Hong Kong film: Refusing to go undercover, the policeman's path to becoming the richest man.

Chapter 75 The Day I Took the Helm

A slight smile played on his lips as he nodded in agreement: "I'm here today to push the operation forward."

Mr. Huang was taken aback, and his tone suddenly softened: "Ah Chu—I know you're very capable, but I spoke too hastily just now."

"We can't act rashly in these kinds of cases; we have to proceed cautiously."

"Don't be greedy for quick success or act rashly."

He Chu couldn't help but laugh out loud: "What, are you afraid I'm too fierce now?"

Huang Lao frowned: "I'm not afraid of your strength, I'm afraid you'll fall into Richard's hands."

He said slowly, "I asked an old classmate at Scotland Yard to investigate Richard's background."

"This guy started as a patrolman at the very bottom of the British police force and worked his way up to a senior superintendent. His cunning, methods, and counter-surveillance skills are all top-notch."

"You need to send someone to keep an eye on him. If you're not careful, he might turn around and bite you."

He Chu snapped his fingers lightly, the sound as crisp as a gunshot.

"I didn't send any police to follow them."

Mr. Huang was taken aback: "Then you—?"

"I hired the world's most expensive and most powerful private investigator," He Chu said with a faint smile. "He's under 24-hour surveillance, like a shadow, but he's completely unaware."

Huang Lao's pupils contracted: "Are you crazy? Those kinds of people charge by the hour; one operation could buy a building!"

He Chu shrugged, his tone as light as if he were talking about what to eat for dinner: "Money? That thing is just a tool."

His gaze was like a knife, piercing straight ahead: "No matter how powerful Richard is, he's still just a human being."

"Every human being has flaws."

"And my mission is to wait for him to make a mistake—and then, strike him dead."

Huang Lao was speechless.

Can the world's top private investigators be cheap?

Don't even think about it!

But is money a problem for He Chu?

Not at all!

As soon as he thought about the monthly dividends pouring into his account from the "stock god fund," Mr. Huang immediately shut his mouth.

When you're rich, you can be so arrogant!

"Boss, I bet Richard is targeting Tung Sing because they're involved in drug trafficking; Johnny Wang's side is clearly involved in arms smuggling."

He Chu said calmly, "But the Chung Ching Society is a little different."

Mr. Huang frowned: "But don't they also use flour?"

He Chu shook his head slightly, his eyes revealing insight: "It's different."

The Chung Ching Society and those old-school gangs are completely different.

"They do all sorts of businesses—loan sharking, gambling dens, art bureaus, brothels—all the old trades of the underworld, everything."

"To get involved."

"Drugs, guns? We'll take them all."

"But what's even more ruthless is that after opening restaurants and hotels and doing legitimate business, they immediately package these businesses for listing on the stock market and start playing the capital game."

He paused, his voice low but clear: "They even registered the Five Crabs Group."

"This is the new form of gangsters."

Perhaps in a few years, all clubs will become like this.

Huang Lao always felt a chill run down his spine when he heard this.

"If that's the case, won't our anti-gang unit become increasingly difficult to deal with in the future?"

He Chu shrugged: "That's just how it is."

"Of these three groups, I'm certain that Richard's real target is the Chung Ching Society."

"Those guys at the Gold Club have a very long-term vision."

They don't want quick money; they want a solid foundation.

"Of these three forces, only Chung Ching Society has the potential for long-term operation."

Snapped!

Mr. Huang slammed his hand on the table, making the teacup jump: "Investigate! Investigate thoroughly!"

The atmosphere in the Major Crimes Unit's meeting room was heavy.

He Chu gathered all the members of Group B and Group C together.

Normally, the two groups handle their own cases without interfering with each other, which maximizes efficiency.

But Sir Lee's case is different—it involves too many people and too many opponents, so we must unite our forces.

"I just reported the progress to the boss, and he's furious."

He Chu stood at the front, his gaze sweeping over everyone.

"Sir Lee's case is our only focus right now."

"The roster for the Golden Club has been sent to you."

"You know everyone, right?"

Ah Long from Group B grinned: "He's in the newspapers every day and on TV all the time. It's hard not to recognize him."

The crowd chuckled, but no one seemed truly at ease.

He Chu continued, "Precisely because their public identities are so prominent, we must be more cautious in our actions."

"Everyone here is a prominent figure in the public eye; if we make even the slightest mistake, we'll be bitten in return."

Everyone's expression tightened.

"So I only have one request."

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone sat up straight and listened intently, holding their breath.

"All information—memorize it."

"Written files can only be controlled by the two team leaders."

