Hailong controlled the Dragon King, watching the great fire burning on the sea from a distance, and said to himself, "Wang An, you had a path to heaven but chose not to take it. Since you want to use my life to achieve your glory and wealth, don't blame me for being ruthless."
After killing Wang An, Liu Yong'an and the others returned to the small fishing village by boat. Upon their return, Liu Yong'an called Hailong and casually said, "It's all cleaned up." Hailong understood what he meant. Hailong felt that Liu Yong'an and the others were becoming more mature and increasingly resembled professional killers.
After returning to shore, Liu Yong'an told everyone, "Rest up tonight. The boss wants us to wait for him to come and discuss our next move." Everyone nodded.
In fact, everyone knew that Guan Daqiu would eventually come after them for revenge. This incident couldn't withstand investigation, especially not by the mafia. However, that wasn't the main issue. The main issue was that after swearing blood oaths of loyalty to Hailong in the hospital, everyone had already sold their lives to him. Although they were uneducated, they knew the meaning of loyalty. Now that the incident with Guan Dahu had been discovered, they would follow Hailong's arrangements. In their view, they were already Hailong's enforcers, and how to deal with Guan Dahu was Hailong's problem. They were just enforcers and would follow Hailong's orders. With this mindset, they slept soundly, feeling no discomfort over killing Wang An. However, they didn't know that Hailong had already planned their future, and a great trial awaited them.
The next morning, Hailong took a taxi to the small fishing village. By then, his many subordinates had already eaten breakfast and were gathered in Liu Yong'an's small courtyard, each sitting on a small stool chatting. Seeing Hailong arrive, they all stood up and greeted him, "Good morning, boss."
Hailong smiled and told them to sit down. Liu Yong'an quickly ran into the house to get a stool for Hailong. After sitting down, Hailong gave Liu Chenglong a nod, and Liu Chenglong understood, taking two people to stand guard at the door. Seeing them at the door, Hailong said seriously, "It seems that a battle with Guan Daqiu in six months is inevitable. What do you all think?"
Everyone shook their heads. Liu Yong'an said, "Boss, we'll follow your lead. Whatever you say, we'll do. Don't think we're afraid just because he's a real gangster. We all have two shoulders and one head; why should we be afraid?" Liu Yongquan also nodded in agreement. The two brothers had discussed it the night before. Their father had once instructed them to protect Hailong with their lives. Now was the time to fulfill that promise. They knew Guan Daqiu's power and that he had real gangsters willing to fight to the death, along with other thugs, totaling at least three to four hundred men. So, the two brothers were prepared to protect Hailong with their lives.
Seeing everyone's determination, Hailong smiled and said, "Don't be so pessimistic. Guan Daqiu isn't as powerful as you think, and you aren't as weak as you think. You just haven't discovered your own abilities yet."
Seeing everyone's puzzled looks, Hailong continued, "I've already thought about this. According to my intelligence, Guan Daqiu has about three hundred enforcers, but only thirty are true killers. The other three hundred are just thugs. Of these thirty, only ten are at home, guarding the territory, while the other twenty are out at sea with Guan Daqiu. These ten aren't much to fear. Remember, the mafia in Donghai City isn't just Guan Daqiu. I know of three other mafia groups that can match him. With Guan Daqiu at sea, A Cheng, who's in charge at home, has to be on guard against attacks from the other three. He won't dare to move against us before Guan Daqiu returns. If he makes a mistake, Guan Daqiu's territory might change hands. So, we have six months to prepare. In that time, I plan to train each of you into true killers. After six months, when Guan Daqiu returns, we'll strike first. If we can find a chance to kill him, everything will be easier. Of course, the condition is that you all become true killers."
