Chapter 28: The Choice for Big Boss

Never mind!

To climb to power by any means is the mark of a cruel heart.

Chen Mu and Huang Feiyang may be gang members, but their values are more upright than most people's.

Huang Feiyang previously served as acting boss, appointed by Xie Hong himself.

This favor of promotion is also a debt.

Huang Feiyang prefers to earn the position of big boss by expanding territory.

The Big Knife Gang's system is somewhat different from other gangs.

The current boss, Guan Tong, is only thirty years old and has reached the Eighth Stage of Postheaven.

Eight years ago, the old boss died from severe injuries; Guan Tong became the new boss, but most of the big bosses and chapter leaders below him were dissatisfied and kept sabotaging him.

At that time, Guan Tong's realm was only the Sixth Stage of Postheaven.

But he was ruthless—he killed some, won over others, and subdued the rest, securing his position as boss.

Then he reformed.

Originally, the Big Knife Gang was much like other gangs: big bosses and small bosses held great power, and they only had to hand over thirty percent of the monthly protection money.

The boss's orders required cooperation from the big bosses to carry out; the rank-and-file members recognized only the big bosses and small bosses.

As for the boss?

He was just a figurehead.

After Guan Tong's reforms, power was reclaimed. Funds and personnel were centrally managed.

Big bosses and small bosses now received fixed monthly pay, identical to the rank-and-file; they only earned bonuses when fighting other gangs.

But if someone expanded territory and seized a new district, they gained considerable autonomy.

They only had to hand over half the protection money collected within their jurisdiction; the rest they could use freely.

Personnel were the same—they could recruit their own, but under headquarters' supervision.

But seizing territory isn't easy?

Most die during the process of seizing territory.

Huang Feiyang knew this well.

So he planned to keep training, to become stronger.

If he advanced to the Third Stage of Postheaven, his chances of seizing a district would greatly increase!

But.

What Chen Mu and Huang Feiyang hadn't expected was that three days after their discussion, things changed.

That afternoon, Xie Hong summoned all the small bosses—Huang Feiyang, Yu Baoliang, and the rest.

"I've called you here to announce something."

Xie Hong spoke gently, "Recently, we seized many districts from the Green Snake Gang and the Blood Wolf Gang. After negotiations, both gangs have agreed to cooperate, relinquish these districts, and transfer them all to Changning Fang."

"From now on, Changning Fang belongs to the Big Knife Gang!"

"Thanks to the boss's favor, Brother Hong has been assigned to manage Changning Fang. The affairs here will be taken over by someone else."

"Wait…," Yu Baoliang said, puzzled, "are you saying you're stepping down as big boss?"

"Are you stupid?" a bald giant beside him snapped, "He's being transferred, not stepping down—he'll still be big boss in Changning Fang."

"Correct."

Xie Hong smiled, "With an additional large district, the gang has decided to create a new big boss position. The new big boss will take over here and become your new leader!"

"Brother Xie, can I come with you?" Yu Baoliang quickly said, "I'm a lone wolf—wherever I go, it's the same."

"I…" Huang Feiyang wanted to echo him.

"Not yet!"

Xie Hong shook his head, "Changning Fang is large, with many streets—it'll take time to fully take over. You're not from there; going over would only restrict you. The boss's order is to transfer people from two neighboring districts."

"Besides, although the Green Snake Gang and Blood Wolf Gang agreed to withdraw, the handover won't be smooth—it'll take at least a month."

"During this time, if any of you break through and become a full martial cultivator, you can replace me as big boss!"

"Otherwise, the new big boss will be sent from headquarters."

As he finished, Xie Hong laughed.

He'd just thought of this idea—if one of his small bosses broke through, they could take his place.

But how likely was that?

"Break through in a month?" Yu Baoliang shrugged helplessly, "If I could break through, I'd have done it already. Feiyang, can you break through?"

Yu Baoliang turned to Huang Feiyang, intending to tease him—but Huang Feiyang's expression turned serious, and he hesitantly raised his hand: "Uh… I just broke through."

"Oh, you broke through, huh… What? You broke through?"

Yu Baoliang jolted upright, staring at Huang Feiyang in shock: "Feiyang, you've become a martial cultivator?"

"Impossible!" The bald giant's eyes widened; he stood up, glaring at Huang Feiyang: "How could you break through? How long have you trained?"

The others, hearing this, were equally stunned, their gazes darting over Huang Feiyang.

How long had Huang Feiyang been a small boss?

If he broke through and replaced Xie Hong as big boss, wouldn't that be unbelievable?

"Good."

Xie Hong, both surprised and delighted, clapped his hands, stood, and walked toward Huang Feiyang: "Feiyang, show us."

"Alright." Huang Feiyang activated his cultivation technique, channeling internal energy into his arms.

In the next instant, his skin glowed with a bronze luster.

The hallmark of the First Stage of Postheaven!

"Haha, well done!" Xie Hong laughed heartily.

Yu Baoliang was also beaming. He reached out and patted Huang Feiyang's shoulder. "Brother Feiyang, that's remarkable, impressive—you've broken through to become a martial artist already. By the way, Feiyang, the internal cultivation method you've been practicing is the 'Coiling Cloud Art'?"

"That's right."

Huang Feiyang retracted his cultivation, his skin returning to normal. "The month before last, I learned the 'Coiling Cloud Art' at the martial hall. If it weren't for the Guo family…"

"That's still very impressive."

Yu Baoliang picked up the thread. "So many people practice the 'Coiling Cloud Art,' yet only a handful break through to become martial artists. Brother Feiyang's success shows his talent is extremely high."

"That's the logic of it." Xie Hong nodded in agreement. "Having Feiyang take over from me couldn't be better. You wait here—I'm heading to headquarters right now to report this matter."

"Boss Xie!"

Hearing this, Huang Feiyang quickly cupped his fists and bowed respectfully to Xie Hong.

Xie Hong raised a hand and strode away.

Yu Baoliang and the others offered their congratulations on the side.

Only the bald, burly man's face looked ugly; he lowered his head, his lips moving slightly.

He said nothing, turned, and left.

And very quickly, headed for a certain place.

A street where the Great Saber Gang's headquarters was located!

"Knock knock~"

He raised a hand and knocked on the door.

The courtyard gate opened, and a lean, wiry man walked out from inside.

"Brother Yang, what brings you here?" Sun Gang called out warmly. "Come, come, let's talk inside."

"Boss Sun, something's happened."

The bald, burly man walked into the room, closed the door, and said quickly, "Someone has taken over the big-headman position that Xie Hong vacated!"

"What?"

Sun Gang's face changed, and he growled in a low voice, "Who? Who's stuck their hand in?"

"Not from headquarters—it's someone on our side, a small-headman named Huang Feiyang. He just broke through and became a martial artist!"