Chapter 118 【Rise to Power】Double Chapter

Gu Feng's words made Chen Yuan's expression change several times in succession. Then she narrowed her eyes, her gaze toward Gu Feng's back brimming with defiance.

Compared to Chen Yuan, the others' expressions were even uglier. As elite members of the T6 unit, they all carried a fair amount of arrogance. Being scolded by Gu Feng like pugs, they were far from convinced.

"It's only a 24-hour delay, isn't it?" one team member muttered discontentedly.

"Shut up!" Chen Yuan turned her head and gave the team member a cold glance, then said, spacing her words for emphasis: "From now on, follow Captain Gu's arrangements completely. If anyone dares to disobey orders, I'll be the first to deal with you!"

Everyone was startled by Chen Yuan's words. In their memory, Chen Yuan was a very driven woman. Although she was strong-willed, she was seriously capable, which was why she became their team leader.

"Let's go!" With no one voicing objections, Chen Yuan waved her hand. Everyone followed behind her, walking toward Gu Feng ahead.

Hearing the footsteps of Chen Yuan and the others, Gu Feng did not turn around. He was extremely angry about Chen Yuan and the others' unexcused delay. Although the T6 unit wasn't China's best special forces, it was a covertly assembled unit by the Military Commission, and every member was outstanding. Precisely because they were outstanding, Gu Feng was even more furious.

Following orders is a soldier's duty. If ordinary soldiers can do it, but excellent soldiers cannot, wouldn't that be infuriating?

After entering the hospital, Gu Feng made a point of heading toward the hospital garden. The earlier meeting was just to put them in their place; next, there were tasks to assign to them.

The silvery moonlight scattered across the hospital garden, as if draping the flowers, plants, and trees in a silver coat. The garden's street lamps emitted a soft glow, clearly illuminating every corner of the garden.

Ling Yongbing's death had prompted the hospital director to impose restrictions on the patients, strictly prohibiting them from moving around the hospital freely and confining them to their wards.

Consequently, the entire garden was empty and exceptionally quiet.

Gu Feng walked to the center of the garden, glanced around to ensure no one else was there, then turned his head, his expression cold as he watched Chen Yuan and the others approach from behind.

Chen Yuan and the others stopped about two meters away from Gu Feng, automatically forming a line. They all looked at Gu Feng, waiting for his instructions.

"Your specific tasks here, I believe the higher-ups have already sent them to you," Gu Feng said, looking at Chen Yuan and the others slowly and clearly. "The higher-ups' requirements are clearer to you than to me. I don't want to repeat them here! I'll only say one thing here, just one, and that is obedience!"

At this point, Gu Feng narrowed his eyes, sweeping a cold gaze over each person's face. Including Chen Yuan, everyone instinctively averted their eyes under Gu Feng's sharp stare, not daring to meet his gaze.

"Remember, absolute obedience!" Gu Feng stressed, then asked, "Among you, who is skilled at gathering intelligence?"

"Reporting, Captain, I am skilled at gathering intelligence!" The speaker was a young man with a southern accent. He wasn't tall, his build wasn't particularly burly, but his eyes were dark and bright, giving off a shrewd impression.

"I want to know the current situation of the Dong Xing Gang. I don't care what methods you use. Within three days, I want a detailed report!" Gu Feng said seriously. "To deal with the Red Star Gang, the Dong Xing Gang has allied with the Hong Kong branch of the Macau He family. Also, Thailand's Shui Lian Gang has sent people over. Most importantly, Xiang Tianhua spent money to hire a competent mercenary unit to deal with Ling Yongbing. Your main task is to find out where that mercenary unit is hiding and where the people sent by the Shui Lian Gang are hiding."

"Yes, Captain!" the team member answered gravely.

"To avoid exposing your identities, you are forbidden from using any official connections. Everything must rely on ourselves," Gu Feng added. "In other words, from now on, you are no longer a group of soldiers, but a group of underworld figures!"

Gu Feng's voice wasn't loud, but everyone heard him clearly. They were all taken aback.

