Chapter 202: Chen Yao Returns

However, the many Triad Societies fighting for territory that Chen Mo had expected did not occur; instead, Chen Yao showed up first.

Back then, when Jingkun sent Chen Yao out to sea, the story given to the other members of the Triad Society was that Chen Yao had left Gangdao for a while due to personal matters, and had appointed someone to temporarily handle his affairs.

Now that Jingkun is dead, he can of course return openly and without pretense.

Of course, the so‑called return to Gangdao is merely stepping out of Jiang Tiansheng's villa and appearing before everyone.

The first thing Chen Yao did after appearing was to convene a meeting in the main hall.

As the Triad Society's blank fan, he naturally has that right.

After all, when Jiang Tiansheng was the Dragon Head, he was the one who chaired the meetings.

Today the atmosphere in the main hall was somewhat heavy.

Although Jingkun's tenure as Dragon Head was brief, he did his best and didn't cause any mess.

The Dragon Head's death is bad news for Great Prosperity.

'Big bosses, I was away from Gangdao for a while due to some personal matters, and I didn't expect to hear such tragic news right after returning.'

The Crown Prince and Ma Wang Jian's behavior last night already showed that they have been in contact with Jiang Tiansheng.

Chen Yao is naturally aware of the reason Jingkun gave for Chen Yao's departure.

'Brother Yao, you came back and the Dragon Head died. There can't be any connection between you and the Dragon Head's death, right?'

Chen Mo didn't wait for Chen Yao to continue and, in a joking tone, splashed a bucket of mud at him.

Chen Yao hurriedly defended himself: 'Chen Mo, what are you babbling about? What does the Dragon Head's death have to do with me! I just returned to Gangdao; it's merely a coincidence.'

Chen Mo's words made him break out in cold sweat.

He strongly suspected that Chen Mo might know Jiang Tiansheng's scheme.

Otherwise, why could Chen Mo's men have seized Jingkun's territory before the Crown Prince and Ma Wang Jian last night, and today claim Jingkun's death is related to him?

The Crown Prince said coldly: 'Chen Mo, you say the Dragon Head's death is linked to Chen Yao; what evidence do you have?'

'Exactly, you must present evidence when you speak; you can't just blurt out nonsense.' Ma Wang Jian echoed.

At this point, the two's hostility toward Chen Mo was completely unabashed.

The others, watching the confrontational stance of the few, felt somewhat bewildered.

Only Da Fei wore a look of contemplation.

'A Mo, now is not the time for random jokes.'

'Brother Yao is our Great Prosperity's blank fan; how could the Dragon Head's death be related to him? Quickly apologize to Brother Yao.' Thirteen Sister laughed, smoothing things over.

Han Bin also laughed: 'Yes, yes, A Mo, stop joking around and quickly apologize to Brother Yao.'

After Thirteen Sister's and Han Bin's urging, Chen Mo seized the opportunity to backtrack.

'Sorry, Brother Yao, it's been a long time since we met; I was just joking with you, you won't hold it against me, right?'

Chen Mo splashed mud at Chen Yao only to give him a little trouble; he didn't intend to nail him down, so he wouldn't keep pressing.

Chen Yao, after Chen Mo's move and feeling a bit guilty himself, couldn't vent his anger properly and only let out a nervous chuckle.

'No, no, it's just a joke; how could I be angry!'

Chen Yao steadied himself and continued.

'Let's get back to business! The Dragon Head's death is a huge blow to Great Prosperity. I think we need a new Dragon Head now.'

'I mean we should invite Mr. Jiang back to reassume the Dragon Head position; what does everyone think?'

After speaking, Chen Yao looked anxiously at Chen Mo, Thirteen Sister and the others.

The other big bosses couldn't help but turn their gaze toward Chen Mo's group.

Great Prosperity now has only nine big bosses left.

Chen Mo and Thirteen Sister's small crew already account for four, and Da Fei is also likely on their side.

Their opinion matters a lot.

If they oppose Jiang Tiansheng's return as Dragon Head, then it's highly probable he won't come back today.

