Chapter 134: Two Faces

“I…”

Some dark thoughts crossed my mind—I actually doubted Uncle Rong in that moment.

“And how would you have a knife on you when you just got out?” Uncle Tong took the knife from my hand and examined it carefully. “This blade has been meticulously sharpened—razor-sharp, enough to kill. But that bastard didn’t expect you to be so foolish as to try using it on yourself.”

I didn’t understand Uncle Tong’s meaning, but I knew his words were far from kind.

He was framing Uncle Rong.

“Ah Jing, I have a way to settle the score between me and that bastard Gambler Rong.” He waved his hand, dismissing the men who were holding me down.

I straightened up, stretching my limbs, and asked, “What way?”

“You work for me, and I’ll put food on your table.”

When I didn’t answer, he added:

“I can also send you to learn boxing. You’ve got a record, so you can’t go pro, but I’ll recommend you to underground fight clubs. Whatever Gambler Rong could give you, I can give you too. Follow me from now on.”

I froze for a moment.

“Uncle Tong, I’m just a worthless thug. How could I possibly be worth two million?”

“You’re far from worthless.” Uncle Tong shook his head. “Where else could I find someone who’s both tough and loyal like you?”

It dawned on me then.

So the plane ticket earlier really was Uncle Tong’s doing.

Not only was he not killing me—he actually wanted to take me in?

“I’ve had people looking out for you the whole four years you were inside.” Uncle Tong took a drag from his cigarette, his voice low. “No one gave you trouble all this time, right?”

It was true. For four years, no one had messed with me.

“Uncle Tong…” I bowed deeply to him. “I’m honored, but my boss is Uncle Rong. As long as he’s alive, I can’t swear loyalty to anyone else.”

Uncle Tong fell silent for a long time.

He slowly stood up. Though he only came up to my shoulder, his presence was overwhelming.

“Ah Jing, I feel like I’ve given you enough face.”

“I know.” I nodded. “I’ll never forget your kindness, Uncle Tong. But I’ve always seen Uncle Rong as a father. I can’t just turn my back on him when he’s in deep trouble.”

“Good kid. You’ve got guts.” Uncle Tong reached out and slapped my face twice—hard enough to sting.

With Uncle Rong between us, how could I ever call him my boss?

Uncle Tong lingered beside me for a moment before turning to the window to take in the view.

I could never figure out what was going on in that man’s head.

“Uncle Tong… what really happened with those two million?”

At my question, Uncle Tong let out an unpleasant laugh.

“Hah… People in the underworld these days are something else. When they need money, they’ll promise anything. But when it’s time to pay up, suddenly it’s all tears and excuses.”

He took another drag, glanced at the bustling streets outside, then continued in that same low voice: “Gambler Rong called me a devil, said I was heartless. But that bastard should try seeing it from my side—when he was at his lowest, when he was desperate for money, I was the one who helped him. When no one else would lend to him, I did. To him, I wasn’t the devil—I was his savior.”

I still didn’t quite understand. Uncle Rong had borrowed from Uncle Tong? Why didn’t Ah Jiu stop him?

“But how did he repay his savior? He went around crying about how hard his life was, how the two million he borrowed got scammed away. Then he had the nerve to call me heartless, trying to use the old-timers’ sympathy to get himself out of trouble.”

“Yet when he borrowed the money, we signed a contract. Every bit of interest was laid out for him. Now that he can’t pay, is that my fault?”

Uncle Tong grew more agitated as he spoke, his whole body trembling slightly.

“Who does he think I am? Do you really think I don’t know whether that two million was ‘scammed’ or not?”

I lowered my head at his words. I didn’t know the full story—who was I to judge?

“Uncle Tong… I heard Ah Jiu left with Uncle Rong. Is that true?”

“Yes.” Uncle Tong nodded. “Word is Gambler Rong wanted to groom Ah Jiu as his next strategist. The man’s got ambition—raising both an enforcer and a strategist under him. Really thinks he’s the boss now.”

“Ah Jiu is my brother,” I said to Uncle Tong. “I want to see them. If possible, I’ll make sure Uncle Rong pays you back.”

Uncle Tong visibly bristled at that.

“Fine. If you want to leave, then leave.” He nodded, then waved his hand.

Two men stepped forward from behind him, positioning themselves in front of me.

“Ah Jing, you call yourself a 426 enforcer, but I think you’re being modest.” Uncle Tong took a few steps back and sat on the couch.

“What do you mean, Uncle Tong…?”

“These two are my Double Flower enforcers.” Uncle Tong lit another cigarette, ignoring my question. “I wonder who’s tougher—you or them?”

I smirked, then in a flash, lifted my left foot and kicked one man’s knee. He howled and dropped to the ground. Before he could recover, I drove my right knee into his chin.

In the same motion, I swung my right fist into the other man’s gut.

As he doubled over, I grabbed his hair and slammed his face into the wall.

A dull thud echoed as blood splattered across the surface.

Seeing the first man starting to rise, I let go and pounced, pinning him down before raining punches on his face.

He finally reacted, raising his arms to shield himself—but it was useless.

His guard could only cover so much. My fists had no limits.

Block his chin? I’ll hit his temple. Cover his sides? His nose is wide open.

He kept defending. I kept striking. Every punch landed flush.

I fought harder than usual, as if trying to vent four years of pent-up rage.

The other enforcer, the one I’d smashed into the wall, shook off his daze and grabbed me from behind.

But he didn’t adjust his stance properly. If he’d gone for my throat immediately, he might’ve stood a chance.

I seized his elbow and twisted it backward. Now he had two choices: let go or dislocate it.

But an enforcer is still an enforcer. If he yielded to brute force, he wouldn’t deserve the title.

I wrenched his joint out of socket, yet he gritted his teeth and kept his other arm locked around my neck.

I knew I couldn’t push further—his arm would be ruined.

So I released the man beneath me, drove an elbow into the ribs of the one behind me, and as he faltered, slammed the back of my head into his nose.

His nose, already battered from the wall, took another hit. He gasped in pain and finally let go.

I spun and swept his legs out from under him. Now both men were down.

Before they could move, I dragged them into a pile, their faces exposed on either side, then threw myself on top.

Then the fists flew again.

Left punch to the left face. Right punch to the right face.

Why do people in this world have two faces?

One for the crowd, one for the shadows.

Tell me… which one is real?!

Uncle Rong, did you lie to me?

Ah Jiu, did you lie to me too?

“Enough.” Uncle Tong’s voice was ice.

But I didn’t stop. There was too much bitterness in my heart.

“I said enough.”

I don’t know how long I kept hitting them before someone finally pulled me away.

Turning, I saw it was Brother Chong. He’d entered the room at some point and now held me back with his men.

Looking down, I saw the two enforcers had been pummeled beyond recognition.

At least I hadn’t gone for the kill—otherwise, they’d have no teeth left.

“Good kid. Ruthless. Taking down two Double Flower enforcers alone, and you call yourself a 426?” Uncle Tong stood, his expression unreadable as he approached.

“My apologies, Uncle Tong.” I bowed my head, guilt flashing across my face.

Uncle Tong studied me, his gaze unfathomable. I couldn’t begin to guess his thoughts.

Finally, he waved a hand and turned away.

“Ah Chong, let him go.”

“Yes, Uncle Tong.”