Era of Mist

"Stone, you’re not like Sanfan or Ah Hui. They’re just street thugs, but you’re not. I can tell you’re smart, capable, and more importantly, you have perseverance and character. Your calligraphy has already told me everything. And those things are the foundation of a man’s success." Wang Xingshun patted Shi Tiexin’s shoulders. "I have high hopes for you. I really believe in your future."

’Yep, yep, he’s so right, so right!’

"I’ll recommend you to the Squad Leader and promote you, so you can get ahead quickly. I’ll increase the investment in your crew, so you can continue to expand and recruit more men."

’Yep, yep, sounds great, sounds great!’

"I also heard the Hongshun Society made a move on you a while back. Don’t worry, I won’t forget about it. I’ll definitely find a chance to get revenge for you."

’Yep, yep, that’s awesome, that’s awesome!’

Wang Jijiu was a smooth talker. Every word warmed the heart; it was all so pleasant to hear!

’But why do I get the feeling there’s more to come?’

"Stone." Wang Xingshun looked at Shi Tiexin, his face full of sincerity. "I need someone to help me. I need *you* to help me. People like Sanfan and Ah Hui can’t be considered real help, because they’re lacking in too many ways. But you’re different. You can become my true right-hand man, my true pillar of support!"

"I’m not a hypocrite. I wouldn’t call over people like Sanfan and Ah Hui, say the same things, make the same promises, and let them think they’re one of a kind. I would never do something like that."

"I truly have high hopes for you."

"Stone, come on. Let’s achieve something truly great together. I, Wang Xingshun, don’t plan on being a so-called street boss forever, and neither will you. We have a brighter future ahead of us. And as long as I have a bite to eat, I’ll make sure you get your share."

Shi Tiexin fell silent, looking deeply at Wang Xingshun.

Wang Xingshun looked back at Shi Tiexin without pressing him, his face showing only a sincere invitation and anticipation.

Wang Xingshun’s meaning was already crystal clear. He wanted Shi Tiexin to go from being just a footsoldier in the organization to becoming Brother Fa’s direct subordinate—even a confidant who would leave the society with him.

’Why does he have such high hopes for me? And why does he trust me so much? Is it fate, his appreciation for my calligraphy, or something else?’ Shi Tiexin didn’t know. He felt it couldn’t be something so trivial. He felt he couldn’t see through this Brother Fa.

He suddenly recalled the special "Most Potential" award that had been created on the spot at the Tumu Castle calligraphy competition.

So Shi Tiexin nodded. He said a single word, but it was heavy and powerful, spoken with no regret.

"Alright."

’I’ll do it out of gratitude for his recognition.’

"Alright!" Wang Xingshun replied with the same single word, a smile slowly blooming on his face. The man, nearly fifty, was suddenly filled with soaring ambition. He declared in a resonant voice, "We’ll share the hardships and the riches. Let’s go do something great together!"

The knot of his consciousness suddenly trembled, and a familiar light pierced through the chaos.

[Mandate Mission Activated!]

[Mandate Mission 2: Eye of Freedom.]

[Description: Fear not the floating clouds that block your sight, for you are already at the highest level.]

[Completion Condition: Self-exploration]

[Completion Reward: Self-exploration]

’A Mandate Mission was activated?’

’All the more reason to do a good job, then.’

After exchanging a few more words, Shi Tiexin left, leaving the middle-aged man—written as Wang Xingshun, read as Brother Fa—alone in the study. All was silent. With no one else around, Wang Xingshun suddenly picked up the calligraphy scroll by Wang Lingbo. He examined it for a long moment with a complicated look in his eyes, then let out a deep sigh.

Then, he locked the scroll away, not to be hung, displayed, looked at, or thought about.

Shi Tiexin returned to the front courtyard.

The birthday party for the underworld boss Wang Xingshun, also known as Brother Fa—or Wang Dafu for short—was a lively affair. Although Wang Dafu, being a man of nearly fifty, left midway through and couldn’t last until the end, everyone else let loose even more after he was gone.

The guests at the party weren’t just figures from the criminal underworld; Shi Tiexin also ran into a few business owners. Their businesses weren’t particularly large or small, but listening to their interesting stories from the world of commerce was far more pleasant than dealing with a dimwit like Ah Hui.

A large number of beautiful women had been specially hired for the occasion, and they were very professional, accompanying the guests to eat, drink, play, and chat with great enthusiasm. They were especially enthusiastic toward those with higher status in the underworld, those who were brawny and fierce, those who were tall and imposing, and those who were handsome and dashing—Shi Tiexin, for example.

Hitting on them?

There was no need. If your gaze lingered on them for more than a second, they would wrap themselves around you and start speaking broken Mandarin. They’d try to say "Big Brother," but the shifting tones would produce all sorts of mangled variations.

Shi Tiexin knew these women were from Japan, likely here to earn money.

Ah Fei was very interested, as were the other underlings. Shi Tiexin, however, was not.

’"Fine wine in glowing cups, with piles of money and beautiful babes. Once you’ve seen the ocean, other waters fail to impress. With faces painted so thick, how could one not push them away?" Sigh, what a great poem, what a great poem. I feel like my mastery of rhetoric has been getting better and better lately. Just a moment ago I was showing off with classical quotes, and now I’m already composing my own!’

These girls, who had gathered here for money, truly couldn’t pass muster with Shi Tiexin’s Dharma Eye. The residents of his original worldline had strengthened their bodies through martial arts for generations, transforming and evolving. Coupled with good living conditions and high standards of hygiene, their average level of attractiveness was indeed a cut above the people here. Even among the girls in the Orphanage, there were always a few beauties.

Moreover, martial artists possessed a superior temperament and a more captivating presence.

Compared to the beauties from his world, these gaudily made-up vixens were utterly uninteresting.

’Although, that girl from the gym seemed pretty cute...’

After letting his mind race for a moment, he finished a bite of dessert, brushed off his clothes, and got up to leave. He had no more time to waste here. He had gained a lot from today’s birthday party. With Wang Dafu’s support, his street gang could finally begin to expand in earnest.

’Invest the money, train the men, dominate the streets, and climb the ladder step by step.’

Only by doing so could he truly "fear not the floating clouds that block your sight, for you are already at the highest level."

As Shi Tiexin walked away, Ah Hui stared at his back from behind, gritting his teeth and muttering under his breath, no doubt cooking up some half-baked scheme.

Starting the next day, Shi Tiexin’s Biker Gang indeed made a series of moves. Shi Tiexin racked his brains and came up with sixteen rules, which were officially announced and implemented. These sixteen rules clearly defined the Biker Gang’s hierarchy, the benefits for each rank, the rights and responsibilities of each rank, and, most importantly, the system of rewards and punishments.

Strict management and clear rewards and punishments were the proper way to lead subordinates.

As for things like checks and balances, there was no need for such needless complexity in a small Biker Gang like Shi Tiexin’s. Besides, his own abilities were more than enough to suppress any dissent. And so, the winds of reform swept through, and the biker boys gradually started to shape up.

Wang Dafu’s promise was quickly fulfilled. The money arrived immediately—more than five million in hard cash that left Ah Fei and the others dumbfounded. They felt deeply that their boss was truly held in high regard by Brother Fa, and so they followed him with even greater, unshakeable loyalty.