Chapter 233: Full House
Cheung Kwok-Chim and a group of his brothers climbed into the police van.
Leung Chi-hung was somewhat indignant:
"Cheung Sir, why are we going to Arrogance Restaurant again?"
Cheung Kwok-Chim glanced at him:
"Or should I give you a day off?"
Leung Chi-hung said awkwardly:
"A day off isn't necessary, but can we change the assignment?"
Cheung Kwok-Chim sighed:
"Of course!"
"So, do you want to take people to Tung Sing's place?"
Leung Chi-hung immediately fell silent.
He definitely didn't want to go to that place.
"Tung Sing is crazy; instead of holding the funeral in North Point, they want to do it in New Territories..."
"North Point is their ancestral home."
Wasn't this just increasing their workload?
Cheung Kwok-Chim said solemnly:
"Everyone knows what's been happening these past two days, so put away those complaints."
"We are the Organized Crime and Triad Bureau; we deal with Triads."
"This is our job, and we can't refuse it."
Leung Chi-hung was helpless.
Cheung Kwok-Chim smiled:
"Actually, our luck isn't bad."
Leung Chi-hung firmly disagreed with this statement.
"Cheung Sir, how are we lucky?"
"We originally thought we'd just maintain order and record images of the Top Ten Gangs."
"Who would have thought that something like this would happen to Tung Sing?"
"One Top Ten Gang Leader dying in a month is a huge deal in the underworld; good heavens, at Tung Sing, Top Ten Gangs are dying in batches!"
"It's simply speechless!"
"I've never seen so many Top Ten Gangs die at once."
Leung Chi-hung's statement actually didn't align with some intuitive perceptions of the underworld.
In most people's understanding, when does the underworld not have deaths?
And why wouldn't Top Ten Gangs die?
But in reality, Hong Kong has many Triads, and the lower ranks are constantly fighting and killing, indeed, people die every now and then, but those who die are just small fries.
Truly important figures would absolutely not die easily.
Sometimes, one Top Ten Gang Leader dying in a year is a big deal.
Everyone says there are many deaths in the underworld, but if you observe carefully, it's utter nonsense; those who die are just small fries.
However, this year—specifically, this month—an unusually high number of Top Ten Gangs have died.
Not only have Top Ten Gangs been killed, but there have even been cases of entire powerful underworld families being wiped out.
In the past, this was an absolutely unseen sight.
Yet, this year, it has happened.
Fine B's entire family was killed, Fatty Lai was subjected to internal discipline, The Ni Family collapsed, Chung Ching Society was wiped out, Ah Tim was subjected to internal discipline, Camel was assassinated, Tung Sing's uncles were killed... it's simply a deadly era for Top Ten Gangs.
Cheung Kwok-Chim shook his head:
"It's not just that you haven't seen it; I've been in this line of work for so many years, and even when Lui Lok and Lung Shing-pang fell, I never saw so many Top Ten Gangs killed at once."
"It's possible the underworld is entering another era of major reshuffling."
Leung Chi-hung's heart trembled:
"I hope everything goes smoothly today."
Cheung Kwok-Chim glared at him:
"It's better than guarding a mourning hall at Tung Sing's place, isn't it?"
Leung Chi-hung thought about it and agreed.
The instinct of animals is to revere life; seeing the corpses of their companions instinctively makes them afraid.
This is something etched in their genes and cannot be changed.
The same is true for humans.
They rejoice at the birth of a child and shed tears at the passing of a person.
Compared to guarding a mourning hall, Arrogance Restaurant is certainly better.
Leung Chi-hung asked for advice:
"Cheung Sir, should we go to Liang Kun's banquet?"
Cheung Kwok-Chim shook his head:
"No, we'll just stay downstairs at Arrogance Restaurant."
Leung Chi-hung was half-choked:
"So, while they eat in the restaurant, we act as their bodyguards?"
"Where do they get such prestige?"
Cheung Kwok-Chim waved his hand:
"What are you thinking?"
"Just because half the underworld will gather at Arrogance Restaurant at 8:30 tonight, do you dare not stay outside?"
Leung Chi-hung chuckled:
"It's just Hung Hing's Dragon Head banquet for Liang Kun; how could it be half the underworld?"
Cheung Kwok-Chim sighed:
"What do you know?"
"Tonight, just wait and see!"
Leung Chi-hung was unconvinced.
However, Cheung Kwok-Chim was superior to him in every way and was also his superior, so even if he was unconvinced, there was nothing he could do, right?
But Leung Chi-hung genuinely didn't believe they would see many underworld figures at Arrogance Restaurant tonight.
