Chapter Thirty-Nine: When I Draw This Blade, It Is to Draw Blood!

Page (1/3)

“The British are setting up an anti-corruption commission, preparing to move against Le Luo—and the location is right here at the Dragon City Championship!” Yang Sheng stared at the three men, his voice low and serious. “Le Luo’s influence is immense. The British have tolerated him for so long, but their patience is wearing thin.

Wu Tianhao and Le Luo represent two sides of the same coin, black and white. Though they compete, their cooperation runs deeper. When one falters, the other becomes vulnerable.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Are you gentlemen not planning to join?”

In front of Chen Wenyao, he claimed the British Union and Yi Xing, two major syndicates, were about to take action against Wu Tianhao—an opportunity not to be missed.

Before Chai Jiu and the others, Yang Sheng said the anti-corruption commission was targeting Le Luo, equally rare news.

He used the same tactic on both sides, without fear of being exposed.

He didn’t believe Chai Jiu and the others would confront Chen Wenyao.

The three exchanged glances. After a moment, Huang Juekun asked gravely, “Where did you get this information? Such matters should be strictly confidential within the Hong Kong British government.

Empty words—how am I supposed to trust you?”

Yang Sheng replied coolly, “A secret I could tell you wouldn’t be a secret anymore.

You don’t have to believe me. Just prepare in advance within Kowloon Walled City.

If the police make their move, you act immediately and eliminate the Chao Yi Yong.

Otherwise, if you remain still, you lose nothing.

The situation stands as I’ve described. Whether you join or not is your decision.”

Having said this, Yang Sheng turned and left without another word.

Speaking too much about the obvious only breeds suspicion.

He believed the three would ultimately take action.

The reason was simple: interests.

Chai Jiu’s British Union sought expansion, aiming to restore the heights of Chai Hongtu’s era.

Huang Juekun’s He Yi Xing needed growth, as age was catching up, and he wanted to leave a stronger, more stable syndicate to his successor.

Yin Tiancheng also needed to expand—the Numbers gang’s business was mostly external, and local Hong Kong influence was weak.

In the tiny territory of Hong Kong, all needed to grow, meaning someone must yield.

The Chao Yi Yong was the perfect target for the three to divide.

When profit is at stake, who wouldn’t be tempted?

…

Kowloon Walled City, underground arena of the Dragon City Championship.

Yang Sheng sat below the stage, holding the Imperial Guard’s saber, eyes closed in meditation.

Huang Wen and Yu Laoqiang watched him helplessly.

They couldn’t understand their boss’s mindset—bringing the heirloom of their Hong Sheng Union to a fight competition.

Though a weapon, it was an antique. If it broke, repairs would be troublesome.

Yet they dared not voice these concerns to Yang Sheng.

Normally, when a big boss is killed to take power, the position inside the syndicate is unstable. One must eliminate rivals and cultivate confidants to seize control gradually.

But Yang Sheng was different—he immediately delegated authority, acting as if the syndicate wasn’t his own.

Those who fought alongside him early on had all benefited greatly; even foreigner Wen and others had become Red Sticks. How could they not support Yang Sheng?

Even Huang Wen and Yu Laoqiang had gained unimaginable real power compared to He Wenchang’s era.

Page (2/3)

One could even say this:

If anyone foolishly proposed overthrowing Yang Sheng now, others in the Hong Sheng Union would act first, dragging him to drown without Yang Sheng’s order.

Today was the final match of the Dragon City Championship, with the highest turnout of syndicate members ever—more than even the opening day.

They weren’t there to watch the final between Yang Sheng and Chao Yi Yong.

They came to see how the triad factions would divide their interests after the championship.

Who won or lost mattered less than this.

Dilu pushed through the crowd and whispered into Yang Sheng’s ear, “Brother Sheng, Le Luo has arrived.”

“Notified your old man?”

Dilu nodded, “Dad is in position, and the uncles have been arranged.”

Yang Sheng’s fingers tapped rhythmically on the Imperial Guard’s saber as his gaze swept over Chai Jiu and the others.

Chai Jiu, Huang Juekun, and Yin Tiancheng appeared calm, as if nothing was amiss, not even glancing at Yang Sheng.

But this unusual calm confirmed to Yang Sheng that they were prepared, that a decision had been made.

At that moment, murmurs rose near the arena entrance.

Yang Sheng looked up to see Wu Tianhao and Le Luo arriving together, sparking a stir.

Last time, Le Luo backed Yang Sheng, confronting Bo Hao directly, causing Bo Hao to lose face.

Everyone thought the Chief Detective of the Chinese community and the underground king would soon break ties, sparking chaos.

Yet only days later, these two had reunited?

Unlike the previous time when Bo Hao arrogantly threatened to disrupt the Dragon City Championship, he now appeared composed and solemn, not even glancing at Yang Sheng.

