Chapter Summaries

Song Tianyao fired a shot at Yu Shiting’s home, then left Jing Garden with Huang Liu. Yu Shiting questioned Tan Jingwei about Zeng Chunsheng’s whereabouts, while the chapter ended with Cai Yuanbai and Chu Yaozong preparing to brew rare Pu’er tea.

• Song Tianyao fired at the ground before Yu Shiting and warned him before leaving Jing Garden with Huang Liu.
• Yu Shiting had Uncle Shui summon Doctor Liu to treat the cut on his forehead, then took Tan Jingwei to his study.
• Tan Jingwei challenged Yu Shiting’s staged confrontation and offered to capture Song Tianyao to gain Yu Shiting’s support.
• Yu Shiting asked Tan Jingwei where Zeng Chunsheng had gone, and Tan Jingwei gave no answer.
• Cai Yuanbai brought a cake of Guangxu-era Qianlizhen Pu’er to Chu Yaozong, who set out his treasured tea wares for them to brew it.

Chu Yaozong told Cai Yuanbai he had acted only to defend the Chiu Chow people, not to support Xu Pingsheng, while Song Tianyao confronted the Xu family after shooting Yu Shiting. Lu Yuanchun stopped Song from forcing his way inside, and he revealed that his real aim was to take advantage of the upheaval.

• Chu Yaozong explained that he had targeted a Shanghai ship in retaliation for an attack on Chiu Chow interests and intended to avoid taking sides.
• Uncle Yan informed Chu Yaozong that Song Tianyao had fired at Yu Shiting's Jing Garden and gone to Xu Pingsheng's home.
• Song Tianyao threatened Xu Enbo at the Xu family gate and tried to smash his head against it when Xu Enbo refused to let him see Xu Pingsheng.
• Lu Yuanchun arrived and slapped Song Tianyao, giving Xu Enbo time to retreat inside and close the gate.
• Song Tianyao told Lu Yuanchun he had to flip the table before he was left with nothing, then whispered that he wanted to feel her up.

At Jing Garden, Sai Charoenwang asked Tan Jingwei to help him secure exclusive opium-buying rights in the Golden Triangle, and Tan agreed to negotiate while questioning whether Sai could establish himself in Hong Kong. Song Tianyao then tried to get Xu Enbo to let him deliver a message to Uncle Sheng in person.

• Sai Charoenwang told Tan Jingwei that his people had sunk the ship Tan ordered destroyed.
• Sai asked Tan to help him arrange exclusive purchases of opium from the Nationalist soldiers in the Golden Triangle.
• Tan agreed to negotiate with the Golden Triangle but warned Sai that he might not be able to compete with Hong Kong’s triads.
• Song Tianyao drank soda at the Xu Family home and asked Xu Enbo to let him speak to Uncle Sheng in person.
• Xu Enbo refused, but Song insisted that his message had to be delivered directly and teased Xu about not being called Hong Kong’s Shipping King.

Song Tianyao warned Xu Enbo that Big Tin Yi’s hijackings threatened to draw the Hong Kong and Shanghai factions into a deadly alliance, then left the Xu residence. At the Ching Ping Theatre, Song Wenwen and Wu Xiu’er finished a movie, and Wu Xiu’er explained why the chicken-leg candy reminded her of her late father.

• Song Tianyao told Xu Enbo that Big Tin Yi had hijacked ships from both the Hong Kong and Shanghai sides and could profit by joining either faction.
• Xu Enbo accused Song Tianyao of orchestrating the hijacking, but Song denied it and warned that Mr. He might side with the Shanghai people if Uncle Sheng kept him out.
• Song Tianyao left the Xu residence, where Chu Xiaoxin and Lu Wenhui were waiting for him in a Rolls-Royce.
• Song Wenwen took Wu Xiu’er to the Ching Ping Theatre, where they watched The Stooges Go to Hollywood.
• After the film, Wu Xiu’er told Song Wenwen that chicken-leg candy reminded her of the candy her father used to buy before he died.

After Nai Khun’s men shoved Song Wenwen and Wu Xiu'er outside the Ching Ping Theatre, Gui Zai Fang cut and kicked the attacker who tried to strike Song Wenwen. Nai Khun stopped his men from retaliating and challenged Gui Zai Fang to fight him without weapons.

• Nai Khun’s subordinate Palina shoved Song Wenwen and Wu Xiu'er aside as Nai Khun left the theatre.
• Gui Zai Fang intercepted Palina’s backhand with his tiger-fang dagger, cut his wrist, and kicked him to the ground.
• Nai Khun stopped his men from attacking Gui Zai Fang and sent Palina to the hospital.
• Nai Khun questioned Gui Zai Fang about cutting Palina’s blood vessel, and Gui Zai Fang taunted him.
• Nai Khun said he wanted to try fighting Gui Zai Fang without using a weapon.

