I said slowly, "There is no love without a reason in this world. Nor is there hatred without a reason! There must be a reason why you can be so ruthless to your own brothers. Is it for money? For profit? For power? Or for women? Or all of the above?"
After I finished speaking, Xiluo couldn't help but interrupt, "Xiao Wu, what's the point of wasting so much time talking to this kind of person? Just get to the point..."
I waved my hand, stopping Ciro from continuing.
“Xi Luo, you don’t understand.” I smiled, a somewhat weary smile. Then I glanced at the fat man and Lei Hu behind me: “Brother Fang, you should understand my intentions… Well, Uncle Lei, you should understand too.”
Of course I need to ask clearly!
I'm not alone anymore; I have hundreds or even thousands of brothers working for me!
To be honest, I used to work under Eighth Master. Although he kept me in check, there were advantages. For example… I didn't have to think about many things or worry about them. Eighth Master would handle the planning and decisions. All I had to do was carry them out.
Although Eighth Master was a mountain that held me back from climbing higher... at the same time, he was also a big tree that sheltered all the brothers from the storms and rains falling from the sky!
And I, too, must now become a great tree! To shelter my brothers from the wind and rain!
From Xiluodi's perspective, he simply hated traitors; perhaps only the word "kill" existed in his mind.
But I'm different. I have to find out where the problem lies!
Why? Why, in such a united and tightly-knit group, could such a terrible traitor appear?!
Killing a traitor is easy! Right now, two guys are right in front of me. I could just raise my hand and kill them both without much effort... My hands are already stained with blood, so I wouldn't hesitate to kill...
But what happens after you kill them?
I must get to the bottom of this and find out why someone betrayed us, why this traitor appeared! If there's a problem, I must solve it! If there are loopholes, I must plug them!
This is what a qualified leader should do. This is what they should do!
In fact, I have something I've been feeling deep down lately but haven't been able to say: the longer I sit in this position, the more I feel a strange sense of awe... It's not easy being the Eighth Master either.
Finally, under my intense gaze, this guy spoke!
He lowered his head and thought for a long time. When he raised his head, his expression was quite different. Perhaps it was because he was about to die that he let go of his fears.
“Fifth… um, Chen Yang!” He didn’t call me Fifth Brother anymore, and gritted his teeth, saying, “I can tell you… but you must promise me that after I tell you, no matter what I say, you can’t humiliate me. I believe what you, Chen Yang, say! As long as you promise that you won’t punish me for what I say, I’ll tell you everything I’ve been holding back for years today!”
"..." I glanced at him: "Okay!" After a pause, I added: "Hammer, give him another cigarette." Then I simply had Hammer untie the ropes on his hands. Anyway, I wasn't worried about anything. There was me, Xiluo, Hammer, and Fatty in this room, all of them were strong and capable. This guy couldn't do anything funny.
"Thank you." He took the cigarette with both hands, took a deep drag, and I could see that he was smoking with a deep sense of longing... He probably understood that these were likely his last moments on this earth.
"Chen Yang, I admit it. I betrayed my own brothers, I did things that harmed them." He said slowly, smoking a cigarette. "I know my sins very well. But before you ask me why, can I ask you a question too?"
"Okay, go ahead."
This guy, on his deathbed, surprisingly shed his previous fear and even managed a weak smile. Then he slowly asked me:
"I ask you, what has Eighth Master ever given us? Why should I be loyal to him? What kindness has he shown me that I should risk my life for him?"
For a moment, I was stunned.
In a daze, it felt as if I wasn't facing this cowardly traitor... In a daze, it felt as if I had returned to Vietnam six months ago, back to that private room in the restaurant in Hanoi... In a daze, it felt as if the person sitting in front of me was the already dead Tiger!
I still vividly remember the complicated smile on Tiger's face at the time. Faced with my questioning, he calmly asked me in return, "You said I shouldn't have betrayed Eighth Master... but have you ever thought about how Eighth Master treated me?"
...
"I'm old. I spent the best twenty years of my life serving Eighth Master. I was young, impulsive, and once utterly loyal to the Eight Fingers! All that fighting and killing in my youth has left me with a body full of injuries. In three to five years, my body will quickly deteriorate. A body full of wounds in youth will suffer in old age! Now, whenever it rains, all my joints ache… Seventh Uncle, you see? Back then, he was a prominent figure in the Big Circle! He was glorious, respected, and revered… And now? The once-powerful leader of the Big Circle, after retiring, can only sit there guarding a car wash! He suffered his whole life, fought his whole life, and in the end, what did Eighth Master give him? I often think… when I'm old, what kind of 'retirement plan' will Eighth Master arrange for me? A grocery store? Let me be a small business owner in Chinatown? And then humbly spend the last few years of my life…"
Tiger's words, which had gradually faded from my memory over time... but today, at this very moment, they suddenly surfaced with unparalleled clarity, word by word! Every word, every sentence, is so profound!
