The following day at the Underworld base, there were whispers among the guards about Wei's hospitalization. His absence in the business and Mafia was finally stirring everyone in an uneasy way.
"Is it true that Boss is severely injured?"
"I won't believe it for a second! He is Boss. He is the Mafia King. How could he be taken down by a prisoner?"
"Yes, yes. Boss is a martial arts expert! He cannot be beaten down like that."
"But didn't you see him getting taken away in the hospital van?"
"Moreover, Mr. Yang Mingshen himself went to check out. He wouldn't go unless the man would be Boss!"
One of the guards was anxious. "This is bad. How long is this gonna continue? Without him, it feels like we will collapse at any moment."
"Oye! Stop blabbering nonsense. Boss's father and uncle are still here. Boss Jiang Li is also capable. Nothing is gonna happen."
Suddenly, cold voice came from behind the gossiping guards. "If you are done with your chit chat, how about you all finally get to work?"
The guards straightened up and looked at the incoming figure - The vice chief of guards, Xian Xue, second-in-command after Shen Yang who led the Underworld forces.
Xian Xue was a tall man, easily six-two with brown eyes and black hair coupled with light brown streaks on the bangs that fell on his forehead. His muscular figure was intimidating, and the air around him was dangerous as if he would kill the next man that came in his sight.
Nobody really liked Xian Xue because he always looked menacing as opposed to Shen Yang, who was cold in his own way but still cared about his subordinates.
Xian Xue darted a threatening look. "Are you in a mood to run fifty laps around the base as punishment?"
The guards sweated.
"N-No, vice-chief!"
"Then why the hell are you wasting time?"
One of the guards said, "We were just talking about Boss and were worried about him…"
His gaze turned sinister. "Worried about the Mafia King? It's a waste of time. He is gone."
They widened their eyes.
"He is comatose, lying on the hospital bed. There is no sign of him waking up anytime soon, and even if he did, he will go straight to jail. Remember, he had surrendered? The Underworld is on its own now. Jiang Wei is not coming back."
"You…" the guards got riled up.
One of them stepped up. "I understand you are the vice chief, but that doesn't mean you will talk about Boss like this!".
"Yeah. It's as if you want he should never come back."
Xian Xue smiled. He took a step forward and before anybody could see, he punched the face of the guard who spoke first. He stumbled back, and blood trickled down his lips.
The other guards glared at him but could do nothing. He was still higher in the hierarchy.
"Get it through your heads. We have lost our Mafia King. Boss Jiang Weizhe and Jiang Weiyuan won't last for a long time. The Underworld is doomed unless... someone stronger comes and usurps the throne."
"How dare you! Boss Wei would be the only Mafia King!"
"We won't work under anybody else!" They protested.
Xian Xue raised his brow. "Such loyalty…"
"That's enough, Xue."
Shen Yang came in and was shocked to see an injured guard.
"Chief Shen!" The guards were finally relieved after seeing him.
"What happened to your jaw?" He glanced at Xian Xue and narrowed his eyes. "Xian Xue. Did you hit him?"
Xian Xue frostily stared at him as if throwing daggers at him.
"Just teaching manners."
Shen Yang was quiet. Then he looked at the guards. "Leave all of you. And you…" he glanced at the injured guard, "Treat yourself. I apologize on behalf of the vice chief."
"No, no! Please don't apologize, Chief. It's not your fault. Thank you for your concern. We will leave now."
The guards mumbled curses at Xian Xue and left. They prayed that he would get thrown out of his position as soon as possible.
Shen Yang let out a deep sigh and pressed his brows. "Xue. I know we are supposed to act all serious because Boss is 'supposed' to be hospitalized, but aren't you going too far?"
Xian Xue coldly glowered at him but said nothing.
"Everybody is extremely loyal to Boss. If you say that Boss is never gonna come back, then you will only make things difficult. Why do you want to act like a villian?"
Currently, apart from Fu Renshu, only Shen Yang and Xian Xue knew about Wei's fake hospitalization being the chief and vice chief of the Mafia world.
"Apologies 'Chief'. I have my own methods of acting. I don't interfere in yours. Please don't interfere with mine," Xian Xue didn't hold back.
"Believe me. I don't want to, provided you don't get violent with the subordinates. There was no need to hit him."
Xian Xue faintly smirked. "I just felt like it."
Shen Yang squinted his eyes. "I am warning you, Xue. Be in your limits. Sometimes...even I don't understand whether you are acting or you mean it."
Xian Xue stared at him but didn't bother to reply.
Shen Yang very well knew about his hostility towards him. Even though he was the chief, Xian Xue was hardly respectful towards him. He knew Xian Xue was ambitious. He wanted to become the chief of forces. Instead, Shen Yang got the golden position and climbed up the ladder. The bitterness never left his heart, and till now, Xian Xue never really accepted him as the Chief.
But Shen Yang didn't mind his behavior. Xian Xue was capable. And he trusted Wei's decision. As long as he did his job correctly, Shen Yang didn't bother what he thought about him, nor he was salty about his disrespect.
Xian Xue gave him a cold shoulder and turned to leave. As always, he didn't hide his dislike towards him.
Shen Yang suddenly noticed something and asked, "What's that on your neck?"
Xian Xue stopped in his steps. He touched the back of his neck and felt a slight swelling on his skin.
"How did you get that scar? It's quite a weird place to get it."
Xian Xue menacingly looked back.. "None of your business, Chief."