It was noon. 13 had no intention of continuing his performance. After all, even a week of setting up his stall wouldn't yield as much money as Xiao Wu had given him.
Perhaps I should go see Angel, he mused. Due to the trouble involving Xiao Wu, he likely wouldn't have time to visit later that evening.
Passing a street-side stall, 13 paused. He hesitated for a considerable time, surveying the haphazardly arranged "merchandise"...
Finally, sighing, he inquired, "Vendor, how much for the razor blades?"
"Razor blades?" Observing 13's attire, the vendor seemed disinclined even to respond. "One yuan fifty per box."
"So costly?" 13 remarked involuntarily.
"Costly?" The vendor scoffed. "These are imported blades (a common sales tactic). Ten blades per box, the cheapest in all of Wuhan."
"But I don't require so many; a single blade suffices." 13 raised the index finger of his right hand.
"Never sold them like that. If you're not buying, don't cause trouble. Move along." Were it not for 13's pitiable appearance, the vendor likely would have started cursing.
"How about this: I only need one blade, I'll give you fifty cents." 13 proposed his solution.
"Consider me defeated. Sold." The vendor likely just wanted to quickly rid himself of the "beggar."
Having purchased three buns in advance, he customarily shared one with the large black dog, then stood blankly before the antique shop, consuming his meal.
The shop owner noticed 13's unusual behavior today but did not venture out to inquire.
Time passed swiftly. At five in the afternoon, 13 finally departed, content. He returned to his corner of the park, his designated space.
Squatting by the lake, he used the razor blade to trim his overgrown hair and sparse beard.
After five minutes, observing his reflection in the water, he felt somewhat restored to his former self. Glancing around and seeing no one, he executed a flip and plunged into the water. Although Wuhan is typically hot, the late February temperature hovered around 5 or 6 degrees Celsius. The lake water remained exceptionally cold.
Having not bathed in a month, 13's immersion likely could poison half the fish in the pond...
Dusk gradually descended. Floating supine on the water's surface, 13 sighed, murmuring to himself, "I must kill again..."
Emerging from the water, he wrung out his clothes single-handedly and wiped his body. From a pile of salvaged junk he had collected, he retrieved a set of clean clothes and leather shoes he had yet to wear.
This was a black suit he had found along with the guitar while rummaging through trash.
13 had even washed it specially, though lacking an iron, it appeared somewhat wrinkled.
Changing into the clean attire, he slicked his still-damp hair back. He rinsed the fifty-cent razor blade in the water and pocketed it.
He set off towards "Jia Ren"...
Wuhan City ranked as a major metropolis in Z Country. The nightclub industry constituted a part of its urban fabric. "Jia Ren," established in 2008, was owned by a Wuhan underworld magnate. Leveraging strong connections and substantial "tax contributions," the government often turned a blind eye. Occasionally, certain deputy mayors would even conduct "inspection tours."
On this night, "Jia Ren" was brilliantly illuminated, bustling with clamor.
Bald Fourth Master swaggered into the resplendent lobby with his underlings. Without needing to summon him, a remarkably handsome lobby manager approached.
"Fourth Master! Long time no see, long time no see." The manager displayed reverence akin to seeing his own father.
"Cut the crap. Where is Boss Liu?" Though typically arrogant, the bald man dared not address him directly by name. Everyone in the underworld knew his greatest taboo was being called by his given name—Liu Bi.
"Our boss has been awaiting you in the Rose Room. Please follow me..." The manager prepared to lead the way personally.
"Damn it, I know this place better than you do! Need you to lead? I'll go myself!" Fourth Master shoved the manager aside.
Though inwardly resentful, the manager was prudent enough not to show it. Maintaining a smile, he apologized, "Fourth Master is correct. Then I won't delay you..."
Striding towards the inner hall, Fourth Master felt a surge of emotions. He reflected on how he himself had once been as obsequious as the manager, perhaps even more so. All for the sake of achieving today's prominence.
