After happily collecting the money, Ma Da stepped back onto the stage, took the microphone, and announced the most anticipated news for all members of the Wanlong Society.
"Next, we will announce the promotion list for Wanlong Society's core members."
"After thorough and careful evaluation by myself, Lawyer Zhao, and relevant department members, we confirm that the individuals on this list have fully grasped the society's regulations, deeply understood its core principles, and possess the necessary skills—meeting all promotion requirements. The list has received final approval with the Young Lady's signature. We now announce that the following 103 members are officially promoted to core status."
"Names will now be called. Those announced, please come to the stage!"
"Zhang Minghui, Wang Jian, Zhao Meiling..."
One by one, the named individuals stepped forward from the crowd, their faces brimming with unrestrained joy. Some were even moved to tears.
Finally, they had become core members. Finally, they could wear those coveted black uniforms.
From now on, who wouldn’t address them as "Brother" or "Sister"?
The benefits of being a Wanlong Society core member were widely known.
For instance, lifelong social security coverage—paid until retirement—including medical benefits for immediate family members. During holidays, gifts would be sent to their loved ones, and in the future, the society would organize fully funded family trips for core members.
There were even rumors that the land acquired by the company was reserved for them. Apart from building the headquarters, the remaining plots would be developed into residential areas, with Yu Corporation as the contractor. These homes would be sold to core members at cost price—some even whispered the approximate figures.
A 100-square-meter apartment could be secured with just a 100,000-yuan down payment, and the remaining mortgage could be covered entirely by their housing provident fund, requiring no additional payment.
It was practically like getting it for free.
In short, the list of perks for core members was enough to make anyone drool with envy.
One could say the benefits rivaled—if not surpassed—those of public sector employees.
And once someone became a core member, they essentially joined the ranks of "Brothers" and "Sisters." Wearing that uniform alone was enough to deter most troublemakers.
Ambitious young people, including some externally recruited managers, all aspired to become core members.
Once the newly promoted hundred-plus core members had gathered on stage, Liu Yutong stepped forward to address them.
The group included both men and women, though the majority were male.
"Young Lady!"
"Greetings, Young Lady!"
"..."
Their voices trembled with excitement.
Ma Da also approached Liu Yutong’s side and began his address: "Congratulations on becoming core members. We hope you will always remember the Wanlong Society’s principles—caution, meticulousness, boldness, and legal awareness—and put them into practice. Now, please come forward one by one to receive your uniforms and essential books for daily life and travel."
He kept it brief, wrapping up his speech in just two sentences before signaling the distribution to begin.
Liu Yutong stood on the steps, with several black-clad subordinates ready beside her, holding red-covered books and uniforms to pass to her.
After taking them, she personally handed them to each newly promoted core member.
The Wanlong Society had never held such a ceremony before. Previously, promotions were handled monthly, with members collecting their items from Ma Da.
But today was the annual gathering, and with over a hundred promotions at once—plus the persuasion from Yuncheng and Ma Da—Liu Yutong agreed to personally distribute the items, despite the exhaustion. The gesture would significantly boost morale, strengthen unity, and deepen the new members' loyalty to her.
The effect exceeded all expectations.
Each of the hundred-plus core members gazed at Liu Yutong with fervent admiration as they approached her.
For the Young Lady to personally bestow upon them the honor of the black uniform in such a grand setting—what an incredible privilege!
"We’d go through fire and water for you, Young Lady!"
By the time Liu Yutong reached the twelfth person—a young man from the university district—he suddenly saluted and shouted, "Young Lady! I, Liu Ziyang, pledge my life to the Wanlong Society and to you—through thick and thin, without hesitation!"
The outburst was unexpected, but it ignited a fire in the hearts of those still waiting in line.
From then on, the tone shifted. What was meant to be a simple promotion ceremony gradually transformed into a fervent rally.
"Young Lady! From this day forward, wherever you point, I’ll charge—be it through blades or flames!"
"Young Lady, I’d die a thousand deaths for you!"
"Young Lady, I’ll strive to embody our principles!"
"Young Lady..."
"..."
Though inwardly exasperated, Liu Yutong maintained a calm smile.
She placed the uniform in each member’s hands, followed by a red book, repeating the same encouraging words: "Work hard, study well, and read more!"
Among the spectators, Pan Xing initially scoffed at the ceremony.
To a seasoned underworld figure like him, accustomed to deception and treachery, this childlike display of loyalty seemed laughably naive.
But as time passed, his amusement faded.
Watching the fanaticism in the eyes of the newly promoted core members—and the yearning of the thousand-strong crowd below—sent chills down his spine.
One or two fanatics were manageable. A hundred or a thousand? That was terrifying.
He finally grasped the brilliance of this ritual.
Through oaths and symbolic uniforms, a simple status upgrade had been transformed into a psychological imprint—forging absolute loyalty to Liu Yutong.
This woman truly knew how to win hearts. No wonder she, a mere woman, had risen to the top.
He was tempted to adopt the same strategy.
The biggest issue in the Righteous Alliance was disunity—its faction leaders schemed against each other, and their followers were scattered.
Meanwhile, the Wanlong Society had turned a basic promotion into a faith-building exercise. Such mastery of leadership was impressive.
"Maybe I should try this when I get back?" Pan Xing mused.
What leader wouldn’t want unwavering devotion from their subordinates?
Sure, organizing a ceremony was tedious, but if it strengthened loyalty, it was worth it.
The hotel staff and some Righteous Alliance members watching were equally stunned.
"What’s going on here?"
"It’s the Wanlong Society’s promotion ceremony. See how their old members aren’t wearing black?"
"A promotion shouldn’t feel like a military send-off. This is ridiculous!"
"Are they planning to build an elite force to take over Bright Pearl City?"
"Geez... If this continues, will there even be daylight left in Bright Pearl City?"
"..."
Once the ceremony concluded, Pan Xing stood up, ready to leave.
Today had been enlightening—at the very least, he’d learned how to rally loyalty.
Liu Yutong didn’t try to keep him. There wasn’t much they could talk about anyway, and she had already anticipated Pan Xing’s concerns, even laying out her own conditions.
The fact that Pan Xing didn’t agree immediately didn’t mean he wouldn’t eventually.
As Pan Xing reached the hotel lobby and was about to leave, the manager stopped him.
"Mr. Pan, here’s the bill for your dinner with Ms. Liu."
Pan Xing didn’t think much of it. He barely glanced at the bill, assuming it was just the cost of a meal—at most, 20,000 yuan.
Casually pulling out a bank card, he slapped it onto the POS machine. "Go ahead."
After swiping the card and settling into his car, his phone pinged with a delayed bank notification.
Pan Xing idly glanced at it—then froze. Rubbing his eyes, he confirmed that his account balance had dwindled to a mere 0.25 yuan. Instantly, he erupted with a curse: "What the hell?!"
