Rong Shaobai couldn’t discern the veracity of Jiang Xiaochuan’s words. He merely mentioned Xue Yan’s issue casually. If it were truly related to Jiang Xiaochuan, he would have noticed it himself. He genuinely harbored no ill intentions towards Xue Yan. If Xue Yan hadn’t targeted Rong family because of Qiu Yi’s death from the beginning, Rong Shaobai wouldn’t have manipulated Qingtuan and Hong families.

Additionally, due to this conflict, some highly sensitive evidence was deliberately left behind. By then, in the military region, those forced drugs had been discovered, and there was no guarantee that the person cooperating with Rong Shaobai wouldn’t reveal his flaws, potentially leading to his removal in one stroke. At this juncture, Rong Shaobai’s purpose was entirely achieved.

His aim in doing so much was solely to completely clear Rong family’s name.

Now, the Rong family possessed an ample funds and a proficient team of experts. The money from the underworld wasn’t much compared to the legitimate sources of commercial funds. Leaving the underworld behind would only exacerbate the hidden dangers. Rong Shaobai was someone who strived for perfection, and such flaws were intolerable.

“I, Rong Shaobai, am not a good person. I am corrupt to the core. But—due to my responsibility—I can ruthlessly let the decaying foundations the Rong family relies on for survival crumble in my hands. I am their undertaker. Because of my ambition, I can personally sever the Rong family’s ties with those illegal activities. Though I employ illicit means, I am the architect of the new order. I am insufficient to absolve the Rong family, but the successors will carry on. Perhaps, I will pay a price for it, but there’s no free lunch in this world. I am neither wholly good nor wholly bad. I am a bridge in the transition from darkness to light. I am half dark and half-light. While outwardly dark, my heart is light.”

Jiang Xiaochuan suddenly found himself speechless. He simply gazed at Rong Shaobai with a profound look, one that had long been concealed. It was as if he could glimpse the eventual fate of the young man before him. The depth of his gaze, once suspected by Rong Shaobai to harbor the vicissitudes of life, surged forth again, permeating his eyes and gradually condensing into his pupils.

Ultimately, he only looked and said nothing.

Characters like Rong Shaobai typically didn’t meet favorable ends.

He understood this principle, as did Rong Shaobai. But neither of them voiced it.

He began to comprehend why the previous head of the Rong family had chosen Rong Shaobai. The family’s successor must be a responsible individual, possessing that absurd, sorrowful yet honorable sense of duty and mission, and uphold the family’s legacy. Prioritizing the collective interest over personal gain required those in power not only to adeptly manipulate people’s minds but also to make sacrifices when necessary.

“Rong Shaobai, if you were born into a noble family, you might have become an emperor.”

“But I hail from a humble family.”

Rong Shaobai chuckled, seemingly moved.

Having spoken those words, he merely stroked his sleeves. The silk texture felt exceedingly soft beneath the light.

“Emperor or not, they all understand the implications,” Rong Shaobai remarked.

“Anyway, following this altercation, there will be a large-scale anti-gang crackdown in Chengzhou,” Jiang Xiaochuan disclosed the news he had prepared for some time.

He casually adjusted his dark blue tie clip, sliding it down one-third of the way along the tie before securing it again. Though his expression remained serious, his eyes held a more relaxed demeanor.

The announcement of Chengzhou’s impending anti-gang campaign might not be unwelcome news for Rong Shaobai, who was resolved to clear his name.

Rong Shaobai was also prepared for this. When he decided to join the fray, he already anticipated this day would come. Those obstructing the whitewash would be swept into the confrontation, reduced to ashes, and serve as the bedrock for a new era. He mused to himself, “This is good news.”

.

Then, he produced something he had long prepared: a list of his own handicaps.

As Rong Shaobai’s ring rotated slowly, his voice remained measured, “Rong family’s vulnerabilities are documented here. Everything that can be eradicated is outlined. Mayor Jiang can surmise that’s my intent.”

Rong Shaobai also sought to eliminate adversaries indirectly.

However, this time, rather than leveraging the forces of Qingtuan and Hong family, he sought to utilize Jiang Xiaochuan’s influence.

However, Jiang Xiaochuan still needed to enlist this assistance, and the crackdown on gangsters was imperative. While the Qingtuan and Hong families were significant players, the Rong family stood as the largest underworld organization in the city. It was common knowledge in Chengzhou City that if the gang crackdown failed to dismantle the Rong family, it would be akin to consuming a roasted whole lamb without indulging in the meat, only eating the bones.

As he examined the list, Jiang Xiaochuan felt a tremor in his heart. Looking back at Rong Shaobai, he confirmed the determination of this individual to clear his family name. On this list, 80% of Rong family’s vulnerabilities were laid bare, all willingly surrendered. This signaled a complete teardown and reconstruction.

Using a murder case as a catalyst, he orchestrated a gang confrontation likely to reverberate throughout the country, then willingly exposed his own vulnerabilities to obliterate the existing structures. Jiang Xiaochuan couldn’t help but admire this audacity.

“I have addressed all these vulnerabilities. The remaining portion hasn’t been disclosed because those individuals are also intent on clearing their names. I can’t be too forceful,” Rong Shaobai explained succinctly.

Jiang Xiaochuan stowed away the list and reached for the teacup. Though he remained silent momentarily, he was likely parched. Lowering his gaze to the clear tea, he shook his head with a smile, “I simply hope that President Rong won’t come to regret his decision today in the future.”

In truth, he wasn’t addressing this to Rong Shaobai but rather to himself.

He was not so different from Rong Shaobai.

Neither entirely black nor entirely white, existing in the gray areas between, challenging to discern. He treaded the fine line between black and white, much like Rong Shaobai, prone to losing himself.

Rong Shaobai’s exterior might be black while his heart white, but what about him?

What defined Jiang Xiaochuan, which parts were black, and which were white?