"Don't be happy too soon. The main event is still to come." Li Qing did not show much joy. Instead, his face was solemn.
"No matter what, the situation so far has gone very smoothly. That is exceedingly favorable for us." Tian Long remained overjoyed.
Being straightforward by nature, he had rarely employed such schemes. He preferred to settle everything with force—if he could win, he fought; if he could not, he accepted it.
Originally, after successfully winning Li Qing over, he had planned to directly gather the gang brothers and wage war against the Yan family. Why would he have considered so much?
Now that Li Qing had presented such a seemingly perfect plan, if it succeeded, it would not only greatly increase the chances of success for this operation, but also effectively reduce unnecessary losses. Nothing could be better.
"Enough. Have someone bring the tools over and make me look like I'm at death's door," Li Qing said.