The title "crocodile" carried a whiff of the underworld. Luo Company had used its share of methods to expand. According to Hao Renqiang, who had risen and fallen several times in the Immortal Realm's underworld, doing business was no different from running a gang: both started at the bottom. Gangs had more street punks than anyone else; markets had more peddlers. Expansion meant seizing territory. Back then, Hao Renqiang's gang boss had led him through the Thirty-Six Mountains, cutting their way across one mountain after another. Now his business boss led him across the three heavens, crushing his way through one heaven after another. A gang boss and a business boss differed by just one word. Running a gang took brains; you couldn't spend every day thinking about fighting and killing. Business took even more brains; you couldn't spend every day chasing shady deals. To make a gang big, you had to use some dirty tricks. To make a business big, you were bound to have dealings that couldn't bear the light of day.
"For example, right now, if the boss wants to grab a piece of territory in Upper Clarity Heaven, he'll have to..." Hao Renqiang was holding forth to the others, his face alight with excitement. He had no idea Dongfang Chen was standing behind him until Dongfang Chen roared, "Hao Renqiang, what nonsense are you spouting?" Hao Renqiang ducked his head, covered his mouth, and mumbled, "Nothing, nothing..." He snatched up a bench and slung it over his shoulder. "I'm off on patrol." Dongfang Chen was furious. "You're patrolling the compound with a bench?"
At Luo Cloudtop, Du Lenning rushed in beaming. "Old Luo, Old Luo! Ha ha, we made quite a haul!" Luo Qian's mind was on the matter he had sent Xiao Xiangzi to investigate.