Why?

"Isn't business just like this? You have needs, and so do I. There's no need to beat around the bush." Huai Shi shrugged. "You have to be thick-skinned enough to say even the most outrageous sweet nothings. Otherwise, how are you supposed to make money?"

Lin Wei Bu Ju looked at him impassively. "There are so many gangs in Kyoto... Why should I work with you?"

Huai Shi smiled. "Of course, because the Archipelago Lineage can't get rid of me."

As long as the legitimacy of the Tanba Inner Circle remained, and as long as Huai Shi still wore the Astronomical Society's tiger skin, the Archipelago Lineage could forget about using any underhanded means against him.

This was a true country within a country, a sanctuary coveted by every outsider.

If the Yingzhou branch wanted to make a move, that would be even simpler. Did they really think Russell and the Ivory Tower were pushovers?

In present-day Yingzhou, aside from the Drug Expulsion Alliance formed by mixed-bloods, not a single organization in all Kyoto could withstand the pressure from Lu Ming Hall. Forget cooperation—when the time came, it would be a blessing if the other Gokudō groups did not turn around and sell out the Six Harmonies Society.

If the Six Harmonies Society wanted to cooperate, they had no choice but Huai Shi.

Lin Wei Bu Ju remained cold and sneered at Huai Shi. "Then why should you work with me?"

"That's even simpler."

Huai Shi answered with a smile, "Because I can get rid of you."

At that instant, a sharp metallic hum burst forth from beyond layer upon layer of walls. Hundreds of meters away, the bustling street fell silent in an instant.

Everyone looked around in shock, feeling the spreading chill and the urge to tremble.

In