Chapter 26: The Warden's Terms
Song Ren raised his brow slightly upon hearing Chen Guozhong’s steady words.
No wonder the undercover agent A-Ren in the film, though deeply afraid of Wang Bao, still agreed to this undercover operation after just a few words from Chen Guozhong.
From this seasoned detective of the Major Crimes Unit, one could clearly sense a calm and competent aura.
As a policeman, his stance had always been unwavering.
That was one aspect.
But the most important factor was the support from his three subordinates.
Their presence only highlighted how trustworthy Chen Guozhong truly was.
It was always the classic act of one playing the stern role while the other played the gentle one.
These people were masters at the game.
Song Ren lowered his head, looking as if he had just undergone a baptism.
A faint smile involuntarily crossed Chen Guozhong’s face before he quickly composed himself.
Thinking of the sudden issue the warden had raised upon their arrival, he pondered briefly and said:
“A-Ren, this matter is quite troublesome—you pushed things too far.”
“The warden at Stanley Prison wants me to give them an explanation.”
Song Ren looked up. “As long as my sentence isn’t extended, I can accept any other conditions.”
Chen Guozhong nodded. “Good. Then let him come and talk to you. When I saw him just now, he told me he wanted to discuss a private deal with you.”
Song Ren glanced at him.
Chen Guozhong nodded seriously. “No one else will know about your business.”
“If his demands go against your wishes, or violate morality or the law, you can reject them unconditionally. I guarantee your safety.”
After all, Chen Guozhong had been a police officer for many years, with numerous achievements and some personal connections.
Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been so blunt with the conservative superior at Sai Wan Police Station.
Although Stanley Prison posed some difficulties, they were not insurmountable.
Yet Song Ren lacked confidence in Chen Guozhong’s promises.
After all, that was how “A-Ren” had died.
Still, he was curious about what the warden could possibly want that led him to come to him.
After some further instructions from Chen Guozhong, the four of them left.
As they stepped outside, Chen Guozhong nodded at the warden standing by the door. “He agreed, but I hope it’s just this once.”
“After all, A-Ren is a policeman, not a real criminal. We can’t treat him as one.”
The warden’s mood had considerably softened as he pressed down the brim of his hat. “If neither of you speaks, who would ever know?”
Chen Guozhong’s face darkened. “You—”
The warden cut him off without hesitation. “Enough, Chen Guozhong!”
He raised his hand, pointing toward the infirmary. “Does that guy inside look like a policeman to you?”
“He’s been here about a month, and the number of inmates he’s injured is already in the dozens.”
“Are you telling me he’s a policeman?”
Chen Guozhong’s expression grew even darker.
There was no denying it—since Song Ren entered Stanley Prison, he had been a real troublemaker.
His attacks were ruthless and brutal, and if he stayed any longer, it was only a matter of time before someone got killed.
The warden’s tone softened somewhat. “This entire incident has basically ruined my chances for promotion.”
“What’s wrong with me using him to make a little side money?”
“He’s skilled to the point of arrogance. He’ll be fine.”
“This is the price he must pay. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have let him leave prison safely on schedule.”
Chen Guozhong’s face remained sullen.
His three subordinates wanted to explode in anger but were held back by his command.
The warden patted Chen Guozhong’s shoulder. “Don’t worry, it’s just an underground bare-knuckle fight.”
“That’s hardly a problem. We have a confidentiality agreement with that place.”
“And there are British overseers backing it up. Nothing will go wrong.”
Chen Guozhong furrowed his brows deeply.
As the warden said, it was just a round of fighting in the ring.
This was the longstanding cooperation method between Stanley Prison and the masters behind the Fortune Rise Building.
Located in a bustling area of Kowloon, the Fortune Rise Building housed an underground fighting ring.
The lower levels saw minor skirmishes, but the top floor entertained distinguished guests from political and business circles, backed by a high-ranking British official lending it prestige.
The fighting ring attracted all sorts—triads, martial arts schools, street fighters of every ilk.
Whatever your background, if you could fight, signing a special agreement granted you access.
The top-floor ring was a true den of debauchery.
Since it catered to elite guests, challengers there were among the best fighters—some were notorious fugitives, even death row inmates from Stanley Prison.
It was also the most brutal, with a high mortality rate.
According to their agreement, Stanley Prison could send special death row inmates to the Fortune Rise Building as challengers.
If they died, so be it; but winning brought substantial rewards.
It might even attract the attention of some top-tier patrons, who could help break free from the death sentence.
The warden only thought of this after calming down.
After all, Song Ren’s identity was too unique—he wasn’t really subject to the death penalty.
They couldn’t force him in, but this incident could be used as leverage for cooperation.
It was a way to recover some of the power lost in the process.
That guy inside was capable of taking on dozens—his record was truly impressive.
The warden wasn’t sure how he could lose if he placed his bets.
Just thinking about it filled him with anticipation.
Pushing open the door, the warden entered.
Song Ren sized up the man before him—a slightly overweight man in his forties.
This was Xu Zhengxiong, the warden of Stanley Prison.
From the moment he entered, the man made his intentions clear.
One round in the underground fighting ring in exchange for suppressing this large-scale riot.
He could even arrange for Song Ren’s early release.
This was not a compulsory deal but a mutually beneficial cooperation, with a small portion of the proceeds going to the warden.
Yet Song Ren sensed a hint of threat in the man’s words.
This incident had indeed caused some trouble.
As for the underground fighting ring…
Song Ren considered for a moment, then agreed.
At this stage, in terms of skill—whether unarmed or with weapons—he was confident against anyone.
Especially with the emergency tools he kept in storage, which would be much easier to use outside.
Besides, he was thoroughly fed up with prison life, having endured the poor conditions for a long time.
Although he was not someone used to being spoiled, Song Ren rarely experienced such miserable times in his past life.
This was also why his temper had grown increasingly volatile since entering Stanley Prison.
Enduring a whole month calmly was already a rare feat.
Now, since there was a way to get out early, why not take it?
The Fortune Rise Building underground fighting ring.
Song Ren felt a spark of excitement deep down.
Because on that stage, he could truly let loose—even if it meant killing someone there, he would bear no responsibility.
It was practically made for warriors like him.