Internal Strife

"This is my big brother, Sha Meng, Ah Xuan. Call him Brother Meng."

"Hello, Brother Meng." Wang Xuan respectfully bowed to Sha Meng.

Sha Meng sat there, sizing Wang Xuan up from head to toe before nodding and smiling, "You're quite something, kid. You've got the same spirit I had back in the day. Keep it up!"

"I wouldn't dare compare myself to you, Brother Meng. Everyone in the underworld knows how formidable you are. Compared to you, I'm still just a tiny shrimp."

"Good, you know how to talk. Go sit over there. Anyone who can get into our Fragrant Hall has a bright future. Learn well!" Sha Meng was very pleased with Wang Xuan's respect. He himself was arrogant, but he especially liked it when his subordinates showed him deference.

Wang Xuan walked back and sat in the third row by the wall. A moment later, Baki also walked over. He wasn't qualified to sit at the main table yet, but his status was quite high, sitting in the second row behind.

Not long after, Camel walked in from outside. Wang Xuan's lips curved into a smile. He really did look like Chen Huimin.

Camel seemed very happy and sat in the main seat, chatting with a group of seated bosses. After the pleasantries, Camel cleared his throat and said, "Everyone's gathered here today for two reasons. First, the day before yesterday, Sha Meng's subordinate Baki led a group to wipe out the Hong Yi Society's Jackals. Second, now that Mong Kok is under our East Star's control, we can't let it go. We need to discuss the territory allocation today."

Mong Kok wasn't a large place. Compared to the territories of the bosses present, it was nothing. However, it was a prosperous area with plenty of oil and water. Naturally, the bosses present all had ideas, but none of them had a reason to speak up.

Seeing that no one was speaking, Camel turned to Sha Meng and said, "Your subordinate handled this. You speak first!"

"Whoever takes it, gets it. Our East Star rewards merit. Baki has contributed to the society, so we can't let our subordinates get discouraged!" Sha Meng said, glancing at the other bosses present, not backing down.

Contributing to the society wasn't the same as contributing to oneself. The collected fees went to Camel and a few retired bosses, not the seated bosses below. If Baki were to directly occupy the territory like this, Sha Meng's influence would expand significantly, which was naturally something other seated bosses wouldn't want to see.

Even though they were all in the same society, the grudges between the seated bosses were often greater than those with outsiders. At the very least, the East Star Five Tigers were very antagonistic towards each other. Moreover, the greater one's own strength, the greater the benefits in the future. Everyone wanted to sit in the Dragon Head's position, but in the end, it all depended on strength.

"Rewarding merit is a given, of course. But that Mong Kok area, though not large, has a lot of oil and water. It can be made into a separate district. It was already a separate district under the Hong Yi Society. It would be difficult to manage if it were directly merged into Sham Shui Po!"

The speaker was Da Dong, nicknamed "Nameless Tiger." He was currently the most powerful seated boss in the East Star Society, with territory in the New Territories. He was Camel's confidant and the second-in-command of the Xing Ying Society, with shoulder-length black hair.

"Da Dong, what the hell do you mean! Are you deliberately trying to oppose me!" Sha Meng's golden hair exploded in anger. This was an attempt to cut into his flesh!

"I don't mean anything by it. I'm just stating the facts. Baki has performed a service for the society, so he naturally needs to be promoted. He used to manage several streets. Now that he's promoted, he should become a seated boss!"

Da Dong stood up from his seat and surveyed the subordinates sitting in the outer two rows. He continued loudly, "Are we going to promote him only for him to remain a subordinate? If everyone suppresses their subordinates like you, Sha Meng, and prevents them from rising, won't that discourage our brothers? Who will work hard for the society in the future? What do you all say!"

Yes, of course!

The subordinates sitting outside all wanted to be promoted, but no one dared to speak up in this setting. They could only stare at Sha Meng with their eyes.

The other seated bosses present also chimed in with their agreement. Da Dong's words were too sharp. If any boss dared to say no at this moment, the morale would crumble, and it would be difficult to lead the team!

Sha Meng felt a prickling sensation on his scalp under their gazes. The subordinates' eyes were filled with fervent desire, a persistence and yearning for promotion. At this moment, he didn't dare to stand against all his subordinates.

"Of course, I want my subordinate to be promoted. Da Dong, stop trying to frame me. I have no objections to this matter. The Dragon Head's word is final." Sha Meng cursed Da Dong before sitting down resentfully.

Since everyone had reached a consensus, Camel could naturally make a decision. However, he couldn't let Sha Meng suffer any losses. After all, it was his subordinate who had performed the meritorious deed, so he should also share some of the credit. Being the Dragon Head wasn't easy.

"No more arguing. Do as I say!" Camel knocked on the table and continued, "Baki will be promoted to seated boss, and his territory will be Mong Kok. You will hand over your original Sham Shui Po territory. Sha Meng, you will pay 20% less in annual fees this year as a reward."

Camel made the final decision. This outcome was fair to everyone. Sha Meng didn't expand his influence, but he received compensation. The society didn't suffer any losses either. The annual fees collected from Mong Kok would definitely be more than Sha Meng's 20% reduction. Baki was promoted, and the subordinates below saw hope. Overall, it was a win-win-win situation.

"Baki, move your chair and come sit here. You are now one of our East Star's seated bosses. You must work hard and contribute more to the society!" Camel beckoned to Baki.

Baki stood up excitedly and bowed to Camel, "Thank you, Dragon Head, for the promotion. I will definitely do my best for the society from now on."

"Thank you for taking care of me, Brother Meng." He turned and bowed to Sha Meng again, indicating that he still remembered Sha Meng's kindness and would follow his lead in the future.

Sha Meng nodded at Baki, feeling reasonably satisfied. At least for now, he didn't seem like an ungrateful wretch. As for the future, who the hell knew.

After thanking those who deserved thanks, Baki moved his chair and sat at the very bottom.

"Baki, I heard you have a formidable subordinate who chased hundreds of people with a single knife. Introduce him to us!" Camel said to Baki with a smile.

"Ah Xuan, stand up and let everyone meet you!" Baki shouted excitedly.

Damn, it's finally my turn to appear. Sitting in the back just now, watching a bunch of bosses dictating the world in the middle, Wang Xuan was filled with envy. Moreover, wasn't this my mission!

Except I need to climb even higher, higher than Camel!

"Greetings, Dragon Head, all bosses, and all brothers. My name is Wang Xuan. You can call me Xuan Zai!"

Of course, not everyone can call him Xuan Zai. Just like Stephen Chow, at first everyone called him Xing Zai, then Ah Xing, and later he became Brother Xing, Master Xing!

If you are one generation higher than me, you can call me Ah Xuan. If you are two generations higher, you can call me Xuan Zai. Those of the same generation or younger must call me Brother Xuan!

Anyone who dared to call him by the wrong name would be looking down on him, Wang Xuan, or be his enemy!