Chapter 114: The Dust Settles

“Speaking of which, it’s infuriating beyond belief. I was just investigating the boss’s death. Didn’t I mention last time? I had vague leads, but I never imagined it was a setup. Those people knew I was investigating them all along. They directed everything to that kid. Although I knew of him, I didn’t really know him. That kid’s arrogant personality—he acted like the boss when dealing with those people. That made me fixate on him. I only realized after I took him out that those people were using him as a scapegoat under the guise of doing business with him.”

Ghost Dong took a gulp of beer to wash down the food in his mouth, found a worn-out chair, casually blew off the dust, and plopped down.

“No matter what kind of trap they set, they’re inevitably connected to the boss’s death. And their power is immense. You can tell just by how they framed Hua Ku Chun. The important thing is, every move you make is under their control. Like how you investigated the boss’s death—only a handful of people know, and even I don’t know your next step, yet they precisely lured you into their trap. Their strength must not be underestimated.”

Yan Xu’s expression darkened upon hearing Ghost Dong’s words. The enemy lurked in the shadows while they operated openly. Such a hidden hand was not to be taken lightly by anyone.

“So what should we do? We have to expose these bastards, right?” Ji Mao looked at Yan Xu and asked.

“No. For now, we can’t investigate anything. Whoever they are, their target is only the boss. Ghost Dong got caught up because of the boss’s case. I don’t want you or me to become the next Ghost Dong.”

“Then we just do nothing? Let the boss die in vain?” Ji Mao and Ghost Dong were both emotional.

“Of course we won’t let the boss die without justice. But our strength is still too weak. We can only adopt a strategy of patience and restraint. I guarantee those who killed the boss are still watching us closely. If we make a move, something will go wrong. So we won’t move. We’ll do what we must and slowly build our strength. They can’t watch us forever; eventually, they’ll relax. A gentleman’s revenge is never too late, even if it takes ten years. We wait for that day.” Yan Xu looked at the two men.

“That day? How long do we have to wait?” Ghost Dong asked with some dissatisfaction.

“No matter how long it takes, we must wait. Yan Xu is right. We can’t act rashly now.” Compared to Ghost Dong, Ji Mao was much calmer.

“A few years at most. Those behind the scenes can’t watch us 24/7. Just hand over any clues you have to Ji Mao. Those people won’t die that soon. Our biggest problem right now is you.” Yan Xu said.

“My problem? What problem do I have?”

“You killed Hua Ku Chun. His brother will never let you off easily. If you show your face now, you’ll be torn to pieces. Even though you were set up, they won’t listen to your explanation. Right now, you have only three options.”

“Three options?” Ghost Dong looked at Yan Xu with doubt. He knew killing Hua Ku Chun made him an enemy of Jin Mao Yang. Going out meant certain death. But he never expected Yan Xu to lay out three options.

“First: We find a way to cover for you so you can get close to Jin Mao Yang and take him out too. Once he’s dead, even if someone wants revenge, his territory will have many contenders. Many want his position, so they can’t focus on you. You only need to watch out for the police. Of course, this depends on whether you can break through Jin Mao Yang’s bodyguards and henchmen.” Yan Xu stated the first option, which was naturally the least reliable.

“That’s nonsense. That guy loves to show off. Wherever he goes, he’s surrounded by a dozen bodyguards. That’s a suicide mission.” Ghost Dong shook his head.

“Second option: You turn yourself in to the police now. You did kill someone, but that person was a gang member with a criminal record. Ji Mao and I will find you a good lawyer. With your surrender, good behavior, and some sentence reductions, you could be out in about ten years. That way, you can avoid Jin Mao Yang’s pursuit. Though he may have contacts inside, our connections are good too. With some extra money, you’ll be looked after.”

This was the safest plan. Though Ghost Dong would spend over a decade in prison, his life would at least be protected. By the time 1997 came around, even the most brazen gangs would be cautious. Over the years, Jin Mao Yang might be killed, emigrated, imprisoned for “re-education,” or even have his record wiped clean. Deep-seated hatred fades with time.

“No! No! No!” Before Yan Xu finished, Ghost Dong quickly waved his hands.

He was so young, in the prime of life, especially over the past year. His life was satisfying—he had a respectable job, followers, and many girls fawning over him. Being locked up meant no entertainment, endless forced labor, no freedom, surrounded only by men. Even the most basic physical activities would be limited to interactions with men. In such an environment, he’d easily become someone willing to “contribute” or interested only in that.

