Chapter 135: Subjugating the Soldiers

"Tie Niu, do you understand now? When I first started hanging out with Da Bing, you called me bored. Now you see why. I saw that he was ruthless and loyal to his subordinates—he was a born gang leader. I was just helping Brother Fei recruit talent, you understand?" Gou Zi slapped his thigh as he spoke.

Tie Niu gave a dull laugh and scratched his head, looking embarrassed. "I guess you were right this time, Brother Fei. But I still don't think much of him. I could take him with one hand, and even ten of him wouldn't last a single move against me. I really don't get what use he is."

Long Fei wiped the sweat from his brow. Although he hadn't met Da Bing, who had served as a scout in the military, he knew exactly what he was dealing with. A freak of nature like Tie Niu wasn't just a fighter; he was a force of nature. Ten, or even a hundred, of someone like Da Bing wouldn't stand a chance against Tie Niu's single hand.

"Listen, Tie Niu," Long Fei explained patiently. "There are still many ordinary people in this world. I can't send you to handle every little thing. When you strike, people tend to die, and sometimes I want to get things done without taking lives. That's when I need someone like Da Bing. Does that make sense?"

Tie Niu laughed foolishly and waved his hands. "Brother Fei, I don't understand all that, but since you say so, it must be right. I'll do whatever you tell me to do, and use whoever you want me to use."

Long Fei smiled. Gou Zi caught his eye and chuckled bitterly. "Brother Fei, look at how loyal Tie Niu is to you. But his brain... I don't get it. If someone called him stupid, I'd be the first to slap them, but if someone called him smart, I'd want to slap them too!"

"Alright, enough arguing. We're all brothers here. Just go ahead and call Da Bing over." Long Fei grabbed a bottle of beer, popped the cap, and drained it in one go. "Damn, it's hot today."

"Oh, Tie Niu, go get the fan," Gou Zi called out.

Tie Niu grunted, and while Gou Zi was on the phone with Da Bing, he dragged over a massive industrial fan. It was the high-powered kind; a gust from it could almost lift a light person off their feet.

Long Fei quickly waved him off. If they turned that thing on, the food on the table would be blown to pieces. After the beer, he felt a little cooler.

Soon, the sound of guard dogs barking echoed from outside the yard, and a voice shouted, "Brother Gou, I'm here!"

Long Fei almost laughed. If he didn't know better, he would have thought Da Bing was greeting the dogs.

The man who followed Gou Zi inside was about thirty years old. He had thick, calloused knuckles, a buzz cut, and was wearing a military training undershirt and jeans. He didn't look like the hoodlum Long Fei had imagined—no flashy style, no tattoos. This impressed Long Fei, and he felt an immediate sense of favor toward him.

Long Fei soon realized the man's appearance was likely a lingering habit from his military days. He nodded and gestured for the broad-shouldered man to sit.

"Hurry up and call him Brother Fei," Gou Zi prompted.

The man frowned. "Who is he?"

Men who came from the military were like that—they respected the strong, but they didn't necessarily bow to strangers.

Long Fei smiled, but before he could speak, Tie Niu moved with lightning speed. A loud *thud* echoed as Da Bing was sent flying, crashing into a nearby table. The table shattered into splinters, and Da Bing gripped his stomach, sweat pouring down his face, yet he didn't let out a single groan.

Tie Niu stood there, his foolish grin gone, replaced by a cold, ruthless expression.

Da Bing scrambled up from the ground, wiping blood from the corner of his mouth. He glanced at Gou Zi, but the latter could only shrug helplessly. When Tie Niu acted, not even Gou Zi dared to intervene. Only Long Fei could control this "raging bull."

Long Fei raised a hand to stop Tie Niu from attacking again. He stood up, a wicked smile on his face, beer bottle in hand, and strolled over to Da Bing. After looking him up and down, he asked, "Which unit were you in?"

Da Bing snapped into an instinctive salute, but immediately grew cautious, frowning at Long Fei. Before he could answer, Gou Zi snapped, "Damn it, Da Bing! If you want to live, answer Brother Fei, or I can't protect you."

Tie Niu stepped closer, looking ready to snap his neck. Da Bing wasn't a fool; despite his pride, he was cautious. "Southern Sword," he replied.

Long Fei smiled. "Ah, an elite from the Guangzhou Military Region's Special Forces—one of the 'Twin Swords of China.' Very good. I have a friend who served in the Special Forces, too—well, he used to. A different 'Sword,' though. I’m curious, why would an elite from a top-tier special forces unit end up as a petty gang leader in a remote village?"

