PNB Chapter 65 Even the Underworld Has Its Code
Chapter 65 Even the Underworld Has Its Code
Looking at the nonchalant man before them, the godfathers exchanged glances with their confidants—investigate whether he is the real deal or just an arrogant fraudster.
Having spent their entire lives in Las Vegas, they only believe in one truth: except for the dead, no one is incorrigible.
"Sir, if you dare to mock us..." Carmen twirled the large ruby ring on her thumb:
"I'll skin your head alive, coat it in syrup, and throw it into an anthill in the desert to make a 'candied apple'."
Link sat calmly in his chair, smiling without saying a word, even having the leisure to watch the eruption of the artificial volcano outside the window.
Time passed by, and the only sound in the conference room was the click of the wall clock.
About ten minutes later, a lawyer in a suit and tie ran in, sweating profusely, and whispered a few words in Carmen's ear.
The other godfathers also received reports from their subordinates.
Carmen's face turned from red to green, and finally to a grimace.
All the information proves that this seemingly frail, bespectacled man really did come to represent that massive war machine.
In the United States, gangs can bribe police officers, intimidate members of Congress, and even play cat-and-mouse games with the FBI.
But what if we provoke the military?
The memory of the Tulsa Massacre in Oklahoma, which took place half a century ago, is still fresh in our minds.
That was the only time in history that the continental United States was bombed by plane!
"It seems everyone has already confirmed it."
Link stood up and patted the hem of his trench coat: "Then, I'll take it as you all understanding the Pentagon's recommendation."
He surveyed the group of bigwigs who, in the past, could shake the city with a mere stomp of their feet, and gave a slight bow, a standard gentlemanly gesture:
"Colonel Parker is a federal felon, and his assets will be frozen to compensate victims and pay fines; Mr. Elvis is on leave and needs absolute silence."
"All other individuals and organizations related to this case are under the protection of the Pentagon."
"Gentlemen, farewell." With that, he strode out of the conference room.
"Fuck!!!" Carmen grabbed the ashtray from the table and slammed it against the door.
"Two million... and we're just going to leave it at that?" Another godfather gritted his teeth, his cheeks puffed out. "Let some brat shit on our necks?"
"What else can we do but give up?" someone slumped dejectedly in a chair. "That's the Pentagon! Are you trying to reason with armored vehicles?"
"Hmph." Carmen's anger gradually subsided. She picked up a handkerchief and wiped the cigarette ash off her ring.
"Many accidents happen every day in this world. As long as we do things cleanly, who can prove it was us? That Chinese guy likes to meddle; let's shut him up forever!"
……
Los Angeles, Chinatown.
The Fook Lam Moon Restaurant, owned by the Chinese Association, was unusually quiet today.
Instead of the usual queue of diners waiting outside, there were two rows of young Chinese men dressed in jeans and covered in tattoos.
That aura that kept strangers away caused everyone who passed by to take a detour.
"Master, this is quite a grand affair." Qin Han drove his Cadillac, which he had recently recovered, and brought Bruce Lee to the entrance of the club.
As soon as the two men got out of the car, the two rows of young men bowed deeply in unison, their voices booming: "Hello, Mr. Li! Hello, Mr. Qin!"
Chen Bing was already waiting at the door. Upon seeing this, he quickly ran over: "Gentlemen, please come upstairs! A private room is ready!"
Surrounded by the crowd, the master and apprentice went up to the second floor.
When Qin Han saw the person sitting in the main seat, even with his two lifetimes, he couldn't help but be stunned.
In his mind, a gang leader should be a shrewd and experienced old man in his fifties, with a walnut in his hand.
But the one in front of me...
She looked to be in her early twenties at most, with the most fashionable long, flowing hair, wearing a flashy, tight-fitting shirt, and a thick gold chain around her neck.
If Qin Han hadn't known beforehand that he was the gang leader Zhou Ruofei, he would have thought he was a rock youth who wanted to audition for a role in Hollywood.
