hsguma

We're here, Old Tung.

Same as always?

Yup. Two mala, one curry, and a clear soup.

Man, Old Tung's finballs are really—

Old Tung? That's Uncle Tung to you, boy!

It just slipped out, man.

I know we call you Dumb Tau sometimes, but do you really have to be stupid for real?

What's with you today, Ah Sam?

I just can't with this dumbass—

So what if he's dumb? What did Madame Oni tell you, huh? Who you trying to act all big for?

Ah Hsiang! I don't care if I'm an idiot or not, just stop arguing.

Right, Madame Oni? Say a little something.

Come on, guys. You're all hangry, or what?

Ah Sam, apologize to Daai Tau.

Sorry... I got worked up.

Ah Hsiang, say sorry to Ah Sam too.

Ah Hsiang!

My bad. Shouldn't have been so aggro.

Now we're all good, yeah?

Let's switch topics. What happened to the guys under 'Kyut Yat Mun' after you got rid of him two days back?

Mr. Lin has his own plans, so I didn't ask. But seems like he just told them to behave, so they got off pretty lightly.

Oh.

Uh, Madame Oni.

Hm? What is it?

Actually, I wanted to ask...

I see Dumb Tou's mouth is slow today too. I'll do it. Madame Oni, isn't today our... uh...

Come on, guys. One after the other?

I'll say it for them, Madame Oni. You told us your plans for the future, so we were thinking, why not throw one last party?

Cause we might not get the chance to meet up again in future, so we wanted to ask... why exactly do you want to...

Go to the—

Make way, make way. Finballs incoming.

My thank you present for ridding Downtown of those pests: radish for each of you, and Hoshiguma gets an extra fowlbeast wing.

Thanks.

Sigh. I know you guys have your worries, but what happened to the smooth talkers I know, the ones who say they taught me how to talk? Why so quiet now?

...Thanks, Uncle Tung.

Don't mention it.

It's normal for kids to be in denial after you drop such a big bomb on them.

I have to handle the takeaway orders. Sauces are all self-service over at the counter.

Got it.

'Big bomb'? Didn't Madame Oni just tell us about it today? How does he know already?

Dude, your years in with the triads were a waste.

You know why Uncle Tung has a lame leg? You know who he took a blow for?

Who? Mr. Lin?

You really don't get it, huh? If Mr. Lin were the one I couldn't talk about, why would it be safe for you to constantly bring him up? Think about it: who is it that <i>really</i> shouldn't be mentioned?

Uh... Wei—?!

At least you knew to stop at his family name. Want a medal?

My bad, man. Me and my dumb ass.

Uncle Tung and Mr. Lin are good old buddies because they both worked for that guy, back in the day.

Now I see. I was just wondering why Mr. Lin was giving Madame Oni so much scary work lately. First it was 'Fowlwing Ng', then 'Funerary Cin', and now 'Kyut Yat Mun' today...

The dinner table turns quiet again.

Daai Tau, you and your big mouth!

Forget it, man.

Madame Oni, didn't you say the Higashinese love to eat from every stall at your festivals or something? We're practically done with our finballs, so why don't we go for round two?

Sure. Can't split up this early, can we?

Alcohol is where the real fun begins!

Yeah, man—

Stop. Not another word from you tonight, or you'll spoil the mood.

Haha...

Dumb Tau is such a handful. Madame Oni, I have a feeling he still thinks you're a Forte.

Hey, now the garbage's coming out of YOUR mouth. I know she's an Oni from Higashi, okay?

And?

Uh...

Shame on you!

It's not like Madame Oni's fresh off the boat in Lungmen, dude. She was with the Leungyi Society before she enlightened our useless asses, you know.

The Leungyi Society?! Those are some tough customers!

What do you think, huh? Well, she was an unusually upstanding lady back in the day, so she had a big fanclub. And that's when Mr. Lin noticed her too.

Enough war stories. I was a little too conspicuous those days, which is why the Leungyi Society...

But how could they blame you? Didn't Mr. Lin ask for your help? Could he have found someone else to do your job?

Isn't it thanks to you that half the society got out alive? And did anyone in the triads ever sully your name over this?

I just can't help but to be mad for your sake.

Mr. Lin hired her once, to teach the Leungyi Society and Bagua Gang a lesson. I won't even get into him establishing the rules, but Lungmen hasn't seen a major gang in power since.

These past few years, the remnants have been showing up on the streets, so Mr. Lin called her in to help again.

But in the end... heh...

Forget it. Enough talk! Drink!

Huh? What are you doing?

Madame Oni! Someone's—

Argh!

Calling the cops? Lee Bo-faat, you must be eager to die.

Hoshiguma suddenly stands up.

Ah Faat?!

*cough* I'm fine, Madame Oni. He won't pull anything drastic with you around.

Mind dropping us a name, so we can catch up later?

No need to know where I'm from. I'm just here for one thing: to congratulate you on making your big deal.

The man slams the beer bottle on the table, and the jagged glass shines with a dangerous gleam.

With just a broken beer bottle?

A broken bottle? You're underestimating what's inside.

The man reaches inside the bottle to pull out a rolled-up letter with his bleeding hand.

H-Hurry and call the cops!

The cops?

Your accent tells me you're no local.

I don't blame you for not knowing. Go and call then. How long do you think the cops will take to show?

Wanna guess who they'll vent their anger on when you call them out here for nothing?

How... how could this be...

Check a guidebook before your next vacation, and avoid the slums, you hear me?

Now scram!

The tourist rushes out of the bar.

The fierce man turns back to Hoshiguma and her group.

Let's get back on topic. 'Madame Oni', from today onwards, you are public enemy number one of all Lungmen's triads.

She only got rid of the real bullies, the ones who were even against you, and you want to make an enemy of her? You should be grateful!

You think we don't know who she was working for?