For Bo Hao, Yang Sheng no longer mattered; what counted was whether Chao Yi Yong could maintain its current standing and secure enough share from the Dragon City Championship without weakening.

Yang Sheng noticed a young man in a kimono beside Bo Hao.

The youth appeared around thirty, holding a black-and-red katana, eyes sharp as a hawk, surveying the surroundings.

Seeing all present, Song Changli stepped onto the stage and announced solemnly, “The Dragon City Championship final begins. Both fighters, please come forward and sign the death pact!”

Le Luo suddenly waved his hand, “Don’t waste time. Sheng, just go up and forfeit.”

A murmur swept the crowd.

If before they only suspected Bo Hao and Le Luo had allied, now it was certain.

Song Changli’s face darkened. “Le Luo, this is the Dragon City Championship arena.

You bully others, blatantly manipulating the fight’s outcome. What fairness remains in this competition?”

Le Luo drew on his cigar, sneering disdainfully. “Old man, how can you still be so naive at your age?

This championship was never fair from the start. Do you think only this match is fixed?

You’re old—better stay home. If you fall, no one’s going to support your retirement.”

Song Changli trembled with anger.

He was originally retired in Kowloon Walled City, invited out by the major factions to organize this championship.

Yet these same factions were the first to break rules and rig matches.

Though Song Changli was senior in rank—any triad within the Hongmen respects him as an elder—when it came to hard truth, who cared about seniority?

Last time, Bo Hao openly disregarded Song Changli, let alone Le Luo, who had no triad connections.

At that moment, Yang Sheng tossed the Imperial Guard’s saber to Foreigner Wen and strode onto the stage to sign the death pact.

Page (3/3)

Yang Sheng looked down at Le Luo and said calmly, “Brother Luo, I said I could be a blade in your hand.

But once drawn, this blade is meant to draw blood. It’s not so easy to sheath.”

Le Luo’s expression darkened immediately. He stood and pointed at Yang Sheng coldly. “Yang Sheng, do you know what you’re doing?”

Le Luo never imagined Yang Sheng would dare to double-cross him!

Where did he get the nerve to play him?

Wu Tianhao, however, showed little anger, more a sense of schadenfreude.

Le Luo was now like Wu himself once was—furious at being played by a nobody.

Wu Tianhao wasn’t worried about a change in plans.

Unless Yang Sheng could bring the Governor himself, who could stand against the combined forces of Bo Hao and Le Luo?

At this moment, the youth in the kimono beside Wu Tianhao spoke in slightly stiff Cantonese, “Mr. Wu, please allow me to fight on behalf of Chao Yi Yong.”

Wu Tianhao rubbed his temples. “Mr. Yagyu, this has nothing to do with your Yamada Group. Don’t get involved.

If anything goes wrong, how am I to explain to the Yamada Group?”

The youth was Yagyu Shinichi, heir to a senior leader of Japan’s Yamada Group, a distinguished figure.

Wu Tianhao had worked hard to open channels with Japan, cooperating sincerely with the Yamada Group, which had sent Shinichi to negotiate.

Since it was the Dragon City Championship final, Shinichi had come as a spectator.

Wu Tianhao hadn’t expected this Japanese fellow to suddenly want to fight Yang Sheng in the ring.

Yagyu Shinichi shook his head. “Mr. Wu, I’m not causing trouble. I came to Hong Kong voluntarily.

Le Dongjun was my junior disciple; we both apprenticed under Funakoshi Gichin.

I was deeply saddened to hear of his death. It is also the greatest disgrace to my Shoto-kan style.

I wish to fight in the ring, defeat my opponent, avenge my junior, and restore honor to my school. I beg your approval.”

With that, Yagyu Shinichi bowed respectfully, resolute.

Wu Tianhao felt a headache coming on.

These Japanese really were crazy!

Le Luo lost—so be it. Why must their Shoto-kan style be invincible? Are they so unable to accept defeat?

Huang Feihong fought undefeated across Guangdong; no one ever avenged themselves by storming his door after a loss.

Wu Tianhao had already agreed to give Le Luo thirty percent of Hong Kong’s share. Without expanding external business, he would suffer a great loss.

After thinking, Wu Tianhao said to Le Luo, “Brother Luo, let Yagyu Shinichi fight Yang Sheng.

After the match, you can deal with Yang Sheng however you like.”

Le Luo frowned. “Can that Japanese beat Yang Sheng?”

Wu Tianhao shook his head. “I don’t know. But if things go awry, we can stop the match immediately.”

Though Le Luo wanted to crush Yang Sheng now, having taken thirty percent of Bo Hao’s business share, he dared not say more, only snorted coldly:

“Then let Yang Sheng live a little longer!

If he dies on the ring, even luck won’t save him!”