Hong Kong variety show: The mastermind behind the scenes is emerging.

Kowloon, San Po Kong.

A brand-new martial arts school has just hung up its signboard. The red silk cloth has not yet been unveiled, but the four powerful characters on the thick solid wood plaque read "Luojun Martial Arts School".

"This name..."

Sitting on a chair in the lobby of the martial arts school, Lu Chen looked at the plaque and couldn't help but twitch his lips. He turned to Xiao Ma next to him and complained, "It really suits Luo Jun's personality: simple, crude, and utterly lacking in literary talent."

"Hey boss, this is called 'great skill without artifice'." Little Ma smiled and handed Lu Chen a cigarette. "Luo Jun said that opening a martial arts school is about teaching people to fight. Using names like 'Tianxia Hall' or 'Dragon Tiger Gate' is too fancy. Let's be more direct."

At this moment, on the central arena of the martial arts school, which still smelled of varnish, two figures were colliding at high speed.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

The dull thuds of flesh colliding were as dense as war drums.

One was Chen Luojun, shirtless, revealing his strong, granite-like muscles, sweat dripping down his back. His punches were fierce and unparalleled, each strike carrying the power to split mountains and shatter rocks—a killing technique he had honed in underground boxing matches.

His opponent was a burly man with a fierce face—the youngest of the Seven Sons of Heaven, Tian Yangyong.

If Chen Luojun was a fierce tiger descending the mountain, then Tian Yangyong was a wild bull that knew no pain. Faced with Chen Luojun's storm-like attacks, he neither dodged nor evaded, but instead used his arms to withstand the blows, while simultaneously using his body weight and astonishing resilience to launch counterattacks from time to time.

"drink!"

Chen Luojun delivered a powerful whip kick to Tian Yangyong's neck.

A glint flashed in Tian Yangyong's eyes. He suddenly raised his left arm to block, and his right fist slammed into Chen Luojun's abdomen like a cannonball.

"Bang!"

Both were hit at the same time and each took three steps back.

The floor of the ring groaned under the strain.

"Impressive skills!" Chen Luojun rubbed his slightly numb calves, his eyes filled with excited fighting spirit. "You're really tough!"

"You're not bad either." Tian Yangyong grinned, revealing a set of white teeth. "In South Vietnam, anyone who could withstand one of my punches and not fall down would be buried with grass growing two meters high by now."

The two exchanged a glance and burst into laughter simultaneously. It was a mutual respect between two strong individuals.

Lu Chen clapped softly from below the stage.

"Wonderful."

He turned around and looked at the other six people standing behind him.

The leader, Tian Yangsheng, still wore sunglasses and his black leather jacket, his hands in his pockets, standing as straight as a pine tree. Even while watching a play, his aura seemed to solidify, radiating a chilling aura that kept strangers at bay.

"Looks like Mark wasn't lying to me." Lu Chen walked up to Tian Yangsheng, took off his sunglasses, and stared directly into his eyes. "You guys are indeed skilled... the best of the best."

He has already "interviewed" them separately.

The second brother, Tian Yangyi, analyzed the formation and tactics with great expertise. Although the third brother, Tian Yangzhi, did not fire a gun at the martial arts school, his calloused hands and the gun assembly skills he had just demonstrated showed that he was an expert in handling guns. As for the only girl, Tian Yangen, Xiao Ma only had to test her slightly before discovering the scalpel blade hidden in her sleeve—she was a ruthless character who could both save and kill.

This is the team he wanted.

A special forces team that has been through the baptism of war, has excellent teamwork, and is currently in dire straits.

"Mr. Lu, you flatter me." Tian Yangsheng's voice was hoarse and deep. "We are just a group of rough people trying to make a living."

His tone still carried a hint of wariness. Years of mercenary experience had made him unable to easily trust anyone, especially seemingly glamorous and wealthy people like this.

Lu Chen smiled but didn't bring up money directly.

He turned around and pointed to Chen Luojun, who was still on stage with his arm around Tian Yangyong's shoulder.

