The smog of war, unspoken yet palpable, was beginning to drift across the triad landscape of Huaxia; the Green Gang held a deep resentment toward the sudden shift by the Yakuza, coupled with the shadowy machinations of the Black God Society—all of it etched into their memory.
This was easily understood, after all, when it came to profit in the current world, countless individuals drove themselves mad for it, and the Green Gang’s leader, Qing Long, was certainly no exception. The sheer extent of the benefits and advantages a partnership with the Yakuza could bring him was incalculable.
However, at the very same time, the Dragon Gang could only watch with hidden amusement, though they were simultaneously engaged in deep contemplation; the rapid ascent of the Black God Society was forcing them into a state of genuine tension.
“Young Master Long… the Black God Society has truly offended the Green Gang this time. In your estimation, will they move to clash with the Black God Society?” A professional beauty, adorned with gold-rimmed glasses, maintained her familiar posture, yet her tone carried a distinct note of arrogance.
In these times, a woman who could hold a position of authority was undoubtedly extraordinary, especially one who served as the strategist—the second-generation linchpin—of the Dragon Gang. Yet, it seemed she was devoted only to that one figure who always wore a look of playful nonchalance yet was heralded as the shining star of the younger generation: Long Tian, the Dragon Gang’s leader.
Long Tian glanced at his trusted confidante and said with a faint smile, “The Black God Society is indeed remarkable. Now, I am even beginning to feel a flicker of interest in their Dragon Lord!”
“Young Master Long…” The professional beauty sounded guarded, as if worried by this thought, and quickly interjected.
“Haha, rest assured. It’s merely a passing thought! The Black God Society has developed at a stunning pace; they’ve managed to dominate the entire underworld of Country R, even absorbing the legendary Miyamoto Family. It speaks volumes about their ambition…”
“Indeed, if my guess is correct! The Black God Society intends to claim supremacy over the entire national triad network.”
“His ambition to dominate the Huaxia underworld is already public knowledge; that is undeniable. But he must also understand that the Green Gang, the Crown Prince faction, and even us, have all developed a significant level of caution toward him! To put it another way, the Black God Society has now firmly established its footing in the Huaxia underworld—no… to be more precise, they have taken root in the global triad world,” Long Tian remarked, a slight smile playing on his lips.
“The global underworld?” The professional beauty knitted her brows slightly and asked, “Does the Black God Society truly harbor such grand aspirations?”
“It’s not difficult to surmise. How else could the Black God Society suddenly leverage the feud with the Black Dragon Society to declare war on the underworld of Country R? It can only be for this exact purpose. Now, with the entire Country R as their backing, and the Black God Society established in Huaxia, it is only a matter of time before they challenge the Huaxia underworld. It’s hardly surprising!”
“But aren’t they afraid that the other three major factions in Huaxia will unite to crush them?”
“Hah!” Hearing this, Long Tian couldn't help but burst into open laughter. “They are indeed afraid. If they weren't, how could they have completely subjugated the Eastern Huaxia forces in just over a month? Nor would they travel the vast distance to Country R, nor would they openly provoke the Green Gang.”
“Young Master Long, what do you mean?”
“Precisely what I mean.” Long Tian stood up, lit the cigar in his hand, walked over to the floor-to-ceiling window, and exhaled a thick ring of smoke before stating, “His sole objective right now is to test the Green Gang’s limits of tolerance. If they retaliate rashly, it won't just be the Green Gang in trouble; it will include us as well!”
“Yes… this Dragon Lord of the Black God Society is truly formidable, to have calculated matters to this extent.”
Though their conversation was somewhat veiled, they both possessed a startlingly clear understanding of Yang Yi’s objective. Indeed, Yang Yi was currently gauging the Green Gang’s breaking point. It wasn't that he wouldn't eventually declare war on the Huaxia underworld, but the timing wasn't now; his main goal was to observe the reaction of the neighboring Crown Prince faction and gauge any movement from the Dragon Gang, allowing Yang Yi to confirm the stage he had carefully set.
While the Green Gang and the Dragon Gang were steeped in speculation, far to the north, within the compound of the Crown Prince faction…
“Big Brother!” Fang Kai rushed in, addressing Ling Tian, who was seated on the sofa.
“What is it?” Ling Tian looked up, confused.
“Take a look at this latest intelligence…”
Mo Leng, standing nearby, saw the documents Fang Kai handed to Ling Tian and asked with equal perplexity, “Third Brother, your expression looks unsettled. What’s happened?”
Smack! Just as Mo Leng finished speaking, Ling Tian suddenly shot to his feet, his expression darkening as he stared at the file. “Incredible. Simply incredible. The ambition of the Black God Society is this vast!”
“What is it, Big Brother?” Mo Leng persisted in his confusion.
“See for yourself!” Ling Tian passed the documents to Mo Leng, pausing before adding, “The Black Dragon Society of Country R is effectively wiped out, and the Miyamoto Family has fallen under their control. Not only that, even the so-called Godfather of Country R has knelt in submission to the Black God Society!”
