Chapter 100: The Extended Bentley

After their usual banter, Chen Erpao got straight to the point and shared the troubles he was currently facing. To his surprise, Zeng Fan responded with ease, even promising that once he returned to Hong Kong, he would reveal a long-held secret and present a gift so formidable that every police officer in Hong Kong would stand in solemn respect.

After hanging up, Chen Erpao couldn’t help but wonder if Zeng Fan was about to unveil the secret he had been hiding all along. Surely, the gift capable of commanding such reverence from the entire Hong Kong police force must be connected to the mysterious organization behind him.

Time flew by, and three days later marked the day Chen Erpao was discharged from the hospital. His injuries had mostly healed, save for a lingering ache where the fierce Fire and Ice Palm had struck.

Originally, he had instructed Wang Xing and his men to send just a few people to pick him up casually. Yet, to his astonishment, the hospital lobby was packed with members of the Yi Sect, their presence grand and ostentatious beyond measure.

Lu Yunqing, the devilishly curvaceous young nurse, gaped in surprise upon seeing the crowd, even pulling out her phone to snap several photos.

Wang Xing, Liu Hua Gang, and Huang Mao were all dressed in sleek black turtlenecks, wearing spectacles and polished shoes that gleamed brilliantly. Their appearance truly stole the spotlight, drawing admiration from the young nurses fresh out of medical school nearby.

Today, Wang Xuemei had taken leave specifically to be there. Now publicly acknowledged as the Yi Sect’s matriarch, standing among everyone, she exuded an air of composure and a unique charisma, far removed from the fragility she once exhibited.

Chen Erpao dared not linger longer. This was a public hospital, and such a blatant display of triad power was bound to stir public outrage.

Outside the hospital entrance, a brand-new Bentley limousine stretched across his line of sight. Its elegant curves, glossy black finish, and extended body resembled a majestic dragon, commanding awe and admiration.

At that moment, Wang Xing handed him a key and said, “Brother Pao, your old Mercedes was badly damaged and won’t be fixed anytime soon. So, a few of us took the liberty of buying this for you.”

Chen Erpao smiled and took the key. “This Bentley must have cost almost ten million, right? When did we ever have that kind of money?”

“Heh,” Huang Mao, who managed the sect’s finances, stepped forward. “Brother Pao, Yi Sect is no longer what it used to be. We control most of Tuen Mun now, and the monthly income from our establishments is nearly ten million. This is nothing.”

Chen Erpao said no more. He appreciated his brothers’ gesture and felt comforted. Yet, despite owning such a magnificent car now, he would never forget the vow he once made: sharing hardships and blessings alike. This world was not his alone. He resolved that, after some time, he would ensure each of these brothers had their own Bentley.

Today was a joyous day for the Yi Sect and a rare moment of respite for the Hong Hall. All hostilities had paused because Chen Erpao had emerged from the hospital safely, and their assaults had been shelved.

He had planned to celebrate with his brothers over drinks, but Wang Xuemei, citing his incomplete recovery, refused. Only after Chen Erpao’s sweet persuasion did she relent, allowing him to have two bottles of wine.

Meanwhile, at Lingnan University, storm clouds were gathering. The four great clans’ four beauties huddled anxiously in their dormitory, deep in discussion.

Murong Pei voiced her concern, “I just received word that someone has identified Wang Xuemei from Class X, Grade X — the very person we’ve been searching for. She has five black dots on the soles of her feet. The Iron Sword Sect knows as well and has allied with several other gangs, sending people into the school. Other clans have also formed an alliance. It looks like the Pirate King’s treasure will soon ignite a bloody storm in the martial world.”

“That’s right,” Sima Hong, still regal and commanding, replied, her words brimming with vigor enough to overshadow many men. “Not many know this news yet, but it won’t be long before more forces catch wind. We must quickly relay this to our families and have reinforcements sent immediately. We cannot let other factions seize it first.”

At the same time, alliances of various factions gathered elsewhere on campus, also plotting. For the mainland gangs and clans, the Pirate King’s legacy was too tempting to ignore. Beyond the vast wealth rumored to be hidden, the martial arts manuals and golden-threaded armor left behind were enough to drive countless warriors to risk life and limb in pursuit.

Back at Yi Sect headquarters, the atmosphere had gradually quieted, leaving only the senior members. Their faces flushed from drinking, Chen Erpao found an excuse to have his men escort Wang Xuemei home. The two bottles of wine he was promised had long since multiplied several times over.

It was past midnight when everyone finally dispersed. Chen Erpao sat contentedly in the Bentley, feeling as if everything had unfolded suddenly and dreamlike. Once a member of the People’s Liberation Army Special Forces, the ultimate soldier among soldiers, he was now a big shot in Hong Kong’s underworld, driving luxury cars and sipping fine liquor.

Yet Chen Erpao remained indifferent. Even if all this vanished overnight, like waking from a dream to find nothing left, he would not care. As long as Wang Xuemei and his loyal brothers remained, all was well. That was worth more than any title, honor, power, or wealth. One cannot take these things into the grave. Having a lifelong lover and brothers willing to die for each other — what could be better than that?

Instead of returning directly, Chen Erpao climbed to the summit of a small hill. In the newly developed area of Tuen Mun, many such hills remained. Standing there was a solitary figure, tall and imposing, radiating the aura only a true soldier could possess.

“Brother Fan, you look well! Seems the replacement for Maria Ozawa in Japan has left you quite satisfied.”

Chen Erpao stood side by side with Zeng Fan, their towering figures silhouetted against the endless mountains and rivers below.

Zeng Fan smiled faintly. “I’ve already made arrangements with the Tuen Mun police station. That’s why no one was watching you today. The entire Hong Kong Police Department is in on it. Also, this is for you.”