Futile Devices Scans

After showering, He Chu San made Xia Liu Yi wrap himself in a towel and wait on the sofa. He went into the bedroom to change the sheets and duvet cover before respectfully inviting the great man back to bed. The two clung together and exchanged a few more words, but He Chu San’s eyes gradually began to close. He had managed an entire wedding, drunk a considerable amount of alcohol, and exerted himself for most of the night. He could no longer stay awake.

“A’San,” Xia Liu Yi suddenly called.

“Mm?” He Chu San answered drowsily.

“I’m going to Guangzhou tomorrow.”

He Chu San opened his eyes. “What for?”

“Xiao Ma has an uncle by marriage over there who raised funds to open a garment factory. He wants me to invest. I’m going to inspect the operation.”

“Can’t you send someone else?” He Chu San asked quietly.

“It’s a personal investment. It has nothing to do with the company.”

“I’ll go with you.”

Xia Liu Yi shook his head and kissed him in consolation. He did not want to explain any further. The more he said, the more likely he was to make a mistake.

He Chu San frowned slightly and regarded him with a tired, complicated gaze. Xia Liu Yi once again felt as though He Chu San’s eyes had pierced straight through him, leaving him completely transparent. Nevertheless, he forced himself to endure the discomfort and maintained a calm, open expression. He Chu San suddenly pouted and buried his head in Xia Liu Yi’s chest, whining in a falsely tearful voice, “Boss, you sleep with me and then leave. Do you have any humanity at all?”

Xia Liu Yi secretly breathed a sigh of relief and stroked his head soothingly. “Be good. I’ll be back in a few days.”

“How many days is ‘a few days’?”

“I’m not sure. Maybe one or two weeks.”

“One or two weeks? That long!” He Chu San truly sounded as though he might cry.

Xia Liu Yi lowered his dignity as the Boss and kissed and coaxed him repeatedly, nearly going so far as to hoist the Boss’s wife onto his head and let him ride around like a horse. He Chu San demanded that Xia Liu Yi make time for the two of them to travel after he returned, and Xia Liu Yi agreed. He demanded that Xia Liu Yi never smoke another cigarette again, and Xia Liu Yi agreed to that as well. Then he demanded that Xia Liu Yi replace Qin Hao with another brother as his sparring partner and forbid Qin Hao from going near him.

Amused and exasperated, Xia Liu Yi asked, “He can’t even practice boxing with me?”

“No.” All those punches and kicks involved constant bumping and rubbing. Who knew whether a spark might accidentally ignite? You have no idea how tempting you look when you’re covered in sweat!

“You’re genuinely jealous of him?” Xia Liu Yi could not understand it. “I could never be attracted to him.”

“What if he becomes attracted to you?”

“You think everyone is like you?” Xia Liu Yi tugged his cheek. “Who besides you would ever be interested in me?”

He Chu San looked shocked. “No one else has ever pursued you?”

“No.”

During his youth, the Boss had spent every day carrying blades, guns, and clubs while fighting and killing. Later, he had become Dragon Head at an unusually young age. Aside from He Chu San, who possessed the courage of a bear and the nerve of a leopard, who would dare provoke him?

He Chu San stared in astonishment and hesitantly said, “Could it be that because I was the first person ever to pursue you, you lacked experience and were easily coaxed into my hands…?”

“Damn you!”

“Ahhh! Ow, ow! I was joking! I was wrong, I was wrong!”

“Shut up and sleep!”

“All right, all right.”

…

After finishing his coquettish complaints and pouring out all his jealousy, He Chu San nestled contentedly against Xia Liu Yi and fell asleep. Before long, his breathing became deep and even. Xia Liu Yi was also exhausted, but as he lay there staring at He Chu San’s peaceful sleeping face, he remained unable to close his eyes for a long time.

Everything he had told He Chu San was naturally a lie. The next day, he would take Qin Hao and Xiao Ma and personally “escort” Jade Guanyin back to Thailand to meet Golden Maitreya. Officially, he was presenting his godfather with a grand gift. In truth, he and Jade Guanyin planned to work together to destroy Golden Maitreya’s stronghold, each pursuing what they needed.

