"Sparrow?!"
Upon hearing this revelation, a perplexed expression crossed Long Baiyun's face.
He wasn't the only one bewildered; the heads of both the Xiaodao Gang and the Red Clothes Hall shared his confusion.
In this day and age, where technology had far surpassed traditional methods, what sort of method was sparrow transmission? It seemed even more antiquated than using pigeons as messengers!
"Whoever took my money and dares to provoke us with an invitation letter won't get away with it," declared the knife boss of the Xiaodao Gang venomously. "Gather everyone! Tonight, I want to see just how mighty this person thinks they are!"
The knife boss was known for his ruthlessness; his willingness to go to any lengths knew no bounds. Having taken their money, the audacity to openly challenge them further infuriated him. If they didn't respond forcefully, it would only embolden this individual.
Furthermore, the fact that this person had sent simultaneous invitations to all three major societies indicated careful planning. Consequently, the three societies had unanimously decided to mobilize their forces and prepare for a significant confrontation tonight.
...
Longteng Building.
This building ranked second in prosperity in Ningcheng, trailing only behind the commercial building.
However, it had a more renowned moniker - the gathering place of the affluent.
The entire Longteng Building was the sole five-star hotel in Ningcheng, boasting 33 floors, each one distinctive. Beyond a plethora of entertainment venues, it featured a dedicated underground casino where the wealthy indulged themselves. The sums of money that flowed through here daily were not in the millions, but billions, a playground exclusively for the wealthy elite.
Tonight, however, the scene was markedly distinct. This gathering was on an unprecedented scale.
The first to arrive were the members of Hongyitang.
A fleet of twenty black Mercedes-Benz S600 vehicles lined up meticulously from the entrance to the doors of the Longteng Building.
Under normal circumstances, the parking attendants would be swift to instruct them to park in the underground lot. After all, this was Longteng Building property, and without proper authority, who could park right at the entrance? But today, not a soul dared utter a word. The cars bore a distinct red logo - unmistakable symbols of the Red Clothes Hall.
Such a display unequivocally showcased the Red Clothes Hall's might.
As the twenty Mercedes-Benz S600 cars parked, individuals dressed in black suits adorned with red ties emerged from each vehicle.
Leading them, Hong Jiu, the head of Hongyitang, stepped out of the front car.
Hongyitang operated under a joint-stock system. Whoever led the gang wielded the most significant shares.
Clad in a Tang suit, Hong Jiu's gleaming bald head stood out conspicuously. He clutched two polished walnuts in his hands. As he strode forward, his gaze carried both depth and command, a powerful aura emanating from his presence.
Shortly after Hong Jiu's arrival, another convoy pulled up.
This time, the vehicles were Chevrolet Saabs, solid vehicles radiating a rugged charm.
There was no doubt as to which club these cars belonged to - the Xiaodao Gang.
Unlike the impeccably dressed members of Hongyitang, the Xiaodao Gang members sported vests, casual shirts, or even plain T-shirts, resembling a congregation of street toughs. Nevertheless, no one dared to underestimate them.
Members of the Xiaodao Gang had gained their reputation through street battles. Their strength increased with their rank, so higher-ranked members were often the most formidable fighters.
Although the Xiaodao Gang had brought only ten vehicles, around seventy individuals disembarked - far fewer than the nearly hundred from Hongyitang. However, in terms of combat prowess, the disparity in numbers was balanced out by the Xiaodao Gang's formidable fighting abilities. Their presence alone was enough to make up for the numerical difference.
Of course, none of them carried weapons openly.
"Hong Master, I thought you'd send a representative. This person must be quite something to warrant such respect," remarked Dao Boss with a wry smile.
"The situation has been orchestrated. Neglecting it wouldn't be prudent," Hong Jiu replied, his tone composed.
"Others might not know you, but I do. Would you like to witness the fate of the person who took 20 million from you?"
The knife boss grinned malevolently.
As he finished speaking, Dao Boss seemed to catch onto something and turned his head.
"Old Man Long from Baiyun Pavilion has arrived!"
"Among the three of us, Baiyun Pavilion has suffered the most - a whopping 40 million!"
The knife boss chuckled, savoring Baiyun Pavilion's predicament.
As he spoke, Baiyun Pavilion's vehicle pulled up.
Baiyun Pavilion's car, a Hyundai Accent, might not have matched the ostentation of Hongyitang's choice, but among insiders, the reason for Long Baiyun's selection was evident. The Hyundai Accent was symbolic of power, favored by some high-ranking officials.
To Long Baiyun, the car might not have been extravagant, but it had to be immaculate. Thus, it underwent cleaning inside and out three or four times daily to ensure it remained absolutely pristine.
"Old Man Long! Welcome!"
The knife boss eagerly waved and greeted Long Baiyun as he stepped out of the car.
"Now that we're all here, let's proceed," Long Baiyun calmly instructed.
"Three!"
At that moment, a figure approached with a genial smile. "Mr. Fang is already awaiting your arrival. Please, follow me."
"Old Yu, can we trust this person? Who is he?" Hong Jiu asked, his brow furrowed.
The other two leaders shared his skepticism.
The individual leading them was Yu Linguang, a senior shareholder of Longteng Building. Yu Linguang was prominent enough to receive high-ranking officials, and his personal involvement piqued the curiosity of the three leaders. Although they were at the Longteng Building for a money collector's banquet, it seemed Yu Linguang's presence hinted at something more.
"Explaining in a few words might not suffice. We can discuss it en route," Yu Linguang shook his head, sighing softly as he gestured for them to follow.
And so, led by Yu Linguang, the three leaders ascended the building's floors.
The members of the three major societies trailed behind them, attracting curious glances from bystanders.
Although outsiders were unaware of the circumstances, they sensed that something significant was unfolding.