Chapter 222: A Test of Strength
Manila, the largest city in the Philippines, welcomed a plane that had flown in smoothly from Hong Kong.
Cui Zilong and Li Weiguo, leading two hundred members of Huanyu Security Consulting Company dressed in plain clothes, stepped onto this unfamiliar land.
Lin Haoran had already arranged for Burton to cooperate with Cui Zilong's mission.
Thus, several buses were already waiting in the airport parking lot.
Half an hour later, they arrived at Green Island Cement Company's production plant located in the outskirts of Manila.
The factory was bustling, but many workers' faces showed obvious worry.
Previously, the Philippine branch's market share had been growing rapidly, with orders pouring in, causing an expansion of production and a busy atmosphere.
However, after the incidents of the past few days, many local workers resigned, fearing for their safety.
Thus, although orders increased, manpower was lacking, and employees were working shifts of more than ten hours daily.
Until the threats were resolved, hiring new workers would remain difficult.
"Mr. Cui, we have quite a few vacancies in the staff dormitory where we can accommodate your men," the plant manager, who was receiving them, said.
He knew these people had come to solve the company's security problems.
Glancing at the two hundred strong young men, the manager finally breathed a sigh of relief.
For the past two days, he had been on edge waiting for a response from headquarters.
He hadn't expected them to react so quickly. Now, he wondered how they would handle the Brotherhood.
Regardless, having these men at the factory at least brought some sense of security.
"These men will pose as new factory workers. Don't reveal their true identities to anyone," Cui Zilong instructed seriously.
"Don't worry, Mr. Cui. Mr. Burton already warned me. No one will find out," the manager assured him.
"Please help settle them in. Also, prepare a vehicle and a reliable driver for me. I have matters to handle," Cui Zilong said.
He had no intention of resting; he needed to resolve the situation quickly and return to Hong Kong.
Hong Kong wasn't exactly peaceful, but there, he had a powerful boss backing him.
In Manila, even with two hundred men, he felt uneasy.
Compared to Hong Kong, Manila was far more chaotic.
After all, the Philippines legalized gun ownership, causing a high rate of firearms possession, leading to rampant robberies, murders, and violence.
The plant manager complied without hesitation.
Soon, a Chinese driver arrived with a Volkswagen Passat.
Cui Zilong and Li Weiguo got into the car.
"To Tang De Restaurant in Chinatown."
Half an hour later, they arrived at a narrow, cobbled street — Manila's famous Chinatown.
Chinese shops lined both sides, most with Chinese signboards.
Above the shops were classic arcades, reminiscent of the style seen in Guangzhou's Shangxiajiu pedestrian street.
The Passat stopped in front of an old-fashioned three-story building.
"Here we are, Tang De Restaurant," the driver reminded them.
"Thanks. Wait for us here. We'll be back within an hour," Cui Zilong instructed.
He and Li Weiguo got out of the car.
Looking up, they saw a slightly weathered building with a sign reading "Tang De Restaurant."
Cui Zilong had arranged to meet Mr. Xiao, the Five Four Gang's leader, here in a private room.
It was said that the restaurant belonged to Mr. Xiao himself.
Inside, the restaurant buzzed with customers — business seemed excellent.
After giving their reservation number, a waiter led them to a quiet private room on the third floor.
Inside, waiting for them, was the renowned Five Four Gang leader.
"Mr. Xiao, hello. I am Cui Zilong, sent by Mr. Lin. This is Mr. Li Weiguo. We are fully responsible for this mission," Cui Zilong introduced himself.
"Mr. Cui, Mr. Li, please have a seat," Mr. Xiao said, gesturing politely.
They began discussing the cooperation details.
The Five Four Gang had informants all over Manila, so finding the right moment to strike wasn't difficult.
Additionally, the Five Four Gang agreed to supply 200 handguns and five sniper rifles for Huanyu's operatives — a term pre-negotiated by Lin Haoran.
After all, eliminating the Brotherhood would mostly benefit the Five Four Gang; it was only fair they provided weapons support.
Half an hour later, negotiations were almost complete.
"Mr. Li, since you're the team leader, you must be quite skilled.
How about a sparring match?" Mr. Xiao suggested with a smile, obviously wanting to assess Li Weiguo's capabilities firsthand.
Li Weiguo readily agreed.
He was very confident in his abilities, especially after regular sparring sessions with his men had honed his skills further.
Mr. Xiao, being the leader of a major gang, was undoubtedly a capable fighter himself.
Still, Li Weiguo wasn't the least bit worried.
They left the private room and went up to the rooftop, which was empty.
Manila's Chinatown buildings weren't very tall, allowing a good view of the surrounding streets.
"Mr. Li, please," Mr. Xiao said.
"Mr. Xiao, please," Li Weiguo replied courteously.
Thus began the duel between two seasoned fighters.
The only spectators were Cui Zilong and a young man — likely a trusted subordinate of Mr. Xiao.
Li Weiguo was agile and nimble, like a hunting leopard ready to strike at any moment.
Mr. Xiao, on the other hand, was steady and composed, his moves not flashy but filled with solid skill and precision.
The two exchanged blows, fist and foot, evenly matched for a while.
Li Weiguo relied on speed, trying to overwhelm Mr. Xiao with rapid attacks.
Mr. Xiao, with his solid defense and calculated counterattacks, neutralized Li Weiguo's offensives.
As time passed, both men began to tire, but neither lost their fighting spirit.
Then, Li Weiguo changed tactics.
He stopped focusing solely on speed and shifted to combining strength and timing.
Seizing an opportunity during one of Mr. Xiao's attacks,
Li Weiguo sidestepped swiftly and launched a powerful sidekick.
The kick hit Mr. Xiao's lower leg — protected by a brace — absorbing some of the impact but still making him stagger.
Li Weiguo had deliberately targeted a non-lethal spot, not intending to injure Mr. Xiao seriously.
This strike broke the deadlock and ignited Li Weiguo's momentum.
He launched a series of rapid attacks, forcing Mr. Xiao to retreat continuously.
Finally, after a brilliant combination of punches and a spinning kick, Li Weiguo decisively ended the bout.
"Mr. Xiao, you let me win," Li Weiguo said modestly, remaining calm and respectful.
He understood Mr. Xiao's disadvantage: age.
Had they fought when Mr. Xiao was younger, it might not have been so one-sided.
"Mr. Li's skills are excellent.
I must admit, I'm old now," Mr. Xiao said, somewhat ruefully.
The young man accompanying him looked shocked —
he knew how formidable Mr. Xiao was, yet he had been beaten so thoroughly by this young man.
If word of this duel spread, it would surely cause a stir.
Cui Zilong remained calm — he had long known how strong Li Weiguo was.
Otherwise, how could he be Lin Haoran's personal bodyguard and Huanyu's chief instructor?
"I was just taking advantage of my youth.
Mr. Xiao's strength is still admirable," Li Weiguo said humbly.
"Mr. Li, are you the strongest among your group?" Mr. Xiao probed.
After seeing Li Weiguo's overwhelming performance, he naturally wondered if others were just as skilled.
Li Weiguo shook his head, "I'm the team leader mainly because of my relationship with the boss.
In fact, several others among us are just as strong, and the rest are all highly capable fighters."
Mr. Xiao studied Li Weiguo carefully.
The young man didn't seem like he was lying.
This revelation astounded Mr. Xiao even more.
If several were as strong as Li Weiguo,
and all were battle-tested veterans,
then the Brotherhood was surely doomed.