Chapter 85: The True Nature of a Triad
Szeto Ho-Nam exclaimed,
"This is impossible! How can a billionaire have such incredible martial arts skills?"
"I couldn't even last a single move against him."
"Even Lin Ho-lung of Chung Yee Shun has never put so much pressure on me."
Thinking back to his one-on-one fight with Lin Feng, Szeto Ho-Nam had nightmares all night.
To be honest, causing trouble during negotiations was Tung Sing's established strategy.
Everyone in a Triad is not like a regular company; when negotiations stall, a bit of a fight and a ruckus can increase one's chances of winning.
In other words, it was all a tactic.
If the outcome of the negotiations had been unfavorable to Hung Hing, they would have fought too.
When Ba Bi died, during the negotiations, Chan Yiu had caused trouble once.
Trouble or not, negotiations still had to continue.
Situ's move at the time was based on a pre-established strategy, but that didn't mean he held back.
He didn't hold back at all; he went all out!
Fighting during negotiations is a way to show one's determination, and the more shocking the outcome, the better.
Unfortunately, it was Tung Sing who was shocked.
Lin Feng knocked Situ unconscious with a single palm strike, and the shock to Tung Sing was indescribable.
"I practice martial arts, so I know how hard it is."
"Lin Feng's skills far surpass mine. To maintain such skills, he must practice martial arts every day."
"But he's a billionaire; why would he endure such hardship?"
"I don't even plan to let my own son continue practicing martial arts; it's too damn hard."
Situ couldn't understand it at all.
Uncle Ben shook his head slightly:
"You've forgotten Lin Feng's background."
Situ was startled:
"Lin Feng's background?"
Uncle Ben said bluntly:
"He's an illegitimate son, his mother died when he was seven, and he's been with Liang Kun ever since."
"He grew up in a sea of suffering."
"Do you know what gives people like him a sense of security?"
Situ thought for a moment:
"Money?"
Uncle Ben snorted coldly:
"Money, of course, counts."
"But it's not necessarily that secure."
"People like him only believe in two things—their own fists and family."
Situ's mouth fell open:
"No, isn't Lin Feng an orphan? He still believes in that stuff?"
"Oh, right, and Liang Kun!"
Uncle Ben preached to Situ like an old scholar:
"Liang Kun, out of good intentions, helped Lin Feng, and in the end, Lin Feng helped Liang Kun."
"If it weren't for Lin Feng, Liang Kun would probably have collapsed."
Liang Kun's affairs couldn't be hidden from the Triad bosses; just thinking about Shang Yi's actions, even these Triad bosses had to say "crazy."
The reason Liang Kun, who personally killed his father, didn't collapse or go mad was because he truly had a brother supporting him.
Coupled with Liang Kun's mother still being alive, Liang Kun didn't suffer an emotional breakdown.
Situ's eyes lit up:
"Liang Kun is his weakness."
Uncle Ben looked at Situ with an expression as if he had seen a ghost, and the latter felt his Tau Pei tingle:
"Uncle Ben... what do you mean?"
Uncle Ben said expressionlessly:
"If you want to die, then go ahead and find trouble with Liang Kun."
"I don't need to tell you how important Liang Kun is in Lin Feng's heart."
"If you dare to kill him, Lin Feng will mobilize all his connections to fight you."
"Don't just talk about Hong Kong; even if you run to the ends of the earth, you won't be able to escape."
"He's a billionaire, you know."
"He can throw away twenty-five million to investigate the cause of death of Fine B's family, so he can also use all his assets to avenge Liang Kun."
"If you want to die, go die alone; don't drag Tung Sing down with you."
Szeto Ho-Nam said awkwardly:
"I wasn't trying to find Lin Feng's weakness, was I?"
Uncle Ben suddenly glared at him, his earlier gentleness completely gone, his eyes like venomous snakes, devoid of any warmth.
A chill rose from Szeto Ho-Nam's feet, scaring him so much he didn't dare to move.
"Among the Tung Sing Five Tigers, I value you the most."
"Not because you're a good fighter, but because you can talk sense and control yourself."
Uncle Ben's voice was faint, seemingly floating from all directions, even though he was right in front of Situ.
The guy in the vest who liked smoking cigars and enjoying red wine was just a disguise; this was the true face of Tung Sing's Ah Bun.
"Remember, we join Triads not to fight to the death, but to make money."
"It's not easy to fight your way up from the bottom to the high position of a Hall Master; you're already a Triad boss."
