The man in the coat sized Lucian up suspiciously, "...Who are you?"
"Let me tell you, I'm the leader of the Dragon Gang. No matter who you are, get lost!"
Lucian sneered, "I thought it was someone important…"
"Just the measly Dragon Gang? Laughable."
Lucian's face was full of disdain. Tian Hu, taken aback, wasn't sure if this man's expensive attire signaled real influence or mere bravado.
"No one's this brazen. In Jinzhou's little patch of land, everyone gives me, Tian Hu, some respect."
"Who are you? If you've got the guts, state your name!"
Tian Hu… I'm practically divine retribution…
"Hmph, you'd be scared to death if I told you."
"Forget Jinzhou—even in the New Federation or Rinascita, people treat me as an honored guest!"
Tian Hu's eyes widened, "I'd like to hear just how great you think you are!"
Lucian's lips curled as he adjusted his collar and declared, "Yours truly is none other than Scar, leader of the Explosive Sky Gang!"
Despite Lucian's grand aura, the two men exchanged bewildered glances.
They'd roamed Jinzhou for years and had never heard of any Explosive Sky Gang…
"…Explosive Sky Gang? Scar?"
"Never heard of that gang or name!" the Exile scoffed.
"Wait… Scar? I think I've heard that name somewhere…"
Unlike the short-sighted Exile, Tian Hu hadn't survived this long in the game for nothing.
Suddenly, it clicked, and Tian Hu clapped his hands, exclaiming, "I remember now! You're Scar, the Fractsidus overseer who was locked up in Jinzhou!"
"…You escaped prison!"
"Shh…" Lucian placed a finger to his lips, signaling him to lower his voice.
Lucian gestured downward, "I know I'm famous, but I'm still a thorn in Jinzhou's side right now, so…"
Tian Hu rubbed his hands excitedly, "I get it, I get it…"
Tian Hu had definitely heard of the Fractsidus' reputation.
As expected of a Fractsidus overseer, escaping Jinzhou's prison so effortlessly.
But…
"Lord Scar, what's this… Explosive Sky Gang you mentioned?"
Lucian crossed his arms, his expression dripping with dissatisfaction, "Do you know Phrolova?"
Tian Hu nodded eagerly, "Of course, of course! She's a Fractsidus higher-up, naturally I know her!"
Lucian snorted, "Then do you know that after I, Scar, was thrown in Jinzhou's prison, Phrolova was right there in Jinzhou but didn't send anyone to rescue me… What do you think she's plotting?"
Tian Hu was shocked, "This…"
Lucian continued, "So I decided to strike out on my own, founding the Explosive Sky Gang to unite all of Solaris!"
So the Fractsidus' internal rift was that severe… Tian Hu immediately started scheming.
Where there's risk, there's reward. The greater the risk, the higher the payoff.
Instead of clinging to the struggling Dragon Gang, why not join Scar's faction for a chance to rise?
Tian Hu didn't become the Dragon Gang's leader for nothing. He made a snap decision:
"Lord Scar! I see it now—Phrolova's clearly trying to push you out of the Fractsidus and take all of Jinzhou's resources for herself!"
"And the Fractsidus is turning a blind eye, clearly endorsing her actions!"
"Instead of staying shackled in the Fractsidus, why not start anew and rise again!"
"I, Tian Hu, am willing to lead all Dragon Gang members to join you, Lord Scar! We'll go through fire and water for you!"
"Good!" Lucian declared, "Tian Hu, I see you're a talent. I, Scar, am not as cold and heartless as the Fractsidus."
"For talents like you, I'm always eager to recruit."
"Join the Explosive Sky Gang, and I'll name you Hall Master, keeping your Dragon Gang intact as the Dragon Hall!"
Tian Hu was overwhelmed with excitement, clasping his fists, "Thank you, Lord Scar, for your recognition!"
"Lord Scar, just give the order, and the Dragon Hall will never stray from your command!"
Lucian nodded in satisfaction but then hesitated, "However…"
Tian Hu straightened up, sensing his chance to shine, "Lord Scar, whatever you need, just tell me!"
"I, Tian Hu, swear to handle it to your satisfaction!"
Lucian gazed wistfully toward Jinzhou City, "Sigh… It's not a big deal…"
"You know I just escaped Jinzhou's prison. Though many former Fractsidus brothers are willing to follow me…"
"All the wealth I accumulated over the years in the Fractsidus is still firmly in their hands…"
Tian Hu instantly understood Lucian's implication.
"Lord Scar! No need to worry. Though the Dragon Gang has barely scraped by all these years, we've got some savings!"
"To show my sincerity in joining the Explosive Sky Gang, I'll dedicate all of the Dragon Gang's savings—two million Shell Credits—to the Explosive Sky Gang!"
Lucian laughed heartily, "Good! Hall Master Tian Hu, I, Scar, will remember your loyalty."
"But the Dragon Gang is your life's work. I can't let you bear such a cost."
"Let's split it 70-30. I take 70, you keep 30."
"When the Explosive Sky Gang rises again, it'll be your day to shine, Tian Hu!"
Tian Hu was deeply moved, "Lord Scar, I'm endlessly grateful! I'm sure the Dragon Gang's brothers will support you unconditionally!"
Tian Hu was touched beyond words. In this cutthroat world, at a time when the Explosive Sky Gang desperately needed funds, Scar was still willing to let him keep 30 percent.
Lucian waved modestly, "No need for thanks. Just deliver the one million nine hundred ninety-seven thousand Shell Credits to the Explosive Sky Gang as soon as possible. That's the best thanks you can give."
Tian Hu: "?"
How much?
Wasn't it 30 percent? So the 30 percent was three thousand Shell Credits out of ten thousand?
…As expected of Lord Scar, a master at finance too!
Tian Hu had already convinced himself. Joining the Explosive Sky Gang would let him earn it all back—this amount of Shell Credits was nothing!
Whether it was three thousand or three hundred Shell Credits, it didn't matter to him anymore.
"Lord Scar, rest assured. Tomorrow, I'll bring all the Dragon Gang brothers to join the Explosive Sky Gang!"
Lucian nodded slightly, "Good. But I, Scar, am too conspicuous in Jinzhou right now."
"So, we'll use a code to confirm members from now on."
"Remember, the Explosive Sky Gang's code is: Live free or die, fight if you don't comply! Explosive Sky advances, leaving no grass behind; Explosive Sky appears, leaving only needle and thread!"
The slogan struck Tian Hu's mind like a thunderbolt.
It was electrifying!