Chapter 263 -- LFN Storyboard 2

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Date Posted: 09:15:06 09/15/12 Sat
Author: taurus2124
Author Host/IP: CPE-58-161-100-4.nsw.bigpond.net.au / 58.161.100.4
Subject: Chapter 263
In reply to: taurus2124 's message, "Sorry everyone but I'm have major problems with The Rising Dragons on both boards with posting ... trying to fix it" on 00:23:33 08/27/12 Mon

Chapter 263

Casing another glance around the room at his potential protagonists, Samuel Li�s eyes landed on Johnnie Tao once more, the one who just may be a thorn in his side in executing his plans for leadership. Samuel was aware that Johnnie was not pleased to be here. That was noticeably evident by his demeanour, but there was also a maliciousness in his eyes that for one fleeting moment was there � then gone. But Samuel had seen the hostile look now disguised as a forced grimace. If looks could kill � he�d be a dead man. Bad blood already existed between Andy Koo of the Rising Dragons and himself but it was nothing compared to what was between the two of them.

At one time they had been friends with common goals and aspirations. Like other organized criminal societies, the Black Panthers and the Red Lanterns were driven by profit and despite being rival triad groups they�d worked together for mutual gain � but that had all fallen apart. Johnnie Tao was a sore loser and he�d held a grudge against him for years and it was all over a woman � a girl they had both loved � his wife Maggie. However, his unrequited love had been the end of their friendship and the beginning of their animosity as Maggie would have nothing to do with Johnnie and refused his advances in no uncertain terms. Failure to woo her away from him had failed miserably but Tao had taken it as a personal affront to his manhood. He didn�t take the rejection lightly and had reacted recklessly and vindictively towards his rival for Maggie�s affections because of this kick in the teeth. Johnnie�s retribution had been to send a bloody message to Samuel as to whom he was up against. One of the Black Panther members who�d been sent to warn him to keep away from Maggie was attacked with a butcher's knife, then the day after that, he was shot and killed at point blank range in his hospital bed. Samuel knew that Tao�s henchmen were responsible for the murder and in turn had shot dead one of the Red Lanterns as pay back. Despite the violence, Samuel had been able to keep Maggie in the dark about Johnnie Tao�s actions as well as his own for they had moved to America. Maggie was a smart woman and for all he knew she was still in the dark as to his �other� business ventures, but if he were to become Triad Dragon Head no doubt this would change.

It was now obvious that Johnnie Tao still held deep seated resentment against him and therefore, Samuel knew he would need to be wary of Tao and keep a lid on any verbal disagreement from him if he was to sway the gathering to his way of thinking. Samuel knew he may indeed have his work cut out for him.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

In turn the elders of the gathered triad groups clandestinely studied the man who had just entered the room and who had called this secret meeting. Each of the uncles in their own mind, except for Uncle Harry and 6th Uncle, who already knew of Samuel�s intentions, had already surmised that this young man had a proposition to lay on the table � one that would take considerable pondering about. It was most usual for any new triad leader to call for such a secretive meeting without their Dragon Head. The Rising Dragon�s Incense Master and the Vanguard who presided over such gatherings were not present, but it was glaringly obvious who was the main person missing from the gathering and they wondered why. Something was not quite right. If Samuel didn�t already know it � he should because he was skating on thin ice if he had intentions of doing something underhand. Triad law was set in concrete and the consequences for disrespect of their oaths were harsh.

The only reason the uncles could think of for excluding Sun Yee Lok was that Samuel Li obviously had a plan in mind to usurp his authority before his tenure was up. If that was the case, then they would certainly need some convincing to take such a drastic step. They would be setting a precedent to oust the current leader as it had never happened before. There must be a good reason for Samuel to lay it all on the line if that indeed was his intentions. The loyalties of fellow members would be sorely tested if they were to take sides. Sacred oaths may even be broken in an attempt to rise to the top. For many of the uncles this would be unforgivable and totally against the oaths they had sworn to uphold and what all honourable Triad men would follow, furthermore any dissention could lead to a major turf war and that would be regrettable. Rival gang leaders would always be locked in a struggle to become the new chairman of Hong Kong's Triad society and knowing of the calibre of the people assembled it was obvious who would desire the leadership the most.

Uncle Gong, Uncle Ying and Uncle Cocky from the Water Rats, the most senior of those gathered, felt a disquiet descend upon the room. They looked over to Uncle Monk of the Black Panthers who sat stony faced but the looks on 6th Uncle and Uncle Harry�s face told another story. Did they know something the others did not? The two men seemed to avoid any eye contact with the other elders and their demeanour was a little agitated. 6th Uncle was sweating profusely and wiping the sweat from his brow and Uncle Harry was fidgeting with his hands. When he noticed Uncle Ying staring at him he hurriedly placed them under the table. Something was definitely afoot and if their assumptions were correct then sparks would fly, as there were several of the triad leaders who were in line to be the next Dragon Head. Sun Yee Lok had been an assertive leader but they were well aware of his inadequacies and what misfortune had befallen the Rising Dragons over the last few months. He was also getting older, he had no male heir and thus it was inevitable that at some stage in the future there would be a challenge for the leadership.