"Southern Sword" was one of the seven great special forces units of China, known for their prowess in reconnaissance and assassination. Long Fei knew this better than anyone; he possessed information that would be considered top-secret to the average citizen.

Da Bing’s brow furrowed deeper. He felt a sense of danger radiating from Long Fei—a feeling far more intense than what he felt from Tie Niu. Even though Long Fei was smiling, Da Bing felt like he was facing an insurmountable mountain.

"Can I choose not to say?" Da Bing asked, his tone unusually guarded.

Long Fei took a sip of beer and chewed on a piece of pig's ear. It was authentic Chongqing spicy flavor—he loved it. He liked eating like this: meat in one hand, beer in the other. It reminded him of his youth, when he and his friends would scrape together money for cheap liquor and snacks, sitting under a bridge, taking turns drinking. It was bittersweet, but nostalgic.

"No," Long Fei said, his smile fading. "I’ve taken a liking to you, and I want you to be one of mine. If you’re going to work for me, I need to know your history. And you don't get to tell me 'no.' Anyone who says 'no' to me loses the chance to be valued by me forever. If you lie or keep things from me, it’s simple: I’ll have Tie Niu toss you off this building. You’ll be crippled, but you’ll live. But if you refuse me, it just proves you’re nothing but street trash. To people like you, I have two options: play the savior or wipe you out. I prefer the latter, as I’m no saint. Killing is a big deal to some, but for you and me, it’s easy, isn't it?"

Long Fei stared into Da Bing’s eyes, exuding a killing intent so palpable that Da Bing was forced to take a step back.

A minute later, Da Bing finally spoke. "Fine. I'll tell you."

Long Fei returned to his seat, continuing to eat and drink as if Da Bing didn't exist. He seemed so ordinary, yet Da Bing felt he couldn't look him in the eye. He was a dangerous man.

"Three years ago, I went home on leave. A fire broke out, and my family was gone. I only have a younger sister left, but she was left crippled by the burns. I hated the person who started the fire—even if it was an accident, his carelessness caused it. So, I killed his entire family, but left him alive. I wanted him to feel the pain I felt. The police put out a warrant, so I fled to Vietnam for two years. Once things cooled down, I came back, changed my name to Da Bing, and settled here."

Da Bing’s voice was flat, but his eyes burned with rage. Long Fei admired his ruthlessness; in an era where men hid behind laws and morality, Da Bing’s "eye for an eye" mentality was rare.

"And your sister?" Long Fei asked.

Gou Zi stepped in. "I know this part, Brother Fei. Let me."

Da Bing looked at Gou Zi with shock and suspicion. He had never told anyone about his sister.

Gou Zi ignored him and addressed Long Fei. "His name is Zhu Bing. Joined in 1995, served in the Guangzhou Special Forces, executed 108 missions. In 2007, he returned home, the fire happened, and he murdered the neighbor's family of six. The neighbor he left alive is now in a psychiatric ward. His sister, Zhu Mei, was disfigured and lives in a village in Henan, supported by his secret remittances."

"Anything else?" Long Fei asked.

"Just this," Gou Zi continued. "He joined an armed faction in Vietnam, then returned to China a year ago, changed his name to Liu Bing, and formed the 'Wind and Cloud Association' in Tianhai. He made millions, but he gave most of it to his subordinates. He has no savings."

Da Bing looked horrified. "Who are you people? Are you here to arrest me?"

Long Fei laughed. "Do you really think the government would send people like us? If they wanted you, they would have taken you already."

Da Bing realized the truth. He was a smart man. If he didn't submit, he would be crippled by Tie Niu and handed over for the bounty, or worse.

Long Fei laughed again. "Da Bing, you're a smart guy. Come, have a drink."

Da Bing grabbed a bottle and downed it. "Brother Fei, what exactly do you do?"

"Damn it, Da Bing, stop asking questions!" Gou Zi snapped. "You were in the special forces—you know the rules. What you need to know, you'll know. What you don't, you shouldn't ask. Just follow Brother Fei, and you'll get benefits you can't even imagine."

Da Bing nodded hurriedly. "Yes, yes. I spoke out of turn. I'll follow you, Brother Fei. Should I call some of my men over to join us?"

Long Fei blinked, then laughed. "No need. It's broad daylight—what's the fun in that?"