The basement knew no daylight. In one corner, a dim yellow bulb burned ceaselessly. Time trickled by, second after second—who knew how long had passed—until Xia Liu Yi heard the sound of a lock being opened.
He lay motionless upon the bed. Bloodshot eyes stared straight at the ceiling, while the faint stubble along his jaw lent him an even more haggard and somber air.
The basement door creaked open. A young man entered—one utterly unfamiliar to him. Dressed in a meticulously tailored suit, he looked neither like a servant nor a bodyguard; instead, he bore the composed air of one of He Chu San’s business-minded men.
Without a word, the young man approached the bedside, propped two pillows behind Xia Liu Yi’s back, set down a tray of breakfast upon the blanket, and unlocked the handcuff on his right wrist.
Xia Liu Yi’s right hand retained only enough strength to hold chopsticks—far from sufficient to threaten or coerce anyone. He lowered his gaze to the clearly takeout breakfast, yet did not move.
“Call He Chu San here,” he said coldly.
The young man acted as though he had heard nothing, calmly placing a bottle of milk onto the tray.
With a sudden motion, Xia Liu Yi flipped the entire tray over. The milk bottle crashed to the ground, shattering with a harsh, piercing sound.
Silently, the young man cleaned the spilled food from himself and the bedding, re-cuffed Xia Liu Yi’s right hand, and carried the tray away.
He Chu San did not come. Half an hour later, the same young man returned—this time unlocking his right hand, placing a urinal beside the bed, then leaving once more.
“……” Xia Liu Yi.
A man could refuse food and water—but he could not refuse the call of nature. Trembling with fury, Xia Liu Yi endured the humiliation and relieved himself. Ten minutes later, the young man returned, took away the urinal, re-cuffed his hand, and even turned on the television for him.
……
An entire day passed.
He did not touch lunch. Nor dinner. The television replayed yesterday’s news twice, aired the same shampoo advertisement six times, and broadcast the same drama series three times. From morning to night, he stared blankly at the screen, unmoving, his mind hollow and empty.
He could not understand anything. Without seeing He Chu San, he could understand nothing.
At dusk, He Chu San finally appeared in the basement.
He had just returned from outside, bringing with him a chill of cold air. Clad in a sharply tailored long coat, his figure appeared even taller, his presence more imposing. His once-soft bangs were slicked back with gel, revealing a face now matured, cold, and keen.
The moment he entered, he ordered the guards to lock the door from outside. Then he strode straight to Xia Liu Yi’s bed and, one by one, removed every handcuff and shackle.
“Get up. Move around a bit,” he said flatly.
After lying still for an entire day, Xia Liu Yi’s body was stiff and numb—yet he still mustered his strength and lashed out with a fierce kick toward He Chu San’s chest!
He Chu San reacted swiftly, seizing his ankle and wrenching it hard to the side!
Xia Liu Yi was flung violently to the cold, hard floor. In the next instant, He Chu San pressed down upon him, wrenching his arms behind his back and pinning him beneath his weight. Xia Liu Yi struggled fiercely, gasping, yet was held down without mercy.
Looking down from above, watching his futile resistance, He Chu San let out a soft laugh.
“Brother Liu Yi… you never imagined there’d come a day you couldn’t beat me, did you?”
“Let go!” Xia Liu Yi roared, enraged beyond measure.
“What do you want to do? I caused Cui Dong Dong’s death—do you want to kill me for revenge?”
Xia Liu Yi let out a savage howl, thrashing like a maddened beast! He Chu San struck out, covering his mouth, forcing his fingers between his jaws to prevent him from biting through his own tongue in his frenzy. Saliva spilled past his palm as Xia Liu Yi continued to emit muffled, guttural growls, his arms straining to the point of dislocation—yet still he struggled without restraint.
Seeing that he might injure himself, He Chu San suddenly released him—and delivered a sharp slap across his face!
