Chapter 30: You’ve finally seen the light, kid.

Chen Jie offered a calm, cold smile. "Who would dare to defy you? Didn't you just say that your strength is the greatest and that they all fear you?"

"If they fear you, how could they possibly dare to disobey?"

"Aren't you 'Ghost Foot Seven'? Are your legs meant only for walking, or are you just letting them gather dust?"

Liu Qi’s eyes widened, as if he had suddenly been enlightened.

"Uh—I get it! You mean whoever dares to disobey, I just beat the hell out of them!?"

"But is that really okay? Aunt Thirteen has always taught me that as martial artists, we shouldn't bully others!"

"If I do this, wouldn't I be no different from those guys in the Qingyi Sect?"

Chen Jie replied calmly, "Rules are rigid, but people are adaptable. If you don't bully others, others will bully you!"

Damn, have I been watching too many "Young and Dangerous" movies? Chen Jie muttered to himself, wondering why he was teaching Liu Qi these things.

However, although Liu Qi was immensely strong and loved to scrap, his heart was simple and straightforward, lacking any real guile.

"Start by subduing the transport agencies around West Gate Street. Take it one step at a time."

"Remember, start with the weaker ones. Take your time; don't try to swallow all the factions at once."

"Once you become the most powerful force on West Gate Street, and even trample the 'Taiping Firm' under your feet, no one will ever dare to bully you again."

Chen Jie spoke with indifference, envisioning a scene where he could roar on West Gate Street and see the entire thoroughfare filled with his men.

Damn it—this is how a gang should be run! In this world, might makes right. If Liu Qi loved to fight and was fearless, and if he didn't do this, he would eventually just become someone else's top enforcer.

"The Boss of West Gate!?"

Hearing this, Liu Qi seemed to have found a goal in life. A spark of excitement flashed across his face. He looked up at Chen Jie and took a deep breath.

"Junior brother, you are truly a scion of a wealthy family. I will never forget your guidance today!"

"You're right. I am 'Ghost Foot Seven,' the son of Liu Zhenfeng. I must carve out a legacy for myself!"

"I won't just be a boss; I will be the boss of the entire West Gate!"

"Brother Chen, you are my benefactor! From today on, at home, you are my junior brother, but outside, you are my big brother, my leader!"

"I haven't read much, and I don't know any big philosophies, but from now on, I listen to you!"

He looked at Chen Jie with reverence.

"Haha—you kid, you’ve finally opened your eyes!"

Chen Jie couldn't help but burst into laughter. Liu Qi grinned as well, and looking at his expression, Chen Jie knew the boy’s blood was boiling. However, he had to pour a little cold water on his enthusiasm.

"Liu Qi, while talk of dominating the underworld sounds easy, the execution is fraught with difficulties."

"One wrong step, and you’ll be beyond redemption!"

"Remember, you can't rely on brute force alone; you must use your brain!"

"If you ever run into a problem you can't handle, come find me. I'll find a way to help you!"

Since arriving in this world, Chen Jie felt his own personality shifting. His own blood was stirring as well. In his previous world, there were too many rules, a rigid class system, and every path was restricted. He had grown up in a single-parent household, feeling inferior, poor, reticent, and repressed.

But now, coming to this world, he felt a sense of liberation, as if he carried no burdens. All the repressed emotions he had harbored seemed ready to be released.

Chen Jie's words made a lot of things clear to Liu Qi. He looked at Chen Jie and said, "Big brother! I have a goal now, and I know what I need to do next!"

"If I run into something difficult to handle, I'll come to you. Don't worry, I’m not the same Liu Qi I used to be!"

"You're right. Fighting alone doesn't solve problems!"

"From now on, you are my big brother, and I will follow your lead."

This time, Liu Qi did not call Chen Jie "junior brother," but directly "big brother," dropping the "Chen" entirely.

Wow—! Is he really that easy to sway? Just a few words and he's calling me "big brother"? This kid is just too naive, isn't he?

Chen Jie almost laughed out loud. He thought for a moment, reached into his bag, took out twenty silver dollars, and shoved them into Liu Qi’s hand.

Liu Qi looked surprised and confused. "Big brother, why are you giving me silver dollars? I don't want them—!"

Chen Jie patted him and said with a smile, "Take them! If you want to win over the people on West Gate Street, brute force alone won't be enough!"

"Everyone out here is just trying to scrape a living to make life better for themselves or their families!"

"Money is the most practical thing there is at any time."

"You must remember one thing: underworld loyalty only lasts a moment; it never lasts long. If you want stable development, profit is the key!"

"People will only follow you and stay loyal if they can make money and see a benefit. Only then will they listen to you."

"If you want to use loyalty to make people accept you as their boss, you must first ensure they can live well, understand?"

"Once the bond of profit is broken, the first people to betray you will be those closest to you!"

Although Liu Qi was nearly twenty, no one had ever taught him these principles. He was naturally clever and gifted in martial arts. After hearing Chen Jie’s words, he tucked the silver dollars away, his face filled with reverence.

"Big brother, I understand what you mean!"

"Today's guidance has been invaluable; I feel like my life is full of hope!"

"Aunt Thirteen told me not to harbor any thoughts of revenge, but now I understand—she was worried that I was too weak and that I would get into trouble!"

"But as long as my influence grows large enough—as large as the Green Gang, the Hong League, or the Elder Brothers Society—I will have the strength to take my revenge!"

"Big brother, I want to go to West Gate Street this afternoon to talk to some brothers about something. Do you have time to come with me?"

Chen Jie shook his head. "I won't go. My martial arts aren't even at the entry level yet; what would I do there?"

"You go ahead. I’m going to the pharmacy to buy some things, and then I’ll head back!"

With that, Chen Jie encouraged him: "Liu Qi, we are brothers, and it’s fate that brought us together!"

"Just know that once you decide on something, go do it. Don't fear trouble!"

"If something can be solved with money, come to me. Since you’ve called me big brother, I will support you unconditionally."

Liu Qi’s face lit up with excitement. Having Chen Jie’s support gave him immense confidence.

"Understood, big brother!"

Watching Liu Qi, Chen Jie sighed inwardly. Given Liu Qi’s penchant for fighting, he would inevitably end up living a life on the edge. By pushing him to act now and build his power quickly, Chen Jie hoped to mitigate some of the risks. With money to pave the way, it would certainly help Liu Qi gather a group of people quickly.

He just hoped Aunt Thirteen wouldn't blame him when she found out.

Liu Qi was impatient by nature, and now that he had a goal, he could barely contain himself. He didn't follow Chen Jie to the Zhilin Garden Pharmacy, but instead headed straight for West Gate Street to find his men.

Half an hour later, Chen Jie arrived at the Zhilin Garden Pharmacy.