Chapter 102: Seeking Benefit and Avoiding Harm

After traveling a short distance, Dao Bai Liu and his companions saw a crowd of figures rapidly approaching—about several dozen people rushing toward them. As they drew closer, it became clear that it was Deputy Chief Hong Yunshan leading his men to regroup. Among his group, only Hong Yunshan and a few gang members bore minor injuries. Also present were Wu Hao and Jin Peng, both looking dejected and silent, though not bound.

Notably absent was the Baisha Gang leader. Seeing Hong Yunshan nod in acknowledgment, Dao Bai Liu refrained from asking further questions, trusting Hong to handle matters. From this point on, whether Li Xiangqun lived or died, he would no longer leave Wuzhou City.

The group pressed onward toward the Baisha Gang’s main headquarters, where Tian Xi and others had already launched an assault. This was the Baisha Gang’s strongest base, and the resistance was fierce. Hong Yunshan glanced at Wu Hao and Jin Peng, who understood his unspoken message.

Wu Hao stepped forward and shouted inside, “Brothers, Gang Leader Li and Protector Du have been captured. The Baisha Gang now has no leader. Elder Jin and I have pledged allegiance to the Qing Gang. From now on, the two gangs will unite as one. I urge all brothers to be wise and avoid needless sacrifice.”

The Baisha Gang’s main hall, leaderless and barely holding on, erupted in cries, curses, and pleas for mercy. Before long, over a hundred members laid down their weapons and emerged. With Elders Wu and Jin having switched sides, many saw no point in futile resistance; for most, who led the gang mattered little—they fought merely to earn a living.

Only a few loyalists refused to yield, either fighting desperately or fleeing, but they were soon apprehended by the Qing Gang’s surrounding forces.

Dao Bai Liu and Hong Yunshan strode toward the Baisha Gang’s council hall, while Zhao Younong took Wu Hao and Jin Peng elsewhere to win over more Baisha members.

The Baisha Gang’s main hall was imposing, making the Qing Gang’s own headquarters seem shabby by comparison. Dao Bai Liu and Hong Yunshan exchanged glances, each seeing the excitement in the other’s eyes. This was one of the eight major gangs in the southern city, renowned and feared in the underworld. They had entered openly and honorably—something unimaginable in the past.

Tonight marked the Baisha Gang’s downfall; tomorrow, it would send shockwaves through the city’s underworld. The rise of the Qing Gang was set to begin this very night.

After cleaning the battlefield, Zhou Zhi entered the hall. Seeing only the two gang leaders present, he voiced his concern: “I fear those Baisha members who surrendered are not truly willing. If we accept everyone indiscriminately, might this not become a hidden danger?”

Dao Bai Liu and Hong Yunshan shared a smile; they had discussed this very issue. Dao Bai Liu replied, “I heard Young Master Yang say something once: in economics, human nature tends to ‘seek benefits and avoid harm.’ For now, accepting them is a show of strength, using their presence to bolster Qing Gang’s image. No matter their internal feelings, outsiders will see us as powerful and hesitate to provoke us. Although some may not submit at first, seeing other gangs avoid us will gradually make them feel our strength—and loyalty will follow. It’s a mutually dependent relationship.”

Hearing this, Zhou Zhi nodded, somewhat reassured.

Five days later, the Qing Gang held a grand banquet in the former Baisha Gang’s main courtyard.

In the preceding days, the situation had been unstable, and no one dared relax. Though the Baisha Gang was destroyed, none drank a drop, ready at any moment for another fight—no doubt some gang might attempt to exploit the chaos.

Early that morning, Dan Youxin had visited the seven major gangs—the Qingyang, Black Dragon, Mountain Wild, and others—bearing generous gifts. He had a prepared statement: the Baisha Gang and Qing Gang leaders had a blood feud; the Qing Gang’s destruction of Baisha was revenge. He urged other gangs not to interfere and assured them the Qing Gang would maintain relations formerly held by Baisha.

