Chapter 133: Have Them Return to the Country to Help Me Find Someone

I frowned and quickly did the arithmetic in my head before asking, “How much are you short?”

Pan Ximi answered without hesitation, “One million.”

I nearly choked on his words. The man was making an outrageous demand.

Taking a deep breath, I tried to remain calm. “One million? Is your security squad planning to buy a tank?”

Pan Ximi scratched his head and gave an awkward smile. “Boss, there’s been a lot going on lately. You know that Chen Laobao’s territory is now being guarded by our people too. The dozens of men I brought over have to watch both sides. Everyone’s strapped for cash. Besides, we’ve spent quite a bit in places you can’t see!”

I stared at him in confusion. “What do you mean, places I can’t see?”

“Let me put it this way,” Pan Ximi said. “You remember that Su Li’s people have already sent two groups over to cause trouble, right?”

“They’re no good, those people. They’ve taken up permanent positions around the market and keep watch over everything that happens there.”

“To drive them away, we had to put in a lot of effort. Cutting off their water and electricity, threatening to break their arms and legs…”

The moment I heard that, every hair on my body seemed to stand on end.

“Wait. What did you just say? Break their arms and legs?”

Seeing that my expression had changed, Pan Ximi hurriedly waved his hands. “Boss, don’t misunderstand. I meant that we only frightened them; we didn’t actually lay a hand on anyone. Cutting off the water and electricity is standard procedure. Breaking arms and legs was merely something we said to scare them.”

I let out a sigh of relief, though unease still lingered in my heart. “Then how much did you actually spend?”

Pan Ximi counted on his fingers. “First, we upgraded the surveillance equipment around the market. That was the biggest expense—three hundred thousand. Then we outfitted the brothers with new protective gear, another hundred thousand. There was also money spent smoothing things over with various people. All told, that came to another two hundred thousand.”

I frowned. “Then what happened to the remaining four hundred thousand?”

Pan Ximi looked slightly embarrassed. “You know how it is. The brothers have been under a lot of pressure lately, so we have to give them some money to keep them calm.”

“Besides, I brought back a group of black-haired men from overseas. They cost money to support too, don’t they? Those fellows are extremely ruthless. They’re always worked up, and going out to find women is simply routine for them. Sometimes they take one, sometimes three or five. According to the rules of the underworld, we have to reimburse them!”

My scalp went numb as soon as I heard that.

I turned to Pan Ximi. “We’re only a small gang. Can’t you stop making everything so professional? What exactly are you trying to do? Are you planning to become the king of this entire territory?”

Pan Ximi looked at me in bewilderment. “No, Boss. Didn’t you analyze the situation last time? Gao Qiqiang counts as one power, Red Sister counts as another, and then Red Lotus showed up too. On top of that, I calculated the forces behind the trouble we’re facing now. There are at least ten families more powerful than us!”

“I prepared ten black-haired men. If we can’t beat them when the time comes, they can bite someone and run. Either way, we won’t be the ones losing!”

By then, I had more or less figured out what these so-called black-haired men were for.

I watched Pan Ximi analyze the situation with a look of astonishment on his face.

Slowly, I said, “It’s not that I won’t give you the million. But dismiss those black-haired men.”

I shook my head and spoke firmly. “We can’t rely on them to solve our problems. In the long run, violence will only drag us into an even deeper predicament. What we need is stability and trust, not fear.”

Pan Ximi sighed, seemingly helpless, but still nodded. “All right, Boss. I’ll listen to you. But we’ll have to find a way to replace what those men do.”

I pondered for a moment before replying, “Don’t forget, we’re the Ancient Jade Gang. Our greatest strength has always been technology. I’ll find a way to handle that. I don’t know how you operated overseas, but we can’t do things that way here. Times have changed.”

Pan Ximi looked at me and nodded. “That makes sense…”

I continued, “Instead of spending money to support people like that, use it to build relationships with the local powers. Try to create a community of shared interests. If harming us also harms them, then everyone will feel the pain, and they’ll stand on our side. Win over some local forces and establish mutually beneficial relationships. That’s how we can make ourselves invincible.”

A glimmer of hope appeared in Pan Ximi’s eyes, as though he had seen a new direction. “Boss, you’re right. Those black-haired men are always asking me for weapons. I’ve started to feel as though I’m carrying a live grenade around with me.”

“After all, the circumstances here are different…”

I patted him on the shoulder and smiled. “Pan Ximi, trust me. We’ll do better. Now go make the arrangements and dismiss those men. We’ll put the remaining money where it matters most.”

“I’ll approve the funds, but you must keep things within reason. Don’t let matters get out of hand.”

Pan Ximi nodded gratefully. “Don’t worry, Boss. We know where to draw the line.”

Pan Ximi nodded and turned to leave.

Watching his retreating figure, I could not help sighing. Fortunately, he had come to discuss the money beforehand.

Otherwise, I had no idea what kind of deadly business he might have gotten involved in.

As I watched him disappear, I silently calculated whether the million would be well spent. And the trouble from Su Li’s side was probably far from over.

At that thought, I suddenly remembered something and hurriedly called out to Pan Ximi again.

He turned back and came over. “Boss, is there something else?”

“Pan Ximi, will it be easy to dismiss those black-haired men?” I asked, a faint sense of worry rising in my heart.

Pan Ximi frowned and hesitated before replying, “Boss, it may be difficult, but I should be able to handle it.”

I nodded, already forming a plan. “In that case, I’ll give them a task. Have them handle it for me.”

As I spoke, I took a photograph from my pocket and handed it to Pan Ximi.

He accepted it and examined it carefully. The photograph showed a young woman with clear eyes and a sweet smile.

“This is Xiao Mi, a friend of mine. She’s been missing for a long time, and we haven’t heard anything from her. The latest information says she may be in southern Myanmar. Have those black-haired men go overseas and find her.”

Pan Ximi held the photograph and nodded. “Understood, Boss. I’ll make the arrangements as soon as possible and have them go abroad to search for Xiao Mi.”

“Good. I’ll leave this matter to you. Remember, don’t use violence again. Solve the problem with your head.”

I gave him a final warning.

Pan Ximi nodded solemnly. “Don’t worry, Boss. I’ll take care of it.”