Everyone was surprised that Hailong would find someone to train them. To the young men in the fishing village, killing Guan Dahu didn't make them regretful; they were just upset about involving Hailong. Hailong could have made a lot of money by taking Liu Yong'an and the others crab fishing, but he had given them jobs to help the young men in the fishing village, which led to Guan Dahu's retaliation. Although they felt relieved after killing Guan Dahu, they had also dragged Hailong into this mess. They were taking high salaries from Hailong while potentially sending him to jail. If it weren't for Liu Chenglong's idea of the blood oath, they would have wanted to show Hailong their hearts to prove they didn't mean to harm him. They were prepared for Guan Daqiu's revenge, having endured a life of hardship. They were ready to turn themselves in if necessary. After becoming Hailong's subordinates, they left these problems to him, knowing he was more experienced and had sold their lives to him. They would do whatever Hailong said. Now that Hailong said he would find someone to train them, they were even more determined. Who would want to die when they could live? They hadn't even enjoyed their annual salary of 200,000 yuan. They all shouted, "We'll follow the boss."
Hailong smiled and said, "Since you're with me, I won't let you down."
Liu Yong'an asked, "Boss, where will we find a trainer to turn us into killers?"
Hailong said, "I've already found one. Even without Guan Daqiu, I planned to train you. Just being full of passion isn't enough; you need real skills. Otherwise, when my business grows and I need each of you to take charge of a different area, you won't be able to handle it. I don't have anyone else I trust, so what would I do?"
Everyone was excited by Hailong's words, never imagining he had plans for them to take charge of different areas. Hailong wanted to give them a goal. He smiled and said, "Think about it. The boss makes a lot of money every day. What do you do with all that money? Expand, of course. Guan Daqiu can buy long-distance fishing boats; why can't I? When I buy twenty or more long-distance fishing boats, each of you will be a captain. I'll sit at home and collect the money. I'll give each of you an annual salary of one million yuan, and you'll each have dozens of subordinates to command. How does that sound?"
Everyone went wild when they heard about the one million yuan annual salary. Hailong wasn't exaggerating. Liu Yong'an and the others had been crab fishing with four medium-sized boats and had a firsthand experience of how Hailong's methods increased their catch by several times. Each boat brought back over two tons of crabs daily, which they sold to wealthy neighborhoods and high-end hotels, earning over 200,000 yuan per trip. At this rate, Hailong could buy three to four long-distance fishing boats in a year. In a few years, each of the twenty brothers could have their own fishing boat. The thought of controlling a long-distance fishing boat and earning over a million yuan annually, living in a luxurious neighborhood, dating beautiful women, enjoying gourmet food from around the world, and driving sports cars, was incredibly exciting. They had to become killers; Hailong was right.
Seeing everyone's enthusiasm, Hailong continued, "I found a mercenary from Vietnam at the job market. I've been observing him for a few days and am quite satisfied. I plan to talk to him this afternoon. If everything goes well, you'll start intense training tomorrow. You have to stick with it, brothers. I'll train with you. For your future, you have to stick with it."
Hailong was surprised by the group's enthusiasm, realizing that once people have a goal, their passion and motivation are different. After saying goodbye, Hailong headed to the job market.
Li Guohui never imagined his girlfriend would betray him, leaving him for a richer man. Li Guohui was once a top special forces soldier in the Donghai Military District, sent on special operations multiple times. After retiring, he lost his purpose in life. The military had assigned him to the railway department, but his 3,000 yuan monthly salary couldn't support his girlfriend. A friend suggested he become a mercenary in Vietnam. Encouraged by his girlfriend, Li Guohui took up arms again, regaining his military spirit. In Vietnam, he lived a life of constant killing, earning over 10,000 yuan monthly. He sent most of his money to his girlfriend, keeping only what he needed. Over five years, he accumulated countless wounds and became increasingly sad as his teammates died one by one. When he had to end his mercenary career due to an injury, he returned to Donghai City to marry his girlfriend. However, she told him their relationship was over, unable to accept a life without money. After receiving 8,000 yuan monthly from him, she had grown to love luxury, expensive cars, and high-end clubs, and the men who provided her with such a life.
