Tianhai City, National Security Bureau branch.
“What? You’re saying Li Feng killed Chen Haotian?”
Fo Zhu shot to his feet, staring in disbelief at the young subordinate who had always stayed by his side and had just delivered the report.
“Yes, the news only just came in,” the youth confirmed with a nod.
“Excellent, excellent, truly heaven is helping me.” Excitement spread across Fo Zhu’s face. As a high-ranking member of National Security, how could he be unaware of Chen Haotian’s identity? The moment Chen Haotian had appeared in China, he had fallen under the bureau’s surveillance.
Yet Fo Zhu had never expected Li Feng to be so audacious as to actually kill him. Chen Haotian was the young master of the Hongmen; his status was extraordinary. If anything happened to him, the Hongmen would react violently. Now that Li Feng had killed Chen Haotian, the Hongmen would never let the matter rest. Li Feng would soon face their frenzied retaliation.
Fo Zhu did not know exactly how the Hongmen would strike back, but he knew this was an opportunity for him.
He had long wanted to bring a dangerous individual like Li Feng into the National Security Bureau and place him fully under their control. Unfortunately, Li Feng had repeatedly refused his generous offers. Fo Zhu had tried several times to force him in, all without success. It had left him both furious and helpless.
Now, however, Fo Zhu believed the chance of a lifetime had arrived.
Although the Hongmen was not one of China’s top families, its power surpassed even theirs. Li Feng had killed their young master; the Hongmen would never forgive him. If they pushed Li Feng into a corner with nowhere left to turn, he might finally agree to join National Security.
“Boss, do you mean…” The youth looked at Fo Zhu in shock, not understanding why his superior was so thrilled.
“Go immediately and arrange a meeting for me,” Fo Zhu said gravely, a sharp glint in his eyes.
“With whom?” the youth asked at once.
“Li Wu,” Fo Zhu replied calmly.
“Yes, sir.” The youth acknowledged the order and hurried out of the office. Though he did not know why Fo Zhu wanted to see Li Wu so late at night, he was certain there was a purpose behind it.
“Li Feng, oh Li Feng, this time you’ve brought disaster on yourself. Still, I’ll add a little more fuel to the fire. Let’s see how you refuse my kindness now.” Fo Zhu gave a sinister laugh.
Tianya Pavilion.
Li Feng returned to Tianya Pavilion as dawn was breaking. The moment he arrived, he summoned Zhong Shuhui.
“What? Young Master, you killed Chen Haotian?” Zhong Shuhui stared at him, stunned.
“I didn’t kill Chen Haotian. I fell for Zhu Yuanyang’s scheme.” Cold light flashed in Li Feng’s eyes. Every time he thought of the incident, anger surged within him. He then recounted everything from beginning to end.
Zhong Shuhui sighed. “Young Master, you were too careless.”
“Yes.” Li Feng nodded. If he had not followed Xu Shaohua out of the hall, none of this would have been pinned on him. The reason it had happened was his overconfidence, his belief that Chen Haotian could never succeed in retaliating against him. He had never imagined Zhu Yuanyang’s true purpose in using Chen Haotian would be this.
“It seems we underestimated Zhu Yuanyang,” Zhong Shuhui said, a sharp glint passing through her eyes. When they had been competing for the Nine Dragon Jade, she and Li Feng had analysed the representatives of the eight top families who had come to Tianhai City. Both of them had considered Qin Feng the most difficult opponent. Now, however, it appeared that even Qin Feng could not compare to Zhu Yuanyang.
“Indeed.” Li Feng nodded and continued gravely, “But talking about that now is useless. No matter how I explain, Chen Junyi probably won’t believe me. We must make arrangements quickly to deal with his retaliation.”
“Young Master, Chen Junyi is the leader of the Hongmen. His wrath will not be something we can easily withstand. Why not inform the family at once?” Zhong Shuhui suggested.
“Inform the family?” Li Feng shook his head and explained his concerns before adding, “The family probably can’t help us; we’d be lucky if they don’t turn against us. To withstand Chen Junyi’s revenge, we’ll have to rely on ourselves. By the way, Zhong Shuhui, do you know anything about the various families within the Hongmen?”
Zhong Shuhui shook her head. “Young Master, I’ve never dealt with the Hongmen, but there is someone who can help you.”
“Who?” Li Feng asked.
“Young Master wants to form an inner guard, doesn’t he? The person I mentioned last time will arrive in Tianhai City today. She has dealt with the Hongmen before and understands them far better than I do. When she arrives, you can ask her anything,” Zhong Shuhui replied.
Li Feng nodded. “Then we’ll wait for your friend to get here. Chen Junyi is currently in America. It will take him several days to receive the news and send people to China, so we have enough time to prepare.”
