Chapter 30: —

The Four Directions Society had been founded early on, and many of the founding big shots had already passed away one after another. The older generation who remained no longer managed affairs, but their standing within the society was still very high. If the younger generation wanted to climb upward, they needed the support of these big shots. And the society's channels for advancement were especially enticing.

Because beyond Port City, the Four Directions Society also had influence outside. Only those who climbed into the upper ranks could truly gain both fame and fortune. At minimum, one had to become the president or vice president of the Port City branch to be considered as touching the society's upper echelons and receiving a share of the dividends.

As for the bosses of the various halls, they had merely entered the grassroots management of the Four Directions Society, and still had plenty of room to rise.

The hall bosses in Port City were called "lodge masters." The lodge masters weren't young—most were in their forties, with the occasional one in their twenties or thirties, which was already considered quite exceptional.

Uncle Wen, the guest of honor at the banquet, hadn't arrived yet, so the lodge masters who had come early started chatting.

One lodge master in a yellow shirt with a thick gold chain around his neck said, "That bootlicker Ah Shan actually didn't come early. He used to always be the first to arrive. What, does he think his seat is secure now, so he doesn't need to come kiss up anymore?"

"Ah Bao, stop talking nonsense. When Ah Shan gets here, watch out or he'll challenge you to a duel again."

The others laughed.

Who didn't know why Huang Bao had it in for Chen Shan? It was all because Huang Bao used to be the youngest lodge master and thought his future was limitless—then along came Chen Shan, who was even younger. And this Chen Shan knew how to sweet-talk the big shots into a good mood, stealing Huang Bao's spotlight.

At last year's annual gathering, Huang Bao had deliberately provoked him, and Chen Shan had suggested a duel as entertainment, during which Huang Bao got beaten up. Who would have thought he still couldn't change his ways? There might be another good show to watch later.

Huang Bao snorted and sat drinking tea.

He had just finished a cup when he saw Chen Shan walk in with several men. The brothers behind Chen Shan were dressed in bulky clothing—one look and you could tell they were wearing protective gear.

Huang Bao nearly spat out his tea. "Chen Shan, are you here to chop people up today?"

The others also looked at the men behind Chen Shan. The four underlings in protective suits kept their heads down, looking embarrassed.

Chen Shan said, "I took them for a physical exam today. The doctor said their complexions looked poor, so I told them to bundle up. My own underlings—of course I look after them myself."

Then he had the men find their own seats while he sat with the lodge masters of the various halls.

Huang Bao sneered, "I thought you'd turned cowardly, Chen Shan, needing protective gear just to go out."

Chen Shan said, "Of course I wouldn't wear it. Once Uncle Wen comes out, I'm planning to challenge you to a duel to entertain everyone."

Hearing this, everyone at the table burst into laughter.

Just then, Uncle Wen walked out, dressed in a Taoist robe.

Seeing him like this, everyone thought of the recent news. Word was that Uncle Wen had been cultivating his body and mind lately—apparently it was true.

For a retired man like Uncle Wen, the gangster air about him was already well hidden. If you didn't know him, you'd only think he was a kindly old man on the street.

But not a single person present dared to underestimate him.

So the moment Uncle Wen appeared, no one dared even breathe loudly.

Uncle Wen was perfectly composed. "What were you all chatting about just now? I heard your laughter. Ah Quan, you tell me."

Ah Quan was the eldest lodge master, promoted entirely on seniority, and a rather honest man. Asked the question, he answered truthfully.

Uncle Wen glanced at Chen Shan and smiled. "Ah Shan still looks after his underlings—that's a good thing. You're all members of our Four Directions Society. Treat your underlings like family, and everyone will respect you."

"Uncle Wen is right."

Everyone chimed in agreement.

Uncle Wen nodded, signaling for the banquet to begin.

The first order of business was the recitation of birthday gifts, which was always the main event, tied to the face of every hall. A meager gift meant the hall was poor.

Each hall's annual funds were tied to its businesses. These businesses weren't just protection money—the bigger share came from shops the halls operated themselves, restaurants, hotels, and the like. Part of this income was turned over to headquarters, and part was kept by the halls for their own operations. So everyone was fairly well-off.

For a while, everyone competed with one another.

One gave a small gold mountain, another gave an antique, and someone even gave a car outright.

Huang Bao gave the latest model of car, and for a moment he was unmatched in the limelight. He was secretly pleased—he couldn't even bear to buy this car for himself, so when it came time to pick a gift, this car was the first thing that came to mind. He figured that what he liked most must be the best thing. Uncle Wen would surely love it!

