As Bang stood in the center of the dilapidated warehouse, behind him were Black Bear, Lin Zhe, Iron Fist, Scarface, Fatty, and Shui She, each bearing different scars, not just physical, but also the unhealed wounds deep within their hearts. These people were the world's rejects, beings trampled underfoot by fate, yet still struggling to rise.
Black Bear stared at Bang, his eyes deep, and asked in a low voice, "What exactly do you want to do?"
Bang raised his head, surveying the group, his eyes filled with determination. "I want to build an organization, one that won't be bound by so-called 'rules.' There are too many sufferers in this world, waiting for retribution, waiting for so-called 'karma,' but who has seen true justice? Who has seen true retribution? Those who do evil are still at large! The existence of the Xiao organization is to ensure that retribution is not delayed, but executed by our own hands." And we are retribution, we are truth, we are "justice."
The group listened to Bang's words, silent, but their eyes gradually grew fervent.
"Xiao," Bang said slowly, "The original name of the organization was Dawn, symbolizing the breaking of darkness with belief after countless nights, ushering in eternal dawn! But later I felt that this world didn't deserve dawn, so I took only its name, 'Xiao.'"
Iron Fist clenched his fists, his voice low, "I killed my own father."
Everyone was slightly stunned, listening to his story.
Iron Fist's real name was Chen Yue. He grew up in the shadow of domestic violence. His father was an alcoholic, his mother was beaten every day, and eventually took her own life. He endured for more than a decade, until one day, the man tried to lay his hands on his beloved younger sister. He couldn't bear it any longer, smashed his father's head with a punch, and fled with his sister. However, his sister died of illness, leaving him alone.
Scarface sneered, reaching out to touch the scars on his face, "I used to be an assassin, but the mission failed, and I was betrayed by my employer, face carved with a knife."
He was originally an assassin for an underground organization, but because he refused to carry out a senseless massacre, he was hunted down by his own organization. Even his most trusted brother betrayed him, and he barely escaped after being tortured half to death.
Shui She said coldly, "My mother was chopped up and thrown into the river."
She was born into a poor family, her mother was forced to pay off debts for a creditor, and was eventually brutally murdered. She witnessed it all, no one sought justice for her, and she had to survive on her own.
Fatty smiled helplessly, "I was sold by my whole family."
His family sold him to a perverted rich man for money, and he escaped after suffering torture. From then on, he understood that family ties were worthless to some people.
Lin Zhe said faintly, "I've done too many surgeries, seen too much injustice."
He used to be a regular doctor, but reality forced him into the black market. He saw countless rich people disregard life, and countless ordinary people struggling to survive without access to medical care. He chose the black market, only to change it one day.
After listening, Bang lit a cigarette and took a deep breath, "I understand what you've been through. That's why I want to build 'Xiao.'"
Black Bear looked at Bang and suddenly laughed, his laughter full of arrogance and agreement, "I, Black Bear, have fought all my life and never admired anyone, but you—Bang, you're a damn madman!"
After speaking, he knelt on one knee, his right fist slammed on the ground, and he said in a deep voice, "I, Black Bear, from today on, follow Xiao!"
The others were stunned, then their eyes became even more determined. They knelt on one knee one by one, "From today on, we are Xiao!"
Bang raised his head, slowly exhaled smoke rings, the corners of his mouth slightly raised, his eyes filled with wild flames.
"From today on, we are 'Xiao.'"