HongKong1960

Chapter 3: Owen, The Boss

I had severe internal injuries when I got back, and it took me over half a month to recover. My parents were heartbroken, and my uncle cooked me pig's blood congee and pigeon soup every day to nurse me back to health.

But I was devastated and just cried constantly. I gripped my hands until the bedsheet ripped. The first thing I wanted to do when I got out of bed was grab a knife and avenge Ah Fung!

My father held me back with all his might: “Son! You're the only son of the Chung family, the sole heir for three generations! You can't get hurt! You can't beat them, don’t go!”

“Let go of me! Why did this happen? What did Ah Fung do wrong?” I roared.

Those bastards were still out there partying every night while Ah Fung and her parents—three lives—were treated like dirt! "I don't want to be like you, selling dessert every day! I don't want to live anymore, I'm going to kill that bastard!"

I was like a madman until my cousin and a few other uncles managed to wrestle the knife out of my hands. I held on for dear life; it took them ages to pry my fingers open.

Then, one man arrived.

“Leng Zai (Good-looking boy), let go first.”

Standing before me was a middle-aged man in a traditional tangzhuang robe, wearing a monocle, and smiling. I don't know how, but his words seemed to have a magical power. I actually released the knife, and my cousin immediately snatched it away. Instantly, everyone around me straightened up and respectfully greeted him: "Man Suk (Uncle Man)!"

His name was Owen (**, Au Man in Cantonese). He had been the Chief of Staff of the KMT's 38th Army. After retreating to Hong Kong, he followed a General Ge (***) to establish the first 'hilltop' (shan tou) in Tiu Keng Leng for Hung Fat Hill, becoming one of the founding Hall Masters (Tong Jyu) of the future 14-K.

By then, Uncle Owen was no longer based in Tiu Keng Leng. He had made a name for himself and his followers in the Junk Bay and Sai Kung areas and was expanding his influence toward the Yau Tsim Mong district. He held immense prestige in this area.

It was actually my cousin who pulled strings with Uncle Owen to save me from the Kwun Chung Police Station. Otherwise, I definitely would have been beaten to death that night! After all, my cousin was Uncle Owen's former subordinate in the military. He even paid five hundred dollars in bail money for me that night!

Forget the favour; my father had no idea how many years it would take to pay back those five hundred dollars. My father and mother knelt down in tears to Uncle Owen, swearing they'd remember this kindness forever.

Uncle Owen just smiled, saying not to worry about it, that everyone who came from the mainland should stick together. Then, he asked to speak with me privately.

He took me to a Heung Tong (ancestral hall) in Tiu Keng Leng, surrounded by countless of his men. I immediately bowed and thanked him, swearing that I, Chung Sai-Man, would repay this great debt with my life one day. Uncle Owen smiled and said no thanks were needed. He simply asked me one question: "Have you ever killed someone before?" (Zaan goh yan?)

I stood there, dumbfounded, and shook my head. I was a good kid growing up in Tiu Keng Leng; I hadn't even killed a chicken.

Uncle Owen looked me up and down. He asked if I really wanted revenge for the girl.

My eyes, remembering Ah Fung's white shroud, the pool of blood, and Wong Yuen-Ban's arrogant smirk, instantly filled with murderous intent.

"Yes!"

My voice was so loud it almost startled Uncle Owen.

"How are you going to get revenge?" he asked me. "If I told you where Wong Yuen-Ban is right now, could you even get close to him?"

He had me cornered. I knew that as an ordinary civilian, I couldn't possibly get revenge. But I wasn't afraid. Even if I was completely destroyed, I was determined to stab him in the throat. I just couldn't understand why the world was like this!

Uncle Owen smiled, looking at my murderous glare, and said, "The leng zai has guts, but sadly, you're an i***t. This is just how the world works."

"Listen to me, Man Suk: You can't get revenge alone, but a society can. The bail money I paid for you—you can repay that favour in a different way."

"If you really want revenge, be at the Guan Di Temple in Sai Kung tonight at seven. Ah Chat (Seven), you tell him what to do." With that, Uncle Owen assigned a man named 'Flying Seven' (Fei Tin Chat) to handle the arrangements.

I didn't hesitate. I went to the Guan Di Temple in Sai Kung that night. Uncle Man wasn't there, just the man named Ah Chat and a few of his toughs.

"The Boss is busy. He left you with me and gave me the instructions," Ah Chat told me.

"I want revenge for Ah Fung. What do I need to do now?" I asked.

Ah Chat and his men finished lighting incense for Guan Di. He smiled at me and gave a look to one of his subordinates. The man dropped a cloth bundle on the ground with a loud clatter. I flinched. Inside were countless gleaming, sharp machetes!

"Simple. That kid will be at his Liyue Mun 'powder den' in Junk Bay tomorrow night. If you want revenge for your girl, go finish him off!" Ah Chat chuckled.

I froze, staring at the bright blades on the floor.