"In other companies, that would be a high-level executive."
"If you still act like a petty thug, then you've wasted your time."
"In this life, living on the edge of a knife is common."
"You have to learn to control yourself."
"Chan Tin-hung, Lui Yiu-Yeung, and Ng Chi-Wai are all fools who can't control themselves."
"They will perish sooner or later."
"And that is your opportunity."
Szeto Ho-Nam obediently took the scolding:
"Thank you, Uncle Ben, for your guidance."
Uncle Ben said coldly:
"The essence of a Triad is a large company."
"Lin Feng is right; the conflict between us and Hung Hing is more for the Police Force to see."
"Two companies vying for territory is normal business competition."
"Don't get too much personal emotion involved."
"You are no longer a low-level thug; you are a Tung Sing boss, Qing Long Hu, one of the Five Tigers."
Szeto Ho-Nam nodded obediently in agreement.
Uncle Ben regained his gentle demeanor and casually concluded:
"Lin Feng is not our enemy."
"At most, he's a competitor from another Triad."
"Don't target Lin Feng, and don't bear any ill will towards him."
"Perhaps there will be a time when we need his help."
Situ took a deep breath:
"Yes."
After thinking for a moment, he said,
"Yiu Yeung is very angry about the Triad's decision; I can feel him seething with rage."
Uncle Ben sneered:
"I told you, Yiu Yeung can't control his emotions, and his ambition is obvious."
Situ asked curiously:
"Yiu Yeung's ambition?"
Uncle Ben sighed:
"I don't know if I made the right choice with you."
"To tell you the truth, Chan Tin-hung, Ng Chi-Wai, and Lui Yiu-Yeung all have great ambitions for the Chairman position."
"Why did Lui Yiu-Yeung cooperate with Fatty Lai to kill Fine B?"
"Fatty Lai asked him to do it."
"Cooperation must be equal; Lui Yiu-Yeung made the first move, so Fatty Lai naturally had to reciprocate."
"Do you know what Lui Yiu-Yeung wanted Fatty Lai to do?"
Situ suddenly felt a chill.
Fine B was Chiang Tin-Sung's loyal follower, one of the Twelve Hall Masters.
An equal return likely meant one of Tung Sing's Hall Master bosses?
"You are kind-hearted, but your hands aren't ruthless enough."
"This is both your weakness and your strength."
Szeto Ho-Nam quickly asked for advice:
"Uncle Ben, what should I do?"
Uncle Ben sighed:
"Forget it, I'll give you some pointers to help you grow quickly."
"Send people to keep an eye on those three; you don't need to do anything, just watch them."
"You'll see what kind of crazy things those three uncontrollable guys are capable of."
***
Chapter 86: Mr. Chiang is Extraordinarily Excited
Liang Kun, with Chicken in tow, leisurely arrived at Mr. Chiang's large villa. The latter was lying on a sun lounger by the swimming pool, admiring a beauty emerging from the water.
In the open-air pool, Fang Ting was performing various swimming poses, her figure graceful.
Chicken, with downcast eyes, maintained the demeanor of an enlightened monk.
Mr. Chiang waved:
"Thank you for your hard work with Ah B's matter."
Liang Kun chuckled:
"After all, I was brothers with Ah B for so many years, and he debuted a year before me—I originally thought we two could easily continue on."
"Who would have thought that overnight, I'd have to send him off."
Mr. Chiang didn't show much sadness, just a touch of emotion:
"Perhaps this is the fate of us Triad members."
"You came here specifically without even making a call, is there something important?"
Liang Kun pulled out a cigar, taking out three to share.
"These are Cuban, a hundred US dollars each."
"Mr. Chiang, have a taste."
Mr. Chiang suddenly smiled:
"I heard you like to buy these things, but most of them get snatched by Lin Feng."
Liang Kun chuckled:
"This is our little game."
"Back then, he was still young and not close to others, but he was close to me and dared to snatch things from my hand."
"Later, when I started out, I brought him along."
"Even later, we both made a name for ourselves. Everything else changed, but our bond didn't. This little game of him snatching my things also remained."
"You see him snatching my things, but those are all trifles."
"Mr. Chiang, let me tell you a secret."
"These things are actually all carefully prepared by me for Ah Feng."
"Of course, he knows too."
"Neither of us ever breaks the silence about it."
Mr. Chiang was slightly taken aback, his eyes full of envy.