Several months earlier, tension had gradually developed between Jade Guanyin and Golden Maitreya. She attempted to assassinate him but failed, and when she fled, she took several of his confidential documents with her. Golden Maitreya sent half of his so-called Twelve Divine Generals—twelve trusted death warriors—along with more than a dozen subordinates to hunt her down. Capturing her alive would be preferable, but if they could not, they were to ensure that she was thoroughly dead. After fleeing through several places, Jade Guanyin deliberately sought refuge with Xia Liu Yi in Hong Kong, resulting in the earlier disturbance that had implicated the Boss’s wife. After forming an alliance with her, Xia Liu Yi called Golden Maitreya and claimed that he would personally escort Jade Guanyin back to Thailand while discussing a new partnership with his godfather. Deeply suspicious, Golden Maitreya demanded that Xia Liu Yi smuggle her into Thailand by sea, claiming that Interpol was pursuing her too closely and that she might fall into their hands if she traveled by plane. As always, Xia Liu Yi was permitted to bring only two subordinates.

Xia Liu Yi understood how dangerous the journey would be. Even with extensive preparations and meticulous arrangements, he had no absolute certainty of success. Before returning home that night, he called Qin Hao and finally explained what they had spent the past few weeks preparing for. The following day, they would leave Hong Kong and enter the tiger’s den to complete a mission. There was a fifty-percent chance that they would die, and they were guaranteed to face a life-or-death battle. Xia Liu Yi would pay Qin Hao a large sum in advance, then another sum if he returned alive—essentially hiring him as a special mercenary. He gave Qin Hao one night to decide whether he was willing to go.

If Qin Hao went, it would strengthen their hand. If he refused, Xia Liu Yi had other arrangements and would not suffer a critical setback. Nevertheless, he knew Qin Hao would agree. The young man appeared silent and reserved, but beneath the surface lay a ruthless drive and a desire to climb higher. To protect his sister and provide her with a better life, Qin Hao needed money and influence. Xia Liu Yi was his best choice.

Xia Liu Yi was completely certain that he understood Qin Hao, yet completely uncertain that he understood He Chu San. The little bastard slept peacefully in his arms, seemingly reassured by Xia Liu Yi’s explanation and harboring no suspicion whatsoever. Xia Liu Yi kept feeling that He Chu San was plotting something and would attempt some trick, but he could not imagine what it might be. Surely He Chu San would not wake early and lock him inside the apartment to prevent him from leaving?

On one hand, Xia Liu Yi’s paranoia made him wary that He Chu San might suddenly cause trouble and disrupt his plans. On the other, he feared that he might leave and never return, making him unable to resist staring at He Chu San a little longer. He lay there wide-eyed and full of turbulent thoughts until the first faint light of dawn.

The first birdcall sounded outside the window. He glanced toward it, then looked at He Chu San, who was still breathing deeply. The other man had only slept for three or four hours and remained in a profound slumber.

After pressing one final, lingering kiss to the crown of He Chu San’s head, Xia Liu Yi gently loosened the arms wrapped around his waist and climbed out of bed. He picked up the jade Buddha necklace from the bedside table, removed the pendant, and threaded onto the chain the ring He Chu San had given him. He placed the necklace around his neck, then stored the jade Buddha inside the bedside cabinet.

He packed a few simple belongings, endured the soreness throughout his body, and forced himself to leave with his usual swagger. Surrounded by bodyguards, he entered the car, leaned back in the rear seat, and closed his eyes to catch up on sleep.

…

The sedan headed toward Hung Hom Pier. Qin Hao and Xiao Ma were already waiting there, “guarding” Jade Guanyin, along with Cui Dong Dong, who had come to see them off. Xia Liu Yi whispered several instructions to Cui Dong Dong, then led the other three aboard a small boat and slipped out to sea. At the agreed location, they boarded a cargo vessel traveling between Hong Kong and Bangkok. The ship had long transported “goods” for the partnership between Xiao Qi Hall and Golden Maitreya. From the captain to the crew, everyone worked for Golden Maitreya. They treated Xia Liu Yi with great respect while secretly inspecting and monitoring him. The vessel would arrive at Bangkok Port five days later, but we shall leave that matter aside for now.

