Chapter 13: with translation of chapter title

June 16, 1982.

This day will become an eternal legend in the Gangdao underworld.

Mr. Jiang welcomed Big D of Tsuen Wan with the grandest ceremony.

On Gangdao, the heads of the biggest triads came, named jianghu figures came, and the lowest-level gangsters came.

From the mountain foot to the summit, the roadsides were packed with people; these gangsters love to join the fun.

From the gate of the Three Saints Palace, they laid out a 166-meter red carpet downwards.

Today Li Xin served as Big D's guide, standing at the end of the red carpet waiting for Big D's arrival.

A tiger-headed van stopped beside Li Xin; Big D led his wife ahead, followed by eight younger brothers.

"Big D Brother, please."

Li Xin came from the middle of the road to the right side, raising his right hand to greet guests.

Right hand welcomes guests, left hand sees them off.

Big D strode down the middle of the red carpet, full of vigor; Li Xin followed one step behind.

At the main gate of the Three Saints Palace, Mr. Jiang stood in the center; seeing Big D arrive, he glanced at Uncle Bo of the banquet hall.

Uncle Bo of the banquet hall, wearing panda eyes, spoke loudly: "Brothers and sisters of the jianghu, today the Red Incense Mountain Gangdao Prosperity incense master, Jiang Tian Sheng, welcomes the new brothers inside."

A thunderclap on flat ground, wearing a red flower, holding the post of Second Route Marshal, the position of Prosperity Tsuen Wan Leader.

Big D stood in the middle of the red carpet, radiating light.

Eh, there was also a conspicuous Li Xin behind him.

This guy gained more reputation again! He's latching onto whoever he can!

Xin Ji Lao Xu, Hau Ma Shui Man, Tung Hing Lok To, Shing Hap Yau Bak, Wo Lin Shing Chuen Bak, Hap Tou Sha Lo Tai, Yi Hai Hak Chai, Hang Ji Man Gor, Wan Lok Sun Shing Sing, Wan Tai Pei Ngarn Mei.

They looked at Li Xin as if he were a treasure, their eyes turning red, all wanting to take him home and lock him in a safe—no one else could even glance at him.

A pure single-type hall!

Say a number, and they'll take him home—what the hell kind of immortal operation is this?

From today on, no one in the jianghu calls Li Xin by his old nickname.

At all Gangdao societies, witnessed on the spot, he happily received the title of strongest 'white paper fan' in Gangdao jianghu history, the 'Immortal Trust' in size and form.

In the jianghu, there's no definitive answer as to who is the strongest double-flower red pole, but if you ask who is the strongest white paper fan, everyone will say it's 'Immortal Trust'.

Later it even sparked many jokes; every junior fighter rushed to secure a white paper fan position, the red poles lost their appeal, and finally they'd say, 'I'm a brain-eater.'

Fool, what do you want that stick for?

You say it's angering people, right?

In the Gangdao jianghu, people will henceforth give 'Immortal Trust' this size a thin slice of respect, with no major interests at stake, and no one will provoke him.

Besides the heads of the major societies, uncles and elders, jianghu big brothers, hall masters, leaders—regardless of size.

From now on, upon seeing Li Xin, everyone will address him as 'Xin Brother'; otherwise, they just don't know jianghu etiquette.

This 'Brother' is not about seniority, but jianghu reputation.

The heads of the major societies may not necessarily have higher jianghu reputation than him.

It's not that his strength is overwhelming; some hall masters of mid-sized societies could be much stronger than him, but in jianghu reputation there's no comparison.

Although these reputations are all gained by riding on others' coattails!

Never mind how these reputations came about; but, but, they are now all hanging on him.

In their hearts, it's as if eighteen vats of old Chen vinegar were poured, filling them with sourness from head to toe.

Eh, except for Chuen Bak.

Because Chuen Bak wants to die.

Today Uncle Deng and Blow Chicken refused to come, so they pushed him out.

Just one saying: whoever causes the trouble must clean it up.

Chuen Bak also feels wronged; it's not my pot at all! I support Big D, not Deng Fat's bastard's pot, right?

Mother of god, if I'd known the consequences were this serious, yesterday I'd have been beaten to death by that old bastard Shui Bo, and he wouldn't have fought back either—no regret medicine!

