Early morning, August 6th, 2013...
Still in Wuhan City...
The Anti-Japanese Alliance convened its customary gathering in the square before the International Convention and Exhibition Center. The participants numbered no fewer than four thousand; aside from half being local gang members, the other half consisted of ordinary local citizens. Though somewhat crowded, everyone endeavored to clear a path leading to the main street. It seemed they awaited someone?
At the expansive square's center, a mound of Japanese merchandise had been thoroughly doused in gasoline.
Precisely at 1:00 AM, a black Mercedes-Benz 350 arrived at the venue. The clamorous crowd instantly fell silent.
A middle-aged man attired in a black suit traversed the cleared passage. He was the region's new kingpin, the younger brother of Boss Liu, whose given name was Liu Si. In society, he was known as Liu Yongbang. Observing his refined and frail appearance, one could scarcely imagine he was a veteran member of the Wuhan underworld. Compared to his elder brother Liu B, Liu Si was far more hypocritical—a typical example of wanting both the gains of vice and a virtuous reputation. Secretly, he engaged in human trafficking and illegal soccer betting, while publicly presenting himself as the proprietor of a large renovation company. Relying on coercion and enticement, he secured some contracts, yet the company's finances consistently showed outflow exceeding income. Likely due to this façade, Liu Si enjoyed a rather favorable reputation in society. However, few within the underworld cared to associate with him; even his elder brother Liu Si cursed him for disgracing the underworld. Yet, who truly knew the extent of Liu Si's ambition?
Following Liu B's death, he immediately contacted Black Dragon. After some discussion, Black Dragon rather "appreciated" his "character." Without further ado, he invested funds for Liu Si to expand his influence, allowing him to take over all of his elder brother's businesses. Liu Si became the new underground emperor of Wuhan.
Upon the establishment of the Anti-Japanese Alliance, Liu Si naturally assumed the role of president. The advantages of being a "hypocrite" became apparent. Compared to the dubious origins of presidents elsewhere, the owner of a renovation company was far more acceptable. Moreover, his refined appearance deceived many among the populace. Wuhan's Anti-Japanese Alliance developed most rapidly and exhibited the greatest cohesion. Actions such as the previous raid on the police station to extract individuals were something only he could orchestrate.
Treading upon the specially laid blood-red carpet, gazing at the fervent crowd surrounding him, Liu Si experienced a sense of fulfillment for the first time. He was moved, nearly overcome by the urge to weep. Such status, even three Liu Bs combined, could not match his own eminence.
Standing at the foot of the "mound," Liu Si retrieved a pure silver ZIPPO lighter from his pocket. Igniting it, he tossed it onto the pile.
"Boom!" Immense flames instantly surged skyward. The flickering fire attracted the fervent masses like moths to a flame. Cheers reverberated through the pitch-black night sky.
"Liu Yongbang! Liu Yongbang! Liu Yongbang!" Hearing one's name chanted by thousands was an exhilarating experience. Liu Si turned to face the crowd, closed his eyes, and spread his arms wide, savoring every moment.
"Liu Si!" An unfamiliar shout nearly sent Liu Si sprawling. He viciously scanned the crowd, searching for the miscreant who had dared to utter his real name! He had explicitly ordered that his given name never be used in public. He wondered which subordinate had forgotten his command. Once found, he would undoubtedly eliminate him!
In truth, finding the source was easier than anticipated. All eyes turned towards the origin of the sound, and the fervent crowd fell silent instantaneously, as swiftly as pouring cold water onto raging fire.
Ten Special Service Soldiers stood before Liu Si's Mercedes, fully equipped. Their gleaming armor was exceptionally conspicuous, even in the darkness. Particularly when the blazing fire reflected upon their breastplates, it appeared as if genuine flames burned upon their chests.
The leader was none other than Wu Gang. He held no weapon, only the folder Adam had entrusted to him.
"Who are you?" Liu Si asked tremulously, a sense of foreboding rising within him.
"Liu Si." Wu Gang disregarded him, lowering his head to read from the document. "Forty years old, CEO of Wuhan Huihuang Decoration Group, President of the Wuhan Anti-Japanese Alliance. Simultaneously, the kingpin of the Wuhan underground."
Upon hearing this, a tremor ran through the hearts of all civilians present.
"He built his fortune through human trafficking, later engaging in the gambling industry. His elder brother, Liu B, was a veteran figure in Wuhan's pornography sector. Liu Si entered the underworld at sixteen, but his excessively hypocritical, cunning, and insidious nature made him disliked even within criminal circles. Following his brother's demise, supported by unknown external financial backing, he unified the Wuhan gangs and established the Anti-Japanese Alliance."
"Do you have anything further to say, scoundrel?" Wu Gang closed the folder, his eyes glinting fiercely.
"You... what evidence do you possess?" Liu Si persisted in his prevarication.
