Hong Kong Storm: The King of Jobs

Chapter 587, Section 177: Rats Hiding in the Sewers
A story can lead to different conclusions depending on the focus of the story, even though there is only one ending.

On the first day of the Lunar New Year, Hei Ahu did not go to worship the gods. Instead, he hid in a tenement building in Wenmingli and watched TV with nothing to do.

He had already seen the news about the Wanchai pier in the newspaper and immediately called his godfather, Wen Hailiang. His godfather simply told him to stay hidden and not show his face until things calmed down a bit before he came out to make his move.

Now, customs officers and police are all trying to take advantage of him, so he can only hide in the tenement building and wait until things calm down before reappearing.

In fact, it wasn't just the customs officers and cops who were trying to take advantage of him; the number gang and the henchmen of the water houses were also searching for his whereabouts, wanting to get rid of him.

The number was piled up because of the goods, while the water room staff were cleaning up their own mess.

Uncle Deng knew that neither the legitimate world nor the martial arts world would let Black Tiger go, so he sent two skilled and capable Red Sticks to protect him.

But Wo Luen Shing didn't have good intentions; they just wanted to plant a flag on Temple Street.

Ghost Hand, Roast Chicken, and Silly Lucky arrived in Wenmingli and had no intention of leaving. They took over several of the most profitable establishments in Wenmingli and replaced them with Wo Luen Shing's 49ers inside and out.

Black Tiger was furious but dared not speak out, and could only tell his brothers to bear it for now. Although he had not yet given a definite answer on the matter of switching sides, he had completely offended Handsome Sheng.

The only option now is to bite the bullet and switch to Wo Luen Shing, then suddenly become a top star in Wo Luen Shing, so that I can have a new backer and a new way to make a living.

"Jingle Bell"

The landline next to the TV rang, and Hei Ahu quickly stuffed the cigarette butt into the beer can and picked up the receiver.

"Which one?"

"It's me, Deng, is it Ah Hu?"

Uncle Deng's kind voice came through the microphone, and Hei Ahu quickly said, "Uncle Deng, it's me, it's Ahu!"

“I’ve spoken with Shenxian Jin, and he won’t allow you to switch sides. But I asked a few influential figures in the martial arts world to help mediate, and Shenxian Jin finally agreed!”

"However, while we agreed, Shenxian Jin wants to enforce family rules. Shenxian Jin is a mad dog; he won't spare your life. So we discussed it again."

"In the end, it was decided that we would have a ring fight. Wo Luen Shing would send three people and Shui Fong would send three people. If Wo Luen Shing wins, Shui Fong will not cause you any trouble, but if Shui Fong wins, you will have to suffer the punishment of three cuts and six holes."

"This is already the best possible outcome. The arena session will be held on the seventh day of the Lunar New Year, and I will schedule your incense offering ceremony for the eighth day of the Lunar New Year."

"Both of these are auspicious days; God will bless you."

"Don't worry, I'll get someone to help this time. Even if the handsome guy wins, I guarantee he won't come back alive."

Uncle Deng didn't give Hei A Hu any choice at all. He directly notified Hei A Hu to participate in the ring competition on the seventh day of the Lunar New Year. Although he didn't have to fight, if the boxer sent by Wo Shing lost, Hei A Hu would die on the spot.

After finishing his speech, Uncle Deng hung up the phone. Hei Ahu, hearing the busy tone on the receiver, felt extremely irritated and smashed the receiver onto the television.

"Wow."

The television screen was smashed, leaving a large hole. The screen flickered and then went black.

Hearing the noise, the henchmen rushed into the bedroom. Seeing that Black Tiger was alright, they put away their weapons.

"Any news about Haniu?"

Black Tiger took out his cigarette case, lit it with a disposable lighter, and exhaled two puffs of smoke from his nostrils as he inquired about Haniu's whereabouts. Haniu's sister and wife had already called him several times, all asking about Haniu's location.

The white ghost standing at the front shook his head and said helplessly, "Brother Hu, we haven't seen Ha Niu since the mud snail robbery. We don't know where that guy went."

"This guy is a compulsive gambler. He's always going to Macau or Happy Valley, and he used to disappear frequently."

"Ok!"

Black Tiger nodded, indicating that he understood.

“Brother Hu, recently the venue’s fees have all been taken by the Wo Luen Shing gang. The brothers listened to you, Brother Hu, and none of them made a fuss or had any conflicts with the Wo Luen Shing gang.”

“But the brothers also have to support their families. The fees were taken away by the people from Wo Luen Shing, and all the brothers are resentful.”

White Ghost is of a higher generation and has been with Black Tiger the longest. He has experienced both setbacks and triumphs, but when he first entered the underworld, he joined the Wo Kee Water House dock.

He shared the same thought as his brothers below, wanting to stay in the water room.

After all, when they switched to Wo Luen Shing, they couldn't even become 49ers; they had to start from scratch. After all, Wo Luen Shing's sudden rise to power was only for Blackie Ah-Hu.

Don't underestimate the importance of seniority in the underworld. Handsome Sheng took over Robin's territory. As long as the 49ers didn't switch sides with Lianhua and go to Lao Fu, they all have places to watch, or at the very least, a parking stall to make a living.

As a member of the 49 gang, the gang has an obligation to provide you with a path to wealth, but whether you can hold onto it and squeeze money out of it depends on your own abilities.

After the change of allegiance, everyone lost their seniority and crossed the line with the Lian Sheng Group. They couldn't distinguish between A and B, and they talked loudly and softly!

"Which star are you picking? Are you saying I'm incompetent?! Aren't you in charge now? Aren't you in charge? Should I give you this seat?"

Black Tiger stood up, walked up to White Ghost, and shouted loudly.

Seeing that Hei A Hu had become a madman, Bai Gui and the others dared not say anything more and began to think about their own way out.

After venting his anger, Black Tiger glared at his henchmen, who all lowered their heads. He snorted with satisfaction, then pulled out a thick stack of banknotes from his pocket and handed them out three to each of them.

"The 'Failed Immortal King' has already bowed his head and agreed to switch sides with us. He and Lian Sheng will open their gates on the eighth day of the new year. As long as we can hold out until the eighth day, everything will be fine."

"When the time comes, I will take up a position and open a branch in Wenmingli. You will all be red sticks, white paper fans, and straw sandals, and you will all be able to rise to a higher position."

"Scrape out that bull for me, and while you're at it, scrape out that bastard mud snail too. I'm going to tear him to pieces!"

After distributing the large sums of money he had, and then drawing a big, round pie in the sky, Black Tiger finally managed to appease his henchmen. He waved his hand, telling them to leave first, and then carry the television set out and throw it away.

The white ghosts and the others who came out looked at each other without saying a word. They all looked down at the birds and walked downstairs one after another.

White Ghost led a few of his underlings to a nearby alley to smoke.

"Boss, Lao Ding has gone mad! He has a perfectly good life, but he insists on switching to Wo Shing! He even partners with Ninth Sister from the Number Gang to run a noodle stall business."

"Why not do the right thing and instead choose to do something shady!"

The younger brother, who had been with the White Ghost the longest, couldn't hold back any longer and spoke his mind.

(End of this chapter)