"That big guy is my brother. A few months ago, he was just like you, an undocumented immigrant, a 'gangster' who only knew how to box. But now, he's the owner of this martial arts gym, he has an ID card, he owns property, and he's respected."

Tian Yangsheng's eyes narrowed slightly behind his sunglasses.

"What I want to say is that when I, Lu Chen, employ people, I never treat them like dogs, but like brothers."

"..."

Lu Chen turned around, staring intently at Tian Yangsheng, and suddenly made a decision that surprised everyone.

"Tian Yangsheng, then my safety is in your hands for the next period of time."

"Close-fitting?" Tian Yangsheng was taken aback.

"Yes, to put it another way... I'm entrusting my back to you." Lu Chen took half a step forward, less than an arm's length away from Tian Yangsheng.

This distance is an absolute "lethal distance" for a killing machine like Tian Yangsheng. If he wanted to, even without weapons, he could kill Lu Chen on the spot with just a flick of his wrist to crush his throat.

Looking at the young boss in front of him, who, despite his extraordinary demeanor, was only slightly better physically than the average person in his eyes, he felt a surge of absurdity and... shock.

"Mr. Lu, do you know what you're saying?" Tian Yangsheng's voice was deep. "We've only known each other for less than two hours. Aren't you afraid I'll be bribed to stab you in the back? Or that I'm after your money and will kidnap you?"

"Of course I'm scared, how could I not be? I value my life a lot." Lu Chen shrugged, looking completely honest. "But I trust my judgment even more. I've always had a good eye, so I trust you."

"I give you my life, and you give me your loyalty. That's my condition."

The martial arts school was deathly silent.

Tian Yangsheng looked at the young tycoon before him. He had met many important figures, some greedy, some cruel, and some hypocritical. But he had never met anyone like Lu Chen.

That openness, that confidence, and that sense of trust that seemed to see right through his soul made Tian Yangsheng's heart, which had long been cooled by the flames of war, feel a long-lost warmth.

A scholar will die for one who understands him.

This ancient saying has a deadly effect on these lonely ghosts struggling on the edge.

a long time.

Tian Yangsheng slowly took off his sunglasses, revealing his sharp, eagle-like eyes.

At this moment, his eyes held less coldness and more complex emotions.

"Mr. Lu, your life is very precious," Tian Yangsheng said, enunciating each word clearly. "Since you dare to gamble, then I, Tian Yangsheng, will gamble with you. I guarantee that as long as I have a breath left, no one will be able to harm a single hair on your head."

"Great!" Lu Chen laughed and extended his hand. "Then it'll be a pleasure to cooperate."

"...It's a pleasure working with you!"

Their hands were clasped tightly together.

【Ding--】

[Key plot character detected: Tian Yangsheng]

[Checking in at the movie "Men's True Colors"]

[Check-in successful!]

[Reward: +1 Free Attribute Point]

【Ding--】

[Key plot character detected: Tian Yangyong]

[Checking in at the movie "Men's True Colors"]

[Check-in successful!]

[Reward: +1 Free Attribute Point]

Lu Chen was secretly delighted; this was a huge profit.

"By the way," Lu Chen looked at Tian Yang'en, the short-haired girl who had been standing quietly in the corner, "Miss A'en, I have another task for you."

"Mr. Lu, please speak," Tian Yang'en said in a cold voice.

"I have an assistant named Ruan Mei. She's an ordinary girl. I'd like you to be her bodyguard and... well, friend when she goes to Europe this time," Lu Chen said. "She's not in good health, and since you know medicine, could you please help take care of her?"

Tian Yang'en paused for a moment, then glanced at his elder brother. Tian Yangsheng nodded slightly.

"Don't worry, boss," Tian Yangen replied, "I guarantee no one will touch a single hair on her head."

"very good."

Everything was agreed upon.

Lu Chen snapped his fingers, and Little Ma immediately came over carrying a heavy black briefcase, placed it on the table, and opened it with a "click".

A box full of Hong Kong dollars, exuding the alluring scent of ink under the light.