"No data is to be entered into any computer system before the case is closed." Yuan Haoyun reacted instantly and asked in a low voice, "Brother Chu, are you afraid Richard will find out through the internal system?"

He Chu nodded: "That's right."

"Although he works in an independent department and has no superior-subordinate relationship with us, he is a senior superintendent and has higher authority in the police system than we do."

"Once a piece of data is uploaded, he will probably receive a notification immediately."

Everyone suddenly realized what was happening, and their hearts sank.

He Chu slowly added, "Richard won't be arrested in the short term."

"I won't touch him unless he intentionally tries to kill himself."

Yuan Haoyun raised his hand: "Brother Chu, why? He's clearly the mole. Leaving him unattended is like raising a tiger to cause trouble later!"

He Chu smiled faintly, but his voice was as sharp as a blade: "Because his identity is exactly the key I need."

"I'm not talking about his position in the police force, but his role in the Gold Club."

He was the financial backer—specifically responsible for selecting suitable criminal organizations for the club and securing the first deal.

The Black Gold Channel.

"As long as he doesn't move, we can dig out the entire chain of interests by following him."

Abang frowned: "But even without him, we still have to dismantle the gang, right?"

He Chu looked at him, her tone frighteningly calm: "That's right, but we're even more afraid of alerting the enemy."

"Once Richard realizes we're investigating him, he'll immediately cut off all contact, destroy evidence, and even retaliate against us."

"So I can't touch him now."

He pointed to his temple: "Remember what I said—remember it with your brain, not with the system."

"Documents are only allowed to circulate among the team leader."

"No text data is allowed to enter the terminal."

Finally, he laughed, a laugh so blunt it was almost jarring: "Why can't we take down Richard first?"

"Because I haven't received—what he can give me yet."

"I want to use his power to turn the tables on the entire situation."

What power can Richard give He Chu?

Yang Jinrong adjusted his glasses, his gaze behind the lenses calm and collected: "Because of this case, our West Kowloon Major Crimes Unit has obtained a privilege that makes all police stations in Hong Kong envious: 'Borderless investigations within Hong Kong Island!'"

Everyone's pupils dilated, and they gasped.

He Chu nodded slightly to Yang Jinrong, then spoke in a low but powerful voice: "Those foreigners up there only look at tax forms, not at the streets."

"As long as the money comes in on time every year, they won't even blink an eye, even if Hong Kong Island is a complete cesspool."

"They don't even bother with triads in their home country, the UK, so why would they genuinely care about us Hong Kong people?"

He glanced around, his tone suddenly sharp: "Do you really think these foreign devils came halfway around the world to be our saviors?"

No one said a word.

The answer is already etched in everyone's heart.

The incident involving Godber more than a decade ago completely exposed the true face of colonizers.

"I'm a native Hong Kong Islander," Ho Chu said, emphasizing each word. "So I know we don't care for the feigned kindness of a foreigner."

"What they won't do, I'll do!"

He stood up, his shoulders and back ramrod straight, his voice booming through the conference room: "What I need to do is not to arrest a few henchmen, nor to destroy one or two gangs."

"What I want is—to clear the area!"

"Sweep every single triad organization on Hong Kong Island into the dustbin of history, leaving none behind!"

Dead silence.

The next second, an uproar broke out.

In everyone's mind, student organizations are like weeds in a field; once cut down, they grow back even faster when the rainy season arrives.

Its roots run too deep, having lingered there for decades, and it has long been intertwined with the very fabric of this city.

But this man in front of me actually wants to uproot it completely!

Abang suddenly stood up, slamming his fist on the table: "Brother Chu! You tell me where to charge, and I'll go killing!"

"I'd risk my life to eradicate these cancers!" He scanned his colleagues, his eyes blazing with fury. "Who among us didn't grow up on Hong Kong soil? Who hasn't been trampled on and oppressed by triads?"

"When I was a kid, I thought gangsters were a given, something you couldn't avoid like the air we breathe."

"But did Hong Kong Island have triads forty years ago?"

"No!"

"Were there such lawless gangs fifty years ago?"

"No, not at all!"

"Since they shouldn't exist in the first place, why should we accept that their existence is reasonable?"

"This kind of thinking is itself a sign of weakness! It's surrender!"

Yuan Haoyun grinned, revealing his gleaming white teeth: "If the higher-ups don't want to make a move, that's their problem."

"But now, someone dares to make a move."

"Brother Chu, count me in! I've been wanting to flip the table for ages!"

Count me in!

Count me in!

"Brother Chu, I'll fight you to the end!"

The roar was like a tidal wave, tearing off the roof.

He Chu threw his head back and laughed loudly, his laughter full of sharpness: "With you brothers by my side, I, He Chu, am not afraid of a long journey!"

