As Fang Yan left the scene, the room exhaled a collective breath, finally free from the overwhelming presence he had projected. Long Baiyun and Hong Jiu wiped the sweat from their foreheads, a testament to the pressure that had burdened them throughout the encounter.
Long Baiyun couldn't help but question Hong Jiu's intentions after the intense meeting. "Hong Jiu, what are you planning to do?"
Hong Jiu met Long Baiyun's gaze, offering a faint smile. "You know me well. I'm not someone who surrenders easily."
Long Baiyun nodded thoughtfully, "Indeed, but did you see the destructive power of that gun he wielded? We need to tread carefully and adapt to this new reality."
Hong Jiu concurred, "You're right. The power of that gun is not something we can take lightly. For now, we must proceed cautiously and adapt to this new situation."
Long Baiyun's insight deepened, "I agree. I'm not yet ready to challenge him directly."
Hong Jiu offered a word of encouragement, "Just remember, I adapted quickly, and so can you."
With that, Hong Jiu departed, his entourage following closely. Long Baiyun watched them leave before making his own exit. Left in the aftermath of Fang Yan's visit, the private room seemed undisturbed, except for the bloodstains and scorch marks that bore witness to the extraordinary events that had transpired.
News of the secret triad meeting and the unexpected death of the Xiaodao Gang's boss quickly spread, igniting the underground world with intrigue and speculation.
Whispers echoed in the shadows:
"Did you hear? The three major gang bosses held a meeting on the top floor of the Longteng Building, and the Xiaodao Gang's boss was killed on the spot!"
"The Xiaodao Gang's boss is dead? Unbelievable!"
"With their leader gone, the Xiaodao Gang is sure to be thrown into turmoil. Without someone to control them, these guys are like wild animals. I wouldn't be surprised if they turn the whole city upside down!"
"Boss Dao is gone? That's our chance! Abai, gather the boys. Tonight, we're going to Ruyi KTV and reclaim the territory we lost!"
As news spread, various factions were quick to react. Everyone understood that with the Xiaodao Gang's leader out of the picture, an opportunity had arisen. Not only did they wish to seize the gang's territory, but they also saw an opening to weaken the strength of the three major clubs in Ningcheng.
However, the situation was not as simple as it seemed. The underground world was a delicate ecosystem, and the Xiaodao Gang's absence could easily disrupt the balance.
Meanwhile, at the higher echelons of the city's administration, Chief Shi was determined to avert disaster. He immediately issued orders for Long Baiyun, Hong Jiu, and other relevant parties to convene an emergency meeting. The objective: prevent the power struggle from escalating into full-blown chaos.
As these efforts unfolded, a new development came to light. Reports emerged of eight key members of the Xiaodao Gang dying from poisoning. Authorities pointed to three specific individuals within the gang as the prime suspects, backed by substantial evidence.
Upon receiving this news, Chief Shi's initial frustration transformed into satisfaction. The elimination of these key figures weakened the Xiaodao Gang significantly. Without its leader to guide them and with these influential members gone, the gang was left considerably vulnerable.
This unexpected turn of events seemed to bode well for maintaining order within the city. The intricate web of power dynamics was in flux, and everyone from the underground players to city officials was bracing for the impact of the ever-changing currents.