Cruel Reality

Su Xin did not need to be announced this time when he arrived at the residence of Third Master Hu in Shunyi Ward; the two gang members guarding the gate ushered Su Xin and Huang Bingcheng straight inside.

Having made such a massive name for himself in Happy Forest, Su Xin commanded their respect even if he were not the adopted son of Third Master Hu.

Upon entering the living room, Third Master Hu sat upright in the main seat as if he had known Su Xin was coming, while Master Li stood behind him.

"Su Xin pays his respects to Godfather." Su Xin quickly stepped forward and bowed.

Third Master Hu held his teacup and chuckled, "Rise. You have done well in Happy Forest during this time; it seems I did not misjudge you back then."

Su Xin offered a compliment, "Godfather is too kind. Anything I have achieved today is thanks to your prestige. If not for you standing behind me, I would never have been able to suppress those merchants."

"Enough, there is no need for such false modesty. Among the younger generation of the Flying Eagle Gang, you are arguably the most capable. Even the gang leader has been singing your praises since you reformed Happy Forest," Third Master Hu said.

"By the way, Godfather, are you aware that one of my men was beaten to death by the Green Bamboo Gang yesterday?" Su Xin asked.

Third Master Hu replied, "Of course I am aware. It was merely a misunderstanding. Dai Chong, a major head of the Green Bamboo Gang, has already come to apologize and paid ten taels of silver in compensation. Let the matter rest there."

Su Xin suppressed his anger and said, "Godfather, the Green Bamboo Gang killed my man. Are we, the Flying Eagle Gang, just going to let it slide? Is a human life worth nothing more than an apology?"

"And what else would you have me do? You are still young; conflicts between gangs are not so simple," Third Master Hu said earnestly.

Su Xin wanted to say more, but Third Master Hu cut him off, "That is enough. Your Happy Forest has only just begun to develop; do not waste your energy on such trivial matters. I am tired. Master Li, see Su Xin out for me."

Hearing this, Su Xin knew there was no hope of the Flying Eagle Gang seeking justice, so he could only turn and leave with Huang Bingcheng.

Master Li followed them out with a smile, saying, "Young Master Su, do not take this to heart. At worst, just give that gang member's family a bit more burial money and consider the matter finished."

"Master Li, please do not call me that. Just address me by my name."

Su Xin would never underestimate this "White Paper Fan" who had been by Third Master Hu's side for decades.

Master Li shook his head, "I cannot. Etiquette must be maintained. You are the adopted son of Third Master, so it is only right that I address you as Young Master."

Su Xin's expression shifted. He pulled Master Li into a corner near the gate and signaled to Huang Bingcheng.

Huang Bingcheng, being sharp, immediately produced a thousand-tael silver note and skillfully slipped it into Master Li's hand.

Master Li glanced at the denomination, his heart filled with joy, and he tucked it into his sleeve without a trace.

"Ahem, Young Master Su, you are truly too polite," Master Li said with a grin.

Su Xin cupped his hands, "Master Li, I am not being polite. I am genuinely seeking your advice. Why did the higher-ups refuse to demand an explanation from the Green Bamboo Gang after they killed our man? Is it because Godfather does not want to lose more men?"

Master Li looked around to ensure no one was approaching, then sighed, "Young Master Su, I will not hide it from you. This matter really does not have much to do with Third Master Hu; it was entirely a decision made by the higher-ups."

Su Xin raised an eyebrow. If it did not have "much" to do with him, then it certainly had some connection.

"The Green Bamboo Gang killed our man, which is equivalent to slapping us in the face. We were the ones who won the battle for Joyful District last time, so why are we retreating and tolerating them now?"

Winning a war only to act like a coward afterward was exactly what puzzled Su Xin.

Master Li shook his head and sighed, "Young Master Su, do you know why we went to war with the Green Bamboo Gang last time?"

"Was it not to fight for control of Joyful District?"

Master Li curled his lip in disdain, "Bullshit! That was just an excuse to fool the rank-and-file members. That godforsaken place has nothing of value except for Happy Forest."

"Furthermore, Happy Forest only became prosperous after you took over. In the past, it barely brought in a few hundred taels a month—hardly enough to cover the rewards paid out to the men after the battle for Joyful District."

"The real reason we went to war with the Green Bamboo Gang was because the Young Gang Leader, Sha Yuandong, got into a petty dispute with the Green Bamboo Gang's young leader and suffered a slight loss, so he wanted revenge."

"When two gangs go to war, the losses are not just in men, but in vast amounts of money."

"After a major battle, you have to pay rewards to the members, provide pensions for the wounded and dead, and pay bribes to the officials to keep things quiet. The expenses are astronomical."

"So, that battle for Joyful District was completely meaningless; it was nothing more than two spoiled brats squabbling. We did not want to escalate it, and the Green Bamboo Gang did not want to increase their losses, so they withdrew voluntarily, which gave our Flying Eagle Gang some face."

