Tianya Pavilion was located on the bar street in the northern district of Tianhai City, the largest bar on the strip, and a property of the Black Stone Gang.
When Li Feng arrived at Tianya Pavilion, it was three in the afternoon. Most bars weren’t open yet, including Tianya Pavilion. However, as a Black Stone Gang property, it wasn’t just a bar. According to their rules, only gang members could enter before business hours.
“Sir, we’re not open yet. Come back after eight tonight,” a security guard at the entrance stopped Li Feng, who was unaware of the rule.
“I’m here to meet someone,” Li Feng glanced at the guard and said calmly, “Is Liu Shichao here? I have an appointment with him.”
“No one’s allowed in before business hours,” the guard, clearly unconvinced, pushed and shouted, “Someone like Master Liu isn’t someone you can just meet. Get lost.”
Who was Liu Shichao? The eldest son of the Liu family in Tianhai City, free to come and go at Tianya Pavilion. The guard sized up Li Feng, clearly not someone of status, and thought it delusional for him to want to meet Master Liu.
With that, the guard moved to shove Li Feng out.
Li Feng didn’t budge, sneering, “Go tell Liu Shichao that Li Feng is here and have him come see me.”
“Hmph, you want to meet Master Liu? If you won’t leave, you’re done for. I’ll show you what happens when you mess with Tianya Pavilion,” the guard, furious that he couldn’t push Li Feng, prepared to call his colleagues to teach him a lesson.
“Wu Tao, what are you doing?”
At that moment, an angry shout came from inside Tianya Pavilion. Li Feng saw Li Quan storming out, slapping the guard named Wu Tao across the face. “You bastard, do you know who this is? This is Young Master Feng, you hear? Young Master Feng is Master Liu’s friend, and you dare raise a hand against him? You’re asking for death. Offending Young Master Feng is offending Master Liu.”
“Apologise to Young Master Feng now,” Li Quan kicked Wu Tao hard, then turned to Li Feng, “Young Master Feng, my fault. If I’d been at the entrance waiting, this wouldn’t have happened. Wu Tao’s young and ignorant, please don’t hold it against him.”
Young and ignorant? Li Feng glanced at Wu Tao, who was at least in his thirties. Young and ignorant? But in Li Feng’s eyes, Li Quan’s punches and kicks were just for show, more like a massage.
Li Feng felt a flicker of anger. Li Quan, his lackey, was clearly protecting this thug in front of him, not taking him seriously.
Moreover, Liu Shichao and Li Quan knew he was coming to Tianya Pavilion, yet they stationed this guard at the door. Was it to put him in his place or to test him? If it was a test, what was their goal?
Li Feng realised he’d underestimated Liu Shichao and Li Quan.
But it made sense. He’d changed a lot recently. While he could hide it from others, Li Quan, who’d grown up with him, might have noticed something.
Keeping his thoughts hidden, Li Feng frowned and said, “Alright, Li Quan, take me to Liu Shichao.”
“Remember, keep your eyes sharp when you see Young Master Feng next time,” Li Quan kicked Wu Tao again before leading Li Feng, “Young Master Feng, Master Liu and the others are waiting in the private room.”
“Lead the way,” Li Feng said calmly.
Under Li Quan’s guidance, Li Feng reached a private room on the second floor of Tianya Pavilion.
Entering, Li Feng saw Liu Shichao chatting with a middle-aged man, likely a Black Stone Gang member, possibly the head of their underground money-lending operation.
“Young Master Feng,” Liu Shichao’s eyes flashed with fear upon seeing Li Feng. The incident at Emperor Pavilion was still vivid, though he dared not tell anyone. After all, in everyone’s eyes, Li Feng was a timid, weak pushover. If word got out that he’d been threatened and scared by Li Feng, how could he show his face in Tianhai City?
Liu Shichao burned with hatred. As the eldest son of the Liu family, when had he ever been threatened like this? He had to settlelikelihood, they might have been probing him all along.
Li Feng smirked, “Master Liu’s looking spirited. How’d you faint at Emperor Pavilion last time? Overworked, kidney deficiency?”
Liu Shichao’s face turned liver-red, his eyes blazing with anger.
“What’s wrong with Master Liu? Want to eat me?” Li Feng ‘feared’ and stepped back, looking at Liu Shichao with mock terror.
From Liu Shichao’s reaction, it was clear he hadn’t spoken about the Emperor Pavilion incident, which was good for Li Feng. His behaviour there had been too different from his former self, easily raising suspicion. If Liu Shichao kept quiet, Li Feng could continue playing the weakling, hiding his true strength for now.
Seeing Li Feng’s reaction, the middle-aged man and Li Quan showed disdain.
“I wouldn’t…” Liu Shichao started, but the middle-aged man cut him off, “Master Liu wouldn’t eat Young Master Feng, he’s just joking.”
The middle-aged man shot Liu Shichao a look, but Liu Shichao, recalling the dagger Li Feng had used to threaten him at Emperor Pavilion, glared furiously, ignoring the signal.
The middle-aged man cursed inwardly. Had he known Liu Shichao was this useless, he’d never have taken this job.
