Chapter Nine: Shadows

The sky did not clear up; instead, it was shrouded in a thicker, more oppressive layer of leaden-gray clouds.

The dampness seemed to seep deep into the steel and concrete skeleton of the Xuyue Organization headquarters, filling the air with a heavy sense of impending storm.

In the largest conference room in the core area of ​​the headquarters, this sense of heaviness was amplified by the solemn atmosphere. Heavy velvet curtains were drawn, blocking out the faint natural light from outside.

In the center of the room, a long table made from a single piece of dark oak occupies the main space. Its surface is polished to a mirror shine, reflecting the steady, slightly dim light emanating from the brass chandelier hanging from the ceiling.

The air was filled with the subtle aroma of cigars, the scent of old leather, and a silent, tense sense of authority.

Xu Yue sat at the head of the long table. Today she wore a perfectly tailored black high-necked velvet dress with strong shoulders. The only decoration was a simple, cold-looking silver brooch at the neckline, its shape vaguely resembling a sharp hook.

Her short, silver-white hair stood out even more under the lights, and her grey eyes swept over everyone present, her gaze calm yet carrying an undeniable weight. She was the absolute core of this place, the only queen to whom the "crows" gathered here were loyal.

The core members of the organization took their seats on either side of the long table.

Adjacent to Xuyue on the right is Yan Daosi, the "Gongyang".

He was still impeccably dressed in a dark gray suit, his long silver hair tied back, his face stern. In front of him lay thick ledgers and maps, and beside him sat a glass of untouched water.

Opposite her was "Raven" Mu Ye. She wore her usual dark gray suit, her green hair was tightly tied up, and in front of her was only a thin leather notebook and a fountain pen.

She sat upright with her eyes lowered, as if separated from her surroundings by an invisible barrier, focused on the calculations of the internal intelligence world.

A little further away, sit in the "Whale Shark" West Asia.

He rarely changed out of his sharp attire for missions, wearing a neatly pressed white shirt, but it still couldn't completely conceal the explosive power within his physique, like that of a cheetah.

His fiery red hair seemed to have been deliberately toned down somewhat for the occasion, but his ruby-like eyes still gleamed with an almost uncontrollable longing for the "action" to be discussed. His fingers tapped lightly on the table unconsciously, revealing his inner restlessness.

The theme of the meeting had already been conveyed to everyone through Mu Ye's encrypted channels: how to deal with, or rather, whether to make contact with, a new force called "WV Organization" whose leader is codenamed "Jackal" Lian Yeyi.

At the start of the meeting, Xu Yue cut straight to the point without any pleasantries, her voice clear and calm: "Mu Ye, please introduce the situation."

Mu also raised her head, her silver-gray eyes unwavering. Her voice was like a broadcaster, precise and objective: "Lian Yeyi, nicknamed 'Jackal.' He rose to prominence during the chaos of the East District docks, integrating more than five small and medium-sized gangs in less than two years. Known for his ruthless and efficient methods, he excels at using casinos and underground boxing networks for money laundering and expanding his influence. He currently controls three key docks on the lower Thames and a large area nearby. According to reliable intelligence, he has recently been in close contact with a powerful figure in Scotland Yard, with unclear intentions. His organization is tightly structured, and his core members are extremely loyal." She paused, then added the most crucial point, "Unconfirmed reports indicate that he has recently shown unusual interest in the liquor smuggling routes in the north of the city that we control."

Sia responded almost immediately, a belligerent glint in his red eyes: "Interest? I think it's provocation. A newcomer, stretching his claws too far. We should give him a clear warning before he gains a foothold—in a way he can understand." His so-called "way he can understand" undoubtedly referred to violence and an overwhelming display of power.

“Warning comes at a cost, West Asia,” Gongyang Yandaosi began, his voice steady and tinged with his characteristic caution. “A rash conflict would disrupt our existing profit chain, deplete our reserves, and potentially expose us to tighter police surveillance. Lian Yeyi isn’t a street thug; he’s an organized threat, or rather, a potential… negotiating partner.” He picked up a document. “According to preliminary assessments, in the areas overlapping with his control, if we choose cooperation rather than confrontation, short-term profits could potentially increase by 15% to 30%. Long-term risks are unknown.”

"Negotiation? With a 'jackal'?" Sia scoffed, leaning forward slightly. "Ram, you always calculate things too precisely, but some people only care about fists, not accounts. By the time he actually takes a bite out of us, it'll be too late to talk about costs!"