“What a powerful figure!” Mo Leng exclaimed sincerely after quickly scanning the information.
“This Dragon Lord of the Black God Society is certainly a man of consequence,” Ling Tian smiled faintly, walking back to his desk and sitting down. He continued, “Now, his Black God Society has announced that it has firmly established its presence in the Huaxia underworld, and indeed, the world underworld.”
“But… Big Brother, will the Black God Society…” Mo Leng trailed off, not fully articulating his concern.
But Ling Tian caught the meaning with a knowing smile. “Indeed. Events like this mean that sooner or later, we will inevitably confront the Black God Society. It’s only a matter of time, as the Green Gang and the Dragon Gang are still ahead of them!”
“Does the Black God Society have the qualifications to seize the title of Godfather of the Huaxia underworld?” Fang Kai seemed reluctant to believe the Black God Society possessed such capability.
“Haha, Third Brother, never underestimate others. Even if they lack the strength now, we cannot assume they won’t possess it in the future. And even if we don’t stir up trouble with them now, I believe it won’t be long before they come seeking us out,” Ling Tian cautioned.
“I understand your meaning, Boss. The Black God Society now controls the Eastern Huaxia region, establishing themselves as a regional hegemon, completely replacing the existing structure, and their strength is already pressing hard against us, the Emperors of the Northern underworld,” Mo Leng’s face briefly hardened, truly living up to his name.
“Precisely so!”
“But the Yakuza has always maintained a partnership with the Green Gang, so this time… isn't the Black God Society blatantly offending the Green Gang?” Fang Kai inquired.
“Yes, the Green Gang will take action, won’t they?” Mo Leng also fell into deep thought for a moment.
“Haha, what the Green Gang will do is perfectly clear to anyone who knows the score. If they make a move now, the Green Gang would essentially be courting self-destruction,” Ling Tian said with a detached chuckle.
“Boss, why say that? Isn’t the Dragon Gang situated down in the Southern territories?” Fang Kai asked.
“It is precisely because the Dragon Gang is there that the Green Gang will not act rashly, at least not yet!”
“Could it be?” Mo Leng’s face suddenly displayed a look of astonishment.
“Yes, the Black God Society has calculated exactly that, which is why they dared to openly provoke Qing Long and forcibly solidify the Black God Society’s foothold,” Ling Tian explained.
“What a brilliant maneuver!” Mo Leng expressed fresh awe, forced to admire the Black God Society’s strategy in this move.
If the Green Gang were to strike now, the Dragon Gang would certainly become involved—if only to protect their interests in the Southern territories. If the Green Gang were destroyed, the Dragon Gang would genuinely become the sole supreme power in the South. For the Black God Society to dominate the South, they would first have to eliminate the Dragon Gang, but fighting two factions simultaneously would be beyond their current strength. Conversely, if the Green Gang and the Dragon Gang allied, the tables would turn entirely, and the Black God Society might very well end up being the one carved up.
However, should such a scenario arise, the Black God Society’s current power base already rivaled that of both the Dragon Gang and the Green Gang. Relying solely on the Black God Society, the Yakuza, and the Miyamoto Family would be sufficient, not to mention the Xuanmen that Yang Yi held in reserve…
“Indeed, this Dragon Lord of the Black God Society is ruthless. He has the situation gripped tightly right now,” Ling Tian murmured wistfully.
“Then, Boss, what do we do now?” Fang Kai asked.
“The only thing left to do is to wait and watch the unfolding situation quietly!”
######################################################### Meanwhile, in a secluded courtyard, three elderly men were seated around a stone table, their expressions exceedingly relaxed as they engaged in cheerful banter, beaming with contentment…
“Old Yang, you can finally put your heart at ease now,” Qin Feng commented with a faint smile.
“Exactly, Old Yang! I truly envy you for nurturing such a fine grandson. He is likely to surpass even your own achievements from back then,” Li Yang glanced at the smiling Elder Yang, his voice thick with jealousy.
“Haha!” Elder Yang chuckled heartily. “You two scoundrels!”
“Alas—truthfully, Old Yang, your grandson is magnificent. To have reclaimed two significant forces in Country R in such a short span, turning the nation into a place of bloody chaos!” Qin Feng added with a slight smile.
“Heh, that boy still has a long way to go,” Elder Yang replied, smiling inwardly but maintaining a straight face, pausing before continuing.
“However, it must be said, Old Yang, your grandson’s move was brilliant. I admire it from the bottom of my heart,” Li Yang said after taking a sip of his tea.
“Mmm.” Elder Yang knew well that Yang Yi’s gambit was masterful, not only suppressing the entire strategic situation but also delivering a sharp challenge to the triads of both Huaxia and the world. “Though that rascal’s move was brilliant, don’t forget, the world is vast. He is merely a fish that has surfaced, vulnerable to danger at any moment.”
“Are you referring to the Mafia in Britain, the Holy See and the Dark Council in America, and all those other shadowy figures?” Qin Feng shot the elder an exasperated look, thinking to himself, This old man is never satisfied. To have a grandson like that, I’d need eight lifetimes of good fortune to earn one myself!
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