At the time, I asked him the reason, but he didn't say.

He led a group of subordinates to New York, leaving behind those in Thailand and the territory to Mo Shaohong.

Not long after he left, I heard that the leader of another gang swept Mo Shaohong's turf.

That's when I realized, Zheng Lagong had offended another local gang boss, which is why he escaped to New York.

He said he was leaving the territory to Mo Shaohong, but he was actually using him to cover his retreat.

Zheng Lagong had already fled; how could Mo Shaohong possibly be a match for the other gang boss? He not only lost the territory but was also hunted everywhere.

Mo Shaohong couldn't help it and came to me for help.

I gave him some money, and he also fled to New York to join Zheng Lagong, though their relationship already had underlying issues." Zhou Tiansheng said with some dryness in his throat, "Could you get me a drink? Not coffee, just water would be fine."

Luke pressed the microphone button on the desk, "Send in a glass of water."

Soon, an agent brought in a glass of water. Zhou Tiansheng wetted his throat and continued, "Of course, this happened a long time ago. Even if Mo Shaohong was dissatisfied, he wouldn't kill over this. The real reason that drove Mo Shaohong to take action was that he discovered Zheng Lagong had become an informant for the New York police.

This made it hard for Mo Shaohong to accept. His lifelong leader turned out to be an undercover cop, which was a huge blow to him, and it concerned his own safety.

He feared Zheng Lagong would betray him to the New York police, and was even more worried that the Flying Dragon Gang would find out Zheng Lagong's identity, making it impossible for him to stay in the gang.

His relationship with Zheng Lagong was too close. Even if he claimed to have no connection to the New York police, gang members wouldn't believe him.

For him, Zheng Lagong dying was the best solution."

Luke asked, "So it wasn't you who sought out Mo Shaohong, but he voluntarily suggested killing Zheng Lagong?"

"That's right.

Mo Shaohong came to me, saying Zheng Lagong was an informant for the New York police. I didn't initially believe it, but he showed photos of Zheng Lagong meeting contacts.

He also said that Zheng Lagong informed the police of my arrival in New York and could betray my whereabouts at any time.

Concerned he was testing me, I didn't immediately agree.

Then he expressed his dissatisfaction with Zheng Lagong, saying that ever since joining the Flying Dragon Gang in New York, their progress wasn't great.

After many years of involvement, Zheng Lagong was still just a powerless Vice Hall Master, and Mo Shaohong even less.

Mo Shaohong already regretted fleeing to Zheng Lagong in New York.

With new and old grudges combined, he decided to eliminate Zheng Lagong and even pointed out the threat Zheng Lagong posed to me.

He suggested we work together to take down Zheng Lagong, contributing money where needed and exerting effort where necessary.

Simply put, that bastard wanted to extort money from me under the guise of eliminating Zheng Lagong."

Luke said, "You don't seem like someone who is easily extorted."

Zhou Tiansheng chuckled, "That was just a small amount of money, nothing significant to me. After all, this isn't my turf, and I was worried Mo Shaohong might act impulsively.

Besides, there were some matters I needed Mo Shaohong to handle, such as eliminating accountant Ma Jiansheng, who knew about my hidden assets and had to be cleared.

This couldn't be entrusted to Song Jinbao, who was even more aware of the whereabouts of these assets, and I didn't want to alarm him.

Thus, Mo Shaohong was more suitable, and we could benefit mutually.

Killing Zheng Lagong also served as a pledge, which allowed me to trust him with the task."

"Where's Zheng Lagong's body?"

"I don't know, and I'm not interested.

Mo Shaohong wanted Zheng Lagong dead more than I did, so I had no reason to doubt its authenticity.

If I had to inquire about every detail, I'd be exhausted long ago."

"What about Song Jinbao? Isn't he close to you? Why kill him?"

Zhou Tiansheng looked up at the ceiling, "I've wanted to kill him for a long time, almost ten years, I suppose.

Actually, when I sent him to New York, I was looking for a chance for Zheng Lagong to have him killed."

"Your influence is strong in Southeast Asia. Why not handle him there? Wouldn't that be more convenient?"

Zhou Tiansheng laughed, "Killing him is minor; reputation is major.

Everyone knows he is my confidant. If he died and I didn't investigate, how would my subordinates view me? Even if only to win over my men, I must find the killer of Song Jinbao.

I can't very well catch myself.

In New York, there are no such concerns. I could easily find a scapegoat. My subordinates far away in Southeast Asia wouldn't know."

"Why kill him?"

"That's the second reason. I can't let anyone know the motive for killing him." Zhou Tiansheng shrugged, self-mockingly.

"But now there's no need to hide it anymore. Give me a cigarette, and I'll tell you."

Luke lit a cigarette and handed it to Zhou Tiansheng.

Zhou Tiansheng took a couple of puffs, "Huazi, you actually smoke this brand."

"A gift from a friend." More accurately, Luke took it from his dad's place.

"You have Chinese heritage?"

Luke replied in Mandarin, "Yes, my last name is Li.

But now isn't the time for old local ties, let's talk about you and Song Jinbao instead."

"Haha, didn't expect you to be quite gossipy."

Zhou Tiansheng exhaled smoke, his tone indifferent as if discussing someone else's affairs, "That bastard got involved with my ex-wife Chen Yue and even got her pregnant, that's the girl named Chen Ning.