Futile Devices Scans

Having chosen an auspicious day, He Chu San performed the rites of initiation—kowtowing, offering incense, and drinking chicken blood—thus formally entering as a disciple under Deputy Hall Master Cui Dong Dong. Owing to his expertise in investment and financial management, he was appointed as the Hall’s “investment advisor.” Not only did he provide consultation for the organization’s businesses, but he also privately assisted his fellow brothers and sisters with personal financial planning.

For a time, a craze for wealth management swept through Xiao Qi Hall. The streetwise ruffians who once spent recklessly, living by the creed of “drink today, forget tomorrow,” began setting aside small sums—three thousand, five thousand at a time—as private savings. Once they had accumulated enough, they would seek out Advisor He to “turn small money into big money”.

He Chu San commanded no troops, had never shed blood nor tears for the gang in acts of violence, yet he swiftly won the hearts of many and rose like a brilliant new star admired by all. Even other factions in the jianghu had begun to hear of him. The brothers gave him a nickname—“Wealth-Reaping Prodigy.”

Fortunately, his father never came into contact with such rumors of the underworld. Otherwise, he would likely have taken up a broom and beaten him into a cripple.

Meanwhile, Boss Xia, imprisoned, remained just as oblivious as He Chu San’s father. His days passed as they always had—eating, drinking, participating in prison “tournaments,” and recruiting lackeys. However, he did not force the newly saved recruit Qin Hao to acknowledge him as boss. Saving Qin Hao had been a spur-of-the-moment decision; he had noticed the young man’s skill and pride and found it a waste for him to be ruined by Big Python and the others.

Though he had jokingly claimed to have “taken a liking” to Qin Hao, in truth, the man’s face—so strikingly similar to the Azure Dragon Boss—constantly reminded him of the past. Qin Hao’s aloof and cold personality was entirely different from the Azure Dragon Boss’s, making this crude imitation feel like a thorn lodged in his eye—deeply uncomfortable.

Fortunately, Qin Hao showed no intention of ingratiating himself. Even after being saved, he continued to act alone, rarely appearing before Xia Liu Yi to irritate him.

Thus, half a month passed in mutual indifference. Then came the Mid-Autumn Festival. The prison granted all inmates a day off—no labor required. Each person received two mooncakes, and lunch came with a chicken drumstick.

The prisoners rejoiced in the cafeteria. The warden made an appearance, offering holiday greetings and mentioning that it was also his birthday. The inmates promptly sang him a birthday song in unison before seeing him off.

The moment he left, the atmosphere exploded into chaos. A group of Teochew inmates leapt onto tables and began singing Love in Late Autumn.

“If fate has long decreed our parting,

There’s no need for false attempts to keep me…”

Members of He Sheng Society responded from below, pounding on tables as they sang back in competition:

“Fear not the raging winds that scatter love!

Across rivers and mountains, affection endures…”

Then the men of Xiao Qi Hall joined in with Friends, their voices rising together:

“Like two hands, sharing joy and sorrow,

Bearing all burdens together—never yours or mine…”

For a time, the cafeteria roared with life, songs overlapping one after another. Even the prison guards were caught up in the spirit, humming along softly.

Amid this lively chaos, Xia Liu Yi tapped his plate to keep rhythm for his men while scanning his surroundings. His instincts were sharp—he knew that the livelier things became, the more likely trouble would arise.

Sure enough, he spotted Qin Hao in a corner, holding a tray—and behind him, Big Python and several members of the Sha Family Gang quietly closing in.

Xia Liu Yi kicked Big Scarhead under the table, signaling him to take a look.

As a lone and dangerous figure, Qin Hao’s vigilance was no less keen. He noticed Big Python’s approach almost immediately, stopping and turning with a cold, guarded stare.

“So you’re called A’Hao?” Big Python sneered. “I’ve heard from friends outside—you fight like you’ve got nothing to lose.”

Qin Hao said nothing.

“What’s with being alone? Quiet, unsociable… Not likable? Did Twin-Blade Xia dump you after one night?”

With a swift motion, Qin Hao flipped his tray!

Big Python was caught off guard, splattered head to toe with greasy food. As he stumbled back, he cursed loudly, “Fuck your mother!”

“Fuck yours!” Big Scarhead shoved his way in with two others. “He’s one of Xiao Qi Hall! Didn’t your Boss Sha teach you the rules?!”

“Oh? So even the worn-out shoe your Boss Xia tossed aside can’t be touched by others?”

Big Scarhead, the Hall’s number-two Red Pole, wasn’t one for words. He rolled up his sleeves and threw a punch without another word.