“Young Master must not let his guard down. The Hongmen already has forces right here in Tianhai City. As a worldwide underground organisation, it has influence in nearly every major city, and Tianhai is no exception,” Zhong Shuhui warned quickly.
“I understand. If we can’t even handle the Hongmen forces in Tianhai City, how could we possibly resist Chen Junyi’s retaliation? Zhong Shuhui, immediately send people to monitor the Hongmen’s local branch. If they make any unusual moves, deploy the Black Hawk squad and wipe them out.” At a time like this, Li Feng would show no mercy. Even if it meant making an enemy of the entire Hongmen, he would not hesitate.
“Yes, sir.”
Zhong Shuhui acknowledged the order and left.
Eight o’clock in the morning. Fu Yanxiong walked into a small bar in the southern part of Tianhai City and said to the bartender, “I’d like to see your boss.”
“Sir, the boss isn’t seeing guests,” the bartender replied indifferently after glancing at him. “Also, we’re not open yet. Please come back tonight.”
“Give him this. I’m sure your boss will want to see me straight away.” Fu Yanxiong smiled faintly and handed over a card.
“This…” The bartender hesitated.
“Go on. Whether he agrees to see me or not, the money is yours.” Fu Yanxiong pulled out a thick wad of Chinese currency and passed it over.
The bartender’s eyes lit up at the sight of the cash; it was worth several months’ wages. Gritting his teeth, he said, “Alright, I’ll try.” He turned and headed inside.
A smile appeared on Fu Yanxiong’s face.
Moments later the bartender returned, beaming. “Sir, please follow me.”
Fu Yanxiong nodded and followed him deeper into the bar.
The bartender stopped outside a private room. “Sir, the boss is waiting inside.”
Fu Yanxiong nodded again, pushed the door open, and stepped in.
“You’re the one who wanted to see me?” A middle-aged man was seated on the sofa. He spoke in a deep voice the moment he saw Fu Yanxiong.
“Indeed. Fu Yanxiong of the Fu family, at your service, Iron-Hand King.” Fu Yanxiong cupped his hands in greeting and made an odd gesture.
“Iron-Hand King… no one has called me that in years. I never thought a junior would use it today.” The middle-aged man smiled and said, “Just call me Boss Su.”
“Boss Su? The great Iron-Hand King willingly playing the part of a small bar owner? If your old friends knew, I wonder what they’d think.” Fu Yanxiong chuckled and sat down opposite him.
“The Iron-Hand King died long ago. I’m just Boss Su now,” the man replied, shaking his head.
“Boss Su?” Fu Yanxiong smiled, inwardly scoffing. As if the legendary Iron-Hand King would truly be content running a tiny bar. He did not believe it for a second.
“Exactly. So, Mr Fu, what brings you here? Don’t tell me you want to buy some wine? I do have a few fine bottles in my private collection,” Boss Su said calmly.
“Boss Su, I’ll be direct. I’ve come to ask you to come out of retirement,” Fu Yanxiong said gravely.
“Mr Fu, I’ve said it before: the Iron-Hand King is dead. I’m only a small bar owner. I can’t help you,” Boss Su replied, his gaze sharpening.
“Hah, if anyone else said that I might believe them, but you…” Fu Yanxiong shook his head, then continued solemnly, “Boss Su, let’s not waste words. If you come out of retirement and do one job for me, I can help you fulfil the wish you failed to achieve ten years ago.”
Boss Su’s pupils contracted. He gave a cold laugh. “You?”
“Boss Su, I am of the Fu family. I’m sure you’re aware of our resources. I give you the Fu family’s guarantee. Do you still doubt I can help you achieve that wish?” Fu Yanxiong replied evenly.
“The Fu family…” Boss Su fell silent.
Fu Yanxiong pressed on. “Boss Su, in this entire world, I may be the only one who still remembers the Iron-Hand King. Without me, you will carry that regret to your grave.”
Boss Su’s expression shifted. He stared at Fu Yanxiong with icy eyes, a powerful aura surging from his body.
Fu Yanxiong remained calm. He had anticipated this reaction and come fully prepared. He was confident Boss Su would agree.
“Very well. I accept. But you had better not deceive me. Even if you are from the Fu family, I will make you pay dearly if you do,” Boss Su said in a low voice.
“Rest assured, Boss Su. I stake the Fu family’s honour on it,” Fu Yanxiong replied, a sharp light flashing in his eyes.
“What do you need me to do?” Boss Su asked.
“Kill someone.”
Fu Yanxiong placed a photograph on the coffee table between them and gently pushed it toward Boss Su. “This man.”
