“Young Master Feng, Liu Shijie is immature. Don’t stoop to his level,” the young man said, approaching Li Feng. “If you’re not qualified for the business networking event, who here is? Besides, the Liu family head wants to meet you soon. If you leave, what about that meeting?”
“Exactly, Young Master Feng, my father is expecting you,” Liu Shichao added, then scolded Liu Shijie, “Second brother, come apologise to Young Master Feng.”
Liu Shijie’s face darkened, but he remained silent.
“Young Master Feng, let’s have a chat,” the young man said.
“Chat? Do we know each other?” Li Feng asked coldly, eyeing the young man.
“Young Master Feng, allow me to introduce myself. I’m Qin Feng,” the young man said with a smile. “I’ve long admired your reputation. Meeting you today, I’d love to have a long talk.”
“So, you’re Qin Feng?” Li Feng said, as if enlightened.
“Yes, that’s me,” Qin Feng replied, still smiling.
But Li Feng’s expression shifted abruptly. “Unfortunately, I don’t know you, nor do I want to.”
Qin Feng was Li Feng’s archenemy, second only to the Emperor’s Pavilion in his concerns. Previously, Qin Feng had used Su Xin and Sun Xipeng to nearly bankrupt Li Feng’s company, making Li Feng wary of him. Before coming to the Empire Hotel, Li Feng had seen Qin Feng’s photo and recognized him. During his earlier clash with Han Wei, he noticed Qin Feng watching from the crowd. He expected Qin Feng to intervene sooner, but Qin Feng held back, letting Zhu Yuanyang, Liu Shijie, and Liu Shichao take the stage first. Li Feng didn’t believe Qin Feng was merely spectating; he had a purpose. When Liu Shijie tried to drive him away, Li Feng played along, and as expected, Qin Feng appeared.
Qin Feng’s expression stiffened, but he quickly smiled. “You jest, Young Master Feng. Though it’s our first meeting, I believe we’ll become good friends.”
“Good friends? You think that’s possible?” Li Feng smirked.
“Why not?” Qin Feng countered.
“Good friends share hardships, right?” Li Feng said, a smile curling his lips.
“Indeed,” Qin Feng nodded.
Li Feng pointed at Zhu Yuanyang. “I don’t like this Miss Pig. Dare to join me in roughing her up, Young Master Feng?”
Qin Feng was caught off guard, glancing at Zhu Yuanyang’s livid face. He was in a bind. In his heart, he cursed. He knew Li Feng wasn’t simple, but not this tricky. Beating Zhu Yuanyang was unthinkable—not only did he have no grudge against her, but her status made it impossible. If he didn’t know Li Feng’s background, he’d think him a fool. Now, he was puzzled. Why was Li Feng targeting Zhu Yuanyang? Had she wronged him?
“Hmph, some friend,” Li Feng sneered.
“Young Master Feng, you’re joking. Miss Zhu is a distinguished guest today. How could we do something so ungentlemanly?” Qin Feng said with a dry laugh. “Besides, gentlemen use words, not fists. I’m no brute.”
“Too scared, huh?” Li Feng scoffed. “Didn’t Cao Cao and Yuan Shao climb walls and steal brides together? You say gentlemen don’t fight, so curse her as a wench for me.”
“Li Feng,” Zhu Yuanyang stepped forward, glaring coldly. “You want to hit me? Let’s see you try.”
“Dare me?” Li Feng smiled, locking eyes with her. “You think I, Li Feng, wouldn’t hit a woman?”
“Go ahead, try,” Zhu Yuanyang taunted.
Slap! A crisp sound rang out as five finger marks appeared on Zhu Yuanyang’s face. Han Wei, Xu Shaohua, Liu Shichao, Liu Shijie, and Song Zhiyuan were stunned. Even Qin Feng was shocked. No one expected Li Feng to actually strike Zhu Yuanyang, and with such a loud, sharp slap. Zhu Yuanyang was a Zhu family heir and a stunning beauty, representing her family at the event. This slap wasn’t just on her face but on the Zhu family’s dignity.