Xia Liu Yi’s head snapped to the side as he froze. The searing pain slowly brought sensation back to his numbed body. A spasmodic breath tore from his throat—then, all at once, murderous intent surged forth!
He flipped He Chu San over and swung his left fist down with brutal force—but before the blow could land, a needle-like pain surged through his entire body. Convulsing, he collapsed limp to the ground.
He Chu San pushed aside his heavy body and rose calmly. The small electric baton in his hand was slipped back into his pocket. He straightened his clothes and hair with composed ease, then pulled a tissue from the bedside drawer.
Wiping his hands, he said evenly, “Wake up, Brother Liu Yi. If fighting and killing could solve everything… how would you have fallen to this state?”
He switched off the television, replaced the soiled bedding, then lifted Xia Liu Yi back onto the bed and tucked him under the covers. He clasped Xia Liu Yi’s hands together with a pair of cuffs, then fastened a long iron chain to his ankle—granting him only a limited range of movement.
Still reeling from the electric shock, Xia Liu Yi could do nothing but glare.
Once the room was tidied, He Chu San went upstairs. Before long, he returned with a glass of fresh water and two sandwiches, placing them neatly on the bedside table.
Standing beside the bed, he looked down at Xia Liu Yi, then reached out to smooth back his sweat-dampened hair.
“Be good. Eat and sleep,” he said softly. “Otherwise, I’ll make sure you never see Sister Dong Dong again.”
Xia Liu Yi’s eyes shifted, a flicker of shock and suspicion surfacing within them. But He Chu San offered no further explanation. He turned and left.
……
Two days later, the leaders of Xiao Qi Hall gathered in the main conference room of the headquarters. Seated around a long table, they convened what appeared to be a gang assembly—no, a “shareholders’ meeting.”
These so-called “shareholders” each held only proxy shares of the branch companies they managed, entitled merely to dividends without authority. By legal standards, none of them possessed true decision-making power. By the rules of the jianghu, however, the situation was far more intricate.
For nearly four years, Xia Liu Yi had ruled Xiao Qi Hall. Beneath him stood two great generals: Cui Dong Dong and Ma Ru Long. Below them were four mid-level cadres known as the “Four Divine Beasts”: Tiger Head, Black Chicken, Big Crab, and Snake Sister. Beneath them were more than a dozen minor leaders.
By seniority and merit, the structure had once been orderly and hierarchical. But ever since He Chu San and Qin Hao entered the organization, everything had begun to unravel.
Qin Hao, through repeated acts of saving the Boss, had risen to stand on equal footing with the “Four Divine Beasts.” Meanwhile, He Chu San had appeared out of nowhere as a “consultant”—answerable to no one, yet overseeing everyone, subtly surpassing even Ma Ru Long, to the point where he stood nearly equal with Xia Liu Yi and Cui Dong Dong in authority.
Now, the Red Pole and Deputy Hall Master had died in succession, the Boss had vanished, and the newly appointed Red Pole Qin Hao had been exposed as an undercover agent.
At the long table remained only the four mid-level cadres, with over a dozen minor leaders standing behind them—qualified to enter the room, yet not to sit. Opposite them sat He Chu San alone, with Kevin standing behind him.
The standoff between two factions was unmistakable.
Tiger Head, long opposed to He Chu San’s reforms, was the first to speak, launching accusations.
“Consultant He! The Big Boss is missing! Boss Dong Dong is dead! The whole gang’s in chaos! And at a time like this, you’re clutching the company seal and refusing to let go—what the hell are you trying to do?!”
“The Boss has merely gone into hiding—he could return at any moment. During his absence, to prevent those with ill intent from causing trouble, Consultant He is temporarily safeguarding the seal on his behalf. What’s wrong with that?” Kevin replied.
“Heh!” Tiger Head glared at He Chu San and barked, “What stray dog did you let in here, yapping nonsense? Does the master of the house not have a mouth?!”
Kevin’s face darkened as he stepped forward—but He Chu San raised a hand to stop him.
