Since the era of the Qing government, Gaau Lung Walled City had been a “three-no-control zone”—neither the Qing court (and later the Nanjing and Beijing governments), nor the British authorities, nor the Hong Kong colonial government exercised effective jurisdiction over it.
This night battle resulted in more than seventy casualties. As it occurred within the Walled City, no inspector came to investigate. However, “three-no-control” did not mean absence of order. The various factions within the city still needed to present an explanation for such a major incident.
Three days later, Azure Dragon attended a so-called “Jianghu Assembly” with the bosses of various factions.
At the meeting, he calmly and composedly explained the sequence of events. According to his account, A’Ying killed the boss of Liao Family Hall because the other side had provoked and encroached first; even if he had gone too far, there had been cause. As for Liu Yi, no matter how many casualties resulted during the night battle, it had been an act of self-defense.
Naturally, some factions—those maintaining superficial ties with Xiao Qi Hall—voiced hypocritical agreement, while others slammed the table in fury.
“Azure Dragon Boss, people say you value righteousness most. But to me, you’re just protecting your own! So your men are completely without fault?”
The arguments escalated into a heated verbal battle.
In the end, several highly respected senior elders intervened and suppressed the dispute. The final resolution was:
• A’Ying would pay for funeral expenses and compensation for the dead and injured
• The remaining members of Liao Family Hall would disperse
• The matter would be considered settled
The enormous compensation drove A’Ying into complete bankruptcy, returning him to being penniless.
Yet Azure Dragon, remembering their past brotherhood and A’Ying’s sincere repentance, did not strip him of his Red Pole position and even helped cover part of the cost.
After this incident, A’Ying’s arrogance diminished greatly. He became cautious, deferential—seeking Azure Dragon’s approval in major matters, and showing tolerance in minor ones.
He even became more polite toward Liu Yi and Xiao Man. During Liu Yi’s recovery, he frequently brought renowned bone-setting masters to treat him, and tirelessly sourced fine ginseng and medicine, delivering them in piles to the villa.
Over the next two years, A’Ying seemed transformed.
Diligent, hardworking, obedient—he gradually earned praise from the elders as “steady and sensible.” Even Azure Dragon slowly let go of his disappointment, promoting him once more to handle important affairs.
He even had Liu Yi accompany him frequently—“go learn from Brother Ying.”
A’Ying reinvented himself as a gentle, reliable elder brother.
Liu Yi, meanwhile, had long mastered the art of acting obedient before him.
The two worked together harmoniously, successfully handling several major operations. A’Ying even boldly proposed expanding their business beyond the Walled City.
By year’s end, the elders were full of praise for both A’Ying and Liu Yi.
Xiao Man also grew increasingly graceful and refined.
In the Walled City, many girls were married off in their teens. Now in her early twenties, she was at the peak of youth—marriageable age.
Suitors came in waves:
• Those drawn to her beauty
• Those seeking alliance with Xiao Qi Hall
• Even connections from the inspectors’ side
Matchmakers filled the villa’s hall, lavishly praising one eligible young man after another.
Yet Xiao Man refused to meet any of them.
That night, the siblings lay side by side on reclining chairs on her balcony, gazing at the moon.
A new matchmaker chattered noisily downstairs, her voice so shrill it seemed to pierce through walls.
Liu Yi turned toward Xiao Man and sighed.
“Sis… do you not want to get married?”
She turned to him gently.
“What about you? Do you want to?”
He paused.
“I won’t marry. I’ll stay with you and Eldest forever.”
She turned to face him as well.
“Then I’ll stay with you and Eldest forever too.”
“You’re a girl—you have to marry eventually,” Liu Yi said uneasily. “You’re not like Dong Dong, right? Do you… like her?”
Xiao Man smiled softly and shook her head.
“Dong Dong is a good person.”
Before Liu Yi could even process that “good person” card, Xiao Man blushed faintly and continued:
“Actually… I like Eldest. I only want to marry him. I don’t want to leave him—or you. The three of us, together forever… wouldn’t that be wonderful?”
Liu Yi stared at her, stunned.
He had long sensed her feelings—but hearing her say it aloud was overwhelming.
“Will you tell him?” he asked quietly.
“Tell him what?”
“That you like him… that you want to marry him.”
She shook her head.
“I’m afraid. I don’t know if he likes me. He’s so good to me… sometimes I think maybe he does. Other times I think he’s just kind to everyone. He’s good to you… to A’Ying… to everyone.”
Liu Yi suddenly sat up and hugged her.
“No, it’s not like that. Eldest must like you. Who else could it be? You’re the closest woman to him. If you won’t say it—I will. I won’t tell him you know.”
Blushing deeply, Xiao Man nodded in his arms, letting out a hopeful sigh.
After leaving her room, Liu Yi returned to his bathroom.
He filled the bathtub and slowly submerged himself beneath the water.
Beneath the surface, the world became blurred, distant, suffocating.
He clutched his chest as pain—sharp and unbearable—spread through him.
A sorrow he had never known.
“The three of us together forever… how wonderful.”
Yes.
Xiao Man loved Azure Dragon.
Azure Dragon loved Xiao Man.
They would marry.
And he—
Would remain their younger brother.
His twisted, unworthy love—
Should sink forever beneath the surface.
Never to see the light.
This was the best ending.
He choked on water and sat up abruptly.
Water streamed down his face as he covered his mouth, letting out a low, suppressed sob.
Not long after came Liu Yi’s twentieth birthday.
Azure Dragon planned a grand ceremony—formally granting him adulthood in the ancestral hall.
Before the birthday, Azure Dragon asked what gift he wanted.
Liu Yi answered:
“I want Xiao Man to become my sister-in-law.”
He would never forget Azure Dragon’s expression.
Even years later—after Azure Dragon and Xiao Man had both died, after the villa was burned by A’Ying, after he stood before Azure Dragon’s memorial tablet—he would still remember that look.
Azure Dragon looked at him for a long time.
“You can have anything… except this.”
Liu Yi was shocked.
He did not understand.
Xiao Man was perfect—graceful, skilled, gentle, accomplished.
Why refuse?
“I only want this,” he insisted.
Azure Dragon frowned.
“Do you know what you’re saying?”
Pain surged through Liu Yi’s chest.
“She’s my sister! She likes you!”
Azure Dragon asked quietly:
“And you?”
Liu Yi froze.
Then—
Like thunder—
Everything connected.
Azure Dragon never frequented brothels.
Never had a woman close to him.
The embraces.
The concern.
The slap.
The tears.
That faint kiss on his forehead…
He understood.
But he could not believe it.
His hands trembled.
His breathing broke.
Even if it were true—
What then?
“I… I am your subordinate, your disciple. I acknowledged you as my boss. I will follow you for life.”
This was the best ending.
Azure Dragon stared at him.
Yes.
This was the best ending.
At Liu Yi’s birthday banquet on June 1st, Azure Dragon announced his marriage to Xiao Man.
He also gifted Liu Yi a pair of finely crafted twin blades engraved with dragon patterns.
At the end of the banquet, he brought Liu Yi before the elders.
“This is my most outstanding disciple—and soon the youngest Red Pole of Xiao Qi Hall. Starting next month, I will entrust part of the business to him. I ask the elders to guide and support him.”
The elders were surprised—but not shocked.
They raised their glasses in celebration.
No one noticed—
At the next table—
A’Ying silently crushed the wine glass in his hand.
From that day on—
The intertwined fates of the four began their descent into ruin.
Futile Devices Scans 
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