Three days later, in a special care ward at the hospital.
“Your recovery is impressive. It’s only been three days, and you’re almost healed,” Li Feng said, looking at Tianlang with surprise. When they left Tianya Pavilion three days ago, Tianlang’s injuries were severe. Li Feng had thought it would take at least half a month for him to recover, but in just three days, Tianlang’s wounds were nearly healed.
“Thank you,” Tianlang said sincerely, looking at Li Feng. If it weren’t for Li Feng, he’d already be dead. He knew Song Zhiyuan’s methods well—nobody he “dealt with” ever survived.
“No need to thank me. I saved you for a reason,” Li Feng said, waving his hand. He wasn’t going to play the noble hero and tell Tianlang he was free to go. His goal was to recruit Tianlang, and he wasn’t going to beat around the bush.
“I understand. From now on, my life is yours,” Tianlang nodded, fully aware.
“You were a soldier before, weren’t you? And you’ve killed quite a few people,” Li Feng said.
“That’s right. After retiring, I joined a mercenary group,” Tianlang confirmed with a nod.
Li Feng’s eyes gleamed. “I didn’t expect the Nanling Song family to have ties with mercenaries. How did you end up with Song Zhiyuan, and what was your purpose in coming to Tianhai City with him?”
“I…” Tianlang hesitated.
“You don’t have to say if you don’t want to,” Li Feng said with a smile, not angered by Tianlang’s reluctance.
“Young Master Feng, I was part of the Tianlang Mercenary Group…” Tianlang shook his head and began to share his story. He was an orphan from northwest China, raised in an orphanage. Mischievous and fond of fighting from a young age, he was sent to the military by the orphanage director at eighteen. In the army, he thrived, rising from a regular soldier to an elite special forces member with the codename Tianlang in just a few years.
But an unexpected incident led to him offending a superior, forcing him to retire early. After years in the military, he had no other skills to fall back on, so he ended up mixing with underground forces, scraping by.
During a clash with another gang, he accidentally killed a gang leader, forcing him to flee overseas. There, he learned about mercenaries and joined a group, beginning his mercenary career.
Tianlang excelled in the mercenary world. After a few years, he and some like-minded comrades formed the Tianlang Mercenary Group, gaining a fearsome reputation in South Africa.
But disaster struck. During a mission, the group was betrayed, suffering heavy losses. Tianlang led the survivors to escape, but all were badly injured, requiring substantial medical expenses. The families of the fallen needed compensation, and the young Tianlang Mercenary Group couldn’t afford it. To raise the money, Tianlang had to take on jobs.
That’s when Song Zhiyuan approached him to participate in a boxing championship. To secure enough funds for his comrades’ medical bills, Tianlang agreed to Song Zhiyuan’s terms.
What he hadn’t expected was to lose so thoroughly in his first fight in Tianhai City. Per his agreement with Song Zhiyuan, this failure meant not only would he get no payment, but his life was at risk.
“How much did Song Zhiyuan pay you?” Li Feng was surprised by Tianlang’s story, making him even more pleased. With military discipline and a mercenary’s daring spirit, Tianlang was the perfect fit for his team.
“Five million,” Tianlang answered.
“What? Just five million?” Li Feng was shocked, staring at him in disbelief. “You sold your life to him for just five million? Your life’s worth more than that!”
Tianlang gave a bitter smile. A single penny can stump a hero—he had no other choice.
“Have your comrades all received treatment now?” Li Feng asked.
“We had some money, enough for their medical expenses. The five million was mainly for the families of those who died,” Tianlang said.
“I’ll give you ten million now. Sort out those matters, and from now on, you work for me,” Li Feng said.
“Young Master Feng, you saved my life. I’ll go through fire and water for you without hesitation,” Tianlang said firmly. He knew Li Feng had spent five hundred million to buy him from Song Zhiyuan—a debt of gratitude he’d never forget.
“Good. From now on, you’re part of my Black Hawk Team,” Li Feng nodded, satisfied. “Your priority now is to recover as quickly as possible.”
“Oh, Tianlang, how many people are left in your Tianlang Mercenary Group?” Li Feng asked.
“Young Master Feng, the Tianlang Mercenary Group no longer exists,” Tianlang said, misunderstanding Li Feng’s intent, thinking he was worried Tianlang still clung to his old group.
“You’ve misunderstood. I’m asking if your comrades would be interested in working for me. Don’t worry, I’ll give them the best treatment,” Li Feng clarified.
“Really?” Tianlang’s face lit up with joy. He knew his comrades were all fighters at heart. Even after disbanding the group, they wouldn’t settle for ordinary lives and might join other mercenary groups, which worried him. He felt useless, unable to secure a future for them.
He hadn’t expected Li Feng to want to recruit his comrades. These were brothers who’d been through thick and thin together. Working together again would be ideal, especially since he felt Li Feng was a different kind of boss.
“That’s right. If your comrades are willing, have them come work for me. I, Li Feng, won’t shortchange them. But they must be loyal and reliable,” Li Feng said with a nod.
“Young Master Feng, don’t worry, I know who’s trustworthy,” Tianlang said, then added with some concern, “But, Young Master Feng, there are over twenty of them. Are you sure you want them all?”
“Over twenty? That’s perfect,” Li Feng said, his face lighting up. Twenty-plus battle-hardened mercenaries, even if not as strong as Tianlang, could form a formidable force with minimal training. This was fantastic news for Li Feng.
“Tianlang, I want them all. Monthly salary of fifty thousand, plus bonuses,” Li Feng said.
“What?” Tianlang was stunned. Li Feng’s offer was generous. Ordinary bodyguards earned about five thousand a month, elite ones maybe ten to twenty thousand. Even when he worked for Song Zhiyuan for one million, it was because he’d sold his life. Mercenaries like them, always living on the edge, didn’t earn this much.
“What, not enough?” Li Feng frowned.
“No, no, no, Young Master Feng, it’s more than enough,” Tianlang hurriedly explained.
Li Feng smiled. Fifty thousand a month wasn’t much in his eyes. The Black Hawk Team wasn’t an ordinary group—training alone could be life-threatening.
“Call your comrades. If they’re willing to work for me, have them come to Tianhai City immediately. If they’re not, don’t force them.”
“Young Master Feng, I’ll get it done,” Tianlang said confidently.
