By climbing to the top through the death of your leaders is in fact a legitimate yet wicked path.
It's considered legitimate because it actually works; once those above you are dead, it's naturally your turn to take their place.
But calling it wicked is due to the messy entanglements of real-world interests—not like those in novels—where everyone is woven into a large web, with each person strategically placed in a suitable position.
Anyone who steps out of line is seen as an outcast by everyone else.
Gru undoubtedly stepped out of line, but no one could catch him with concrete evidence, and Cheng Daqi had evidence but would not report it.
Now, it seems like Gru is somewhat being secretly cornered by others.
Here, being cornered doesn't mean to kill or eliminate him, but rather to strip him of power and force him out of this game.
For those in power, the pain of losing power is far greater than any physical pain.
