Chapter 917 The People Behind It
There was a small wooden table beside him. The agarwood smoldering in an incense burner filled the room with a fragrance smell.
After his subordinate finished his report, the man closed the folding fan and put it away.
He said impassively, "So, they divided all the Icarus Association's territory?"
With a respectful bow, the subordinate replied, "Yes."
Then, the subordinate asked his boss with a confused look.
"Boss, we don't understand. Since you helped to destroy the Icarus Association, why don't you... "
The man gave a cynical smile.
His handsome face seemed to radiate an unusual glow.
Then, he mused, "Am I short of money?"
Hearing that, the subordinate was stunned into silence.
He did not know how much money his boss had, but there was no lack.
Naturally, he shook his head.
Again the man asked, "Is there anything else that the Marsh family needs to prove its capability and influence?"
Again the subordinate shook his head. His boss continued,
"Since there is nothing we need, what is there for us to fight over with them?"
The subordinate was not sure whether he understood what his boss meant. He wanted to make sure, so he asked to clarify,
"So, you intervened because..."
"There are other reasons."
Then, the man waved his hand to dismiss the subordinate, who then stopped asking any more questions.
After the subordinate left, the man waited for a while until a servant came in and announced, "Mr. Rowan is here."
The man nodded in acknowledgment, got up, and walked out.
The room was quiet, with simple and solemn furnishings.
Another person was waiting as the man walked into the room.
The other man was perhaps in his fifties or sixties, dressed in a dark-colored suit. Seeing him enter, he bowed respectfully and greeted, "Sir, you are here."
Coby cast his eyes over Rowan, who was in front of him.
As he counted the rosary beads in his hand, he invited Rowan, "Please have a seat."
Rowan hurriedly sat down.
No one could imagine that the all-powerful head of the Marsh family would act so respectfully and deferential towards someone who was at least twenty years his junior.
They sat face to face with a vintage tea set on the table in between.
Then, Coby reached out and started to brew some tea.
Rowan noticed that Coby's hands were unlike a man's hands. They were pale and slender like a pair of white jade.
For a moment, he was mesmerized and only snapped out when Coby started to speak.
"Is everything running smoothly in the family?"
Without hesitation, Rowan replied, "Everything is fine. I have passed on and made sure your instructions are carried out."
Coby nodded with satisfaction.
The tea was ready, and Coby poured a cup for Rowan.
As he took the cup offered by Coby, Rowan's face turned pale, and he protested,
"Sir, you're too kind. I can do it myself."
In return, Coby smiled and replied, "We're family. There's no need to be so polite."
His words made Rowan begin to feel uneasy, and he paused.
As he ran through his mind why Coby was so polite, Coby spoke, "It's been difficult for you having to manage the family these few years."
Instantly, his words threw Rowan into a panic.
His face went white as he stood up and insisted,
"Sir, it, it is not difficult for me. I have always followed what you laid down and stayed away from what you disapproved of. I..."
By this time, Rowan was sweating profusely from anxiety.
Coby smiled at Rowan's reaction and reassured, "I know. It's just a casual question. As long as you do your job, I won't have any designs on you."
At this moment, Rowan did not know what to believe.
Since Rowan was standing, Coby smiled and said, "Please have a seat."
There was nothing else but for Rowan to sit down.
The air was getting tense.
In deference, Rowan asked, "Sir, what instructions do you have for me today?"
Calmly, Coby replied, "No need to jump the gun. Have a cup of tea first."
Coby looked composed. His actions were fluid as he brewed the tea. Everything looked surreal like a piece of painting.
Feeling helpless, Rowan took a sip of tea.
The tea was bitter on the tongue, but the aftertaste was sweet and invigorating.
The tea freshened him up, his eyes lit up, and he commented,
"The tea is good."
Seeing his response, Coby smiled in delight.
Still smiling, Coby said, "The Purrcha from Dane is all here. This year, the quantity is meager. If you like, you can take some home with you."
Rowan could not believe his ears.
However, he dared not refuse and promptly thanked Coby, "Thank you, Sir."
After enjoying a few cups of tea, Coby remarked, "After the successful operation against the Icarus Association, I did not allow you to take a share of the spoils. The subordinates must be having an adverse opinion of you."
Smiling, Rowan had his guard up and answered carefully, "The subordinates do not see the big picture. When they know that this is for the good of the family, their opinions of me will change."
Then, Coby's eyes narrowed, and he chided,
"They don't know that I made the decision. They don't even know that there is me who is above you in the family. How are you going to explain this to them?"
There was no answer Rowan could give, and he froze.
Coby continued indifferently, "The Marsh family has existed for a millennium. Throughout the ages, the patriarchs have strived for an orderly and sustainable expansion. We avoid being too prominent so that we don't attract unnecessary attention and conflict. Our resources are immense but still limited. The territories that the Icarus Association owns are far away from where we are. If we take over territories so far away from us, the benefits are minimal. Not only that, our resources will be stretched. Once our resources are stretched, there will be internal conflicts and divisions. When these internal conflicts and divisions start, the family will end up being carved up and swallowed by other families."
All through his explanation, Coby kept his voice low and monotonous, which sent chills down Rowan's spine.
Then, he quickly stood up, bowed slightly, and concurred, "Thank you, Sir. I understand what you want to say."
With that, Coby raised his cup, took another sip, and explained, "The reason why I send you to take action against the Icarus is that this organization doesn't follow the norms. The rules in the underworld are there for all to follow. They are too greedy. They wanted to sweep away all opposition and dominate the underworld."
"Our guiding principle is order and stability. We can't stand by idly in such a situation. Besides, other parties have already completed most of the work. We're just putting the final touch. It's a small effort. In return, the other parties owe us a favor. So, why not?"
Feeling chastised, Rowan bowed even lower and acknowledged, "Yes, I understand."
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
