Chapter 324: Unexpected Crisis

The nonsense, Blood River Nine Heavens, Zhao Wuji, and the hundreds of gang experts from Baokang County behind them all sensed a deeper meaning in Happy’s words.
Happy’s visit this time was not just a simple greeting or meeting—it likely aimed to secure a foothold for Lei Zhan in Baokang County!
Among the crowd, the three gang leaders felt it most acutely!
Although Happy’s demeanor and tone were very calm and polite, the three of them knew well that maintaining surface peace depended on their own attitudes.
Happy had arrived.
And he delivered a stern warning to the three gang leaders through direct actions and attitude!
12 million taels of silver—this was still considered mild. Secretly, Happy’s personal arrival indeed posed an unprecedented shock and threat to the three gangs.
If Lei Zhan hadn’t taken the initiative to back down and let them fail… if Happy had appeared not at the crystal mine but in Baokang County, the headquarters of the three gangs, the situation would have been completely different!
Even “Nonsense-Talking” from the Jade Fox Palace suddenly saw the immense pressure hidden behind Happy’s solitary figure. Staring at Happy’s calm smile, he frowned deeply and sighed under the oppressive atmosphere:
“I never expected Brother Happy to also be eyeing the resources of Shenlongjia. With such boldness, all I can say is admiration.”
“Too kind,” Happy replied with his smile unchanged. “Hehe! After all, you are the big brothers of Baokang. Even if I settle here, I don’t want bloodshed or conflict. Harmony brings prosperity.”
“Harmony brings prosperity?”
Blood River Nine Heavens grew angry at once but suppressed his fury. “You wiped out dozens of my Blood River Sect members as soon as you arrived yesterday. I can’t see any sign of your desire for harmony.”
“Harmony requires effort from both sides. I heard about what happened yesterday. Your Blood River Sect is impressive—some lowly member dares to tell Lei Zhan to ‘leave.’ I wouldn’t even dare do such a thing. It shows your sect is well-managed. If your sect thinks it’s in the right and keeps provoking me, I’m not afraid to settle accounts with you properly…” Happy’s tone toward Blood River Nine Heavens turned cold, and he said slowly, word by word, “Anytime, anywhere.”
Everyone paled.
Especially Blood River Nine Heavens, whose tone suddenly became hostile.
Outside the mine, the temperature plummeted!
Seeing the tense atmosphere, “Nonsense-Talking” hurried out to defuse the situation:

“I think this is likely a misunderstanding. Since there haven’t been many casualties yet, how about this… Since Happy has decided to settle down in Baokang, where we’ll see each other often, why not go back to the city and have a proper talk? I’ll treat you! To resolve the conflict between you two, Brother Jiutian and Brother Happy, what do you think?”
Jiutian of the Blood River actually regretted it as soon as he noticed the change in atmosphere. Now that someone was offering him a way out, why not take it?
Seeing Jiutian compromise, Happy smiled: “Great! If that’s the case, I’ll gladly follow your lead!” In truth, he didn’t intend to completely break ties with the three major gangs either. It would be best if they could resolve the issue peacefully.
The members of the three major gangs also breathed a sigh of relief.
Although Happy was dressed in plain blue clothes and seemed flawed in every way, no one dared to underestimate this seemingly calm and harmless young man.
Almost everyone here had experienced Happy’s first visual impression and witnessed his incredible ability to dodge attacks and his innovative tactics. Despite their fighting spirit, from the perspective of their gangs, they still didn’t want to become outright enemies of Happy.
Everyone mounted their horses!
Boom! Roar…
Surrounded by the three major gangs, Happy felt no pressure at all among these experts. He chatted cheerfully with “Nonsense Talker”: “Baokang County truly has talented people. Just the strength of your three gangs is far greater than that of our Gusu City.”
“Please don’t flatter me. With a hero like Brother Happy who can take on thousands alone, what more proof do we need? You’ve already made Baokang look pale in comparison…” Noticing Happy’s calmness and composure, Nonsense Talker said sincerely, “By the way, I wonder what name Brother Happy plans to give to the gang he’s about to establish?”
“The name? Heh, I haven’t thought about it yet.”
“You haven’t thought of a name?” Nonsense Talker was surprised and somewhat skeptical.
But Happy replied calmly, “Baokang County is full of strong people, including fierce rivals from other regions. If I don’t come here early to secure a place, it will be even harder to get in later… The name isn’t that important.”
“…”
Hearing Happy’s explanation, Zhao Wuji and Jiutian of the Blood River, who had initially dismissed it, also showed signs of deep thought.
Nonsense Talker couldn’t help but reevaluate this young man who seemed ten years younger than him, with a bitter smile on his lips.

“Those who achieve great things don’t worry about trivial matters. Happy Brother truly has an extraordinary courage. It seems that our Jade Fox Palace will soon have to step aside as the top gang in Baokang County.”
“Lord Hu, you’re too kind. From now on, with Brother Lei here, we still need to rely on all three of you gang leaders to help each other out.”
“That’s only natural, but…”
Hu Yanluo exchanged glances with Zhao Wuji and Xuehe Jiutian, then changed his tone: “I believe Brother Happy knows as well that Baokang County is no longer what it was a month ago. As more resources are discovered, more gangs are arriving here. Even the three top elite gangs have sent people to set up branches. In fact, if our three gangs didn’t act in unison, we would have lost control of Baokang long ago.”
Happy nodded silently. “I know that. But since Baokang is still in the hands of the three gang leaders, it shows just how strong they are.”
Pleased by Happy’s approval, the three felt quite proud.
“Brother Happy values our three gangs, and we’re honored by that. But recently, the three top elite gangs clearly aren’t satisfied with the status quo. Even Lengyue Palace, founded by Lu Mingyue, has sent many experts to Baokang. I’m worried that by then, we might no longer be in control here… Actually, if we cooperate with the three elite gangs, they probably won’t object…” As he spoke, Hu Yanluo paid close attention to Happy’s expression.
“I’m not very interested in competing for resources. My principle is that harmony brings prosperity. In fact, I came to see you three hoping that you’ll open up some resource sites to our Colorful Robes Sect—not to take them over, but to share in their exploitation. I can also open up my own resource sites… It’s that simple. I don’t take the initiative to fight anyone, but if someone tries to harm me or my friends, I won’t stand by idly.”
“Share in the exploitation?”
None of the three were fools; they could sense the deeper meaning in Happy’s words.
Sharing in exploitation meant sharing the risks as well. If attacked, everyone would be affected, and it would be easier to form an alliance quickly than to each hold their own territory.
“Yes. Gang leaders, are you interested in cooperating?”
With an unwavering smile, Happy met their eager gazes.
Just then…
A blood-stained black pigeon rushed through the air and landed in the forest, dropping onto the shoulder of Hu Yanluo, whose expression suddenly changed, amid everyone’s gasps.

Immediately afterwards, more and more similar black homing pigeons appeared over the forest. In addition to the followers of the Jade Fox Palace, members of the Righteous Path Gang and the Blood River Sect also received similar homing pigeons.
Boom!!
The crowd’s faces turned pale in shock:
All three major gangs were in urgent need of help at the same time!!