Looking at the person in front of me, kneeling at my feet, with most of his body still in the sack, his eyes filled with timidity and nervousness, his clothes disheveled and looking somewhat pathetic.
It was as if, through him, I saw... Tiger, who had been dead for a long time!
I can still clearly remember that day, Tiger stared at me with red eyes, a strange light flashing in his gaze, slamming his fist on the table and shouting loudly:
"I refuse to accept this!"
If Eighth Master were still alive right now, I would really want to rush up to him, grab his shoulders, and shout at him, "Eighth Master, do you see that! Even if I don't kill you, even if Xiluo doesn't kill you... even without us, you would be abandoned by everyone sooner or later!!"
From our perspective, traitors deserve to die, regardless of their reasons or motives. This cannot erase their heinous crimes! But… similarly, from the perspective of an ordinary person, is Eighth Master truly without fault?
After managing my subordinates for twenty years, my most capable assistant betrayed me, and my brothers were only superficially friendly... How can a young man like me easily win everyone's hearts!
Doesn't all of this explain the problem?
All people are born equal, all are born of parents, and everyone has their own ambitions, especially these men who make a living on the edge. Which one of them isn't a brave and daring hero? Which one doesn't want to accomplish something glorious?
Eighth Master's mistake was that he suppressed people too much! Although Tiger died at my hands, in all honesty, Tiger was a rational, calm, skilled, and capable man who could control situations and win people's hearts. He was a rare and capable person. But while working for Eighth Master, he rarely had the opportunity to stand on his own.
The large car driven by Master Ba kept these hundred-odd men in the repair shop... Indeed, you gave them food, a bed to sleep in, and they didn't have to worry about the wind and sun... But to put it bluntly: what's the difference between this and raising pigs?
With so many men under Eighth Master, how many actually get the chance to go out and manage a territory? Most things are firmly in Eighth Master's hands! For example, when I was able to take over a territory and bring Xiluo and nine other brothers out of the auto repair shop... I was envied by so many brothers back home!
Why? Because such opportunities are extremely rare!
Over time, isn't it normal for people below to harbor resentment?
These men dare to walk this path, dare to risk their lives, to earn a living on the edge of a knife... Many, even the majority, of these men don't seek stability, food, or a place to sleep... those are the desires of ordinary people! These men are all forged in the crucible of life; what they want is opportunity! An opportunity to rise above their circumstances!
Why am I so popular? Besides my youth and loyalty to my brothers... there's another very important, subtle reason...
That's how I got my chance! Here, I rose through the ranks, making a name for myself! Then I went out and took charge of a territory, becoming an independent leader!
To some extent, the reason why everyone is so close to me, Xiao Wu, is because many people see me as a source of hope! Everything I have achieved is what everyone hopes for! Therefore, they regard "Xiao Wu" as an idol and a living role model! Everyone hopes to be like me, to gain the appreciation of Master Ba, to have the opportunity to go out and enjoy the limelight, and then to stand on their own and make a name for themselves.
If a man can't accomplish something in his life, wouldn't he have lived in vain?
I looked at the person in front of me, countless thoughts swirling in my mind, and I murmured to myself:
Eighth Master, you were really wrong, terribly wrong!
Part Two: The Road to Success, Chapter Sixty-Six: I'm Just Ignoring You!
I didn't choose to deal with these two men using the kind of loyalty-based "bloodless death" approach. Instead, I handed them over to Hammer.
"Just be clean." That was my instruction to Hammer.
Although I understand why they betrayed us—just like Tiger, they couldn't get a chance to develop under Eighth Master, so they ultimately took the risk…
There's a saying, "If a man doesn't look out for himself, he'll be damned." While that's a bit extreme, objectively speaking, there's nothing wrong with people striving for their own success. It's just that they shouldn't have done it at the cost of betraying their brothers.
Therefore, they must die.
Of course, most of the brothers were unaware of what had happened. To most, these two traitors were good brothers who had sacrificed their lives in the raid to hunt down Da Ruan. With a stroke of my pen, I added their names to the list of those receiving compensation.
Tonight in the incense hall, I publicly beheaded my enemy, demonstrating my toughness. And in the secret chamber, I executed the traitor, demonstrating my impartiality.
Admittedly, being tough and fair are both necessary factors for being a leader.
“But that’s not enough.” After Lei Hu slunk back to his room, the fat man stayed behind this time: “You did well tonight, but it’s not enough.”
“That’s not enough to make them give up their covetous thoughts.” The fat man smiled. “I told you, your biggest weakness is that your foundation is too shallow. So, no matter how tough, fair, or how much leadership qualities you have, it will be difficult to gain their recognition.”
"When you say 'them,' do you mean the big shots in your family?"
