Urban Powerhouse: Chaos Supreme

Tang Sect had suffered from a serious internal split ten years ago after a certain incident. The branches of Tang Sect used to be spread overseas, including in Europe and America, Russia, among other places. However, following the division, some branches no longer heeded the headquarters’ orders, and some even outright cut contact with them.

Lin Mo walked into a large Chinese-style hall together with Tang Rulong and others. Inside, the hall was furnished with various traditional Chinese rosewood pieces. Prominently displayed in the center of the wall was a bold and majestic pair of Chinese characters - Tang Sect.

”Elders, I really didn’t expect all of you to find the time to visit me,” Tang Rulong stepped briskly into the hall and said cheerfully, before taking a seat at the head of the table.

Lin Mo took his seat on a wooden chair below Tang Rulong to his left, alongside Tang Yitong.

Inside the hall were six elderly figures, five males and one female. The eldest among them had white hair and leaned on a wooden cane. Even the ones a bit younger were over sixty years old. They were all dressed in traditional cotton-padded shoes and Tang suits, exuding a dignified aura.

Tang Sect’s rules were strict. Apart from the Dragon Head, there were the Elder Council, Left and Right Commanders, various Hall Masters, Sect Leaders, Incense Masters, among others, all forming a complex yet orderly series of roles that enabled this large ’organization’ to operate smoothly.

”Dragon Head, the reason all of us came here today isn’t for anything else but to tell you that the Mafia is planning to take revenge on you,” the eldest elder spoke slowly with white hair glistening.

This person was the Great Elder of Tang Sect. His prestige within Tang Sect was even higher than Tang Rulong’s. If not for his advanced age, he might have been the Dragon Head himself.

”Great Elder, for you and all the elders to come all this way for my sake, I feel deeply unworthy,” Tang Rulong bowed his hands in gratitude.

Among the elders, the Great Elder had always taken a neutral stance towards him, whereas the others were looking to create their own factions and wanted to break away from Tang Sect. ”Dragon Head, this isn’t just your affair, it’s about Tang Sect. We all belong to Tang Sect, and share in both its glory and its falls. You must understand that if the Mafia succeeds in taking you down, how can Tang Sect ever hold its head high again?” another elder in a gray Tang suit added.

”Yes, you are the Dragon Head of Tang Sect. If you’re overwhelmed by the Mafia, will others still fear Tang Sect?”

The room, formerly silent, became somewhat noisy as everyone chimed in.

Tang Rulong’s gaze swept over the face of each elder, a hint of disdain flashed in his eyes.

These people didn’t truly care about his wellbeing; what they cared about was their own interests.

After all, these elders each had their own power bases and would sometimes not obey his commands. But they still flew Tang Sect’s banner, and if Tang Sect were to fall, it would also be a great loss to their interests.

”Elders, I appreciate your concern for me. However, I heard that the Mafia has enlisted an SS-Level Superpower User this time. Overcoming them is not going to be easy,” Tang Rulong said while frowning.

Tang Yitong muttered in a low voice with a sneer, ”Hmph, these people are experts in paying lip service. When it comes to doing anything, they find every excuse to avoid it. It’s the same now; they only talk but never take any practical action to help.”

”Rulong, actually, Ruhu has already sought help from an expert. With his assistance, you might be able to get through this difficult time,” the Great Elder finally said after a long pause.

”Ruhu?” Tang Rulong slightly furrowed his brow.

Tang Rulong and Tang Ruhu were half-brothers, the sons of the previous Dragon Head. However, because the last Dragon Head had passed the position of Sect Leader to Tang Rulong, it spurred Tang Ruhu’s dissatisfaction, causing him to leave Liu’s San Francisco for Canada to develop his own power. Although the two remained in contact, they had become estranged both in appearance and spirit.

Moreover, rumors within the Tang Sect claimed that Tang Ruhu always harbored the desire to unseat Tang Rulong and assume the position of Dragon Head.

”What is meant to come, will come in the end. I hadn’t expected Ru Hu’s obsession to run so deep,” Tang Rulong’s face betrayed a bitter, helpless smile.

While he was speaking, a middle-aged man had already entered the main hall. Around the same age as Tang Rulong and bearing a resemblance of about three to four tenths to him, this man had a more intense aura of hostility and sharpness about him, whereas Tang Rulong had the stable disposition of a mountain. This middle-aged man, however, was like an unsheathed sword.

”Dragon Head,” the middle-aged man walked to the center of the hall and bowed with his hands clasped together.

”Ru Hu, you’ve arrived. Why be so formal with me? Take a seat,” Tang Rulong said with a smile.

Tang Ruhu nodded, then sat down with an assertive posture in a wooden chair to the side and said, ”Big brother, I’ve invited an expert over today to assist us. Those Mafia goons dare to challenge us, right? This time, we’ll make sure they don’t come back.”

Tang Rulong smiled and replied, ”Then I must thank you in advance. But, with all the elders and yourself here today, it can’t just be to offer help, can it?”

Saying so, Tang Rulong slightly narrowed his eyes, a glint of sharpness shining through.

Tang Ruhu, facing Tang Rulong, said, ”Big brother, I’ll cut to the chase then. The Tang Sect under your leadership is now fragmented and in disarray. If the person I’ve invited can repel the Mafia, then I hope you would abdicate in favor of someone more capable.”

As soon as these words were spoken, Tang Rulong’s expression remained unchanged, but the trusted members of his group in the hall all showed signs of alarm.

Tang Yitong and Norman also had a sudden change in complexion. Was this a palace coup?

”Big brother, don’t blame me for being blunt, but since ancient times, positions of princes and generals have always been occupied by the deserving,” Tang Ruhu said with intensity, staring fixedly at Tang Rulong.

The other elders were all silent, evidently in the know about Tang Ruhu’s plans in advance. It was unclear by what means Tang Ruhu managed to get several of the elders on his side.

Silent for a long while, Tang Rulong suddenly let out a heavy sigh. Then, the warm countenance on his face faded away, replaced by the authoritative demeanor of a supervisor, and he said with a solemn tone, ”The founding ancestors of the Tang Sect established it because when we Chinese came overseas, we were bullied by foreigners. That’s why our forebearers founded the Tang Sect, organizing our people to protect ourselves. Yet over nearly a century of development, the Tang Sect has grown immense.”

”Whoever becomes the Dragon Head, I have no objection, but let’s not forget the original purpose of the Tang Sect’s founding. You and I, we are both of the Tang Sect.” As Tang Rulong spoke the last sentence, there was a fullness of momentum, and the pressure emanating from him was almost suffocating.

Tang Ruhu clenched his fists, his face full of disdain, and he inwardly sneered with a cold laugh, ”What’s the use in spouting such high-sounding but empty words?”

Now, even a fool could see that several elders seemed to be collaborating with Tang Ruhu. Tang Rulong had the air of someone whose influence was waning. Suddenly, Tang Yitong stood up with a look of indignation on her face and said, ”Uncle, respected elders, did you just say that whoever can defeat the Mafia will become the Dragon Head?”

On hearing Tang Yitong’s words, many of the elders furrowed their brows.

(Wonderful continuation tomorrow.)