Chapter 235

“Damn it!” Lao Gui pushed the man aside, lifted the hem of his clothes, pulled out a pistol from his waist, and turned to walk out. Anyone could tell from his attitude what he intended to do. Xie Wendong grabbed his arm and said firmly, “If you go to Nan Hongmen now, it’s tantamount to seeking death. Besides, my main target this time is Nan Hongmen. If anyone needs to take action, it should be me.” “Cut the crap!” Lao Guiflinged his arm forcefully, glaring with narrowed eyes, and shouted, “This isn’t just a simple conflict between the North and South anymore. Nan Hongmen killed my brothers and stole my goods. How can I move on or erase the hatred in my heart unless I settle this score!” Hehe! Xie Wendong sneered inwardly but showed concern on his face, sighing, “Nan Hongmen are not easy to deal with. They’ve been in Yunnan for a long time and are deeply entrenched. It’s not something you can resolve just by demanding justice. Moreover, many of theirs died in this ambush. I think we should just make them hand over the goods. Don’t let me cause trouble between two families that were originally peaceful.” “I… I…” Lao Gui’s face turned purplish red, his lips trembling for a long time as he pointed at Xie Wendong’s nose, too angry to speak. Xie Wendong straightened up, waved his hand to push Lao Gui’s hand aside, and said in a low voice, “Don’t worry. I’m sworn enemies with Nan Hongmen. I’ll avenge Ah Shui for you!” “Ugh!” After a long while, Lao Gui let out a long groan and shouted, “Do we still need you to avenge us from the Golden Triangle? I don’t care about your feud with Nan Hongmen. Anyway, a feud has been formed between the Golden Triangle and Nan Hongmen.” He clenched his fist and said viciously, “If you take my brother’s life, I’ll make you pay with the lives of everyone in your village!”

Xie Wendong shrugged and patted him on the shoulder, saying meaningfully, “Brother Gui, no matter what decision you make, I’ll support you and stand with you. Don’t take what I said just now as a joke—the strength of the Nan Hongmen is far from as simple as you think.” He then pointed to his chest and sighed, “If I weren’t wearing a bulletproof vest, even with ten lives, I wouldn’t be able to survive. Since you’ve decided to go to war with the Nan Hongmen, you need to be extra careful about their revenge. I don’t want anything to happen to you, nor do I want to see you end up like Ah Shui.” Xie Wendong’s words were half true and half false; perhaps even he couldn’t tell which parts were sincere. After hearing this, Lao Gui’s eyes reddened as he nodded deeply and said, “Brother, your words are enough for me.” He took a breath, smiled coldly, and said, “Even if the Nan Hongmen have incredible powers, what am I to fear? Don’t forget, I’m from the Golden Triangle.” Though he said that, he still slowly put away his gun and squatted against the wall. Xie Wendong’s words had extinguished most of the anger in his heart, and his sense of reason returned. With his mind cleared, he had to seriously consider the current situation. After thinking it over, he realized Xie Wendong was right—attacking the Nan Hongmen like this wouldn’t only prevent him from avenging Ah Shui and his fallen brothers, but might even cost him and many others their lives. He took out a cigarette from his pocket, took a few puffs, and after a while, looked up and asked, “Brother, you’re the most resourceful. Help me figure out what to do now. My mind is in chaos.” Xie Wendong replied, “You’re Lao Gui—my ideas aren’t as clever as yours!” “Ah! Stop being sarcastic,” Lao Gui said, exhaling a wisp of smoke. When with Xie Wendong, he couldn’t help but question any idea he heard, which seemed to have become a habit of his. Xie Wendong smiled and asked, “How many people do you have under you now? How many guns?”

Lao Gui was stunned for a moment, thought carefully, and said, “One hundred and eighty people should be fine.” Xie Wendong raised an eyebrow and shook his head. “So how do you think it compares to Nan Hongmen?” Lao Gui frowned and said, “It seems there’s a slight gap.” “That’s exactly it,” Xie Wendong said. “Is it just a slight gap? Not to mention the entire Nan Hongmen, even just their influence in Kunming, you might not be able to handle it. What you should do most urgently is ask the general for troops and weapons. Only then can you compete with Nan Hongmen. The name ‘Golden Triangle’ is certainly intimidating, but don’t forget—this is China, not Myanmar. Without enough strength, you still won’t be able to achieve anything. If things go wrong, not to mention taking revenge, whether you can even escape is a question.”

