Chapter Six: Ascendancy—Trampling the Former Master

“Hey, isn’t this Turkey? Wow, just seeing you makes me pissed off. Did I burn you or what? Hahaha.” Crabzi Chang stood with his hips out, wearing a lecherous grin, while his underlings behind him burst into loud laughter.

Wang Yaotang grabbed the cursing Ajie back, turned his head slightly, and glanced sideways at Crabzi Chang. He spread his fingers wide, rubbed his thumb against his ear with a look of disgust, and said, “Why don’t you look in a mirror and check that expression of yours? Sleazy, disgusting. You might as well carve 'pervert' on your face. Gangsters get scolded because of people like you, Crabzi Chang, dragging down the moral standards of everyone.”

“From now on, don’t call him Crabzi Chang. Call him Sleazy Chang.”

“Ugh, disgusting!”

“Everyone step back and get a good look at 'Sleazy Chang.' Tell your women to stay far away from this guy.”

Being a gangster is just about fighting and killing; for a lifetime, you’re nothing but a lowly mule.

You don’t know how to negotiate or handle things.

With that, all of Wang Yaotang’s men swiftly stepped back, exposing Crabzi Chang to the crowd. Everyone looked at him with mocking eyes, especially the bystanders on the outskirts enjoying the spectacle.

Crabzi Chang’s eyes darted anxiously from side to side, feeling like everyone was laughing at him. Suddenly, his face felt burning hot.

Everyone wants to keep their dignity; no one likes being mocked.

“Fuck your mother!” Crabzi Chang’s face turned ashen with anger, his eyes blazing with fury.

Wang Yaotang pointed at Crabzi Chang and looked back at his men. “Remember everyone, we’re out here because society has oppressed us and left us with no other skills. We hustle just to make money and support our families. That doesn’t mean we’re inferior. It’s society that’s rotten.”

“When you live, you mustn’t belittle yourself. Sleazy Chang is the perfect counterexample—always talking about his crotch. People like him will never be respected and will never rise above their station.”

“Come on, say something not related to your crotch,” Wang Yaotang sneered at Crabzi Chang.

“I, I...” Crabzi Chang was so furious under the strange gazes of everyone that his face and neck flushed red, looking exactly like a boiled crab.

“Ku, ku ku ku...” The tension between the other two gangs made Huang Mao really want to laugh but couldn’t hold it back.

Suddenly, the entire area erupted into laughter, even Crabzi Chang’s underlings behind him couldn’t help but laugh.

Crabzi Chang’s eyes turned bloodshot; gritting his teeth, he lunged at Wang Yaotang.

Wang Yaotang dodged sharply, tearing his T-shirt open to reveal his glistening, well-built muscles. “One-on-one? Bring it on!”

Immediately, both sides’ underlings who had been ready to jump in stepped back, giving them a wide circle.

Huang Mao chuckled as he retreated, knowing full well Wang Yaotang had planned this all along.

Crabzi Chang’s emotions were entirely manipulated by Wang Yaotang. Now, he wasn’t panicked at all. Seeing Wang Yaotang charge like a madman, he slightly bent forward into a fighting stance, swiftly dodging two punches from left and right.

Crabzi Chang was still a professional thug, even when enraged; his instinctive fighting skills weren’t forgotten. After two jabs, he kicked toward Wang Yaotang’s lower abdomen.

Wang Yaotang pressed down with both hands and stepped back smoothly. Crabzi Chang stepped forward and swung a wide punch again, but Wang Yaotang blocked it with a sideways arm.

Here it comes!

When Crabzi Chang’s fist touched Wang Yaotang’s arm, it slipped as if hitting air, and his whole body seemed to lag, momentarily frozen.

Wang Yaotang had anticipated this. Taking a step forward, he delivered a brutal downward punch to Crabzi Chang’s right clavicle.

“Ahh—” Crabzi Chang staggered back two steps, his face contorted in pain.

The clavicle has no muscle protection; the blow felt like the bone might break, and his right arm went numb.