“Then there’s only the third option.” Seeing Ghost Dong’s refusal, Yan Xu knew that sending such a young man to prison, though saving his life and under their care, meant his best years would be wasted, and he might change in unknown ways.

“This third option requires Ji Mao to step forward.” Yan Xu looked at Ji Mao.

“You want me to negotiate with Jin Mao Yang? Fine, I’ll send some uncles to test the waters, but I doubt it’ll work. That’s his own brother who died; no matter whose face he owes, he won’t sell it,” Ji Mao said.

“I’m not asking you to negotiate with Jin Mao Yang, but to find Mr. Sawamizu,” Yan Xu revealed his idea.

“Mr. Sawamizu? You mean smuggling? Getting Ghost Dong out of here?” The moment Yan Xu mentioned the name, Ji Mao’s thoughts connected.

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Though Mr. Sawamizu was a big brother figure in the gang, his reputation wasn’t prominent. He looked like an ordinary man in his fifties. In the society, he always abstained from votes, often skipped meetings, and simply managed a small, low-profit patch of land—a role often forgotten.

When Ji Mao and Yan Xu found him early the next morning, he was wearing a white tank top and gray shorts, hauling boxes of soda from his shop near Salt Field Bay in Sai Kung. He ran a modest store near the Big Bay and Sai Kung Country Park, business decent thanks to local villagers.

Of course, the shop wasn’t his main income. Sai Kung’s long coastline had many remote spots rarely visited, creating ideal conditions for smuggling and human trafficking. Many smuggling groups existed, formed by local fishermen or gangs.

Mr. Sawamizu was responsible for smuggling in Yan’s gang. His job was simple—transport people and goods. He wasn’t a snakehead but used his waterway connections to help gang members escape. Compared to others, he rarely encountered such cases; those with power and connections went through bigger gangs, while the poor and powerless used fishermen to get to the mainland. The price for escape was hefty—just one client could keep him fed for a long time.

“Right now, Jin Mao Yang is crazily searching for Ghost Dong and has issued a warning. Anyone harboring him will be at odds with Jin Mao Yang and won’t live comfortably. Besides the bounty, handing over Ghost Dong yields a million-dollar reward; tip-offs get three hundred thousand,” Mr. Sawamizu said, sitting on a soda crate, fanning himself with one hand, massaging his foot with the other.

“Mr. Sawamizu, Ghost Dong is one of our own. We can’t just watch him fall into Jin Mao Yang’s hands. We know you keep to yourself, but for the sake of our brotherhood, you have to help. And we won’t let you help for free. Jin Mao Yang’s bounty is one million; if you get Ghost Dong out, I’ll pay you two million.” Ji Mao looked at Mr. Sawamizu. Two million for smuggling was unheard of—it could buy a small mansion halfway up the hill or a villa abroad if emigrating.

At the mention of two million, Mr. Sawamizu’s eyes brightened but he still shook his head.

“Two million is a lot, but I need to stay alive to spend it. If Jin Mao Yang finds out I helped Ghost Dong escape, given his ruthless nature, he’d do anything.”

“Mr. Sawamizu, we’re all smart people. Just give us a straightforward answer. Whatever conditions you want, say it.” Yan Xu saw from his expression that he wanted to take advantage of the situation.

“Heh heh,” Mr. Sawamizu smiled, “Your big boss is straightforward. I can smuggle Ghost Dong out, even to the US if you want, and I won’t charge you a dime. I know that after Ah Qiang’s death, it’s been tough for you to control his territory. Many forces in the gang want to seize it, especially your film company. I’ll help you hold it for now to prevent internal fights that would hurt you. You’ll benefit.”

He knew the brotherly bond among the three. From Ji Mao’s mention of two million, he knew they could pay even more. So he made a bold ask, also knowing no one else in Hong Kong dared to take this job.

For him, taking this job would protect his gang brother, boost his reputation and standing in the gang, and provide a shield if Jin Mao Yang came after him. Internally, it would be a huge profit. Even if he didn’t run the film company, selling it would bring a good sum—enough for the whole family to emigrate and live comfortably, free from violence and chaos, especially after the 1997 handover.

(To be continued...)