Before coming, including Chen Yuan, all the team members thought they would be in a straight-up fight with Hong Kong's gangs. So, they had acted disdainful. To them, equipped with sophisticated weapons to deal with a bunch of gangsters would be easier than killing chickens. However, hearing Gu Feng's words now, they realized things weren't as simple as they thought.

"Conceal our identities?" Chen Yuan asked somewhat puzzled.

"Yes, conceal your identities. You cannot use any official connections, not even contact the Hong Kong Garrison," Gu Feng confirmed with a nod.

"Why?" Chen Yuan was very confused.

"This is an order!" Gu Feng replied coldly, then said, "Chen Yuan, take the other team members and leave. Leave two people behind."

"Da Shitou and Tiedan, stay!" Chen Yuan thought for a moment and said, "The rest, come with me!"

Before Chen Yuan and the others arrived in Hong Kong, the Old Boss had already purchased a residence for them in Hong Kong through special channels, and a company registered in Gu Feng's name had also been set up. However, having been busy with the Zifeng Middle School anniversary these past two days, Gu Feng hadn't gone to check it out.

Seeing that the instructions had been clearly given, Gu Feng didn't say anything more. After Chen Yuan left Da Shitou and Tiedan behind, she led the others away. The guy skilled at gathering intelligence had the nickname "Antenna." He had specialized in this line of work back in the unit. Antenna didn't go back with Chen Yuan and the others; instead, he followed Gu Feng's arrangement and went to gather intelligence as ordered.

Perhaps because Gu Feng had left a very serious and cold impression on everyone from the start, Da Shitou and Tiedan didn't speak, just stood quietly in place.

Da Shitou was a burly man with thick eyebrows and big eyes, looking very formidable.

Tiedan, on the other hand, was the opposite of Da Shitou. He was short, with dark skin, and looked very agile.

Gu Feng glanced at the two of them. He noted immediately that although Da Shitou was tall and big, he had a very solid stance, and the bones on his fists were mostly worn flat. Clearly, Da Shitou was a skilled fighter.

Tiedan's characteristics were also obvious. His right-hand fingers had a layer of calluses, a sign left from practicing with guns.

"You two will stay by my side and act according to my orders. Don't ask unnecessary questions without my command," Gu Feng said after thinking for a moment.

Although the two didn't have a good impression of Gu Feng, they still nodded.

At that moment, Gu Feng's phone suddenly rang. Gu Feng picked up the phone, glanced at the number, and his expression turned slightly strange.

Da Shitou and Tiedan were both sharp. Seeing Gu Feng's expression, they naturally knew the call was very important to him. Without waiting for Gu Feng's order, they quickly walked out of the garden.

"Hello, Jia Ying?" Meanwhile, Gu Feng answered the call.

On the other end of the line, Lin Jiaying softly acknowledged, then asked, "When are you coming back? I've already prepared the meal. You can eat as soon as you get back."

Lin Jiaying's words warmed Gu Feng's heart a little. However, thinking about what he had to do next, Gu Feng said somewhat helplessly, "Jia Ying, I have something very important today. I can't come back to have dinner with you. You go ahead and eat by yourself."

"Oh." Lin Jiaying's tone sounded a bit disappointed. "Then when will you be back?"

"That... I can't be sure yet," Gu Feng said truthfully. "By the way, Jia Ying, I'll be quite busy these next two days. Why don't you go back home and stay for a couple of days?"

On the other end of the line, Lin Jiaying didn't answer Gu Feng immediately. Instead, she pondered for a moment, then asked softly, "Gu Feng, did I do something wrong somewhere?"

Her tone carried a hint of worry.

"No, Jia Ying, that's not what I meant," Gu Feng explained. "It's just that I really have very important matters these few days."

Getting Gu Feng's reply, on the other end, Lin Jiaying's furrowed brows relaxed, and her tone became much lighter: "I understand. Then focus on your work. Don't worry about me. I'll take care of myself."

After casually chatting with Lin Jiaying for a couple more sentences, Gu Feng hung up the phone.

