The night was cool as water, the stars brilliant.
"Whew!"
Zhang Asi jolted awake. The instant his eyes opened, he sprang up as if electrocuted, his face ashen.
But once he made out Lian Youming sitting beneath the starlight, he froze for barely a second before thanking him tearfully. "Thank you for saving me... I just ran into two experts. I think they were from Taiji Gate. They were unbelievably strong..."
Then he heard Lian Youming say softly, "Those two are friends of mine."
For a moment, the night breeze brushed past. Zhang Asi opened his mouth, fell silent for several seconds, then said bitterly, "Th-that's good, then!" Lian Youming sat crouched on a stone step and glanced at the stars overhead. "Taiji Gate probably won't get here for another few days, but the Green Gang should arrive within a day or two. They'll definitely be curious about who I am. Just tell them you don't know and have them wait on your fishing boat. Don't send anyone to notify me, either. I'll take a walk around the wharf at four every afternoon. If no one's there, fly a yellow flag. Once they arrive, fly a red one. I'll board when I see it." For now, he still did not want to reveal his standing in the "Tong" generation. First, he lacked strength, and it might bring serious trouble. Second, he still wanted to use that identity to stir a few things up.
Zhang Asi nodded. "All right, I'll remember."
Lian Youming breathed out softly and continued, "As for Taiji Gate, I'll be leaving for Guangzhou in a couple of days. They probably won't make it in time. If they come looking for you, tell them the truth, but don't let slip my connection to the Yan family. Just say