Hong Kong variety show: I wanted to be a lawyer, but I became a big shot.

At the entrance to Kowloon Walled City, Wang Jianguo led a battalion of security personnel in an overwhelming barrage of firepower.

More than 300 people were divided into three echelons and compressed into the fortress in a fan shape.

Everyone was dressed in black military uniforms, their tactical vests were full of magazines, and the submachine guns in their hands spat out fire, spraying bullets as if they were free.

The front row of men were equipped with bulletproof shields, forming a mobile steel barrier. The gunmen behind them advanced steadily with the shields on their backs, taking turns firing, their coordination as seamless as that of an army.

The alleyways of the walled city were already narrow, and with such dense automatic firepower deployed, there was almost no room to hide.

Bullets clanged against the corrugated iron wall, scattering wood chips and bricks everywhere, and the air was thick with the acrid smell of gunpowder.

Zhongxinyi's underlings were utterly defeated.

Although they were known as elite gunmen, they usually did things like guarding the place and collecting protection money. At most, they would have a few gunfights with other gangs. They had never seen anything like this before.

The enemy immediately opened fire with submachine guns and grenades, their firepower so intense it completely overturned their expectations.

Before the people in front could even find cover, they were riddled with bullets. The people behind them panicked and scrambled into the alley, but the enemy's bullets seemed to have eyes and relentlessly pursued them.

In just a few minutes, the two lines of defense that Zhongxinyi had set up around the fortress were shattered.

The spent cartridge cases scattered on the ground gleamed with a brassy light under the moonlight, and blood flowed down the cracks in the stone pavement, forming dark red streaks.

Of the more than one hundred people, more than half have died or been injured.

When Lian Haodong and Awu arrived with their men, they were met with this hellish scene.

The remaining few dozen loyal and righteous henchmen huddled behind a few broken walls, their faces covered in dust and bruises, their bodies blackened by gunpowder smoke.

Some people clutched their stomachs and leaned against the wall, groaning. Others dragged their broken legs to a corner, trembling. Still others simply knelt on the ground, covering their heads with their hands, unable to even hold their guns steady.

The air was thick with the stench of blood and gunpowder, and the distant explosions made the ground tremble slightly.

One of the henchmen spotted Lian Haodong first, and his previously despairing face instantly lit up with joy.

He crouched low and, using the alleyway as cover, quickly ran to Lian Haodong, almost stumbling and falling to his knees.

"Dong-ge! You've finally arrived!"

He reported the battle situation breathlessly, his voice trembling uncontrollably.

"The other side didn't even register their names. They came out with overwhelming firepower and didn't give us a chance to speak at all."

"Submachine guns and pineapples rained down from beginning to end."

"More than half of our brothers have been killed or wounded; there are hardly any left who can fight."

"What do you think we should do now?"

Upon hearing this, Lian Haodong's face darkened so much it looked like it was about to drip water.

What a coincidence!

They had barely captured the stronghold, barely had time to settle in, when a group of well-equipped gunmen came to steal their spoils.

This is no coincidence; it's clearly something someone planned behind the scenes.

The other side wanted to wait until they and the people of the stronghold were both severely weakened before they could reap the benefits.

But who exactly is it?

The big boss's man?

The big boss is barely able to protect himself tonight, how could he possibly have the resources to make this hidden move?

What other characters are associated with the number block?

Nor is it possible.

Although the number gang has been fighting amongst themselves for years, they never openly break ties, let alone deploy armed forces of this scale to seize territory.

Could it be Hung Hing?

Lian Haodong was deep in thought when suddenly a figure flashed through his mind.

"Could it be Lin Bei from Hung Hing?"

He murmured to himself unconsciously.

That young man who has recently stirred up trouble in Hong Kong is ruthless and merciless.

It is said that he was the one who initiated this globally sensational gambling conference.

If he was manipulating things behind the scenes, then everything tonight makes sense.

But then he shook his head, denying his guess.

"No, shouldn't he be in Haojiang right now?"

Boom!

A pineapple exploded with a bang less than five meters from where Lian Haodong was standing.

Flames shot into the sky, and the shockwave from the explosion blew away the nearby metal signboard. Fragments of metal and shrapnel flew everywhere, hitting the walls with a crackling sound.

"Dong-ge, watch out!"

Ah Wu reacted extremely quickly, lunging at Lian Haodong just before the explosion and knocking him to the ground.

The two fell heavily to the ground. A few flying debris grazed Ah Wu's back, leaving several bloody cuts.

Lian Haodong was pinned to the ground by Awu, his ears ringing and a mouthful of dust in his mouth.

He patted Ah Wu on the shoulder to indicate that he was alright.

Ah Wu then rolled off him and leaned against the wall, panting heavily.

"Brother Dong, now is not the time to stand there in a daze."

"Should we hold out to the death or what?"

"The guys can't hold on much longer!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the henchmen around him, all covered in wounds and with their faces blackened, looked at Lian Haodong with pleading eyes.

They didn't speak, but the meaning in their eyes couldn't be clearer.

This battle is impossible to fight; the enemy's firepower is too strong. Continuing to defend will only lead to certain death.

Lian Haodong felt a tightness in his chest.

Another century-old problem was placed before him.

Defending the fortress with only a few dozen defeated soldiers, they might not even be able to withstand a single charge, let alone the enemy's overwhelming numerical and firepower advantage.

In the end, the only outcome was total annihilation.

However, if they abandon the city and leave, loyalty and righteousness will inevitably suffer a devastating blow.

They took Kowloon Walled City tonight by risking everything. For this plan, they used the company's last savings and lost many brothers. Even news of Haolong in Yau Ma Tei has not yet come back.

If we give up now, all these sacrifices will have been in vain.

Even more critically, without the Walled City as a fallback, Chung Shun Yee would truly have no place to stand on Hong Kong Island.

Lian Haodong raised his head and looked up at the narrow sky above him.

The moon was obscured by thick smoke, and only a hazy halo could be seen.

He closed his eyes, the sounds of gunfire growing ever closer and the painful groans of his brothers filling his ears, a battle raging within him.

After a long silence, he finally made a decision.

"Let's retreat."

When those two words were squeezed out of his throat, Lian Haodong seemed to age ten years in an instant.

Upon receiving the order, the remaining dozens of henchmen almost cheered on the spot. These were exactly the words they had been waiting for.

These men are indeed elite gunmen of the Loyal and Trustworthy Society, and it's true that they use the gang's money to support their families.

But that doesn’t mean they are really willing to risk their lives for loyalty and righteousness.

During the heyday of the Loyalty, Trust and Righteousness movement, following Lian Haolong meant there was plenty to eat and money to be made, so naturally everyone was willing to risk their lives for him.

But now the gang is in turmoil. After these two battles tonight, countless brothers have been killed or wounded, and the rest don't even know if they will be able to get medical expenses.

If it weren't for the lingering influence of Lian Haolong, these people would have scattered and fled long ago when disaster struck.