Chapter Nine: Ah Ji

Taking down Fat Dog and his four cohorts was no difficult task for Song Ren. If anything, he had to hold back his strength; otherwise, causing serious injury would only invite unnecessary trouble for himself.

He walked over to Fat Dog and held out a hand. Fat Dog, still reeling from fright, shrank his neck back instinctively. Ignoring this, Song Ren grabbed the man’s dislocated jaw and, to the horror of the onlookers, snapped it back into place with a forceful jerk.

*Crack!*

Fat Dog let out a sharp cry of pain, only to realize, once the sound escaped his throat, that he could speak normally again. He glanced at Song Ren, who was silently heading toward his bunk, and couldn't help but swallow hard.

Ghost, who had been sitting in the innermost bunk, raised his chin toward Song Ren and asked tentatively, "Brother, what should I call you? Your moves are quite impressive—you’ve trained before, haven't you?"

Song Ren had noticed the two men sitting in the back. They looked somewhat familiar, but he couldn't be certain. It was inevitable; with so many characters across these three films played by the same actors, the lines had blurred after their convergence.

Song Ren climbed onto his bunk and began tidying his bedding. "Ren. Just call me Ren. I spent a few years training at a martial arts school."

Seeing that the newcomer was surprisingly approachable, Ghost became interested. "Brother Ren, you look like a fresh face. Who do you work for on the outside?"

Song Ren sat at the head of his upper bunk. "I’m not affiliated with any gang."

"Oh?" Ghost’s interest piqued further. "In that case, why not join me? My name is Qu Wangui. People on the outside call me 'Ghost,' and those who show respect on the streets call me Brother Ghost. Think about it, brother. I see a lot of potential in you."

*Pfft!*

Fat Dog, who had been rubbing his jaw, burst into a mocking laugh. Perhaps emboldened by Song Ren’s calm demeanor, he couldn't help but snap back at Ghost. "Ghost, are you just blowing hot air? You’re speaking so loudly, aren't you afraid of twisting your tongue? Your little crew at Fuyi has been washed up for centuries. Brother, don't follow him—there’s no future there!"

Changing his tone as if he had already forgotten the beating he just received, Fat Dog turned to Song Ren with an air of grandiosity. "Brother, we’ve fought, so now we’re friends. I’m Fat Dog, and I work for Boss Po of Zhongyixin. In Western District, after midnight, everyone knows Boss Po’s word carries more weight than a police superintendent’s."

Provoked by Fat Dog’s posturing and mockery, Ghost slammed his palm against the bed frame in anger. "Fat Dog, you piece of trash, are you looking to die?"

Fat Dog sneered, "Ghost, you really are loud. I'm so scared."

Ghost’s face turned as dark as ink. Yet, there was nothing he could do. Circumstances dictated his position. Fuyi was a dying gang; its members were aging, and there was no fresh blood to replenish their ranks. They were forced to cling to meager territories just to maintain the fading dignity of an old-school organization. With no profit to be made, the gang couldn't grow. He had even been considering whether to switch to another gang or start his own once he was released. He had saved some illicit money over the years; if he found the right connections, he might make it work. That was the reason he constantly tried to recruit promising new blood while in Stanley Prison.

As for Zhongyixin, which held its ground in Western District, they weren't the largest gang, but their leader, Boss Po, was notoriously vicious. He was cruel in character and even more brutal in a fight, acting like a mad dog regardless of the cost. That was the main reason Zhongyixin could maintain its grip on Western District despite having few members.

Fat Dog stared at Song Ren, pride in his voice. "Well? Do you want to join me?"

Song Ren glanced at him and shook his head. "Forget it."

Although his primary objective for this mission was Boss Po of Zhongyixin, there was no point in associating with a lowly underling. Fat Dog sounded arrogant, but his words were cowardly and hollow, relying entirely on the reputation of Boss Po, the true soul of Zhongyixin. Fat Dog himself was physically unimpressive, pale and frail, lacking any aura of a leader. It was clear that within Zhongyixin, he was at best a small-time thug using the gang’s name to throw his weight around.

Having been rejected to his face, Fat Dog’s expression darkened. He had felt that offering a truce was an act of magnanimity, and the fact that the other party showed no appreciation made his injuries throb with renewed pain. *Damn it, he doesn't know what's good for him!*

Fat Dog looked away, lowering his head to hide his sullen gaze. He didn't lash out immediately; he chose to bide his time. He wasn't stupid—he had just learned his lesson.

Song Ren shifted his focus to Qiu Gang-ao and "Ghost" Qu Wangui in the lower bunks. Based on the earlier introductions, he had already deduced their identities: the corrupt police antagonist Qiu Gang-ao from *Raging Fire*, and the Vietnamese gang leader Qu Wangui. Naturally, at this stage, neither had been released from prison, and thus they had not yet committed the series of insane acts that would define their futures.

Qiu Gang-ao had been observing Song Ren, and only when their eyes met did he take the initiative to reach out. "Qiu Gang-ao. Brother Ren, just call me Ah Ao."

Song Ren climbed down to shake his hand politely. "Brother Ao."

Ghost patted both men on the shoulder with the air of a veteran leader. He leaned in close to Song Ren’s ear and whispered, "Be careful with Fat Dog. That guy is notoriously petty. You’re a newcomer, you beat him up, and you embarrassed him in front of everyone. He won't just let this go. Most of the guys from Zhongyixin are lunatics. Just stay on your toes."

He then turned to remind Qiu Gang-ao, "You too, Ah Ao. Don't be careless in the bathhouse again."

Qiu Gang-ao nodded. "I understand, Brother Ghost."

Ghost smiled. "Alright, it’s almost mealtime. Let's go eat."

...

Stanley Prison’s activities were divided by cell blocks. Each block held over a hundred inmates, and except for holidays or special events, it was rare for prisoners from different blocks to cross paths. The entire major crimes unit once led by Qiu Gang-ao was imprisoned here for manslaughter, though they had been separated into different blocks to prevent organized groups from forming—save for one who had committed suicide after being unable to accept the sentence.

While lining up for food in the cafeteria, Song Ren kept an eye out for his target: Ah Ji. Ah Ji was Boss Po’s most capable fighter in *SPL: Sha Po Lang*. He was ruthless and had eliminated many of Boss Po’s troublesome rivals, serving as his most trusted lieutenant in Zhongyixin. Unlike Boss Po, who favored Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Ah Ji excelled with blades and possessed exceptional close-quarters combat skills.

In a cafeteria of over a hundred people, it wasn't hard to spot him. However, just as Song Ren was considering how to approach him, Fat Dog had already led several of his cellmates to sit down next to Ah Ji. He whispered something to him while pointing toward Song Ren from time to time.

Soon, Ah Ji stood up and began walking over. Fat Dog and a dozen or so Zhongyixin thugs followed closely behind—a group of nearly twenty people, approaching with a menacing air.

Inmates who were eating or lining up stopped, their eyes filled with the anticipation of a good show. Outside, the prison guards noticed the commotion and tensed up, bracing themselves to prevent a potential riot.