Chapter Thirty-Two: The Furious Crippled Boss

The Dragon City Tournament had reached the top ten, nearing its conclusion. Yet, the crowds gathered to watch had only grown larger.

Part of the reason was that most of the smaller gangs had been eliminated, leaving them free to enjoy the spectacle. The other reason was that everyone wanted to see who would ultimately emerge as the champion of the Dragon City Tournament. To be more precise, they wanted to see if Yang Sheng would take the top spot.

The purpose of the Dragon City Tournament was to allow the various syndicates of Hong Kong to divide up the spoils with minimal casualties. Therefore, everyone assumed that major organizations like Chao Yi Yong or He Yi Xing would inevitably prevail. However, the introduction of Yang Sheng as a wildcard made the outcome intriguing. If he actually managed to secure first place, could Hong Sheng Lian really leap up to become a top-tier organization? If not, what was the point of this tournament? Regardless, the finale promised to be fascinating.

Bookies even opened betting lines outside the Kowloon Walled City, and Yang Sheng’s odds were quite favorable—higher, in fact, than those of the top enforcers from some of the major syndicates.

As representatives from the various organizations filed into the arena, some observers noticed something strange: He Wenchang, the leader of Hong Sheng Lian, was absent. Instead, Yang Sheng arrived flanked by Huang Wen and Fisherman Qiang. Because Hong Sheng Lian was a fading organization with little business to speak of, the news of its change in leadership had not spread widely, reaching only a few. Upon hearing the news, those who inquired about it were left with expressions of bewilderment.

Toppling a boss to take his place was nothing new in the underworld. Among those in the triads, who truly took oaths of loyalty and righteousness to heart? Those were just words spoken during initiation ceremonies. Everyone acted as if they were brothers in arms, but in reality, they were less reliable than the bandits of Wagang. Yet, what was strange was the sheer speed of Yang Sheng’s ascent. He had joined Hong Sheng Lian only a few months ago, had just been promoted to a "double-flower red pole" fighter, and in the blink of an eye, he had finished off his own boss. And now, the new leader of Hong Sheng Lian was going to fight in the ring himself? The thought that while other gangs sent their top enforcers, Hong Sheng Lian was sending its head honcho felt surreal.

Song Changli walked onto the ring to conduct the drawing of lots. He announced in a booming voice, "Hong Sheng Lian versus Chao Yi Yong! Please send your fighters to the stage!"

On the side of Chao Yi Yong, Wu Tianhao’s face was as dark as stagnant water. He suddenly felt as though he had been played. He had expected He Wenchang to pressure Yang Sheng into forfeiting, but Yang Sheng had instead dealt with He Wenchang directly and seized control.

It felt as if Yang Sheng had slapped Wu Tianhao across the face, showing him just how ridiculous his machinations had been. Fang Jie, standing nearby, whispered cautiously, "Boss Hao, this is my fault. I thought He Wenchang could handle it, so I didn't pay it much mind. I never expected that old fool to be so pathetic, unable to even control his own new recruit, letting himself be killed so easily. Let's swallow this for now and settle the score after the tournament."

Wu Tianhao replied coldly, "Swallow it? If we had just flipped the table in the beginning, we wouldn't have all this trouble."

This "Emperor of the Underground" hadn't been challenged in a long time. Ignoring Fang Jie’s advice, he stood up, pointed at Yang Sheng, and snarled, "Kid, who gave you the guts to treat my words like wind? Do you think that just because you killed that old fool He Wenchang, I can't touch you? If you dare to step into that ring today, you won't be walking out of the Kowloon Walled City alive!"

In an instant, all eyes were on Yang Sheng and Wu Tianhao. How had Yang Sheng managed to offend this underground emperor?

Chai Jiu wore a mocking smile as he whispered to Zuo Kun, "Does this cripple really think he’s an emperor? Can he not tolerate the slightest offense from anyone? The higher he climbs in his arrogance, the harder he’ll fall."

Huang Juekun of He Yi Xing chuckled as well, as if watching a play. Though he was old, he had seen the rise and fall of countless Hong Kong syndicates. Wu Tianhao was indeed a rare, ambitious figure who had risen to such heights in just over a decade. But it was precisely that rapid rise that had made him so arrogant and blind to his own limitations.

On the ring, Song Changli’s expression darkened. The Dragon City Tournament was held under his supervision at the request of the various gang leaders. He preferred to see them settle their disputes in the ring rather than through wanton slaughter in the streets. As an elder of the Hung Mun, he was long dissatisfied with the greed and power struggles of the current Hong Kong syndicates, though he lacked the power to stop them. He only hoped to minimize the death toll and ensure absolute fairness. But the disappearance of one of his disciples a few days ago had cast a shadow over him; he realized he hadn't achieved the absolute fairness he sought. Now, Wu Tianhao’s open threats were even more unacceptable.

"Wu Tianhao! This is the Dragon City Tournament, not a place for you to run wild! If you can't win in the ring, you resort to threats? Is this how Chao Yi Yong conducts itself?"

Song Changli was the head of the Weiyuan Hall of the Hung Mun. He was essentially a founding figure of the Hong Kong Hung Mun, and no one possessed greater seniority. Even Huang Juekun of He Yi Xing would offer him a formal bow upon meeting. But Wu Tianhao did not come from a Hung Mun background; Chao Yi Yong had started as a small, violent street gang. With his current status and power, Wu Tianhao felt no reverence for Song Changli.

"Old man, give you an inch and you think you’re someone? 'Founder of the Hung Mun'? The Qing Dynasty has been dead for decades; are you still shouting slogans about restoring the Ming? Are you putting on a play?"

Song Changli turned pale with rage, and the expressions of Chai Jiu, Huang Juekun, and others from the Hung Mun lineage soured. Wu Tianhao had insulted the entire collective of Hung Mun-affiliated gangs.

Just then, a group of men in shirts with bulging waistbands walked into the arena. Lei Luo laughed, "Ah Hao, why are you so worked up? Do you need a bowl of herbal tea to cool your temper?"

The atmosphere shifted instantly at the sight of Lei Luo. The world of law and the world of crime were like oil and water; even though they had all dealt with Lei Luo, his sudden appearance at such an event made everyone uncomfortable. Wu Tianhao could be arrogant with others, but in the face of Lei Luo, he reined in his temper significantly.

"What are you doing here?"

Several members of smaller gangs quickly made room for Lei Luo and his men. After sitting down, Lei Luo smiled, "This tournament of yours isn't bad. Fighting it out within the Kowloon Walled City means even if people die, it doesn't affect society. It reduces the crime rate—you're contributing to public order. I think it's great. So, Ah Hao, don't ruin a good thing. Let the matters of the ring be settled in the ring. You wouldn't want people saying you’re bullying the weak and have no shame, would you?"

Only then did the crowd realize that Lei Luo was here to back Yang Sheng. They looked at Yang Sheng with curious expressions. Since when had this kid secretly gotten into bed with Lei Luo?

Wu Tianhao stared deeply at Lei Luo, took a long breath, and said in a low voice, "Fine, I’ll give you this face, Lei Luo! The tournament continues!"

After sitting back down, Wu Tianhao looked directly at Lei Luo and Yang Sheng. Gritting his teeth, he whispered to Fang Jie, "Send Lei Gong into the ring. Tell him: if he can kill him, don't just maim him! Don't let this Yang Sheng leave the ring alive."

Fang Jie paused for a moment before nodding and heading off to deliver the order. Wu Tianhao was in a blind fury, and Fang Jie dared not disobey.