Chapter 65: True and False, Truths Spoken Under the Influence!

"Brother Yu, are you all right?"

The two men were pulled apart. Zhong Li was tended to by a group of his underlings, while Yu Le, having earned Zhong Li's approval, stood up with the support of Han Ying.

"Don't look at me with that kind of gaze. Around Master Han, individuals with ulterior motives are strictly forbidden."

"Catch!"

Zhong Li produced a jade bottle, first pouring out a healing pill for himself, and then tossing the bottle over to Yu Le.

Yu Le looked at Zhong Li and the others, who had shed their hostility, and at Han Ying, who was showing him warm concern. Suddenly, he felt that he had still underestimated this group of people.

He had neither won nor lost; Han Ying had given both sides a way to save face.

Judging from the current demeanor of Han Ying and Zhong Li, it seemed that what had just transpired was more like a test!

Han Ying might indeed feel dissatisfied with Zhong Li's disobedient subordinates, but he also had to rely on these men, knowing they were sent by his younger brother to protect him.

When all was said and done, Yu Le was an outsider.

So, were they just putting on a show?

Zhong Li's actions this time were also a way of testing Yu Le—it was simply his style.

However, Yu Le's fierce fighting style had won his acknowledgment.

A chill ran inwardly through Yu Le: It was fortunate that he had something to fall back on and could play along with their performance; otherwise, had his strength been lacking, he probably would have been beaten to death by him.

The more pressing the situation, the less one could afford to show weakness.

The men took their seats once more, and Han Ying consoled him, "Brother Yu, don't take it to heart. Too many people are plotting against my brother, and Brown Bear and the others were just afraid you harbored malicious intent."

"Take this card. Consider it the first bonus for joining our Black Bear Club."

Han Ying, who appeared to be a mere good-for-nothing on the surface, was not entirely useless after all.

With this carrot-and-stick approach, anyone else would have been truly won over.

Yet, Yu Le disdainfully tossed the card straight into the hotpot and cast a cold glance at Han Ying, who had used Zhong Li to test him.

"I shouldn't have saved you in the first place!"

With that, he made to drag his injured body away, but this time it was Zhong Li who blocked his path.

Han Ying wore a smile on his face as he took a small sip from his wine glass and said, "Yu Le, a resident of the lower city. Three years ago, you awakened the Yellow-tier Fate Martial Art, the Coiling Dragon Rod, and reached the second tier of the Solid Rock Realm. For the past three years, you've been fishing in low-end fisheries. Am I right, Brother Yu?"

Yu Le's pupils constricted slightly as he turned his head back. "You investigated me?"

Han Ying offered no explanation. "Brother Yu, tell me, why did you save me today? If it was for money, I can give it to you."

"Heh." Yu Le let out a cold laugh. Fortunately, they had already rehearsed for this scenario as well.

"You're overthinking it. I didn't save you; I simply can't stand the Burning Sky Team."

"Oh?" Han Ying raised an eyebrow. "Can you tell me why? If possible, I might even be able to help you vent your frustration."

Yu Le fell silent for a moment before letting out a self-deprecating laugh. "Isn't it just that cliché story? They took in some second-generation heir and rejected a grass-roots nobody like me."

Han Ying could not help but nod; this matched the information he had gathered.

"Why join a Demon Hunting Team? It's all hard work with no reward. I recall that you have a family."

"My wife thought I was useless and took our daughter far away. Since I'm all alone now, if I don't join a Demon Hunting Team, am I supposed to go to the upper city and become a slave?"

Han Ying applauded, picked up a glass of wine, stood up, and walked over to Yu Le. "Brother, drink this cup of wine, and from now on you are a member of the Black Bear Club. We are all brothers here—we make money together, and we play with women together."

Yu Le stared at Han Ying for a moment before finally reaching out to take the wine glass and draining it in a single gulp.

"Haha, splendid!" Han Ying was overjoyed and gestured for everyone to sit back down.

Cups were passed and toasts were exchanged, treating Yu Le entirely as one of their own.

After three rounds of drinks, Han Ying swayed unsteadily and said, "I, Han Ying, don't have much ability. I get by out there entirely on my brother's reputation. But clearly, I am the eldest son in the family, so why must I defer to my younger brother's whim?"

"I refuse to accept this! I must achieve some accomplishments to prove myself to him!"

"Master Han, you're drunk," Zhong Li said in a deep voice. He had not drunk much and remained sober.

As for Yu Le, lacking alcohol tolerance, he leaned against the table and waved a hand, saying, "I'm the same. My wife ran off with my daughter, so I'm determined to make big money, rise above the rest, and prove her choice was wrong!"

Hearing this, Han Ying threw an arm around Yu Le. "Brother, what's a runaway wife? Another day, older brother will introduce you to more young, pretty girls—so tender and fresh."

"As long as you follow me, whatever you want, you shall have!"

"There is one thing, though: you cannot be like these good-for-nothing dogs who only listen to my younger brother. You were recruited by me, and you are only permitted to listen to me!"

Yu Le raised his head with drowsy, bleary eyes. Just when Han Ying thought he was about to utter some stirring, passionate words, he heard Yu Le grin and say, "Brother Han, I'm different from you. I don't like young ones; I prefer mature women."

With that, he thumped his head down onto the table, his entire body sliding uncontrollably toward the floor beneath it.

Upon hearing this, Han Ying burst into loud laughter. "Did you all hear that? My brother likes mature ones."

Then, he too tripped and tumbled over onto Yu Le.

Zhong Li and the others came forward to support the two men, walking toward a vehicle parked not far away under the wary gaze of the food stall owner.

The limply incapacitated Han Ying continued to babble on incessantly.

Yet it was all useless nonsense until Zhong Li opened the car door for him. Only then did they hear Han Ying point to Yu Le, who was now dead drunk, and say, "Brother, half a month from now, older brother will take you to pull off a big job. Once that matter is done, then the future Burning City will be ours to run!"

"To hell with the Han family; by then, they'll all be licking older brother's boots."

"Master Han, you're drunk!" Zhong Li could not help but speak up.

*Slap~*

What he got in exchange was a blow from Han Ying. "Brown Bear, get your identity straight. I told you long ago there was nothing wrong with my brother; it was you who insisted on testing him again."

"Who do you think you are? You're just a dog picked up by my younger brother, understand?"

"Understood." Zhong Li did not argue.

Han Ying patted his cheek rhythmically. "That personage—you haven't laid eyes on him, have you? I have. That is the difference between you and me. No matter how capable you are, you can only ever be a dog, whereas I... I am my younger brother's own flesh and blood!"

"Yes, Master Han, let's head back."

"Let's go, take my brother Yu home!"

Stuffing Yu Le into the car, he slumped limply across the backseat. Yet the eyes that had been closed tight were now flashing with a cold light.

"Half a month from now... isn't that the Ghost Festival? What major operation does the Black Bear Club have planned?"

"And who is this personage Han Ying mentioned?"

"Even Brown Bear isn't qualified to meet him, and it's tied to suppressing the Han family. Could it be someone from the Mu family?"

Circulating the Dragon-Elephant Prajna Art, the trace of alcohol in his system was instantly digested and burned away. Along with it, he digested the heartfelt truths Han Ying had spilled while drunk.

It seemed his choice to come here was correct; hidden behind the Black Bear Club must be some unspeakable secret.

This Han Ying, who appeared to be a fool yet harbored grand ambitions, served as the perfect point of entry.

What he needed to do now was to fully integrate himself as one of Han Ying's confidants so he could truly gain access to the inner workings of the Black Bear Club!