"Oh my! My idol!" Upon seeing Bruce Lee enter, the young gang leader rushed forward in three strides:
"Mr. Li! It really is you! I grew up listening to your legends!"
He gripped Bruce Lee's hand tightly, his enthusiasm making him look like a devoted fanboy.
"Chief Zhou?" Bruce Lee was also a little stunned by the sudden enthusiasm.
"Call me Afei, or Xiao Zhou, either is fine!" Zhou Ruofei blushed and quickly invited the two to sit down: "Please sit down! Abing, hurry up with the food! Tell the kitchen to cut that abalone!"
After we sat down, the aroma of tea wafted through the air.
"Brother Zhou is truly... a promising young man." Qin Han picked up his teacup. "I didn't expect the leader of the Qiao Yi Gang to be so young."
Zhou Ruofei scratched his head sheepishly and sighed, "Mr. Qin, you flatter me. Actually... this isn't something I wanted to be the gang leader; I was forced into it."
It turns out that the Joey Gang was an independent entity that spun off from the infamous Huaqing Gang.
Decades ago, the Chinese Exclusion Act weighed heavily on the heads of all Chinese people. A group of passionate young people banded together to protect Chinese people from being bullied, which led to the formation of the Chinese Youth Gang.
Back then, gangs had strict rules and emphasized loyalty and protecting fellow countrymen.
"But then, the world changed." Zhou Ruofei sighed, revealing a heaviness far beyond her years:
"After the law was repealed, the older generation of uncles or elders either returned to Hong Kong or retired from their criminal activities to go into legitimate business."
"Those new 'bosses' only care about money!"
The Huaqing Gang is no longer what it used to be.
The gang members started getting involved in lucrative but low-level activities, such as drug trafficking, marijuana, and even human smuggling, luring their compatriots from China to work as laborers and selling women into brothels.
Clearly, these things were something that this "second-generation gangster" with a heart full of enthusiasm found utterly despicable.
After arguing with other gang leaders several times with his brothers, Zhou Ruofei simply turned against them.
"I led my men out to go it alone and formed the Joey Gang. We only do the old business, never touch drugs, and never traffic people!" He pounded his chest loudly.
Qin Han finally understood. Although this young man seemed flamboyant, he still had the bottom line and courage of an old-fashioned江湖人 (jianghu person, a person from the martial arts world).
Zhou Ruofei glanced at Bruce Lee: "Most of the brothers in the gang are fans of Mr. Lee."
"When we watched 'Fist of Fury' in the video arcade, and Chen Zhen kicked the 'Sick Man of East Asia' sign to pieces, I really cried!"
No wonder Chen Bing gave himself such a long grace period back then. It turns out that he was just enjoying some "fan benefits" because of his master.
"Brother Zhou, you have guts." After listening, Bruce Lee said seriously, "It's not easy for Chinese people to make a living here, and it's even more rare to find someone who can hold onto their principles."
Zhou Ruofei was so excited to receive praise from her idol that she kept rubbing her hands together.
He suddenly stood up, pushed back his chair, and knelt down on one knee in front of Bruce Lee with a "plop".
"Mr. Li! I invited you here today not only to express my respect, but also because I have a request! I wish to become your apprentice!"
"The Huaqing Gang has a large number of members and is very powerful. They have been suppressing us. Although we are very united, we are still weak in terms of resources."
"If we could become your apprentices, the Joey Gang's reputation would surely soar!"
"In time, even more spirited young people will join us. I assure you, as long as I, Zhou Ruofei, am alive, the Joey Gang will never allow drugs to enter Chinatown!"
Bruce Lee could sense the other party's sincerity.
However, having once worked in a gang, he knew very well that the reason gangs are called gangs is that they often act against their will.
Given that his primary identity is that of an actor, if the media gets hold of such explosive information and it gets exposed, it could cause him a lot of trouble.
but……
Bruce Lee helped Zhou Ruofei, who was kneeling, to his feet: "Little Brother Zhou, Ah Han is my last disciple. I understand your feelings, but I really can't take you as my apprentice."
"But don't you already have a master right in front of you?"