I really didn't expect this little brother to be over sixty, with four kids at home, and who knows how many on the outside, yet he still had the leisure to fix the sewer for a married woman. And the owner of the sewer turned out to be the head of the anti-triad unit... In the end, he fought back as the guy was pulling out his gun, cracking the sewer owner's head open.
It's true that people can unleash immense energy when they're in a desperate situation. A sixty-year-old man actually managed to kill a young and strong cop, it's just...
"Uncle Deng! I know I shouldn't be raising my voice here, but Uncle Tong is my boss after all. He's been like a father to me for the past three years. Can you tell me what exactly happened? Even if it means losing everything, I'll get my boss out!"
The time for acting came. Before anyone else could speak, Chen Dong looked at Uncle Deng on the throne, his voice choked with tears, as if his own father had died.
He couldn't sleep soundly without knowing exactly how Uncle Tong got arrested. If he was really tricked by that "Death Scissors Foot" uncle, then he would be caught in a grey area with no way out.
Does that mean he'll become the next boss to run "Fishmonger Biao", and after that will he become the head of Tung Sing, or even Hong Xing?
"I didn't expect this 'Handsome Dong' to actually be so loyal. His boss is just arrested, you'd think his own father died if you didn't know any better."
"'Handsome Dong' and Old Ghost Tong's relationship is really good."
"That's not strange. This kid has been with Old Ghost Tong since he was eighteen, right after his boss died. Old Ghost Tong treated him well. Youngsters... well, they're just clueless... cough! They're impulsive."
"Yeah, yeah..."
Seeing Chen Dong's tearful act as if he'd lost his father, the group of bosses and uncles around him started whispering amongst themselves. After all, in their eyes, "Handsome Dong" was just a twenty-something year old who hadn't been through much yet. These youngsters are easy to manipulate. They usually just need their boss to give them a little promise and a little flattery, and they'd gladly sacrifice themselves for their bosses. They didn't think Chen Dong was putting on a show.
"..."
Uncle Deng on the throne looked at Chen Dong, who was acting as if his father had died, a hint of relief flashing across his eyes. He'd been around in the underworld for half his life and had seen countless betrayals and deceptions. Seeing Chen Dong like this, for Uncle Tong, proved that he hadn't misjudged him back then. Three years ago, when this "Handsome Dong" had just started making a name for himself, he saw this seventeen or eighteen-year-old youngster was quite capable of fighting, and his old subordinate Uncle Tong's skills were too weak. So he let Uncle Tong take "Handsome Dong" under his wing. He was a bit worried about Uncle Tong's weak skills and old age, fearing that he wouldn't be able to control such a young and ambitious kid. After all, nowadays, young people are always looking for fights and power.
But seeing "Handsome Dong" like this, it seemed Uncle Tong had done a good job in these years.
"Yeah, Uncle Deng, how did Old Ghost Tong get in? Did he leak information to the cops?"
Big D, the one who always fishes without a helmet, looked at Chen Dong who was still crying, then asked Uncle Deng.
He wasn't actually speaking for Chen Dong. Although he liked youngsters like Chen Dong, who could fight, were easy to manipulate, and loyal, he had some thoughts about him a few years back. But Uncle Deng specifically assigned him to Old Ghost Tong, even though he was a bit disappointed, he didn't dare go against Uncle Deng. There were few youngsters like "Handsome Dong", who could fight and were loyal, but not unheard of.
What he was most concerned about was whether Old Ghost Tong had leaked information. That was the real issue. Since he'd cleared out all the gangs in Tsuen Wan, his business had expanded rapidly. He had some business dealings with these bosses, and it was inevitable that they had some leverage on each other.
He was most worried that Old Ghost Tong would betray him to reduce his sentence.
"Yeah, Uncle Deng, we don't doubt Old Ghost Tong. We've been brothers for decades, and we know what kind of person he is. But sometimes, people do things for their own sake..."
Big D hadn't finished speaking when "Moon Boss" Chuen Po, who got a signal from his subordinate "Fishmonger Biao", chimed in.
After all, among those present, the one who had the most dealings with Old Ghost Tong was "Fishmonger Biao". The bars and karaoke in Old Ghost Tong's territory in Mong Kok were "Fishmonger Biao's" main distribution channels for his goods. If Old Ghost Tong leaked information to the cops, he would be the first one to run.
"...Uncle Tong has been with me for forty years. He joined the gang earlier than some of the bosses here are old. I think he knows better than you what he should and shouldn't say. You don't have to worry about this. As for why Uncle Tong accidentally killed the cop, it has nothing to do with the gang. If Uncle Tong really leaked information to the cops, the gang wouldn't let him off the hook. You can rest assured about that."
Uncle Deng took a slow sip of tea, as if he hadn't been affected by what they said. He put down the teacup and said slowly.
"If Uncle Deng says so, then that's that."
Big D and the others didn't press the issue after hearing what Uncle Deng said. After all, the man was the supreme emperor. Besides, Big D was running for the next boss position, so it wouldn't be good if he fell out with Uncle Deng.
"Ah Dong, I know your relationship with Uncle Tong... Come see me for tea sometime. Right now, the most important thing is to choose a new boss for Mong Kok. Now that Uncle Tong is arrested, we know what happened. But it's uncertain what will happen later. I nominate Ah Dong. Does anyone else have any suggestions?"
Seeing that everyone was silent, Uncle Deng finished his previous statement before turning to Chen Dong.
"Ah Dong will do... Ah Dong was already Uncle Tong's top man, so letting him take over is fair and legal..."
Uncle Deng had just finished speaking when Ah Lok, who was aiming for Tsim Sha Tsui, was the first to speak with a friendly smile.
"Ah Dong is fine."
"Agree..."
"Second that..."
Others also casually shrugged and voiced their agreement.
It wasn't that they had no opinions. Although they were bosses, their own top men also wanted to climb up. They would also want their own top men to take over if they had the chance. But Old Ghost Tong's territory in Mong Kok was just five streets. The powerful bosses like Big D and Fat Bear, who controlled a whole district, wouldn't be interested. Mong Kok was a bustling area, but the income from those five streets wasn't that great. Old Ghost Tong's main business was smuggling, but "Big Mouth Ying", who was in charge of smuggling for Old Ghost Tong, had run away, so Old Ghost Tong's smuggling business was completely gone. What's the use of just five streets in Mong Kok?
Besides, in Yau Tsim Mong, there were over a hundred gangs, even more chaotic than the Warring States Period. Suddenly appointing a new boss, Old Ghost Tong's subordinates might not be convinced. If they were attacked by other gangs, it would be a huge loss of face. After all, their territories were too far from Mong Kok to help in time.