"Oh—well, that rule is an old tradition! But times have changed, and we Thirteen Enforcers can't just stick to the old ways, right? If our organization wants to grow and thrive, we have to work with powerful allies—that's the trend! We need reform, and all those outdated restrictions holding us back must be tossed out!" Andrew Qi said with a sinister grin.
"Ahem—ahem—That rule about not cooperating with the Japanese is ancestral law! No matter how much we reform, we can't abandon our traditions! Elder Andrew, I want you to immediately stop working with the Japanese!" Luna Xiao said coldly.
"Hehe—Moon Dance, my dear niece, when it comes to business in our group, I know far more than you! Everyone knows about the power of the Yamaguchi-gumi. Working with them is a union of strength. Their Wakato, Masao Ishida, has sincerely invited us to cooperate, so I've already agreed on behalf of the Thirteen Enforcers!" Andrew Qi no longer called Luna Xiao 'Boss', but simply 'niece', acting as if it was only natural. (Note: The Japanese Yamaguchi-gumi is Japan's largest and oldest yakuza group, with nearly 100,000 members! Around 70% of Japanese gangsters belong to the Yamaguchi-gumi, which has close ties to mafias in Europe, America, and Asian countries. Their ranks are strict: at the top is the leader, followed by Wakato, Daimyo, Kyodai, Bucho, Advisor, Wakato Assistant, Bucho Assistant, etc.).
"Elder Andrew—you made this decision on your own, without consulting the other elders, ignoring our rules to work with the Japanese! Do you realize this is a serious violation of our code? Ahem—ahem—" Luna Xiao saw Andrew Qi disregarding her authority, her suppressed feelings surged, making her blood boil and her chest tighten. She started coughing again.
"Oh! So my niece Luna isn't feeling well? Then, can you still preside over this year's meeting? Rules are dead, people are alive—just change the rules! Why not hand over the Dragonseal Jade Signet to me and let me host it for you?" Andrew Qi's sinister voice echoed, and anyone could hear the threat and greed in his tone.
"Hey—Qi, what do you mean by that? Only the boss has the right to host the meeting. Are you trying to overstep your bounds?!" May Gu snapped, clearly annoyed.
"Hehe, I'm not trying to overstep—just exercising the boss's authority! You wouldn't understand, you foxy vixen!" Andrew Qi said with a sinister smile, his old face growing twisted.
"Hmph—you—you want to seize power!!" May Gu, ever clever, immediately caught on.
Suddenly, Warren Cloud shouted sternly: "Hmph—our Thirteen Enforcers have been around for over a hundred years, and we've always had a male boss—never a woman! What makes Luna Xiao worthy? The old boss was senile, passing the leadership to a 'Nine Yin Severed Pulse' daughter and ignoring us elders! I'm the first to object! Now I support Elder Andrew taking over! Anyone who stands in the way is my enemy—Tiger Cloud!"
May Gu wasn't buying it, and said coldly: "Ridiculous! Without rules, there's no order. Without the Dragonseal Jade Signet, you're not the true boss of the Thirteen Enforcers! Andrew Qi, Warren Cloud, looks like your plot to seize power didn't start today! Hmph—if you want to rebel, I'm not letting it happen!"
With that, May Gu immediately moved to Luna Xiao's side, her eyes as cold and sharp as autumn water, filled with murderous intent as she stared at Andrew Qi and Warren Cloud. The atmosphere instantly grew tense, like a drawn sword.
Andrew Qi ignored the two women and turned to the stunned Shawn Young: "Elder Grant, you see what's happening. Support me as the new boss! I can tell you're talented—why not join me? We're men, after all, can't let women boss us around. Name your price—I'll try to meet your demands! Hehe—otherwise—"
As he spoke, Andrew Qi gathered true energy in his hands. He was ruthless and decisive, and had already made up his mind—Gavin Grant had only two choices: submit or die!
Andrew Qi was highly skilled in martial arts and practiced dark sorcery. He'd never thought much of Gavin Grant's abilities, but after his failed attempt to use the Soul Seizure Technique on Shawn Young, he started to see Gavin in a new light. Now, Andrew was wary of Gavin, thinking he was a hidden threat who could disrupt his long-planned coup. So, if Gavin wouldn't cooperate, he'd be the first to go!
"Uh—I, I haven't decided yet! Give me a moment!" Shawn Young was caught off guard by the sudden infighting and didn't know what to do next, so he stalled for time.
Just then, Tiger Cloud strode up to him, eyes blazing with fury, and roared: "Damn it, Mantis! You think this is some kids' game? There's nothing to think about! If you don't side with us, I'll be the first to take you out!"
"But I—I—" Shawn Young felt the situation was a total mess, and he'd suddenly been shoved into the eye of the storm. He looked at Andrew Qi, whose eagle eyes were fixed on him, brimming with murderous intent. Clearly, if Shawn's answer didn't satisfy him, the old man would strike without hesitation!
He glanced at Luna Xiao and saw she was also looking at him. Her gaze was cold and complicated, her stunning face tinged with melancholy. Shawn Young was momentarily stunned—
"Hehe—Elder Grant, have you made up your mind yet?" Andrew Qi clearly wasn't going to give him much time.
"I—I have. I've made up my mind—" Shawn Young came up with a plan, lowered his head, and avoided Luna Xiao's melancholy gaze, quickly moving behind Andrew Qi.
"Hehe—good! Good! A wise man knows when to yield! Elder Grant, you're a clever one! I've always admired people like you!" Andrew Qi was delighted, his shadowy old face breaking into a smile.
"Hmph! Just the three of you traitors think you can rebel? You really think I'm a pushover? Don't forget, this is my turf! All the bodyguards outside answer to me! If I give the word, none of you bastards will escape!" May Gu snapped coldly.
"Oh? Is that so? Hehe—Foxy Gu, you can have your bodyguards rush in and kill us right now!" Andrew Qi sneered darkly.