He Chu San spoke calmly. “Brother Tiger, gentlemen—let’s not beat around the bush. The company seal is indeed in my hands… and I will not hand it over.”
Before he could finish, the room erupted into chaos. Accusations, curses, and foul-mouthed abuse filled the air! Tiger Head slammed the table and sprang to his feet, cursing loudly, ready to leap across and strike!
He Chu San paid it no heed. Taking two plugs of cotton from Kevin, he stuffed them into his ears—then reached out and flipped the microphone switch on the table.
A deafening shriek of feedback exploded through the room!
“SKREEEEE—!!”
The burly men all grimaced, clutching their ears as dizziness overtook them.
He Chu San switched it off at last, leisurely gazing at the disheveled Tiger Head across from him.
“Fuck your—!” Tiger Head started to curse again—
He Chu San’s hand moved toward the switch.
“Alright, alright, stop!” Tiger Head shouted, covering his ears. “Don’t mess around! Can you just talk properly?!”
Snake Sister, watching with her ears covered, couldn’t help but let out a snicker—earning an embarrassed glare from Tiger Head.
Grumbling, Tiger Head sat back down, face livid. “Consultant He… what exactly do you want?”
He Chu San removed the cotton from his ears.
“Nothing much. While the Boss is away, everything continues as usual. The company operates as normal.”
“Who’s in charge? If something happens, who do the brothers answer to?”
He Chu San met his gaze.
“I am.”
The crowd looked at one another in bewilderment. Hu Tou frowned. “You mean, with the Boss absent, you’re acting Hall Master?”
“That’s right.”
Before Tiger Head could respond, a junior leader behind him burst out angrily, “What gives you the right to be acting Hall Master?! You’ve been in the gang for less than a year—by seniority, you’re nothing!”
He Chu San reached toward the table. Everyone instinctively covered their ears and stepped back again—only to see him pick up the cigar case beside the microphone switch. He drew out a thick, imposing cigar. Kevin stepped forward and lit it for him.
For this very moment, He Chu San had practiced in front of a mirror with Kevin for most of the previous night, wasting two entire boxes of cigars just to overcome the choking coughs and the embarrassment of failing to light them—until he finally perfected the elegant, commanding posture he now displayed.
He took the cigar from his lips, examined the glowing tip, then set it back between his teeth and drew in a deep breath, exhaling slowly. After savoring the lingering aroma with deliberate satisfaction, he spoke at an unhurried pace.
“I am a disciple of Sister Dong Dong. She, in turn, was taught by Azure Dragon Boss. Brother Tiger studied under Brother Xiao Ma, who studied under Boss Xia Liu Yi, who himself was taught by Azure Dragon Boss. By your logic of seniority, Brother Tiger would be a generation junior to me—hardly qualified to sit at this table and speak. Wouldn’t that make him no different from you?”
The junior leader stammered “Y-you—” for quite a while, but under Tiger Head’s glare, he retreated obediently to stand against the wall.
“Even if you have the right,” Tiger Head said coldly, “you don’t understand the rules of the jianghu at all! You’ve never been a gang leader! How do you command everyone? How do you act as Hall Master?”
“Gang reform has always been under my supervision. The operations of the company have always been handled with my assistance to the Big Boss and Boss Dong Dong. Other than me, who else dares claim they can manage the entire organization?” He Chu San countered. “Brother Tiger—are you capable?”
Tiger Head let out a disdainful snort. “Consultant He, do you really think the Boss tells you everything? There’s far too much you don’t know!”
“Oh?” He Chu San feigned intense curiosity. “Then why not enlighten me, Brother Tiger? What exactly is it that I don’t know?”
Tiger Head choked on his words. In such turbulent times, he naturally dared not bring certain shady matters into the open.
He Chu San pressed on decisively, “The Boss entrusted me with reform so that all of us could stand proudly in the light. When that traitor Qin Hao raided the entire company, did he find anything incriminating? Not a single thing. That’s because everyone followed the Boss’s directives and improved themselves. Yet from your tone, Brother Tiger, it seems you’re thinking of going backward?”