However, when they arrived, they were surprised to find that people were already there in front of Arrogance Restaurant.
"Isn't that Chicken, the Mong Kok branch master?"
"He's here so early?"
Cheung Kwok-Chim wasn't surprised:
"Liang Kun is Chicken's sworn older brother, so it's normal for him to come and help."
"After all, with Lin Feng setting an example, Liang Kun's reputation... there's no need to doubt it."
Leung Chi-hung was bored in the car and couldn't help but ask:
"Cheung Sir, do we really not need to go down and say hello to them?"
Cheung Kwok-Chim said amusedly:
"Say hello for what?"
"What if it causes a misunderstanding?"
Leung Chi-hung asked, puzzled:
"We are the Police Force; investigating them isn't a matter of course?"
Cheung Kwok-Chim nodded:
"You're not wrong; it's a matter of course for us to investigate them, but not today."
"Any other time is fine, just not today."
Leung Chi-hung was even more puzzled:
"Isn't it good to give them a profound lesson while all the underworld figures are present?"
Cheung Kwok-Chim shook his head:
"No!"
"You are still young and need to know that there is a black-and-white agreement between us and the Triads."
"Normally, when they are promoted to branch master, we go to arrest people, which is enough of a show of force; at this time, we absolutely cannot do such things again."
"Otherwise..."
"We wouldn't be playing by the rules."
Leung Chi-hung was dumbfounded:
"There are such rules?"
"Isn't this indulgence?"
Cheung Kwok-Chim said indifferently:
"The problems you're considering, do you think our predecessors haven't considered them?"
"Do you know how many members Hong Kong's Triads have?"
"For the Top Ten Gangs, there are between 300,000 and 500,000 official members."
"Other small and medium-sized Triads don't even need to be counted."
"Hong Kong's prisons are full of people, only 30,000."
"Who do you want to arrest?"
"If you fill the prisons with Triad members, will you still arrest pickpockets?"
"Will you still arrest criminals for other criminal offenses?"
"Have you considered all these issues?"
Leung Chi-hung was speechless.
Cheung Kwok-Chim earnestly taught him:
"Being young and energetic is a good thing."
"Before doing something, you need to consider why this phenomenon has existed for so long and why the predecessors haven't solved it."
"Is it that they lacked the ability?"
"Or were the conditions insufficient?"
"If you want to solve it, what will you do?"
"You can't just act on impulse without any plan."
"In the end, you'll find that the unlucky one isn't someone else, it's you!"
Leung Chi-hung had nothing to say.
Cheung Kwok-Chim added:
"We can't make a move on Liang Kun and them, also because of the Chief's instructions."
Leung Chi-hung's eyes widened:
"Why would Chief Ren give such an instruction?"
Cheung Kwok-Chim didn't hide it from him:
"Chief Ren said that the Police Force and Hung Hing have a good relationship, and many major Police Station districts owe Lin Feng favors."
"As long as they don't cause trouble, we'll consider it paid leave."
Leung Chi-hung's brain froze.
Cheung Kwok-Chim said indifferently:
"I'll tell you the truth: all the major Police Stations owe Lin Feng favors to varying degrees."
"Who Lin Feng is, I don't think I need to emphasize again."
Leung Chi-hung chuckled dryly:
"Cheung Sir, you're not joking, are you?"
Cheung Kwok-Chim's expression was unusually serious:
"I never joke about such matters."
Remembering what Lin Feng had told him, Cheung Kwok-Chim still felt a lingering fear.
Yuen Long's Mountain Tiger, that was Cheung Kwok-Chim's undercover agent, and Lin Feng knew it.
Wo Hing Shing's Hon Bun's right-hand man, Phoenix Boy Chan Fung-Shing, was Cheung Kwok-Chim's undercover agent, and Lin Feng still knew it.
However, knowing was knowing; Lin Feng had never used such matters to threaten him.
This favor, Cheung Kwok-Chim had to acknowledge.
As for what favors Chief Huang of West Kowloon Police Headquarters and Chief Lin of Hong Kong Island Police Headquarters owed Lin Feng, Cheung Kwok-Chim didn't want to know.
In any case, both of them had called Chief Ren, requesting him not to do anything else at Liang Kun's Dragon Head banquet.
Other things aside.
George of the Political Department even personally called Chief Ren, ordering New Territories Police Headquarters not to disturb Liang Kun's Dragon Head banquet; that was terrifying.
Rumors in the underworld said that Lin Feng had immense influence.
He never expected it to be so immense.
Not only did the directors of various local regional Headquarters call, but even George of the Police Force's taboo Political Department personally called.
