Era of Mist

OONTS OONTS OONTS OONTS. Slipping on his premium headphones and listening to the dynamic music thumping in his ears, Shi Tiexin felt every cell in his body come alive. The Head Honcho began his day just like any other.

The life of a head honcho was busy, tense, and thrilling. But now, with a change in his mentality, things he once couldn’t wait to avoid had become rather enjoyable.

’Hello viewers, hello students. That’s right. Today, my Head Honcho’s Motivational Seminar will be about your attitude toward life. Recently, your big brother—that’s me—has realized one simple truth: Attitude. Is. Everything.’

’Only by facing life with a positive attitude will life become better. Only by facing work with a positive attitude will work go more smoothly.’

’For example, when you’re in a street brawl, don’t just think about the pain, or how dangerous it is. Is there any job in this world that isn’t dangerous? What you should be thinking is: as long as we win, every punch you take becomes a medal, and every slash of your knife becomes a meritorious deed. As long as you win, those medals and deeds will turn into Dragon Coins.’

’Win, and you have everything. Lose, and every beating you took, every injury you suffered, was for nothing. So when you fight, you have to win. You *must* win.’

(—Flying Car Family, March 12 Report: Last night, the Black Venerable led forty-two of his men into a street brawl with a motorcade belonging to the Hongshun Society, achieving a decisive victory and expanding his controlled territory by a full four city blocks.)

’Here’s another example. When you’re facing a counterattack from the remnants of the New Rangyi, don’t just think about the danger, or how terrifying it is that the enemy is coming to kill you. Isn’t it a good thing that the enemy is showing their face? What you should be thinking is: These bastards are finally here! I’ve been waiting for you for a long time. Today, I’m sending you all straight to Hell!’

’Think like that, and you won’t panic, right? As long as your heart is calm, you can always turn the tables.’

(—Flying Car Emperor, March 16 Report: Three days ago, the New Rangyi selected a new leader known as the Ashen Samurai, who vowed to completely annihilate the Black Venerable’s faction. Yesterday at 10:18 PM, the New Rangyi launched a surprise attack on the Black Venerable’s motorcade but was routed by a counter-attack. In the conflict, the New Rangyi suffered twenty-four fatalities. Casualties on the Black Venerable’s side are unknown but not severe. In the aftermath, famous racers such as Lady Pe and the Tokyo Wolf have spoken out, condemning the New Rangyi for attacking without a declaration of war.)

’Everyone, life is full of disappointments, but don’t always think about running away.’

’Is running away ever the answer? If you leave your line of work, will you find your dream job? If you flee Tokyo Bay, will you find some idyllic, distant shore?’

’I’m telling you, leaving this line of work will only lead to a more wretched existence, and you’ll just have to start from the bottom in a new industry. All the suffering you went through becomes a sunk cost. You’ll have to be the new guy all over again, letting people order you around and yell at you whenever they please.’

’And running away from Tokyo Bay is even more laughable. Where would you go? The Kansai region is ablaze with war, the fighting is apocalyptic. You might not even get a chance to eke out an existence there. Heading east is no good either. Hokkaido is buried in snow. There’s only a distant land, but no poetry. Only giant icicles and nothing to eat.’

(—Asahi Shimbun, March 19 Report: Large-scale bloody conflicts have broken out in the Kansai Region. Many shopping malls and supermarkets in Osaka Prefecture have been vandalized and looted, with the number of injured and dead continuing to rise. The Hokkaido Region has been hit by a blizzard; many houses have collapsed under the weight of the snow, and roads are severely blocked. The government is unable to clear the snow. Large numbers of villagers have lost power and internet, and are out of contact. The supply of living essentials is expected to become a major problem.)

’So, everyone, face life and your career with positivity. Only by actively participating in building up the gang with a positive mindset can you feel like you’re a part of the gang—and one of its future masters.’

’The gang is like a fledgling that needs every hand to care for it before it can soar like an eagle. The gang is like a baby that needs everyone’s care to grow up healthy.’

’Only when you give to your work will your work give back to you. Only when you smile at life will life smile back at you.’

’Everyone wants freedom. What is freedom?’

’Freedom isn’t being a happy couch potato at home.’

’In this day and age, there’s no such thing as a happy couch potato.’

’Look at those unemployed vagrants. Are they happy couch potatoes? No. They can only wander about numbly, groaning in pain, and complaining with resentment. Their hearts are filled with negative emotions; they are steeped in nothing but hatred and despair. They possess everything, yet believe they have nothing, and in the end, they truly become nothing.’

(—Tokyo Daily, March 21 Report: The influence of the Savior Sect continues to expand, with more and more people joining. In recent days, Savior Sect members have repeatedly used aggressive methods to proselytize, with incidents even including forced entry, kidnapping, and human trafficking. We hope the public will be on high alert. This is a developing story followed by our reporter, Matsubara Kyoko.)

’Freedom is not escapism. Freedom is not fantasy. Freedom is not self-deception.’

’Freedom is certainly not a flimsy balloon, so easily grasped. It requires you to put in more effort, more persistence. To be steadfast and unyielding, to follow your leader—that’s me—and strive forward, always and forever.’

’Only then, in the not-too-distant future, will we see what freedom truly looks like.’

’Ride the storm and charge with me; rule all that your eyes can see.’

’Fear no clouds that block your sight, for you already stand on the highest height.’

’Now *that* is what I call freedom.’

’Thank you, everyone!’

—

"Boss, Boss, time to eat!"

Hm?

Shi Tiexin jolted back to his senses and found his Four Heavenly Kings all looking at him. He waved a hand casually. "Keep eating, keep eating."

Mai Ba leaned over curiously. "Boss, you looked pretty deep in thought just now. What were you thinking about?"

’What was I thinking about? I was thinking up some motivational bullshit! I’ve even got the whole speech worked out. Hey guys, want to hear a bit of it—’

𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

"Big Brother must be thinking about important matters for the gang’s development," Guo Bing said with a look of complete trust. "Thinking about the future even while he’s eating. You truly are our Big Brother."

Ahem!

Seeing the worshipful look on Guo Bing’s face, Shi Tiexin didn’t have the heart to tell him he was just thinking about motivational fluff. He could only say casually, "Many calculations lead to victory; few calculations lead to defeat. How much more no calculation at all? As the Big Brother, of course I have to consider things thoroughly."

"Wow! As expected of Big Brother!"

"You’re so cultured! I didn’t even understand it!"

The Four Heavenly Kings were immediately awestruck.

"Relax, Boss, no need to be so tense. We’re developing really well right now. The gang’s already grown to a hundred people, I took over the second floor of the hangout bar, and our territory is gradually expanding. We’re already one of the top ten gangs in Tokyo now."

"Yeah, yeah, we’re totally badass now."

"I think the Boss just puts too much pressure on himself. He needs to relax."

"Yeah, the Boss has never really had any fun."

"Why don’t we take the Boss out for some fun today?" Mai Ba suggested. "Rage D, you drive. Lanzai Fei, you make the arrangements. Guo Bing, you pay."

"Alright, it’s settled then!" Ah Fei looked at Shi Tiexin. "Boss, what do you say?"