The Price of Leaving
Stepping out of the clubhouse, Tony couldn't help but ask,
"Boss, are you really leaving?"
Luke lit a cigarette and smiled. "What, are you reluctant?"
"Of course I am! This foundation was built through blood and sweat. To just give it away like this is a terrible waste."
"Idiot!"
Dior scolded him without hesitation. "Young Master's ambition has never been limited to Coast City. Besides, Danny is one of us."
"You sick pervert! I know damn well Danny is one of us! The problem is, can he control them? Those guys inside are ruthless. They respected the Boss, but that doesn't mean they'll listen to Danny."
When Tony said this, the expressions of the others grew serious. They had grown up with the Young Masters' Gang and felt deeply attached to it. They didn't want to see the organization they had poured their hearts into fall apart.
Wang Hu stepped forward.
"How about we..."
He drew a hand across his neck.
The others paused, then grew determined. Dior nodded.
"Ending it once and for all is a good idea."
They had been annoyed with the men inside for a long time. Ever since the Boss left, those guys' intentions had changed. Not only did they start breaking the rules, but they began secretly stealing territory. They couldn't stand it and intervened a few times, which temporarily eased the tension, but soon things became worse.
Several core members of the gang had secretly formed an alliance, intending to break away and start their own organizations.
Dior had reported this to Luke, who only replied with two words: "Just watch."
So, they withdrew their claws and ignored gang affairs, watching from the sidelines as their previously loyal brothers fell into degradation, corruption, and became enemies, all due to the temptation of profit.
This period had been a source of endless melancholy, but it gave them a deeper understanding of human nature.
Indeed, the human heart cannot withstand temptation.
"Boss, what do you think? Should we..."
Luke burst out laughing. "We are no longer part of the Young Masters' Gang. The gang's affairs are no longer our business. As for Danny, the path has been laid for him. Whether he can walk it depends on his own capability."
"I believe he'll be fine."
"Come on. Tonight, us brothers are going to celebrate properly. No one leaves until the liquor runs out!"
Danny's Reckoning
Sitting in the main seat, observing the varying expressions of the core gang members on either side, Danny tasted the power of his position while simultaneously feeling the immense pressure coming from all directions.
He was also a gang member, having hung out with Luke since childhood, and he had watched the Young Masters' Gang grow strong bit by bit. His feelings for the organization were no less profound than anyone else's.
The Young Masters' Gang was different from traditional criminal groups. It was a respected association, praised by citizens. When people mentioned Young Master Shaw, they often gave a thumbs-up. Of course, there were also many who hated them.
But in Chinatown, Young Master Shaw was viewed as a guardian angel. When residents encountered trouble, most didn't call the police; they went to a certain bar for help. After paying a small fee, they would receive a satisfactory resolution.
Those who committed evil faced brutal physical punishment, and those who broke the rules vanished without a trace.
Over time, Chinatown became the community with the lowest crime rate, and the local police department became the most suitable for retirement. The Mayor of Coast City even joked, "My grandmother could be a cop in Chinatown."
Danny grew up in Chinatown, and through immersion, he developed boundless admiration for the Young Masters' Gang, believing that organizations should develop this way, rather than become "corrupt" like the Hongmen. He had even gotten into a huge argument with his father, who was a Hongmen leader, over this belief.
He just never expected that one day, he would be sitting in the leader's seat of the Young Masters' Gang, becoming the new Young Master Shaw.
"Luke, I won't disappoint you."
Danny composed himself, then, adopting Luke's manner, he smiled and spoke.
"I'm sure many of you have thoughts about me as the new Boss. Speak up. Only by speaking up can we solve things."
The group remained silent, but their eyes slowly began to change. Several core members focused their gazes on Lance Li, who was sitting in the first seat. Lance gritted his teeth and was the first to stand up.
"I only recognize Luke as the Boss of the Young Masters' Gang. No one else is acceptable. You're just a little chick whose feathers haven't even fully grown. You want to be the Boss? You'll have to step over my corpse first."
Danny's eyes turned cold, and he almost moved to strike, but he suddenly remembered Luke's warning. He forcefully suppressed his anger, narrowed his eyes, and hissed,
"Who else has an objection to me?"
Swish! Swish!
Seven people stood up at once, followed by nine more who rose to their feet.
The oldest, Henry, stroked his neat mustache and said with a chuckle,
"Danny, I watched you grow up. I know your character well. Being a core leader is no problem, but the Boss?" He laughed lightly. "Honestly, you're not quite there yet."
Becky on the side sneered. "The gang's achievements today were earned by everyone through bloody, life-or-death struggle. If Luke were the Boss, it would be fine. When it comes to methods, character, ability, and intelligence, he is a world-class talent. We gladly submit to him. But you? A kid who hasn't even shed blood wants to call the shots over us? If the Young Masters' Gang falls into your hands, it's finished."
A chorus of agreement followed.
A few who were friends with Danny quietly advised him,
"Danny, listen to your brothers, step down. That position isn't right for you."
"You don't have the capability. You have no idea how many risks the Boss has to handle. Forcing yourself into that seat will only make things difficult for everyone."
"That's right! Not even your father would dare to touch the Boss's seat, let alone you."
"Come down. Don't make things hard on us."
The men spoke one after another, their words filled with contempt for Danny and concern for the gang's future. After all the arguments, even the core members who hadn't stood up were starting to waver.
Danny's face was ashen. He knew he would face a lot of resistance tonight, but he hadn't expected the opposition to be this strong, with over two-thirds of the core leadership against him.
What was most sickening was that these guys spoke of looking out for the gang, making themselves sound like righteous individuals while making him out to be the illegal intruder.
Seeing the situation nearing a point of no return, one of the bodyguards stepped forward and whispered,
"Should we make a move?"
Danny remained silent for a few seconds, then gestured for the man to step back. He placed his hands on the table and slowly rose to his feet.
"Everyone, are you finished? If not, keep arguing. If you are, shut your mouths and listen to me."
The crowd paused, then looked toward him with cold sneers. They wanted to see what kind of trick this young kid could pull. If he dared to break the rules and resort to murder, the problem would be easily solved.
Even if Luke questioned them later, they would be safe, as Danny would have been the first to break the rules.
Danny had largely guessed the schemes running through these men's minds. As rage boiled inside him, a cold smile also formed.
Luke was right. Some people don't need to exist in this world; their death is the best gift to it.
As for the rules...
Luke broke the customary rules of Chinatown, and it led to years of prosperity for Coast City. Tonight, Danny would break the rules of the Young Masters' Gang, turning the ideology into tradition.
The very meaning of rules is that they are meant to be broken.
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