Li Quan, anxious, had worked hard to get Li Feng here. If this spoiled rich kid messed up now and scared Li Feng off, their plan would collapse.
Stepping in front of Li Feng, Li Quan shouted at Liu Shilow, the plan might fall apart.
Thinking this, Li Quan stepped in front of Li Feng and shouted at Liu Shichao, “Master Liu, what are you doing? Want to offend Young Master Feng? Do you know who he is? Can you afford to offend him?”
Li Quan, playing the loyal lackey, had the act down pat.
Li Feng sneered inwardly but outwardly seemed less afraid with Li Quan in front of him, boldly saying, “Joking? Doesn’t look like it. Look, Master Liu’s teeth are practically out, like my Xiao Wei.”
Li Quan nearly laughed. Xiao Wei was the guard dog at the Yanjing Li family. Li Feng was comparing Liu Shichao to a dog.
Liu Shichao didn’t know Xiao Wei, but seeing the amusement in Li Quan’s eyes and catching Li Feng’s tone, he knew it wasn’t a compliment, fueling his rage.
“Master Liu, had too much to drink? We invited Young Master Feng to discuss cooperation. If you’re drunk, we’ll talk another day,” the middle-aged man barked.
Liu Shichao jolted, instantly sobering. Suppressing his anger, he took a deep breath and said, “Young Master Feng, sorry, I drank too much. Don’t mind me.”
How did Liu Shichao calm down so fast?
Li Feng glanced at the middle-aged man, surprised. Liu Shichao’s quick composure wasn’t just due to the man’s words; it seemed he feared him.
Li Feng patted his chest, feigning fear, “Master Liu looked terrifying, nearly scared me to death.”
Glancing at the middle-aged man, Li Feng asked Li Quan, “Li Quan, who’s this?”
“Young Master Feng, this is Wang Xiong, manager of Tiantian Loans and a Black Stone Gang hall master,” Li Quan quickly explained.
“Tiantian Loans?” Li Feng paused.
“Tiantian Loans is Tianhai City’s largest underground money lender. We’re here to discuss a loan with him,” Li Quan explained beside Li Feng.
Li Feng nodded and turned to Wang Xiong, “Manager Wang, how much can you lend me?”
“Young Master Feng, I’ll lend you whatever you want,” Wang Xiong replied.
“Really? I want 1.5 billion, got that?”
“Yes, but I’m not sure if your shares in Xiangfeng Investment Company are enough. If not…” Wang Xiong shook his head, a glint in his eyes, ready to take more if he could.
“I only have fifty percent of Xiangfeng Investment Company’s shares.”
“Fifty percent is too little. Though Xiangfeng is doing well, its total value is under a billion. Fifty percent gets you a billion, and that’s only because of you and Master Liu,” Wang Xiong said, surprised Li Feng held fifty percent. Li Quan had said Li Feng had a significant share, but he’d assumed twenty or thirty percent, not fifty. This was an unexpected bonus.
“A billion’s too little. Either 1.5 billion or nothing,” Li Feng shook his head. Why miss such a chance? A loan? To him, it was free money, and he wasn’t about to pass it up.
“Young Master Feng, 1.5 billion’s a lot, isn’t it?” Li Quan interjected.
“Not much. A billion to start a company, five hundred million for myself. Master Liu can turn a billion into ten billion. Worried I can’t repay?”
Li Feng glanced at Liu Shichao, “Right, Master Liu?”
“Right, Young Master Feng, don’t worry. I may not excel at much, but making money’s easy for me. By next year, I’ll turn your billion into ten,” Liu Shichao said quickly.
A billion to ten billion in a year? Only an idiot would believe that.
Li Feng sneered inwardly but smiled, “Manager Wang, you heard Master Liu. Still worried I can’t repay? Besides, with Xiangfeng Investment growing so well, my shares will be worth more than 1.5 billion in a year, right?”
“Well… for you and Master Liu, 1.5 billion it is,” Wang Xiong sighed, feigning reluctance. “Young Master Feng, did you bring your share certificate?”
“Prepared it long ago,” Li Feng handed over the certificate.
Wang Xiong glanced at it, nodded satisfied, “Good, Young Master Feng, let’s sign the contract.”
Li Feng signed the contract Wang Xiong provided without even reading it. Once signed, Wang Xiong and the others smirked with satisfaction.
“Young Master Feng, here are Citibank cheques,” Wang Xiong handed Li Feng two cheques, one for a billion, one for five hundred million.
Li Feng looked at the cheques, sneering inwardly. Not just the contract, but even the cheques were ready. They thought they had him, but who was playing whom?
He was also quietly shocked. The Black Stone Gang, just one of Tianhai City’s three major underground forces, could easily produce 1.5 billion. He’d underestimated them.
“Young Master Feng, I have other matters to attend to,” Wang Xiong said, standing with Li Feng’s Xiangfeng Investment share certificate.
“Take care, Manager Wang. Li Quan, see him out,” Li Feng said.
“Yes, Young Master Feng.”
Li Quan stood and followed Wang Xiong out of the room. As they left, Li Feng turned to Liu Shichao with a cold stare, “Master Liu, now it’s just us. Let’s have a proper chat.”