The wise elders surveyed the room singling out the prospective challengers for Dragon Head when Sun Yee Lok�s tenure was eventually up and should the status quo change. It was glaringly obvious who would be a contender; however, if first impressions were peeled away, similarities between the main players became blurred and synonymous. Johnnie Tao, Big D and Samuel Li were just differently packaged vessels of power's dark potential. All three leaders were ambitious and blindly power-hungry and would do anything possible to reach the top of the chain, but Sun Yee Lok was more so. He�d been in charge for several years and he�d be reluctant to let the seat go � really reluctant. There were some amongst them who�d want Big Head as a possible candidate, but he was too busy making money with his pirate VCD factories to care about the responsibilities of being the Dragon Head. Hence they needed to be very careful in any decision that they made. There was no need for haste as this could be detrimental. Any resolution had to be what was best for the triads as a whole and who would indeed be the better candidate to take over leadership from Sun Yee Lok when the time was right � if there was indeed to be a change in a leader who had time and again proven himself to the triad groups gathered here this day.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

I shall not cause discord amongst my sworn brothers by spreading false reports about any of them. If I do so I will be killed by myriads of swords.

It was an ill wind that blew. Samuel Li had enemies and was disliked by many. The elders were aware of the bad blood between the Black Panthers and the Rising Dragons, but it was foolish of Samuel to think that he could bring a personal vendetta to the gathering and hope for the uncles to support him in any plans that would raise his profile and besmirch the character of Sun Yee Lok. This was contrary to their oaths, the oaths he had sworn to uphold and Samuel could lose it all in his haste to become the next Dragon Head. The 36 oaths were the commandments of a triad society; to break one was to invite retribution and Samuel may just have broken more.

Although Samuel may not get the response he wanted, they would hear what he had to say before making any decision. However, there was a bad feeling about this secret meeting and it did not sit well with many of the uncles. Going against the noble qualities of their hero Guan Yu on which their oaths were based was tempting fate. Samuel Li was tempting fate. It seemed that he may not be thinking straight by calling such a fractious meeting without Sun Yee Lok�s presence. He obviously knew of the consequences for such a move and was willing to take the risk.

I must not take advantage of the Hung brotherhood in order to oppress or take violent or unreasonable advantage of others. I must be content and honest. If I break this oath I will be killed by five thunderbolts.

This night there would be casualties literally and figuratively of some description � of that they were sure � if the reason why Samuel Li had called this meeting without Sun Yee Lok was to gain Dragon Head power. A fight for supremacy could be messy and more importantly the loyalties of fellow members could be tested. Oaths may well be broken as someone would try to rise to the top. Their only hope was that there would be no bloodshed, but regrettably that may not be the case, particularly if rival gang leaders were locked in a struggle to become the new chairman of Hong Kong's Triad society. It was better the devil you knew than risk a fragmentation of their society by some young, brash hothead hell bent on gaining supreme power for all the wrong reasons and � doing it behind the current Dragon Head�s back, would most definitely have repercussions for the main protagonist.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Samuel was unaware of what the elders were thinking. All he knew was that he had two uncles in his pocket, for which he had paid handsomely, and that he only had to convince the others of his merits to pave the way for his succession as the new Dragon Head. With one final look around the room, he took a deep breath then with determined composure spoke. �Dear Brothers � Thank you for coming. Now let me explain why I have called you here for this meeting �.�

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

However, no sooner had Samuel begun to speak than a commotion was heard outside. He immediately stopped talking as all heads in the room turned to see what was happening and who it was who had arrived late for the meeting. Perhaps Uncle Kwan had been able to make the secret meeting after all but a collective whispered gasp echoed around the room as they saw who was standing there. It was not Uncle Kwan from the Circle Gang or his proxy; rather a formidable person had entered the room flanked by an equally formidable looking entourage and bodyguards. With a steely look Sun Yee Lok surveyed the room then nodded his head respectfully towards the elders. The foreboding look on his face spoke volumes. Then without so much as a glance Samuel Li�s way, in a dismissive voice that made those gathered take notice, he addressed the man who in turn had to quickly gather his composure at the unannounced arrival of the Dragon Head.

�Don�t stop on my account Samuel � please continue with your explanation. I for one am most interested in hearing what you have to say.�

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

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