Are clubs scary? Of course they are.

"But no matter how ruthless they are, they are nothing more than paper tigers."

"As long as we dare to draw our swords, they will have to back down!"

"Look what we just did!"

"The Ni family, who had dominated Tsim Sha Tsui for twenty years, have vanished without a trace!"

"New Union Society—one of the five major triads on Hong Kong Island—has been completely whitewashed!"

"With just those two punches, the sky over West Kowloon has become a bit clearer!" The people in Group B were dumbfounded.

For the first time, they learned that the transformation of Xinliansheng was orchestrated by the police.

Ah Long slapped his forehead: "No wonder they donated eight million to the police force last year—it wasn't out of generosity, it was their life-saving money!"

He Chu clapped his hands lightly, and the whole room fell silent.

"It won't be easy to completely eradicate triads on Hong Kong Island."

"But I'm not in a hurry."

"If three years isn't enough, then five; if five years isn't enough, then ten."

"I, He Chu, am only in my early thirties. I have plenty of time to waste with them."

"I refuse to believe that by the time I retire, I'll still see those scumbags in gang uniforms collecting protection money on the streets of Hong Kong Island!"

His gaze was intense as he swept over every face: "Are you willing to join me in cleaning this sky anew?"

Everyone stood up, like a military formation.

At that moment, Yang Jinrong suddenly remembered his school days.

Back then, they were still studying hard at the police academy, but He Chu leaned against the window, pen in his mouth, and said, "I want to be the new Lei Luo—not greedy, but powerful, someone who can change the rules."

He believed it at the time.

Looking back now, he feels he is the luckiest person in Hong Kong.

Fortunately, he never wavered in his belief in He Chu.

Even more fortunately, he witnessed firsthand how that dream, once considered a wild fantasy, gradually became a reality.

In two years and three months, he rose from a regular detective to the Chief Inspector of West Kowloon.

Is this even a road for humans to walk on?

Even "monster" is not enough to describe it!

As He Chu's most trusted confidant, he himself has reached a position he never dared to dream of before.

The goal, originally planned to take ten years to reach, was compressed into just two years.

Career soars to new heights, life is carefree.

But he knew—the real storm had only just begun.

Yang Jinrong is a complete workaholic, with little interest in money. But ultimately, money will naturally come as long as you succeed in your business.

He never imagined that he would one day become so rich that the numbers in his account were so numerous that he would get dizzy just looking at them.

As He Chu's loyal confidant, he reaped all the benefits and reaped all the advantages.

It's no exaggeration to say that even if he were to retire from all work from now on, his bank savings would be enough for three generations to squander!

He Chu was always generous and fair in rewarding and punishing, and never treated his brothers unfairly.

Yang Jinrong pushed up his glasses, his eyes burning with barely suppressed anger. Brother Chu was indeed Brother Chu; everyone in the West Kowloon Serious Crimes Unit had to watch their step.

Whether it was Abang, Yuan Haoyun, or those frontline officers, everyone had burning eyes, like believers gazing at a god.

Receiving He Chu's mission felt like receiving a medal.

"As expected of Brother Chu!"

Yang Jinrong was deeply shocked, and his tone was almost one of worship.

He Chu clapped his hands lightly twice, his voice not loud, but it instantly silenced the entire room: "The vision is beautiful, the road ahead is bright, but we must be down-to-earth and move forward step by step, leaving behind only bloody footprints."

The crowd's fervor cooled slightly, but their breathing remained tense.

He turned around and tapped the blackboard, his rhythm steady: "Things are divided into priorities."

"Our inaction on Richard does not mean we are letting him expand his power."

"On the contrary, he was bait that we deliberately left behind."

"Use him to fish."

"As for whether we catch a dragon or a snake, that's up to us!"

He glanced at everyone and said, slowly and deliberately, "Three gangs, three routes of deployment."

"Team B is in charge of the arms case, keeping a close eye on Johnny Wang!"

"Group C continues to pressure Tung Sing, investigate their fan base!"

"And the Chung Ching Society—" he said with a slight smile, "will be used as a buoy in a fishpond to test the depth of the water."

"Did you understand?"

"clear!"

The response was swift and uniform, like a knife drawn from its sheath.

He Chu continued, "The two groups have different roles, but the same goal—wherever Richard goes, chaos ensues!"

"These are our rules!"

Everyone nodded in unison, their eyes blazing with fighting spirit.

"General Huang has given the order to produce results quickly and not let Richard and the Golden Club behind him enjoy their freedom for too long."

"Therefore, these two cases must be prioritized."

He paused, then looked around the room: "So, which one do you think should be targeted first—Johnny Wang or Tung Sing?"