This was more than just immense influence.
However, such things could not be explained to Leung Chi-hung.
Who hasn't been young? Who hasn't had impulsive moments?
You always feel like you're better than your predecessors... but in the end, you find that the experience they left behind is the most useful.
That was summarized with blood.
The police van didn't stay here for long before Lin Feng arrived.
He paused when he saw the police van, waved, and Chicken scurried over:
"Brother Feng, you're here."
"Just leave small matters like setting up the venue to me."
Lin Feng pointed at the police van and asked:
"When did the police arrive?"
Chicken pouted:
"They arrived about two hours ago."
"But they've just been staying there, occasionally someone comes down for a smoke, but they haven't done anything else."
"They even crashed the Dragon Head Banquet of the Big Boss, how unlucky."
Lin Feng waved his hand:
"That's the wrong way to think."
"We have different positions from them, but no animosity."
"Did you offer them tea?"
Chicken said with a wry smile:
"Brother Feng, I was thinking of chasing them away, and you want me to offer them tea?"
Crack!
Li Fu came to Lin Feng's side:
"Brother Feng."
Lin Feng instructed:
"You and Siu Gai arrange for someone to get some drinks, snacks, and cigarettes, then follow me."
Chicken immediately complied; Li Fu didn't even need to lift a finger.
Lin Feng led his subordinates straight to the police van.
Leung Chi-hung excitedly said:
"Officer Cheung, Lin Feng is here. Is he here to cause trouble?"
Crack!
Cheung Kwok-Chim unceremoniously flicked his forehead:
"What kind of look is that?"
"He's here to bring us tea."
Leung Chi-hung's mouth hung open:
"Huh?"
Cheung Kwok-Chim opened the car door and got out. Lin Feng pulled out a cigar and tossed one over:
"Officer Cheung, you and your brothers have been guarding here, it's been tough."
Cheung Kwok-Chim smiled and said:
"This is just our job, it's not tough at all."
Lin Feng smiled and said:
"Today is my Big Boss's Dragon Head Banquet, thank you for your trouble, brothers."
"Please accept this small token of tea."
Leung Chi-hung, standing beside Cheung Kwok-Chim, was about to speak when he heard his superior say:
"Thank you, Mr. Lin."
"Brothers, everyone come over!"
Leung Chi-hung almost turned to stone.
Lin Feng chatted with Cheung Kwok-Chim for a while with a smile, then turned and left.
Cheung Kwok-Chim praised:
"This Mr. Lin's demeanor is very different from ordinary Triad members."
He turned his head and saw Leung Chi-hung's expression, and couldn't help but say,
"What's that expression? Why is your face red?"
Leung Chi-hung said with a wry smile:
"I'm holding it in."
"Boss, Lin Feng is the Hall Master of Hung Hing Causeway Bay. Is it appropriate for us to accept his tea?"
Cheung Kwok-Chim sighed:
"Don't worry, even if Chief Ren knew, he wouldn't say anything about you."
Leung Chi-hung quickly said:
"I wasn't thinking of tattling to Chief Ren."
Cheung Kwok-Chim shrugged:
"Let me tell you something, when Mr. Lin was still in Mong Kok, he was consistently in the top three of West Kowloon Police Headquarters' annual donation list."
"Now, Mr. Lin is already the Hall Master of Causeway Bay, and he is still in the top three of Hong Kong Island Regional Headquarters' donation list."
"Compared to that, what are these few things in your hand?"
Leung Chi-hung was stunned:
"How can this be?"
Cheung Kwok-Chim shook his head:
"Boy, you have so much to learn!"
"Watch carefully, learn well. The Police Station still depends on your generation!"
Leung Chi-hung dared not speak.
Their conversation was not hidden from the others; everyone in the police vans heard it.
So, everyone relaxed. Today's task was much simpler: stay in the police vans and observe how many important figures from Hung Hing would arrive.
Soon, Big D, Big Ds Wife, and Liang Kun arrived.
All the Hall Masters of Hung Hing and their big brothers also arrived.
The banquet was scheduled for 8 PM, but from 6 PM onwards, You Gu Qi Restaurant was bustling with cars.
Leung Chi-hung wondered:
"Isn't that Ngau Gu of Fuk Yee? Why is she coming at this time?"
"Even if the banquet starts at 8:30, she's too early."
"No, there are many people like this."
Cheung Kwok-Chim didn't find it strange:
"Isn't this normal?"
"Fuk Yee is just a second-rate Triad, only Ngau Gu is holding it up."
"Hung Hing is among the Top Ten Gangs; dialogue between Triads is on equal terms."
