At half past nine that night, inside a pool hall in Sham Shui Po.
All the machines had been moved aside, while more than three hundred underlings crowded together densely, the air filled with choking smoke.
With a bang, the main doors were pushed open, and the burly Baki walked in.
Wang Xuan was very familiar with Baki's image—the big shot who was killed by Shan Ji right at the beginning of Young and Dangerous.
"Shut the fuck up and listen to Brother Ji!" shouted one of the underlings following behind Baki.
The room gradually fell silent. Baki cleared his throat. "The day before yesterday, our boss from East Star was hunted down by the Hong Yi Society. I'm sure you've all heard about it. Anyone who dares lay a hand on our Dragon Head is declaring war on all of East Star. The Dragon Head has already given the order: wipe out those Hong Yi Society bastards. Tonight, we're making our move and taking down the Jackals of Portland Street."
Baki swept his gaze around before continuing. "Tonight, hit them hard. We who walk this path value loyalty and courage above all. Loyalty means being loyal to your boss. Courage means that when trouble comes, you... you... you fucking deal with it! Listen up, you punks. Don't say your big brother never gave you a chance. Tonight, whoever performs best will be rewarded according to merit when we return to East Star. If you can't distinguish yourselves, that's your own problem!"
"Wong Jai, bring out the weapons!"
Several underlings behind Baki untied the bundles. A huge pile of weapons spilled onto the floor, including all kinds of controlled knives. A group of underlings began stepping forward to choose.
This was no time to be polite. Wang Xuan shoved his way over and began selecting from the several hundred knives.
A cleaver was indeed a cleaver: a thin sheet of metal with a handle. The only difference was that its edge had been sharpened. Wang Xuan tested its sharpness with his thumb.
Fuck! In the words of my hometown, you could ride two miles on this thing and it still wouldn't cut your crotch!
If the Jackals' underlings were all using these things, tonight was as good as settled!
After rummaging around for a long while, Wang Xuan's eyes suddenly lit up.
He bent down and picked up a standard Japanese Katana, though he preferred to call it a Japanese War Blade. Running his fingers over its gleaming edge and delicate snowflake pattern, he was utterly delighted.
In his early years, Wang Xuan had also dreamed of wielding a Japanese War Blade. But dreams were only dreams. After all, chopping people up was illegal in his homeland.
But now... he was already a dead man, wasn't he? No... he was someone who had already died... No, wait... hell, what was there to be afraid of?!
It was time to unleash his true self!
Just as Wang Xuan was imagining himself sweeping across the battlefield with the Japanese War Blade, someone suddenly slapped him on the shoulder. He turned around and saw the big shot, Baki.
"Big brother!" Wang Xuan called out respectfully.
"You're Xuan Zai, right? The one who picked a Japanese War Blade." Baki looked at Wang Xuan with some amusement, then suddenly raised his voice. "Can you use that thing? Do you dare to use it?!"
He had a very shallow impression of this kid. There was nothing distinguishing him from the several hundred underlings. Mediocre—that was Wang Xuan's evaluation in his eyes.
"Don't worry, big brother. Watch me tonight. I'll definitely win you some face in the society!" Wang Xuan said confidently.
"Good, you've got spirit. I'll see how you perform tonight. The whole of Hong Kong is watching this matter. As long as you perform well, making a name for yourself won't be a problem!"
"I'll remember that, big brother!"
Wang Xuan turned and retreated to a corner, secretly adjusting the things beneath both sleeves.
What truly gave him confidence wasn't just the Japanese War Blade in his hand. More importantly, it came from the protective gear he had made himself.
Before coming here, he had placed the basic Dragon Tiger Leopard pads along the outsides of his forearms, covered them with scrap iron he had found, then cut a bedsheet into strips and wrapped everything tightly. That way, he wouldn't have to fear ordinary cleavers or iron rods. At a critical moment, he could even use his forearms to block incoming attacks.