Looking at the cold moon in the sky, Gu Feng put his phone back in his pocket and couldn't help but sigh softly. Matters concerning the underworld could not be let known to Lin Jiaying.

Outside the garden, Da Shitou and Tiedan didn't speak, just silently followed behind Gu Feng.

When Gu Feng brought Da Shitou and Tiedan back to Ling Yongbing's ward, Biao Zi was sitting on the sofa smoking with his head down, while Ling Wei sat beside Ling Yongbing like an idiot, staring blankly.

Seeing Gu Feng enter, Biao Zi looked up at him, simultaneously glancing at Da Shitou and Tiedan.

When Biao Zi saw the hands of Da Shitou and Tiedan, a strange glint flashed in his originally indifferent eyes. Clearly, Biao Zi had noticed that the two were not ordinary. However, Biao Zi didn't say anything, continuing to lower his head and smoke.

After entering, Gu Feng walked straight to Biao Zi's side and sat down.

Da Shitou and Tiedan instinctively glanced at the hospital bed. When they saw Ling Yongbing lying on the bed, pale and lifeless, their expressions changed. With their keen eyes, they could naturally tell Ling Yongbing was already dead. And they clearly also knew Ling Yongbing's identity, which was why they were surprised.

Surprised as they were, they firmly remembered Gu Feng's earlier words and didn't say anything. They just exchanged a glance and then silently walked to stand behind Gu Feng, looking like his bodyguards.

"I've already called to notify them. They'll be here soon," Biao Zi spoke, his tone devoid of any emotion. "However, one of them died. Now there are only five left."

Gu Feng nodded, indicating he understood.

About ten minutes later, hurried footsteps sounded in the corridor. Without waiting for Gu Feng to speak, Biao Zi was the first to stand up, stubbed out his cigarette, and walked out.

Moments later, led by Biao Zi, a stocky man just under five-foot-seven and over 180 pounds, with a pronounced beer belly, walked in. Xiong Wu had originally brought two subordinates, but upon entering, they knowingly stayed outside.

Xiong Wu's expression was grim; clearly, he realized something important was about to happen.

After entering, he glanced curiously at Gu Feng, then turned his gaze toward the bed.

Seeing Ling Yongbing lying motionless with his eyes closed, Xiong Wu's face suddenly changed, and he asked Biao Zi in alarm, "Brother Biao... the boss?"

"Take a seat first," Biao Zi did not answer the question.

Having clawed his way up to Chapter Leader in the Red Star Gang, Xiong Wu was perceptive and intelligent. He naturally understood the implication in Biao Zi's words, and his expression immediately became quite strange, as if he couldn't believe Ling Yongbing was really gone.

Ling Yongbing's death was a heavy blow to the portly man. Sitting in his seat, he took out a cigarette, puffing on it while lost in thought.

Soon after, the other four Chapter Leaders of the Red Star Gang arrived at the ward one after another.

Like Xiong Wu, when they saw Ling Yongbing lying on the bed with his eyes closed, their faces registered shock.

A palpable, eerie tension filled the ward. Aside from Gu Feng, Biao Zi, and Ling Wei, everyone's expression was uneasy.

Stone and Tiedan looked uneasy because they recognized that everyone in the ward were core members of the Red Star Gang. They were baffled why Gu Feng was mixed up with this crowd.

As for the Red Star Chapter Leaders, they were shocked by Ling Yongbing's death. Additionally, they were very curious about why Gu Feng, an outsider, was present.

"Everyone's here. If we're having a meeting, let's move to the conference room," Biao Zi suggested, glancing at Gu Feng.

Gu Feng nodded, thought for a moment, and said to Stone and Tiedan beside him, "You two guard the door of this room. No one is to enter the ward without my orders."

"Yes!" Stone and Tiedan answered in unison.

Meanwhile, including Xiong Wu, the five Chapter Leaders looked at Biao Zi with puzzled expressions, but Biao Zi didn't elaborate.

Then, led by Biao Zi, Gu Feng and the five Chapter Leaders arrived at the hospital's conference room.