"Those who sit at the main table are basically from large Triads."
"Where does a Triad like Fuk Yee have such status?"
"It's enough for them to come early and deliver gifts."
Leung Chi-hung asked, puzzled:
"But what's the use of that?"
Cheung Kwok-Chim shrugged:
"No use?"
"Hung Hing might not remember who attended the banquet, but they will definitely remember clearly who didn't come."
Leung Chi-hung was speechless at once.
"Oh, Ngau Gu was actually asked to stay."
Leung Chi-hung was greatly surprised.
Cheung Kwok-Chim was unimpressed:
"Ngau Gu is the sworn elder sister of Chicken's woman, isn't it normal for her to stay?"
Leung Chi-hung was completely baffled:
"This... Officer Cheung, how do you know?"
Cheung Kwok-Chim shook his head and sighed:
"We are the Organized Crime and Triad Bureau; of course, we need to be aware of the connections between various Triads."
"Otherwise, if something unexpected happens, you'll be at a loss."
Leung Chi-hung humbly accepted:
"Yes, I will definitely try my best to remember all the relationships."
Cheung Kwok-Chim smiled with satisfaction.
Although Leung Chi-hung was a bit rash, he was willing to listen to advice and could maintain his good qualities, making him worth cultivating.
What was truly concerning was someone who was blindly confident, believing they could take on the whole world—that would be disastrous.
Time slowly passed, fewer guests arrived, but those who did were increasingly important figures.
Leung Chi-hung exclaimed in surprise:
"Zhuo Yunbiao (Master Shen) of Wo Hing Shing is here! Not only him, but Xu Jinquan (White-Haired Old Man) and Lin Zhongjie (Tall Zhong) are also here!"
"And that's not all, Hon Bun and Wu Kang (Fire Shit) have also arrived."
However, Leung Chi-hung received no response. He turned his head and was surprised to find his superior staring at Hon Bun in a daze.
"This guy is called Hon Bun, his nickname within Wo Hing Shing is 'Prince', which coincidentally clashes with Kam Tze-tai of Hung Hing."
"Hon Bun is different from Kam Tze-tai; he deals in counterfeit goods and is a newly rising formidable figure in Wo Hing Shing."
Cheung Kwok-Chim wasn't looking at Hon Bun; he was looking at the little red-haired guy next to Hon Bun!
That was Phoenix Boy Chan Fung-Shing, the undercover agent he personally sent out.
Leung Chi-hung didn't know his superior's thoughts. While sipping cold tea, he counted the Big Bosses:
"Lam Yiu-cheung of Sun Luen Shing is here, Yiqi Hu Lok Chi-ming is also here, Chuen Bo and Ah Tim have arrived... Oh, there's even Master Jin! Liang Kun has a lot of face!"
However, he spoke too soon.
Liang Kun's face was much bigger than he imagined.
Uncle Deng of Wo Luen Shing came personally with Lam Wai Lok, and Chuen Bo came with Yu Tau Biu.
Heung Yim came with Axe Jun and the Five Tigers.
Even Chung Yee Shun's Dragon Head Lin Ho-lung came to the banquet with his wife Su Su and his second brother Lin Ho-tung.
As for Number Gang, Hong Lok, Hung Yee... basically all the Top Ten Gangs were present.
Leung Chi-hung gasped:
"This really is a gathering of the Top Ten Gangs."
"Officer Cheung, you're still the best."
"Should we take a camera and go down to take pictures?"
Cheung Kwok-Chim snapped irritably:
"If you want to not be able to leave Arrogance Restaurant, go ahead and try."
Leung Chi-hung gave an embarrassed smile.
Lin Feng had personally brought people to deliver tea earlier, clearly stating his attitude.
If Leung Chi-hung really did that, it would be a slap in Lin Feng's face. Given Lin Feng's style, it's very possible that these police vans wouldn't be able to leave Arrogance Restaurant.
"Wait, it seems one of the Top Ten Gangs is missing."
Cheung Kwok-Chim sighed:
"Tung Sing is currently holding a funeral, so even if they don't come, the Hung Hing people won't say anything."
Leung Chi-hung suddenly shouted:
"They're here!"
Cheung Kwok-Chim was startled:
"What's here?"
Leung Chi-hung said:
"Tung Sing's people, they're here!"
Cheung Kwok-Chim frowned:
"What nonsense are you talking about?"
However, he turned his head and was surprised to see a group of people heading towards Arrogance Restaurant.
Leading them was a middle-aged woman who was still quite charming.
Qing Long Hu Szeto Ho-Nam, the leader of the Tung Sing Five Tigers, was actually following behind this middle-aged woman.
