Rebirth Immortal-Chapter 60: Loose Ends

The city was silent. It was a strange kind of silence, the type that came after a great storm had passed.

Zhao Ming stood on the rooftop of one of his tallest buildings, looking over the city that was now completely under his control. The air was crisp, the lights of the skyline twinkling like stars. It was a beautiful sight, but tonight, victory tasted bitter.

Zhao Tian was dead. His empire had crumbled. Everything he had built over decades was gone in a single night. Zhao Ming had won.

Yet, deep inside, he felt no joy.

Wang Xian stood beside him, arms crossed. "It's over."

Zhao Ming took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. "It is."

Ye Chen arrived, his hands in his pockets. "The cleanup is done. Zhao Tian's remaining men either surrendered or ran. The police will take care of the rest."

Zhao Ming nodded. "And our businesses?"

"All secured," Ye Chen replied. "No one dares challenge you now."

Zhao Ming finally turned to face them. "Then it's time to move forward."

The next day, the city woke up to shocking news. Zhao Tian's death had spread across the underworld like wildfire. Some celebrated, others panicked. Many of his old allies immediately tried to switch sides, hoping to curry favor with Zhao Ming.

In a luxurious hotel suite, several powerful figures gathered. These were the remaining heads of various criminal factions, businessmen, and politicians who had once worked under Zhao Tian.

They sat nervously, waiting for Zhao Ming to arrive.

The door opened, and Zhao Ming walked in, followed by Ye Chen and Wang Xian. He was calm, composed, but his presence alone was enough to make the room suffocating.

The men immediately stood to greet him.

"Mr. Zhao—" one of them started, but Zhao Ming raised a hand, silencing him.

He walked to the head of the table and sat down, leaning back in his chair. His gaze swept over everyone present.

"You're all here because you know what happened last night," Zhao Ming said, his voice steady but filled with authority. "Zhao Tian is dead. His empire is no more. That means things will change."

The men exchanged nervous glances.

One of the older men, a businessman who had worked with Zhao Tian for years, cleared his throat. "Mr. Zhao, we understand that you are now in charge, but we hope you will allow us to continue our operations as before."

Zhao Ming smirked. "As before?"

The man hesitated. "Yes... We can ensure stability in the city. If we all work together, there will be no unnecessary conflict."

Zhao Ming leaned forward, his expression turning cold. "Let me make one thing clear—I am not Zhao Tian."

The room fell dead silent.

Zhao Ming continued, his voice like ice. "Zhao Tian ruled with fear, but he was careless. He let his greed and arrogance blind him. That's why he lost."

His eyes darkened. "I don't tolerate incompetence. If you want to work under me, you follow my rules. If not..." He let the sentence hang in the air.

One of the younger men swallowed hard. "What are your rules, Mr. Zhao?"

Zhao Ming smiled. "Simple. No more unnecessary bloodshed. No foolish risks. You will operate within my system. If anyone disrespects me, betrays me, or causes chaos in my city..." He tapped his fingers on the table. "I will personally deal with them."

The message was clear. Work with him, or be eliminated.

The men nodded quickly.

"We understand."

Zhao Ming stood up. "Good. Then let's get to work."

Over the next few weeks, Zhao Ming reshaped the city's power structure. He dismantled the more reckless criminal operations, cutting off anything that could lead to chaos. Under his rule, things became more efficient, more controlled.

People started to notice the difference.

The businesses he owned flourished, the police presence in the city decreased because there were fewer conflicts, and even the black market operated with strict discipline.

Zhao Ming was no longer just another powerful figure.

He was the king of the underworld.

One evening, as he sat in his private lounge, sipping whiskey, Wang Xian entered with a smirk.

"You did it," Wang Xian said, pouring himself a drink. "You control everything now."

Zhao Ming took a slow sip. "It was inevitable."

Ye Chen walked in next, holding a folder. "There's just one thing left to deal with."

Zhao Ming raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"

Ye Chen placed the folder on the table. "Zhao Tian's hidden assets. He had offshore accounts, secret investments, and a few remaining loyalists who haven't shown themselves yet."

Zhao Ming opened the folder and scanned the contents. He smirked. "Then let's finish this completely."

Wang Xian chuckled. "Time to clean up the last of the trash."

Zhao Ming leaned back, his fingers tapping against his glass. He had won the war, but there was still work to be done.

The night air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of rain. The city had settled into an uneasy peace, but Zhao Ming knew that peace was never permanent. There were still remnants of Zhao Tian's empire lurking in the shadows, waiting for a chance to strike.

Seated in his private lounge, Zhao Ming studied the documents Ye Chen had handed him earlier. Offshore accounts, hidden investments, and a list of names—people who had been loyal to Zhao Tian and had yet to surrender. These were the last loose ends.

Wang Xian sat across from him, casually swirling his drink. "So, how do you want to handle this?"

Zhao Ming tapped his fingers on the table. "One by one. We're not leaving any threats behind."

Ye Chen nodded. "I've already tracked down most of them. Some fled overseas, but a few are still hiding in the city." He pulled out a marked map. "Here, here, and here. These are their safe houses. And this—" He pointed to a specific location. "—is where Zhao Tian's hidden fortune is stored."

