He's got connections both in the straight world and the underworld.
Tips
usage
Always paired conceptually with 黑道 ('underworld'). 白道 = cops, officials, legitimate business; 黑道 = triads, criminals. The metaphor goes back to white/black as good/evil.
culture
The astronomy sense (moon's path) is much older, Han-dynasty astronomers contrasted 白道 (moon) with 黄道 (ecliptic / sun's path).
