Wang Xuan had actually planned this before. His second task was to have influence throughout Hong Kong Island, but could a simple gang boss really wield influence across Hong Kong Island?
Even Camel, the Dragon Head of one of Hong Kong Island's two major gangs, East Star, could be intimidated by any Chief Inspector-level officer.
But if it were a major Hong Kong Island businessman or someone with a certain degree of social influence, they might not necessarily take a Chief Inspector-level officer seriously. After all, this was no longer the 1950s or '60s. No one could conquer the world with knives and guns anymore.
Nowadays, influential people could be major businessmen, social celebrities, or government officials, but they absolutely could not be a Young and Dangerous punk!
So Wang Xuan had to whitewash his image, and the same went for all his men. The Society's activities and such would have to be given a respectable pretext in the future. They could no longer be handled so crudely. They could follow the example of the Japanese gangs in this regard. The Japanese gangs handled it very well—organized and orderly, while participating in political activities to a certain extent and gaining influence deep in people's hearts.
Looking at the four men wearing utterly miserable expressions, Wang Xuan's face darkened. "What? You're unwilling!?"
Seeing the boss's gloomy face, the four shuddered inwardly and could only nod in agreement with mournful expressions.
"I'm giving you an opportunity, so don't fail to appreciate it!" Wang Xuan pointed at them and said earnestly, "Right now, any random police officer can order you around, but those same officers have to treat Zhu Libo politely. Do you understand why!?"
"Because he's a lawyer!"
"No. Because he has a legitimate profession and a certain amount of influence, while you don't. If you had legitimate companies registered under your names, then even if they knew you had once been thugs, or were still involved with the Society's activities, they still wouldn't dare provoke you lightly."
His meaning was very clear, and the four took it to heart. They stood there with their heads lowered in thought. After a moment, Ah Wai spoke up. "But what's the use of going to school now? Are we supposed to take the university entrance exam?"
"That won't be necessary. I'll consider the content of your lessons. It'll all be proper, useful material."
The four exchanged glances. There was no other choice. First, they couldn't disobey the boss's orders. Second, this really was for their own good. One had to know how to appreciate kindness.
Watching the four leave dejectedly, Wang Xuan smiled silently behind them. He definitely intended to train them, but whether he also had a mischievous motive was something outsiders would never know.
The Viper was being held at the police station and naturally knew nothing about what was happening outside. It was only when his lawyer brought him news from outside that he was horrified. Unfortunately, he was being held at the station and couldn't leave. Even his lawyer couldn't get him out on bail. With drug trafficking involved, bail was difficult to arrange.
What the Viper knew now was that Wang Xuan had timed his attack perfectly, bringing men to raid his establishments. The operation had been swift and the targets clear, wiping out three of his streets in one blow. Several of his capable assistants had also gone missing, and they were probably in serious trouble.
He knew nothing more. Held at the police station, his thoughts churned wildly. He was terrified that Wang Xuan would become too greedy. Regardless of whether he could fight back later, he would suffer heavy losses. More importantly, if Baki or other East Star members intervened, his entire territory around Kowloon might be uprooted. By the time he got out, he could be left as a commander without troops.
Without territory, he had no underlings. Then he wouldn't even have a chance to make a comeback.
As for his boss, Yan Tze Tak, he didn't hold out much hope. Once Kowloon was gone, only Sha Tin District would remain. The strength of the Hong Yi Society might not even match that of a single East Star branch. At that point, Yan Tze Tak might not even be able to protect himself, let alone shelter him.
The more he thought about it, the more anxious he became. The Viper paced endlessly around the interrogation room, kicking the wall over and over with increasing force as his temper grew more violent.
Even the proper questioning procedures were skipped. It was as if the entire police station had completely forgotten him. The Viper gripped the iron bars with both hands and shook them furiously, shouting himself hoarse, "Where is everyone?! Damn it, how long are you going to lock me up?"
"I know you don't have any evidence!"
"Someone come! Let me out!!!!"
"Damn it, damn it!"
The Viper pounded the iron bars in a frenzy, producing loud clangs.
None of the officers outside paid him any attention. Someone had given orders in advance to keep him locked up for twenty-four hours and let him make as much noise as he wanted.
The officers were happy to watch the spectacle. These Young and Dangerous punks caused them countless problems in their daily work. They couldn't arrest them easily without evidence, and even when they did make an arrest, they could rarely hold them for more than a few days. They had been bottling up their anger for who knew how long. Seeing a gang boss in such a state was enough to vent some of their resentment.
The Viper exhausted himself from making a scene. His mouth was parched from shouting, and his throat felt as if it were on fire. In the end, no one paid him any attention, so he could only slump to the floor and stare blankly.
He gradually accepted his fate. Once his spirits sank to rock bottom, he was no longer as agitated. He began wondering why Wang Xuan had chosen his moment to strike with such precision. The more he thought about it, the more suspicious it seemed. Could it be... that Wang Xuan had cooperated with the police?
That shouldn't be possible. That kid had made the police look so wretched recently. It would be strange if they didn't hate him to the bone. How could they have hooked up so quickly?
But aside from that, there was no other possibility.
Considering how he was being treated now, the Sherlock Holmes Viper became more and more convinced that this was exactly what had happened.
He even suspected that Wang Xuan had tipped off the police about his gambling den. Otherwise, the police's intelligence couldn't have been so accurate; they hadn't left him even a moment to react.
Time passed bit by bit, and he grew restless again. Forget bringing him food—even a cup of water was nowhere to be seen.
At long last, after enduring twenty-four hours, the interrogation-room door suddenly opened. The Viper's appearance gave his lawyer a fright.
The Viper's lips were cracked and split, his face was sallow, his eye sockets deeply sunken, and his voice was unbearably hoarse. It had only been one day, so how had he ended up like this? The lawyer suspected the police had tortured him into confessing.
The Viper stopped the lawyer, who was about to make trouble for the police. He had no time to squabble with them now. His top priority was to return to his headquarters and take a look.
To see whether the damn place was still there!
Only after he got into the car and heard his underling's report did he let out a long sigh of relief. Fortunately, it was only three streets. The situation wasn't too bad.
He suddenly felt that Wang Xuan wasn't so bad after all. At least he knew when to stop and hadn't wiped him out completely!
People were strange creatures. When you thought you had lost everything, then suddenly discovered you had only lost half your assets, you would inexplicably feel happy.
(I originally thought the professor was so impartial and stern that I was certain to fail. But after spending the whole night driving with him, he actually let me pass. For some reason, I suddenly felt that the professor was easy to get along with!)
He opened a bottle of water and drained it in one gulp, then viciously threw the empty bottle out the car window. The Viper was now wholly focused on returning to count his losses. The reason people entered this line of work was to make money. As for taking revenge on Wang Xuan, that would have to wait.
Before you continue