Chapter Fifty-Four: The Marsh Hawk

“Kid, what makes you think you can do it? Just your silver tongue?” The Second Master’s voice was thick with contempt. He would never believe, not even if beaten to death, that a child could bring him fortune.

“The answer is right here in my arms. I have something that can make you the kingpin of Jiayang’s underworld. Of course, that’s if you know what’s good for you. In this life, it’s fate, luck, and the lay of the land. Since fate has brought us together today, I’ll be straightforward: you save my life, and the seat of Jiayang’s underworld boss is my gratitude to you. Don’t doubt my words—if you miss this chance, you’ll spend your days as the second-in-command. Being number two isn’t easy, is it?”

Silence. An oppressive, almost maddening silence. Clearly, the other man was weighing his options. Yun Hao was unconcerned. A second-in-command who doesn’t covet the top spot is no good at all. Anyone who’s made it this far must be cunning and capable. Yun Hao didn’t believe this man would pass up an opportunity.

The sack was untied, and light burst into Yun Hao’s vision. As his eyes adjusted, he inspected his surroundings—a woodshed, with himself sprawled atop a pile of straw. The sunset bathed the room in golden light. Beside him was another sack, which surely held Zhang Miaoke.

Two men stood before him. One was of medium height, robustly built. The other was tall and thin, hunched as if afraid to draw attention to his height. Yun Hao almost laughed at their disguises—a black cloth sack with holes cut for the eyes. He’d seen this look on television before, when Sadamu was hanged.

He stretched, broadening his chest—very good. Aside from hunger, he felt no discomfort.

“Congratulations, you’ve seized your chance,” Yun Hao said with a smile to the two men.

“Hmph! It’s not over yet. If you don’t give me what I want, you’ll wish you were dead!” The stocky man spoke in a deep voice.

“Hahaha! If I had nothing to impress you, I’d die worse than a pig in this situation. Isn’t that right, Second Master?” Yun Hao fixed his gaze on the tall, thin man, enunciating each word.

“How did you know it was me?” The Second Master was taken aback.

“Though you’re hunched, trying to look submissive, your eyes rarely leave me, hardly ever glancing at him. He, on the other hand, stands straight but, when speaking to me, his eyes instinctively flick to you—that’s a habit of subordinates. Years of practice, it’s impossible to shake even if you ordered it.” Yun Hao smiled like a fox that had just stolen a fat hen.

“I’ve heard you’re a prodigy. I didn’t believe it before, but now I think you might actually bring me something.” Suddenly, the Second Master stood tall; by modern standards, he was nearly two meters in height.

“Yes, sir!” The stocky man responded and left to fetch food.

“Now I know your name is Ma Ying,” Yun Hao leaned against the wall, casting a glance at Zhang Miaoke beside him. The little beauty was stuffed in an oversized sack, silent.

“Overly clever men never live long!” Ma Ying didn’t ask Yun Hao why this time. When the fool had responded, he’d hesitated—this kid was sharper than a monkey, impossible to fool.

“You’re mistaken again. Have you seen many fools live past eighty? And how many of those famed for their cunning live to a ripe old age?”

“Their lives don’t concern me, but yours is in my hands.” Ma Ying clenched his fists menacingly, as if he truly held Yun Hao’s fate.

“By the same logic, your future prosperity is in my hands. If you were truly loyal to your boss, you wouldn’t be sitting here negotiating with me.”

“If you want to play word games, go find a monk. But first, you need to survive.”

“Alright. From our talk, I can tell you’re smart. Worth dealing with. Here’s a banner—if you recognize it, no need for explanation. If not, find someone who does. Don’t say I’m bluffing with a fake.” Yun Hao pulled out the small flag Single Xiongxin had given him, waved it, and handed it to Ma Ying.

“What’s your connection to Second Master Single?” Ma Ying’s eyes nearly popped at the sight of the flag. He hadn’t expected this child to know the famous Single Xiongxin. If that were the case, things would need reconsideration. Single Xiongxin was the chief of the greenwood, the leader no official could outwit. If he learned Ma Ying had harmed this boy, Ma Ying would be better off ending himself quickly—otherwise, he’d regret it.

“You don’t need to know, nor do you deserve to. I’m telling you that if you harm me, you’ll have trouble. But my previous offer stands: let me go, and I’ll help you take down your boss. If anyone troubles you, I’ll ask Second Master Single for help. With such a powerful protector, if you can’t make it in Jiayang, you’re just too stupid. Now tell me, do you want to be the boss?”

Unwittingly, the roles had reversed—Yun Hao was now the cat toying with the mouse, and Ma Ying, once Tom, had become Jerry. If he was willing to sit and talk, that meant he was already dissatisfied with his current boss. In truth, every boss is suspicious and wary of their second-in-command.

“Just this? Second Master Single is well-known, but he’s far away from Jiayang…”

“If you enter the city today, you’ll find soldiers everywhere searching for me. That’s because the second son of the Keeper of Jiayang, Duke Tang, is an old acquaintance of mine. With the support of the Tang Duke’s residence, do you still think help is out of reach?”

“Really?” The eyes behind the mask brightened. Duke Tang was the emperor’s cousin—here in Jiayang, he was as good as a god. With his backing, becoming the city’s underworld boss would be effortless, far more practical than relying on Single Second Master in distant Luzhou.

“Why would I lie? Just go into the city and see—the truth is plain to see!”

“Wait, how do you know we’re not in the city?” Ma Ying suddenly grew suspicious.

“Where in the city is it so quiet? Besides, when you dragged me through the city gates, I heard the soldiers shouting!”

“Why didn’t you cry out?” Ma Ying was even more puzzled.

“Am I stupid? So you could silence me for good?”