Big Python staggered back, spat blood, and roared as he charged—only for his raised fist to freeze midair.

At some unknown moment, Xia Liu Yi had appeared. With one hand, he seized Big Python’s wrist, gripping so tightly the bones creaked. Big Python screamed in pain as Xia Liu Yi forced him down, bending him helplessly like a shrimp.

“Let go! Let go! Ahhh—!”

“Boss Limping Sha, aren’t you going to manage your man?” Xia Liu Yi called over his shoulder.

Limping Sha frowned, clearly embarrassed. “Enough! Get back here!”

The conflict dissolved instantly.

Xia Liu Yi turned and walked back toward his table, saying casually, “Bring him over to sit.”

“I don’t need you to stand up for me,” Qin Hao said behind him.

Xia Liu Yi stopped.

“I have nothing to do with you. Don’t interfere.”

Without warning, Xia Liu Yi grabbed his hair and slammed his head violently onto the table! Leaning close, he hissed in his ear:

“You think I want to stand up for you? I saved you in front of everyone that night—so from then on, you’re with Xiao Qi Hall. You think Big Python was interested in you? He was stepping on my face! From now on, you follow me obediently and stop causing trouble. And if you keep acting ungrateful like that—I’ll make sure you don’t see tomorrow’s sun!”

He smashed Qin Hao’s head down once more, then gestured to Big Scarhead. “Take him over!”

“Yes!”

Qin Hao’s bunk was soon moved beside Xia Liu Yi’s. It was clear to him—this kid neither submitted nor understood the ways of the world. Left alone, he’d stir up trouble even in silence. If he remained isolated, he wouldn’t last three days before dying mysteriously.

…

Nights in prison were the longest and most torturous.

Listening to Qin Hao tossing and turning on the neighboring bunk, Xia Liu Yi grew increasingly restless. The photograph he had carried in his wallet for nearly ten years—the Azure Dragon Boss’s silent, smoking profile—kept surfacing in his mind.

She’s my sister! She likes you!

What about you?

I… I’m your subordinate. Your sworn disciple. If I acknowledge you as boss, I’ll follow you for life.

When he held me, I watched him closely—he was thinking of someone else! He could only hold me while thinking of someone else! Who is that bitch?! That fox spirit?! What does she have that I don’t?! What did I do wrong…

A woman doesn’t need this! You know that! Can’t you be sincere…

I can’t.

Xiao Liu… it’s my fault. Don’t blame yourself.

Xiao Liu…

A suppressed, violent breath escaped Xia Liu Yi. He clenched the jade Buddha pendant at his chest, pressing it hard against his heart as if to quell the sudden, stabbing pain.

He forced himself to think of He Chu San—his shameless clinginess, his playful whining as he wrapped his arms around his waist, the way he pressed Xia Liu Yi’s hand to his cheek, and that shy yet hopeful smile when he handed over the small box containing the jade Buddha.

He clung to that smile desperately, using it to bury the blood-soaked darkness and violent urges within himself.

Brother Liu Yi… when you get out, go clean. I don’t want to keep missing you like this.

Xia Liu Yi drew in a long breath of stale air, then slowly exhaled.

He would go clean.

After he finished this final task.

…

Big Scarhead slept sprawled across a lower bunk, snoring thunderously, limbs hanging off the bed. A sudden kick jolted him awake. Before he could shout, Xia Liu Yi covered his mouth.

“It’s me,” he whispered.

He tapped the upper bunk; the man above silently climbed down and left to squeeze in elsewhere.

“Boss? What is it?”

In a voice barely audible, Xia Liu Yi asked, “How’s the preparation?”

“All set. Besides Sir Xing, we’ve bribed one of Shrimp Skin’s lackeys. Sir Xing will move the others from He Sheng Society to different cells over the next few days, leaving only Shrimp Skin and that lackey. Tonight, the lackey will lure him into the bathhouse. I’ll hide the knife behind the hot water pipe in advance.”

“I’ll go in when the time comes. You and the others guard the entrance.”

“Yes.”

With heavy thoughts, Xia Liu Yi returned to his bunk.

Qin Hao was still awake, silently watching him in the darkness. Sensing the gaze, Xia Liu Yi suddenly turned and glared. Qin Hao immediately shut his eyes and rolled over.

Damn it. Xia Liu Yi cursed inwardly. Just looking at that face made his chest tighten—he almost wanted to carve it off with a blade.

…

The next day brought no holiday. As usual, the prisoners were transported by truck to a nearby quarry for labor. It was the season when the lingering heat of late autumn returned with a vengeance—the midday sun blazed fiercely, scorching the skin. When the sea wind swept through, it felt as though it might peel away one’s entire layer of burnt flesh.

