Because Jiang Wangzu’s accounting tables were clear and well organized.
Chen Tai even had his superior, third master Qin of the Cao Gang Elders' Council, praise him a few times.
From then on, Jiang Wangzu handled the gang’s income records for Rongsheng Street.
Chen Tai also thought more highly of him and rarely made him take part in violent affairs.
Now, he served as Chen Tai’s Accountant, collected Protection Fees, and watched over the Gambling Den.
Both jobs were far safer than collecting usurious loans or seizing territory!
Thus, Jiang Wangzu’s current goal was to lie low.
Once he obtained Chen Tai’s treasured Black Tiger Fist Manual, he would cultivate in secret and amaze everyone.
As for leaving the Cao Gang, it was not as though he had never considered it.
However, he had also witnessed Hei Wa’s fate today.
Once you enter the Jianghu, your body is no longer your own!
Those who enter the world must pay their debts in the end.
Even top gang leaders would find it far from easy to retire from the world and leave unscathed.
Let alone a low-level ruffian like him!
Especially not a major gang like the Cao Gang.
It valued rules and reputation even more.
The gang severely punished anyone who left without permission, without exception.
Under these circumstances, Jiang Wangzu did not dare take the risk.
He could only settle down and remain a Cao Gang Ruffian.
He recorded accounts and watched the gambling den in the morning.
He collected protection fees in the afternoon.
At night, he and A-Wei dumped Hei Wa’s body into the Longjiang.
Another fulfilling day!
On the way back after dumping the body, Jiang Wangzu and Zhang Wei passed through Xinglong Street.
This was the territory of the Blue Society, one of the Three Great Gangs of Shencheng.
The Blue Society, Cao Gang, and Hong Association were the Three Great Gangs of Shencheng.
The Cao Gang had a Warlord behind it, the Hong Association had a Financial Conglomerate behind it, and the Blue Society had Foreigners in the Concession behind it.
The three powers were irreconcilable, and their backers were also fighting one another.
Rongsheng Street and Xinglong Street were both prosperous commercial streets in the Lower City District. Since they lay close to each other, they competed for business.
That made Zhang Hongshun, the Blue Society’s Leader on Xinglong Street, and Chen Tai, the Leader of Rongsheng Street, sworn enemies.
Someone from the Blue Society had almost certainly clubbed Jiang Wangzu’s former self from behind.
But Jiang Wangzu had neither the strength nor the evidence.
Therefore, he had no way to avenge his former self.
As luck would have it, Jiang Wangzu and Zhang Wei ran straight into several Blue Society Ruffians from Xinglong Street on their way back from the Longjiang riverbank.
“Those two little punks from Rongsheng Street. Get them!”
The Ruffians sized up Jiang Wangzu and Zhang Wei. One of them recognized them at once.
The group drew their weapons and charged at Jiang Wangzu and Zhang Wei.
“Holy crap!”
“A-Wei, these guys are tough! Run for it!”
Jiang Wangzu turned and ran. He had no intention of staying to test himself against the Blue Society Ruffians.
Zhang Wei did not understand what Jiang Wangzu was muttering,
once he saw Jiang Wangzu sprint away, he stopped hesitating and ran for his life as well.
“That pretty boy is Chen Tai’s Mastermind. Cut him down!”
“Damn, this kid is handsome. Slash up his face! Shencheng won’t allow anyone this handsome to exist!”
“...”
Seven or eight Blue Society Ruffians chased Jiang Wangzu and Zhang Wei, wielding Short blades, iron clubs, axes, and other weapons.
Jiang Wangzu had cultivated the Body-Tempering Technique’s Iron Crotch Technique to Major Accomplishment, so he was much stronger than an ordinary person.
Thus, he surged far ahead, leaving Zhang Wei and the Blue Society ruffians far behind.
Zhang Wei darted into an alley and split off from Jiang Wangzu.
All he could hope for now was that Jiang Wangzu would help draw away some of the attackers.
Zhang Wei’s guess proved correct:
those men’s primary target was still Jiang Wangzu.
Only three people chased after him.
A full five continued pursuing Jiang Wangzu.
Jiang Wangzu sprinted wildly and, in his panic, ended up on the main street of Shencheng’s Upper City District.
He stopped, blinded by the neon lights before him.
After a long while, his eyes adjusted to the light, and he saw Shencheng’s number-one Dance Hall, Xianle Gate Dance Hall.
“Xianle Gate?”
“The owner behind Xianle Gate has an overwhelmingly powerful background. Even the Three Great gangs would not dare provoke it lightly. A bunch of Blue Society low-level ruffians definitely wouldn’t dare cause trouble here!”
Jiang Wangzu saw Xianle Gate’s flashing neon lights and headed inside without hesitation.
“Sir, the entrance fee is one thousand silver dollars!”
A moment later, a waiter in a suit, bow tie, and white gloves held out a hand to stop Jiang Wangzu.
Jiang Wangzu: “???”
Me?
Do I look like I’m worth one thousand silver dollars?
“Brother, I’m here to look for a job.”
“Do I look like I’m here to spend money?”
Jiang Wangzu’s eyes shifted, and he gave a faint smile.
The foot he had placed inside Xianle Gate withdrew without a sound.
“You’re applying through the back door? Judging by your appearance, you should have no trouble applying as a waiter!”
The tall, broad-shouldered waiter stood straight, studied Jiang Wangzu’s face, then smiled.
Xianle Gate was Shencheng’s number-one Dance Hall. Famous singers performed there almost every day, and every dancer was stunning.
Even applicants for male waiter positions here needed to have exceptional looks.
Therefore, when Jiang Wangzu said he had come to apply, the waiter did not doubt him.
“Thank you!”
“Thank you!” Jiang Wangzu clasped his fists, then headed for Xianle Gate’s back door.
“Knock, knock, knock!”
Jiang Wangzu arrived at the back door of Xianle Gate Dance Hall and knocked.
Creak!
A middle-aged man in a Black Long Gown opened the door, looked Jiang Wangzu up and down, and said:
“You’re here to apply as a male waiter, right? You’ve got a decent-looking face, kid. Go inside and register. Whether you get the job still depends on the manager’s interview and final approval.”
“Thank you!”
Jiang Wangzu slipped into Xianle Gate and breathed a sigh of relief.
In fact, he had been overthinking it. The Blue Society ruffians stopped chasing him as soon as they saw him enter the Upper City District.
This place lay outside the Blue Society’s territory, in the Upper City District. Its residents were rich or powerful; at the very least, they were middle class. The Ruffians did not dare cause trouble here.
Besides, they were already exhausted and gasping for breath. They no longer even had the strength to swing their knives, much less pursue Jiang Wangzu.
After entering through Xianle Gate’s back door, Jiang Wangzu left the long line of applicants. He had no intention of working as a waiter.
If Chen Tai, that mad dog, found out he was working part-time at Xianle Gate, he would subject him to the Gang Punishment of Three Knives and Six Holes!
That was far too brutal!
He went from the Rear Courtyard to the front hall.
Xianle Gate.
The front hall.
Neon lights flickered all around.
On the stage, youthful and fashionable dancers swayed their bodies.
A stunning woman with finger waves sang onstage in an ornate Qipao and high heels.
“When Xianle Gate opens, neon lights become an ocean.”
“Champagne glimmers like gold, and old dreams awaken!”
“...”