Chapter 103: Breaking Down the Door (1.3)

The vehicle rounded a bend, and in the distance, a cluster of houses appeared, their lights still burning brightly—strikingly conspicuous in this desolate place. The SUV’s headlights, like twin searchlights, drew just as much attention.

Parking outside the camp gate, Iron Bull was the first to jump out, followed by Dog. Dog knocked on the iron gate, and two sentries on duty hurried over, their gazes sharp and cautious as they regarded the two unfamiliar figures. In truth, they had already noticed Iron Bull’s vehicle from afar and had been watching it closely. Yet, now that they saw the two men’s appearance, a wave of wariness washed over them. Although Iron Bull smiled broadly, his grin somehow imposed a subtle pressure on the sentries. Being tall had its drawbacks—no matter how much he smiled, he still radiated an oppressive aura.

“What do you want?” one sentry asked, still clutching his rifle with suspicion.

“Looking for someone!” Dog chuckled.

“Who?” The sentry was taken aback. Damn, everyone knew they had come to find someone. It wasn’t like they were here to blow up the camp, right? If they wanted to seek pleasure, this wasn’t the place; they should be at the city’s nightclubs.

Dog grinned mischievously but kept silent about searching for Long Fei. He didn’t like fighting, but that didn’t mean he disliked watching a good fight, especially when Iron Bull unleashed his overwhelming power to knock someone down. Those moments were far more thrilling to him than any escapades with several men at once. His passions were few—music, men, and that one hobby. What? Wrong assumption? It was just that he wasn’t much interested in women, that’s all—heh heh.

“Mind your own business. Just open the door!” Dog winked at the sentry.

The two guards exchanged uneasy glances, and one subtly signaled to a comrade inside the security room. They stepped back a pace, expression stern. “Sorry, this is a military camp. Come back tomorrow if you need to find someone. Move along!”

“Heh, I’m telling you—open the door. If you don’t, my friend here might just help dismantle this gate for you!” Dog nodded toward Iron Bull.

Iron Bull stepped forward with a goofy grin but spoke seriously. “He’s right. We’re here to find someone. Open up quickly—I can’t wait any longer. If you don’t open it, I’ll come in myself!”

The sentries smirked inwardly. This gate wasn’t ordinary iron; it was made of special stainless steel—exceptionally sturdy. There was no way it could be opened so easily. One sentry glared at Dog skeptically but still said, “You’d better leave now. No more trouble, or we won’t be so polite!”

“What now? Break it down?” Dog nodded to Iron Bull.

Before the guards could respond, Iron Bull pressed his large hands against the gate, exerting a slight force. The iron gate shrieked, then with a loud crash, both doors were torn from their concrete hinges, clanging heavily onto the ground.

The noise was deafening. As the gate fell, the sentries loaded their rifles. Footsteps echoed inside the barracks as a group of soldiers, clad only in underwear, burst out. Leading the charge were Wu Song and several military training instructors—the fiercest veterans under Commander Luo Hongli. Upon hearing news of intruders at the gate, these soldiers were eager for a fight and dashed out half-dressed, fifty or sixty strong. But before they reached the gate, it was flung open with a bang. They saw two strange young men—one tall, one short, one pale, one dark—smiling at them.

Fortunately, the students had been quite disciplined lately. Maybe military training had worn them out, for though it was just past ten at night, most were already asleep, and soldiers stood guard at every barracks entrance, preventing curious students from gathering.

“What’s going on?” Wu Song, who had grown close to Long Fei, asked. Long Fei’s close relationship with Luo Hongli was an open secret in the camp, boosting Wu Song’s standing here.

Startled by Iron Bull’s fierce display, the two guards suddenly snapped to attention and raised their rifles. “They’re here to cause trouble!”

Causing trouble in a military camp was a grave offense. This wasn’t a police station where logic could be reasoned with; anyone daring to stir chaos would be dealt with harshly—no matter who they were—treated as if they had committed treason, a long-standing rule in China.

A man who looked like a military officer stepped forward sternly. “What are you waiting for? Arrest them! Do you think you’re just holding rifles for show?”

The guards obeyed immediately, raising their guns at Iron Bull and Dog. “Hands up! Hands on your heads! Get down, or we’ll shoot!”

But barely had they spoken when the scene blurred before their eyes. The rifles were wrenched from their hands and snapped in half, tossed to the ground. Iron Bull grabbed the two guards effortlessly, giving them no chance to resist, then threw them far away with a loud thud.