Yang Jinrong pushed up his glasses and said without hesitation, "Johnny Wong!"

Facing everyone's gaze, he calmly stated: "Tung Sing is an old, deeply rooted gang, but we know it too well."

There's nothing new to come up with in the short term.

"But Juvenile Wang is different—he's an arms dealer, a mad dog among the new generation, ruthless and audacious."

There's a whole hidden story behind it all.

"If he were to distribute his weapons, the entire island of Hong Kong would be shaken!"

His voice suddenly rose in intensity: "I suggest we allocate resources to Group B and prioritize their capture!"

Abang immediately chimed in, "Arong is right! Johnny Wang isn't holding toys; he's holding a whole fleet of automatic rifles, military-grade stuff!"

"If these things get out, it won't be a crackdown on organized crime on the streets, it'll be a war!"

"For our own lives, this case must be resolved quickly!"

Yuan Haoyun stood aside, listening quietly, his heart burning with emotion.

The two key figures in Team C were surprisingly selfless. Anyone else would probably be arguing: "You, Team B, are in charge of the arms case, and you say it's the most urgent now, so does that mean all the credit will go to you later? And we, Team C, investigating Tung Sing, are just being left hanging?"

But what about Yang Jinrong and Abang? They took the overall situation on their shoulders without hesitation.

It's important to know that although Tung Sing can't compare to a behemoth like Sun Luen Shing, it's still a top ten ruthless force in the underworld with 40,000 members and venues all over Hong Kong, with almost every location attracting fans!

With a scale like this, who can easily say "take it easy"?

But they are able to set aside sectarian differences and focus solely on what is important and what is not.

Yuan Haoyun took a deep breath and solemnly declared, "I support—attacking Johnny Wang first!"

Have you all seen the recent police reports?

"This year is really strange. A large number of smuggled firearms have flooded into the area, including standard-issue rifles, fully automatic ones! One burst of bullets and half a block of people will be down!"

"The pressure from above is immense, and the citizens had a terrifying night."

"I propose that the West Kowloon Regional Crime Unit concentrate its efforts on taking down Johnny Wong, this tough nut to crack!"

He Chu clapped twice in satisfaction: "Good! Then let's all go for it and focus our attack on Johnny!"

"If Brother Yun needs anything, Arong and Brother Bang will provide unconditional support—manpower, intelligence, and equipment—all will be given the green light!"

"Yessir!"

A roar shook the glass of the conference room.

He Chu's gaze sharpened: "What's the latest on the intelligence regarding Johnny Wang?"

Yuan Haoyun immediately pulled out an encrypted file with the word "Top Secret" printed on the cover: "Johnny Wang is a newcomer who has recently emerged. He is ruthless and has the heart of a jackal."

"We set up three encirclements, but he got wind of it each time and escaped in advance."

"This guy is hard to catch."

"What's most infuriating is that these bastards used civilians as shields to conduct their transactions in the middle of the city."

"Once exposed, just pull out your gun and start shooting, without caring about the lives of those around you."

"This is absolutely outrageous!"

He Chu slammed his hand on the table, making the teacup jump half an inch: "You've really gotten incredibly audacious!"

"They dare to do this in broad daylight?"

He stared sharply at Yuan Haoyun: "Brother Yun, have you found their hideout?"

Yuan Haoyun shook his head with a wry smile: "Nowhere to be found."

"We chased after them a few times, but every time we entered the city, it was like water droplets hitting sand, evaporating instantly."

"They know the streets and alleys like the back of their hand."

Yang Jinrong suddenly interjected: "Maybe—their hideout is actually in the city center."

Yuan Haoyun narrowed his eyes and slowly nodded: "That's our assessment as well."

"But they're like rats; they slip into an alley, turn a corner, and disappear without a trace."

He Chu suddenly spoke, his tone calm yet undeniably authoritative: "Report all the locations where they've been, and I'll make the deductions."

Yuan Haoyun was taken aback: "You can even locate me?"

He Chu smiled slightly: "As long as I'm still in the city, my movements will follow a pattern."

Triangulation simply narrows down the search area.

"West Kowloon corner convenience store, Mong Kok MTR Exit B, back alley of Yau Ma Tei cinema, rooftop of an old building in Sham Shui Po—"

—”

Yuan Haoyun quickly reported the numbers, and He Chu marked them on the map bit by bit, his fingertips tracing the lines, his eyes growing brighter and brighter.

Suddenly, his pen stopped, and a red X appeared heavily on the paper!

"Brother Yun, immediately arrange for informants to thoroughly investigate this location, leaving no stone unturned!"