Having been established barely a month and separated from Baisha, the Qing Gang’s name was unknown to the other gangs. The eight major gangs had long balanced each other, so this sudden upheaval stirred unease. Though they feigned politeness to Dan Youxin, secretly they sent spies to investigate.

Their inquiries revealed startling facts: after Qing Gang took down Baisha, Li Xiangqun vanished, and Duan Yuanqing was imprisoned. The Qing Gang did not oppress Baisha’s members; instead, from leaders to elders, they actively sought to win them over with persuasion and incentives. Except for a small number loyal to Li Xiangqun who were expelled, most had joined Qing Gang.

Now, this once unknown Qing Gang numbered over eight hundred, with twenty-four masters in the fusion phase—its power at its zenith, surpassing the other seven gangs.

Under Leader Dao Bai Liu, members were reorganized under elders according to their merits and specialties, forming a tightly knit structure impervious to infiltration or disruption.

The other gang leaders were filled with regret. Overnight, an unknown gang had subtly become the top among the eight. None knew Dao Bai Liu’s ambitions, but all sensed a looming threat and privately allied in fear of sharing Baisha’s fate.

In truth, Dao Bai Liu, Hong Yunshan, and their allies were also cautious, living on edge these days. Though their power seemed overwhelming, it was like sudden wealth—unstable at its core. Their eight hundred members held varied intentions and uneven strengths, requiring time to unify.

If any two of the seven major gangs united against Qing, their defeat was certain. Thus, Dan Youxin worked tirelessly to forge alliances, buying time to stabilize their position.

It was only today that Qing Gang held this grand banquet, both to reward merit and to bond with newcomers. The Seven were well-prepared, fully alert, and mingled warmly with the newly joined.

Among them, “Cloud-Flipping Hand” Lu Wen fought valiantly in the recent battle. Though he did not surpass Duan Yuanqing, his prowess rivaled Zhao Younong’s. He was appointed Front Protector, commanding an elite squad alongside Tian Xi and Zhao Younong.

Others also received rewards, their spirits high. Even Wu Hao and Jin Peng, who had intervened to halt the fighting and reduce casualties, were credited with great merit. Though they and four other defectors held no real loyalty to Qing Gang, that mattered little. What mattered was Qing Gang’s rising tide—people naturally gravitate toward the powerful. Staying with Qing was better than being cast out of Wuzhou, wandering aimlessly.

The only mystery was the graceful martial artist seated next to the leader and deputy leader. He had neither fought nor earned rewards, yet Qing Gang’s top figures treated him with warmth, signaling he was no ordinary man. Many sought to befriend him.

This man was Yan Shuihan, responsible for training Qing Gang’s formations. With membership swelling by hundreds, his role grew heavier. In a few days, once the training was complete, he was to return to the Yang family to report.

Dao Bai Liu’s greatest headache was Duan Yuanqing, seriously wounded and currently receiving treatment. Qing Gang treated him well—both out of respect for his heroic spirit and in hopes of winning him over.

In recent days, Dao Bai Liu, Hong Yunshan, Dan Youxin, and others had repeatedly tried to persuade him to join Qing Gang, only to be met with fierce rebukes. Duan was resolutely proud and defiant, refusing to yield.

Dealing with him was a dilemma. Persuasion was impossible; his pride was unyielding. Releasing him was out of the question—Duan’s influence was high, and if he rallied the Baisha members, many might rebel.

Hong Yunshan suggested ending the matter swiftly by killing him. But Duan was a man of valor, and Dao Bai Liu hesitated to be the one to take such a figure’s life.

Amid this quandary, Zhou Zhi proposed a solution: since Yan Shuihan would soon return to the Yang family, why not send Duan Yuanqing and his family with him? Young Master Yang was kind-hearted and could provide proper care, while his family’s masters could restrain Duan, preventing him from returning to disrupt Qing Gang’s affairs.

After discussion, they agreed to inform Yan Shuihan of this plan, instructing him to take Duan and his family when he left in a few days.