…

That day, He Chu San slept soundly until noon. He awoke in the chill of an empty bed after its occupant had gone, then calmly washed, dressed, collected the candles, cleaned the apartment, and prepared a simple meal for himself. He held the ring Xia Liu Yi had given him against his fingers and considered for a long time whether to wear it on his middle finger or ring finger. After all, Xia Liu Yi had proposed and immediately consummated the relationship with him. Did that make it an engagement ring or a wedding ring? In the end, he solemnly and carefully placed it on his ring finger. He then tidied his appearance, changed into casual clothes, left the apartment, retrieved his car from the parking area, and drove onto the street.

After traveling only two blocks, he pulled over. The sedan following him also stopped. The two bodyguards inside obediently lowered their window and greeted the approaching Boss’s wife. “Mister He.”

“Brothers, I’m taking my younger sister Xin Xin out to dinner tonight. Why don’t you pick her up for me and spend the afternoon accompanying her while she shops?” He Chu San asked gently.

The two bodyguards hesitated. “But the Boss…”

“The Boss assigned you to protect me, not monitor me, correct?” He Chu San smiled. “Or did he truly send you to monitor me?”

The two bodyguards shook their heads frantically, utterly unwilling to place such a heavy accusation upon the Boss.

He Chu San smiled again. “Then I’ll trouble you both.”

He returned to his car and resumed driving. Through the rearview mirror, he saw the surveillance vehicle turn away at the next intersection as expected. He cautiously took several additional detours before entering the narrow road leading toward the seaside villas.

After stopping outside Azure Dragon’s villa, he climbed onto the roof of his car, scaled the wall, and dropped into the lush vegetation inside the courtyard.

Yellow talismans had once again been attached to the villa’s front doors, and the blood that had filled the main hall had been thoroughly cleaned away. He Chu San pushed the door open and immediately met the direct gazes of Azure Dragon and Xiao Man in their photographs. Respectfully lowering his head to them, he bowed before calmly entering the house.

He had come to find the “ledger” that concerned Xiao Qi Hall’s survival and represented the transfer of its power. He had known Xia Liu Yi for three years and endured every kind of internal and external turmoil within Xiao Qi Hall, so he understood the importance of that book. Xia Liu Yi’s constant concealment, his immediately awkward acting whenever “going legitimate” was mentioned after his release, the unspeakable businesses under the “parent company,” his secretive behavior during this period, and his sudden reluctance to part the previous night—perhaps all He Chu San’s questions could be answered by that ledger.

There was also Lu Guang Ming, the ICAC investigator who had come to him and was even willing to exchange the identity of a police undercover officer for the ledger. Although He Chu San did not trust Lu Guang Ming, if such an undercover operative truly existed, should he save Xia Liu Yi or not? He naturally would not harm the undercover officer or reveal the officer’s identity to Xia Liu Yi. However, as both the company’s investment adviser and the Boss’s wife, he might still be able to use a few subtle methods to push that undercover operative out of the center of power and cut off the crucial evidence in his hands.

He desperately needed to find the ledger.

When he had previously taken refuge here while being pursued, he had searched the entire house and found nothing. Nevertheless, he still trusted his judgment. The ledger was somewhere inside this building. He understood Xia Liu Yi too well. While Azure Dragon was alive, he had entrusted such an important book to Xia Liu Yi for safekeeping. After taking power, Xia Liu Yi would likewise leave the ledger in Azure Dragon’s “care.” When A’Sen had previously broken into He Chu San’s home searching for it, he had greatly overestimated He Chu San’s position in Xia Liu Yi’s heart.

He knew that he was important to Xia Liu Yi, but Azure Dragon’s place was even more unique. He possessed enough self-awareness to recognize that. Like Xia Liu Yi, he desperately wished that Azure Dragon were still alive. Had Azure Dragon lived, He Chu San could have openly won Xia Liu Yi’s heart. Now, however, he could never compete with a dead man. Yet he respected Azure Dragon and felt neither jealousy nor resentment. Azure Dragon had saved Xia Liu Yi, raised him, and cared for him before He Chu San ever appeared. No number of kowtows could adequately express He Chu San’s gratitude.

