It was evident that Shen Lin had long admired Wu Hao’s skills and strength, while also feeling deeply shocked. Wu Hao’s power seemed to go beyond Shen Lin’s understanding of what humans were capable of.

Now, hearing Wu Hao say there was a chance for him to become strong too, Shen Lin naturally felt very excited. However, he also understood that since Wu Hao was asking him such a question, and Wu Hao not only possessed great strength himself but could also bestow it on others, it implied that Wu Hao had an extraordinary identity and background.

Now, with Wu Hao calling him alone to discuss this matter, two possibilities came to mind: first, Wu Hao intended to give him an opportunity to grow stronger; second, it was Wu Hao’s indirect way of telling him that, should he agree, he would have to pay a price.

Shen Lin understood that the only thing he could offer in return was his loyalty to Wu Hao. He wasn’t a fool and easily caught on to the underlying message in Wu Hao’s words.

However, Shen Lin didn’t feel any resistance to pledging loyalty to Wu Hao. Having worked for him as a security guard for his parents for some time, Shen Lin had gained some understanding of Wu Hao’s character. Thus, he wasn’t too worried that Wu Hao would make him do something that would violate his principles, such as harming innocent people or endangering national security.

If Wu Hao were truly that kind of person, Shen Lin figured he would have known by now, after spending so much time with him. But he had never seen Wu Hao engage in such activities.

If there was one exception, it would be the time in Hong Kong when Wu Hao, through some unknown means, completely destroyed a family that had been established there for decades.

It was precisely that incident that gave Shen Lin and the other security personnel responsible for his family’s safety a rough idea of the tremendous power behind Wu Hao.

At this moment, upon hearing Shen Lin ask if he could become as powerful as him, Wu Hao shook his head lightly and said, “For now, I can only help you become several times stronger than you are now. As for having strength on par with mine, I’m afraid I can’t do that. Over time, you’ll understand the reasons, but if you can’t stay by my side for long, you won’t have the chance to learn.”

Wu Hao’s words served both as an explanation and a warning. His meaning was clear: while he could help Shen Lin become much stronger, betrayal would naturally come with severe consequences.

Shen Lin was no fool and understood the message. “Boss, don’t worry. As long as you don’t ask me to do anything that endangers the nation or goes against my principles, I won’t hesitate. Otherwise, you’re free to deal with me as you see fit.”

Shen Lin made his bottom line clear: if Wu Hao truly engaged in illegal activities that threatened national security, he wouldn’t agree, even if it meant he might not survive the day.

“Very well. Since you’ve said that, I’ll be candid with you. I want you to become stronger not to carry out any activities that would endanger the country. After all, I’m also a part of China. What I need from you is simple: continue protecting my family. Helping you grow stronger is to enhance your capabilities. In fact, I called you here today to convey a message to the rest of the security team through you. Those willing to stay with me will have this opportunity, though they’ll lose some of their freedom. For those who aren’t interested, I won’t force them; they can continue their current duties and leave whenever they wish.”

Wu Hao’s explanation was thorough. His true motive in enhancing Shen Lin and the others’ strength was to bolster the protection of his family.

Wu Hao feared no one directly, but his family was his only weakness. To prevent any future regrets, he had to take precautions. Wu Hao didn’t want to wait for something to happen before regretting his lack of foresight.

This showed that Wu Hao was a cautious and meticulous person.

After Wu Hao clarified his intentions, Shen Lin no longer had any doubts. He committed Wu Hao’s instructions to memory, planning to share them with the other security personnel once he returned to the estate.

Speaking of the estate, it’s worth mentioning the resort in Wu Hao’s hometown. Originally, the development of the resort in Sanxi Village was intended to transform it into a major tourist destination. However, as the construction neared completion, few believed in that vision anymore.

Everyone in Sanxi Village and the surrounding areas knew about Wu Hao, the super-rich man from the village. Why “super-rich”? The answer was simple: Wu Hao’s investments in soccer and other industries had already been widely reported in the news.

Adding to this were the wild rumors circulating among the locals. With each retelling, the story grew more exaggerated. Some even went so far as to depict Wu Hao as a divine being, like a god of wealth descended from the heavens.

After all these rumors, most people understood that Wu Hao was spending a fortune to build a private estate in Sanxi Village.

From the beginning, few believed that building a resort here could attract tourists, and now they felt vindicated. Wu Hao himself never planned to profit from the resort.

The hotels and clubs being built would eventually serve only his staff and businesses. The priority was exclusivity, and as for opening to the public, that was out of the question.

However, the residential area built around the estate to house villagers had become bustling and prosperous, turning into a new commercial hub for nearby towns. The public facilities, whether the streets or the trade zones, were not only better than the neighboring towns but even rivaled those in the city.

And this was before the estate had even officially opened. In another year or two, the area would likely become even more prosperous, all thanks to the resort Wu Hao had built and the surrounding industries it had stimulated.