Everyone turned to look, their breath catching in their throats.

That place was, in fact, a hospital.

Who would have thought that a venomous snake was hiding beneath the temple that was meant to save lives?

In West Kowloon, Uncle Hai sat under the dim light, slowly peeling an apple with a small knife in his hand.

On the table, a whole plate of fruit peels curled up like flowers, neatly piled into a small mountain.

The door was pushed open, and Jiang Lang strolled in, still wearing his trench coat, a smile on his lips: "Uncle Hai, this is dried yak, specially brought by me, genuine Inner Mongolian product."

Uncle Hai looked up and smiled: "Thank you for your thoughtfulness. Sit down and have an apple."

Jiang Lang didn't stand on ceremony, grabbing one and taking a bite. His eyes lit up instantly: "Sweet! This apple is amazing!"

"Eat more if you like it." Uncle Hai chuckled. "When I was a kid, fruit was a rare treat."

If you get half an apple, you can keep it in your mouth all afternoon.

"We only see them during holidays and festivals; our family is poor, how could we afford to buy them?"

"Back then, I thought, when I become rich, I'll eat apples every day, every meal, until I get tired of them."

Jiang Lang chuckled: "No wonder you beat up everyone you see, like you're handing out freebies."

Uncle Hai paused, gently scraping off the last piece of fruit peel with the tip of his knife. His tone suddenly turned somber: "Now we can't finish eating it all—but that sense of anticipation from my childhood can never be found again."

"Time flies so fast. Looking back, it seems like just yesterday that boy was dreaming on an empty stomach."

Jiang Lang slowed his chewing and looked at him: "Uncle Hai, have you been too tense lately?"

Unexpectedly, Uncle Hai, who was usually so tough, nodded: "You're right."

He put down the apple, his voice lowering slightly: "Have you seen the news?"

Jiang Lang shook his head: "You know me, I never read newspapers."

Yachting, sea fishing, beer, and origami cranes—that's my daily routine.

Uncle Hai chuckled, then his face turned cold: "Johnny has gone mad."

"He opened fire in the downtown area, and stray bullets injured several passersby."

"The city was in uproar, the media besieged the area, and the police were furious."

Jiang Lang's brow twitched: "Are you afraid—the police will use this as an excuse to implicate us?"

Uncle Hai didn't answer, but continued peeling the apple, the blade moving along the flesh, thinning it to almost transparent.

"Young people these days have no manners."

"When I first entered this industry, my seniors made it clear: this job is something you have to risk your life for."

"Be hidden, be quiet, hide deeper than a shadow."

"But what about Zunniwang? He'd love to hang a sign that says 'I'm an arms dealer' and flaunt it all over the streets."

He gently placed the peeled apple into the plate, his movements as solemn as if he were offering it as a sacrifice.

"Back then, apart from Kowloon Walled City, who dared to use a gun? The police would raid your house, the army would suppress you, and you'd be lucky to escape with your life."

"Now it's really bad, they're fighting like it's a battlefield in the streets and alleys, completely disregarding everything."

He stared at the smooth, mirror-like apple in his hand and said softly, "Eat it, eat more."

"My stomach is weak, I haven't been able to eat for a long time."

I used to peel them for myself, but now—I just love watching you guys eat.

"Just looking at it makes my heart feel sweet."

"Sigh, I'm getting old."

"Seriously, you have to admit it."

Jiang Lang swallowed the last bite of fruit, wiped his hands, and suddenly laughed, "Uncle Hai, the beaches in Hawaii are great! Sunshine, waves, and hot girls in bikinis—take your pick."

"After you retire, won't you be living a miserable life?"

Uncle Hai smiled and waved his hand: "Want to quit? But this stall—and these kids—"

Before he could finish speaking, he suddenly looked up, his eyes burning: "Ah Lang, you—are you willing to take it?"

Jiang Lang smiled, a sly glint in his eyes: "I think your retirement life will definitely be very exciting."

Uncle Hai pulled Jiang Lang into a tight embrace, his eyes reddening with laughter: "You finally agreed!"

"Ah Lang, do you know how long I've waited to hear these words? A year and a half! More than five hundred days!"

Jiang Lang shook his head with a wry smile: "Uncle Hai, your retirement days have only just begun. You should be traveling the world, sunbathing, and fishing."

But if I take over this mess, forget about going out to sea in a small boat; even getting a breather will be a luxury.

"You want to retire?" Uncle Hai grinned and patted him on the shoulder. "Wait another thirty years!" Then his expression turned serious, and he lowered his voice, "But remember—Johnny Wang isn't a person, he's a mad dog."

He has no bottom line and can turn on you faster than flipping through a book; you'd better watch out.