With that thought, he simply knelt before Azure Dragon and Xiao Man’s memorial tablets and struck his forehead against the floor three times. Apart from expressing gratitude, the gesture also carried a hint of formally paying respects to one’s elders at a wedding. I exchanged rings with your younger brother last night. From now on, he belongs to me.

When he raised his head, Azure Dragon and Xiao Man still wore peaceful expressions. They appeared to have no objection to marrying off their younger brother. Their gazes passed through He Chu San and looked toward the doorway. They watched every person who entered this house. Surely they were guarding something for Xia Liu Yi.

He Chu San suddenly understood and looked toward the sofa—the only item in the hall besides the memorial altar. How had he failed to consider how suspicious it was? He knew Xia Liu Yi too well. The moment he saw the sofa, he had understood that Xia Liu Yi occasionally came here alone to sit, clear his thoughts, and remember the dead. Because of that, he had never considered how strange it was for a solitary sofa to stand in such an otherwise empty house.

He carefully overturned the sofa and ran his hands along the bottom. Sure enough, he discovered a narrow seam and pried out a metal box secured with a combination lock.

The code contained six digits. He did not flatter himself by entering his own birthday. Instead, after a moment of thought and calculation, he entered the date Xia Liu Yi had first met Azure Dragon—1 June, seventeen years earlier: 161975.

Author’s Notes: In Hong Kong at the time, dates were commonly written in day-month-year order.

The lock clicked open. He lifted out a thick, old notebook whose pages had yellowed with age.

The notebook was even older than he had expected, with traces of insect damage along some edges. He opened it for a quick examination. Its contents were extremely concise, consisting entirely of amounts and coded names, recorded in two directions. One section began on the first page and continued forward, while the other began on the final page and worked backward.

He could tell that the entries written from the front mostly concerned fixed, long-term associates. Each began with a different name or code, followed by a series of dates and amounts, all of them astonishingly large. The entries written from the back concerned people with whom they dealt only occasionally. Each began with a date, followed by a coded name and amount, with the sums varying greatly.

Based on the amounts and the method of recording them, he made a bold deduction: the forward entries likely documented Xiao Qi Hall’s illicit businesses over the years, while the reverse entries recorded bribes paid to important “protectors.”

He did not have much time and refrained from examining the details further. Instead, he propped the notebook upright against Azure Dragon and Xiao Man’s altar, removed a small camera from his pocket, and prepared to photograph its contents using the sunlight entering through the front door. When he pressed the shutter on the first page, he suddenly noticed through the lens that the light struck the inside of the cover unevenly, revealing subtle irregularities in the surface.

He lowered the camera and felt along the notebook’s front cover. The bottom edge was slightly loose. He pried open a narrow gap and discovered a secret compartment within the cover.

He inserted his fingers and felt around but found nothing. Something had probably once been hidden there, perhaps a single sheet of paper.

Suspicious, he carefully examined the first entry on the adjacent page. It read:

7.3.1974

K, Wei, Jie

1,587,000

He flipped through the surrounding pages. The entry dated 7 March 1974 was the earliest record in the notebook. Two of the codes, Wei and Jie, never appeared again. However, K appeared among the long-term associates. From 1979 to the present, K had conducted intermittent “business” with Xiao Qi Hall. The amounts had initially been modest but later rose into the millions and even tens of millions.

Was this K the same K from the first entry?

As He Chu San examined the long string of records following K’s code, a horrifying possibility occurred to him. He remembered the previous Lunar New Year’s Eve, when he and Xia Liu Yi encountered a drunken Xie Jia Hua while returning from setting off fireworks. Xie Jia Hua had accused Xia Liu Yi of “completing a major deal with a Thai drug lord that very day.” He Chu San’s finger moved rapidly down the page. At the end of K’s entries, he found the corresponding Gregorian date, 4 February 1992, followed by an enormous amount. He even recognized the handwriting as Xia Liu Yi’s.