Gui Zai Fang’s men surrounded Nai Khun and the other Thais, but Gui’s challenge ended with him and Nai Khun colliding legs in midair. In Hong Kong, Song Tianyao reunited with Lu Wenhui and explained his sudden return, while Lu remained puzzled by his actions in Macau and his support of He Xian.

• Gui Zai Fang’s men arrived to surround Nai Khun and the other Thais, and Gui offered to take Song Wenwen away.
• Song Wenwen refused to leave and kept watching Nai Khun, whom she found more handsome than Gui Zai Fang.
• Gui Zai Fang challenged Nai Khun to fight, and their raised legs collided as they began.
• Chu Xiaoxin selected and poured wine for Lu Wenhui, who asked Song Tianyao when he had returned to Hong Kong.
• Song Tianyao said he had returned that day and explained that he had gone to Macau and visited Yu Shiting and Uncle Sheng before seeing Lu Wenhui.
• Lu Wenhui’s displeasure eased, but he remained confused about Song Tianyao’s sudden return and his decision to help He Xian.

Lu Wenhui pressed Song Tianyao to explain why he was helping He Xian and warned him that British interests could make his intervention dangerous. Song admitted he wanted a role in Macau’s gambling industry and insisted that, despite his questionable business methods, he was a China person; he stood up as Chu Xiaoxin tried to stop him.

• Lu Wenhui challenged Song Tianyao’s claim that he was helping He Xian out of gratitude, and Song said He had offered future business and Macau opportunities.
• Song revealed that he wanted to revive Macau’s abandoned greyhound track, but Lu doubted he would dare enter Macau’s gambling industry.
• Song said he shared He Xian’s view that Hong Kong and Shanghai were fighting while China people suffered.
• Lu warned Song that the British wanted the Chinese groups to weaken each other and urged him to keep a low profile and avoid harming British interests.
• Song drank his wine, declared that he was a China person despite his dishonorable business methods, and stood up as Chu Xiaoxin repeatedly nudged his shoe to caution him.

Song Tianyao spent an evening with Chu Xiaoxin, who claimed he had become a virtuous gentleman before revealing that he had secretly arranged dinner with two jockeys. Chu Xiaoxin asked Song Tianyao to help conceal the outing from Lu Peiying and his mother so he could enjoy himself with women.

• Song Tianyao dismissed Chu Xiaoxin's worries about Lu Wenhui and suggested they find somewhere fun to spend the evening.
• Chu Xiaoxin insisted he had stopped going to nightclubs and said he was focused on the Hong Kong Jockey Club.
• Song Tianyao recalled Chu Xiaoxin's old boast about dying beneath the peonies, and Chu Xiaoxin claimed not to remember saying it.
• Chu Xiaoxin revealed that he had invited two jockeys to dinner and framed the invitation as a chance for Song Tianyao to find romance.
• Song Tianyao tried to leave for Ying Kee, but Chu Xiaoxin grabbed his hand and asked him to help conceal his outing from Lu Peiying and his mother.

Nai Khun fought Gui Zai Fang after Gui Zai Fang offended Song Wenwen, then apologized to Song Wenwen on his subordinate’s behalf. The chapter left Nai Khun addressing her while Chiu Chow Gang enforcers guarded her.

• Nai Khun’s leg collided with Gui Zai Fang’s, shocking Gui Zai Fang.
• Nai Khun attacked Gui Zai Fang’s ribs, but Gui Zai Fang blocked the blow and retreated.
• Nai Khun withdrew and turned his attention to Song Wenwen, who was guarded by Chiu Chow Gang enforcers.
• Nai Khun apologized to Song Wenwen for his subordinate’s offense and asked her not to let it spoil her mood.

Nai Khun defeated Gui Zai Fang in a fight and let him leave with Song Wenwen and Wu Xiu'er. After the group departed, Nai Khun revealed that he had considered abducting and selling the women but was keeping a low profile as his father had ordered.

• Nai Khun showed Gui Zai Fang the calluses on his legs, then attacked him with his powerful kicks.
• Gui Zai Fang tried to close in as Nai Khun seemed to tire, but Nai Khun stabbed him with a barbed fist sword.
• Nai Khun warned Gui Zai Fang to have the weapon removed at a hospital and said the stabbing repaid his subordinate's injury.
• Song Wenwen stopped Gui Zai Fang's men from fighting, and Gui Zai Fang led his group away with the fist sword still lodged in his ribs.
• Nai Khun asked Song Wenwen her name, then privately remarked that he had considered taking her and Wu Xiu'er to a hotel and selling them in Macau.