The fat man sighed, "Actually, dealing with Lei Hu isn't that difficult... The key is, after Lei Hu goes back, will those big shots truly accept you after hearing his report? Although who succeeds him and who becomes the boss shouldn't be our concern in Canada, as I said, in this world, nothing is more important than profit! For something with huge benefits, people will fight tooth and nail to do it! Indeed, logically, we shouldn't interfere in your affairs... but..." The fat man chuckled, "You can't reason with the underworld. The underworld doesn't reason; we only care about methods and strength."
I patted the fat man on the shoulder: "Don't worry, I understand."
When I returned to my room that evening, I didn't look too good. That was understandable, because several more people had died that night. Da Ruan, and those two traitors.
I haven't reached that ruthless, heartless level of killing... I'm still a human being, a young man in my early twenties. Even though I've experienced countless life-or-death situations, I really can't guarantee I'd remain unmoved when faced with murder.
In particular, killing a traitor who was once one's brother.
Upon entering the room, I saw Qiaoqiao wearing a bathrobe. She was leaning back in a chair rather unladylike, her long, shapely legs exposed beneath the hem of the robe, propped high on the coffee table. She held a bottle of lotion in one hand and gently, evenly applied it to her legs…
Normally, this gesture would seem very alluring to me… after all, Qiaoqiao is beautiful and sexy, and her legs are gorgeous. Long, straight, shapely, and firm, with smooth, delicate skin…
But today, I just glanced at her briefly, then walked to the sofa next to me and leaned back.
My expression was grim, and I sighed softly. Qiaoqiao looked up at me strangely and asked, "What's wrong with you?"
I shook my head and didn't say anything. Qiaoqiao continued, "What happened tonight? Someone came here tonight and told us not to leave our rooms..."
"Yes, that was my arrangement." I nodded.
Indeed, we set up an incense altar in the mourning hall, and we even committed murder! I didn't want those two girls to see that kind of scene. So I specifically ordered people to guard this place and not let them leave.
"What happened? Is it serious?"
"No." I shook my head and forced a smile, but it looked tired. "Not only is it not serious, but it has also solved some problems that have been bothering me for a long time."
"Ah... then what exactly is it..." Qiao Qiao wanted to ask more, but Yan Di had already come out of the room. She looked gentle and slowly walked to Qiao Qiao's side, gently placing her hand on Qiao Qiao's shoulder. Yan Di smiled gently and said softly, "Alright, don't ask anymore. Xiao Wu must be very tired. Go wash your face, and I'll apply the medicine for you in a bit."
Seeing me get up and leave, Yan Di stopped Qiao Qiao from asking any questions and whispered, "Look..." Following the direction of her finger, Qiao Qiao looked and saw a footprint on the floor by the door.
This footprint was left when I came in. It's only half a foot, blurry... but it's very obvious that the footprint is dark red!
"This...is blood?" Qiao Qiao frowned.
"Also, didn't you notice the bloody smell on him?" Yan Di sighed. "He must have done something tonight that he didn't want us to know."
"Yan Di." Qiao Qiao suddenly sat up straight, a rare look of understanding on her face: "Don't you... feel that Xiao Wu has changed a lot?"
Yan Di didn't seem to care much about the question; she simply nodded casually, seemingly unconcerned. Even her eyes were bright and clear, without the slightest hint of distress.
“I am just a woman, and he is my man. When I met him, he was never a man who walked in the light. Since I made up my mind to follow him, I was already prepared in my heart... even if one day he becomes a devil…” Yan Di smiled gently, this gentle girl said in a tone that seemed to be understated, “...then I am willing to be the devil’s woman.”
Looking at Yan Di, who seemed so delicate, she was so resolute this time... and her resoluteness wasn't expressed through clenched teeth and vows, but rather in a light, casual tone. Yet, it was as if what she said was already deeply ingrained in her heart, something perfectly natural.
Qiao Qiao looked at Yan Di in surprise. Then she sighed softly.
Two major events occurred the following day.
The first major event was the funeral of Fang Bazhi, a once-powerful leader of the Vancouver underworld, known as "Eight-Finger." It must be said, this was a hybrid of Chinese and Western approaches.
At the auto repair shop, we set up a white shrine to receive guests' rites and prayers. Also, following Western customs, we purchased a cemetery plot—a simple, Western-style plot.
The entrance to the auto repair shop was filled with wreaths, banners, and other decorations. I was wearing a black suit with a small white flower pinned to my chest that Yan Di had made herself that evening.
This day was undoubtedly a grand gathering for the Vancouver gangs!
The turmoil had been gradually subsiding over the past two days, with the police focusing all their attention on the Vietnamese. But today, outside the auto repair shop, it was almost completely filled with luxury cars!
Almost every gang in Vancouver, big or small, including Iranians, Arabs, Indians, local whites, and Italians—all the big bosses who could come—were there! The streets outside were lined with luxury cars.
These underworld bosses, accompanied by bodyguards, entered the mourning hall in the auto repair shop one by one, and according to Chinese customs, they paid their respects before the memorial tablet of Eighth Master. Whether Chinese or foreign, everyone came to offer incense.
I stood aside and returned the greeting as a family member.