「Drunk Moon Tower.」

Ding Peng beamed as he looked at the check for twenty million in front of him. He had been in the underworld since he was nineteen, a full thirty years ago. For three decades, he had clawed his way up the ladder, but fate had never smiled upon him. That changed when he turned thirty-seven and met Xiao Shixiong. After taking a bullet for him, Ding Peng shot to prominence, becoming the kingpin of Jinhai City's underworld. He held the lives of countless people in his hands; a single cough from him was enough to make the city tremble.

A female star, who had recently shot to fame in a historical palace drama, sat nestled in his lap. She was attentively feeding him wine from her own lips, and Ding Peng savored moments like these.

"Boss Ding, thank you for your help. I'll toast to you," said Xue Chongshan.

He should have been at home arranging his son's funeral, but upon hearing that the person responsible for his son's death was coming to Jinhai City, his heart filled with murderous intent. He would have justice for his son. Although Xue Jingdong wasn't his only son, Xue Chongshan had poured countless resources into grooming him as his successor. But now he was dead, killed by some worthless beggar. It was a humiliation Xue Chongshan could not possibly stomach.

As one of the top three families in Jinhai City, the Xue Family was far from ordinary. Over the years, their business had expanded to cover nearly every industry: real estate, healthcare, education, travel, technology, and more. He had countless ways to eliminate that worthless beggar, but Xue Chongshan had chosen the most brutal one.

Ding Peng smiled. "Old Xue, you're being too formal. Between us, there's no need for thanks."

Despite his words, he casually tucked the check into his pocket. The quick-witted starlet beside him swiftly drank the wine from her glass, then used her lips as a cup to transfer it to Ding Peng's mouth. He swallowed it in one gulp and laughed with delight.

Xue Chongshan raised his glass again. "Boss Ding, have your men killed that damn beggar yet?"

"What, getting impatient?" Ding Peng asked with a smile.

Xue Chongshan shook his head, a fierce glint in his eyes. "No, Boss Ding. What I mean is, if possible, bring him back alive."

Ding Peng was taken aback. "What's this? You don't want revenge anymore?"

"I do! I want nothing more than to tear that damn beggar limb from limb right now!" Xue Chongshan snarled.

"Then why do you want him alive?"

"Because I want him to be buried with my son!" he said, his voice laced with fury.

Even a hardened man like Ding Peng was slightly taken aback. To be buried alive with the dead... That's truly vicious.

But Ding Peng didn't refuse. He chuckled and said, "That's not hard. I'll have my men take care of it."

"Thank you, Boss Ding!" Xue Chongshan said, raising his glass.

"Don't mention it!"

The two men drained their glasses. Ding Peng picked up his phone and tapped away for a moment before smiling. "It's handled. That damn beggar will be brought back alive shortly."

Xue Chongshan nodded grimly. "Thanks, Boss Ding."

"I heard a while back you were trying to join the A9 Alliance?" Ding Peng asked with a smile.

"That is correct," Xue Chongshan said gravely.

"How's that going?"

"Not ideal. The Xue Family may have status in Jinhai City, but we're nothing compared to any of the families in the A9 Alliance," Xue Chongshan said, his expression darkening.

Ding Peng smiled. "Do you need my help with that?"

Xue Chongshan was stunned. "Boss Ding, you have connections for that?"

Ding Peng laughed. "My boss is a member of the Heavenly Machine Pavilion, and its Pavilion Master has an exceptional relationship with the leaders of the A9 Alliance. If my boss were willing to step in, it might open some doors. Of course, that's just my speculation. I don't know if it would actually help; it all depends on my boss."

Xue Chongshan's spirits instantly soared. "Boss Ding, if you can help make this happen, I'm willing to give you a five percent stake in the Xue Corporation!"

Xue Chongshan was certainly making a grand gesture. The price seemed steep—the Xue Corporation was worth a hundred billion, making a five percent stake worth over five billion. But Xue Chongshan knew he wasn't getting a bad deal at all. If he could really join the A9 Alliance, the Xue Family's power would rise by several orders of magnitude. After all, the current top family in Jinhai City had only become so powerful after joining the A9 Alliance themselves.

The offer struck Ding Peng like a bolt of lightning, making him tremble. The Xue Corporation is a hundred-billion-dollar company! Five percent is worth at least five billion! This is an absolute windfall!

"Come, Old Xue, let me toast to you!"

Xue Chongshan quickly raised his glass. This time, Ding Peng held up his own glass. After they clinked them together, both men downed their wine with glee.

After a few more rounds, Ding Peng was visibly drunk. He hugged the actress, his hands and lips roaming freely over her. This sent the actress's eyes fluttering seductively. Trembling, she melted into Ding Peng's embrace, going completely limp.

"Ding, my dear, can we go somewhere else? Please, not here," the actress cooed.

Stroking her rear, Ding Peng grinned. "Why change? Old Xue is practically family. Hey, Old Xue, care to join us?"

Xue Chongshan knew that despite the invitation, this was his cue to leave. He wasn't a man who lacked self-awareness.

He smiled and said, "I appreciate the generous offer, Boss Ding, but you know my situation. My son just passed away; his body isn't even cold yet. It wouldn't be right for me to indulge in something like this right now."

Ding Peng nodded. "Right. Well, I won't keep you then. We'll hang out once you've settled things on your end."

"Sounds good," Xue Chongshan replied, but he didn't move.

Of course, Ding Peng knew why he was still there. He smiled. "Don't worry. I'll personally bring that worthless beggar to you later tonight."

"Thanks, Boss Ding!"

Xue Chongshan finished the wine in his glass, stood up, and left.

The moment he was gone, Ding Peng eagerly pushed the actress to the floor. The actress feigned protest, whispering, "Ding, no, don't..." even as her hands expertly unbuckled his belt. The two quickly began to devour each other.

After an unknown amount of time, Ding Peng suddenly felt something was amiss. He felt eyes on him. It was an instinct honed by decades in the underworld.

Assuming it was Xue Chongshan, Ding Peng chuckled without turning around. "Couldn't hold back after all, Old Xue?"

He paused his movements and glanced over his shoulder. A moment later, his expression changed drastically.

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