Chapter 67: Sudden Turn of Events

Hongxing and Tianmeng were like water and fire now, irreconcilable foes. As the head of Hongxing in Tuen Mun, Camel had brazenly attended Tianmeng’s banquet. Was he planning to betray Hongxing and defect? Chen Erpao pondered this silently.

Suddenly, chaos erupted. Two motorcycles sped toward Camel, their riders each gripping a pistol.

“Camel, Hongxing wants your life!” shouted one of the riders, quickly squeezing the trigger. Bang, bang. Two of Camel’s men collapsed instantly, shot dead before him, sending Camel fleeing toward the restaurant in terror.

The other rider opened fire as well. Several shots rang out in succession; only one struck Camel. He let out a wretched cry and tumbled down the restaurant steps, his fate uncertain.

By the time the crowd gathered their wits and prepared to fight back, the motorcyclists had vanished into the distance.

“What’s going on here? Isn’t Camel the boss under Hongxing? How could he be shot by his own?” one of the Iron Guards asked in bewilderment.

Chen Erpao smiled faintly. Liu Huagang glanced at the Iron Guard and explained, “You don’t understand! Tianmeng and Hongxing are at each other’s throats—a major battle is inevitable. Camel openly attends Tianmeng’s banquet, which is a clear sign he intends to betray Hongxing. With a gang as big as Hongxing, they have to take action, or else they’ll become a laughingstock. What do you think their peers on the street will say?”

Soon after, a large group rushed out from the restaurant, guarding the area. Camel, drenched in blood, was carried to a sedan and whisked away to the hospital. Tianyi, possibly representing his father, strode into the restaurant with purpose.

Over the next hour, dozens more bosses arrived. Chen Erpao checked the time; it was his turn to enter. Today might be the chance for Yi Men to become known and make a name for themselves.

The four of them entered the restaurant and were immediately led upstairs. The second floor was lined with over a hundred tables, most of them already occupied.

After they chose a table and sat, someone placed a sign reading “Lingnan Yi Men” in front of Chen Erpao. He noticed that each table had a sign indicating the gang represented.

A man across from Chen Erpao, a gray-haired elder, chuckled, “You’re so young, brother. I’ve never heard of Lingnan Yi Men, though I know Old Tong from Tuen Mun—he’s got some name.”

Chen Erpao glanced at the sign before the man, “Kwun Tong District Youth Association,” and offered a friendly smile. “Lingnan Yi Men is just a small force that’s only recently emerged. It’s not surprising you haven’t heard of us. Being invited by Tianmeng today is already beyond my expectations.”

Another boss from “Yau Tsim Mong District Anren Hall” was puffing on a large cigar. He looked Chen Erpao up and down, then laughed, revealing a mouthful of yellow teeth.

“Ah, for you to be a boss at such a young age! When I was your age, I was still worrying about my daily meals. Young men like you have a bright future.”

Chen Erpao chatted with the other bosses, all the while observing the crowd. The bosses ranged from old to young, representing nearly every region of Hong Kong. About a third wore thick gold chains around their necks and designer clothes, while their underlings looked much more shabby by comparison. Next to them, the Iron Guards seemed relatively distinguished.

After some ten minutes, several Tianmeng leaders appeared, along with Baldy from United Victory, Boss Chen from He Sheng Hall, Boss Li from Wanhe Gang, and Sister Lin from Shui Gang, all escorting a man of average stature but with fierce, sharp eyes.

“It’s him!” Chen Erpao exclaimed softly when he saw the man in the center—Kobayashi, the Japanese ringleader who had once injured Liu Huagang. Trouble stirred in his heart as he looked toward Liu Huagang, whose fists were clenched so tightly his veins bulged, murderous intent radiating from him as he stared fixedly at his old enemy.

Chen Erpao quickly grabbed his hand, sending him a warning look—now was not the time for rash action, given they were on someone else’s turf and the consequences could be grave.

Liu Huagang took several deep breaths before gradually calming down, his fists reluctantly loosening, though Chen Erpao could still sense a faint, simmering murderous aura.

The appearance of Tianmeng’s leaders immediately caused the bosses who had submitted or wished to curry favor to rise and greet them with bright, beaming smiles. Yet some remained indifferent or even scornful.

Baldy from United Victory led Kobayashi onto a makeshift platform and took a microphone from one of his men, looking for all the world like a master of ceremonies at a wedding.

Clearing his throat, Baldy pointed at Kobayashi and announced loudly, “Everyone, I thank you for giving Tianmeng face by attending this meeting. Now, allow me to formally introduce Tianmeng’s partner representative, Kobayashi from Japan.”

The scars Liu Huagang had left on Kobayashi’s face had faded, and he gave the crowd a friendly, faint smile.

After a long, rambling speech, Kobayashi finally reached his point.

“You’ve all heard of the Italian Mafia, and our Yamamoto Group in Japan—some of the world’s top international syndicates! These gangs stand above countless others, their power so great they influence their national governments. In Japan, we can easily support five or six prime ministers a year. Our members are everywhere—in every industry. At a single command, a hundred thousand can respond. Though you are all bosses here, to be honest, you are not even equal to some of our empire’s mid-level leaders. In Japan, the luxury Mercedes and BMWs are mostly driven by Yamamoto Group leaders, apart from a few tycoons. And those global superstar beauties—I need not name them, you all know them—are all promoted by us. Tomorrow, we decide who they sleep with; today, I want ten beauties to accompany me—all it takes is a word from a Yamamoto Group leader. Money, women, power—we have it all.

Now, Tianmeng is developing with Yamamoto Group as its model. If you submit, you will become elders in Tianmeng. When all of Hong Kong is under Tianmeng’s control, even a minor Tianmeng leader will enjoy immense glory, let alone you elders. Tianmeng is destined to unify Hong Kong. Let me be clear: behind us stand the Yamamoto Group of Japan, the Italian Mafia, Thai generals, and other international forces. Any obstacles will be crushed as Tianmeng advances. I give you ten minutes to consider. If you’ve decided, sit on the right; if not, sit on the left.”

As soon as Kobayashi finished, the hall burst into chaos. Some were expressionless, some were like ants on a hot pan, not knowing what to do, and some immediately sat on the right without hesitation.

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