"Your bond is truly strong."
Liang Kun smiled:
"Isn't Mr. Chiang's brother in Siam? Your relationship isn't bad either."
"To appease Ba Bi's matter, you even sacrificed two Golden Triangle routes. Most people couldn't do something like that."
Mr. Chiang also smiled, but ultimately shook his head:
"Tin-Yeung and I do have a good relationship, it's just that we don't see each other many times a year, unlike you and Ah Feng."
The two were in no hurry to discuss business, conversing like old friends.
After smoking the thin cigars for a while, Liang Kun suddenly asked:
"Mr. Chiang, what do you think of Big D, who represented Wo Luen Shing today to bid farewell to Ah B?"
Mr. Chiang smiled:
"Big D? One of the most powerful among Wo Luen Shing's nine hall masters."
"He's straightforward, speaks his mind, and is easy to get along with."
"However, it's a pity he's stuck in Wo Luen Shing."
Liang Kun then said:
"Mr. Chiang, what if I poach him?"
Mr. Chiang didn't react immediately:
"You poach Big D?"
"...You want Big D to switch to Hung Hing?"
With a jolt, Mr. Chiang sat up.
"Big D is Wo Luen Shing's most powerful hall master, and he's a man who dares to fight and strive."
"The complete takeover of Tsuen Wan by Wo Luen Shing was his doing."
"You can poach him?"
Liang Kun burst into laughter:
"I saw that our Triad's morale wasn't very high because of Ah B's matter, so I thought of poaching Big D."
Mr. Chiang shook his head slightly:
"The Triad's lower ranks still have some opinions about Ah B's death, but business is business. As long as our Triad gets better day by day, Ah B's matter will eventually pass."
"Can you really poach Big D?"
"If this matter can truly succeed, it would greatly boost Hung Hing's morale."
Liang Kun smiled:
"I discussed it with Ah Feng, and it's actually possible."
Mr. Chiang was overjoyed:
"It's really possible?"
Liang Kun nodded vigorously:
"There's an 80% chance."
"But Mr. Chiang, it can't just be the two of us working hard; you are the Chairman Dragon Head, you also have to put in effort."
Mr. Chiang laughed heartily:
"I understand what you mean."
"Big D is one of Wo Luen Shing's nine hall masters. If he invests and joins our company, he will definitely be given a corresponding position."
"Let me think..."
"This is good."
"Not only will I make him the hall master of Tsuen Wan, but I will also elevate his status, making him the Four Three Eight, Second Marshal."
Liang Kun gave a thumbs up:
"Mr. Chiang, you still have the courage."
The Second Marshal, also known as the Deputy Mountain Master, is the deputy leader of a Hung Society branch.
He assists the Dragon Head in handling all mountain affairs.
His authority is second only to the main and deputy Dragon Heads (if there is a deputy Dragon Head).
If Big D becomes the Second Marshal, he would be Hung Hing's Sixth Brother, a highly respected position.
Of course, this is only a matter of Hung Society status; his actual power would still be that of the Tsuen Wan hall master.
Mr. Chiang waved his hand:
"Big D is worthy of me giving him a Second Marshal position."
"Ah Kun, if you can accomplish this, I will also give you the title of Second Marshal."
Liang Kun said speechlessly:
"I'm already a Straw Sandal, responsible for external liaison. Do I need to be promoted to Second Marshal?"
"We're all working for Mr. Chiang. What good is this honor compared to Mr. Chiang's trust?"
Mr. Chiang was very satisfied with Liang Kun's statement and said earnestly:
"Your refusal of the Second Marshal title is your humility, but I cannot not give it."
"If you can truly poach Big D, then I can tell you the grand gesture our Hung Hing can offer."
"I will confer him the title of Second Marshal in front of Sam Shing Temple, letting the entire Triad know our respect for Big D."
Liang Kun gave a thumbs up:
"Generous, Mr. Chiang."
A conferment in front of Sam Shing Temple, how much would that cost? How big an impact would it create?
As far as Liang Kun could remember, it seemed no Triad member had been conferred a title in front of Sam Shing Temple recently.
Mr. Chiang continued:
"When someone switches over, we must show sincerity. The transfer fee will be six million six hundred sixty-six thousand."
"Just go and do it. As long as Big D is willing to come, our Hung Hing will not be stingy."
Liang Kun clapped his hands:
"Absolutely no problem at all."
"Leave this matter to me."