As a famous private hospital in Hong Kong, Taihang Hospital's conference room was very large, over a hundred square meters. In the center was a long, oval mahogany table, surrounded by some expensive chairs.

Upon entering, Biao Zi gave Gu Feng a look, then sat in the second seat, leaving the head seat for Gu Feng.

The five men noticed Biao Zi's action, their expressions shifting as they vaguely guessed what it meant.

After Xiong Wu and the others sat down, Biao Zi looked up, scanned the five with his dull eyes, and said calmly, "The boss is dead."

Although they already had an inkling, hearing Biao Zi say it out loud still made their hearts hammer in their chests, and their faces darkened.

Recently, with the ongoing battles between the Dong Xing Gang and the Red Star Gang, they had all been living on a knife's edge. Ling Yongbing was their main pillar of support. Now that he was dead, they began to worry about their own futures.

"Before he died, the boss handed over the leadership to Mr. Gu," Biao Zi continued, his tone flat and unemotional. "From now on, you are to follow Mr. Gu's orders without question!"

Biao Zi's words sent a shock through the five men!

"Brother Biao, why would the boss hand the gang over to an outsider?" Xiong Wu spoke up. As he did, the other four also looked at Biao Zi with equally questioning looks. In their view, it would have been normal for Ling Yongbing to hand the leadership to Biao Zi; they wouldn't have objected. But handing it to Gu Feng shocked them, as Gu Feng was a complete outsider.

"It was the boss's dying wish," Biao Zi's tone remained cold.

Biao Zi's words left Xiong Wu and the others speechless. The Red Star Gang was built by Ling Yongbing single-handedly; he had every right to entrust it to Gu Feng.

Out of respect for Biao Zi's standing, none of the five refuted, though their expressions were somewhat unnatural. After all, Gu Feng was an outsider. Even if they acknowledged he was now the boss, they still couldn't fully accept it.

Biao Zi read their faces, then looked up at Gu Feng, his look saying that from here on, it was up to Gu Feng himself.

Gu Feng gave Biao Zi a slight nod, then gently tapped the table. After drawing the attention of Xiong Wu and the others, he said slowly, "Listen up, Biao Zi spelled it out clearly just now. If you have any questions or dissatisfaction, say your piece."

The five exchanged glances. Then, it was still Xiong Wu who spoke: "Mr. Gu, although we don't know why the boss passed his position to you, I'd like to know what you plan to do next..."

"Xiong Wu!" Before he could finish, Biao Zi suddenly looked up, giving him a cold stare.

Xiong Wu couldn't help but tremble under Biao Zi's cold gaze, lowering his head in fear.

Gu Feng noted Xiong Wu's expression. He could see that all five, including Xiong Wu, were very afraid of Biao Zi. However, fear aside, now that Ling Yongbing was dead, unlike Biao Zi who was focused on revenge, these five were concerned about their own futures!

As Chapter Leaders of the Red Star Gang, while not the top echelon in Hong Kong, they were still local figures of note, living luxurious lives. Now, with Ling Yongbing dead and the Red Star Gang facing collapse, their good days were ending. For people like them in the underworld, once a gang falls, their only option is to flee!

Otherwise, given the underworld's practice of eliminating all threats, staying behind would mean certain death.

"I understand that all five of you are very dissatisfied with Mr. Ling handing the leadership to me," Gu Feng spoke, his voice very low. "I can empathize with that. If I were in your shoes, I'd be dissatisfied too."

At this point, Gu Feng's tone suddenly shifted. "I can choose not to be the boss. I can hand the position to one of you five. But you must guarantee that you can prevent the Red Star Gang from collapsing and ensure that the brothers under you have food to eat! Can you do that?"

The five were not fools. At this point, the position of boss held little real power unless one could also gain control of Ling Yongbing's assets.

"Boss, do you have a plan?" This time, it was a bespectacled middle-aged man who spoke. The man had lost half his hair and was balding.

"If I didn't have a way to protect the Red Star Gang, would Mr. Ling have entrusted it to me?" Gu Feng didn't answer directly but instead posed a question.