"Now that only one minor member has died, and the Green Bamboo Gang has already apologized, we have our face. Why would the higher-ups spend a fortune to attack the Green Bamboo Gang for the sake of a worthless sense of justice?"

Master Li's words left Su Xin and Huang Bingcheng stunned. Neither of them had expected that the gang war from over a month ago had been caused by two young masters bickering.

Looking around again, Master Li whispered, "Young Master Su, let me add one more thing. The higher-ups are not planning to seek justice not only for that reason, but also because they have their sights set on you."

"Your Happy Forest brings in nearly a hundred thousand taels a month—more than some of the major heads make. Many people are already green with envy and want to suppress you."

Su Xin said in a low voice, "Has Godfather not stood up for me?"

Su Xin had given Third Master Hu thirty thousand of the eighty thousand taels he earned this month.

On one hand, it was out of filial respect; on the other, it was to prevent others from being jealous and to ensure Third Master Hu would shield him.

Nominally, Su Xin was a minor head under Third Master Hu, who was also his adopted father.

If someone from above was jealous and wanted to suppress Su Xin, Third Master Hu, having received the silver, should naturally have stood up for him.

Master Li did not answer this directly, but instead asked, "Young Master Su, you gave Third Master thirty thousand taels last month, correct?"

Su Xin nodded.

"Third Master only found out later that you actually earned eighty thousand taels that month!"

After saying this, Master Li cupped his hands and turned to leave.

"Greed knows no bounds!" Su Xin understood the implication behind Master Li's words. A cold glint flashed in his eyes as he led Huang Bingcheng away.

"Damn it! What kind of people are they? They can start a war with the Green Bamboo Gang over two spoiled brats, but now that one of our own has been killed, they won't even let out a fart!" Huang Bingcheng cursed indignantly the entire way back.

He had participated in the battle at Joyful District, and although his personality meant he certainly wouldn't have rushed into the fray, the event still left him with a sense of shared grief for the fallen.

The higher-ups of the Flying Eagle Gang truly did not view them, the ordinary gang members, as human beings!

Compared to the anger of Huang Bingcheng, Su Xin appeared quite indifferent: "Look at it this way, those in high positions only think of two words: profit."

"It is obvious that what we want to do does not align with their interests, so they will not care, and may even suppress us. Rather than relying on others, it is better to rely on oneself."

Su Xin had already understood this in his past life; never place your fate in the hands of others.

If Third Master Hu wouldn't intervene and the Flying Eagle Gang's leadership wouldn't act, did they really think they could suffocate Su Xin?

"Boss, are you thinking of..." Huang Bingcheng looked at Su Xin in shock.

Su Xin did not speak, but a cold glint flashed through his eyes.

All the way back to the Happy Forest hall, his subordinates were waiting eagerly, wanting to know if the higher-ups would send someone to seek justice for them.

But seeing only Su Xin and Huang Bingcheng return, their hearts sank instantly.

Meeting the gazes of the crowd, Su Xin said frankly: "The higher-ups said that the Green Bamboo Gang has already apologized, so the matter is considered settled. They will not send anyone to start another major war with the Green Bamboo Gang."

Su Xin's subordinates were immediately filled with righteous indignation; even though they had already guessed this news, they still felt a sense of stifled resentment.

Ji Gang, standing in the crowd, shook his head, a look of disdain appearing at the corner of his mouth.

As a trusted aide to Third Master Hu, he naturally had some understanding of the Flying Eagle Gang's leadership.

After this incident occurred, he knew that the higher-ups would absolutely not send anyone to help Su Xin seek justice.

The crowd below was in an uproar, but Su Xin tapped the table, and everyone present immediately fell silent.

Although Su Xin had only been their boss for a little over a month, his clear rewards and punishments had earned their respect.

However, watching their own brothers being beaten to death by a rival gang, only to be met with an apology they hadn't even seen in person and ten taels of silver, left them all with a sense of shared grief.

Although this matter didn't have much to do with Su Xin personally, they still harbored resentment in their hearts.

How could a boss who couldn't even protect his own men command their true loyalty?

Seeing this scene, Su Xin let out a long breath.

This must be the scene the Flying Eagle Gang's leadership, or rather, Third Master Hu, wanted to see, right?

To make him a figurehead boss who had money but whose subordinates were alienated, so that he could be easily manipulated?

Su Xin smiled coldly, tapped the table, and said loudly: "It doesn't matter that the higher-ups won't send anyone; they have their own concerns, but I, Su Xin, will not let my brothers die in vain!"

"At this time tomorrow, I will bring the heads of Zhang Hong and Dai Chong to pay tribute to our fallen brothers!"

The entire hall fell into absolute silence.