Chen Yao and Jiang Tiansheng are basically gambling.

Betting that Han Bin and Chen Mo have no intention of taking the Dragon Head role.

Betting that they will be willing to let Jiang Tiansheng return as Dragon Head.

Because they have no choice but to gamble.

If they keep delaying, Jiang Tiansheng will truly have no chance of returning as Dragon Head.

Fortunately, they guessed correctly.

Han Bin is only interested in handling Thirteen Sister and making money, while Chen Mo is even more focused on profit.

Both of them have little interest in the Dragon Head position.

Under everyone's stare, Chen Mo slowly spoke.

'I think Brother Yao's proposal is good; Mr. Jiang returning as Dragon Head is indeed fitting.'

Chen Mo's words made Chen Yao let out a long sigh of relief, his hanging heart instantly settled.

'But…' Chen Mo hadn't finished speaking.

Chen Yao's heart rose again.

'Mr. Jiang is far away in the Netherlands; even at the fastest speed, it would take one or two days to get back.'

Right now Great Prosperity not only lacks a Dragon Head, but is also short of several big bosses.

'I think we should first fill the missing big boss positions!'

Chen Yao, the Crown Prince and Ma Wang Jian beside him all furrowed their brows.

'Appointing big bosses is no trivial matter; shouldn't we wait until Mr. Jiang returns to decide? It's only a few days, no need to rush.'

Besides the vanished Macau hall, Great Prosperity now also has three vacant big boss slots.

These three candidates for the top leaders, Jiang Tiansheng and Chen Yao had already planned to use them to win people's hearts, so finalizing them now works!

"Why wait? Right now Great Prosperity has lost three top leaders and the Dragon Head in succession, and we are in a war with the Three Alliance Gang; other Triad Societies outside might also be eyeing Great Prosperity hungrily.

Choosing the top leaders earlier also prepares us for the upcoming crisis."

"Moreover, didn't we already decide the top‑leader candidates at the last meeting? All of those candidates have returned, everyone knows whether they completed their missions, so why still talk about waiting for Mr. Jiang to decide?"

Chen Mo's words were logical and well‑founded, and Chen Yao and the others could not refute him at that moment.

Chen Mo paused, then continued: "Or do you think that once Mr. Jiang returns, the decisions made by Jingkun, the Dragon Head, and the appointments of the top leaders will no longer count?"

When Chen Mo said that, the others gave little reaction, but Da Fei was the first to get anxious.

"What does that mean? When Jiang Tiansheng comes back, does my position as the Causeway Bay top leader become void?"

That can't happen!

"I support Mo Ge's statement. What was decided long ago has nothing to do with who is the Dragon Head. Even if Mr. Jiang returns, the candidates for the top leaders remain the same, so it's better to finalize the top leaders now."

Chen Yao, Chen Yao, and Ma Wang Jian exchanged a glance, realizing the matter was not up for negotiation.

If they are determined to wait for Jiang Tiansheng to return before selecting the top leaders, it's very possible that Jiang Tiansheng will no longer be able to serve as the Dragon Head.

With no other choice, Chen Yao could only nod: "Fine, then let's first finalize the candidates for the top leaders."

Currently the branches without a top leader are the Macau Hall, Shen Shui Bu Hall, Kwun Tong Hall, and Wong Tai Sin Hall.

The only candidates who completed the mission a few days ago were Gao Jin, Hui Gou, and A Tai.

Coincidentally, the Macau Hall is effectively leaderless right now.

Gao Jin, being the first to finish the mission and having taken down the Three Alliance Gang's elder Zhong Yongbo, was the first to choose the Shen Shui Bu Hall.

Hui Gou, under Han Bin, was the second choice and selected the Wong Tai Sin Hall.

A Tai, under the Crown Prince, took the remaining Kwun Tong area.

As for Yi Jian, who originally belonged to the Kwun Tong area, he squandered his family fortune; he once thought he could become the Macau Hall's top leader, but now he has gained nothing, only sitting on a back‑bench watching others rise in rank and wealth.

What a pitiful man!