Chapter Sixty-Six: The Boss's Decision

Han did not respond upon hearing this, but simply gazed quietly at the temple. He did not believe that the lack of medication was due to the boss’s mercy; rather, he suspected it was because he was still useful, and thus had no need to take the drugs.

Since the boss had saved his life and he had agreed to help in return, he would do so earnestly—as long as he did not betray his own conscience, he could do anything.

Those who had taken the medication were all quite willing to work for the boss. But the boss, fearing they might one day grow a conscience, still forced them to take the drugs. Should they ever harbor any thought of betrayal, the poison would activate instantly, killing them with blood streaming from their orifices.

“So, why did you bring us to this temple? What is it you want us to do?” Han was curious. This temple was a place of great purity, as the sacred forest outside made clear. Within, the Guanyin Bodhisattva was enshrined.

“I need you to have someone tear this place down and reassemble it as my palace. And as for the paths below, they must be redesigned—no one should be able to wander in at will. Ha!” The boss laughed heartily as he spoke, the ambition in his eyes blazing.

Han found the laughter rather chilling and frowned. Destroying a temple hardly seemed appropriate. Though he did not believe in gods or ghosts, he had heard the saying, “There are gods three feet above your head.”

A palace? Could it be that the boss’s ultimate aim was to rule this world? With just this handful of people, could he really dream of domination? Besides, weren’t these actions forbidden?

“Did you hear me? Get on with it—now!” Seeing Han unresponsive, the boss barked at the others.

Han snapped back to reality and sauntered off with the rest, entirely indifferent. The ones who were expected to carry out orders were those puppet-like men, not him.

The Flower Thief sidled up to Han with a playful grin. “Big brother, who are you thinking about? You look so lost in thought.”

“Flower Thief, mind your own business. Go do your work, or I’ll give you a beating. I’m sure the boss won’t mind! As for you, you’ll probably just get another dose of poison.” Han felt nothing particular toward the Flower Thief—after all, the man was hardly virtuous. The main issue was that he found the fellow rather annoying.

“Er…” The Flower Thief shivered, glanced back at the boss, and hurried away. “I know I was wrong, big brother, don’t hold it against me.”

Han said nothing more, continuing quietly forward until he reached the tree of the mandarin ducks. If this place were destroyed, it would be a shame. But the others had already begun their work; the place was surely doomed.

They had not begun dismantling the temple yet, but the surrounding trees were already being felled by men of remarkable strength, each one seeming almost superhuman.

Helpless, Han leaned silently against the tree, watching the others with disinterest, offering neither assistance nor interference. The Flower Thief hovered nearby, occasionally handing over tools.

Currently, the boss’s followers numbered fewer than fifty. The rest were small-time thugs and a few assassins, with few of notable skill. Still, compared to when Han first arrived, when there had been fewer than ten, the group had grown much stronger. Every day new recruits appeared, none of whom Han recognized.

One tree after another toppled and was cleared away, the “strongmen” hauling them off elsewhere. Once, the forest had been lush, shrouding the temple in mystery. Now, stripped bare, the temple stood lonely and exposed.

The men used axes, so the noise was not overwhelming. Han could not help but admire their reckless strength.

Meanwhile, Boss Jin and his entourage hurried back to the jade shop overnight, where their requested items were already finished.

Qianyin and Mo Lan, satisfied with their new possessions, examined them briefly before returning to their rooms to rest. After all, tomorrow they would journey home to the Mo family estate, to familiar territory, ready to strike back—they were in high spirits.

Cold Blood, seeing that he and Qianyin wore matching items, smiled with satisfaction. After all, these were meant for couples—did it mean the four of them had become two pairs of lovers?

Boss Jin, however, could not sleep. He glanced at his two ever-present bodyguards and said, “Gather everyone—tonight I’m laying down the rules again.” He no longer wished to appear too gentle or weak; such behavior made him seem useless and robbed him of authority.

The bodyguards understood at once and set out to call everyone. In moments, a hundred men crowded the main hall.

Seated at the head, Boss Jin looked down upon the hundred-odd subordinates—bodyguards from the jade shop and those hidden nearby. The others were farther afield and need not be summoned for now. Still, the time had come to make an example.

“In your eyes, am I a man with no authority? Have I been too kind, so you’ve forgotten what sort of person I am?” As he spoke, Boss Jin’s voice grew louder, startling the crowd below. None had expected the normally amiable boss to grow so furious.

At once, all lowered their heads in silence—not out of guilt, but in hopes their show of deference would soothe his anger.

“Speak!” Boss Jin roared again, even rising in his anger. How had things come to this? Was he not once a leader whom all respected, always surrounded by loyal brothers? Why had everyone changed?

“In my heart, Boss, you are a good man. We follow you not for power or profit, but because it makes us happy,” the two bodyguards replied in unison, stepping forward with sincerity.

Hearing this, Boss Jin fell silent, head bowed in thought. Had he been too angry tonight? Was it wrong to vent his frustration on these men? After all, they were not the ones who had crossed him.

He exhaled softly, raising his gaze to study each man below, seeing sincerity in their eyes and their straight backs. Perhaps, as the bodyguard had said, their loyalty came from genuine affection.

People differed, after all. The laborers at the site were hardened by hardship and unfamiliar with him; perhaps that explained their behavior. It was rare for him to visit, and perhaps everything was now clear.

“Those who wish to stay with me, sign your names upstairs. Those who do not, collect your wages and leave.” Still angry, Boss Jin strode away, leaving the group behind.

The two bodyguards did not hesitate to sign their names. Then, one by one, the others followed suit before dispersing.

All of this was witnessed by An Feng, who realized Boss Jin was a good man—his only fault was being a bit too warm-hearted.