Mr. Chiang asked curiously:
"You're that confident?"
Liang Kun shrugged:
"Tomorrow is the day Wo Luen Shing holds their Dragon Head election. Big D has a glimmer of hope, wanting to be elected Dragon Head."
Mr. Chiang frowned slightly:
"He wants to be the Dragon Head?"
Liang Kun chuckled:
"For a Triad like Wo Luen Shing, which holds elections every two years, wouldn't any powerful hall master or boss want to be the Dragon Head?"
"But don't worry, Big D doesn't actually care about being the Dragon Head; he just wants to be the Chairman."
Mr. Chiang immediately understood Big D's demand:
"So that's how it is..."
"Those old fogeys from Hap Tu are really clinging to their outdated ways."
"Before, they wouldn't give power to Hon Ban, causing Hon Ban to leave."
"Now Wo Luen Shing won't give Big D the power to speak, causing Big D's dissatisfaction."
"The Wo Luen Shing will be ruined by them sooner or later!"
Mr. Chiang's spirits lifted.
"Ah Kun, just go and do it. If you need people, I'll give you people; if you need money, I'll give you money."
"If Big D can join Hung Hing, our Hung Hing will become thirteen halls!"
***
Chapter 87: D's Persistence
Mr. Lui returned to Tsuen Wan with a bandaged hand. Sister-in-law Lei (Mr. Lui's wife) was quite surprised:
"Didn't you go to attend Brother B's funeral? Did you get into a fight with someone?"
Mr. Lui's mouth twitched:
"No, I was just curious and wanted to practice Iron Sand Palm."
Sister-in-law Lei rolled her eyes at him:
"You're just asking for trouble."
Cheung Fat recounted the events:
"Lin Feng demonstrated to us how he could knock Situ unconscious with a single palm strike. It was truly impressive."
"With one strike, a three-inch deep palm print was left on a solid wooden table."
"The boss was curious and tried it himself..."
Mr. Lui was furious:
"Are you the one with the extra mouth?"
Cheung Fat lowered his head, admitting his mistake, but his lips curled upwards, clearly amused.
Sister-in-law Lei's mouth formed an "O" shape:
"Lin Feng is that powerful?"
Mr. Lui exclaimed:
"He's the Tiger of Mong Kok, how could he not be powerful?"
Sister-in-law Lei asked: "Did you discuss that matter?"
Mr. Lui suddenly asked:
"Am I really not suited for scheming?"
Sister-in-law Lei rolled her eyes with all her might:
"You have no schemes at all!"
Mr. Lui sighed:
"I did as you instructed, and Lin Feng saw right through it."
"He even told me that Wo Luen Shing has a thousand schemes, and I, Mr. Lui, am short eight hundred."
"Am I that bad?"
Sister-in-law Lei was speechless.
The fact that you can say this out loud certainly lives up to that evaluation.
Sister-in-law Lei didn't want to embarrass Mr. Lui and asked:
"What about the matter then?"
Mr. Lui said proudly:
"I am Mr. Lui, Tsuen Wan's all-in-one. If I go to Hung Hing, they will definitely welcome me."
"However, when I left, Lin Feng told me something that made me ponder."
Sister-in-law Lei breathed a sigh of relief; as long as he talked about it, it was fine.
Mr. Lui's expression was very serious:
"Lin Feng said something that really hit my confidence, so I made a bet with him."
Sister-in-law Lei's heart tightened. With Mr. Lui's intelligence, he made a bet with someone?
Fortunately, when Mr. Lui stated the wager, it turned out to be a gentleman's agreement.
No, it seemed Lin Feng was subtly advising Mr. Lui.
"I must have a good talk with Mr. Lui when I have time and encourage him to get closer to Lin Feng."
Sister-in-law Lei thought to herself.
Mr. Lui was very indignant:
"Lin Feng actually said that Chui Gei could win this year's election even without my help."
"He also said that if I were in Wo Luen Shing, no matter who ran against me, I would lose!"
"This is simply outrageous."
"I, Mr. Lui, have the most power, the most territory, and the strongest subordinates. Who can compare to me?"
"And he said that whoever runs against me can defeat me."
"Lin Feng is too much of a bully. Even if I want to go to Hung Hing, he shouldn't undermine my prestige like this."
Mr. Lui fumed and ranted, gradually starting to talk nonsense.
