Chapter 2865: Two Paths

Ye Chen's words instantly terrified Will Johnson and the other four men!

They never imagined that after enduring such humiliation and torture at Ye Chen's hands, they had hoped he might spare their lives, yet he had summoned the leader of the Chinese Gang and intended for them to be executed.

The five men were struck with terror. Will Johnson, his mouth full of blood, mumbled incoherently, "Mr. Ye... we have already done as you asked, please spare our lives..."

Ye Chen laughed. "If begging for mercy worked, you would never have had the chance to stain your hands with the blood and lives of others. Think back to those you killed—did they beg you before they died?"

With that, Ye Chen ignored Will Johnson and shoved the pistol directly into Ni Dawei's hand, his voice cold. "What are you waiting for?"

Looking at the pistol in his hand, Ni Dawei's expression was incredibly conflicted.

Naturally, Ni Dawei harbored deep hatred for the Burning Angels.

However, when Ye Chen actually placed the gun in his hand, he felt an inexplicable surge of nervousness.

He had spent years climbing the ranks of the Chinese Gang, and while he had often engaged in brawls and intimidation, he had never personally killed anyone.

Ye Chen's intent was clear: he wanted him to pick up the gun and execute these five enemies, one by one.

Ni Dawei began to worry about the consequences. If he really killed these five men here, would he spend the rest of his life fleeing from the police and the vengeance of the Burning Angels?

After all, he didn't believe the Chinese Gang stood a chance against the Burning Angels, let alone the Italians behind them.

Yet, Ye Chen's words had struck a deep chord within him.

Not only had he failed to lead the Chinese Gang out of Chinatown, but he had also allowed them to be beaten into retreat, leaving the entire neighborhood under the control of the Burning Angels. If he just ran away now, the Chinese Gang would be consigned to history.

Not only would the fallen brothers never rest in peace, but the merchants of Chinatown would suffer even more.

For a moment, Ni Dawei experienced a struggle and hesitation he had never known in his life.

Ye Chen, seeing his repeated hesitation, felt a wave of disappointment. "Cowardly, indecisive, timid, and wavering! Having a leader like you is a tragedy for the Chinese Gang and for all of Chinatown!"

Ni Dawei was overcome with shame, yet he still couldn't make a choice.

Just as he was at a loss, Qiangzai suddenly walked up to Ye Chen, extended a hand, and said firmly, "Mr. Ye, give me the gun. I'll do it!"

Chen Zekai frowned slightly, looking at him. "Qiangzai, if you kill these men, you might never be able to stay in the United States again."

"It doesn't matter, Uncle Zhong!" Qiangzai clenched his fists, his expression resolute. "If we don't deal with them, I'll just continue to be bullied and exploited as long as I stay in America! Besides, they deserve to die! I'm an illegal immigrant anyway; the worst that happens is I find a boat and leave. I'd rather never return than swallow this insult!"

He gritted his teeth and added, "But before I leave, I must kill as many of them as I can! I must avenge our fellow countrymen who died in Chinatown!"

Chen Zekai wanted to say something, but held back, looking instead to Ye Chen.

Ye Chen looked at Qiangzai and said very seriously, "Qiangzai, if you pull that trigger, you have two paths to choose from. The first path: I will arrange for you to leave the United States tonight, just as you said—never to return."

Ye Chen paused, his voice rising. "As for the second path: you stay here and kill more of those who deserve it!"

Qiangzai asked blankly, "Mr. Ye, what do you mean by the second path?"

Ye Chen's expression was stern, his tone resolute. "Stay here, and I will help you build a new Chinese Gang. From this day forward, whoever insults you, kill them! Whoever insults your brothers or your people, you kill them too!"

Qiangzai stood stunned. After a few seconds of hesitation, his eyes grew firm, and he nodded heavily. "Mr. Ye! I choose the second path!"

Ye Chen reminded him, "Once you choose this path, there is no turning back. Are you truly certain?"

Qiangzai replied without hesitation, "Mr. Ye, I am certain!"

He looked at Ni Dawei and said earnestly, "Dawei-ge is a good man, but he isn't suited to lead the Chinese Gang. I've watched the gang grow weaker, I've watched our people become scattered, and I've watched those foreign devils become increasingly arrogant. I'm not willing to accept this! If I have the chance to lead, I will do everything in my power to make the Chinese Gang strong—strong enough that no one in New York, or even all of America, dares to provoke us!"

Ye Chen nodded and looked at Chen Zekai. "Uncle Zhong, what is your opinion?"

Chen Zekai sighed softly. "Since Qiangzai has made his choice, I naturally support him. I know Qiangzai's character—he is decisive and courageous. He is indeed better suited to lead than Dawei. With your help, Young Master, I believe Qiangzai will surely be able to clear the path ahead!"

Ye Chen nodded slightly.

He could tell that Chen Zekai didn't want Qiangzai to walk this path.

But he also believed that Chen Zekai, like himself, could see that Qiangzai had already made his choice deep down.

He looked at the embarrassed Ni Dawei and asked, "And what is Mr. Ni's opinion?"

Ni Dawei coughed twice, stammering, "The Chinese Gang members are either dead or have fled. If Mr. Ye wants to support Qiangzai as the leader, he'll be a commander with no troops. It will be very difficult to develop..."

Ye Chen said coldly, "Looking down on yourself and disparaging others will only make you a self-pitying wretch. It will narrow your vision, lower your stature, and turn you into a useless piece of trash. Think about it: if Qiangzai fails, what good does it do you? Will it allow you to walk out of that hair salon with peace of mind? Will it allow you to become the big brother of the Chinese Gang again and dominate Chinatown?"

Ye Chen didn't wait for an answer, continuing, "I tell you, it won't! If Qiangzai fails, you will either spend your life hiding in your lover's hair salon, or you will never return to Chinatown! And in this life, you will never have another chance to turn things around!"

Ye Chen looked at him and countered, "What if Qiangzai succeeds? If you take a step back, you can continue to live in Chinatown with your head held high. If you take a step forward, you might even become a core member of the Chinese Gang. Weigh the pros and cons—I believe you can judge for yourself!"

Ni Dawei was overcome with shame upon hearing this.

He truly didn't believe in Qiangzai, and furthermore, Ye Chen had...

He really didn't think highly of Qiangzai, and what's more, Ye Chen