"My words are the evidence!" Wu Gang stood tall, his imposing figure fully displayed. "Today, we are the 'law' that sentences you! Anyone who dares obstruct shall share his fate!"
The surrounding Special Service Soldiers chambered rounds in their weapons. Assuming a standard diamond formation for breaching, they advanced. Wu Gang stood at the center of the diamond, walking slowly.
As they encountered the crowd, people instinctively made way. Setting aside the question of Liu Si's guilt, the soldiers' equipment and solemn expressions alone were sufficient to compel retreat.
They advanced as if through unoccupied territory; no one dared approach within three paces.
Watching the approaching figures, Liu Si sensed the aura of death.
"They! They are not Special Services; they must be Japanese spies! Yes! Japanese spies! They slander me deliberately to sabotage our anti-Japanese movement. Kill them! For our nation, kill them!" Liu Si shrieked hysterically. Wu Gang's gaze, seemingly capable of tearing him apart, drove Liu Si to the brink of madness...
Hearing the term "Japanese spies," the quiescent crowd stirred anew. When it came to fabricating stories, Liu Si was a master comparable to novelists. For these individuals, already subjected to a form of psychological conditioning, even more outrageous claims would be acceptable. Even if told Wu Gang was the illegitimate son of Koizumi Shinta, and those beside him were his brothers, this crowd would merely ponder how prolific that old dog was.
However, the innate fear of terror still paralyzed the crowd. The bystander effect manifested; since no one moved, no one dared to move. At this moment, if just one person were to intervene, the crowd would likely surge like a flood and engulf them.
Being the bellwether is not easy. A gang member nearing the Special Services hesitated, terrified. As Liu Si's direct subordinate, if Liu Si fell, his own fate would be grim. Glancing at Liu Si's desperate eyes, he decided to risk it.
"Ah! I'll beat you damned spies to death!" The shout was merely to bolster his own courage. Drawing his signature machete, he charged towards the Special Services' diamond formation.
"Don't be afraid, everyone! There are so many of us; even ants can kill an elephant! We are not afraid to shed blood for our country!" Liu Si urged, as if grasping a life-saving straw. The fearful crowd finally began to stir.
The gang member confronted the sniper soldier at the front. The soldier stowed his rifle, executed a single-handed takedown, pinning him within the diamond formation, and pressed a sidearm pistol against his temple.
The impulsive crowd, witnessing this, grew quiet again. The scene reached a stalemate.
"Hey... hey, you're government personnel, aren't you? You wouldn't actually shoot, would you?!" the man on the ground stammered, cold sweat pouring down his forehead.
Beneath the silver helmets, no one could discern the soldiers' expressions.
"We are soldiers. Orders supersede everything," the soldier stated his principle, his finger twitching slightly.
"Crack!" A bullet pierced his skull. Red and white brain matter splattered, even reaching Wu Gang's boots. Ignoring the corpse on the ground, the soldier swiftly shouldered his sniper rifle and resumed his position in the diamond formation.
"Remember to use your knife next time. No need to waste the nation's bullets on such refuse," Wu Gang stated coldly.
"Yes, Sir!" the soldier replied loudly.
The squad resumed its advance. The crowd, moments ago poised to attack, recoiled as if encountering specters.
"Alright! You! You dare to brutally murder our citizens! Everyone, charge! Avenge our compatriot!" Liu Si continued his frantic incitement, solely to preserve his own life. But the preceding gunshot served as a stark warning bell. This mesmerized crowd finally awoke from their slumber, for the dream had morphed into a nightmare.
By the time they reached Liu Si, the crowd had retreated at least thirty meters, watching the unfolding events from afar.
The diamond squad rapidly dispersed, forming a human wall behind Wu Gang to maintain vigilance.
"You..." Liu Si, facing Wu Gang, was too terrified to speak.
"I am the one who has come to claim your life. Prepare yourself," Wu Gang advanced towards Liu Si, who retreated step by step. Suddenly, Liu Si halted, not because he wished to stop, but because the flames behind him raged too fiercely.
"Big brother! I was wrong!" Tears streaming, he knelt on the ground. A formidable figure of his generation bowed his head before the absolute might of the Special Services.
"You are unworthy to call me big brother!" Wu Gang spat on his face. "Damn it, we are all Chinese. You are a disgrace to China!"
"You... you damn well go to hell!" This was Liu Si's final act of defiance. Seemingly seeing through everything, he frantically drew his pistol, preparing to retaliate.
Wu Gang, with contempt, executed a spinning kick, launching him into the massive inferno.
"Ah!" Liu Si's agonizing scream echoed through the night sky...
"Mission complete. Let's move out." Gazing at the charred corpse, Wu Gang felt not a shred of pity, for his compassion was reserved solely for true Chinese compatriots.
Their departure was much swifter. The terrified crowd had already scattered in panic.