After showing Xiao Hu and the others around the company, Ma Da waved his hand grandly.
"Come on, I’ll take you all out for a feast."
They took a car straight to a seafood buffet restaurant and ate their fill.
Ma Da, being a hefty guy, was already a big eater, but every time he went to a buffet, he felt like he never got his money’s worth—it always felt like a loss.
This time, however, he felt bringing Xiao Hu and the others was the right move.
Just the shrimp alone—their table demolished over fifty plates.
By the time they left, the waitstaff’s eyes were practically popping out of their heads.
The restaurant manager even pulled out a little notebook, its cover boldly labeled with three characters: "Blacklist."
On the way back, Ma Da picked his teeth with a toothpick and said smugly, "You guys did great today. Really taught that place a lesson."
"This is how you eat—no meat, no gain!"
"Next time, we’ll hit another spot. We won’t leave until the owners kneel and call us grandpas!"
Xiao Hu and the others chorused, "Yes, Brother Ma."
Then Ma Da seemed to remember something and added, "Oh, and don’t neglect your martial arts training. Study your books too when you have time."
Xiao Hu scratched his head. "Brother Ma, what books should we read?"
Ma Da casually pulled out a red-covered book from the car and tossed it to them. "Study this!"
Xiao Hu and his friends were practically illiterate. They knew a few characters but had never had a proper education.
Still, they were quick learners and good with their hands—after all, those who weren’t had long since had their limbs broken and been tossed out to beg. They wouldn’t be standing here whole otherwise.
Sitting in the car, Xiao Hu and the others flipped open the book, its cover emblazoned with two bold characters: "Criminal Law."
The text was tough going for them. Without formal schooling, they could recognize some words but struggled to grasp the content.
Truth be told, even many college graduates might not fully understand legal texts—it’s more about interpreting the law.
But even if they couldn’t comprehend it, the terms in the book sent chills down their spines.
This particular copy had annotations—someone had highlighted key sections.
And the highlighted parts? All criminal methods: poisoning, intentional homicide, dismemberment, arson, and so on.
What was Brother Ma getting at? Was he hinting at something with these markings?
Xiao Hu and the others thought back to the mentor Ma Da had introduced them to, combined with this peculiarly annotated book. It dawned on them—was Brother Ma training them to be assassins?
Strangely, even knowing this might be the case, they felt little resistance.
Maybe it was because, for the first time, they felt genuinely cared for.
Brother Ma treated them well. If repaying that kindness meant risking their lives someday, so be it.
Still, they needed to be sure.
"Brother Ma, can we ask what these highlighted parts are for?"
"Oh, those are the key points. Memorize them well—they’re crucial for your future. Might come in handy someday," Ma Da replied without hesitation.
His intention was simple: those highlights were common crimes people might commit in moments of recklessness. Remembering them would help the boys avoid lifelong regrets by understanding the consequences.
But to Xiao Hu and the others, it sounded like confirmation of their suspicions.
This annotated book was clearly meant for them—a primer on how to eliminate enemies.
Look, the markings even followed a sequence: from killing to arson and disposing of evidence, a complete step-by-step guide.
Though their hearts were heavy, Xiao Hu and the others solemnly vowed, "Brother Ma, we’ll study hard. We won’t let you down."
Ma Da nodded approvingly. "Good lads."
He found himself growing fonder of these kids—sharp and obedient.
Unlike the guys at the company, always dragging their feet and debating every little thing.
In the days that followed, Ma Da, following the young mistress’s orders, found Xiao Hu and the others a place to live.
He then took them to the police station for registration, DNA collection (for potential family matching), and even got them ID cards.
Once everything was settled, the martial arts school opened.
The dojo was modestly furnished—just needed enough space.
Xiao Hu and the others spent their days training with Yun Cheng, learning combat skills, and studying law with Zhao Tianyi. Their basics were weak, so most of the teaching fell to Zhao Tianyi’s assistant, who covered fundamentals.
Hua Muying dropped by occasionally to check on the boys.
At first, seeing their visible improvement, he felt relieved—he’d made the right call.
Xiao Hu and the others had filled out, their spirits lifted, and they’d even grown taller.
Life seemed good.
But then he stumbled upon Xiao Hu’s study notes, and his heart sank.
"The Wanlong Society is raising fucking assassins!"
The notebook was filled with meticulous records of criminal methods. Combined with their martial arts training, it seemed Liu Yutong was indeed grooming killers.
How else could this be a coincidence?
He tried probing Xiao Hu and the others, but they avoided his gaze, offering no answers.
What he didn’t know was that their note-taking habit came from Ma Da, who believed this method helped retention.
Hua Muying slapped his thigh in regret. "I’ve doomed them!"
He’d trusted the wrong people.
Maybe sending them to an orphanage would’ve been better—but it was too late now.
He could guess Liu Yutong’s motives. The Righteous Union had its own professional killers for dirty work.
Usually, tasks were assigned by lottery, with hired killers as last resorts.
Hua Muying left dejected, though he couldn’t exactly protest or confront Liu Yutong.
First, he was no saint himself—he’d originally bought Xiao Hu and the others to infiltrate Bright Pearl City’s human trafficking ring for intel, though he’d backed out.
Second, he dared not challenge Liu Yutong.
That woman was the most inscrutable, terrifying person he’d ever met.
Time flew, and soon it was October 22nd.
The first Yuyuefang restaurant opened in Bright Pearl City.
Meanwhile, the renovation of Wanlong Supermarket's University Town branch is nearing completion.