“Brothers, attack! Take them down!” The officer’s face darkened. How dare they assault our soldiers? They were courting death. With a command, he charged forward himself.

But the officer’s assault was swift and brief—Iron Bull kicked him to the ground, clutching his gut, speechless, his face instantly drained of color.

Wu Song was among the camp’s toughest, but even he was floored before landing a single blow. The others fared worse—like a flock of sheep, they were at Iron Bull’s mercy. Despite his towering frame, Iron Bull moved with surprising agility, striking with precision. None were maimed permanently, but a fortnight in bed was guaranteed for most, with rib fractures not uncommon.

One man against over fifty felt like a game to Iron Bull. After the last soldier fell, another wave surged—this time fully armed, numbering at least a hundred.

Iron Bull smiled coldly, seemingly unimpressed. Just as he was about to charge, his eyes widened with excitement and a slight tremble. “Dog, Dog Brother, look! It’s Fei Ge!”

Dog had already spotted Long Fei and stood beside Iron Bull, thrilled. “I saw him ages ago! He’s still as handsome as ever, no change at all.”

“Of course,” Iron Bull replied. “Fei Ge is the handsomest.”

Long Fei, with sharp hearing, caught their conversation and felt both touched and excited. Charging forward, he punched Iron Bull to the ground, then kicked Dog onto the floor. Suddenly, the three were wrestling in a tangle.

“What the hell, have they all gone mad?” Luo Hongli and his men stared bewildered by the sudden chaos.

Finally, the three stood up. Long Fei laughed heartily without fixing his clothes. “Let’s go—I’ll treat you guys to drinks. Iron Bull, what do you want to eat?”

Iron Bull smiled sheepishly. “I want beef noodles, a big bowl—heh heh.”

Dog nearly retched at the mention of noodles, looking pitiful. “Fei Ge, can I just order fried rice on the side?”

“What did you say?!” Iron Bull’s face darkened as he glared at Dog, ready to snap.

“Calm down, I’m just asking Long Ge. None of your business!” Dog ducked behind Long Fei, grinning mischievously.

“All right, beef noodles it is, and fried rice too! But we must drink!” Long Fei sounded generous. He was eager to drink with Iron Bull and Dog—old friends reunited after years, their bond unchanged.

Without delay, Long Fei headed outside toward the parked Mercedes SUV, seemingly forgetting about Luo Hongli and his men entirely. Luo Hongli’s face soured. “Hey, Long Fei, wait up!”

Seeing Luo Hongli signaling and approaching, Long Fei hurriedly told Dog, “Bring the money!”

“What for?” Dog shrank back, but Iron Bull kicked him. “Fei Ge told you to pay. Why are you hesitating?”

“I’m just curious—I never said I wouldn’t!” Dog nimbly dodged Iron Bull’s kick, pulling a thick wallet stuffed with cash from his pocket.

Long Fei grabbed it, counting out several thousand bills, and handed them to Luo Hongli with a smile. “Commander Luo, sorry about my brothers breaking the gate. This is their compensation. Is it enough?”

What else could Luo Hongli do but accept them? He forced a solemn look. “Where are you heading now?”

Long Fei played along. “Oh, I want to request a night off! They just came down from the mountains, no family or relatives here. We’re all orphans. If you don’t arrange a place for them to stay, they’ll freeze on the streets!”

Luo Hongli’s face grew green with anger. Damn, Long Fei was shameless. What kind of lie was that? They drove more impressively than he did! Besides, it was summer—no one would freeze to death on the streets unless someone put a refrigerator out there and locked them inside. Judging by Iron Bull’s size, even the largest fridge wouldn’t hold half his body.

Still, Luo Hongli had no choice but to let Long Fei leave. He secretly hoped Long Fei wouldn’t return the next day. Otherwise, the camp would be too lively. If Long Fei didn’t stir up trouble every three days, it’d be strange—no one would get used to it.

Long Fei left with Iron Bull and Dog. Luo Hongli watched them go, then returned to his office to drown his frustrations in alcohol. A military officer approached, looking glum. “Commander, they not only broke the gate but also beat our men and broke two rifles. Are we just going to let them go? Isn’t Long Fei going too far?”

Luo Hongli glared at his subordinates, utterly frustrated. “Damn it, all talk and no action. If you have the guts, why don’t you knock them down? Look at you all—usually so tough—what happened today? So many of you beaten by one guy? Were you raised on shit? If you can’t win, at least bite back! Hmph!”