Inside a private room of Yanshang Teahouse.
Ji Ming sat in a wooden chair with his arms crossed and one leg cocked over the other, staring at the eight sworn brothers seated around the table.
"Big Brother, you dragged me out first thing in the morning — even climbed over my wall to do it. What's the emergency?"
At dawn, Liu "Rolling Blade" had shown up outside Ji Ming's courtyard gate, gawking at the house and muttering about his Ninth Brother's sudden wealth — then promptly climbed over the wall.
That ruckus of course alarmed Miss Yiguan, who nearly took a broom to him.
If it had been Hu Tao entering with the Staff of Homa instead… well, Rolling Blade probably would've been sent directly to the afterlife.
Liu gave a guilty smile.
"Ah, habit. Haven't shaken it off after getting out. Next time I'll knock."
Ji Ming sighed.
"On the day of the housewarming banquet, don't climb the wall. All my friends have Visions. One wrong move and you'll be limping back into prison."
Second Brother Zhao "Half-Flood Dragon" waved his hand to redirect the topic.
"Enough. We're here because Fourth Brother has a plan."
The Nine Gates — every one of them a "man with ideas." (Good ideas and terrible ideas both included.)
Ji Ming turned to Chen "Broken Finger", gesturing.
"Go on then. Among us, you're the scholar. Studied in Sumeru and everything. I trust your world-shaking brilliance."
Chen waved politely, though the shadow of memory passed behind his eyes.
If his clan hadn't fallen, he'd likely still be in the Akademiya. But life changes direction faster than Liyue Harbor tides.
During the last few days, Chen had been surveying the city — disguised as an idle drifter — observing street territory and power distribution.
He found Liyue's public security tighter than years past. Likely because the Rite of Descension was only a year away — the Qixing needed to polish appearances.
Which meant — opportunity.
The street has been swept clean. The only ones left were small fish and scattered riffraff — easy to swallow. A fallen giant is still a giant; the Nine Gates could return to the stage.
"Ji Ming," Chen asked, "while you were on the streets these past years, did you encounter any other notable gangs?"
"No. Just packs of spoiled young masters forming pretend gangs. Nothing the authorities take seriously."
At that, Third Brother Zheng clicked his tongue.
"When we first formed the Nine Gates, the officials came for us immediately. How come back then it wasn't considered small business?"
Fifth Brother Yang the Bone-Stripper spoke evenly:
"That's because we dared fight in broad daylight. Those dandies wouldn't even slaughter a chicken. Let alone a man."
Seventh Brother Thunder-Silent Hong nodded solemnly.
"Fifth speaks true."
Ji Ming rubbed his temples. Sixth Brother Li "Knife-Mallet" and Eighth Brother Mad Dog Qing didn't need to speak — those two believed in only one solution: violence.
Second Brother Zhao was the stabilizer — a fighter, swimmer, smuggler, and one of the only sane ones. Ji Ming still remembered the day Zhao disappeared underwater with only a knife — for half an hour — boarded a smuggling ship, wiped out five guards, and swam back with a cargo crate on his shoulders.
Ji Ming stood there on the dock back then thinking only one thing:
His grandma… is he really human?
Each brother had their role:
Liu — charisma and leadership.
Zheng — frontline muscle.
Yang — interrogation, intelligence roots from the Liyue General Affairs Bureau.
Hong — weapons craftsman; once reverse-engineered a Fatui musketperfectly from a single sample.
Li & Qing — shock troops.
Zhao — amphibious raider.
Chen — strategist.
The Nine Gates were never lacking in talent.
Back to the matter at hand.
"So, Fourth Brother," Ji Ming asked, "what's the plan?"
Chen took a breath.
"Liyue's government is tightening security. We cannot return to the old 'stab first, negotiate later' approach."
"You're suggesting we… wash ourselves clean?" Ji Ming raised a brow.
"Exactly. If we integrate into the merchant circles and become respected business owners, who will still remember that we were once street lords?"
Ji Ming leaned back.
"About that — I already have plenty of money. And I can draw funds from the Northland Bank whenever I want. I could buy up half the business district today if I wanted."
"No."
Rolling Blade Liu cut in sharply.
"We all know the Fatui's nature. You mustn't let yourself fall into their debt."
His expression was firm — almost fierce.
"You've already taken risk for our sake once. That's enough."
The others agreed without a word.
Ji Ming closed the topic.
"…Fine. Fourth Brother, continue."
Chen nodded.
"The small gangs in the city — we absorb or wipe. The bandits and Treasure Hoarders outside the city — we clear them systematically."
Ji Ming blinked.
"So our great Nine Gates return to glory by… cleaning up crime?"
Chen nodded like a teacher.
"Exactly. We get the money, and the Liyue authorities are forced to thank us for stabilizing public security."
Ji Ming burst out laughing.
Beautiful. Illegal work with moral high ground included.
That was the touch of a Sumeru scholar.
"And once we have capital," Chen continued, "we buy shops and expand. Ji Ming handles operations. When the revenue flows… that is when the Nine Gates rule Liyue Harbor again."
Ambitious.
Maybe too ambitious.
"Alright." Ji Ming tapped the table. "When do we start?"
"After your housewarming feast," Chen replied. "I'll send word."
The nine raised their cups of tea and drank as one.
The Nine Gates moved again.
Meanwhile, just outside the private room door…
Yelan leaned against the wooden wall, one eyebrow lifted, lips curved in a sly smile.
Ji Ming… cooperating with the Fatui, and rebuilding an old underground syndicate?
Now this was interesting.
A report to Lady Ningguang would be very, very worthwhile.
Advance Chapters available on Patreon
patreon.com/lucarioTL