"What leverage does he have? He's merely allied himself with Qiao San, or perhaps believes Qiao San can deal with me."
Ning Beichen sneered.
These hidden assets were created by him casually years ago. They knew nothing of his true strength, let alone them, even Xiao Yi to Xiao Jiu had only a partial understanding of his capabilities.
The only ones who truly knew some of his trump cards were You Yu, You Fu, and Tou Tie.
However, even their understanding of Ning Beichen was extremely limited.
As for whether those three had betrayed him, Ning Beichen didn't care.
If Chen Que dared to betray him, it couldn't solely be on the Qing He Gang. Without their backing, Chen Que wouldn't have the audacity. Therefore, within the Dark King organization, there must be someone supporting him.
"You Yu, You Fu, Tou Tie, which one of you three has betrayed me?"
"Or have all three of you betrayed me?"
Ning Beichen suddenly found it rather amusing.
In the early days of the Dark King organization, Ning Beichen was personally involved, so no one dared to betray him.
But in the past few years, Ning Beichen had rarely managed the Dark King's affairs, so it was normal for people's hearts to wander.
Because what Ning Beichen could give them, others could also give them.
"Brother Chen, should I recall the elite guards?"
The blonde woman asked.
"Recall them for what?"
Ning Beichen looked at her with a strange expression and asked.
"To protect you. I fear the Qing He Gang might make a move."
The blonde woman lowered her head and said.
"Hong Ying, the Dark King has been disbanded. Haven't you considered leaving me?"
Ning Beichen suddenly smiled and said.
"Brother Chen..."
Hong Ying's heart pounded. She sensed Ning Beichen's killing intent.
"It seems You Yu, You Fu, and Tou Tie have all betrayed me, is that right?"
Ning Beichen suddenly changed the subject.
Hong Ying lowered her head and remained silent, offering no explanation or defense.
Her attitude itself answered the question.
"You may leave. There will be no more Dark King. I won't block your path to riches."
Ning Beichen retracted his killing intent, his expression calm as he spoke to Hong Ying.
These people were once teammates who fought alongside him. Yet, they had changed. And while they thought Ning Beichen had changed, they failed to realize that it was they who had changed, not him.
"I'm sorry."
After saying "I'm sorry," Hong Ying, filled with trepidation, left.
She hadn't expected Ning Beichen to let her go, especially after knowing she had betrayed him.
"Foolish!"
This was Hong Ying's assessment of Ning Beichen.
"No, I must report this to Tou Tie and the others."
Hong Ying hurried out.
The scene of Ning Beichen shooting Xiao Wu earlier was deeply etched in her mind, filling her with fear.
However, just as she stepped onto the island, a figure flashed past her. A dagger sliced open her throat.
Not long after, a short-haired woman holding a bloody dagger, carrying Hong Ying's head, appeared before Ning Beichen.
"Xiao Dong, you didn't have to kill her."
Ning Beichen sighed as he looked at Hong Ying's lifeless head.
"Her life and abilities were given by the Master. To betray the Master—death!"
The short-haired woman said with fierce killing intent.
"You're still so stubborn."
Ning Beichen shook his head.
"I've already disbanded the Dark King, and you are all free. You didn't need to do this."
Ning Beichen felt a pang of pity for the short-haired girl.
"Whether the Dark King is disbanded or not is irrelevant to me. I only acknowledge the Master."
The short-haired girl insisted stubbornly.
"As you wish. However, from now on, don't call me Master. Call me Brother Chen."
Ning Beichen didn't force her.
"Yes, Brother Chen."
A sweet smile appeared on the short-haired girl's face.
The next day, Chen Que reappeared before Ning Beichen.
"Let's go. Take me to see Qiao San."
Chen Que led the way, and soon they arrived in a large hall.
"Hahaha... King Ning's grand arrival. We are truly honored."
Qiao San, the helmsman of the Qing He Gang, stepped forward and cupped his fists towards Ning Beichen.
"Helm Qiao, there's no need for such politeness. I am no longer any King, just an ordinary person. Just call me by my name."
Ning Beichen also cupped his fists.
"Ordinary person?"
"I'll be damned if I believe you."
Qiao San said with a false smile, "King Ning, have you truly disbanded the Dark King?"
"I have,"
Ning Beichen replied calmly.
"May I ask why?"
Qiao San was very curious. He was genuinely perplexed.
People disband organizations only when they have no other choice. The Dark King, however, was a sky-rocketing superpower. Thus, many harbored doubts about its dissolution.
"The organization became too large to manage, and I'm getting old. I'm a bit tired."
Ning Beichen said.
Qiao San: "..."
In your twenties, and you're already old and tired? Is this how you insult people?
Qiao San: "I understand, I understand. It's indeed difficult to manage such a large enterprise."
"My subordinates mentioned that you wish to see our Grand Leader?"
Qiao San asked.
"Yes, I do. I'd like to meet him. Helmsman Qiao, do you have a way to contact your Qing He Gang's Grand Leader?"
Ning Beichen asked frankly.
"Brother Ning, I wish I could help you. But I don't know where our Grand Leader is. I'm truly sorry."
Qiao San said with a smile.
"Then I apologize for the intrusion."
Ning Beichen stood up.
"Wait a moment, Brother Ning, are you just leaving?"
Qiao San suddenly called out to stop Ning Beichen.
"What else? Do you want to keep me for dinner?"
Ning Beichen looked at him and asked.
"Heh, dinner is certainly fine. However, Brother Ning, shouldn't you leave something behind?"
As Qiao San finished speaking, Ning Beichen found himself surrounded by at least a hundred people.
"Helmsman Qiao, what do you mean by this?"
Ning Beichen's expression gradually became calm.
"Brother Ning, the Dark King must have accumulated considerable wealth over the years. Since you're no longer interested in managing it, why not let me help you handle it?"
Qiao San did not underestimate Ning Beichen and treated him with great importance. As he finished speaking, those surrounding Ning Beichen all aimed their guns at him.
To Qiao San's surprise, Ning Beichen remained remarkably composed, simply looking at him calmly.
"It seems I've failed as a person. Have those three defected to you?"
Ning Beichen asked.
"No, only Tou Tie has joined me. You Yu and You Fu are a bit stubborn."
Qiao San said triumphantly.
"That's a relief. I thought they had all betrayed me. If that were the case, I would truly have to reflect on myself."
A smile appeared on Ning Beichen's face.
"Ning Beichen, enough of this idle talk. Hand over the wealth of the Dark King, and I can let you live."
Qiao San's expression turned cold. He was displeased with Ning Beichen's demeanor.