Wang Yaotang advanced with a quick step.

Jab—jab—jab—left hook to the body—right swing—

Crabzi Chang shrank and could only protect his head while retreating.

Right low whip kick—

A solid strike landed on the bend of Crabzi Chang’s knee with a loud “crack.”

“Ahh—”

Crabzi Chang screamed and dropped to one knee.

Left spin back kick—

The heel struck Crabzi Chang’s head with a resounding “clang” heard clearly by the crowd.

Crabzi Chang didn’t even let out a grunt before collapsing to the ground.

Is he dead?

The surrounding crowd fell silent, staring at the motionless Crabzi Chang.

“What are you waiting for? Carry him away!” Wang Yaotang cracked his neck and looked at the East Union gang members. “Need money for medicine?”

“Ah Wei!” someone called out.

Ah Wei jogged over, opened his bag, and handed it to Wang Yaotang.

Wang Yaotang pulled out a wad of cash. “Don’t say Brother Yao is stingy. Five thousand. Take it.”

The East Union gang members exchanged glances. Crabzi Chang, who could talk, was now out cold. But since the money was offered, how could they refuse?

One person stepped forward to take the money; the others lifted the motionless Crabzi Chang and left.

Seeing the East Union gang retreating dejectedly, Wang Yaotang’s men behind him erupted with cheers.

“The East Union's idiots, I thought they were tough. Char siu.”

“They still want to crash Brother Yao’s turf? Look at their bunch of useless guys.”

“What a Crabzi Chang, more like Sleazy Chang!”

That’s how gang life works—once you’re knocked down and lose your reputation, anyone dares to insult you.

[You have achieved a glorious victory.]

[Due to your heroic performance in battle, your reputation has spread locally, gaining +40 prestige.]

[Current prestige: 55/155]

Not bad. This is right after the one-on-one fight; the aftermath will still increase influence. Looks like the next skill isn’t far off.

“Wow, Brother Yao’s shirt’s torn! So fierce!” Huang Mao laughed and approached, handing over a jacket.

“Good eye!” Wang Yaotang laughed heartily and put on the jacket.

“Old Dong always acts like a crab, so crazy,” Huang Mao sneered. “New Ji and Number gang haven’t spoken yet. When will Old Dong take charge in North Point?”

“He’s riding the wave,” Wang Yaotang shook his head. New Ji could ignore Old Dong, but not with the Victory gang.

In Tsim Sha Tsui, Old Dong can rally a thousand troops; he can find 200 people willing to fight. Can the Victory gang muster even 50?

Of course, these were just small-time groups; nothing too serious.

“You planned the one-on-one a long time ago, didn’t you?”

Wang Yaotang nodded.

“So what’s that stuff you rubbed on?” Huang Mao touched Wang Yaotang’s chest a few times. “Wow, so smooth.”

“Damn, pervert.”

“What’s the use?”

“Exclusive formula, doubles combat power. Why should I tell you the benefits?”

“Tell me.”

“Let me introduce the other gangs. Just some small business, paying respects, making peace and profit.”

“Alright,” Huang Mao nodded. “Go ahead.”

“Vaseline. Fighters always rub it on before stepping into the ring. The benefits…”

Huang Mao’s eyes gleamed as he looked up at Wang Yaotang, knowing this guy was cunning.

They had Ah Wei go back and get seven boxes of Cohiba cigars they bought this morning at Famous Smoke Shop—the cheapest ones… still costing over ten thousand.

The gift of cigars was also part of the plan.

But gangsters are different; if you send gifts too early, the boss might not accept them, or you might not even get a meeting.

Crabzi Chang was the best stepping stone.

Of course, if no one stepped on it, that meant all seven gangs tacitly agreed and the flag was planted.

Only then could you visit and pay respects properly.

After chatting by the roadside for a while, the East Union gang didn’t come back to cause trouble. Wang Yaotang then followed Huang Mao toward the end of the street.

First stop: New Ji’s turf.