Chapter 317

I raised my glass sincerely. "Fish, I was out of line before. I apologize. You and Sister Spring have my genuine blessings."

Fish's eyes reddened as he downed his drink in one gulp.

"Yunfeng, we've been through hell together all these years." He slapped my shoulder heavily. "Unless the Boss says otherwise, I'll never leave the team."

Bean Sprout suddenly banged the table. "Well said! I, Lu Ziming, swear my loyalty too! Unless the Boss kicks me out, I'm sticking with you all forever!"

Tongtong propped her chin on her hand, the bruise still visible on her forehead. "What's with all the secrecy? What exactly do you guys do? And what's this 'Northern School' business?"

"Foot masseurs!" Bean Sprout blurted out shamelessly. "The Northern School techniques are unmatched. Want a demonstration?"

"Bullshit!" Tongtong rolled her eyes. "I'll ask Sister Xishi later."

Bean Sprout smirked. "Hey beautiful, if we get drunk later..."

"And what if you do?" She tilted her chin defiantly. "Want me to strip right now? I dare you to lay a finger on me!"

When we fell silent, she lit a cigarette and blew smoke rings at me. "Sister Xishi was right. You're a real oddball."

"How so?"

Seeing my expression darken, she quickly apologized.

Bean Sprout suddenly lowered his voice. "You're from the Lower Nine Gates, aren't you?"

"The what now?"

"You know - Phoenix Gate, Red Silk, Orchid Gate..."

I tapped my bowl to cut him off. Tongtong didn't even know about the Northern School - clearly an outsider.

Unexpectedly, her interest was piqued, and she pressed for details.

"The underworld factions are complex," I explained. "Just remember these eight words: Thief, Gu, Fence, Phoenix, Con, Witch, Show, Kill. You and Sai Xishi both belong to the 'Phoenix' branch."

"So prostitution equals Phoenix Gate?"

"Wrong!" I shook my head. "Like university majors, Phoenix has subdivisions. Your type would be the Water Gathering branch."

Tongtong waved impatiently. "What nonsense! I say we should just call it the Jade Gate!"

"Jade Gate?"

Her eyes twinkled mischievously as she recited: "The Han court never took Yan Zhi Mountain, yet year after year our soldiers march through northern sands. Galloping our sweat-blood steeds beyond the frontier, we charge straight through the Jade Gate Pass."

I froze, then couldn't help applauding. "Brilliant! Truly Zhuji's most talented poetess!"