Chapter Six: Long Kun's Attitude

Inside, Zhuo Nan asked himself whether bad luck really meant even drinking cold water could jam between one’s teeth. The sky had been clear and the weather fine, yet after running into those twin sisters, trouble had come out of nowhere. In Zhuo Nan’s eyes, Lu Zi-han was nothing more than an annoying fly, a spoiled second-generation brat who strutted about only because of his family’s backing. There was nothing to fear. However impressive he was, could he possibly outdo me?

Of course Zhuo Nan understood that the Lu family boy was no pushover. If he really won the exam at the end of the month, who knew what dirty trick he might play... Still, it did not matter. One would meet soldiers with generals and flood waters with earth. In Deqing, Lu Zi-han would not be able to stir up any great waves.

“Brother Nan, Brother Nan is here, Brother Nan, hello...” As soon as Zhuo Nan entered the bar, Ribs and the others hurried over to greet him. These earliest followers of Zhuo Nan had now become men of status in their own right. Since taking over Ghost Boy Chao’s territory and establishments, Long Kun had divided them up for these men to manage. Each was now dressed in fine clothes, sharply suited, looking every bit the part.

Hu Li walked up to Zhuo Nan and said respectfully, “Brother Nan, let’s go inside and talk...”

Zhuo Nan nodded and followed them into the manager’s office.

Inside, Long Kun was bent over the desk, reviewing the account books. Tall and broad, dressed in a black suit, with a scar across his face, he looked nothing like a gang boss; he looked more like the boss’s bodyguard. Seeing Zhuo Nan come in, Long Kun broke into a broad smile, quickly stood up from his chair, bowed slightly before Zhuo Nan, and said with utmost respect, “Brother Nan, I had my men drive to pick you up... I never expected you’d arrive first.”

Zhuo Nan was very pleased with Long Kun’s conduct. He knew how to keep his place, knew the proper measure of things. One had to understand that Long Kun was now the recognized number one figure in the Deqing underworld; if outsiders saw him acting this way now, their eyes would surely pop out of their heads...

Smiling, Zhuo Nan waved a hand and sat down in Long Kun’s seat. Everyone else stood obediently across from him, waiting for his word. Zhuo Nan swept his gaze around the room. The laziness he had carried in school vanished without a trace, replaced by the aura of one born to stand above others. In plain terms, the swagger of a true big shot radiated from him in all directions, leaving Long Kun and the others scarcely daring to breathe.

At that moment Zhuo Nan picked up the ledger and glanced through it before speaking slowly. “Long Kun, didn’t I tell you to hand the bookkeeping for this bar over to someone else? Why are you still managing it?”

Long Kun looked a little embarrassed, scratching his head as he said, “Brother Nan, this bar was one of our first ventures. If you really made me leave it entirely to someone else, I’d feel a bit reluctant...”

Loyalty and sentimentality. Those were the things Zhuo Nan valued most in Long Kun. In a world ruled by power and money, having a subordinate so faithful was truly Zhuo Nan’s good fortune. He nodded in satisfaction and said, “Hand it over to another man. We’re always developing and growing. In the future, there’ll be far too many things for you to manage yourself, understand?”

After hearing that, Long Kun hurriedly nodded. In his heart, Zhuo Nan’s words were imperial edicts. Half a year ago he had been nothing but a street punk in the market district, yet in less than half a year under Zhuo Nan’s leadership, he had become the head of Deqing’s underworld, enjoying limitless glory. All of it was thanks to Zhuo Nan. Long Kun knew clearly that as long as he followed Zhuo Nan in this lifetime, life could only get better, never best.

“Brother Nan, I understand. Don’t worry, none of us brothers will let you down,” Long Kun said. The others immediately echoed him in agreement.

Zhuo Nan nodded and asked, “Has the tally of Ghost Boy Chao’s assets been completed?”

Long Kun gave Hu Li a look, and the latter stepped forward and said, “Brother Nan, it’s done. Aside from Tang Hao’s territory in the western district, Ghost Boy Chao had four casinos, twelve nightclubs, three dance halls, two large bathhouses, nine restaurants and tea houses in total, and one finance company. As for assets, I also had accountants make an estimate. On the books there was two hundred million in cash, but Ghost Boy Chao owed the bank roughly sixty million.” After speaking, Hu Li stepped back and said nothing more.

After a moment’s thought, Zhuo Nan asked, “The territory and the venues have all been divided up?”

Long Kun answered honestly, “Yes, Brother Nan, all divided.” Pointing at Ribs and the others, he smiled and said, “They’re all bosses of their own territory now.”

At this, everyone laughed in embarrassment...

Seeing the easy atmosphere, Zhuo Nan also smiled with satisfaction. Not long ago they had all been a pack of street punks; now they each had the air of men with something to their names. Suddenly Long Kun called out, “Brother Nan...” When Ribs and the others heard that Long Kun had something to say, they all stopped on their own and listened.

Zhuo Nan turned to look at him with curiosity. Long Kun then said, “Brother Nan, when the brothers used to follow me, we were indeed in the underworld, but life was hand-to-mouth. Ever since you took us in, we brothers have truly lived good lives. Today, in front of everyone, I want to make my position clear: if anyone ever dares to harbor disloyal thoughts toward Brother Nan, I, Long Kun, will be the first to cripple him.” Finishing, he glared fiercely around the room.

