Chapter 239: Purpose

Chen Mo's words were like a loud slap, heavily striking the faces of everyone present.

That's right, Chen Mo doesn't really deal in prostitution, gambling, drugs, or usury, so what's the problem?

Chen Mo makes more money without doing business, so why would he touch those illegal trades?

They run casinos, lend at usurious rates, traffic drugs, force the virtuous into prostitution—do they do it because they like it?

Of course not; it's for profit!

Why don't they run legitimate businesses? Is it because they don't like them?

No, it's because they can't do proper business, so they have to resort to those!

Jiang Tiansheng has been secretly using Triad Society money to run businesses for several years, always losing more than he earns.

Otherwise, why has he kept control of Causeway Bay to skim money before? It's just to fill the hole!

That's also why, despite wanting to clean up the Triad Society, he hasn't taken any action.

The others are the same; if they had Chen Mo's business skill, they wouldn't risk doing those shady trades.

Seeing signs that everyone was being persuaded by Chen Mo, Wang Bao hurriedly said, "Chen Mo, you're just twisting arguments.

Gangdao has so many Triad Societies; you're not the only one who does business. Even if Great Prosperity has rules against drug trafficking, it doesn't forbid people from using drugs in the venues, does it?

Moreover, my drug stash was found in such quantity—how do you explain that? Can you even claim it has nothing to do with you?"

"Indeed, Wang Bao makes a good point," Bai Tou Weng added, "When we're out here hustling, who would complain about having too much money!

You refuse to run profit‑making businesses and also forbid others from using drugs in your venues—how can you still say you have no problem?

I think you're clearly a police informant!"

"Bai Tou Weng! Have you had enough?" Chen Mo warned coldly.

Bai Tou Weng snorted coldly, swaggering, "What, did I hit a nerve by speaking the truth, and now you're angry?"

Chen Mo didn't know whether Bai Tou Weng was just talking nonsense or had actually uncovered something, but in any case he could never admit to being an informant.

Chen Mo guessed that Bai Tou Weng was more likely just slandering him on the spur of the moment.

After all, his police file had long been destroyed by Huang Bingyao, and he had never interacted with Huang Bingyao in public.

"Since you just called me an informant, if you can't produce any concrete evidence today, I guarantee you won't see your sun tomorrow!"

"Your behavior is already like a police officer; what more evidence do you need!"

Facing Chen Mo's threat, Bai Tou Weng felt a bit guilty but still held his ground verbally.

However, he truly couldn't produce any evidence, which eased Chen Mo's mind considerably.

Deng Fei tapped the table again.

"Chen Mo, although Bai Tou Weng's and Wang Bao's arguments are a bit far‑fetched, the fact remains that Wang Bao's drug stash was discovered.

I think you should still find a way to prove yourself."

Chen Mo leaned back against the chair, crossing his legs.

"Deng Bo, you're getting old; just stay home honestly. The roads out there aren't easy—what if you fall one day!"

"No problem, I'm already in my dozens; I've walked every road, stepped in every pit, I won't fall.

It's you, the youngster, who doesn't look down at the road and is more likely to fall."

"Then I should thank Deng Bo for the reminder."

Chen Mo withdrew his gaze from Deng Fei and looked at Lian Haolong.

"Mr. Lian, do you think I need to prove myself?"

Lian Haolong glanced at Jiang Tiansheng, then at Deng Fei, and said, "Several seniors doubt you, so I'm not in a position to say anything."

Chen Mo shrugged helplessly, "Fine then."

Chen Mo understood that everyone was targeting him; although Lian Haolong didn't intend to target him, he wouldn't help either.

"You want me to prove I have nothing to do with the police; honestly, I really don't know how to prove it.

Why don't you all give me an idea—how should I prove it?

Should I eliminate a few police officers, or what?"

Chen Mo tossed the question back, waiting to see what they'd plan.

This group's grand show can't be just to disgust Chen Mo; there must be some purpose.

Bai Tou Weng spoke first, "How about this: you loosen your territory, let others come in to distribute goods, and guarantee those distributors won't be caught by the police; then we'll believe you have no ties to the police. What do you think?"

Chen Mo raised an eyebrow, ignored Bai Tou Weng, and asked the others, "Deng Bo, Mr. Lian, do you feel the same?"

"I think Bai Tou Weng's plan isn't bad. Anyway, it won't cost you anything."

Deng Fei kept up a façade of indifference and fairness, yet Chen Mo didn't miss the flicker of greed in his eyes.

United Victory only forbids drug traffickers from running for Dragon Head, but doesn't ban drug trafficking itself.

If Chen Mo opens his territory and lets others distribute, United Victory would naturally want a piece of the pie.

Lian Haolong said nothing but nodded.

Although he admired Chen Mo somewhat, that admiration couldn't outweigh the lure of profit.

Chen Mo, seeing their reactions, looked at Jiang Tiansheng.

"Mr. Jiang, what do you say? They're blatantly breaking the Triad Society's rules!"

They think it's fine; Chen Mo just wants to see Jiang Tiansheng's reaction.

Jiang Tiansheng still wore that fake smile, and said, "Deng Bo, Bai Tou Weng, the underworld has its own rules, and Great Prosperity has its own rules as well.

Letting Ah Mo open his territory for others to traffic drugs—does that go too far?"

Deng Fei thought for a moment, nodded, "Mr. Jiang makes sense; we truly can't break Great Prosperity's rules.

I think we should do this: let Chen Mo tweak the rule—if someone uses drugs in his venue, we just don't intervene, after all it's their freedom. What do you think?"

"Let's do as Deng Bo suggested," Jiang Tiansheng said, smiling and nodding.

The white-haired old man and several others remained silent; the two of them just decided the matter like that.

Chen Mo watched from the side as Jiang Tiansheng and Deng Fei played off each other, sneering coldly in his heart.

These people really have a good idea.

Wang Bao was just stirring up trouble on Chen Mo's turf in Jianshazui; these people, the moment they open their mouths, demand that Chen Mo relinquish his territory—which is practically half of Mong Kok!

If Chen Mo lets those youngsters into his venue, later someone will dare to secretly distribute goods.

By then, if Chen Mo tried to forbid it, he would simultaneously offend United Victory, East Prosperity, Loyalty Trust Righteousness, and Wang Bao.

If left unchecked, would that territory still belong to him?

Jiang Tiansheng really is a schemer!

Chen Mo's gaze gradually turned icy; he picked up the teacup before him and slammed it hard onto the table, emitting a loud 'bang'.

The teacup shattered, shards mixed with tea splashing onto the surrounding people.

The faces of the few who had been somewhat pleased stiffened, and Chen Mo's icy voice rang out.

"Do you treat me as a dead man? My territory—do you get to call the shots?"