Chapter 956: Chapter 755 After daybreak, the news spread swiftly.
The alliance was not airtight; no matter how many rounds of rectification and purges were carried out, there were still some traitors that slipped through the net. Moreover, Huai Shi wasn’t the only one with intelligence on the situation.
Other associations also had their own channels.
And the severe circumstances lay before everyone’s eyes.
Once the Order of Nothingness is issued five days later, the order that the Tanbo Inner Circle has barely maintained will likely face an unexpected, horrific impact.
The resources and treasures, those with virtue reside there, while the unworthy wealth, akin to manure, is the favorite of the unvirtuous.
Over the years, the foundation laid by the alliance in Kyoto has attracted untold numbers of inquisitive eyes. Putting aside the rest, just the existence of the Empire Hotel alone is enough to draw countless malevolence.
Not to mention the friction and hatred with other organizations over the years?
Once peace is no more and a major reshuffle begins, the Tanbo Inner Circle, even if maintaining neutrality, will still become fat meat on someone else’s chopping board... because you lack backing and status!
The next morning, Huai Shi stood before the window, witnessing the raging tide of people on the streets outside.
Vehicles packed full of people were like crowds fleeing a calamity, nearly blocking the street, resembling a migrating swarm of ants...
They were escaping.
"Cowards! Bastards! You insolent thing!"
Ueno’s roar echoed from downstairs, angrily reprimanding the group member before him: "Have you forgotten the grace the boss bestowed upon you? Just because things are about to get bad, you want to run? You’re a traitor! Want to leave? Fine, cut your finger, you scum!"
He flung a Hwai Knife before the member, glaring: "Cut your finger and get out; once you step out of this door, you’re severed from the Huaizhi Gang, and don’t say we’re brothers anymore!"
The young member turned pale, kneeling on the ground, for a long time, before grabbing the Short Knife and placing his hand on the ground.
The surrounding people wished to persuade but dared not speak, others sharing his desire to leave... but they were horrified by the punishment before them, unable to speak.
Some hand reached out, holding the young man’s arm.
It was Yamashita.
"Hey! Yamashita! What do you think you’re doing?" Ueno’s face twisted with rage as he glared at the obstructer: "Are you conspiring with this coward?"
Yamashita glanced at him, unwilling to engage, and continued to look at the young man kneeling on the ground, asking: "You’re called Mizukuro, right?"
Mizukuro nodded blankly.
"The boss asked me to pass on a message to you." He said, "You just got married recently, right? Your wife is expecting?"
Yamashita’s words drained the color from Mizukuro’s face, the man trembling, kneeling on the ground, wanting to kowtow and plead, yet Yamashita pulled him up.
"Rest assured, they won’t use them to threaten you."
Yamashita shook his head, continuing: "The boss said: Life is hard, being a Hybrid is even harder, and a man must take responsibility for his family before discussing loyalty and others... You didn’t act like a scumbag running off after getting someone pregnant; you can shoulder responsibility, which is commendable.
Whether for your family or your own life, if you want to leave the gang, the boss won’t obstruct.
But since you defied the gang’s grace, don’t ever consider taking the Extreme Path again, cut your finger, and find a legitimate occupation.
Otherwise, you understand the consequences, right?"
Yamashita’s gaze turned icy; Mizukuro gaped for a moment, nodding vigorously.
"Very good." Yamashita slowly stood up, taking a boat ticket from his pocket, tossing it before him: "This is a wedding gift from the boss, consider it the Huaizhi Gang’s final sentiment toward you, Mizukuro, from here on, we’re severed."
Mizukuro was dazed for a long time, staring at the envelope on the ground, tears escaping uncontrollably.
After a while, he raised the knife in his hand, swung down suddenly, leaving behind a severed little finger, not even bandaging the wound, merely turned back toward where Huai Shi’s office was, kowtowed hatefully a few times, finally picked up the boat ticket from the ground, and walked away.
"Anyone else thinking like him, feel free to speak out."
Yamashita looked around the crowd: "The boss said, gatherings and partings are fated, forcing is futile. Anyone wanting to exit the Huaizhi Gang, he won’t prevent. Leave a finger, take the boat ticket, and leave, but it’s only until this morning—are you all dead? Speak up! Is he the only one who wants to leave?"
In the silence, gradually five people stepped out, picked up the knife from the ground, severed a finger in atonement, accepted the boat ticket, and either with gratitude or indifference, turned and left.
"Boss Huaizhi... is this really okay?"
Behind Huai Shi, Takuma asked: "If this spreads, won’t it negatively affect the group’s unity?"
"Is unity supposed to be maintained by something like this? Unity that can be severed by a finger, what’s its use?"
Huai Shi shook his head, sighing softly: "Let them go as they wish, at least it’s a way out... Also, you, Takuma, you should go too."
Takuma was taken aback, bewildered.
Huai Shi stretched out his hand, taking out a boat ticket from his pocket, handing it to him: "The ship leaves from the dock this afternoon, I’ve booked a premium cabin for you, it can accommodate your whole family... Don’t worry about those old furniture, after you arrive in White City, take the savings from these years and live a good retirement."
Takuma shook his head in fear: "I have no intention of quitting!"
"I know, but you’re an old man who can’t even swing a knife anymore, what use is there in staying? To be a burden?"
Huai Shi retorted, "After you were released, your hands haven’t been bloodied. Now it’s time for retirement, you should also consider your children."
"This, this..." Takuma looked blankly at the ticket handed over, shaking his head, "Boss, this isn’t according to the rules."
"Rules?"
Huai Shi shook his head and suddenly asked, "Do you know what Mr. Fujimoto said to me before he died?"
Takuma remained silent.
"He said: Please, Huaizhi-kun, I’m entrusting everyone to you..."