No one answered. The answer was obvious. Ling Yongbing was a smart man; he wouldn't make a choice without reason. Xiong Wu and the others understood this.

After about a minute of silence, Xiong Wu and the others exchanged glances. Then, as if reaching some agreement, they finally had Xiong Wu speak as their representative: "Boss, as long as you can guarantee that the Red Star Gang won't collapse, we will all obey you."

All five were smart. If the Red Star Gang collapsed, they would lose their status and position, ending up with nothing. Rather than resenting Gu Feng, an outsider, for taking the leadership, it was better to join forces with him and fight, giving them a chance to preserve their standing.

At their age, they had grown accustomed to peaceful days. They could no longer fight for underworld status like in their youth. They couldn't bear to leave their current positions or let go of their identities.

"From now on, you are to relinquish all your territories, gather your men, and assemble at the Ling family villa," Gu Feng thought for a moment and said gravely. "Remember, only the core members. Leave out the peripheral ones!"

The five nodded in agreement.

"Alright, go and handle this now. Wait for further orders at the villa." Seeing them agree, Gu Feng ended the meeting.

Subsequently, led by Xiong Wu, the five left the hospital. Among their subordinates, Gu Feng saw A Long, the same A Long he had sparred with before. A Long was one of Xiong Wu's men.

Seeing Gu Feng, A Long appeared very shocked. However, due to the tense atmosphere, he didn't come over to speak, merely nodding in greeting.

After the five left with their subordinates, Biao Zi also prepared to leave.

"Biao Zi," Gu Feng called out just as he was about to leave.

Biao Zi turned back and looked at Gu Feng calmly. "Is there something else?"

"I know you're going to find that guy called Black Bear from the Dong Xing Gang to inquire about Xiang Tianhua's whereabouts and personally assassinate him," Gu Feng walked up to Biao Zi and stared into his emotionless eyes. "I understand your desire for revenge, and I won't stop you."

Gu Feng's words caused a slight change in Biao Zi's expression. He gave a faint twist of his lips and said softly, "Thank you."

"I won't stop you from seeking revenge, but you need to help me finish handling the gang's affairs first," Gu Feng's expression was very serious.

Biao Zi was slightly taken aback. "You've already taken over. Xiong Wu and the others are fully obeying your commands. What else is there?"

"Biao Zi, even if you seek revenge, shouldn't you at least wait until after Mr. Ling is laid to rest?" Gu Feng asked gravely.

Gu Feng's words made Biao Zi pause. He lowered his head, thought for a few seconds, then nodded.

"I plan to lay Mr. Ling to rest tomorrow," Gu Feng said solemnly. "Before that, I need you to help me find the traitor within the gang!"

Traitor?

Hearing these words, Biao Zi's usual poker face finally shifted. He narrowed his eyes, staring intently into Gu Feng's eyes, and said coldly, "How do you know there's a traitor?"

"You forgot—you told me only a handful of people know about the Red Star Gang's ace unit. Even Xiong Wu and the others aren't aware of it," Gu Feng sneered. "Yet, that ace unit was wiped out to the last man. Doesn't that strike you as odd?"

"Maybe you think they were exposed on a previous mission, but from what I know of Mr. Ling, if his trump card was really that weak, he never could have held his ground in Hong Kong's underworld!" Gu Feng emphasized each word.

Biao Zi's face went through a series of changes, and finally, a cold glint flashed in his eyes.

Clearly, Biao Zi had already guessed who the traitor was.

"I'll go get him!" Biao Zi's eyes gleamed with a sharp, murderous intent.

Gu Feng studied Biao Zi for a few seconds before saying seriously, "I'll go with you."

"You?" Biao Zi looked puzzled.

Gu Feng sighed softly. "I promised Xiao Wei I would avenge his father."

Hearing Gu Feng's response, Biao Zi remained silent but gave a slight nod.

Shortly after, Gu Feng gave a few instructions to Stone and Tiedan before leaving the hospital with Biao Zi.

P: Two updates today, totaling 7,000 words.