Free Web NovelChapter 2126: Chapter 2327: Thirty Years East, Thirty Years West
This is how the world works; when you have power, you will have countless followers, some depend on you for survival or livelihood, but without exception, when you have nothing, they will leave you. When you fall from grace and can no longer support them, they will move on to find another who can sustain them.
In the underworld, this is even more of an axiom. Before, you could support them, but now you’re being driven away; why would they continue to work hard for you? This is called not doing a business without capital.
Additionally, after Long Yi, Long Er, and Long San expanded their forces, their attitude towards their close associates wasn’t great either. They would hit or kick at the slightest provocation, treating people without any respect. Even a few confidants wouldn’t choose to follow them when they fall from grace, let alone the others.
Thus, this move instantly reduced the once mighty Axe Gang to nothing overnight, and now there’s nothing left of it.
Long Yi and Long Er walked out of Rufeng Hotel, faces full of reluctance. Hao Jian had already left with his group, but still, a group of people followed him. If he doesn’t leave Yun City, he surely won’t have a peaceful day. So, they didn’t stay; they left with Long Er.
They went to the hospital, where Long San was taken aback. After hearing about the situation, even though his injuries weren’t fully healed, he handled the discharge paperwork, and the three of them quietly left Yun City in a car. They used to be so arrogant, but now they’re like defeated dogs, leaving Yun City in despair.
The Bald Faction people only returned after seeing the three leave Yun City. They are not afraid that Long Yi and his group will return. Their power is gone now, and in Yun City, they’ve offended so many people. If they dare return, others wouldn’t hold back their resentment and would strike first.
So, there’s no need for them to worry, as long as they see them leave with their own eyes.
Just like that, the Axe Gang, which developed rapidly in Yun City and was once in its prime, vanished overnight. Their three leaders no longer stay in Yun City, and as for their original territory, it’s naturally seized by various heroes.
Hao Jian has no interest in this, so he left it be, allowing them to divide it. He only aimed to establish some influence for certain purposes. Now, this situation suits his needs.
As for why the more than a hundred people Long Yi sent to Soho Bar suddenly came under attack and ambush by Yunqi, the top power in Yun City, that’s straightforward. Hao Jian handed the task to Baldy, and he knows the details best. The longer one sits in a high position, the more one fears losing what he has. Although Yunqi’s leaders didn’t overtly pressure Long Yi and his group, they must have devised many schemes behind the scenes.
Coincidentally, Baldy presented himself, and with a silver tongue, he relayed Hao Jian’s words again, achieving a beneficial trade without loss and ridding future troubles, so there was no reason not to proceed. Hence, it all fell into place perfectly; you gained your benefits, and I achieved my desired outcome—mutually advantageous, why not?
As planned, the group headed to a food stall. The car quickly stopped on a street filled with food stalls, where Wumao, Afei, and Qiu Lang were already waiting, evidently having been there for quite a while.
Some were injured, but most were minor wounds, with a few more severely injured sent to the hospital. Still, there were many people present, nearly two hundred, with about one hundred ninety now.
With such a crowd, one food stall couldn’t accommodate everyone, so they spread out. Usually, the food stalls are busiest at night, but seeing Hao Jian and his group’s grand arrival, the patrons were frightened and left immediately.
The stall owner dared not utter a word, fearing he wouldn’t manage any business tonight. But hearing Hao Jian’s group wanted food and drinks, he was delighted; this deal tonight could earn more than three or four days of hard work.
The rest of the brothers sat together, while a special table was set aside for Hao Jian and company, seating Hao Jian, Baldy, Brother Black San, Qiu Lang, and Wumao, Afei, and Brother Lanc.
Brother Lanc, with a joyful expression, patted his belly and said, "Tonight, everyone eats their fill, on me, Brother Lanc. I’m covering the bill tonight."
Once Brother Lanc said this, there was an immediate cheer and excitement below; who wouldn’t be happy with free food and drinks? Seeing someone offer to pay, the owner beamed; there was money to be made today. Hearing Brother Lanc would cover the bill, neither Black San nor others said much, nor did they vie to pay as hosts.
Everyone knew Brother Lanc was wealthy, a Rich Man, so they kept quiet, just smiling at Brother Lanc and offering compliments, while Brother Lanc was visibly pleased, tonight truly lifted his spirits after such a long mood.
Everyone sat down, with the leaders at one table, except for Lin Dongyang, who only sat there by Hao Jian’s connection; otherwise, he was merely a student, how could he mingle with such big shots?
Brother Lanc, with a jovial look, stood up, raising his cup to Hao Jian, "Haha... tonight is truly thrilling, Brother Hao, uh... what should I call you? You have my utmost respect; in such short time, you led us to accomplish something we longed yet feared to do, and succeeded. I’ve never admired anyone sincerely over the years, but today, you’ve genuinely earned my admiration. Here’s a drink to you."
Hearing this, Hao Jian couldn’t fuss about formality, so he stood with his cup and said, "Brother Lanc, no need for such words; if there’s any toast, it should be me toasting you."
They smiled at each other, downing the drink, turning the empty cups upside down to show they finished, demonstrating their hearty spirit. Smiling, they both sat back down.
At this moment, Wumao and Afei stood up with their drinks; Wumao started, "Brother Hao, I should toast you too. Honestly, I underestimated you at first, doubting what significant deeds someone young could achieve. But tonight opened my eyes, showing youth isn’t the barrier, let’s drink."
Afei also smiled, "My sentiments are all in this drink, let’s drink."
Hao Jian smiled, "It’s just some modest skills, unworthy of such praise."
Everyone laughed, and three of them promptly finished their drink. Wumao and Afei sat back down. However, as Hao Jian was about to sit, Black San also raised a drink to him, saying, "Generational talents emerge, leading for hundreds of years, not bad, young man, keep it up."
Hao Jian smiled, "No, no, it’s important to learn more from Brother Black San."
No further pleasantries, they finished their drinks. Then Qiu Lang stood up with a drink, "We’re all in the underworld, men to men, no need for extra words, Brother Hao, tonight, I admire you, come... cheers!"
"Cheers!" Hao Jian replied.
This had Hao Jian downing four or five drinks in quick succession, and it was just the beginning; who knew how much more drinking awaited? Hao Jian never feared drinking, but excess brought a booze smell, and if Liang Xiaohan caught a whiff at home, it could mean severe punishment, so abstaining was better.
Thus, after initially drinking a bit, Hao Jian tried to avoid more, though he couldn’t avoid drinking quite a bit.
Among this, he realized the evident shift in everyone’s attitude towards him, from initial mockery to offering toasts. Particularly with Black San and Qiu Lang, two old Jianghu hands, whose glances signaled a total change from before.
Yet thinking it through, it seemed normal. After all, his current identity was just a student; imagine how long they endured Long Yi’s oppression, anger festered yet never spoken, fearing wrath.
A careless word could mean catastrophic disaster.
But with Hao Jian suddenly appearing, with a simple tactic achieving their long-sought goals.
They desired it for so long yet dared not move, couldn’t achieve it.
And Hao Jian, just a student, easily accomplished it, an astonishing feat, truly astonishing.