“Hmm!” Lao Gui suddenly understood and slapped his fat head, nodding in agreement. “Right, brother, you’re absolutely right. I’ll call the general right away.” Lao Gui acted immediately and took out his phone as soon as he finished speaking. Xie Wendong shook his head, grabbed his wrist as he tried to make the call, and asked, “Do you think the general will send people to you under these circumstances?”

Lao Gui blinked, puzzled. “I’m not the general’s confidant—how would I know?!” Xie Wendong smiled slightly and said, “I said he won’t not only won’t he, but he’ll also stop you from going to war with Nan Hongmen.” “Oh?” Lao Gui was confused and asked quickly, “What do you mean?”

Xie Wendong just smiled without saying anything, glancing around at the people present. Lao Gui understood what he meant, waved his hand, and said to his subordinates, “Everyone, go outside. Brother Xie and I need to discuss something.” These soldiers from the Golden Triangle weren’t fools; they all lowered their heads and left the room wisely. Only Xie Wendong, Lao Gui, Jiang Sen, and of course, Ah Shui’s body remained in the room. After everyone left, Lao Gui said, “Now, go ahead and speak.”

Xie Wendong rubbed his chin gently, paused for a while, before speaking. “You don’t have any connections with Nan Hongmen, do you?” Lao Gui shook his head. “No. Xiang Wentian has always hated drugs, so his subordinates naturally wouldn’t dare to deal in them. We in the Golden Triangle basically have no contact with them.” Xie Wendong said, “But Nan Hongmen controls the underworld in the south. Most of your goods from the Golden Triangle have to pass through China. Once you clash with Nan Hongmen, this ‘peaceful route’ won’t be so peaceful anymore. Although I don’t have much contact with the general, I can still tell he’s a formidable leader. Someone like him won’t create trouble for himself over just one or two lives. What do you think?”

“This…” Old Ghost gasped. He had known the general for much longer than Xie Wendong, and he was well acquainted with the general’s character. After what Xie Wendong said, it indeed seemed possible. He shook his head and said, “But Ah Shui’s revenge can’t be ignored like this. I’ve had no family in my life; Ah Shui is like my own brother. If you ask me to endure this, I can’t.” Xie Wendong smirked and said, “As long as you make the general believe that Nan Hongmen threatens his interests, he’ll take action without you even having to say anything.”

“How can we make the general think Nan Hongmen threatens his interests?” Old Ghost racked his brains but couldn’t figure it out. “It’s simple,” Xie Wendong said with a sly smile. “If Nan Hongmen prevents the forces of the Golden Triangle from establishing a foothold in China, do you think the general won’t get worried?” Seeing that Old Ghost still didn’t understand and stared at him blankly, Xie Wendong could only smile bitterly and say helplessly, “Provoke Nan Hongmen more often. Once they get anxious, they certainly won’t let you settle in Kunming.”

Old Ghost’s eyes moved as he stood up and paced back and forth in the room a few times. After stopping firmly, he nodded and said, “I get it. I know what to do now.” Xie Wendong smiled and said, “It’s easy to find trouble, but it’s not easy to provoke Nan Hongmen. If done wrong, it could backfire on you.” Old Ghost gritted his teeth and said, “I’m not afraid of death.”

“A pointless death is foolish. I can help you. One more person means one more strength,” Xie Wendong said earnestly, shaking his head vigorously.

Old Ghost wasn’t stupid; he was very sharp, but he often pretended to be clueless. Around Xie Wendong, he thought it was better to act a bit foolish. He wasn’t unaware that Xie Wendong wanted to use him—more precisely, the forces of the Golden Triangle—to eliminate Nan Hongmen’s influence in Kunming. This would deal a significant blow to Nan Hongmen and create another major enemy, which was exactly what Xie Wendong wanted. Old Ghost didn’t bring it up openly because he had also agreed to it. If given a choice, he preferred it to be Xie Wendong who controlled the underworld forces in Yunnan. The two shared not only a deep friendship but also close interests. With his relationship with Xie Wendong, he could act more freely in Yunnan and do as he pleased, and Xie Wendong’s abilities could indeed ensure that. Old Ghost chuckled dryly and said, “I wonder in what capacity Brother Xie is helping me—as the leader of the Northern Hongmen or as the head of the Wendong Society?” Xie Wendong smiled, his eyes curving into crescents. After a while, he said, “The Wendong Society!”