Sister-in-law Lei, being very experienced, turned her gaze to Cheung Fat, who bowed and said:
"Mr. Lin analyzed that the Wo Luen Shing Elder Council, in order to maintain their authority and power, always chooses the weak over the strong."
"Big Brother isn't chosen because his own strength is too great."
"The elders of Wo Luen Shing will not choose Big Brother in order to maintain a balance."
Sister-in-law Lei's expression changed drastically:
"Lin Feng said this?"
Cheung Fat nodded, then added:
"Mr. Lin's information comes from all the Wo Luen Shing elections over the past twenty years."
"Not a single strong candidate has ever been elected."
Sister-in-law Lei's body swayed slightly.
Mr. Lui asked, puzzled:
"What are you worried about?"
"It would be a miracle if that useless Chui Gei could get elected without my support!"
Sister-in-law Lei stopped Mr. Lui's boasting and retorted:
"What if he really gets elected?"
Mr. Lui shouted:
"Impossible, absolutely impossible!"
Sister-in-law Lei asked again:
"What if he really gets elected?"
Mr. Lui suddenly fell silent, sitting on the sofa, his face clouded with gloom:
"Then it proves that Lin Feng was telling the truth."
"Those old foxes of Wo Luen Shing never intended for me to be the Dragon Head!"
"Heh, the Wo Luen Shing Dragon Head is elected every two years."
"Even if it's just taking turns, it should be my turn after two years, right?"
"If they never wanted me to be elected, then I'll just eliminate those old foxes!"
"And then I'll defect to Hung Hing."
Sister-in-law Lei sighed:
"If you switch to Hung Hing, why would you care if those old foxes rot in Wo Luen Shing?"
"We're in trouble."
Mr. Lui was stunned:
"What trouble?"
Sister-in-law Lei hesitated for a moment, then said,
"If Chui Gei really gets elected tomorrow, our move to Hung Hing won't be a promotion, but rather being taken in."
Mr. Lui was furious:
"I am the strongest of Wo Luen Shing's nine hall masters; I won't be down and out wherever I go."
"Why would it be 'being taken in'?"
Sister-in-law Lei sighed:
"Isn't it obvious?"
"That's right, you, Mr. Lui, are indeed the strongest of Wo Luen Shing's nine hall masters."
"However, if Chui Gei is elected tomorrow, it means those old foxes truly choose the weak over the strong."
"Which means that for the next ten or twenty years, you will never have the hope of becoming Wo Luen Shing's Dragon Head."
"Chui Gei is useless; he can't do anything to you."
"But what if there's a different Dragon Head?"
Mr. Lui suddenly had a bad premonition:
"What do you mean by that?"
Sister-in-law Lei's tone was urgent:
"Other Dragon Heads won't always be useless like Chui Gei. As long as one has eighty percent of your strength, the first thing he'll think of is taking you down!"
Mr. Lui immediately became enraged:
"Why should they?"
Sister-in-law Lei smiled bitterly:
"If there was a powerful guy in your territory who didn't listen to you, wouldn't you target him?"
Mr. Lui said viciously:
"I'd kill him!"
Sister-in-law Lei smiled bitterly:
"Isn't that the point?"
"In the entire Wo Luen Shing, you have the most power. All the Dragon Heads, as long as they have considerable strength, the first one they'll want to take down is you."
"Those old foxes not letting you become Dragon Head is like offering you as a trophy to a certain Dragon Head."
"Once you fall, the entire Wo Luen Shing will grow stronger!"
Mr. Lui's body swayed, his entire face contorted:
"Impossible!"
"This is impossible!"
"No matter how bad Wo Luen Shing is, they can't do this to me."
Sister-in-law Lei smiled bitterly:
"Don't you understand? This is an open conspiracy!"
"These old foxes will never hint or explicitly tell certain people, because that would violate the duties of the Elder Council."
"They just put you out there in plain sight."
"We are that big, fragrant piece of meat that everyone wants to take a bite out of."
"If Chui Gei is elected tomorrow, don't think about pursuing any position in Hung Hing. Just transfer to Hung Hing first."
Mr. Lui roared:
"That useless Chui Gei can get elected?"
"I absolutely don't believe it!"
"Is this still the Wo Luen Shing I'm familiar with?"
"Why has everything become so strange?"
Sister-in-law Lei remained silent.
Has Wo Luen Shing changed?
It has never changed!
It's just that Mr. Lui has never truly understood the essence of Wo Luen Shing!
***
Chapter 88
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