No. 88 Awaiting the Black Comedy
Could a sheltered student, accustomed to the comforts of school life, burdened by endless homework, and lacking any real-world experience, stand a chance against a girl who had trained in martial arts since childhood, honed by years of rigorous discipline in the mountains?
The answer was a resounding no.
Liang Tong demonstrated impressive resilience, enduring blow after blow, rising only to be knocked down again. But eventually, he succumbed to the relentless assault, collapsing unconscious.
“Is he… going to be alright?” I asked, my voice laced with concern, as those burly men carried him towards the elevator like a sack of potatoes.
“Don’t worry, Bing only targeted specific pressure points that stimulate the body’s meridians. He won’t suffer any permanent damage. Just a few weeks of bed rest,” Pai Ge assured me.
A few weeks of bed rest? That sounds pretty serious…
“He needs to familiarize himself with hospitals and learn how to handle his parents,” Pai Ge added cryptically.
He pulled out a map of Upper Capital City and spread it on the table. “Yi Yao, do you understand the current situation in the city?”
Upper Capital City, neither large nor small, was a second-tier city by national standards, its shape resembling an irregular heptagon, divided by the Lan River, the city’s lifeline.
I shook my head.
I didn’t understand the city’s overall situation, but I could guess the Black Dragon Society’s current standing.
Pai Ge had joined us with the Pai family, but as individuals. Technically, the two organizations were separate. He was merely managing our affairs, and while the Pai family members presented themselves as our brothers, they would likely abandon us if things went south.
The Black Dragon Society had become a puppet, a front for the Pai family to operate in secrecy. But thanks to Pai Ge’s loyalty and the unspoken threat of Long Fei’s father, we were still enjoying a period of peace and prosperity.
And Pai Ge had hinted at the possibility of me joining the Pai family.
But the future was uncertain.
“The Gathering Hall controls 40% of Upper Capital City.”
Pai Ge sliced the map in half along the Lan River with a playing card, discarding one half and leaving the half containing my and Xiaodie’s homes.
“This is Yangyi District, this is Jiangnan District, and this is Anning District.”
He tore away another section, comprising about 30% of the eastern part of the city, mostly Anning District. “This is the territory of the mercenary group ‘Zero.’ They’re a ruthless organization, motivated solely by profit. The men who kidnapped you and Xiaodie, the ones Huang Qinghao hired to threaten you, they were all from Zero.”
His words reminded me of something the mayor had inadvertently revealed during our drinking session months ago.
“We can’t touch Zero for now. Their influence extends beyond Upper Capital City, throughout the entire Yixian Province.”
“That leaves us with one-third of the city. Yi Yao, what do you see?”
I studied the remaining portion, my gaze lingering on my and Xiaodie’s neighborhoods. “Is the rest controlled by the Jiangnan Association?”
The Jiangnan Association was a powerful organization. That much was certain.
Their core members had direct access to Ouyang Dati, a testament to their influence.
My home was located in the heart of Jiangnan District, while Xiaodie’s was on the outskirts of Yangyi District. The city was divided into three districts, from west to east: Yangyi, Jiangnan, and Anning. Our school was in Jiangnan District, near the border of Anning District. No wonder we had been kidnapped.
Pai Ge shook his head.
“This is the extent of their territory.”
He drew a small circle on the map, encompassing my and Xiaodie’s homes.
“The Jiangnan Association is on the verge of collapse. Do you know why?”
“Because of Huang Tianhai?” I guessed.
Every gang’s rise to power was linked to a key figure, a patron who provided protection and resources.
The Gathering Hall had a long history and a deep-rooted network. Zero had connections to other cities.
And the Jiangnan Association’s patron was likely that cocky blond kid, Huang Tianhai.
The son of the provincial party secretary, Huang Tianqi.
He had gone abroad, leaving the Jiangnan Association vulnerable.
“As expected of the Pai family’s chosen one.”
He put away the pen, a hint of admiration in his voice. “But there’s another reason.”
“What is it?”
“It’s related to Upper Capital City. It’s not something I can discuss here. Bing will explain everything.”
“What about the rest of the city?”
“Small-time gangs, mostly students and petty criminals.”
“And our territory?”
He pointed at the ceiling. “This is it.”