Jiang Lang gently put his arm around Hai's shoulder, his tone resolute: "Uncle Hai, I'm the one in charge at the company, so you can go with peace of mind."

"I'm leaving today."

"Once things are completely settled on my end, I'll personally fly to Hawaii to have a drink with you."

Uncle Hai sighed deeply, his gaze burning: "I've been waiting for you to say that, even if it meant waiting until I'm old!"

The actions were swift and efficient, and the handover was completed on the same day.

Uncle Hai's retirement was decisive, while Jiang Lang's rise to power was swift.

Six months ago, he was the group's rising star, just beginning to show his talent; another six months later, he has become Uncle Hai's handpicked successor.

But nobody knew that Jiang Lang didn't want to sit in that position at all.

He was an undercover police officer who had been lying low for years, just to uncover a corner of evil.

Now, by some twist of fate, he's become the head of an arms empire?

absurd!

If He Chu hadn't personally given the order, he would have preferred to turn around and leave rather than touch this hot potato.

Once the order is given, there's nothing we can do but charge forward.

As we saw Uncle Hai off that evening, the night wind carried a damp chill to our faces.

Just as Jiang Lang turned around, a dark figure emerged from under the lighthouse—Yuan Haoyun, wearing large sunglasses, stood like a silent statue.

On the deserted beach, the two looked at each other.

Jiang Lang frowned: "Why were you watching me at the airport? Did something happen?"

Yuan Haoyun took off his sunglasses, his eyes sharp: "Brother He Chu has given a death order—eliminate Johnny Wang as soon as possible."

"I must tell you this in person."

Jiang Lang immediately realized: "I've already taken over Hai Shu Group, so we can use the pretext of negotiations to lure him out."

"If the plan is set up properly, he'll be trapped like a turtle in a jar, with no way to escape."

A hint of surprise flashed in Yuan Haoyun's eyes: "You really took over? Great! That's wonderful!"

But the next second, he shook his head and rejected it: "But your plan is off the table—we can't talk about it, and we can't take any risks."

Jiang Lang frowned: "Weren't we supposed to take down Johnny Wang? Why are we even restricted in our actions?"

"Your idea is too dangerous." Yuan Haoyun's voice turned cold. "Brother He Chu said—even if they exchange five dwarf mules for one of us, we'll still lose out."

"Our lives are very precious."

"Johnny Wang isn't your average thug; he dares to pull out a fully automatic gun and sweep the streets in a busy area! Bullets don't have eyes; what if he hurts civilians? Can you take responsibility for that?"

Jiang Lang wanted to argue, but Yuan Haoyun raised his hand to interrupt him: "You think he'd choose to negotiate in some desolate wilderness? Dream on!"

"If I were him, I would definitely choose the most crowded place—a shopping mall, a subway entrance, or a pedestrian street."

"The flow of people is a shield; once the gunshots ring out, it's impossible for even a god to catch someone who sneaks in."

Jiang Lang fell silent.

He knew that Yuan Haoyun was right.

Johnny Wang, that old fox, never does anything that doesn't make him a profit.

The more bustling the place, the more it became his favorite battlefield.

"Then why did you come to see me?" Jiang Lang asked. Yuan Haoyun's lips curled up slightly: "Brother He Chu drew a trajectory map, used triangulation, and circled a place that we need to go and confirm in person."

Jiang Lang's eyes suddenly lit up: "Where?"

"St. Vadin Hospital"

"Hospital?!" Jiang Lang almost thought he had misheard.

Yuan Haoyun nodded emphatically: "Trust him. In all these years, Brother He Chu has never made a mistake."

"Are you going or not?"

Jiang Lang abruptly stood up, his eyes blazing with fighting spirit: "What are you dawdling for? Let's go!"

Meanwhile, deep within the Golden Club.

Richard stood in the shadows, facing the enraged Johnny, and slowly raised his hands, his tone more humble than ever before: "Don't misunderstand, I'm just delivering a message."

"You've been to the Golden Club, you know the adults there—they can wipe you out with the flick of a finger."

o

"If you don't want to join, I'll turn around and leave right now, without any further entanglement."

His voice was so gentle it was almost soft, completely devoid of the arrogance of a former police elite.

Ever since he suffered a major setback at Xinliansheng and almost lost his life there, he has completely changed.

Richard felt a chill run down his spine when he recalled how arrogant he used to be, bossing around mob bosses with his police rank.

At that time, he was really tired of living.

One new Liansheng organization nearly killed him; what if a few more organizations like that appeared?

The grass on the grave mound is probably enough to feed cattle and sheep.

