Hidden in the shadows of Hong Kong's glittering skyline lies a criminal empire older than the skyscrapers themselves. The Triads are not just street gangs - they are brotherhoods forged in blood, bound by ritual, and driven by an insatiable hunger for power. For centuries, they have thrived in secrecy, adapting from opium dens and gambling halls to global networks of drugs, human trafficking, extortion, and cybercrime.In Empire of Fear, investigative writer Austin K. Starr pulls back the curtain on one of the world's most dangerous underworlds. From their mysterious origins in Qing dynasty China to their rise as modern-day syndicates shaping politics, business, and street life in Hong Kong, this book delivers the untold story of a secret society that rules through loyalty, betrayal, and fear.Inside, you will uncover: The bloody history of how the Triads began as rebels and became criminal kings.The rituals, codes, and symbols that bind members tighter than family.The brutal wars and betrayals that shaped their evolution into today's crime networks.Their grip on Hong Kong's streets - and their influence beyond Asia.What the future holds for organized crime in an era of surveillance, globalization, and power struggles.Gripping, fast-paced, and deeply researched, Empire of Fear is more than a true crime story - it is a journey into the dark heart of Hong Kong's underworld, where brotherhood means everything and betrayal means death.If you want to understand how power, crime, and tradition collide in the 21st century, this is the book you cannot afford to miss.