"Here is three and a half million." Lu Chen said calmly, as if it were just a box of waste paper. "As Mark told you before, this is my advance payment for settling in. Your salary will be paid after I return from Europe."

Looking at the box of money, Tianyang Qizi's breathing became rapid.

They risked their lives in South Vietnam, what's a life worth? And now, before they've even started working, the boss has already thrown out 3.5 million!

"This... is too much." The second brother, Tian Yangyi, swallowed hard.

"Not much." Lu Chen closed the suitcase and pushed it in front of Tian Yangsheng. "Buy the brothers some decent clothes and find them a better place to live. Since they're with me, they shouldn't be living in those leaky, run-down houses anymore. Be presentable; after all, Hong Kong is known for showing respect based on appearances first."

"Also, I've already arranged for your ID cards," Lu Chen added. "Tomorrow morning, someone will deliver the complete set of documents to you. From tomorrow onwards, you will be legal permanent residents of Hong Kong Island."

"Boss..." Tian Yangyong, a straightforward man, had tears welling up in his eyes upon hearing this, "From now on, if anyone dares to touch you, I, A-Yong, will be the first to snap their neck!"

"Alright, enough with the sentimental stuff." Lu Chen glanced at his watch. "I'll give you three days to handle your personal matters. Come to the company to see me after three days... Oh, and while you're in Europe, teach me how to use a gun, and some self-defense techniques."

Lu Chen said to Tian Yangsheng, "Even though you guys are here, I don't want to be a burden who just hides in the back."

"No problem, boss." Tian Yangsheng's lips curled into a very faint smile. "I'll be very strict."

"Hahaha!"

……

Meanwhile, in Tai Po District, there is a hidden, abandoned illegal pier.

The night was as dark as ink, and the waves crashed against the barnacle-infested wooden stakes with a sickening sound. The air was thick with the stench of dead fish mixed with diesel fuel.

A dilapidated speedboat is bobbing up and down with the waves.

In a tin shack on the shore, a dim light bulb swayed in the wind.

"Damn it! Why aren't they here yet?! Didn't we agree to leave at ten?"

Wang Jiu paced anxiously back and forth in the room. He looked utterly disheveled—his once arrogant long hair was a mess, and one of his signature sunglasses was broken, held up by tape and hanging from his ear. His floral shirt was covered in stains and holes, and stained with dried blood.

For the past month, he has been living a life worse than death.

His territory was gone, his money was frozen, and his underlings were either dead or had fled. He, on the other hand, spent his days evading the police and the underworld, like a rat in the street, hiding in the sewers and sleeping next to garbage dumps, waking up at the slightest sound.

Now, only two people are left in the house.

He and Rotten Tooth Colt.

"Ninth Brother, have some water." Rotten Tooth Colt handed over an opened bottle of mineral water, his eyes flickering. "The smuggler just signaled that the coast guard patrol has just passed by, and the ship will set sail in ten minutes. Once we're on board and in international waters, we'll be free!"

"Mmm." Wang Jiu took the water and gulped down more than half of the bottle. He was truly thirsty and truly exhausted.

"Thanks to you this time, Ah Ju." Wang Jiu wiped his mouth, patted Lan Ya Ju's shoulder, and showed a rare hint of tenderness. "Those bastards all ran away, but you're still sticking with me. Don't worry, when we get there, I'll give you half of the money I swindled from the big boss. That'll be enough for us brothers to live a carefree life."

Rotten Tooth Koi forced out a cryptic smile: "Thank you, Ninth Brother... It's because you helped me make a fortune, Ninth Brother..."

"Alright, stop talking nonsense. Go and urge the snakehead to hurry up. I can't stand this godforsaken place for another minute!" Wang Jiu stood up, wanting to stretch his muscles.

However, the moment he stood up, a sharp, intense pain suddenly erupted from his abdomen, as if a thousand knives were churning inside him.

"Well--!"

Wang Jiu let out a scream, his whole body suddenly hunched over, and the water bottle in his hand fell to the ground.

"What's wrong... my stomach..." Wang Jiu clutched his abdomen in pain, his face turning deathly pale, and large beads of sweat rolled down his face.