The inmates toiled under the heat, stopping from time to time to wipe sweat from their brows. Many stripped off their drenched undershirts, wrung them dry, and draped them over their heads. Some, overwhelmed by the heat, even stripped down to their shorts—only to yelp moments later as the blazing sun scorched their flesh, hastily pulling them back on.

As the prison tyrant, Xia Liu Yi naturally took every opportunity to slack off. He left the labor to his underlings, squatting in a blind corner beyond the guards’ sight, a wide straw hat on his head as he leisurely smoked.

Across his bare back stretched a dense network of old scars—long and short, crisscrossing in layers. Under the relentless heat, they flushed into a dark, vivid red-black, making him seem as though he might burst into flames at any moment.

Suddenly, a heated argument broke out in the distance. More and more people began gathering in that direction. Xia Liu Yi clicked his tongue in annoyance, extinguished the half-smoked cigarette in his hand—hesitating briefly before stuffing it into his pocket instead of discarding it.

“What’s going on?” he asked, grabbing a nearby lackey.

“Seems like Big Scarhead—he’s gotten into an argument.”

Big Scarhead had been wronged. He wasn’t one to stir up trouble, yet while working diligently, someone from the Sha Family Gang suddenly grabbed him, accusing him of deliberately dumping a basket of freshly loaded stones. Naturally, he refused to admit it. Words escalated, tempers flared—and soon they were at each other’s throats.

Big Python rushed over upon hearing the commotion. The moment he saw Big Scarhead, old grudges reignited. Without a word, he threw a punch—and the two were instantly locked in a brawl!

By the time Xia Liu Yi arrived, the men of Xiao Qi Hall and the Sha Family Gang had nearly all joined the fray, fighting in utter chaos. From afar, the prison guards blew their whistles sharply, rushing over with electric batons in hand.

“Enough—!” Xia Liu Yi roared.

He caught sight of Boss Limping Sha hobbling over as well. “Limping Sha! Call your men off! If this keeps up, we’ll all end up in solitary!”

Both leaders held authority over their men. At their commands, the fighters reluctantly broke apart, though clearly unwilling to stop.

Big Scarhead stood at the center, panting heavily. Xia Liu Yi frowned, about to reprimand him—when suddenly, Big Scarhead’s expression froze. Clutching his abdomen, he collapsed!

The crowd instinctively stepped back.

He hit the ground hard—blood gushed through his fingers in thick streams!

Beside him stood Big Python, frozen in shock, gripping a sharpened toothbrush handle stained with blood.

Xia Liu Yi’s face turned deathly cold. Killing intent surged.

In a flash, he lunged forward, locking his hand around Big Python’s throat. The man, stunned and defenseless, was seized instantly, choking out strangled sounds.

“N—not… I… I didn’t—!”

“Twin-Blade Xia! Let him go! We can talk this out!” Limping Sha rushed forward, only to be kicked away by Xia Liu Yi.

The men of Xiao Qi Hall, enraged, surged forward again—battle erupted once more!

The guards stormed in, shouting. Without hesitation, they drove their electric batons into Xia Liu Yi!

His body convulsed violently as he collapsed to the ground—face-to-face with Big Scarhead, who lay twitching in a pool of blood.

“Boss… stop fighting… Boss…” Big Scarhead groaned weakly.

With a hoarse roar, Xia Liu Yi struggled to rise—only to be struck on the back of the head. Darkness swallowed him whole.

…

When he awoke, he was lying in solitary confinement.

The cell lay underground—cold and damp, a stark contrast to the scorching heat outside. Clad in nothing but trousers, Xia Liu Yi shivered violently before finally regaining clarity.

His head throbbed unbearably. One eye was swollen nearly shut, his brow scraped raw. Staggering upright, he made his way to the iron bars.

“You’re awake?” a guard asked from the corridor.

“My brother—where is he?”

“The one who got stabbed? Sent to the hospital. Still alive.”

“And Big Python?”

“Locked up like you,” the guard replied. “He claims he didn’t stab anyone—that the toothbrush was shoved into his hand during the chaos.”

Xia Liu Yi frowned, but the movement pulled at his injury, drawing a low grunt.

The guard tossed him a cigarette. “Forget about Big Python. You’ve only got a few months left on your sentence. Kill him, and you’ll be staying here for life.”

“He hurt my brother,” Xia Liu Yi said coldly.

“You punks really think you’re righteous heroes?” the guard scoffed, tossing him a box of matches. “Have a smoke and calm down. You’ve still got two days in solitary.”

