Chapter 46: Shearing the Military Statistics Fleece

Xiong Kui could no longer contain himself and spoke in a loud voice, "Grandpa Tan, did you see wrong?
Duck is as weak as a newborn chick, and he can't even hold a gun steady.
Besides, this freeloader spends all his time wrapped around women; his kidneys must be completely shot!
Yet you say his bone structure is extraordinary?"

Upon hearing this, Duck became displeased. "Your kidneys are shot! Your whole family's kidneys are shot!"

Duck's remark elicited loud laughter from everyone present.

Old Man Tan explained calmly and unhurriedly, "I was not speaking of his hands, but of his feet.
Just look at his legs—long and straight, with firm and robust muscles, and an exceptionally solid lower stance. This is the prime physiological disposition for practicing leg techniques."

Hearing this, the group exchanged glances.

Hou Yong pondered for a moment and nodded, "Now that you mention it, Duck's leg power is truly second to none among us. Whenever he runs, no one can ever catch him."

Standing there with an embarrassed expression on his face, Yang Chun scratched his head and said, "I had no choice. Ever since I was a child, people were always chasing me to beat me up.
If I couldn't run fast, I would have been beaten to death long ago. Over time, this leg power naturally developed."

Only then did the others experience a sudden flash of understanding. The corners of Li Haibo's mouth turned up into a playful, teasing smile as he said, "So it turns out you specialized in your lower body, putting all your skill points into running away!" While speaking, he quietly stretched out his foot beneath the table and gave Yang Chun a stealthy kick.

Yang Chun caught the cue instantly. With a dull "thud," he dropped heavily to his knees right in front of Old Man Tan, kowtowing firmly three distinct times with crisp, resounding cracks. In a loud voice, he implored, "Please, Grandpa Tan, take me as your disciple!"

Seeing this, Old Man Tan threw back his head and burst into hearty laughter. "I already stated just now that I no longer take on disciples.
Furthermore, you are somewhat advanced in age, having long since passed the golden period for learning martial arts.
However, if you have free time in the future, you may come here often, and I can impart some pointers on leg techniques to you.
Although these leg techniques are not peerless divine martial arts, they will be more than enough to benefit you for a lifetime."

"Ah—!"

Old Man Tan gently waved his hand, his tone carrying a trace of vicissitudes and release. "I am old, and I no longer wish to wander aimlessly about.
From now on, I intend to linger here at Hump's place until my final days. If you have the heart, you will visit me often, and in doing so, it will not be in vain that I bestowed upon you this guidance."

Hearing this, Yang Chun did not hesitate for a second to kowtow resoundingly once more. With an utterly sincere expression, he declared, "Grandpa is above, please accept your grandson's bow. Your grandson is willing to provide for you in your old age and see you to your final resting place!"

Seeing this scene, Li Haibo and the others exchanged glances, then dropped to their knees one after another, speaking in unison, "Your grandson is willing to provide for you in your old age and see you to your final resting place!"

With a smile on his face, Old Man Tan stroked his beard gently, his laughter clear and hearty. "Hahaha! You brothers truly share one heart! All of you, get up! Let us drink together!"

The group stood up and gathered around the table. After three rounds of drinks, the atmosphere grew increasingly warm and harmonious.

Old Man Tan began recounting amusing tales of the bygone martial world—the heart-pounding duels and the righteous assistance rendered without a second thought—captivating his listeners so deeply that they were utterly enthralled.

From time to time, Li Haibo interjected with questions, his eyes flashing with a yearning for that passionate era of martial chivalry.

At that moment, Hump Zheng stood up and refilled everyone's cups, saying, "That we are able to gather here today is truly a matter of fate. Whether it is the old grudges of the martial world or the fraternal bonds of the present, both are worthy of our utmost treasure."

Li Haibo nodded in agreement and raised his cup. "Uncle Zheng is right. Come, let everyone have another drink, to this hard-earned fate and friendship!"

The wine glasses collided with a crisp chime, and the drinking session left everyone in high spirits.

Early the next morning, after finishing his breakfast, Li Haibo leisurely walked toward his workplace.

Upon arriving at Zhao Quangui's tailoring shop, he instantly spotted a blue men's garment hanging at the entrance. This was the signal requiring a rendezvous at the safe house.

Li Haibo and Tailor Zhao exchanged a swift glance without uttering a word. Li Haibo immediately turned and headed toward the safe house.

About five minutes later, the door of the safe house was knocked upon. Li Haibo opened it directly.

He had recognized Tailor Zhao the moment he entered the alley, because when Tailor Zhao walked, his left leg stepped forward 0.05 seconds faster than his right.

Once the two were seated, Old Zhao leisurely produced a piece of paper and said, "This is the order transmitted via radio by headquarters last night."

Li Haibo took the slip, glanced at it, and immediately cried out, "What on earth is this?
An assassination list? Why are there so many names? Has headquarters lost its mind?
There are dozens of them here! You couldn't work a donkey from a production team this hard!"

Tailor Zhao offered an awkward smile from the side and explained, "Headquarters has no other choice either.
The reconstruction of the Shanghai Station still takes time, and the operational personnel have yet to arrive, yet this work cannot be left undone.
Therefore, they had no choice but to assign the task to you. After all, who else is Director Dai's elite assassin?"

"Spare me that nonsense. Don't tell me that in a place as vast as Shanghai, outside of the Shanghai Station, our operational cell is the only one left!"

"That I truly do not know!" Tailor Zhao shrugged helplessly, spreading his hands. "However, headquarters did give instructions that this list is merely a reference for operations; they do not expect you to kill everyone on it. You may flexibly choose your targets according to the actual circumstances, and there is no specified deadline for completion."

"That's more like it! I'll take the list for now, and once I've selected my targets, I'll report back to headquarters."

Li Haibo carefully stowed away the list, stood up intending to leave, but then suddenly remembered something and asked, "Old Zhao, did you ask headquarters for some money?"

"Uh... No, I didn't!" Tailor Zhao was momentarily taken aback by the question and subconsciously scratched his head.

"Look at you!" Li Haibo frowned. "Old Zhao, you cannot be this honest.
We are lurking here in this perilous Shanghai bund, engaging in the dangerous business of assassinating Japanese and traitors—we are literally living with our heads tied to our waistbands.
We must demand money for risking our lives! Beyond upholding national righteousness and fulfilling our duties as soldiers, we must also consider our families, must we not?
You have a family depending on you as well; you always have to leave a way out for them.
Could it be that you don't wish to live a stable and prosperous life with your wife and children after the War of Resistance is won?"

"I... I do!"

Li Haibo patted Old Zhao on the shoulder. "That being the case, you must pour out your grievances to headquarters and demand more funds and equipment.
Just think about it, don't we need money to grease palms and gather intelligence as we move through various circles?
And what about food, drink, and lodging during missions—doesn't every single thing cost money?
Even buying a set of night-walker clothes requires spending cash!
You surely don't expect me to go out and kill people empty-handed?"

"Surely not?"

"Therefore, you must properly talk with headquarters, request more funds, and demand more equipment.
Isn't headquarters currently rebuilding the Shanghai Station? They certainly have the means and the channels.
Have them procure some submachine guns, hand grenades, explosives, and the like for us, along with some money!"

Tailor Zhao was made to blush with shame by Li Haibo's words. "Officer Li, you are entirely correct. It was my oversight earlier. Tonight, I will have Little Wang send a telegram to headquarters, spelling out our hardships and requirements in complete detail."