Xie Jia Hua had been telling the truth. Xia Liu Yi had genuinely completed a “major deal” that day.

Whether or not this K was the same K as the one in the first entry, the code unquestionably referred to the Thai drug lord who had maintained a long-term partnership with Xiao Qi Hall. Judging from the initial date of 1979, it could not have been Jade Guanyin, who would have been only a teenager at the time. Either another organization was involved, or an older drug king stood behind Jade Guanyin.

Xia Liu Yi had inherited Xiao Qi Hall’s Dragon Head position, but he had also inherited the filthy, contemptible original sin behind it. Every word and line within this thick notebook recorded crimes beyond counting. How many had Xia Liu Yi participated in? How many had he personally directed?

An even more chilling suspicion suddenly struck him. He hurriedly compared the dates of Xiao Qi Hall’s transactions with K over the years. They had generally occurred once every six months, although the transaction in the year Azure Dragon died had been delayed for several months. The final recorded transaction occurred shortly before Xia Liu Yi’s arrest in May. More than six months had passed since then.

It was time to “do business” again.

He thought of Jade Guanyin’s sudden appearance, Xia Liu Yi’s abnormal behavior during this period, his unusually eager lovemaking the previous night, and his clumsy performance and terrible lines about “going to Guangzhou.” Suddenly unable to control himself, He Chu San retched, dropped the notebook, and rushed outside.

He ran to the farthest corner of the courtyard and vomited everything he had eaten at noon among the dense plants.

When nothing remained but bitterness in his mouth, he clutched his chest as waves of pain pulsed through it. The diamond ring on his finger felt as scorching as a branding iron.

He had grown up in Kau Lung Walled City, surrounded by drug dens. He had seen too many walking corpses, too many ruined families, too much bloodshed and brutality. He had even seen decomposing flesh and rotting bodies. He understood better than almost anyone what the word “drugs” meant. From childhood, Father He had taught him propriety, justice, integrity, and shame. He had taught him to keep himself clean and that even in the most desperate circumstances, he must never touch temptation merely because it was placed before him. At that moment, He Chu San wanted to tear off the ring, throw it down, and walk away, unable to endure the torment any longer. Yet he knew exactly how false and self-righteous that impulse was. Was this his first day knowing Xia Liu Yi? Was this the first time Xia Liu Yi had concealed something from him or lied to him? Had he honestly never suspected the dealings behind Xiao Qi Hall? Had he truly never guessed what had allowed a society born in Kau Lung Walled City to build its fortune? Why pretend he was ignorant and innocent? Why pretend he was good and noble?

He had already descended into the abyss. Long ago, he had knowingly and willingly surrendered himself to the darkness.

He was hypocritical, selfish, and shameless. All he wanted was to protect Xia Liu Yi, even if Xia Liu Yi was the principal culprit, even if his crimes were beyond forgiveness. He forced himself to believe that some kindness still survived within Xia Liu Yi. He forced himself to believe that Xia Liu Yi could still be saved.

His fingernails broke the skin of his palm, and the pain pulled him out of his tortured thoughts. Forcing himself to regain control, he kicked soil over the vomit and cleaned the blood from his fingers and palm. Returning inside, he spread the notebook open again and carefully photographed every page. Once finished, he wiped away all fingerprints, cautiously returned the notebook to the box, restored everything to its original position, and ensured that he left no trace. He even searched the altar and floor for stray hairs and removed them. Only then did he close the door and leave the courtyard by the same route he had entered.

He drove rapidly down the mountain, feeling as though he were escaping a man-eating swamp of mud. After stopping beside a small grocery shop along the road, he bought two bottles of water, stood beside a rubbish bin, rinsed his hands thoroughly, and drank an entire bottle in great gulps.

Despite the bitter cold of winter, a thin layer of sweat covered his forehead.

He removed Lu Guang Ming’s business card from his trouser pocket, tore it in half, and threw it into the rubbish bin along with the empty plastic bottle.