Richard was genuinely terrified of Luo Zhiming's ruthless tactic of drawing life-or-death lots at the drop of a hat.

That's insane!

Who wouldn't be afraid? Risking seven or eight years in prison to save your life, anyone would be trembling with fear!

In Hong Kong Island, stabbing someone with a knife carries a minimum sentence of seven years; killing someone with a gun carries a minimum sentence of twenty years.

If he had hired a decent lawyer, he might have been able to serve a few more years in prison. But for a behemoth like Xinliansheng, that's nothing.

They support a few old buddies for life without batting an eye.

The veterans receive a fixed monthly pension, similar to receiving a salary.

Which established triad doesn't have a few veterans who fight to the bitter end, spending their entire lives in prison and eating government food? They're all protected by them.

If even triads are this tough, then those desperados who deal in weapons are even more so.

So when Johnny's face darkened, Richard immediately backed down.

Sir Lee had warned him long ago: These arms dealers are not people you can control.

If you can cooperate, don't be confrontational. Create a good atmosphere and be humble when necessary.

Johnny Wang spoke coldly, his voice like ice shards scraping against your eardrums: "Those big shots at the Gold Club are really something."

Heavenly methods.

"Compared to them, we are nothing more than ants rolling in the mud."

"But remember this saying: 'If you're willing to risk your life, you can even bring down the emperor!'"

"Those who have nothing to lose are never afraid of those who wear shoes!"

Richard felt a chill run down his spine, secretly relieved.

Luckily, I packed it up quickly.

If we really went head-to-head with Johnny Wang, a reckless mad dog, I'd be dead today.

This guy isn't just bluffing; he really dares to fire.

Moreover, he's not without backing.

Richard maintained a smiling face partly out of fear of his madness, and partly because the boss behind him did indeed carry some weight.

Richard straightened his tie and said seriously, "Johnny, I'm only here to deliver a message from above."

"The arms trade is extremely profitable, but it's also a dead end; you can't go far in it."

"Even if a deal falls through, we can still be on good terms; there's no need to resort to bloodshed so easily."

"I delivered the message and fulfilled my responsibility."

"If you want to join this game, let's sit down and talk about the rules and how to divide the profits."

"If you don't want to get involved, just pretend I was never here, okay?"

Johnny Wang crossed his arms, leaned back in his chair, and stared intently at the ceiling. After a long pause, he finally uttered, "Give me three days."

Richard immediately stood up, a smile on his face: "Alright! I'll wait three days."

"Hopefully, we'll hear some good news in three days."

After he finished speaking, he bowed slightly, adopting an extremely humble posture, as if he were showing respect to a truly equal opponent.

He then paid the bill voluntarily, turned around and left, his back view crisp and clean.

As soon as the door to the private room closed, Xiao Han immediately leaned in and asked in a low voice, "Big brother, are we really going to cooperate with them?"

55

Johnny didn't answer, his brow furrowed in a knot, and after a long while he finally said, "We can talk about it."

Xiao Han looked puzzled: "Aren't we quite comfortable now? We can do what we want and stop when we want."

Once connected, you're controlled at every turn, your hands and feet are completely tied.

Johnny Wang shook his head with a wry smile: "You think we're free now?"

"Don't forget who our boss is."

Xiao Han scoffed: "The boss only supplies the goods; we're still in charge of the business."

So what if we don't complete the mission? Are they going to chase us down and hack us to pieces?

He clearly didn't take the mysterious boss's intimidation seriously.

Johnny glared at him, his eyes chillingly cold: "How can you say such things?"

"Let's talk again when we get back!"

Xiao Han shrank her neck and nodded quickly.

After a moment, Johnny Wang slowly spoke, "What I'm really worried about right now isn't Uncle Hai." Xiao Han was taken aback: "Then who is it?"

"It's Ah Lang." Johnny Wang's voice turned somber. "If it weren't for Jiang Lang holding things together these past two years, Uncle Hai would have been kicked into the sea to be fed to the fish long ago."

"Uncle Hai is old, his bones are brittle."

But Jiang Lang is different; the more he helps us, the more passive we become.

"Without him, how could we possibly gain even the slightest advantage in this territorial dispute?"

Xiao Han remained silent for a long time, then suddenly looked up: "Big brother—you seem to think highly of Jiang Lang."

Johnny nodded, his tone firm: "Of course."

"He is the only one who can stand at the same level as me."

Xiao Han gritted her teeth, a fierce glint in her eyes: "Don't worry, big brother, I'll make him walk out straddling a chair sooner or later!"

Johnny Wang glanced at him sideways, his face full of disdain: "Besides killing, killing, killing, can't you think of anything else?"

55

"How long can you survive by relying solely on your fists?"