Tiger Head snapped angrily, “So what if we go backward?! I know you look down on us—look down on what we do! Don’t mix up the company and the gang! You’re just a company consultant—in the gang, in the jianghu, you’re nothing! I don’t care about your damn reforms. The Boss is missing, something’s happened—by the rules, we should convene a ‘Dragon Head Assembly’ and elect a new leader!”
He Chu San replied boldly, “Fine—let’s follow the rules. Then tell me—where is the Dragon Head Staff? It’s been four days since the Boss disappeared. Why hasn’t the staff-holder stepped forward? ‘No staff, no leader’—isn’t that the rule?”
“Everyone knows Boss Dong Dong was most likely the staff-holder! She’s dead—how can she come forward?!”
“The staff-holder can appoint a proxy. If something happens to them, that person can wield it in their place. Boss Dong Dong was sharp—surely she wouldn’t fail to leave a contingency?”
“Maybe Fang Xiao Luo was her proxy! Didn’t they die together?”
“‘Maybe this,’ ‘maybe that.’ For something as important as choosing a leader, Brother Tiger, you’re relying on guesses? That’s rather careless.”
“You—!” Tiger Heas slammed the table and stood.
Black Chicken stepped in to smooth things over. “Brother Tiger, calm down. Sit first. Consultant He, don’t blame him—he’s only thinking of the brothers. Xiao Qi Hall has a great reputation in the jianghu. Any disturbance makes us a laughingstock. In this chaotic situation, not having a leader really isn’t acceptable.”
The junior leaders behind him chimed in noisily, “Exactly!” “That’s right!” “Brother Chicken is right!”
He Chu San tilted his head, signaling Kevin to open the briefcase and place an old notebook on the table.
“The Dragon Head Ledger is in my hands. The Boss designated me as his successor,” he said calmly.
—This was an unwritten rule within Xiao Qi Hall: to become Hall Master, one must not only be recognized by the Dragon Head Staff, but also possess the Dragon Head Ledger. Each generation of leaders, as a precaution, would inform their chosen successor of its location. Back then, Azure Dragon had told Xia Liu Yi where it was and had even named him as his successor in his will.
Black Chicken was visibly startled and quickly picked up the notebook to flip through it. Tiger Head, Big Crab, and Snake Sister leaned in as well. The junior leaders behind them craned their necks to sneak a look, only to be driven back by a sharp glare from He Chu San.
Black Chicken flipped to the final pages written in Xia Liu Yi’s own hand. Big Crab pointed. “This is definitely the Boss’s handwriting.”
“These delivery dates match our previous shipments,” Snake Sister added, pointing to several transaction records.
“This is indeed the Dragon Head Ledger,” Black Chicken concluded, closing the notebook and cutting off the others’ curiosity. He glanced at Tiger Head.
Tiger Head murmured doubtfully, “The Boss kept all that from him before—why would he give him the ledger?”
“Perhaps the Boss changed his mind,” Black Chicken replied.
He Chu San gestured for Kevin to take back the ledger, then delivered another decisive blow.
“Although the Boss designated me as successor, I will wait for his return. As long as the Dragon Head Staff does not appear, I will not initiate the election of a new Hall Master—nor will I allow anyone to take his place!”
The room fell into chaos, hearts wavering.
Over the past few days, Tiger Head had secretly rallied many to oppose He Chu San. But now the balance in their minds began to shift. For months, the Boss’s trust in Consultant He had been evident. He had already been chosen as successor, yet he insisted on waiting—clearly, he had no intention of seizing power as Tiger Head claimed. Moreover, many had benefited from He Chu San’s initiatives—small investments under his guidance had earned them tidy profits. Aside from Tiger Head and a few conservatives, most held no resentment toward his reforms—in fact, they admired how he had helped them prosper.
And just then, a loud, exaggerated cheer erupted from outside the meeting room.
