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"Leo Chen is such a badass, how did he end up joining the Blue Wolf Syndicate? What did he do?" Shawn Young was deeply intrigued by Leo Chen, who seemed impulsive but turned out to be a top-tier strategist. Shawn sensed there was a huge secret behind Leo Chen, and if he dug deeper, he might uncover something truly unexpected.
"Uh—I'm not super clear on the details," Curly Jack recalled. "But I heard that after Leo started working, he was pretty low-key at a cushy job up north. He even married a gorgeous, flirtatious wife. Unfortunately, his wife hooked up with his boss. When Leo caught them in the act, his wife actually cursed him out, and his boss kicked him out of the job. Leo couldn't take it anymore, so he dealt with those two scumbags! The guy got castrated, the woman was beaten half-crippled, and Leo fled south. He was wanted and couldn't use his ID, totally desperate, until our Blue Wolf boss took him in. That's how Leo became loyal to the Syndicate and started helping the boss build his empire—all the way up to today."
"Whoa! So Leo Chen is actually a wanted man?!" Shawn Young was stunned.
"Uh—there are plenty of wanted guys in the Blue Wolf Syndicate. Leo's case isn't a big deal, and after all these years, he already sorted it out through connections and tricks," Curly Jack said.
"Right, with the Blue Wolf Syndicate's power these days, handling something like that should be easy!" Shawn Young remarked with admiration.
"Yeah, Leo split the Blue Wolf Syndicate into several departments. He says new times call for new methods, so the gang is managed like a company now! Makes it easier to expand," Curly Jack explained.
"Wow, corporate management! Looks like Leo Chen's got some real talent for running things. How many departments does the Blue Wolf Syndicate have?" Shawn Young asked curiously.
"There are four main departments: Networking, PR, Planning, and Operations. But I've heard there's also a super secret Drug Division," Curly Jack said.
"Holy crap! It really is corporate management! So what do all these departments actually do?" Shawn Young was even more curious now.
"The Networking Department works with gangs nationwide and regional crews. The PR Department handles government stuff—like bribery, pulling strings, and tipping us off before police crackdowns. The Planning Department takes private jobs, not just loan sharking but also for private business owners and officials, providing services they can't get through legal channels. It's a huge market, especially for those bosses dealing with tough conflicts and tax dodging, worried about whistleblowers. They want connections on the legit side, but even more, they need a powerful gang backing them up—to threaten rivals and clear obstacles to getting rich. That's where the Blue Wolf Syndicate comes in! The Operations Department, basically, is us enforcers—the main muscle of the Syndicate. We're all desperados, don't need to be big and strong, just ruthless enough! Leo Chen always says: where there's demand, there's business! From small stuff that decides someone's future or wealth, to big things that determine life and death. As long as there's a need, there's a market—so no worries about having no 'business'! With these departments working together, the Syndicate's power exploded—Leo's totally right! This world needs us, that's just how it is!" Curly Jack spoke with a mix of awe and fear for Leo Chen.
"Damn! That's some real talent! Everything's organized like clockwork! No wonder the Blue Wolf Syndicate grew so fast. Leo Chen really is a rare find—too bad he's on the wrong side of the revolution!" Shawn Young sighed.
Curly Jack swallowed nervously and looked at Shawn Young in fear. "Reporting to the government... I've just spilled so many Blue Wolf secrets, the boss and Leo Chen will never let me go! I'd rather do time in jail!"
"Oh! You mean they'd kill you to keep you quiet?" Shawn Young asked.
"Exactly! I'm with the Operations Department, and if I go back, Leo Chen will have the enforcers take me out! I'm surrendering to the government! I'd rather eat prison food than go back! It's impossible to even die if I go back—" Curly Jack shivered as he remembered the cruel methods of Hugo Hu and Leo Chen.
"Alright! If you confess and cooperate with the government, I won't let them kill you! Once I get the evidence to destroy the Blue Wolf Syndicate, you'll be our star witness and help wipe out this cancer on society! You'll make up for your crimes!" Shawn Young told Curly Jack.
"Yes! Yes! I'll confess and cooperate! I just want leniency. Oh, Mr. Shawn, if you can get Leo Chen's Secret Ledger, I think it'll be super useful for you guys!" Curly Jack knew he couldn't turn back now, so he fully switched sides.
"Alright, for such an important tip, I'll definitely give you credit. Now, you and your guys go turn yourselves in at the police station! Do your time first, and when we take down the Blue Wolf Syndicate, we'll call you out." Shawn Young played the role of 'special agent' to keep Curly Jack in line.
"Okay! Okay! I'll do what the government says—except—" Curly Jack suddenly looked troubled.
"Except what?" Shawn Young asked.
"I'm worried the police station won't want to lock up Blue Wolf Syndicate guys like us," Curly Jack admitted, voicing his concern.
"Uh—why not? Is it because you haven't committed any crimes?" Shawn Young asked.
"No, we've committed plenty of crimes. I'm just worried the cops are afraid to arrest us, since we've got people in the police leadership!" Curly Jack replied.
"Damn! So you want to go to jail, but you're saying the cops are scared to arrest you? What do you really want?" Shawn Young was totally exasperated.
"I'll figure something out myself! Anyway, I just don't want to be out here—I’d rather be in jail!" Curly Jack said, blinking.
"Fine! You get yourself locked up. Once I get my hands on the Blue Wolf Syndicate's Secret Ledger, our people will take action! You go do your time, I'm heading out—" Shawn Young was already planning to tell Rainie Cheng the big news, since she was the expert in this field.
"Okay! Reporting to the government, so... how do I get up now?" Curly Jack asked miserably.
"Oh! Almost forgot—release!" Shawn Young withdrew the power of the Dragon Binding Spell, and Curly Jack, along with the battered Blue Wolf Syndicate thugs and the immobilized girl, all returned to normal.
Curly Jack hung his head and led the half-dead Blue Wolf Syndicate thugs straight to the nearby police station to turn themselves in.
With this crucial intel in hand, Shawn Young hurried back to campus and contacted Rainie Cheng online to share the news. Rainie immediately recognized how important it was—the key was getting Leo Chen's Secret Ledger, which could decide the Syndicate's fate. Shawn resolved to help her get it, no matter what.
The two were still figuring out their next move when Shawn's phone buzzed. He checked—it was a text from Yvonne Hu, inviting him to meet at the Golden Crown Hotel in the development district.
Shawn's heart started pounding. He suddenly remembered he still hadn't helped Yvonne Hu get rid of that lingering Soul-Leech! Heh heh.