She thought Li Guohui could provide that life, but now he was injured, with a shattered leg bone, unable to walk without a cane. How could he earn money for her? As a woman with no job or income, she relied on Li Guohui. Now, he needed her support, and the thought of leaving her luxurious life for a poor one was unbearable. Over the years, many men had pursued her, and she decided to marry a rich man who loved her. As for Li Guohui, she had no time for him. After five years, he still couldn't provide for her. Why wait?
Painfully, Li Guohui watched his beloved woman get into another man's car. He wanted to jump off a building but couldn't bear the thought of giving up. He returned to the job market, hoping to find a job. Despite his injured leg, he was confident that in a one-on-one fight, no one could beat him.
However, after a month of interviews, employers only saw his injured leg, not his skills. Repeated rejections made Li Guohui increasingly depressed. His once-neat clothes became disheveled, but his bloodthirsty eyes remained unchanged, a result of years of killing.
Hailong had been looking for a battle-hardened mercenary to teach his subordinates combat skills. When he saw Li Guohui's bloodthirsty eyes, he knew Li Guohui had killed many people. Hailong killed using the Dragon King, mostly fish, but Li Guohui's scars were from knives and bullets.
Approaching Li Guohui, Hailong asked, "Are you looking for a job?"
Sitting in a corner of the job market, Li Guohui, leaning against the wall, said without looking up, "Yes, but what can I do? What can you do with me?"
Surprised by Li Guohui's dejection, Hailong smiled and said, "Open your eyes and look into mine. You'll know what I want you to do."
Li Guohui never expected such a request. Bored, he looked up, but when he met Hailong's eyes, he was stunned by the overwhelming bloodlust, as if seeing countless vengeful spirits. Seeing Li Guohui's shocked expression, Hailong smiled and said, "Come with me. Let's find a place to talk. I want to know why your eyes are filled with the same vengeful spirits as mine. You have a story, I can tell."
Li Guohui sometimes felt afraid of his own eyes in the mirror. Finding someone with the same eyes was a strange feeling. He said, "I'm Li Guohui. I'll go with you."
Hailong smiled and said, "I'm Hailong. Let's go."
Hailong took Li Guohui to a coffee shop and found a private room. "You just came back from the battlefield, didn't you? My father was a soldier. I can see your scars are from the battlefield."
For some reason, Li Guohui felt compelled to tell Hailong everything. He took out a first-class merit medal and said with a bitter smile, "Yes, I just came back from Myanmar. I was a top special forces soldier in the Donghai Military District. After ten years of service, I was assigned to the railway department, but my girlfriend thought my salary was too low. To support her, I went to Myanmar as a mercenary. Over five years, I earned 120,000 yuan annually, keeping only 2,000 yuan for myself and sending the rest to her." Tears streamed down his face as he placed his injured leg on the table and shouted, "Five years, I sent her all my money. But because of my injured leg, because I can't earn money anymore, she left me for another man. Now I have nothing—no money, no job, no future. All I have are these scars and this crippled leg."
Hailong said, "Do you want to work for me? I'll pay you 10,000 yuan monthly."
Li Guohui was surprised, "What can I do in this state? I can't earn 10,000 yuan."
Hailong smiled, "I need your experience. I want you to train 24 young men like you. Can you do it?"
Li Guohui said proudly, "It's not that easy to reach my level. It takes talent."
Hailong said, "They're all sixteen or seventeen, in good health, and eager to learn combat skills. What do you think?"
Li Guohui said, "First, tell me why your eyes are filled with the same bloodlust as mine, and why your bloodlust is even stronger, as if you often engage in close combat. I want to know what you do."
Hailong smiled, "I'm a fisherman, leading over twenty subordinates to fish at sea. As for why my bloodlust is so strong, I can't tell you yet. I'm not a gangster. If you become my brother, I'll tell you when the time is right."
Li Guohui nodded, "You're not the type to lie. I believe you."