Leung Chi-hung wondered:
"When did a female hero appear in the underworld?"
"I've never heard of her."
Cheung Kwok-Chim rubbed his eyes hard and gasped:
"Tung Sing Shui Ling? Didn't she go to Amsterdam?"
+++
Chapter 234: A Rare Gathering of Old Friends
Liang Kun's face was numb from smiling.
"Master Shen, you are a respected senior. Your presence here truly gives me face."
Master Shen held Liang Kun's hands with both of his and said:
"Ah Kun, you are joking. You are the Dragon Head of Hung Hing; the future of this underworld depends on your generation."
Liang Kun said to Uncle Liu:
"Uncle Liu, you must ensure Master Shen is well taken care of, no matter what."
Uncle Liu grinned broadly:
"That goes without saying."
Master Shen smiled:
"Ah Kun, don't worry about us. This table is mostly for us old folks; you should go join the young people."
And indeed it was.
This table not only included the three titans of Wo Hing Shing—Master Shen, White-Haired Old Man, and Tall Zhong—but also the two elders of Wo Luen Shing, Uncle Deng and Chuen Bo. Additionally, there were the veterans of Sun Luen Shing, Master Jin and Lam Yiu-cheung, along with the three titans of the Number Gang, including Uncle Yong and others, and finally, Heung Yim and Uncle Lin of Sun Yee On.
Uncle Liu felt incredibly honored.
The Ritual Hall was a prestigious and noble office; small Triads didn't have such a department at all. Their membership rosters were thin, and usually, the Chairman of a small Triad handled such matters personally.
Only large Triads had a Ritual Hall.
Like Uncle Liu of the Hung Hing Ritual Hall, Uncle Qian of the Sun Luen Shing Ritual Hall, and so on.
The people in the Ritual Hall didn't have many opportunities for kickbacks in normal times; everything relied on the company's subsidies.
If the Chairman had a conscience, he wouldn't forget the Ritual Hall.
But if the Chairman lacked a conscience, well, sorry—he'd use you when he remembered you, and when he didn't, it was: "Do we even have a Ritual Hall?"
Hung Hing valued the Ritual Hall highly because the Triad's tradition was originally a system of familial succession, where power passed from father to son or brother to brother.
How to smooth out the interests of various branches and how to make the company's brothers accept this familial succession system—that was the responsibility of the Ritual Hall.
Thus, the Ritual Hall always had a strong sense of involvement.
At every Hung Hing general meeting, Uncle Liu of the Ritual Hall stood on equal footing with the branch Leaders.
Therefore, Uncle Liu's status in Hung Hing was extremely high.
Liang Kun and Lin Feng always respected Uncle Liu. The latter had been in the underworld for most of his life and naturally knew who to get close to and who to avoid. When Liang Kun took office, Chiang Tin-Sung consulted the uncles of the Triad, and Uncle Liu voiced no objections.
Consequently, on this occasion today, Uncle Liu had to take the lead.
Regardless, these people were high enough in seniority and were old acquaintances of several decades. Now in their twilight years, they preferred to gather with their peers rather than sit with the younger generation.
Only those who have lost it understand how precious youth is.
Master Shen, Uncle Deng, Master Jin, and the others certainly appreciated the younger generation, but beyond that, they were filled with jealousy!
It was still better for the old guys to hang out together.
Lin Feng's face was also numb from smiling.
Liang Kun and Lin Feng were one and the same; Liang Kun's big day was Lin Feng's big day.
Heung Yim sighed:
"I must have been out of my mind back then, actually thinking about questioning Hung Hing's strength... I was just asking for trouble."
Master Shen and the others were very surprised to hear this:
"Mr. Cheung, you are different from us; you aren't involved in the Triad. How could you be as short-sighted as us lowlifes?"
Heung Yim laughed and cursed speechlessly:
"You old fossils, every single one of you, none of you are good people."
Uncle Deng chuckled:
"Let's not point fingers at each other. Who among us is a good person?"
"Hurry up and tell us, what happened?"
Heung Yim dismissed it:
"Some time ago, didn't Lin Feng hold a promotion banquet here? I was blind then, relying on my seniority in the underworld, and wanted to push Lin Feng around a bit."
"The result? He simply ignored me."
"I thought, how could that be?"
"I couldn't lose face, so I quickly dropped a few harsh words. Do you know what happened?"
"Lin Feng told me right then..."
"If he respected me, he would call me a senior. If he didn't respect me, what was I even worth?"
Master Shen, Uncle Deng, and the others exchanged glances, feeling puzzled.