“Good! Good! Excellent!”
With a thunderous crash, the wooden door was kicked open! The broken lock clattered to the ground as the newcomer strode in, clapping loudly.
“Well said!” the man boomed. “As long as no new Hall Master is chosen, you remain acting Hall Master! After all that maneuvering, the Dragon Head is still you! He A’San—who would’ve thought, after a few months, you’ve grown this capable!”
The room exploded into excitement. Even He Chu San set down his cigar, astonished and delighted. “Brother Xiao Ma?!”
The man was tall and burly, dressed in a black shirt and leopard-print vest, a pair of diamond-studded sunglasses perched on his nose—radiating the aura of a nouveau-riche underworld boss as always. He strode to the table, shoved Kevin aside, pulled out a chair next to He Chu San, and sat down casually. Tossing the sunglasses onto the table with a clang, he revealed a weathered face—dark as charcoal from the sun, nearly unrecognizable.
But that unmistakable scar, that fierce, menacing expression, those sharp, gleaming eyes—who else could it be but Xiao Ma?
This “African version” of Xiao Ma grinned broadly, revealing a newly fitted golden tooth. “Brothers and sisters! Greetings!”
“Boss Xiao Ma is back!” “I knew he wouldn’t die!” “Long live Boss Xiao Ma!” the crowd roared in jubilation.
“Too quiet—I can’t hear you!” Xiao Ma cupped his ear.
“LONG LIVE BOSS XIAO MA—!!” they shouted like a crashing tide.
“Ah! That sounds good! Now, how about my favorite title?”
“LONG LIVE MANAGER MA—!!”
“Good, good! Thank you all! I’m deeply touched by your concern!” he laughed.
After orchestrating his grand entrance, Xiao Ma turned to He Chu San, studying him with amusement. Suddenly, he snatched the cigar from between his fingers.
“Kid, what are you pretending for? This is for grown men. Children shouldn’t touch it.”
Leaning back, crossing one leg over the table, he exuded effortless dominance, exhaling a cloud of smoke with lazy elegance.
Though his presence pressed down on him, He Chu San did not lose composure. He smiled calmly. “Brother Xiao Ma, welcome back.”
“I came back just in time,” Xiao Ma drawled, staring at the ceiling. “Otherwise, the gang might’ve changed hands. You’ve been hiding your true abilities.”
“I only have the company’s best interests at heart,” He Chu San replied solemnly.
Xiao Ma suddenly leaned in close, face inches away—still smiling, but with a chilling gaze. He blew smoke into He Chu San’s face and whispered, “Where’s the Boss?”
Unfazed, He Chu San answered, “The Boss is missing.”
“Cut the bullshit,” Xiao Ma snarled. “Others might not see through you, but I do. If the Boss were truly missing, you’d be out searching—not sitting here fighting for the throne! He cared for you so much, kept you out of underworld affairs—would he really give you the ledger? Name you successor? Qin Hao couldn’t have taken down the company alone. You’re behind this, aren’t you? Spinning stories to fool everyone. Speak—where have you hidden the Boss?”
“I wouldn’t dare do such things,” He Chu San said evenly.
Xiao Ma sneered. “Is Boss Dong Dong really dead?”
“She is.”
“Good… good,” Xiao Ma’s lips trembled. “I always knew you were trouble. Just didn’t think you’d be this ruthless. I’ll settle her score with you later. But hear this—if you lay a finger on the Boss, I’ll flay you alive!”
Leaning in, he hissed, “She may be gone, but every vow she made to you—I remember every word. And I’ll fulfill them for her. You betrayed the Boss. One day, I’ll carve your heart out, chop it to pieces, and feed it to the dogs!”
Straightening, he pulled out a cloth-wrapped object and slammed it onto the table.
“I am the staff-holder. The Dragon Head Staff has always been with me! The Boss is in trouble and cannot manage affairs. Today, the staff appears—we convene the Dragon Head Assembly and elect a new leader!”
Futile Devices Scans 
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