So the Black Dragon Society and the Pai family only controlled this arcade and the surrounding market?
I wanted to ask about the location of the Pai family’s headquarters, but I knew he wouldn’t reveal it.
“Haha, I know what you’re thinking, Yi Yao. And that’s actually what I wanted to talk about.”
He took a sip of tea, his usual playful demeanor replaced by a rare solemnity. “The Pai family is in turmoil.”
What?
“My uncle has been missing for almost six months. Some factions within the family are trying to seize control of our assets. Right now, the only people I can truly trust are these.”
He gestured towards the group of men and women, their faces a mixture of boredom and apprehension.
“Some of them are former executives from my uncle’s company, others are elite assassins. Let me introduce you to one of them. Crimson, come here.”
A woman in a red hooded jacket approached us.
She had dark skin and exotic features, suggesting a foreign heritage.
Like Ah Zhi, she exuded an aura of danger, a quiet strength that sent shivers down my spine.
“This is Crimson. She’s ranked 32nd in the Pai family’s assassination unit. She’s from Colombia, South America. Her parents were killed in a war, and she was trained as a child soldier in the jungle. She returned to China with my uncle when she was twenty-five. Her specialty is poison, but she’s also proficient with firearms.”
Poison?
“Hello, little one.”
She smiled warmly, her dark eyes sparkling with amusement, as she patted my head. “It’s not easy to earn Luo Wei’s approval. Keep up the good work.”
Her words, though friendly, sent a chill down my spine.
“Crimson’s poisons aren’t always lethal. She prefers to make her victims suffer. Back in the day, our enemies feared her the most. Some even chose suicide over being captured by her.”
Was she exaggerating?
I looked up at her, intrigued. “For example?”
“Well…” She smiled, her voice a seductive purr. “From this distance, I could easily poison you. And whether you’re gay or straight, your body wouldn’t be able to resist the urge to… well, let’s just say you’d be very busy for a while.”
I instinctively took a step back.
“Hahaha! Just kidding, little one. These are all Luo Wei’s trusted associates. And I didn’t bring any of those toys today.”
She laughed, her voice as carefree as Pai Ge’s.
“Don’t mind her. She’s just teasing you,” Pai Ge whispered in my ear. “Bing spent several years training with her master in the jungle. She even ate tiger meat. That’s why she has such a sweet tooth now. It takes two Bings to take down Crimson.”
You’re all monsters.
“That’s all I wanted to say. I’m not a good leader. More like a modern-day Liu Shan. If we don’t hear from my uncle soon, we’re finished. You might not be an official member of the Pai family yet, Yi Yao, but I want you to understand the situation.”
“So what’s the point of this meeting, Luo Wei?” a young man with spiky red hair asked, his voice impatient.
“Ahaha, I just wanted you all to meet the new leader of the Black Dragon Society.” Pai Ge’s smile returned. “What if I told you I have a feeling she’ll be our savior? Would you believe me?”
The red-haired youth scoffed. “I only believe in actions.”
“What about you, Ah Zhi?”
“Me?” The masked man glanced at me, then turned away, as if he hadn’t heard the question. “That man saved my life. I’ll do whatever he asks of me.”
His voice was cold, his demeanor aloof, radiating an aura of power and authority.
“Just admit you don’t want to drag this little girl into our mess, Luo Wei,” Crimson said, pulling up her hood. “That’s why you’ll never be a true Joker.”
Pai Ge gathered the cards from the table. “I admit, I’m hesitant. She’s just a child.”
“You wanted to recruit her because of her talent, and now you’re having second thoughts because she’s cute? That’s so like you, my compassionate Joker,” the red-haired youth sneered. “Listen, it doesn’t matter if she’s a boy or a girl. The Pai family needs a leader. And on the battlefield, no one cares about your gender or your looks. I’ve seen enough of that in Syria. Death or prostitution. Those are the only choices.”
“Luo Wei,” a man who had been silent until now, his appearance the most ordinary of the group, spoke up. “We can’t keep relying on the Jiangnan Association. This city is different from our hometown. It’s rotten to its core.”
“Oh?” Pai Ge looked at him, intrigued. “Wild Dog, what do you suggest?”
The man, known as Wild Dog, paused for a moment. “Fight fire with fire.”
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