Chapter 52: The Egg-Cracking Superhero

Li Haibo did not say much. He just looked quietly at the director and said, "Director! I was able to rescue them from the clutches of the demons, but I must leave whatever comes next in your hands. Please do your best to treat the physical wounds on their bodies. Please use your kindness to heal the scars within their hearts."

With these words, he slowly pulled out a roll of banknotes, bowed respectfully, and handed the money into the director's hands.

The director sighed softly, slowly accepted the money, and then returned the jade pendant to Li Haibo, saying, "God bless you, child!"

Li Haibo took the jade pendant from the director's hand, hung it back around his neck, and cast one final glance at the settled children.

Fear and unease still lingered on their faces, but sheltered within this orphanage, the possibility of a little peace of mind seemed to have taken root.

Yang Chun stepped forward and said sincerely to the director, "Director! I will visit often from now on!"

The director nodded slightly and said in a soft voice, "You are a kind child. God bless you!"

Li Haibo and his companions turned and left the orphanage.

At that moment, the night remained deep, and the cold wind whistled through the streets. Before he knew it, Li Haibo had walked to his doorstep.

His mother was not yet asleep; she was devoutly kneeling before the Buddhist shrine, softly chanting scriptures. His younger brother and sister obediently snuggled close to their mother, kneeling together to pray with sensible quietness.

Li Haibo stood quietly in the doorway, gazing at the scene before him, a nameless wave of emotion surging in his chest. It felt as though he had crossed between two completely different worlds in a single instant!

...

Early the next morning, our Officer Li was as good as new, full of spirit and completely revitalized, acting as if nothing had happened at all.

After finishing a simple breakfast, he leisurely walked to work.

Living close to the liaison station certainly had its conveniences.

As he walked, he activated his clairaudient superpower, "scanning" all the way along the route, instantly confirming that all his brothers were safe and sound.

In times like these, what could possibly be more important than safety?

Li Haibo was in a good mood today. Having completely lost any inclination to patrol, he led a few of his brothers to amble over to the teahouse and continue listening to Mr. Yuan recount *The Romance of the Three Kingdoms*.

With the weather turning cold, an exceptionally large crowd had gathered in the teahouse to listen to the storytelling. Mr. Yuan stood upon the elevated stage, narrating the episode where Cao Cao mistakenly kills Lü Boshe.

Reaching the climax of the passage, Mr. Yuan could not help but raise his voice, launching into a sharp critique of Cao Cao: "This man Cao Cao is ruthless and merciless. His philosophy of conduct—'Better that I wrong the world than allow the world to wrong me'—utterly defies the principles of heaven and human morality.

Lü Boshe treated him with utmost hospitality, yet out of mere suspicion, Cao Cao struck him down with ruthless brutality. Can such actions ever be considered the deeds of a hero?

To be so utterly selfish, entirely indifferent to the lives of others, is the hallmark of a truly unrighteous and heartless man, one destined to be reviled by future generations!"

His words were filled with indignation, and his expression was passionate and stirring. As he reached the most animated part of his speech, spittle flew in all directions.

Li Haibo and the others were completely engrossed. Time slipped away unnoticed until noon, when they finally snapped back to reality and rushed frantically toward the cafeteria to grab some food.

After eating, the group strolled over to a small park to aid their digestion and soak up some sunlight.

Hou Yong picked his teeth with a toothpick and muttered, "Come to think of it, it's strange. The food in the cafeteria doesn't taste like much, but every time, I manage to stuff myself until I'm completely full. Why is that?"

Xiong Kui chimed in from the side, "Because it's free!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the group froze for a split second before bursting into laughter.

Yang Chun was holding a small comb, slowly smoothing his hair, when he couldn't help letting out a slight sigh. "Ain't that the truth! In this day and age, being able to get a full stomach is something to be grateful for, let alone getting it for free. Just think about those kids we saw yesterday. For them, a square meal is nothing short of an extravagant dream."

Li Haibo's gaze fell upon Yang Chun's dog-licked hairstyle, and his thoughts suddenly drifted back to the chaotic brawl of the previous night.

The corners of his mouth turned up in a teasing smirk as he said, "Hey! Smoked Duck! Those kicks you threw last night were something else. Judging by the angle you stood at, the way you generated power, and that speed, you've definitely had special training. Old man Tan taught you that, didn't he?"

Yang Chun shrugged helplessly. "Don't even mention it! The whole morning before yesterday, Grandfather Tan only taught me that single move. He claimed it was the introductory technique of the Twelve-Road Tan Leg and told me to go home and practice it for a month before coming back to see him."

Li Haibo chuckled mischievously, "Old man Tan taught you specifically to kick people in the balls?"

Yang Chun hurriedly waved his hands. "No, Grandfather Tan taught me to kick people in the knees!"

Hou Yong couldn't help chiming in from the side, "Then how come you aimed straight for that guy's crotch last night?"

A trace of embarrassment flushed across Yang Chun's face. "Well... wasn't it dark? Pitch black at the time, it was purely a coincidence!"

Xiong Kui mercilessly exposed him, "I believe you, my foot! One coincidence might slide, but could two coincidences be pure chance? You did it on purpose, you've got a seriously dark streak!"

Provoked by these words, Yang Chun stiffened his neck and retorted, "I... I did it on purpose, so what! I like kicking nuts, and I'll do it again next time—total nutcracker!"

Li Haibo widened his eyes and exclaimed with exaggerated shock, "Good grief, you're a total pervert! The Nut-Cracking Superhero!"

For a moment, the group bent forward and backward with laughter, dissolving into a merry huddle.

Just then, Xinzai hurried over with an urgent look on his face. "Boss! Tailor Zhao wants you to go pick up your clothes!"

"Got it! I'm on my way!" This was Old Zhao's code phrase requesting an emergency meeting.

Li Haibo hurriedly bid farewell to his still-laughing companions and hastened to the safehouse. By the time he arrived, Old Zhao was already pacing anxiously inside.

"What's so urgent?" Li Haibo asked eagerly the moment he stepped through the door.

Old Zhao spoke at a rapid pace, "I had Xiao Wang report your proposal to headquarters yesterday. They attached great importance to it and sent a reply this morning.

Headquarters has agreed to provide us with two hundred silver dollars in operational funds upfront, along with a batch of weapons. From now on, every completed assassination mission will come with a corresponding cash reward—paid in silver dollars, not that constantly depreciating fiat currency.

The funds and weapons will be transferred through the Shanghai Station. Xiao Wang has already communicated with them via the radio transmitter. The money part is successfully settled without any issues. However, regarding the weapons, their resources are also limited; they can only provide ten kilograms of explosives, one Thompson submachine gun, and a mere three hand grenades."

"Acceptable! Getting this much support already far exceeds my expectations." He had originally adopted a hit-or-miss attitude. "Did the Shanghai Station specify where the handover will take place?"

"That's why I called you back urgently! Word from the Shanghai Station is that the handover will take place today at two-thirty in the afternoon, at an abandoned pottery kiln north of Pengpu Town."

"Got it! I know that pottery kiln!" Li Haibo nodded slightly, the rough layout of the pottery kiln and its surrounding terrain instantly flashing through his mind.