Was this kind of thing appropriate to say on this occasion?
The more they listened, the more abnormal it sounded.
Master Shen's heart stirred, and he looked at Uncle Liu. Uncle Liu had a smile on his lips, almost exposing his dentures.
"No way... is this guy Heung Yim actually boosting Lin Feng's image?"
Master Shen looked at Heung Yim in disbelief; Master Jin and Uncle Deng stared at the guy in unison.
The expressions of the others were much the same.
Sitting at this table were all cunning old bosses. At first, they didn't understand Heung Yim's intention, but when combined with Uncle Liu's expression, everything became clear.
As the saying goes, no one who has reached this level is a fool.
Fools would have been eliminated long ago.
These people absolutely did not believe that Heung Yim would dare to crash Hung Hing's event on this occasion. If that were really the case, Sun Yee On would have formed a death feud with Hung Hing—the kind that never ends.
Would Heung Yim do that?
Absolutely not!
Sure enough, Heung Yim said:
"I was very angry at the time. I've been in the underworld for so many years; not to mention my position, my experience alone is far greater than the salt he's eaten."
"At that time, I certainly didn't believe it."
"Then Lin Feng declared he would drive Sun Yee On out of Causeway Bay..."
"It was a joke. Who is Sun Yee On's branch Leader in Causeway Bay? It's Axe Jun!"
"He's not someone to be trifled with!"
"I really thought it was a joke at the time."
"So I didn't take it seriously."
"As it turned out, Lin Feng was playing for real."
"Situ had previously been beaten badly by him, and the two sides were like fire and water, but in the end, Lin Feng actually teamed up with Situ to drive our Sun Yee On forces out of Causeway Bay."
"The younger generation is truly formidable!"
Heung Yim sighed with emotion.
Master Shen, Uncle Deng, Master Jin, and the other seniors had strange expressions, looking at each other in disbelief.
What has gotten into Sun Yee On?
The Dragon Head is personally stepping in to elevate Lin Feng's status?
Heung Yim was ostensibly talking about his own embarrassing story, but in reality, the smart people present had already heard the subtext.
This was Heung Yim using his own face to forcibly promote Lin Feng.
Master Shen and the others who didn't know Lin Feng well had heard of his reputation and knew he was impressive, but they couldn't figure out how Lin Feng had done it to make Heung Yim bow his head like this.
Master Jin and Lam Yiu-cheung exchanged glances and both sneered inwardly.
This guy Heung Yim must have suffered a huge loss at Lin Feng's hands; otherwise, he wouldn't be bowing his head like this.
They were all old foxes; surely they knew what kind of person everyone was?
Heung Yim was never an easy person to talk to.
He walked a path that was ostensibly legitimate while also having a hand in the underworld. You wouldn't usually see him at gatherings of Triad Dragon Heads and Chairmen.
Why?
Heung Yim was a senior barrister in Hong Kong with a resounding reputation in the legal field.
He was a professional at manipulating the law and naturally wouldn't give the police any excuse.
In this regard, he was much better than the others.
Asking him to attend a Triad Dragon Head gathering would be giving the police ammunition, wouldn't it?
A charge of "participating in Triad activities" could get you cuffed and thrown into the Police Station for a day or two.
Heung Yim was so shrewd, how could he make such a mistake?
Yet, hell, this old fox had attended both Lin Feng's promotion banquet and Liang Kun's Dragon Head banquet.
If you said he was on good terms with Hung Hing, it seemed like a very natural thing.
After all, there was no precedent for this guy attending such banquets before.
But he had also had a conflict with Lin Feng at a banquet, and now he had come to attend Liang Kun's Dragon Head banquet as if nothing had happened.
Was this a peace offering? But looking at Liang Kun's expression, it didn't seem like it.
Couldn't figure this guy out at all.
Regardless, everyone understood that Heung Yim was hyping up Lin Feng, and people in the underworld knew that Lin Feng and Liang Kun were one, so hyping Lin Feng was tantamount to indirectly elevating Liang Kun.
No one in this business was a fool; everyone could easily catch Heung Yim's subtext.
Master Shen thought to himself:
"Did Lin Feng beat you stupid? To make you, a dignified Sun Yee On Dragon Head, personally step in to hype someone up?"
Unable to hold back, Master Shen said:
"Mr. Cheung, isn't this a bit much?"
Heung Yim immediately perked up.
He had been worried that no one would take the bait—everyone present was an old fox who knew the next line before the previous one was finished; it was annoying when no one picked up the conversation.
He didn't expect Master Shen to bite.