He practices hard qigong, making him invulnerable to swords and spears, but that doesn't mean his internal organs are made of iron.

"The water...the water is poisonous..."

Wang Jiu suddenly raised his head, his bloodshot eyes fixed on Rotten Tooth, his gaze filled with disbelief and boundless hatred.

"you……"

"You betrayed me?!"

Rotten Tooth Colt stumbled back several steps, clutching a dagger tightly in his hand, his voice trembling: "Ninth Brother... I'm sorry... I didn't want to... but someone offered too much... and following you only leads to death!"

"Ah—! I'm going to kill you!"

Wang Jiu let out a beastly roar, wanting to rush over and strangle Rotten Tooth Horse. But he had only taken one step when he collapsed to his knees with a thud.

That wasn't ordinary poison; it was a high-concentration chemical agent that Lu Chen had specially prepared for Little Ma, specifically targeting the nervous system and internal organs. Once ingested, even a miracle wouldn't save you.

"puff--"

Wang Jiu spat out a mouthful of black blood, and his body began to convulse violently. His hard qigong became a joke at this moment, and he could only watch helplessly as his life force rapidly drained away from his body.

"I... am not reconciled... I am Wang Jiu... I am the King of Kowloon..."

Wang Jiu's hand twitched in the air a few times before finally falling limply to the ground. The shattered sunglasses slipped down, revealing a pair of unseeing eyes staring blankly at the dark night sky.

The reign of Kowloon's mad tycoon has come to an end. He died at a dilapidated dock, at the hands of his most trusted henchman.

"Phew..." Rotten Tooth Colt let out a long breath and wiped the sweat from his forehead.

He kicked Wang Jiu's corpse to make sure he was dead, then turned around and shouted into the dark corner, "Come out! I've done my job! Where's the money?"

Two figures slowly emerged from the darkness.

One was the snakehead with a face full of scars, carrying a black travel bag.

The other one was Little Ma, wearing a black trench coat, sunglasses, and a toothpick in his mouth.

"Well done," Little Ma said casually, glancing at the corpse on the ground.

"Hehe, Brother Ma, this was all done as you instructed." Rotten Tooth Koi rubbed his hands together, looking greedily at the bag in the snakehead's hand. "Um... the remaining balance..."

"Here! The money from the big boss is all yours, and the remaining balance is in here. Take it yourself." Little Ma pointed to the bag.

Rotten Tooth was overjoyed and rushed over to unzip the zipper.

However, there was no money in the bag.

There was only a pile of waste newspapers.

"Damn it!" Rotten Tooth Koi froze, then whirled around. "Brother Ma, what do you mean by this?!"

"It means..."

Little Ma pulled out a Black Star pistol with a silencer from his pocket, pointing the dark muzzle at Rotten Tooth Koi's forehead.

Only the dead can keep secrets.

Rotten Tooth's pupils constricted sharply: "You...you broke your promise! I'm a hero! I am..."

"puff!"

A soft sound.

A red dot appeared between Rotten Teeth's eyebrows. His expression froze on horror and disbelief as he fell straight backward, landing right next to Wang Jiu's corpse.

The master and servant were finally reunited on their journey to the underworld.

"Clean it up." Little Ma holstered his gun, not even glancing at the corpses, pulled a thick wad of US dollars from his pocket, and tossed it to the smuggler. "This is your share. You know what to do with these two bodies, right?"

The smuggler took the money, weighed it in his hand, and smiled with satisfaction.

"Don't worry, Brother Ma, Wang Jiu's head is worth five million on the black market. I'll take his head to claim the reward from that big spender. As for this Rotten Tooth Koi... hehe, consider it a buy-one-get-one-free deal. Just chop him up and feed him to the fish."

"clever."

Little Ma nodded, turned and walked into the darkness.

The sea breeze still howled, and the waves crashed against the shore, as if nothing had happened.

Only those two gradually cooling corpses spoke of the cruelest truth of the martial world:

Out to mix, sooner or later have to repay.

Whether they are mad dogs or lackeys, their final destination is nothing more than a pile of mud.