Hong Kong film: Rise of Prison Break

Jin Yayao's forehead instantly broke out in a fine sweat, and he quickly forced out an even brighter, more humble smile: "I... I was just guessing, boss, please don't mind. With your prestige, boss, unless Zhang Wenjie is an idiot, he'll definitely come to pay his respects!"

Sha Biao stared at him for a few seconds before slowly letting go, patting him on the shoulder, and laughing, "That's right. Come on, let's wash up, and then we'll go out for some fresh air and see what's going on."

He turned and walked towards the wash area. His back was still imposing, but deep in his eyes, there was a hint of scrutiny and calculation.

The waters of Stanley have begun to become murky due to the intrusion of Zhang Wenjie, this powerful outsider.

He, a fool, not only needs to protect himself, but also wants to catch a bigger fish in this murky water.

On a new day, Stanley Prison appears to be operating as usual.

New Territories, Lok Clan Ancestral Hall.

The dim afternoon sunlight slanted in through the tall wooden lattice windows of the ancient ancestral hall, casting dappled shadows on the blue brick floor.

Fine dust floated in the air, mixed with the sandalwood scent left by years of incense offerings, and a unique, somber aroma of old wood.

The camel, whose temples were already gray, was dressed in a dark red Tang suit and sat alone on a grand master's chair in the side hall of the ancestral hall.

On the rosewood octagonal table in front of him lay a thin letter, with several photographs scattered around it.

He held the letter, his fingers unconsciously twirling the edge of the paper, his brows furrowing slightly, making the wrinkles on his face appear even deeper.

The letter was short, but the wording was somewhat exaggerated. It described how a newcomer named Zhang Wenjie single-handedly took down more than 20 people, led by Hung Hing's Big Mimi, in Stanley Warehouse No. 1. His methods were ruthless, and he established his authority very quickly.

"Heh..." The camel let out a half-sounding, ambiguous laugh, shook its head, and looked on with a mixture of surprise and... amusement.

This letter reads more like a scene from a martial arts novel than a intelligence report from a triad.

He put down the letter and picked up the photograph that had slipped out of the envelope.

The photo was clearly taken secretly; the angle is slightly off and the image quality isn't very clear, but the person is still recognizable.

The photo shows a young man in a baggy prison uniform standing at the edge of the Stanley exercise yard. He does look rather thin, and the prison uniform hangs loosely over him.

He turned his face to the side, his skin appearing unusually pale in the sunlight, but his features were delicate, even somewhat scholarly, completely unlike the "hungry wolf" or "fierce tiger" described in the letter.

"Golden Tiger," the camel raised its eyelids and looked at a burly man standing respectfully below.

The man was in his thirties, wearing a tight-fitting transparent mesh shirt that accentuated his bulging muscles. He sported a striking short blond haircut and was none other than Golden Tiger, one of the Five Tigers of Dongxing, known for his bravery and straightforwardness.

"Is this the information you've gathered?" Camel's voice wasn't loud, carrying the composure of someone long accustomed to a high position, but also a hint of barely perceptible skepticism. "Are you sure it's this sickly-looking guy who looks like he could be blown away by a gust of wind... who swept through the Hung Hing forces led by Big Mimi in Stanley Prison?"

He looked at the camel, his eyes unwavering. He might not be the most tactful, but when it came to gathering information and charging into battle, he was always straightforward and to the point.

Camel paused for a moment, his fingers holding the cigar, his gaze sweeping across Golden Tiger's face to confirm he wasn't lying. He figured Golden Tiger wouldn't dare deceive him on something like this.

"Good!" The camel suddenly laughed, first a low chuckle, then a hearty laugh, "Hahaha! Hahaha! Excellent!"

If the news is true, then that cunning and sycophantic guy, Smiling Tiger, has really... shot himself in the foot this time. No, he's let a hungry wolf into the mountains that he can't control at all!

The thought that the smiling tiger who always prided himself on being clever might be jumping up and down in anger or trembling with fear right now made Camel feel as comfortable as drinking iced honey water on a sweltering summer day.

In a gang, if the underlings are too capable, it might not be a good thing for the boss.

The student surpasses the teacher?

That's what you say to outsiders.

The henchmen around him are too fierce and have too many ideas, and they could threaten the boss's position or even his life at any time.

This Zhang Wenjie, I heard, was imprisoned because he took the blame for someone from above, and was sentenced to more than five years.

The smiling tiger is willing to throw away even such a fierce and tolerant underling as a scapegoat. It seems that... he is not completely brainless. At least he knows how to "cut off one's own arm" and "sacrifice the pawn to save the king" when necessary.

"Old Master!" Seeing that Camel was in a good mood, Golden Tiger's eyes flashed with a fierce light, and he seized the opportunity to say, "That smiling tiger, he's always outwardly compliant but inwardly defiant, making underhanded moves! This time he's even more audacious, daring to bypass you, Old Master, and secretly set up an incense hall and appoint Zhang Wenjie as a Red Pole! This is simply showing no respect for you, Old Master! I'll take men right now to enforce family discipline and take down that traitor!"

After he finished speaking, he made a gesture as if he were about to turn around, looking as if he were loyal and eager to clean house for the gang.

He had long disliked the smiling tiger; the two had differing ideologies and had many conflicts, and this was a perfect opportunity for him to vent his frustrations.

"return!"

The camel's voice suddenly turned cold, not loud, but carrying an undeniable authority.

The golden tiger paused.

"Golden Tiger, when did you start acting so impulsively?" Camel slowly put down his cigar, his gaze sharp as lightning as he pierced Golden Tiger. "In this gang, is there no one left who considers me the boss? Does anyone still respect me?"

The old cunning camel saw through Golden Tiger's little scheme at a glance.

He was more adept at using others to kill people and eliminate dissidents than anyone else when he was young.

Golden Tiger is loyal, but he's too simple-minded and acts solely on brute force.

Since the smiling tiger has already "taken a step back" and sent the powerful figure who might have threatened him to prison, if the leader still holds a grudge and insists on eliminating him completely, it would only make him seem petty and easily alienate his other underlings.

"I'm sorry, Lao Ding! It was my fault!" Golden Tiger stiffened, quickly lowered his head, and said in a muffled voice. Whether he truly admitted his mistake, only he knew. His fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white.

"Hmm." Camel snorted, seemingly letting the matter drop. "This matter ends here. Since that Zhang Wenjie... has proven himself with his abilities, we at Dongxing can't let our brothers down. Tell the outsiders..."

He narrowed his eyes slightly, a shrewd smile playing on his lips.

"Tell me, Zhang Wenjie's appointment as a Red Pole was my idea, Camel's idea, but I was just using Smiling Tiger to carry it out. Young people need experience and opportunities."

With just a few casual words, "secretly taking up a post" was transformed into "the boss giving the order, and the general carrying it out."

This saved face for the club, promoted the newcomer, and subtly warned the smiling tiger—look, I know exactly what you're up to.