Xiao Shixiong answered the phone instantly.

"Lord, what are your orders?"

"What is the current situation with the Bai Family?"

"Lord, the Bai Corporation has been almost completely devoured," Xiao Shixiong said respectfully.

"I see. Bai Bufan has kidnapped my mother-in-law to use as leverage. Look into this."

Lin Xiao's tone was casual, but to Xiao Shixiong on the other end of the line, it felt like a lightning strike. His mind went blank for a moment. But Xiao Shixiong was an old hand, after all, and he quickly composed himself.

"Lord, give me some time. An hour—no, half an hour. I will ensure this matter is handled properly!"

"Alright. I'll leave it in your hands."

Lin Xiao's voice betrayed no emotion, but Xiao Shixiong was already terrified.

He understood perfectly well that Lin Xiao was angry. Though it didn't show on the surface, he was furious. In fact, he was seething.

Xiao Shixiong didn't dare to delay. He knew that if he mishandled this, his own tenure as the King of the Southern Town might come to an end.

After hanging up, Xiao Shixiong was about to contact Bai Bufan when he realized his back was drenched in cold sweat. A fresh wave of fear washed over him at the realization.

He replayed Lin Xiao's words in his mind. The more he thought, the angrier he became. No, it was more than anger—it was a seething rage. He wanted to slice Bai Bufan into a thousand pieces.

Before calling Bai Bufan, Xiao Shixiong summoned his butler.

"Deploy all our resources and connections! Find Bai Bufan's whereabouts at all costs! I'll reward whoever finds him with ten million. Be quick—as fast as possible! Oh, and notify Bai Xiangqian. Tell him to help with the search too."

The butler, sensing the gravity of the situation, nodded quickly and rushed out.

Only after arranging everything did Xiao Shixiong make the call. The call, of course, was for Bai Bufan. He was keen to see just how this fool intended to court his own death.

The call connected quickly.

"Well now, King of the Southern Town, I never expected a call from you!" Bai Bufan sneered.

To be honest, Bai Bufan was terrified of the King of the Southern Town. There was no helping it. Xiao Shixiong was the undisputed king of the underworld in the six provinces of Jiangnan. Everyone in Jinling City feared him—or rather, everyone in all six provinces.

But Bai Bufan was no longer afraid. For one, the Bai Family was already ruined and scattered, so there was nothing left for him to fear. For another, he now held Su Qingning's mother hostage.

This was his trump card. With this hostage, he believed, not even the King of the Southern Town could touch him. That was why he dared to be so insolent.

Xiao Shixiong chuckled coldly. "Bai Bufan, I truly underestimated you."

"You jest, King of the Southern Town," Bai Bufan retorted. "You probably look down on everyone in the world. For years, you've used your status as a member of the Heavenly Machine Pavilion to treat all of Jiangnan as your personal domain. Have you ever spared a single glance for people like us?"

"You have some self-awareness, at least," Xiao Shixiong said coldly.

"Cut the crap. You wouldn't be calling me if that wretched beggar hadn't already told you my demands. So let's skip the pleasantries. I'll release her once the money is in my account. Otherwise, Su Qingning's mother dies. I'm not afraid of you, Xiao Shixiong, even if you are the King of the Southern Town!"

Bai Bufan's voice was firm, but it only made Xiao Shixiong's contempt for him grow.

Lin Xiao hadn't mentioned any monetary demands. That told Xiao Shixiong everything he needed to know: Lin Xiao wanted Bai Bufan dead. In fact, even if Lin Xiao didn't issue the order, this piece of trash wouldn't have lived. The moment Xiao Shixiong found out about this, Bai Bufan's fate was sealed. There was only one outcome for him: death!

Still, with Su Qingning's mother in his hands, Xiao Shixiong knew he couldn't provoke him yet. If this trash got desperate like a cornered beast, the loss would be too great.

"You want money? Fine. Give me an account number. But before I transfer anything, I need to confirm that Su Qingning's mother is unharmed."

"Fine!"

"I want a video."

Bai Bufan let out a disdainful snort. "Do you take me for a three-year-old, Xiao Shixiong? I know your methods. If I show you a video of Su Qingning's mother, you'll pinpoint my location immediately. So, you can forget about a video!"

Xiao Shixiong had to fight the urge to hunt down Bai Bufan and chop him into pieces right then and there.

"Send me a photo!"

With that, Xiao Shixiong hung up.

It might have seemed like Bai Bufan held the initiative by kidnapping Su Qingning's mother, but Xiao Shixiong had just snatched it back. Now, he was the one in control.

Soon, Bai Bufan sent a photo. In it, Su Qingning's mother was tied up and looked to be in a wretched state, but she was clearly still alive. That wasn't the crucial detail, however. The background of the photo was pitch-black. Xiao Shixiong had hoped to find some clue in the photo, but alas, nothing could be seen.

Soon, Bai Bufan called again. Xiao Shixiong didn't answer right away. He let the phone ring until it was about to stop before casually picking up.

"Damn it, Xiao Shixiong! Why the hell did you only just answer my call?" Bai Bufan roared.

Xiao Shixiong scoffed. "Who do you think you are, Bai Bufan, to yell at me? The fact that I answered your call at all should be considered a great honor."

"Motherfucker, are you trying to get Su Qingning's mother killed?"

Xiao Shixiong laughed as if he'd just heard the funniest joke in the world.

"Bai Bufan, are you an idiot? You kidnapped Su Qingning's mother. From the way you're acting, one might think you kidnapped *my* mother."

At those words, Bai Bufan paused, stunned. Then he asked, "Aren't you that wretched beggar Lin Xiao's subordinate?"

Xiao Shixiong's heart skipped a beat. How on earth did this piece of trash know he was Lin Xiao's subordinate?

"Who told you I was Lin Xiao's subordinate?" Xiao Shixiong asked in a cold voice.

"I did my own investigation, of course."

"Bai Bufan, you're hopelessly stupid," Xiao Shixiong scoffed with feigned contempt. "I, Xiao Shixiong, am the master of the Jiangnan underworld. Lin Xiao is just a beggar. Do you really think he could be my boss? Besides, if he were my boss, his background would have to be far more powerful than mine. If that were the case, would he really be content playing the part of a beggar?"

"Do you take me for an idiot, Xiao Shixiong? If you're not his subordinate, why would he call you?"

Just as Xiao Shixiong was about to speak, his butler hurried back into the room and gave him an "OK" sign.

A cruel, silent sneer spread across Xiao Shixiong's face.

"Want to know why? I'll tell you in person shortly."

"Save that moronic talk for when you actually find me!" Bai Bufan scoffed.

The words had barely left his mouth when a sudden scream echoed from his end of the line.

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