After Edward Sutton walked out, a middle-aged man in his forties, dressed as a scholar, stepped out from behind the screen and clicked his tongue in admiration, “That young man is truly extraordinary. His scheming is terrifying—he’s probably not even twenty yet, is he? Senior, are you really willing to entrust the Happy Forest to him? Aren’t you afraid he’ll become another Thomas Brooks?”

“Afraid? I’m afraid he won’t become another Thomas Brooks!”

A mysterious smile appeared at the corner of Tiger Senior’s mouth. “What that kid said just now was right. I’m already old, can’t fight anymore. If I stay in this position for another ten years, it’ll be time for me to retire.

Now the boss is old too, and he’s already started grooming the young boss. When the young boss takes over, new rulers bring new ministers. Do you think he’ll look kindly on us old guys? It’s better to step down early, so as not to become an eyesore to certain people.

By then, that kid Edward Sutton should have grown up as well. With him, my adopted son, in power, I won’t have to worry about being cast aside when I’m gone. At the very least, I can still secure a prosperous life for the rest of my days.”

The middle-aged scholar was still hesitant. “But Senior, you can know a person’s face but not their heart. With such deep scheming, aren’t you afraid he’ll repay your kindness with betrayal?”

“He’s a smart man—he wouldn’t do that. If he betrays me, he’ll only earn himself a reputation for ingratitude. In our line of work, if your reputation stinks, who would still follow you? So betraying me brings him no benefit.

And as long as I’m alive, with the prestige I’ve built up over the years, I can help him suppress the old guard in the gang and let him smoothly take over my power. After he rises to the top, he’ll also gain the young boss’s favor. So not only will he not betray me, he’ll even treat me with respect.”

“Senior, you’re truly shrewd and farsighted. I’m convinced.”

The middle-aged scholar cupped his hands in admiration. Now he finally understood why Tiger Senior had so abruptly taken Edward Sutton as his adopted son—it turned out he was thinking so far ahead.

Tiger Senior waved his hand, his smile fading. “Shrewd and farsighted? I suppose so. After so many years in this business, if I didn’t have some tricks up my sleeve, I wouldn’t have survived till now.

Just now I told that kid Edward Sutton that when our Flying Eagle Gang was first founded, there were over thirty of us. After all these years, only a dozen or so old guys like us are left.

But do you think those who died all fell in gang fights?”

The middle-aged scholar was startled by the coldness in Tiger Senior’s eyes. Realizing this touched on some of the Flying Eagle Gang’s old secrets, he dared not listen any further.

At this moment, outside Tiger Senior’s residence, Edward Sutton cupped his fists to Frank Keaton and Mark Lee, saying, “It’s my honor that you two have come to help me. From now on, we’re all brothers.”

Mark Lee replied coldly, “Senior sent me to help you just to stabilize your position in the Flying Eagle Gang. Don’t expect me to really treat you as the boss and obey your every word like those little lackeys!”

With that, Mark Lee actually turned and left, not giving Edward Sutton the slightest regard.

“Hey! What kind of attitude is that? Boss Sutton is Senior’s newly adopted son!”

Seeing Mark Lee’s attitude, Richard Howard was instantly furious.

It was unclear whether he was angry because Mark Lee didn’t respect Edward Sutton, or because the word “lackey” stung him.

Frank Keaton smiled and cupped his fists to Edward Sutton, “Boss Sutton, that’s just how he is. Don’t take it to heart. I’ll go talk to him.”

With that, Frank Keaton went after Mark Lee.

Richard Howard muttered disdainfully, “What’s he showing off for? Thinks he’s so great just because he can fight?”

“You know those two?” Edward Sutton suddenly asked.

Richard Howard scratched his head. “I’ve heard of them. That Mark Lee is Tiger Senior’s top enforcer. He’s only come to prominence in the past few years, but he’s famous in our Flying Eagle Gang for being ruthless and fearless.

As for Frank Keaton, he’s about the same as Mark Lee—both are among Tiger Senior’s younger enforcers. But compared to Mark Lee, he’s not well-known.”

Mentioning Mark Lee, Richard Howard was still indignant. “Hmph! But that Mark Lee is way too arrogant. Who does he think he is? Isn’t he still not even a minor leader? Looks down on lackeys, but he’s a lackey himself!

Look at Frank Keaton—same position, but much more modest. Not like that Mark Lee, acting like he’s second only to heaven.”

Edward Sutton shook his head lightly. “You don’t understand. Dogs that bite don’t bark.”

Richard Howard scratched his head in confusion, not quite understanding what Edward Sutton meant.

Seeing Edward Sutton already walking off, he quickly followed.

After Edward Sutton and his group returned to the Happy Forest, the original gang members, seeing that Edward Sutton not only came back alive from Tiger Senior’s place but also brought back two of the gang’s most renowned enforcers, immediately changed their attitude toward him.

Gaining Tiger Senior’s approval meant that Edward Sutton had firmly established himself in the Flying Eagle Gang.

In a gang, unlike a sect, as long as those above don’t object, overthrowing the boss and taking over isn’t a big deal.

“Congratulations, host, on completing the novice mission. You have been rewarded with 10 villain points and one Basic Qi-Nourishing Pill.”

As soon as he stepped into the Happy Forest, the system’s voice sounded in Edward Sutton’s mind.

That Qi-Nourishing Pill was deposited with the system by Edward Sutton; now was not the time to use it.