“Precisely because he might be a ‘jackal,’ we need to figure out his true intentions and appetite.” Ram remained calm, his silver-gray eyes looking at Xiya. “A blind attack might play right into their hands. We need more intelligence, to assess their weaknesses, and to find leverage we can use.” He turned his gaze to Muye, indicating that he needed more in-depth information.

A subtle tension formed between the radicalism of West Asia and the conservatism of the Aries. Xu Yue listened quietly, her fingers tapping lightly on the table, without immediately offering her opinion. She turned her gaze to Mu Ye, who had remained silent: "Raven, your analysis."

Mu met Xu Yue's gaze, her tone still icy: "Lian Yeyi's rise is unusually rapid, and there may be a supporting force behind her that we have not yet investigated."

His relationship with the police is a double-edged sword; it can be a shield, or it can be a flashpoint. Direct conflict carries a high risk, and the potential benefits are uncertain.

Probing and probing is the best option at present, given the manageable risks. However, it is essential to have comprehensive contingency plans in place for failure, immediate transition to defense, or even counterattack. Her analysis is always based on a weighing of pros and cons and the probability of risk, devoid of personal bias.

"So, you mean we should extend an olive branch first and see if this 'jackal' intends to cooperate or devour us all?" Sia concluded, her tone still tinged with resentment, but she clearly acknowledged the logic in Mu Ye's analysis.

“This is not a simple olive branch,” Xu Yue finally spoke, her voice not loud, but it instantly drew everyone’s attention. “It is a cautious contact, a demonstration of strength, and a final test.” Her gaze slowly swept over the three of them. “We want him to see the enormous benefits that cooperation could bring, and we also want him to clearly realize the heavy price he will pay for opposing us.”

She began to deploy her plans, her thinking clear and her instructions precise: "Ram, you are responsible for preparing a draft 'cooperation' framework. Emphasize shared benefits, but the core bottom line must not be crossed. At the same time, develop a detailed conflict cost assessment report; I need to know the worst-case scenario's maximum loss limit."

"Mu Ye, you need to use all available resources to uncover Lian Yeyi's true colors before making contact. His sources of funding, his backers, his personal weaknesses, and especially... his past history. Any clue could become a key bargaining chip at the negotiating table."

“Xiya,” Xu Yue looked at the red-haired youth, a hint of warning in her eyes, “your mission is to ensure the absolute safety of all key strongholds and business chains during our contact. Raise the alert level and put your men on high alert, but without my orders, no provocation is permitted. We want a potential ally or a deterred enemy, not a full-scale war.”

The three accepted the order without any objection on their faces. This was Xu Yue's authority; she could always absorb different opinions, make decisions that were most beneficial to the organization, and ensure that every core member found an indispensable place within it.

"The location, method, and personnel for the contact will be detailed by Mu Ye later. Gong Yang will review the security, and Xi Ya will be responsible for perimeter security." Xu Yue concluded, her tone carrying an unquestionable decisiveness. "Remember, this contact is not to beg for peace, but to delineate new boundaries of power. We must make everyone understand that the throne of 'Crows' is not to be challenged, but... we can share a portion of the sky with neighbors who know the rules."

After the meeting ended, Gongyang and Mu were the first to leave to carry out their respective tasks. Xiya lingered briefly, then walked to Xuyue's side. The agitation on his face had subsided, replaced by a steadfast loyalty.

"Boss, don't worry. I will guard our territory and will never give that wolf a chance to attack."

Xu Yue looked at him, a rare, almost imperceptible softening flashing in her cold gray eyes: "I know. Go, Xiya. Remember, sometimes restraint takes more power than throwing a punch."

Xiya nodded solemnly, then turned and strode away.

Xu Yue was the only one left in the conference room.

She slowly stood up, walked to the window, parted a corner of the heavy curtains, and looked out at the gloomy city.

Expansion means greater power and wealth, but it also means more enemies and risks.

Lian Yeyi's appearance is both an opportunity and a warning—in this dark jungle, there is never a shortage of new beasts.

She was not afraid of challenges, but she knew better than anyone that the stability of the throne depended not only on sharp claws and teeth, but also on a calm mind and absolute control.

This contact will be a major test for her and for the entire Xuyue organization. She must ensure that every step is on a precisely calculated track; any deviation could drag her and her "crow flock" into an abyss of no return.

Beneath the clouds, London remains both bustling and silent.

An undercurrent that could potentially reshape the underground world is quietly brewing within this secret room.

Xu Yue, the player holding the chess pieces, had already placed her first piece.