Tan Jingwei approached Di Junda with a valuable octagonal cup and asked him to appraise it, while Di suspected Tan had taken over Zeng Chunsheng’s businesses and refused to cooperate with him. Tan ended by threatening that Di could share Zeng’s fate if he would not discuss cooperation.

• Tan Jingwei introduced himself to Di Junda and explained that he had acquired Zeng Chunsheng’s businesses, leaving the Shanghai Shipping Gang without a share.
• Di Junda recalled that the gang had expected to profit from Zeng’s downfall, but Zeng’s widow had sold the family businesses in Taiwan to Tan instead.
• Di Junda asked what Tan wanted and decided he would refuse any proposal to cooperate, condemning Taiwan’s efforts to cut off supplies to mainland China.
• Tan’s attendant, Fourth Brother, brought a case, and Tan revealed an octagonal cup for Di to appraise.
• Di Junda examined the cup and warned Tan against proposing cooperation, noting that Zeng Chunsheng’s fate remained unknown.
• Tan threatened that Di could end up like Zeng if he refused to discuss cooperation.

Song Tianyao accompanied Chu Xiaoxin to the Dulles Hotel, where Chu planned a secret outing and Song reflected on Lu Peiying’s efforts to guide him. The chapter ended with Chu revealing a wardrobe of jockey outfits, leaving Song puzzled about his plan.

• Chu Xiaoxin had Chen Xingfu drive them to the Dulles Hotel and told Song Tianyao to call his family with a cover story.
• Peng Xiulian spoke with Song Tianyao and asked him to keep Chu Xiaoxin from drinking too much or embarrassing himself.
• Chu Xiaoxin blamed Lu Peiying for arranging the call, while Song Tianyao considered how she was trying to make Chu more mature.
• Song Tianyao told Chu Xiaoxin that Lu Peiying wanted him to avoid pleasure houses and protect his public standing.
• Chu Xiaoxin showed Song Tianyao several brand-new jockey outfits in the hotel suite’s wardrobe.

Chu Xiaoxin brought Song Tianyao to the Harp Restaurant disguised as jockeys, where two Black Jockeys agreed to introduce them to women. Song’s admiration turned to disbelief when he realized Chu had recruited the elite jockeys to arrange hookups rather than share racing tips.

• Chu Xiaoxin made Song Tianyao change into jockey clothes and threatened him into joining the dinner.
• Song Tianyao and Chu Xiaoxin walked along Queen’s Road dressed as jockeys and entered the Cloud Palace Hotel.
• Zheng Yutong glimpsed someone who looked like Song Tianyao entering the hotel but doubted his eyes.
• At the Harp Restaurant, a Black Jockey explained that he and his companion would introduce Chu Xiaoxin and Song Tianyao to two women before leaving.
• Song Tianyao put his money on the table and praised Chu Xiaoxin sarcastically for using two Black Jockeys to arrange dates instead of seeking racing information.

Chu Xiaoxin explained how two black-licensed jockeys connected to the Lu Family helped him meet women, and Song Tianyao learned why they had approached him for a chance to train Lu Peiying and Chu Xiaoxin’s new racehorse. The women Chu Xiaoxin had been waiting for arrived, including Lu Yuanchun, while Liao Donggui offered Boss Cen a way to have Song Tianyao killed without implicating him.

• Chu Xiaoxin gave the two jockeys the three thousand Hong Kong dollars he had won from Song Tianyao.
• Song Tianyao learned that the jockeys hoped to train Lu Peiying and Chu Xiaoxin’s promising new horse and had approached Chu Xiaoxin to secure the opportunity.
• Chu Xiaoxin spotted two women arriving at the restaurant, and Song Tianyao recognized one of them as Lu Yuanchun.
• Liao Donggui offered Boss Cen to have his own men kill Song Tianyao so Boss Cen would not be implicated.

Lei Yingdong reflected on the heavy losses he had suffered in the clash between shipping gangs and resolved that someone from the Shanghai Shipping Gang must pay for his dead men. He admired Xu Pingsheng’s courage and generosity, but the chapter left his demand for revenge unresolved.

• At the Sea-Viewing Tower, Cen Wenqing told Liao Donggui that a servant had acted on his own, then revealed that the story Liao heard had been deliberately spread.
• At the Bustling Harp Restaurant, Suki arrived with Lu Yuanchun, who recognized Song Tianyao and Chu Xiaoxin but kept up the pretense of being strangers.
• Chu Xiaoxin urged Song Tianyao to get his story straight with Lu Yuanchun before she exposed their identities.
• Song Tianyao claimed he and Lu Yuanchun had both studied at the University of Nottingham, but she spilled lemonade and left for the restroom before he could serve her brandy.
• Lei Yingdong considered the men he had lost to a mine and decided that the Shanghai Shipping Gang needed to pay for their deaths.
• Lei Yingdong recalled Xu Pingsheng scuttling his ships during the war and donating his family’s wedding gifts to the resistance, and understood why Xu had become Hong Kong’s Shipping King.