Five years ago, Bald Fourth began making his mark on the streets, starting by dealing K-powder. During that period, following a strict crackdown, the price of 'sand' (slang for drugs) soared. Fourth Master's reputation was thus established. He let his underlings handle their own affairs.
Pushing open the door to the luxurious private room at "Jia Ren," with its minimum charge of 8888, he found not the expected bevy of hostesses, but rather a row of men in suits and ties seated stoically. Upon closer inspection, the bald man recognized them; they were all local bosses or influential figures.
"Little Fourth has arrived... Quickly, take a seat." Seated on the central sofa was a middle-aged man clad entirely in a blood-red suit, his physique burly. Quite conspicuous. This red suit held some history; underworld legend told of Boss Liu's rise during the great gang war of 1984. At that time, wielding two machetes, he single-handedly felled eight opponents. Blood completely dyed his clothes red. Thereafter, he exclusively wore red attire. When asked, his reply was, "Killing people easily stains clothes..."
"My apologies! Brother Liu, traffic was heavy. Keeping all the brothers waiting, Little Fourth feels truly remorseful." Fourth Master cleverly made excuses for his tardiness.
"No matter, your arrival is what counts. Thinking of you, Little Fourth, how illustrious you are now. Over half the 'high' venues in Wuhan get their supply from you. Counting money must make your hands cramp..." Though Boss Liu spoke jestingly, his expression remained stern. Little Fourth knew he harbored resentment for not receiving discounted prices.
"Brother is jesting with Little Fourth. It's merely scraps left over from the big brothers' dealings. Like setting up a stall before the police station, surviving day by day. Quite perilous..." Little Fourth chose a seat near the door.
"Little Fourth is still fond of joking as always. Calling tens of millions in business scraps left from between teeth. I just appreciate your spirit of defiance against everyone." Brother Liu led the laughter, and the others quickly joined in.
"Brother summoned you today for no other reason than to introduce a friend to you, little brother. The other big brothers have already met him. He went to the restroom and will be back shortly..." Brother Liu's smile vanished. At that moment, the sound of flushing water emanated from the private room's restroom. The hall instantly fell silent.
Witnessing this atmosphere, Bald Fourth knew the newcomer was not simple...
A young man of about twenty slowly emerged. He casually tossed the absorbent paper towel used after washing his hands onto the face of a regional boss. Yet, that boss dared not even breathe heavily.
"Liu B, your restroom is truly subpar. Spent so much money, all on women, I presume? Don't just focus on physiological pleasure all day. Humans aren't animals, only capable of copulation. Try beautifying the environment, cultivating some sentiment; it aids longevity..." The youth sat down beside Brother Liu.
Merely hearing his arrogant words made Bald Fourth want to react. But seeing even Brother Liu, who most abhorred being called by his name, suppress his anger silently, he became even more certain this youth was extraordinary.
"Brother Long is correct. This is the newly arrived brother, Little Fourth, also known in Wuhan as 'One Poisonous Dragon'..." Brother Liu hastily introduced Bald Fourth, alleviating his own awkwardness.
"K-powder? I stopped dabbling two years ago. Nowadays, I only touch 'No. 4 Refined' (a new type of heroin, refined from original No. 4. Often, one hundred grams of No. 4 yields only one gram. They say white powder is priced like gold, but 'No. 4 Refined' is priced like diamonds. Generally, a drug enjoyed only by true aristocrats. Of course, few in the world can afford such imports). And this qualifies as a Poisonous Dragon? It seems Wuhan is still quite backward..." The youth sighed, shaking his head.
Even the best temper would flare!
"Regardless of what kind of dragon you are elsewhere, behave yourself here. Don't get yourself killed by your own words without even realizing it," Bald Head stated coldly.
"Thank you for the reminder, whatever-your-name-is. I haven't been around long, always spoken arrogantly, but thus far, no one who warned me is still alive." Compared to Bald Head's glare, the youth actually smiled.