Han Wei and Xu Shaohua felt a chill. No wonder Li Feng didn’t care about them—he even dared to hit Zhu Yuanyang. But they also sneered inwardly, thinking Li Feng was courting death. If offending Zhu Yuanyang earlier might not have been fatal, this slap ensured her murderous intent.
“You… you hit me?” Zhu Yuanyang, reeling from the slap, stared at Li Feng in disbelief. She never imagined he’d dare. In her eyes, Li Feng was just bluffing, relying on borrowed power. As a Zhu family heiress and a beauty, no man would dare touch her. Yet, defying expectations, Li Feng showed no mercy and struck her hard. If not for the pain on her face, she wouldn’t believe it. She’d been hit!
“Didn’t you tell me to?” Li Feng said with a faint smile. “I, Li Feng, respect others’ opinions.”
“You’re asking for death,” Zhu Yuanyang said icily, glaring with venom. If she had a gun, she’d shoot him without hesitation.
“I know,” Li Feng nodded. “You’ve said that plenty already. No need to repeat.”
“Li Feng, I swear I’ll kill you myself,” Zhu Yuanyang said, her eyes flashing with cold malice.
“Haha, I’ll be waiting,” Li Feng laughed, unfazed. He knew the slap had thoroughly offended her, but with so many enemies, a few more didn’t bother him. Besides, he believed he wasn’t wrong, as this act tied to his goal of securing the Nine Dragon Jade.
“Let’s go,” Zhu Yuanyang said to Han Wei and Xu Shaohua, leaving without looking back.
In a room at the Empire Hotel, several middle-aged men watched the surveillance footage. Seeing Li Feng slap Zhu Yuanyang, they were shocked. A man in a Mao suit said incredulously, “This Li Feng hit the Zhu family’s Zhu Yuanyang. He’s bold.”
“He’s asking for death,” a man in a Tang suit sneered. “Overreaching, unaware of his doom.”
“You’re wrong, Brother Qu. Li Feng isn’t overreaching; he’s fearless,” a man in a suit said with a faint smile.
“Fearless?” The Tang-suited man, puzzled, asked, “Isn’t Li Feng just a nobody, Brother Liu? Are you overestimating him?”
“Nobody? If Li Feng’s a nobody, we’re all nobodies,” the suited man replied, handing over a file. “Take a look. This is what Li Feng’s done in Tianhai City in just over a month.” The Tang-suited man glanced at it, his expression shifting. “I’ve been away from Tianhai for less than half a year, and such a figure has emerged.”
“Without Li Feng, would I have invited Fengyuan Group to this event?” The suited man, Liu Dongjian, head of the Liu family and chairman of Liu Group, was the event’s organizer. “So, Brother Liu, you plan to move against Li Feng?” The Tang-suited man, Qu Xiuwen, head of the Qu family, asked.
“You know Tianhai City allows no unstable elements. Li Feng is one,” Liu Dongjian said, glancing at Li Feng on the monitor. “He’s nothing like his profile. His actions are unpredictable, his skills’ origins unknown, making him dangerously mysterious. He must be eliminated quickly, and this event is our best chance.”
“Brother Liu, aren’t you worrying too much? Li Feng’s recent actions are surprising, but he’s reckless and doesn’t know when to stop. Someone will deal with him without us lifting a finger,” Qu Xiuwen said, shaking his head. Without the footage, he’d have agreed with Liu Dongjian, but now he doubted a reckless person could be a threat.
“Reckless?” Liu Dongjian shook his head. “Brother Qu, notice who Li Feng’s with—Song Zhiyuan. The Song and Zhu families are sworn enemies, known to all. Seeing Li Feng with Song Zhiyuan, what do you think Zhu Yuanyang feels? Li Feng’s slap seems aimed at her, but I believe his real target is Song Zhiyuan. If the Li and Song families ally, where does that leave the Zhu family?”
“Li Feng doesn’t represent the Li family, and he’s not their top heir,” Qu Xiuwen countered.
“You’re wrong, Brother Qu. Think Li Feng’s still a nobody? He might be a hidden piece of the Li family. How else do you explain his sudden prowess?” the Mao-suited man interjected. “We can’t judge him by old standards. Brother Liu’s ahead of us here.” Pausing, he added, “But dealing with Li Feng won’t be easy. Brother Liu, what’s your plan?”
