"Uh... you want to consolidate these factions directly?" Hai Bodong was taken aback by Xiao Yan's idea. "That would certainly save time and effort, but it would also leave plenty of hidden dangers. They can pledge themselves to you today, and who knows when they might pledge themselves to someone else? People like that have no loyalty to speak of."
"I don't need their loyalty. I just need them to work for me," Xiao Yan said casually. "Besides, I'm really not worried about that. We'll go out in a bit, beat the lot of them up, then take them in. Anyone who disobeys gets slaughtered on the spot, and we'll feed poison to everyone left. I'd like to see whether they have the guts to rebel against me."
"Damn! You really are ruthless!" Xiao Yan's plan made even Hai Bodong raise a thumb in admiration. With this fellow's methods, the number of factions he absorbed would probably shrink by more than half, but those who remained would certainly never entertain any thoughts of rebellion again.
In a place like the Black-Corner Region, a policy of appeasement was of little use. Only the simplest, most brutal approach was truly effective.
Xiao Yan did not tell Hai Bodong that another reason he wanted to establish a faction in the Black-Corner Region was to prepare for the Xiao Clan's future. A postage-stamp-sized place like Wutan City was clearly unsuitable for the clan's growth. Once his faction had gained some momentum, he would find a way to relocate the Xiao Clan from Wutan City to the Black-Corner Region.
"By the way, Xiao Yan, you said earlier that you wanted to take on a new identity in the Black-Corner Region. In that case, why not change your look?" Hai Bodong suggested, looking him over.
"Haven't