Lei Yingdong deduced that Song Tianyao and Chu Xiaoxin were using their dinner at the Harp Restaurant as bait and went to help them. At the restaurant, Song Tianyao spoke privately with Lu Yuanchun while his companions kept up their jockey disguise.

• Lei Yingdong visited Song Tianyao’s family, learned that Song and Chu Xiaoxin had gone to the Harp Restaurant in jockey uniforms, and realized they were baiting Shanghainese opponents.
• Lei Yingdong decided to go to the Harp Restaurant with his men to support Song Tianyao and avenge their dead brothers.
• Song Tianyao followed Lu Yuanchun toward the restrooms, leaving Chu Xiaoxin at the table with Brother Jie and Suki.
• Brother Jie told Suki that Chu Xiaoxin and Song Tianyao were his apprentices and that they would ride long-shot horses in an upcoming upset.
• Song Tianyao teased Lu Yuanchun, took her cigarette when it made her cough, and suggested she already knew why he had come to the restaurant.

Lu Yuanchun chose to stay beside Song Tianyao to see how he would win the coming round, while Sai Charoenwang ordered his men to claim Hong Kong’s drug trade for the Thais. Liao Donggui decided to join forces with Taiwan and ordered Chen Liang to kill Song Tianyao, and the chapter ended with Song Chengqi suddenly coughing over his ledger.

• Lu Yuanchun told Song Tianyao she wanted to stand beside him and watch how he handled the coming round.
• Sai Charoenwang said the Taiwanese had promised the Thais exclusive rights to sell Golden Triangle opium in Hong Kong and ordered Paitoon to threaten local societies.
• Liao Donggui explained to Chen Liang why he planned to leave Hong Kong for Taiwan and ordered him to kill Song Tianyao.
• Song Chengqi suffered a sudden coughing fit while writing in a ledger.

Qi Weiwen and Lam Kong wondered why the Chiu Chow Gang and Fuyixing withdrew their men from outside the restaurant, suspecting a major crisis had overtaken them. Paitoon questioned his injured half-brother Najie about what he had learned from provoking Hong Kong’s local societies.

• Song Chengqi left the crowded Kowloon Restaurant after Qi Weiwen urged him to rest, and Lam Kong asked her why his men had stayed there all afternoon.
• Lam Kong told Qi Weiwen that Mr. Song had angered the Yu Family and Uncle Sheng before Mr. Chu took him away.
• One of Lam Kong’s men reported that the Chiu Chow Gang and Fuyixing’s men had suddenly left, and Qi Weiwen suspected a serious problem had struck the societies.
• Paitoon summoned Najie, whose fingernails had been torn off after he provoked a local society, and asked whether he resented his treatment.
• Najie told Paitoon that Hong Kong gang members mostly bullied others in groups and that few were skilled, willing to kill, or concerned with underworld rules.

Paitoon urged Najie to take revenge on Rotten-Life Ju and warned that their attack on the local gangs would be an invasion. At Golden-Tooth Lei’s home, a suspicious banknote raised concern before an apparent messenger’s deception ended with A-Lok being stabbed through the temple.

• Paitoon learned that Rotten-Life Ju had torn off Najie’s fingernails and told Najie to bathe before taking revenge himself.
• Sister Qiu showed Golden-Tooth Lei a five-hundred-dollar banknote that felt strange, and he agreed she could buy a Western-style house for 120,000.
• Golden-Tooth Lei and Sister Qiu played mahjong with A-Lok and Ah Ying while discussing Suki and teasing Ah Ying.
• A man posing as a messenger said something had gone wrong at the gang headquarters, then identified himself as Wenren and pulled A-Lok through the door hatch.
• A-Lok shouted for Golden-Tooth Lei to run before Wenren drove a bayonet through his temple.

Tan Jingwei stopped a young huoshao seller from confronting Chan Ah-sap, who was extorting Old Huang and trying to claim his daughter A-Yu. The stallholders waited to see what would happen as Tan Jingwei prepared to handle the matter himself.

• Chan Ah-sap harassed A-Yu at her tangyuan stall and demanded that Old Huang give her to him.
• Chan Ah-sap slapped Old Huang and threatened the nearby stallholders through his armed men.
• The young huoshao seller reached for a red-hot iron skewer as the other stallholders rallied behind him.
• Tan Jingwei asked the seller if he and the other stallholders had served on Hanging Neck Ridge, then ordered two huoshao.
• Chan Ah-sap slapped Old Huang again, claiming seven days of unpaid stall fees as A-Yu's betrothal gift.
• Tan Jingwei grabbed the young seller's wrist and told him to let someone else deal with Chan Ah-sap.