Sun Zhong wasn't particularly concerned about the benefits the token could bring. With his life hanging by a thread, such material possessions were clearly no longer a consideration.
After receiving the token, Sen Lang directly handed it over to Hei Dao, who tucked it back into his embrace and nodded at him.
"Let's go then."
Sun Zhong looked around at the damaged window and asked doubtfully, "We're going now? What if they send those people again? You can't possibly stay here to guard me forever, can you?"
Even as he said this, a flicker of anticipation showed in Sun Zhong's eyes. He wouldn't need them all to stay; even if just one of them remained, he would feel infinitely safer!
However, Sen Lang's next words extinguished his hopes.
"Of course, we won't be staying here."
Sen Lang's faint smile left Sun Zhong deeply disappointed. Yet, upon reflection, he found it quite reasonable. He was merely a businessman, and the others were clearly from a different world. He lacked the financial means to hire them, so their lack of continued association was normal.
Sen Lang continued, "But you can rest assured, since we've promised you, we will handle the follow-up. We do have that much integrity."
No one noticed the peculiar expression on Sen Bao's face as Sen Lang spoke.
Sun Zhong's eyes lit up. "Alright, I'll take you there now!"
With that, Sun Zhong pulled Sun Xing along. Ever since he had spoken earlier, Sun Xing had kept his head bowed, appearing lost in thought. Sun Zhong, however, mistook this for him being flustered by his earlier words or by fear, and paid it no mind. He then led Sun Xing, following behind the others as they walked out.
As they descended the stairs, Hei Dao took out his phone and called Gao Baisong, asking him to bring the car. Although Chen Peiyue's father was not part of their circle, he was a significant figure in the underworld, and the assassins he hired were not ordinary people. Thus, Hei Dao had asked Gao Baisong to find a safe place to wait until they were finished. After all, Gao Baisong had only recently been discharged from the hospital, and if he were to be admitted again, they wouldn't know how to explain it. A perfect outcome absolutely could not be marred by such a blemish!
A few minutes later, everyone squeezed into Gao Baisong's car. Fortunately, they had anticipated the need and had switched to a seven-seater vehicle beforehand; otherwise, they would not have fit.
As they were heading towards the mining site, midway between the Sun Company and the Little Knife Society, a middle-aged man with long hair stared furiously at a figure before him.
"After all the effort I put into raising you, pouring countless resources and heart into cultivating you to this point, you collude with outsiders to oppose me?"
Chen Ding's face was pale with anger, his long fingernails digging deeply into his flesh. The feeling of betrayal by someone so close was something few could bear. However, Chen Peiyue showed no remorse.
"Father, you've been deceived. They merely want to use you. Do you really think our humble Little Knife Society can afford such resources?" Chen Peiyue stated calmly.
Chen Ding's anger surged upon hearing this. "You know nothing! Do you think you understand this world, or our Little Knife Society, just by going out those few days each year?"
"Our Little Knife Society might be small, but precisely because of that, this is our opportunity! Only by seizing this chance can we reach a larger stage. Don't you understand!" Chen Ding roared, suddenly recalling the incident of intruders at the Little Knife Society a few days prior. The reason for everything suddenly became clear.
"I understand now. Is it those people you met last time? Yueyue, Yueyue, after all these years I've spent with you, don't you even know your father's character!"
"You truly are foolish! They've deceived you! They simply want to use you to achieve some ulterior motive!" Chen Ding's incessant accusations made Chen Peiyue's eyes waver, as she knew that Yuehai, whom she had contacted, also had the objective of completing a mission by having her cooperate.
However, at that moment, she suddenly remembered a cryptic remark Yuehai had made: "People are very complex. You must make your own judgments."
Chen Peiyue instantly became resolute again.
"No, Father. You are the one who has been deceived, not me. Although I've had little contact with them and have only recently entered society, it doesn't mean I don't understand!" Chen Peiyue's eyes blazed with powerful confidence.
Seeing her like this, Chen Ding was stunned. In his eyes, Chen Peiyue only displayed such an expression, such unshakeable self-assurance, when she was practicing martial arts!
"Yueyue, you..."
"Father, although our Little Knife Society is small now, if we develop steadily, I am confident I can lead all of you to Shangjing. This has been my greatest motivation for practicing martial arts all these years." Chen Peiyue finally voiced the words she had kept hidden in her heart for many years. Chen Ding was once again rendered speechless, his expression tinged with disbelief. This was the first time he had ever heard Chen Peiyue say such things.
"Yueyue..."
Chen Peiyue shook her head and continued, "Father, please let me finish speaking."
"Though I've never said this to you, it is my true feeling, which is why I never minded you confining me at home or preventing me from going out."
"Because that's what I wanted too! Only by becoming stronger do I have the chance to lead the Little Knife Society forward!"
"But it's different now, Father. I cannot fathom the people you've contacted, nor their true capabilities." Chen Peiyue shook her head, a grave expression settling on her face.
Upon hearing this, Chen Ding's face showed complete shock. He had never imagined hearing such words from Chen Peiyue. For all these years, Chen Peiyue had always been obedient, never expressing any dissent. Even when she had secretly gone out to retrieve the people he had dispatched, she hadn't uttered a single word of complaint!
But Chen Peiyue had not finished speaking.
"Father, before you contacted those people, even though the situation of the Little Knife Society hadn't improved, my heart was clear, and my vision was sharp. I had motivation and direction."
"But now, I feel only confusion and worry. It's possible they are telling the truth, that by cooperating with you, they will help us advance the Little Knife Society. But what if it's false? Father, you haven't considered the consequences at all. You are merely gambling! But why gamble? Are you too impatient, or do you simply not trust me, not trust your own daughter!"
Chen Ding responded with panic, "No, Yueyue, don't think like that. Father was just..."