"Little Fourth, show respect! Do you know who you're addressing?" Brother Liu understood that failure to intervene would escalate the situation severely. "He is the one who unified the TW gangs, the leader of the Black Dragon Society, Heilong!"
Bald Head was startled. Though he knew the man was significant, he hadn't imagined him to be the legendary figure whose organization dared to clash head-on with the Communist army.
"Liu B, don't speak. I haven't finished with this insect yet..." Heilong smiled towards Brother Liu, his words disrespectful, yet Brother Liu dared not retort, obediently closing his mouth.
"Heilong, is it?" Bald Head regained his composure. For years, Fourth Master admitted he hadn't done a single good deed, yet he possessed the spirit befitting a Z Country man, and loyalty to his country.
"I've heard your name. Damn it, speaking the Z language, yet insisting on supporting T-independence. You laid hands on tens of thousands of common folk? Are you even damn human? I, Bald Fourth, am no saint, done plenty of bad deeds. Just today, I harassed a performing girl, beat up a beggar. Tomorrow, I'll harass that girl again, and if the beggar is still there, I'll beat him again. But even so, I know I am of Z Country stock. Once I get the girl, I'll treat her well. After beating the beggar tomorrow, I'll toss him a few hundred for doctor's fees." Bald Head calmly raised the full wine glass before him, showing no regard for Heilong. His speech revealed a certain degree of character.
"Are you not afraid of death?" Heilong looked thoughtfully at Bald Fourth.
"Afraid. But in Wuhan, even Brother Liu wouldn't dare say he could easily eliminate me..."
"If he wishes, I can kill you." In a corner of the room, a bald old man drinking Wuliangye liquor spoke, letting out a drunken burp. A chill ran down the spines of everyone present.
"Your old man?" Bald Fourth pointed at the old man and addressed Heilong, then burst into raucous laughter.
"Need me to act, kid? Consider this one free." The old man continued drinking.
"No need. He's quite amusing. Let him live for now..." Heilong laughed like a child.
"Don't be so damn arrogant. Heard you sided with M Country after TW's return. You came today with something to discuss, right?" Bald Fourth cut to the chase.
"The matter is simple. I want to be Wuhan's underground emperor. No, the underground emperor of Z Country. Your demands are not an issue; the sole requirement is absolute obedience to me..." Heilong's nonchalant words carried immense weight.
"Money? I, Bald Fourth, still possess some. Power? I dislike politics. Women? Bald Head loves them, but I want authentic Z Country women. Since you associate with M Country, I have no interest in those foreign freaks. I don't know about the rest of you, but I cannot reach an agreement with you, Heilong." Bald Head smiled.
"No one dares oppose me. If you walk out of this hall, you will not see tomorrow's sun," Heilong also smiled.
"Do you think I'm easily intimidated?" Bald Head rose and walked towards the door.
"Kid, still won't let me act?" The old man looked at Heilong.
The other bosses were not entirely willing to submit to this arrogant youth, but after the old man he brought demonstrated his martial prowess, at least for now, no one dared object.
Heilong smiled and shook his head slightly. Fourth Master left the hall unscathed.
This time, he had truly gained immense face. To oppose Heilong and walk away unharmed was unprecedented in the underworld.
Everyone in the hall looked at Heilong with confusion.
Brother Liu whispered in his ear, "Brother Long, letting that fellow leave today... taking action later might not be so easy. I think..."
"No need for your concern. I simply dislike witnessing such a spirited person die before me. I'll just trouble Master Wang to hurry a bit and bring back something of his." Heilong raised the red wine glass he hadn't touched for a while.
"You really are troublesome. Knowing this old man's mobility is impaired, yet making me walk. If you dislike seeing it, just close your eyes. A character like that can be dealt with in two seconds." Despite his complaints, the old man walked out of the hall with drunken steps.
The door closed once more.
Heilong took a sip of red wine, frowning slightly; apparently, the wine did not suit his palate.
"Alright, let us discuss the specifics of our cooperation. Regarding the 'Dynasty'..."