Heung Yim was very excited:
"Hey,"
"Master Shen, that's not right. It's just that Lin Feng isn't a Red Pole; otherwise, my Sun Yee On would have given him a flower regardless."
The so-called Double-Flower Red Pole refers to being recognized as the strongest fighter within one's own Triad, wearing a red flower to signify being the top force; and then, having rendered service to other Triads or being particularly respected by them, receiving another red flower. Only then is one called a Double-Flower Red Pole.
Anyone in the underworld who is a Double-Flower Red Pole is someone of immense martial prowess and boundless loyalty.
Heung Yim's words pushed Lin Feng to an unbelievable level.
Master Shen was stunned: "Mr. Cheung, you've gone too far."
However, Chuen Bo said: "Mr. Cheung is right. It's just a pity that Ah Feng is a Straw Sandal, not a Red Pole; otherwise, our Wo Luen Shing would definitely pin a flower on him."
Master Shen couldn't help but glance at Chuen Bo, thinking to himself, "Why is this old fox joining in the fun?"
Master Jin chuckled: "Mr. Cheung and Brother Chuen Bo are right. It's a pity Mr. Lin is only a Straw Sandal; if he were a Red Pole, our Sun Luen Shing would be willing to pin a big red flower on him."
Master Shen was completely numb.
He couldn't help but ask: "You... why are you doing this?"
Chuen Bo was a loudmouth. He hadn't seen his peers from other Triads for a long time, and now, taking the opportunity of Liang Kun's event to gather together, he naturally wanted to speak his mind; otherwise, it would be so stifling.
"Me? It's very simple. If it weren't for Mr. Lin's protection yesterday, this old bag of bones would have already gone to sell salted duck eggs with Camel."
Master Shen nodded: "A life-saving grace is indeed worth pinning a big red flower."
Chuen Bo was not an ordinary uncle of Wo Luen Shing; he was second only to Uncle Deng.
Given the system of Wo Luen Shing, losing Chuen Bo would be unimaginable. Therefore, Master Shen agreed that this flower was worth pinning.
Master Jin smiled: "Our relationship with Hung Hing is good, but to tell the truth, if it weren't for Mr. Lin, our Triad's Yiqi Hu would have also suffered a deadly hand."
Master Shen nodded even more: "Yiqi Hu Ah Lok is the benchmark of your Sun Luen Shing. This flower can also be pinned!"
Those who are in the Triad world must have their own benchmarks. For Sun Luen Shing, Lok Chi-ming is a very good promotional object.
Lok Chi-ming willingly went to prison for three years for Lam Yiu-cheung.
What kind of behavior is this?
This is the highest form of loyalty!
Regardless of how you define "loyalty" in your heart, for one of the Five Tigers of Sun Luen Shing, a powerful hall master like this, to personally take the blame for his big boss—this is loyalty.
Shouting slogans loudly is useless; you have to do it for everyone to see to make it distinct.
Lok Chi-ming was already one of the Five Tigers. After taking the blame for Lam Yiu-cheung, he gained the nickname "Yiqi Hu" in the underworld, and after personally killing the traitor Ah Tim, he was undoubtedly the banner of Sun Luen Shing.
When people in the underworld mention Sun Luen Shing, some lowlifes might not know it, but if they mention Yiqi Hu, they surely know his deeds.
It can instantly distinguish Sun Luen Shing from other Triads.
This is the role of Lok Chi-ming.
Since Lin Feng protected Lok Chi-ming, he can naturally be pinned with another big red flower.
No complaints there!
Master Shen looked at Heung Yim: "Mr. Cheung, what is the situation on your end?"
Heung Yim smiled: "Our Ah Jun was protected by Mr. Lin and saved from death. Is that worth a red flower?"
Master Shen had nothing to say. Axe Jun was one of the Five Tigers of Sun Yee On, but he was not just one of the Five Tigers of Sun Yee On.
The system of Sun Yee On is for sons to succeed fathers and younger brothers to succeed older brothers, but Heung Yim took a different path than his father.
Heung Yim walked the path of the white world, and most of the power in the black world was not in his hands, but in the hands of Uncle Lin, the chief instructor of Sun Yee On.
There is a saying that Sun Yee On is "the Heung family's world, the Lam family's soldiers."
Heung Yim holds the righteous cause, and Uncle Lin holds the military power.
There is some friction between the two.
If this kind of small friction is not handled well, it is easy to capsize, and it will also have unpredictable consequences.
Axe Jun happens to be the adhesive among them.
If Axe Jun hadn't been mediating, Sun Yee On would have already had an internal rebellion.
In such a situation, one must ask if a red flower is deserved?
Naturally, it must be!