After the ceremony, Big D held the Prosperity red silk pole, just as he was about to return the United Victory red pole.

Chuen Bak spoke: "Big D, though the person leaves, the feeling remains; keep the red pole."

Uncle Deng said: "For the sake of the whole United Victory, the society owes you; United Victory will match you with double flowers, devote your loyalty and filial piety, and send you to the clouds. From today on, United Victory will send troops for you." Having said that, he turned and left, not even attending the banquet.

That's just empty talk; whoever believes it is a fool.

Mr. Jiang sneered, previously Axe Head Chun had crossed paths, fought United Victory several times, couldn't win, and even lost Tsim Sha Tsui, embarrassing himself.

This time he changed tactics, fully invoking loyalty and filial piety, raising Big D's jianghu reputation, hoping to make him wary.

Deng Fat, you underestimated me, Jiang Tian Sheng!

Thinking this, he put his hands on his hips and said to everyone present: "United Victory will match Big D with double flowers; I, Prosperity, accept it, and Big D will take the post of Second Route Marshal, receiving the double flowers."

All the jianghu people on site, looking at Jiang Tian Sheng's eyes, showed the proper respect.

United Victory pressured the palace; Jiang Tian Sheng directly placed the title of dragon-head candidate onto Big D's head.

In Prosperity, an unexpected dragon-head appeared; the double-flower red pole has the right to take over the society!

In other words, Mr. Jiang staked his life and fortune on the Prince and Big D.

This is entrusting one's life—what tremendous trust!

Big D clasped his fists, eyes red, voice choking: "Prosperity formerly bore the surname Jiang; from now on it can only be Jiang; I, Big D, do not acknowledge anyone else."

Having said that, he went straight to stand behind Mr. Jiang; he and the Prince, left and right, like two door gods, guarded the dragon-head.

The most senior on site, Victory Union's Yau Bak, shouted loudly: "Grasp the ladder to heaven with both hands, brothers hand in hand rise to the clouds." This fine jianghu tale will forever remain in jianghu legend. So, I, Victory Union, will also serve as a ladder for Prosperity.

Just as his words fell, Yau Bak walked toward Li Xin, placed the sandalwood fan in his hand, and said softly: "A Xin, this fan has accompanied me for twenty years; today I give it to you—may the long jianghu road retain a bond of incense, and someday we become brothers."

Damn! These old immortals! Why won't they die?

Not accepting would weaken the prestige of Thus line: Prosperity.

Accepting, Li Xin can only hold an idle post.

Mr. Jiang speechlessly watched everything happening before him. Uncle Yu, you and Uncle Deng are basically brothers, right? You're putting Thus line: Prosperity on the fire to roast?

The leaders of all the societies mockingly watched Jiang Tian Sheng. This time, is Thus line: Prosperity still thriving?

Already affected?

Li Xin looked at the old silver coin before him, took the fan, clasped his hands in salute, and said with a smile: "Let the incense bond remain; in the martial world, be brothers."

What are martial-world brothers? Everyone knows; those who don't are honest people.

Ignoring the old man, he turned to Jiang Tian Sheng and said: "Leader, you hold double fans, you're not just a rookie—voluntarily give up the leader position and step down from the main hall."

Mr. Jiang doesn't care about this fan, but it's hard to put it nicely—the fan is for strategizing; wearing two fans, who do you advise, who do you plan for?

Old silver coins and such—I hate them the most!

Already backed into a corner, what else can we do?

After thinking it over, he had an idea and said: "Alright, White Fan Li Xin, go to Xi Gong as Thus line: Leader, and be promoted to Second Route Marshal of Thus line: Prosperity."

Hey, old ginger is still spicy—Uncle Yu's move just abolished a Thus line: Prosperity leader; if he stirs things up a bit more, wouldn't there be a good show to watch?

Before this bunch of old silver coins could rejoice, Mr. Jiang spoke again: "The Xi Gong Thus line: Leader position will be inherited by the disciple of Second Route Marshal Li Xin." He then turned to the Thus line: Prosperity leaders and asked: "What do you all say?"

Fatty Lai pursed his lips: "You've said it all—what else are we supposed to say?"

Dare to utter a 'no'? He dares to guarantee you won't see tomorrow's sun.