Long Kun’s words delighted Zhuo Nan. He patted Long Kun on the shoulder and said, “Long Kun, we’re all brothers. Since you’re following me, of course I have to make sure everyone lives well. I believe the brothers here feel the same way as you. Isn’t that right, everyone?”

Zhuo Nan took the opening and used Long Kun’s words to sound a warning to everyone present. As soon as they heard Brother Nan speak, they all hurried to agree. “Brother Nan, rest assured. If anyone has second thoughts, I, Ribs, won’t let him off either...” They echoed one after another. Zhuo Nan and Long Kun exchanged a glance, and a faint smile appeared at the corners of both their mouths.

Then Long Kun said, “You can all head out first... Brother Nan and I have a few more things to discuss...” Everyone greeted them and left the manager’s office as instructed. Soon only Long Kun and Zhuo Nan remained inside.

Long Kun’s face was full of worry as he said, “Brother Nan, there’s something I have to report to you.”

Standing before Zhuo Nan with a bent back, Long Kun was so respectful that it actually made Zhuo Nan a little uncomfortable. Smiling, he said, “What is it? Sit down and speak.”

Long Kun obeyed and sat on the sofa beside him, then continued, “That day, one of the brothers who went with Shi Yang on the mission came back and told me that Shi Yang did something at Tang Hao’s house...”

Hearing that it concerned Shi Yang, Zhuo Nan found it strange. His brows drew together as he asked in a low voice, “What did he do?”

Long Kun hesitated, unable to finish at once. He was weighing the matter in his own heart as well. Shi Yang and Zhuo Nan were classmates, had grown up together. Now that he was speaking ill of Shi Yang behind his back in front of Brother Nan, he did not know what Brother Nan would think.

Seeing Long Kun’s concern, Zhuo Nan said, “Just speak. I won’t blame you.”

With that assurance, Long Kun finally said, “That day when Shi Yang went to Tang Hao’s place on the mission, he threatened Tang Hao’s wife and raped her...”

He said only that one sentence, then fell silent, sitting there quietly and waiting for Zhuo Nan’s response.

Zhuo Nan lowered his head and thought for two or three seconds, then raised it and fixed Long Kun with a hard stare. At once Long Kun felt a powerful aura close around him, making his whole body tense and uneasy. He quickly looked away, not daring to meet Zhuo Nan’s eyes. After about five or six seconds, Zhuo Nan finally spoke. “Long Kun, do you have any cigarettes on you? Give me one.”

Long Kun froze slightly. Brother Nan did not smoke. In an instant, Long Kun understood that what he had just said might have caused Brother Nan serious trouble. He hurriedly stood, took a pack of premium cigarettes from his pocket, flicked one out and handed it to Zhuo Nan, then took out a lighter and lit it for him.

Zhuo Nan lit the cigarette and took a deep drag. This was the first time he had smoked since his rebirth, and he had almost forgotten the feeling. He remembered that in his previous life he had also smoked these cigarettes, but the sensation had never been this good. One thing was certain: the cigarette in Long Kun’s possession was genuine...

Zhuo Nan’s skilled long inhalation stunned Long Kun for quite a while. He thought to himself, Brother Nan looks like he’s had at least ten years of smoking experience. Could it be he started smoking at age five?

After taking two puffs, Zhuo Nan said slowly, “Long Kun, how did you learn about this?”

Long Kun knew it was wrong to speak ill of people behind their backs, but he truly could not approve of Shi Yang’s actions. That day Shi Yang and the others had already completely controlled the situation, and the task Brother Nan had assigned them was simply to kill Tang Hao’s family. Yet Shi Yang had done something like this, and naturally it stirred some thoughts in Long Kun’s mind... Since Zhuo Nan had asked, he answered honestly. “It was one of the brothers who went with Shi Yang that day. He got drunk last time, and one of my men happened to overhear it by accident.”

Zhuo Nan nodded and said, “Don’t tell anyone else about this. Do you understand?”

Long Kun immediately nodded. He also understood that if he said any more at this point, Brother Nan might think he had some ulterior motive...

Zhuo Nan then asked, “Tang Hao’s territory was handed over to Shi Yang to manage, wasn’t it?”

“Yes, Brother Nan...” Long Kun answered honestly. “Brother Nan, Shi Yang didn’t come today... I already informed him.”

Zhuo Nan nodded and continued, “You don’t need to concern yourself with Shi Yang’s matter. Just manage your own affairs well. I’ll say it again: the underworld must be run like a business, like a group, only then can profits be maximized. As for people with skill in operations and management, find them yourself. I have no special demands. And the rule remains the same as before: drugs are absolutely off-limits.”

“Don’t worry, Brother Nan. I know what to do. I definitely won’t let you down.”

“Good. Very good.” Suddenly Zhuo Nan’s tone turned cold. “Long Kun, remember what I said. Follow me, and your life will only get better and better. Betray me, and I’ll make sure you have nothing left, perhaps not even your life to keep...”

Long Kun believed that Zhuo Nan would make good on every word. At that moment cold sweat streamed down his back. The longer he stayed with Zhuo Nan, the more he felt how terrifying he was. Ghost Boy Chao had been fearsome enough, yet in only ten days this man had fallen beneath Brother Nan’s feet...

“Brother Nan, don’t worry. For the rest of my life, if you say one, I’ll never say two.”

Zhuo Nan smiled and nodded. “Good, Long Kun. I believe you...”