Chapter 101: The China Dragon Squad

Chen Erpao stared at the small notebook in front of him, emblazoned with a massive national emblem and four gilded characters that read “China Dragon Unit,” and was struck with overwhelming shock.

The China Dragon Unit was a mysterious organization perpetually shrouded in fog and rumor. It was said that every member was among the nation’s finest talents—national treasures in their own right—bearing immense responsibilities. They silently safeguarded the Chinese people, appearing at the most perilous frontlines.

“Do you remember why I suddenly left the military back then? It was because I was selected for the Dragon Unit. The unit has fewer than a hundred members. Besides a large contingent of top-tier combatants, there’s also a group of elite intellectuals. When the United States suffered a nationwide cyberattack two years ago, it was the handiwork of a networking genius from our unit. The Dragon Unit answers to no department but only takes orders from the Central Standing Committee. Each member is stationed across China, entrusted with grave responsibilities and wielding considerable authority. We have the power to execute county-level officials and below without reporting, and can deploy armed police anywhere at any time. Of course, gaining entry into the Dragon Unit is nearly impossible. From what I’ve learned, you’ve been under surveillance for three years as a candidate. If that incident hadn’t happened, or if you hadn’t chosen to retire, you might have joined the unit without my recommendation.”

When Zeng Fan spoke of the Dragon Unit, his expression was solemn and reverent. Chen Erpao recalled that he had only ever seen such a demeanor from Zeng Fan when he was serving as a special forces instructor, underscoring the unit’s esteemed place in his heart.

Chen Erpao caressed the notebook in his hands, feeling the invisible weight of responsibility settling heavily upon his shoulders. The China Dragon Unit was a clandestine agency superior to all others, a formidable organization sworn to protect the Chinese nation.

After a long moment, the two figures disappeared over the mountaintop. Back home, Chen Erpao lay in bed, his mind still restless. A profoundly mysterious agency had suddenly emerged, and he had become part of it all—it felt like a dream.

During his conversation with Zeng Fan, he also learned why he had been sent to Hong Kong and why he was allowed to make a grand impact there, even to unify the underworld.

It turned out that the central government had now decided to assign a Dragon Unit member to every province, municipality, and special administrative region across the country, quietly consolidating the local underground forces to establish a state-controlled criminal dynasty with unified order, facilitating governance and social stability.

Hong Kong was unlike any mainland city. It was a prosperous international metropolis with a large immigrant population and numerous international gangs eyeing dominance. Today, criminal alliances formed by groups from Japan, Cambodia, Thailand, and even Italy had coalesced. The Tian Alliance was merely a massive puppet they covertly supported in Hong Kong. Should they gain full control of the underworld here, it would wreak havoc not only across China but throughout Asia, causing immeasurable damage.

Originally, Chen Erpao had treated his involvement in the underworld as merely a way of life. Now, however, he regarded it as a weighty responsibility—an inescapable duty.

In the days that followed, the anti-triad task force ceased bothering him. Officer Lu, a senior inspector in the task force, was initially resentful when orders came from above forbidding further investigation into Chen Erpao. But when his superior presented a top-secret central government document, he was dumbfounded. In his eyes, all gangsters were villains, and no matter how righteous or capable Chen Erpao was, he had always looked down upon him. Yet now, he had to regard him with a newfound respect—Chen Erpao’s true identity was beyond his reach, from an entirely different realm.

Besides Officer Lu, another dissenter was the young inspector who had clashed with Huang Mao. His father was a district chairman and a powerful figure even within the anti-triad task force. The memory of Chen Erpao threatening him in front of their colleagues was vivid and unforgettable. Unaware of the central document, he simply assumed Chen Erpao had used money or connections to smooth things over. Even so, he was unwilling to back down.

Chen Erpao returned to Lingnan University, donning his security guard uniform once more, living a leisurely life. The rival gang, Heng Tang, was too weak to mount a counterattack, its territory shrinking as its powerful backers were embroiled in battles with other top Hong Kong gangs and thus unable to offer support.

Patrolling the university’s basketball court with his apprentice Xiao Li, Chen Erpao noticed the chill creeping into the air. The court was sparsely populated—only a few male students shooting hoops, far from the bustling crowds of before.

“Xiao Li, I’ve noticed many unfamiliar men outside the school lately, all speaking with mainland accents. Even inside the school, more strangers have appeared. What’s going on?”

Xiao Li replied, “I’ve known about this for a few days. I’ve had several people inside the school investigating. We should have answers by today.”

Chen Erpao nodded. “Looks like another storm is brewing.”

Before long, Xiao Li’s phone rang. Watching his face grow increasingly pale as he listened, Chen Erpao felt a sinking unease.

“Brother Pao, there’s trouble. Several forces are targeting Sister-in-law. The Four Great Families, the Iron Sword Sect, allied with several other factions, plus some of the newer prominent families—they’ve formed a coalition to extract the secret of the treasure from her.”

Xiao Li’s words stunned Chen Erpao. When the Four Great Families entered Lingnan, followed by other factions, he had suspected ulterior motives. His grandmother had revealed the secret of the Pirate King’s treasure, and since Xuemei was a direct descendant of the Pirate King, they were undoubtedly after her to achieve their aims.

“Hmph. No matter who you are, none shall harm those close to Chen Erpao. Whether ancient families or century-old gangs—any who provoke my wrath shall perish.”

In an instant, Chen Erpao’s black hair stood on end, his eyes gleaming with fierce light, his aura erupting like a raging flood. Xiao Li, standing beside him, was struck by this sudden surge and staggered back several steps, his face ashen.