Zhao Ming's lips curled into a smirk. "Then let's make our move."

The first target was a man named Liu Han, one of Zhao Tian's key financial managers. He had handled most of the offshore accounts and knew where the money was hidden. Without him, the others would be blind.

Liu Han was holed up in a luxury penthouse under heavy security.

Zhao Ming, Ye Chen, and Wang Xian arrived at the building just past midnight. The lobby was empty, the only sound coming from the ticking of the grand clock on the wall.

Ye Chen checked his watch. "Guards change in ten minutes. If we move now, we won't have to fight our way in."

Zhao Ming nodded. "Let's go."

They took the elevator to the top floor, the tension thick in the air. When the doors opened, two guards stood at attention outside Liu Han's suite.

Before they could react, Zhao Ming moved.

A swift strike to the throat sent the first guard crumpling to the floor, gasping for air. Wang Xian grabbed the other one by the collar and slammed him against the wall, knocking him out instantly.

Ye Chen picked the lock with ease, and within seconds, they were inside.

Liu Han was sitting at his desk, pouring over documents. He looked up in shock. "Y-You—"

Zhao Ming walked toward him slowly, eyes cold. "Hello, Liu Han."

The man swallowed hard. "Mr. Zhao, I-I was just—"

Zhao Ming grabbed him by the collar and pulled him out of his chair. "Where's the money?"

Liu Han trembled. "I-I don't know what you're talking about."

Wang Xian sighed. "Wrong answer."

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A single punch to the stomach sent Liu Han doubling over in pain.

Ye Chen crouched beside him. "Listen, we don't have time to play games. You know exactly what we want. Either you tell us, or we make you talk."

Liu Han coughed, gasping for air. "O-Okay! Okay! I'll tell you!"

Zhao Ming released him, and he collapsed onto the floor, clutching his ribs.

"The accounts... They're offshore, but the access codes are in a safe," Liu Han panted. "It's at one of Zhao Tian's old warehouses... The one near the docks."

Zhao Ming exchanged a glance with Ye Chen. "Good. Now, who else is still planning to resist?"

Liu Han hesitated.

Wang Xian cracked his knuckles. "Don't make this harder than it has to be."

Liu Han swallowed. "T-There's a small group left. They're led by Ma Kun... He used to be one of Zhao Tian's top enforcers. He's gathering men, trying to take back what's left of the empire."

Zhao Ming smirked. "Let him try."

He turned to Ye Chen. "Get the location of that warehouse. We're ending this tonight."

The warehouse was an old structure by the docks, rusted from years of neglect. The area was quiet, the only sound coming from the distant waves crashing against the shore.

Zhao Ming and his men approached silently, moving through the shadows.

Ye Chen whispered, "Security's light. Two guards at the entrance, a few inside."

Wang Xian grinned. "Easy."

In a blur of movement, the entrance guards were taken down without a sound. Inside, crates and storage containers lined the walls. At the far end, a metal safe was bolted to the ground.

Liu Han's information had been correct.

Zhao Ming walked up to the safe, running his fingers over the combination lock. "Open it."

Ye Chen worked quickly, entering the codes Liu Han had given them. A soft click sounded as the lock disengaged.

Inside, stacks of cash, account books, and a secured hard drive lay neatly arranged. This was the last of Zhao Tian's hidden fortune.

Wang Xian let out a low whistle. "That's a lot of money."

Zhao Ming picked up the hard drive. "This is worth more."

Ye Chen smirked. "With this, we control everything."

But before they could celebrate, the sound of footsteps echoed through the warehouse.

Zhao Ming turned just as Ma Kun and his men appeared, weapons drawn.

"Well, well," Ma Kun sneered. "Looks like I caught you at the perfect time."

Zhao Ming remained calm, slipping the hard drive into his pocket. "You should have stayed hidden, Ma Kun."

Ma Kun laughed. "You think you're in charge now? Zhao Tian built this empire, and you think you can just take it?"

Zhao Ming smirked. "I already have."

Ma Kun's face twisted in anger. "Kill them!"

Gunfire erupted.

Zhao Ming and his men moved fast, diving for cover behind crates as bullets tore through the air.

Ye Chen fired back, taking down two of Ma Kun's men in quick succession. Wang Xian rushed forward, weaving between crates, knocking out another with a brutal kick.

Zhao Ming advanced calmly, his movements precise. One by one, Ma Kun's men fell.

Realizing he was losing, Ma Kun tried to escape.

But Zhao Ming was faster.

He caught Ma Kun by the collar and slammed him against a crate. "This is the end for you."

Ma Kun struggled, but Zhao Ming didn't give him a chance. A swift strike to the throat left him gasping for air.

Zhao Ming leaned in. "Zhao Tian is gone. His empire is mine. And you? You were never more than a dog."

With one final punch, Ma Kun collapsed, unconscious.

Silence filled the warehouse.

Wang Xian exhaled. "That's the last of them."

Zhao Ming turned to Ye Chen. "Burn everything we don't need. Take the money, take the files, but erase all traces of Zhao Tian's rule."

Ye Chen nodded. "Consider it done."

As flames engulfed the warehouse, Zhao Ming stepped outside, watching the fire reflect in the dark waters of the docks.

The past was gone.

His rule had begun.