Chapter Nineteen: Advancement – The Counterattack of Emerging Talent

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The street was still crowded with many people—mostly comrades from the Tongxin and heavily wounded subordinates. Big Head Sheng had fled after being injured, and the others in charge were taken away by the police. What remained were mostly Blue Lanterns, along with two Forty-Nineers who were also fringe figures. Even if someone wanted to deal with this, it required both influence and money!

Trying to contact the big shots within the syndicate was impossible—no phone numbers to be found.

Listening to the painful groans behind him, Wang Yaotang stopped walking and turned back. The scene before him suddenly reminded him of a scene from the film “Dragon City Years,” where a battered gangster was left in a phone booth after being severely wounded and abandoned by the Jimmy gang.

Survival of the fittest—this was true for the big bosses, but wasn’t it just as true for the foot soldiers?

“It’s not that I’m soft-hearted. I have no grudge against these scumbags; it’s just factions fighting for their own cause. I don’t even know half their names,” Wang Yaotang muttered softly. “They’re just ordinary people struggling to survive. Any conflicts they have are with the bosses, not with us. No need to bother with them.”

“Consider it accumulating good karma.”

“Yeah, building a reputation for unwavering loyalty, just like Officer Huang said.”

After a quick self-convincing pep talk, Wang Yaotang called out loudly, “Want me to help you call an ambulance?”

“Brother Yao, according to the rules, syndicate members can’t go to hospitals,” one of the Forty-Nineers answered after a moment’s thought.

Pointing his finger at him, Wang Yaotang laughed in disbelief. “You’re completely stupid, waiting to die like that.”

“You’re just a Forty-Nineer, worrying about the bosses’ affairs as if the syndicate’s your own family!”

“I’m still waiting for you to pay me back!”

“Crazy!”

Waving his hand, Wang Yaotang strode toward a nearby shop, raised his hand, and banged on the door. “Stop hiding! I’m not going to hurt your whole family. Call an ambulance! Watching people die in front of your door—is that lucky for your business?”

After cursing, Wang Yaotang turned and walked away without looking back, having done all he could.

Just a few steps outside, a system notification suddenly popped up.

【You achieved a victory in a speech】

【During the speech, you dealt a fatal blow to the morale of the opposing syndicate’s wounded, turning their resentment into respect with your sincere advice. Your reputation spread in a small circle, gaining +80 prestige.】

【Three members from the opposing side now worship you and are trying to join your team.】

【Current Prestige: 415/615 (Emerging Talent)】

Wang Yaotang: What the hell?

What does “trying to join your team” even mean?

Some sort of diplomatic victory? The enemy joining your army—seriously?

Shaking his head, Wang Yaotang didn’t know how to express his feelings at this moment. He just felt... speechless.

But somehow, it felt pretty good!

Whatever it is, there’s no way he’s going to go ask who worships him now.

Waiting for the three worshippers to come knocking is how a real boss should act!

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With that thought, he headed toward the “Madou” storefront, where they had agreed to meet after retreating.

Meanwhile, on the other side, at a squat in Tsim Sha Tsui.

Pig Nose Tong suddenly pushed open the door and rushed in, panting heavily. He grabbed the teapot on the table and began gulping down tea.

In the back room, Officer Sam, who had been waiting for news, saw Pig Nose Tong covered in blood and anxiously asked, “How did it go?”

But as soon as he asked, he realized it might be too abrupt and quickly followed up, “Are you hurt? Do you need to go to the hospital first?”

Pig Nose Tong looked down—his left shoulder and back were cut, the wounds long but not deep, with little bleeding.

Only professional syndicate enforcers would use real machetes in fights because the bosses would try to protect them.

Why? Because enforcers are the bosses’ trusted lieutenants, the core combat force, the syndicate’s face—high-value investments, like Chen Haonan.

As for ordinary Blue Lanterns and Forty-Nineers, they only wielded flimsy blade fragments, causing minor injuries.

Otherwise, after a major gang fight, how could only seven people at Shengyi suffer serious injuries?

At Tongxin’s side, injuries were heavier—Ah Jie and Ah Ji wore armor!

“No need.”

“Did that bastard get caught?” Officer Sam pressed again.

“Ah, uh...” Pig Nose Tong blinked.

Seeing this, Officer Sam had a bad feeling. “Speak up.”

“Don’t know. The cops showed up, and everyone scattered,” Pig Nose Tong swallowed nervously.

Officer Sam wanted to chop this idiot up but took a deep breath to stay calm. If this guy could handle things as well as that bastard, they’d have rebelled long ago. “Tell me exactly what happened.”

“We just met. Ah Yao, Ah Yao...” Pig Nose Tong thought carefully. “He only said two things: that Big Head Sheng didn’t deserve you, the boss, to show up, and that Big Head Sheng had to explain why he was selling goods on the side. Then Ah Ji charged forward and slashed Big Head Sheng, and a fight broke out.”

“Then someone drove a van into the crowd, Ah Ji and the others ran, the cops came, and I ran back here.”

“And that bastard?” Officer Sam gritted his teeth.

“Not seen, not seen,” Pig Nose Tong lowered his head, his voice barely audible.

With more than 60 people clashing, chaos everywhere, he had to slash enemies, avoid getting slashed, and watch out for the cops. There was no way he noticed Wang Yaotang...

Officer Sam’s forehead veins bulged. He grabbed a teacup and smashed it down. “Damn you, you idiot!”

After cursing, Officer Sam paced anxiously inside. Luckily, he didn’t rely entirely on this fool. As long as Dao Youming confessed at the police station, things could still get back on track!

Suddenly stopping, he said, “You better treat your wounds quickly. That bastard might come back or call.”

“I’ll wait at the booked restaurant,” Officer Sam instructed, pushing the door open and heading out.

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