At Teahouse at the Chasm—a private room upstairs.
Ji Ming sat back in his wooden chair with his arms crossed, one leg propped up, eyes sweeping across his eight sworn brothers seated around the tea table. His voice dropped.
"Big Brother—today, even if you had to climb my wall, you had to drag me out. What's this really about?"
Early that morning, Rolling-Blade Liu had been pacing outside Ji Ming's gate—marveling at Ninth Brother's wealth—before casually vaulting over the wall like it was still the old days. The commotion nearly alerted the mortician attendant; if Ji Ming hadn't been rinsing up in the courtyard, Liu would've been chased down with a broom.
A broom would've been fine.
If Hu Tao had charged in with the Staff of Homa, Rolling-Blade Liu might've been sent straight to the afterlife.
Rolling-Blade Liu laughed awkwardly. "Old habits die hard. Just got outta prison—still adjusting. Next time, I'll knock."
"On the day of my housewarming, don't climb the wall," Ji Ming warned. "My friends all have Visions. One wrong move and you'll be seriously injured."
Second Brother Half-Gator Zhao waved it off. "That aside—today's meeting here was Fourth Brother's idea. He says he's got a plan."
The Old Ninth Sect—every one of them a so-called mastermind.
Ji Ming turned to Broken-Finger Chen, extending an inviting hand. "Go on, Fourth Brother. You've got the highest education among us—studied abroad in Sumeru and all. I'm counting on that legendary brain of yours."
Chen waved modestly. Those were old stories. If his family hadn't fallen, he might still be pursuing advanced studies at the Akademiya. Fate had other plans.
Over the past few days, Chen had been scouting Liyue Harbor—posing as an unemployed drifter, mapping the city's pulse, observing street-by-street power shifts.
Security was far tighter than years ago. With the Rite of Descension approaching, the authorities were clearly polishing appearances.
That made it the perfect window.
The Old Ninth Sect had fallen, but a starved camel was still bigger than a horse. The city's recent crackdowns had swept away most serious players—only small fry remained. Reclaiming dominance wouldn't be hard.
"Ninth Brother," Chen said, "these past years—did you run into any other major gangs?"
"Nope. Mostly third-rate punks. Strength in numbers, nothing else. In the authorities' eyes, they're all petty nuisances."
Third Brother Zheng snorted. "Back when we first rose up, those dogs in office zeroed in on us immediately. Didn't feel 'petty' back then."
Fifth Brother Bone-Scraper Yang finally spoke, pointing at himself. "Because we were willing to clash in the streets. Those rich brats wouldn't dare kill a man—probably too scared to even slaughter a chicken."
Seventh Brother Thunder-Mute Hong nodded. "Fifth Brother's got a point."
Ji Ming massaged his temples. As for Sixth Brother Blade-Ladle Li and Eighth Brother Mad-Dog Qing—no need to hear them. Both were hardliners: when in doubt, fight.
Second Brother Half-Gator Zhao was more balanced—a true all-rounder. His aquatic prowess was legendary. Once, knife in mouth, he'd held his breath underwater for thirty minutes, infiltrated a rival's smuggling ship, went berserk on five guards, then dove another thirty minutes back—hauling a full crate to shore.
Ji Ming had watched from the docks, stunned.
What kind of monster is that?
No matter what, Zhao's opinion mattered. When needed, he could rein in Blade-Ladle Li and Mad-Dog Qing.
Third Brother Zheng and Rolling-Blade Liu played different roles—one the main enforcer, the other the leader. Mostly they voted and approved plans.
Fifth Brother Bone-Scraper Yang was another beast entirely—interrogations. His father and grandfather had worked intelligence for the Ministry of Civil Affairs. Two minutes. That's all it once took him to make an enemy grunt give up their boss's location.
Seventh Brother Thunder-Mute Hong wasn't exceptional in combat, leadership, intelligence, or interrogation—but he could replicate and craft weapons. Ji Ming once brought back a Fatui musket; Hong reproduced it perfectly, powder and all.
In short—the Old Ninth Sect was stacked with talent.
"Back on topic," Ji Ming said. "Fourth Brother—what's the plan?"
Chen cleared his throat, rubbing the scar where his thumb had been severed. "The authorities are tightening security. We can't operate like we used to."
"You want to go legit?" Ji Ming asked.
"Exactly. Whitewash the entire Old Ninth Sect. Violence draws attention. If we blend into the merchant class, who's going to remember we were an underworld gang?"
Ji Ming nodded. "Makes sense. But I've got plenty of Mora now. I can withdraw anytime from the Fatui's Northland Bank—buy up half the shops in Liyue if I want. That solves things, doesn't it?"
"No," Rolling-Blade Liu cut in sharply. "We all know what the Fatui are like. We can't let you owe them more."
The others agreed. Ji Ming had already incurred a debt for their sake. They wouldn't let him sink deeper.
Seeing their expressions, Ji Ming dropped the subject. "Alright. Fourth Brother—what's your approach?"
"There's still stock among the small fry in the city. And outside the harbor—plenty of bandits and Treasure Hoarders. They're our targets."
Chen sighed. If Ji Ming weren't already working with the Fatui, lone Fatui soldiers would've been on the list too.
Ji Ming laughed outright.
So they'd become the authorities' unofficial enforcers—doing illegal work the government would secretly be grateful for.
Brilliant. Truly worthy of an overseas scholar.
Chen continued, "Once we take the money, we buy up shops across Liyue. You handle operations, Ninth Brother. When the Old Ninth Sect's coffers overflow—that's when we reclaim Liyue."
Ambitious. Just don't start thinking about monopolizing the Qixing next.
"Alright," Ji Ming said. "When do we move?"
"After your housewarming banquet. I'll notify everyone."
They raised their cups and drained the tea in one go. The rebuilt Old Ninth Sect set itself in motion once more.
Outside the room, leaning against the wooden wall, Yelan tilted her head and smiled faintly.
Ji Ming… working with the Fatui?
Interesting.
This was definitely worth reporting to Ningguang.
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