Uncle Wen did indeed nod at him. Huang Bao looked smugly at Chen Shan. He knew full well that none of Chen Shan's businesses were especially lucrative.

Chen Shan presented a ginseng root. "Uncle Wen, this is a century-old wild mountain ginseng I had someone specially track down."

When Uncle Wen saw the old root, he stood up to examine it. "Mm, the quality is excellent. Ah Shan, you've gone to trouble." At his age, now that he'd started tending to his health, he had lost his fondness for material things. Instead, it was life-saving medicinal ingredients like this that he loved.

Hearing Chen Shan praised for giving a mere broken ginseng root, Huang Bao's heart filled with sourness. As expected, he couldn't out-flatter someone like this.

Uncle Wen smiled and said, "It seems the young people these days are all quite sharp. We should give the young more opportunities in the future."

The managing big shots all smiled and agreed. Everyone was happy to humor the old man. As for whether anyone would actually be promoted, that remained to be seen.

For a time, host and guests all enjoyed themselves.

When the wine had flowed freely, Uncle Wen suddenly sighed. "After today, I'll be going back to America again. The affairs here in Port City—I'll be counting on all of you to take care."

The big shots all urged him to stay. They were the leaders of the Port City branch; though they ran things, they still had to show respect to the older generation.

But in their hearts, they thought that with Uncle Wen gone, there would be one less person in charge. Secretly, everyone actually felt a bit relieved.

Uncle Wen said, "No need to say more. In a place like Port City, our influence will also need a few years to transform. Businesses we shouldn't touch—don't touch them. Don't let our Four Directions Society go down one dark road to the end. You all need to learn how to do proper business. Especially you, Ah Bao—you need to fix that temper of yours. Stop beating and cursing the men below you all the time." Though he normally stayed out of affairs, he still paid close attention to the younger generation in Port City.

Huang Bao said, "They keep making mistakes..."

"What is a lodge master for? Everything goes by the rules—only when someone breaks them do you enforce the family law. You all need to understand one truth: when danger comes, only the brothers at your side will help you. Learn from Ah Shan."

Huang Bao: "..."

Seeing him deflated, everyone secretly laughed.

Huang Bao glared bitterly at Chen Shan.

Seeing this, Chen Shan thought to himself: could today's misfortune be coming from Huang Bao? If that were really the case, he actually wasn't afraid.

Uncle Wen was getting on in years, so after the festivities, everyone began to disperse.

Chen Shan glanced at his watch—ten past one.

He remembered that Doctor Su had specifically asked what time he'd finish eating, and told him to be extra careful after the meal.

Chen Shan waved at his underlings, signaling them to leave together.

Anyway, getting back to the hall early would always be safer.

The group had just reached the parking lot when Huang Bao's shout came from behind: "Wait."

Hearing Huang Bao's voice, Chen Shan actually relaxed. If it was really this loser leopard causing trouble, then there was truly nothing to worry about.

Huang Bao fumed, "Chen Shan, don't get cocky. Don't think that just because Uncle Wen praised you, you can climb over my head. When I was fighting territory for the Four Directions Society, you were still in split-crotch pants."

Chen Shan said, "I know, Brother Bao. You're older, so I, Chen Shan, should respect my elders."

Being called old in a roundabout way, Huang Bao was furious. He wanted to throw a punch, but feared the other halls would see.

"If you've got the guts, come somewhere else to talk. As it happens, I have some business to discuss with you."

Chen Shan pondered inwardly. There's no such thing as guarding against a thief for a thousand days. Since it was Huang Bao stirring up trouble, the danger was within controllable limits.

"Let's go."

The two parties drove to a nearby teahouse.

At the teahouse parking lot, the moment they parked, Chen Shan instructed his underlings to take out their weapons and stay on guard.

Huang Bao got out of his car and, seeing Chen Shan's men holding weapons, laughed scornfully. "That little courage? You need weapons just to talk business with me?"

He had already decided that at the next gathering, he would definitely bring this up to humiliate Chen Shan.

Suddenly, a gang of people on motorcycles came roaring over.

The bikes moved fast, two riders on each, the ones in back wielding spiked clubs and broadswords, and in an instant they had surrounded Chen Shan's group.

The turn of events was too fast for anyone to react.

Chen Shan's expression changed. "Huang Bao, you're attacking your own people?"

"Attack your old man! I don't even know where these bastards came from! Did you, you unlucky brat, offend someone?" Huang Bao roared. Then he felt his waist and realized his weapons were all in the trunk. After all, he'd come to a birthday banquet—who would bring weapons?

"The one in yellow is Huang Bao."