He had also padded his chest and back with magazines. The defense wasn't particularly strong, but it was better than nothing. Most importantly, it didn't hinder his movements. With a leather jacket worn over it all, no one could tell.
Before long, everyone had gotten their weapons. Led by Baki, the group surged toward Portland Street in a grand procession.
Sham Shui Po and Portland Street were very close. The incident from the day before yesterday had shocked the whole of Hong Kong Island, and the Jackals of Portland Street had been on guard against Baki of East Star from the beginning.
As soon as Baki led his men to Portland Street, the Jackals hurriedly came out to meet them with more than four hundred underlings.
This was where the boldness of Hong Kong people had to be mentioned. Although the shops along the street had all closed their doors, most people still crouched by the windows to watch curiously. Even the passersby hiding inside the various shops were no exception. As for calling the police? That simply wasn't happening!
The two groups drew closer and closer, with Baki and the Jackals walking at the very front of their respective lines.
Once they were close enough, the two big shots stopped. The underlings behind them also stood quietly, waiting for their bosses' orders.
Normally, this was how a confrontation began. Both sides would curse and bicker, seeing whose voice was louder, while the underlings behind them joined in the jeering. In the end, they would sit down for tea, and the matter would be over.
But today, the smell of gunpowder was clearly much stronger.
"Brother Ji, you've brought so many people to my Portland Street. Are you trying to smash up my turf?" The Jackals took a hard drag on his cigarette and sneered with his head tilted to the side.
"You Hong Yi Society bastards know damn well what you did. You actually dared to ambush our Dragon Head, Brother Camel. I'm here today to settle the score with you!" Baki's voice was just as loud, and he showed no weakness.
It felt somewhat like the opposing armies of ancient times facing each other. They always had to trade insults first, showing that they stood on the side of justice, loudly condemning the other side's despicable and shameless behavior. This both encouraged their own side's morale and suppressed the enemy's momentum.
"Who the fuck forgot to fasten their belt and let you slip out? What the fuck are you supposed to be? You're not even a hall manager. The big shots above us will naturally handle this matter. Who the hell do you think you are to stick your neck out and make a fuss?"
Although Portland Street wasn't large, it was Hong Kong's most famous red-light district. The Jackals, whose turf was here, had raised around four hundred capable fighters. Naturally, he didn't take Baki seriously.
After being cursed at like that, Baki obviously couldn't let it go. He was just about to curse back when a loud shout came from behind him.
"Who the fuck do you think you are to curse my big brother? Fuck your mother! I'll chop you to death!"
Before the words had even finished, a figure shot forward. Baki took a close look and saw that it was Xuan Zai, the one who had picked the Japanese War Blade.
Fuck, does he have to be this impulsive? Both sides froze when they saw Wang Xuan charge out.
The big shots hadn't finished cursing, and no one had even ordered them to attack. Was this guy fucking insane?
The problem was that, according to the habits of Wang Xuan's hometown, if you could fight, you should avoid yapping. What the hell were they still arguing for at a time like this? Don't back down—just fight!
Before either side could react, Wang Xuan had already reached the Jackals in less than two seconds. Without saying a word, he gripped the blade with both hands and brought it viciously down toward the Jackals' head.
A silver bolt of lightning tore through the air. The Jackals hurriedly retreated and instinctively raised his right arm to block.
"Crack!"
With a scream from the Jackals, half of his forearm, mixed with blood, flew through the air.
When their lives were threatened, people could always erupt with strength they had never shown before. The Jackals turned and fled in one smooth motion.
By the time Wang Xuan sheathed his blade and tried to chase him, the Jackals had already run several steps away and were about to disappear into his own people.
Baki, who had been watching the show, finally reacted. Such a great opportunity—and such a fierce fighter! What was there to hesitate about?
"Everyone, charge! Chop them to death!!"
Perhaps inspired by Wang Xuan, Baki's men all swung their cleavers and charged forward.
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