Hong Kong variety show: This gangster is so wicked he's practically wicked.

Chapter 48. That's what you call professional.

The rooftop of Paris, a dreamlike place.

Gao Qiang was assembling his iron rod, while Aji was warming up with an unknown set of knife techniques.

Below the arena sat dozens of henchmen, all talking at once.

"Who do you think will win, Brother Ji or Brother Qiang?"

"Of course, it's Brother Qiang. Hong Tai is awesome, right? He wiped him out by himself with just one stick."

"I think Brother Chi will win. He held his own against Hong Tai, and he's been training really hard lately."

"I also vote for Brother Ji. Brother Qiang is indeed fierce, but he is too busy and has very little time to practice."

"Yes, yes, yes, it's normal for the big boss to lose to the leader."

……

Cao Dahua keenly sensed a business opportunity and had Mang Hui promote it everywhere:

"The betting is open! If Qiang wins, the odds are 70 to 100; if Aji wins, the odds are 100 to 100."

He set up a table, grabbed paper and pen, and became the dealer.

People on Hong Kong Island love to gamble.

Before the start of a wedding banquet or birthday celebration, a few tables are always set up, with mahjong, dominoes, and poker games, for a little bit of fun.

On joyous occasions, as long as no one causes trouble, the police will turn a blind eye.

Mang Hui gradually attracted people, filling Cao Dahua's stall to the brim.

Everyone placed bets on Aji.

Cao Dahua was overjoyed. How could Ah Ji possibly beat Gao Qiang?

He was also puzzled; Gao Qiang rarely came up to practice, yet his skills improved rapidly.

Perhaps this is what a martial arts prodigy is like.

After everyone had placed their bets.

Gao Qiang and A Ji took the stage.

Gao Qiang was holding a short stick, or rather, an iron pipe, that reached his eyebrows.

Aji held his silver dagger.

Gao Qiang spoke first:

"Ah-Jie, let's use the baton instead. You have no chance with the short knife."

"Brother Qiang, you should take care of yourself. I'm not the same person I used to be."

As he spoke, he adjusted his sunglasses and added:

"It's not too late to admit defeat now, otherwise with so many underlings watching, I'm afraid you'll lose face."

Gao Qiang sneered and glanced at the system panel:

"Mastery of the Eight Trigrams Staff (43/1000)"

He suddenly felt a sense of contempt, like a top student in school looking down on Ah-Ji, a struggling student who was working hard but whose grades were improving slowly.

Ah Ji, who was standing with his arms crossed, pretending to be a hermit, felt his scalp tingling from Gao Qiang's stare.

"Take this!"

He shouted, threw his knife forward, and pushed off the ground with a thud. The smooth combo moves in his mind were already faintly visible.

"Clang clang—"

Gao Qiang swung his stick with one hand, knocking the short knife that Aji had thrown forward to the ground.

Ah Ji's hand grasped at empty air.

But he reacted quickly, instinctively pulling his hand back and scratching his head to ease the awkwardness.

The scene erupted in uproar.

He pretended nothing had happened, took a few steps to the right, and kicked up the short knife on the ground.

"This time they're serious!"

After saying that, Aji didn't show off. He gripped the short knife in reverse and charged towards Gao Qiang at a speed of 100 meters per second.

Gao Qiang uses a stick, while he uses a knife; he only has an advantage in close-quarters combat.

Suddenly, he turned 360 degrees and hurled the short knife at Gao Qiang.

Gao Qiang calmly swung his stick to strike the flying dagger.

After several days of practice, he mastered the Five Elements Eight Trigrams Staff technique.

His own reaction and strength have also improved accordingly, and his use of the stick has become more skillful.

Ah-Ji ran quickly toward the flying dagger, caught it with a backflip, and followed up with a flying kick.

His movements were extremely graceful.

The henchmen below the stage all looked up at them with admiration.

After a quick assessment, Gao Qiang took two steps back and gently swung the iron rod at Aji, who was about to land.

Ajax missed his flying kick and tried to charge forward after landing, but found something pressing against his chest.

He deflected the attack and continued charging forward, his eyes fixed on Gao Qiang's arm.

Gao Qiang used a sideways parry to deflect the knife and grabbing hand that were thrusting out.

He deliberately played along with Aji.

In a duel involving cold weapons, the longer the weapon, the stronger it is, and the staff is considered the ancestor of all weapons.

Gao Qiang has an advantage in both staff techniques and weapon length.

Aji unleashed a series of smooth combos, all of which were countered by Gao Qiang.

He watched as Gao Qiang's lips curled up and his eyes shone; Gao Qiang's staff skills were better than he had imagined.