Someone on a motorcycle shouted.

Huang Bao: "...!!!"

In a flash, the motorcycles charged over, their riders swinging blades.

"What are you standing there for? Run!" Chen Shan yelled.

Chen Shan and his underlings bolted. As long as they made it to the cars, they'd be safe—at least they wouldn't have to fight barehanded.

"Ah—" Huang Bao's voice came from behind.

Chen Shan glanced back; somehow, Huang Bao had fallen to the ground.

"Brother Shan, run!" his underling shouted.

Of course Chen Shan wanted to run—he couldn't be bothered with a dog of a man like Huang Bao. But if word ever got out that he, Chen Shan, had left a Four Directions Society "brother" to die, he could forget about ever climbing higher.

A man who lets personal grudges make him leave someone to die will never earn the trust of his brothers or the big shots.

The thought flashed through his mind for only a second before he ran back. "You all go first—get to a phone and call for help."

He ran back, and of course his brothers ran back too, leaving only one nimble underling sprinting toward the outside.

Just as a blade was about to hack into Huang Bao, Chen Shan's flying kick knocked both rider and bike over.

Once the fighting really started, everything descended into chaos.

Several times, men on Chen Shan's side were slashed, but the protective suits saved them from disaster. And because they'd prepared weapons in advance, for a while they actually fought evenly.

Huang Bao proved fairly brave himself—after scrambling up from the ground, he joined the fight too.

Taking a slash across the back, he grunted a few times and bellowed, "Chen Shan, consider that I owe you one, you bastard."

The group used the cars in the garage to dodge the motorcycles, buying some time, but as more and more bikes closed in, their space was quickly compressed.

Someone on a motorcycle shouted, "Finish this fast, don't waste time. Chop Huang Bao dead!"

The motorcycles roared and all closed in on Huang Bao.

More bikes kept streaming in from outside.

Chen Shan had just grabbed a broadsword from a motorcycle he'd kicked over and was about to toss it to Huang Bao when a white flash of light appeared—he dodged on instinct. The blade meant for his face landed on his shoulder instead.

A wave of searing pain hit.

Fortunately, he now had a weapon in hand, and he counterattacked on reflex, keeping anyone from getting close.

The men on the motorcycles wanted to slash at him again when a voice suddenly came from the entrance: "In there! Ah Bao and Ah Shan are surrounded!"

Then came the sound of whistles, and the motorcyclists turned their bikes around and rushed out through another exit.

By the time the Four Directions Society's lodge masters arrived with their underlings as reinforcements, nearly everyone on their side was wounded. Even those in protective suits had cuts on their arms.

The lodge master called Ah Quan ran over and supported Chen Shan. "Ah Shan's shoulder wound is serious—it needs to be bandaged right away."

Chen Shan gritted his teeth, pressing his hand against his wounded shoulder, when suddenly the words Doctor Su had left him echoed in his mind: "Wear something to protect your shoulder..."

For a moment, the shock in his heart made him completely forget the pain of his body.

The incident didn't disturb Uncle Wen; the branch's presidents got to the bottom of it themselves.

The attackers had been sent by a hall of the Dragon-Tiger Society.

Because Huang Bao had snatched their business, they wanted revenge on him.

But Huang Bao usually only hung around his own turf, and today he'd come out for Uncle Wen's birthday banquet, so they'd lain in wait near the hotel, waiting for him to be alone. It was just bad luck that not only was Huang Bao alone—this bastard had also dragged Chen Shan along.

Vice President Uncle Hao said, "You—always worrying about your underlings. If you'd worn a protective suit yourself, wouldn't you have been fine?"

Chen Shan smiled, his face pale. "How was I to know something would happen? And I don't like wearing that stuff anyway." The truth was, he'd been worried something would happen at Uncle Wen's banquet, so naturally he hadn't dared wear protective gear in advance. Otherwise, after the incident, suspicion would surely fall on him. So he would rather be slashed than be suspected.

"And it's lucky you didn't abandon Ah Bao, or he'd definitely be finished today. If he ever gives you trouble in the future, I'll teach him a lesson for you."

"Thank you, Uncle Hao," Chen Shan said with a smile.

After Uncle Hao left, Chen Shan lay on the hospital bed, staring blankly at his shoulder.

A coincidence? It couldn't be a coincidence. There was no such coincidence in this world.

Chen Shan's mind was in turmoil. Following the society's big shots, he'd met plenty of great masters, but not one of them was like Doctor Su—someone who didn't look like a master at all, yet predicted things more accurately than any master!

So, Doctor Su really was... Master Su?