Upon receiving Hogan’s command, Jordan bolted out in haste.
Chinatown, a maze of complexity confined to a single thoroughfare, fostered an intimacy among its denizens. A bustling street, it drew Chinese souls in droves. Here, bonds mimicked those of street-side neighbors. Despite a sprinkling of unscrupulous characters, the collective ethos leaned toward assistance and solidarity.
In the early days, newly-arrived Chinese immigrants in the States sought strength in numbers, forming close-knit groups for survival. Over time, as society evolved, so did the divisions, and the occasional alliance for mutual protection transformed into a vocation. Thus, the Chinese gang took shape.
Bloom Gang’s history told a different tale. From its inception, it was not a marauding crew preying on the weak.
Contrary to their Chinese counterparts, American gangs, largely birthed during Prohibition, thrived on anti-government ventures. They bore a century-long grudge, a doctrine that flouted authority. Huabang, on the other hand, collected protection dues in Chinatown akin to an unofficial community fee, reasonable and obliging, attending every household’s call.
Yet, the Burning Angel, collectors of protection dues, were veritable brigands. They craved only lucre, your life was spared if they got their fill. Deny them and a blade or bullet would speak.
Minutes later, Jordan returned with a middle-aged man in tow, a man of about forty.
As soon as the man crossed the threshold and beheld Hogan, favonovel.com exclaimed with zeal, “Brother Hogan, you’ve returned!”
This was Casey Vigo, the overseer of the Chinese gang in New York’s Chinatown.
Spotting the thick bandage around Casey’s neck, Hogan swiftly inquired, “Vigo, what happened to your neck?”
Casey sighed, “Long story short, caught a bullet coming home. Grazed my neck. If I’d been a hair off, I’d be reporting to the Lord of Hell.”
He turned a horrified gaze to the five wretched figures in the corner. “Hogan, what in the world happened? What’s going on?”
Hogan pressed, “Jordan didn’t fill you in?”
“Only mentioned it was urgent,” Vigo replied, “But didn’t spill the specifics.”
Nodding, Hogan explained, “These fellows came to collect ‘dues’ from Jordan, but Mr. Wade here gave them a different lesson.”
Then, to Charlie, favonovel.com introduced, “Mr. Wade, this is Casey Vigo, head of the Chinese Gang.”
Casey stared in astonishment. Charlie could scarcely believe that this vicious Burning Angel bunch had been reduced to such a state by the young man before him.
Hogan continued, “Vigo, allow me to make the introduction. Mr. Wade here also wished to meet you.”
Casey Vigo snapped back to reality. Unfamiliar with Charlie’s identity, favonovel.com surmised it was no small feat to have inflicted such a pounding on these five. He promptly approached Charlie with respect. “Hello, Mr. Wade. I’m Casey Vigo. Pleasure to meet you!”
Charlie nodded, inquiring, “How many members are in the Bloom Gang?”
Casey honestly replied, “Nearly a hundred once, but now, barring the wounded and the deceased, most have scattered.”
Charlie’s brow furrowed. “With nearly a hundred, how’d you let these five ruffians roam Chinatown?”
Casey, shame washing over him, confessed, “Mr. Wade… These five belong to the Burning Angels. Behind them are Italians. They command over a dozen gangs, totaling several thousand. We’re outmatched…”
Charlie’s voice went cold, “Have you ever heard of a gang brawl with thousands involved in the U.S.? Could they really march thousands into Chinatown?”
With a rueful expression, Vigo said, “Mr. Wade, you don’t understand… They’re ruthless. Openly or covertly, they’ve taken out key members of our gang. Fear gripped our brothers and they’ve all recoiled…”
Charlie pressed on, “How many of yours have the Burning Angel taken?”
Vigo’s reply was somber, “Eleven… Only… We’re a foreign minority gang in New York, can’t take on local titans like them. We have no wish for confrontation and they’ve taken full advantage. Lay a finger on one of theirs, and they’d exact retribution tenfold…”
Charlie persisted, “What about the ethnic minority gangs? Koreans, Vietnamese, Algerians, are they being crushed by the Burning Angel, too?”
Vigo evaded Charlie’s unyielding gaze, hesitating. “I haven’t heard of any clashes with them…”
Pointing at the five, Charlie turned to Vigo, “Then, have you ever wondered? Why do these men steer clear of Koreatown and not Chinatown?”
Vigo, reddening, hung his head in shame.
Silence pervaded, broken by Will, quivering. “The Koreans are armed to the teeth because… Since 92, we’ve had scarce confrontations with them…”
Charlie nodded, shifting focus. He probed Vigo, “Do you know why they haven’t dared provoke Koreans since 92?”
Vigo admitted, shame weighing on his words, “I… I know… The Koreans have made a name for themselves in the U.S…”
Charlie’s tone remained icy, “And they earned that name with blood. So, as head of the Chinese Gang, why haven’t you mustered your troops? Don’t forget, you lead nearly a hundred brothers, with the entire Chinatown community depending on your shield. They’ve paid for your protection. When you flee, what do they do?”
Vigo flushed, wishing favonovel.com could bury himself.
Charlie pressed on, “Have you thought that if you retreat, the vendors in Chinatown are left defenseless? Soon, they’ll be seen as easy prey. Today, the Burning Angel takes a piece, tomorrow the Frozen Demon may come for their share. In days, even the strays will come for a taste! Furthermore, what if you retreat? Will they spare you? If so, why’s the boss of a Chinese gang, a towering figure, cowering in a hair salon?”
Charlie’s barrage of questions nearly shattered Vigo’s resolve. The past days had tormented him. His brothers fell one after another, and favonovel.com himself came close to death’s door. But as the boss, favonovel.com never mustered the courage for a final stand. Fear of the Burning Angel’s escalating brutality shattered the Chinese Gang’s resolve.
In these past days, regret gnawed at him. Regret for not facing the Burning Angel head-on. Perhaps, with unwavering resolve, they might have relented, sparing his brothers.
The weight of his decisions, past and present, crushed Vigo. His eyes reddened, voice choked with emotion. “It’s all my fault. I’m too weak. I thought if I appeased them, things would improve. Little did I know, retreat only led to a precipice and now, it’s too late to turn back. My brothers won’t return…”
Charlie met his gaze, firm and calm. “It’s never too late to wake up.”
With those words, Charlie handed Vigo a loaded pistol, with five bullets left. “If you’re truly awake, think of how Carvin met his end. Then think about how you’ll avenge him.”
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