"True masters walk with their brains."

"If all you know how to do in your life is wield a knife, then you'll only ever be a thug."

Xiao Han grinned: "In this life, having you as my elder brother is enough for me."

Johnny Wang shook his head helplessly and said nothing more, only whispering, "Try to contact Ah Lang in the next couple of days."

"I want to see him."

Xiao Han asked in confusion, "Why would I see him?"

Johnny's eyes flashed, cold and sharp, like a blade slicing through the night: "You said—how about bringing him over?"

Xiao Han was suddenly taken aback: "Pull it over?"

Johnny Wang's lips curled into a smile, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his eyes: "I'm going to make Ah Lang my leader."

Xiao Han immediately pouted, looking as aggrieved as a child whose candy had been stolen: "Big brother, if he's the leader, then what am I?"

5"

"Bang!" Johnny really wanted to slap him on the head. "Is your brain just for show? Think about it!"

"If I can bring Ah Lang into our camp, who in Kowloon would dare to challenge us?"

Xiao Han retorted, her neck stiff: "But wouldn't it be the same if we beat his mother to a pulp?"

"Oh my god!" Johnny almost choked on his own breath. "Can something earned through hard work be the same as something that surrenders willingly?!"

"Who's Uncle Hai relying on? Isn't it Ah Lang? As long as Ah Lang defectes, Uncle Hai will have to kneel down without us even lifting a finger!"

"Former mortal enemies, now lackeys under your command—you think about it, you savor it, how exhilarating is that feeling?"

"That's what you call bloodless victory, killing without shedding blood!"

Xiao Han's eyes widened suddenly, as if she had been struck by lightning. She looked at Johnny Wang with eyes practically sparkling with admiration: "Boss, you're so cunning!"

"Tsk." Johnny rolled his eyes, too lazy to pay him any attention, but couldn't help but retort, "That's called wisdom, understand? Stop standing here spouting nonsense and get back to work!"

Xiao Han immediately perked up, skipped out the door, and hurried off to investigate.

The night was deep, and the corridor outside the emergency building was deserted except for the yellowish light of the lamps.

Jiang Lang leaned back on the bench and said to Yuan Haoyun in a low voice, "I've been to the entire hospital, and on the surface, everything seems perfectly normal."

"Which areas didn't you go into?" Yuan Haoyun asked.

"Gynecology, ICU, operating room—we can't just force our way into those restricted areas," Jiang Lang shrugged.

Upon hearing this, Yuan Haoyun immediately dismissed the idea: "There's no way there will be any clues in these places, don't even think about it."

"I thoroughly investigated the office area, searched the pharmacy and doctors' offices, and found nothing amiss," Jiang Lang said confidently. "This is a legitimate public hospital, unlike those clandestine private clinics."

"It's so noisy with people coming and going."

"And after 10 p.m., no outsiders are allowed to enter."

He suddenly stopped, his eyes flashing: "Wait—have you been to the basement?"

Yuan Haoyun nodded: "I'm going."

"Of course I'll go. My task is much easier than yours; how could I lack such basic skills?"

"The monitoring center is there, that's all."

Cars, cars, and more cars.

Land on Hong Kong Island is ridiculously expensive; even the air can be sold for money.

We can stop on the rooftop, and we can dig underground; we fight for every inch of land.

The basement level of St. Valentine's Hospital is a huge parking lot, filled with cars, as silent as a deep well.

The two exchanged a glance, their brows furrowing simultaneously.

Yuan Haoyun murmured, "Could it be—Brother Chu miscalculated?"

Jiang Lang didn't answer, but instead turned his head and asked, "Brother Yun, you're clearly older than Brother Chu, so why do you call him Brother Chu?"

Yuan Haoyun smiled, his expression calm: "Because I'm convinced."

"He is younger than me, but in our police line of work, we don't care about background or seniority, we only care about ability."

"After one case, it's immediately clear who's stronger and who's weaker."

"I'm pretty good at solving cases myself, but compared to Brother Chu, I'm just a little bit lacking."

"I call him brother, willingly."

"He called me Brother Yun, which was a sign of respect."

He smiled and said, "That's just how things are in the underworld."

Jiang Lang nodded slightly, his gaze somewhat distant: "I noticed him back in police academy."

"Back then we were young, and we wanted the whole world to know how amazing we were, and we wanted to show off all our skills."

"Brother Chu is different."

He has ten parts strength, but only reveals three.

But those three points alone already make you feel—this guy is unfathomable.

"Back when I went undercover, nobody knew my identity; even my file was sealed."

"Only he saw through it at a glance."

Before leaving, he handed me a note with only one line: "Danger, call."

>