Xia Liu Yi spent a full three days in confinement. Like all who endured it, he emerged unshaven, haggard, and mentally dulled.

Limping Sha came out at the same time. His steps were unsteady—every few paces, he had to stop. The damp cold had aggravated his previously broken leg.

Forcing himself to keep up, he walked alongside Xia Liu Yi and spoke in a low voice:

“That toothbrush—it was Big Python’s. But he wouldn’t have brought it to the quarry to stab someone. No matter how impulsive he is, he wouldn’t make a killing move without my permission.”

Xia Liu Yi let out a cold chuckle. “So Boss Sha is saying… he did have your permission?”

“Believe it or not—I gave no such order. Petty scuffles are one thing, but if someone dies, what benefit is there for me?”

“Save it,” Xia Liu Yi said without looking at him. “You can’t save Big Python. And if I find out you were behind it—you won’t be able to save yourself either.”

Limping Sha grew both angry and anxious. “Xia Liu Yi, if we tear each other apart, who profits in the end? Use your brain! You’re nothing compared to Hao Cheng Qing back then—”

Before he could finish, Xia Liu Yi slammed him against the wall by the throat.

“Shut your mouth! You think you can say his name?!”

The escorting guards rushed forward, prying them apart. “Xia Liu Yi! Behave yourself! You just got out—want to go back in?!”

Xia Liu Yi shoved Limping Sha away with a glare.

The guards forced them back to the dormitory, unlocking their cuffs only at the door.

“You two cause trouble again, and it’s ten days in solitary each! Got it?!”

“…”

“Did you hear me?!”

“Heard, sir,” the two powerful bosses answered bitterly.

“Get lost! Grab your washing things and take a shower! You stink like hell! Lights out in thirty minutes—move it!”

Limping Sha snorted and grabbed his towel and basin, heading straight for the bathhouse. His leg was stiff with pain—he needed the hot water badly.

Xia Liu Yi, however, hesitated.

As he walked, he glanced around. None of the men from Xiao Qi Hall or the Sha Family Gang were in the dormitory.

“Officer?” he called to the guard on duty. “Where are the others from that fight? Still in solitary?”

The unfamiliar guard sneered. “Transferred to other dorms. What, you want them here so you can keep fighting?”

Xia Liu Yi studied him, certain he had never seen this man before.

“Where’s Sir Xing? In the bathhouse?”

“On sick leave,” the man replied coldly, tapping his baton against the bars. “Enough questions. Go shower. Or I’ll make it unpleasant for you.”

Under the man’s watchful glare, Xia Liu Yi headed toward the bathhouse.

It stood outside the dormitory building, connected by a long corridor. Because of the distance, any noise from within was nearly impossible to hear from the dorms. A guard stood stationed at the entrance.

On his first night here, Xia Liu Yi had been ambushed in this very bathhouse—men sent by Pao Zai. Big Scarhead had bribed Officer Xing beforehand, who conveniently stepped away, allowing the fight to go unnoticed.

Now, another unfamiliar guard stood at the entrance.

Xia Liu Yi cast a wary glance inside.

Limping Sha stood at the farthest pipe, back turned, completely naked beneath the rushing water. No one else was present.

One man alone posed no threat—and with a guard outside, Xia Liu Yi, though suspicious, stepped inside.

The guard outside showed no interest in watching naked men bathe, turning his gaze away indifferently.

Xia Liu Yi approached a nearby pipe, turning on the hot water as he spoke casually:

“Something feels off outside—”

He stopped mid-sentence.

Shock flashed across his face.

Limping Sha—who had been standing with his back turned—was bound tightly to the pipe. His hands were tied with torn cloth, his legs bound together, his mouth stuffed with his own undergarment. Water poured over him as he struggled, eyes wide, making muffled noises.

At the same moment Xia Liu Yi realized something was wrong—

The hot water he had turned on burst forth violently, flushing out a hidden packet of sea sand from inside the pipe!

A storm of fine grit blasted straight into his face!

His vision went black—searing pain tore through his eyes!

Crying out, he staggered backward, covering his face. In that instant of agony, his instincts screamed—

Danger behind him!

He swung his plastic basin backward just in time—

Clang!

A sharp weapon pierced straight through the basin!

With a savage backward kick, he struck his attacker, sending the man flying with a cry.

From the direction of the bathhouse entrance came rapid footsteps—seven or eight men rushing in.

Then came Shrimp Skin’s triumphant shout:

“Turn on all the taps! Xia Liu Yi, you bastard think you can scheme against me?! I’ll make sure you die without a body left intact!”

Amid the deafening roar of water crashing from all directions—

Several burly men charged straight at him!

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