Heung Yim added: "Even without these things of ours, isn't Mr. Lin worth another red flower?"
Master Shen frowned: "What does this mean?"
Uncle Deng said indifferently: "Master Shen, your Wo Hing Shing also sent people to attend Camel's funeral. How can you not know the truth about Tung Sing's internal chaos?"
"Crow and the other two rebelled against their superiors, deceived their masters, and destroyed their ancestors. This is digging at the roots of our underworld."
"If they had succeeded, the entire underworld would have been in total chaos."
"Could we big bosses sleep at night?"
Master Shen was shocked.
"Ah Feng did well; he decisively suppressed Crow's rebellion."
"His words in front of Camel's mourning hall have been leaked out. Haven't you heard them?"
"Loyalty comes before benevolence, and benevolence comes after loyalty."
"When you are in the underworld, you talk about loyalty."
"If there is no loyalty, there is no underworld."
"You and I wouldn't be able to sit here drinking."
"Us old guys would have probably gone to sell tea eggs with Camel long ago."
"Is Crow's business just his Tung Sing's business?"
"Obviously not."
"This is a big matter that concerns every Triad."
Uncle Deng concluded quietly, "Not to mention others in the underworld, we big bosses all owe Ah Feng a favor."
"If Ah Feng is a Red Pole, what about a Double-Flower Red Pole?"
"Anyway, our Wo Hing Shing will not be stingy with a red flower."
Master Shen was numb: "You old guys are really not good people. I think highly of Lin Feng, and I also think highly of Ah Kun."
"Don't dig a hole for me."
Everyone just laughed.
They were all making a living in Hong Kong; for every additional powerful Triad, their own would eat a little less.
If they could incite Master Shen's Wo Hing Shing to be hostile to Hung Hing, their own Triads would have a much easier time.
This kind of thing is simple, just a matter of a few words.
If it really succeeded, that would be best.
Unfortunately, Master Shen is also an old fox and didn't fall for it.
But everyone had no regrets.
If he didn't fall for it, he didn't fall for it; it was something done by taking advantage of the trend anyway.
Everyone's goal was to get close to Hung Hing, not specifically to frame Wo Hing Shing.
Success is good, failure is also pleasant; either way, they don't lose!
Master Shen cursed: "You old things will sooner or later go to accompany Camel because of your scheming!"
Chuen Bo was unimpressed: "How old are we? We already have half our bodies buried; we might go at any time."
"What's the use of saying this?"
"Can it scare people?"
Uncle Liu laughed and raised his glass: "It's not easy for us old friends to get together, why say such things?"
"Come, come, come, raise your glasses, let's have a drink."
Everyone happily raised their glasses.
Master Shen naturally raised his glass high as well.
This kind of underworld confrontation is a common occurrence and would not cause the slightest ripple in the heart.
If you let someone else's few words trap you, you deserve it.
Who told you your skills were not as good as others?
Those who are out in the underworld have today but no tomorrow.
Who can imagine what will happen tomorrow?
Perhaps two people laughing and talking at the dinner table today will draw knives against each other; there are too many such things.
Fortunately, this is Liang Kun's Leader banquet, and it seems there are not many blind guys who would cause trouble here.
Today is perfect.
Then what else is there to say?
Enjoying the present is the serious thing.
Chuen Bo was right. Like these old seniors, they have experienced many storms and rains in the underworld, barely survived, and experienced how many white-haired people send off black-haired people... Why consider so far ahead?
Master Shen put down his wine glass and looked at the crowd in the hall, sighing: "It has been a long time since it was so lively in the underworld."
"How long ago was the last time we saw such a lively scene?"
Chuen Bo had to sing the opposite tune to him: "Which day is not lively in the underworld? There are dead people everywhere."
"Yesterday, the blood flowed like a river in Camel's mourning hall—it was simply crazy."
"Early this morning, our Triad was still checked for ID cards by the police."
"I think you have stayed in the Victoria Peak villa for too long and are out of touch with the underworld."
Master Shen said helplessly: "We have known each other for many years, is it necessary to target me like this?"
Chuen Bo rolled his eyes at him: "If I wasn't familiar with you, I wouldn't even talk to you."
Everyone burst into laughter.
The relationship between Wo Hing Shing and Wo Luen Shing has always been good; everyone is a "Wo" head, and they were all gathered under the name of Hap Tu in the past, so they are naturally familiar.
It is only with familiar people that one can speak so easily.
If someone else came, Chuen Bo would definitely not argue with him.
Arguing two sentences in society doesn't matter, but in the underworld, people die.
This table was relaxed, but something happened at that table!