This made him even more excited.

Out of the corner of his eye, Gao Qiang noticed two "strangers" coming down from the rooftop.

Walking in front was Su, the white-paper-fan clerk from the Tai Kok Tsui branch.

Standing next to him was a man with a rugged face and a strong physique, carrying a stack of books.

With such a love for learning, who else could it be but Brother Jiaqian?

Gao Qiang had to help the new employees with their onboarding, so he didn't have time to play with Aji.

Gao Qiang countered with a flick of his staff, followed by a step-forward chop, forcing Aji to retreat repeatedly.

Those in the audience who had sold out Ah Ji were on tenterhooks.

Gao Qiang pressed his advantage, launching a series of attacks. Aji was busy parrying and retreating as he fought, until he was cornered against the wall.

Gao Qiang delivered a powerful split-hit blow, knocking Aji, who was parrying with a short sword, to the ground.

He tried to get up, but Gao Qiang used both hands to press down and strike repeatedly with the stick.

Ah-Ji could only crouch in the corner, constantly using his hands to block the blows, enduring the most brutal beatings.

Until Gao Qiang delivered another powerful blow that struck his shoulder and back.

Ah Ji simply lay down on the ground and pretended to be dead to surrender.

Gao Qiang shook his head: "Little Jiji, is that all?"

Ah Ji picked up the knife in shame and turned away.

He crouched in the corner, repeatedly drawing circles with his short knife, muttering to himself:

I'll draw a circle and curse you.

Gao Qiang tossed the iron rod in his hand and walked towards Master Su, whose little fanboy Yi Zai quickly caught it.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry. Come again next time, there will be another chance."

Cao Dahua smiled broadly; he had earned quite a bit.

Only his three best friends, Blind Hui, Iron Arm, and Wing Boy, along with a few other highly skilled Iron Pole fans, bet on him to win.

……

At the rooftop staircase.

The henchmen have all left.

"Brother Qiang...you're too...too awesome."

The advisor, Su, smiled and shook hands with Gao Qiang.

"It's all just messing around with my younger brother."

Gao Qiang continued.

"This is Brother Qiang."

The advisor, Su, pointed to Gao Qiang standing to the side and proudly introduced him to A Wu:

"This is A-Wu, he's from the number-sharing group, he's my friend, he's really good at fighting."

After saying that, A-Wu took two steps closer to Gao Qiang, tilting his head and staring at him.

"You're quite the fighter with your Five Elements Eight Trigrams Staff."

"But I'm not interested. I only care about money, not people."

"I'll only do things for you if you pay me."

Ah Wu thought Gao Qiang was putting on a show for him, treating him like a martial arts fanatic.

Gao Qiang's lips curled up in a sneer:

"The person I'm going to take down is backed by a major demolition company. Do you dare...?"

Before Gao Qiang could finish speaking, A Wu tapped his chest, interrupting him:

Who's behind this is none of my business.

"I can take down any house for you, as long as you pay more."

"Now that you've come to me, you have to pay me whether you do it or not. If you're short even a penny, I'll kill you."

"Add Money Bro" half-jokingly forced a sale.

"You won't lose a single penny; how much you get depends on your ability."

Gao Qiang snorted coldly and continued:

"Find another thirty or forty skilled knife-wielders, but not from the SUPP."

"Thirty or forty is enough?" A-Wu asked back, displaying his confidence.

"That's enough, I want it today," Gao Qiang said.

He then turned to Cao Dahua, who was losing money behind him, and asked:

"Ada, when is the bread truck I asked you to get here?"

Cao Dahua, happily counting his money, laughed:

"They'll arrive tomorrow morning, three in total."

Gao Qiang wouldn't let him use Wo Luen Shing's cars, so he had to borrow from other undercover agents and finally managed to get three.

If he still couldn't borrow it, he had no choice but to go back to the police station and bring the police car.

Gao Qiang wanted to fight Chang Le Society today, so he asked, "Can't we get there today?"

Cao Dahua shook his head.

"I don't have any, you'll have to pay extra. Are three cars enough?" Ah Wu asked.

Several people looked at him.

"That's enough, this is for the person who's supposed to pick you up," Gao Qiang said.

Ah Wu waved his hand: "You don't need to worry about that. I've covered the car and the machete; no extra charge."

"You just need to tell me when the fight will start?!" A-Wu continued.

That's what you call professional.

Cao Dahua and the others exchanged glances and secretly gave A-Wu a thumbs up.

"tonight."

Gao Qiang stepped on the rooftop railing and said.

Ah Wu is ruthless and doesn't talk much. He took out his phone and called for backup.