Xie Wendong’s voice wasn’t loud, but it was clear enough for everyone in the room to hear. Jiang Sen, Ren Changfeng, and the others were shocked upon hearing it, staring at him with expressions of confusion and doubt. The Old Ghost wasn’t surprised by this answer. After pondering for a moment, he said, “From what I know of Xie Wendong, he wouldn’t do anything without gaining some benefit.”
“Exactly!” Xie Wendong’s smile deepened. “But the Nan Hongmen is sworn enemies with me. As long as they exist, I won’t be able to sleep peacefully.”
That was true. The Old Ghost sighed inwardly, raised an eyebrow, and asked, “Is that the only reason? No other reasons?”
Xie Wendong adjusted his clothes and walked away, saying, “Kunming, Yunnan!” The Old Ghost chuckled and said, “What big ambitions! What benefit will that bring me?” Xie Wendong didn’t even turn around, just waved his hand and said, “I’ll ensure safety for the Golden Triangle in Yunnan.” “Just because of your word?” “What I say is law.” The Old Ghost fell silent, thinking. Xie Wendong added, “Give me a car.” “Where to?” “To the city.” The Old Ghost frowned and shouted, “Are you crazy? Going back to the city now? That’s like seeking death!”
Xie Wendong turned and smiled. “It’s the safest time to go back. I have to catch an early morning flight; I don’t have much time left.” “You’re leaving?” The Old Ghost stepped forward and pressed further. “Yes!” Xie Wendong replied. “I’m going back to my hometown.” The Old Ghost asked, “Back to City H? Is something urgent there?” Xie Wendong shook his head and smiled. “If I don’t go back, how can I find someone to help you?” “Tch!” The Old Ghost stretched his mouth wide and muttered, “That’s something only ghosts would believe!” As soon as he said it, he realized his mistake—his nickname was after all The Old Ghost! Xie Wendong laughed heartily and led Jiang Sen and the others out of the room.
The Old Ghost was generous, much like Xie Wendong. He provided two cars for Xie Wendong to use. In his words, “The Golden Triangle won’t treat friends badly, and The Old Ghost certainly won’t either.”
Xie Wendong, Jiang Sen, Ren Changfeng, and Jin Yan shared one car, while the other four took another. Along the way, Jiang Sen patted the leather seat and sighed, “The Old Ghost is truly a good friend.” Xie Wendong agreed, nodding. “He’s indeed someone worth having a deep relationship with.” “But…” Jiang Sen stopped mid-sentence. Xie Wendong smiled and said, “Speak up if you have something to say.” Jiang Sen glanced at him carefully but still couldn’t hold back. “But Brother Dong took advantage of him, exploiting the brotherly bond between him and Ah Shui.”

“He knows.” Xie Wendong turned to look out the window, his expression dark and confused. The streetlights resembled glowing fire snakes, flashing by in an instant.
“He knows?” Not only was Jiang Sen surprised, but Ren Changfeng and the others were also stunned. Xie Wendong said, “The Golden Triangle is in constant conflict—half of the year is spent in war. Those who can survive in such an environment are nothing ordinary. They’re either highly skilled or extremely cunning. That old bastard Wen isn’t good at either martial arts or strategy. He hasn’t made it this far by luck. Don’t underestimate him; he might actually be smarter than me.” Jiang Sen’s eyes almost popped out. The old bastard was broad-shouldered and chubby. Even before entering the room, his belly protruded. Usually, he seemed straightforward and cheerful, almost like a smiling Maitreya Buddha. Who would have thought Xie Wendong would say such a thing? Even Ren Changfeng couldn’t help but say, “Smarter than Brother Dong? I didn’t see that coming.” Jiang Sen asked, “If he knows, why is he willing to let us use him?”
Xie Wendong replied, “Maybe he hates the Nan Hongmen. Xiang Wentian’s character doesn’t match theirs. Maybe the Nan Hongmen have had conflicts with the Golden Triangle before, but both sides avoided them, so things didn’t escalate like this time. Maybe he prefers me to take control of Yunnan, making things easier for them. Maybe… there are many ‘maybe’s. Who knows what’s in his mind?” Ren Changfeng chuckled and joked, “Maybe he really regards Brother Dong as a friend and wants to take this opportunity to help you.”
Xie Wendong was stunned for a long time before seriously saying, “Anyway, he’s a friend worth having.”