Li Feng left the private room with great satisfaction. This meeting with Huo Lan had not only clarified the forces Mu Chunfeng had arranged in Tianhai City but also revealed the relationship between the Emperor’s Pavilion and Tianhai City’s four great families. This was extremely beneficial for his actions tonight and in the future.
Moreover, with Fu Xiyan on his side, Li Feng felt he had gained an ally at today’s business alliance gathering. He was unsure of Dao Feng’s strength, but that was unimportant. What mattered was that he needed help now.
Of course, there was another advantage: if he dealt with the Brothers’ Society, he would unify Tianhai City’s underground forces.
Previously, Li Feng had considered this. Unifying the city’s underworld before the Fist King Championship was imperative, but he lacked time and was wary of the powers behind the Brothers’ Society and Dao Feng.
Now, however, Li Feng was reassured. Dao Feng was one of his own, so he only needed to handle the Brothers’ Society, making it much easier.
Li Feng thought his goal of merely unifying Tianhai City’s underworld before the championship was too modest. Perhaps he could aim higher.
Naturally, he had not inquired about the Brothers’ Society earlier, as the timing was wrong. The priority was resolving issues at the business gathering. Eliminating the Brothers’ Society could wait until tonight’s matters were settled.
Leaving the room, Li Feng headed to the hall. At that moment, he saw a figure flash by in the corridor ahead.
“This is…”
Li Feng stopped. The figure seemed familiar, as if he had seen it somewhere. After a brief hesitation, he followed.
Though concerned for Hu Yuanyuan, he believed she would be safe for now. This person, however, warranted investigation.
The figure was cautious, easily avoiding passers-by and corridor cameras. Fortunately, Li Feng’s powerful divine sense and past life experience as a soldier king ensured he did not lose track.
Following through twists and turns, he saw the figure enter a room. After a moment’s thought, Li Feng slipped in through the ventilation duct, lying prone in the ceiling vent, observing everything below.
“What is he up to?” Seeing the figure rummaging through drawers and cabinets, Li Feng grew puzzled. A thief?
But he quickly dismissed the idea. This was the Imperial Hotel; no thief would dare steal here. Moreover, the back looked familiar. It was someone he knew, and none of his acquaintances were thieves.
Tap, tap…
Footsteps sounded. Li Feng focused, looking down.
The figure had hidden behind a cabinet. Just as he concealed himself, the door opened, and two middle-aged men entered.
Li Feng glanced at them but recognised neither. Then their voices rose.
“I did not expect this business alliance gathering to be larger than previous years. It seems the other side is getting impatient.” The man in a blue plaid shirt sat on the sofa and said calmly, “But for us, it is an opportunity.”
“Indeed. Tianhai City’s four great families grow more arrogant each year. They truly believe their backer makes them untouchable. Hmph, they court death.” The man in red plaid sneered.
“When will the person you invited arrive? We do not have much time.” The blue plaid man asked.
“Any moment now.” The red plaid man checked his watch.
Click!
The door opened, and a voice followed, “I did not expect you two to arrive so early.”
From the ventilation duct, Li Feng’s expression changed upon hearing the voice. It was Fu Yanxiong.
Why was Fu Yanxiong here? Who were these men? What was their relationship?
Questions flooded Li Feng’s mind, but he suppressed them and listened.
“Young Master Fu, time is short. Meeting here is risky.” The blue plaid man said.
“Mr Lu, rest assured. The most dangerous place is the safest. This is absolutely secure.” Fu Yanxiong smiled faintly. “The four great families are focused on profiting from the gathering. Their eyes are not on us.”
“Haha, Young Master Fu seems very confident.” The red plaid man laughed.
“Mr Du, without confidence, why would I arrange to meet here?” Fu Yanxiong smiled. “Let us discuss business.”
“Hahaha, well said. I admire your confidence, Young Master Fu.” Mr Lu laughed. “Young Master Fu, are the items we need prepared?”
“Mr Lu, relax. I will deliver them on time.” Fu Yanxiong smiled. “When have I failed to provide what you want? We are allies, are we not?”
“Indeed.” Mr Du nodded. He had to admit cooperation with Fu Yanxiong had made things much easier.
Fu Yanxiong looked at them. “Mr Lu, Mr Du, you know why I called you to Tianhai City, yes?”
“We understand Young Master Fu’s intent. We will arrange our elite forces to assist in Tianhai City. But you must realise Tianhai is different. With the four great families, we cannot send large numbers.” Mr Lu said gravely.
“It seems you two are quite wary of the four great families.” A faint smile played on Fu Yanxiong’s lips.
“Young Master Fu, do not probe us.” Mr Lu glanced at him. “We do not fear the four families. We fear what is behind them.”
“Will you not tell me about the power behind the four families?” Fu Yanxiong asked curiously. As one of the Fu family’s five heroes, he was frustrated not knowing this. It depressed him greatly.
He knew not just him, but all young heirs of the eight top families were curious. They believed their families supreme, so discovering a power even their families could not offend was stifling.
In the vent, Li Feng listened intently, curious about the backer of Tianhai’s four families. From Mr Lu and Mr Du’s words, they seemed to know.
“Heh heh, Young Master Fu. It is not that we refuse, but telling you is useless.” Mr Lu smiled.
“How do you know it is useless without telling me?” Fu Yanxiong said calmly, though inwardly fuming. Useless? Did a third young master of the Fu family lack the qualification?
“Young Master Fu, withholding this is for your own good.” Mr Du looked at him. “Though we are mortal enemies with them and wish to drag you in, the time is not right.”
“When will I be qualified?” Fu Yanxiong asked unwillingly.
“At least when you reach the Innate Realm.” Mr Lu said faintly.
“What?” Fu Yanxiong’s expression shifted. Innate Realm? With his current progress, that would take decades. He would remain ignorant for decades.
Even Li Feng above paled. Innate Realm to learn the backer? Was the power truly that strong?
Li Feng thought of the eight top families having Innate Realm experts. Did that mean they knew the backer?
“Correct. At least Innate Realm, or you are unqualified.” Mr Du said. “Telling you now would only bring trouble, even calamity.”
“So the four families are untouchable?” Fu Yanxiong asked reluctantly. No wonder they acted lawlessly.
“No.” Mr Lu shook his head. “Young Master Fu, if you have grudges, you may seek revenge, but do not cross their bottom line.”
“Bottom line? What is it?” Fu Yanxiong asked curiously.
Li Feng in the vent grew interested. This was crucial. Confrontation with the four families at the gathering was inevitable; knowing the line was vital.
Mr Du said, “Four bottom lines: first, no family forces; second, no Innate Realm experts; third, no control of family heads or heirs; fourth, no annihilation of any family.”
“That is their bottom line? Not too difficult.” Fu Yanxiong felt with his resources, he could reduce any family to obscurity.
“Young Master Fu thinks it easy?” Mr Lu glanced at him. “If easy, the four families would long be gone. We would not have been forced to leave Tianhai years ago.”
Fu Yanxiong’s expression changed. He knew their backers’ strength. They had been forced out? This made him deeply wary of the four families’ power.
