Chapter 619: One Punch Kill
Many people had once pointed their guns at Tang Xiu, but 99% of them didn't have a good end. Just as A' Qiang pointed the gun at him, his eyes seemed to see a dead person.
"Do you really want to compare it?" Asked Tang Xiu with an indifferent smile.
Killing intention surged inside A' Qiang's eyes. Though the indifference displayed by Tang Xiu made him hesitant and afraid, yet he would never hesitate to shoot since he knew that all humans, including himself, only had one life.
Life has a funny way of giving back what you put out, as one will have to pay for what they had done sooner and later!
He was fully aware of what this sentence meant and had made his own preparation many years ago. However, he still had the Du Family as his backer and would come out safe and sound; unless the Du Family didn't want to shelter him anymore. In that unlikely case, he could still hit the road and ran away. He had left a way out for himself a few years ago and could go abroad if worse came to worst.
At the side, the moment when A' Qiang pulled his pistol out, Huang Xu's eyes contracted violently and he hesitated for a moment. But then, he strode forward and stopped in front of Tang Xiu, blocking A' Qiang and shouting at him, "If you dare to shoot, then kill me first. Else put your gun down!"
A' Qiang was taken aback. He never dreamed that the young master of the Huang Family—Huang Xu would actually come forward to shield Tang Xiu. He knew perfectly well how powerful the Huang Family in Shuangqing Province was, as even the Du Family never wanted to provoke them. If he shot him, it was highly likely that the Du Family wouldn't be able to shelter him, and he would be butchered by the Huang Family's people if he stayed in Blue City.
A smile outlined the corner of Tang Xiu's mouth. While that smile climbed up his face, he patted Huang Xu's shoulder and said, "Huang Xu, I accept your good intentions, but let me solve this matter myself! He's a nobody, no need for you to be troubled by him."
As his voice faded away, his figure that was originally behind Huang Xu instantly disappeared. When he reappeared again, his fingers had already pinched A' Qiang's wrist, and the latter dropped the gun the moment Tang Xiu's fist punched his forehead. A' Qiang's nose caved in and his facial bones shattered, with blood flowing out from his eyes. The man then collapsed on the floor.
A violent death with a single punch!
Tang Xiu casually kicked A' Qiang's dead body and sent him to the corner of the wall. Then, he slowly returned to the sofa. After taking a seat, he smiled and said, "I didn't expect that I would have to kill someone, but since I already killed him then so be it! Young Master Du, right? Now, please continue with the phone call to summon your people. We can opt to go outside if you can't bring them here. I myself don't mind booking this Clearlake Club for us to continue. Besides, it's quite spacious outside, big enough for us to play."
Du Yunjie violently shivered and felt the shadow of death looming over his heart, making him wish to run away at this moment. Unbridled, wild, and arrogant he may be, but that was on the premise that he didn't bump into tough, ruthless, and merciless people. But at this time, the Tang Xiu in front of him was too powerful, as he was even able to deal with more than a dozen ruthless and strong thugs from Blue City's underworld society all by himself. The most notable fact was that he dared to kill openly and straightforwardly?
"You…"
He looked at A' Qiang's dead body, and the panicked expression on his face was particularly evident. Running away was not something he dared to do; making a phone call to pray for help to come, the savior hadn't yet arrived. He was afraid that Tang Xiu would change his mind and kill him before his big brother arrived.
Huang Xu knew that today's matter was doomed to become big when Tang Xiu killed A' Qiang. Out of rage, he glared at the paralyzed Du Yunjie, who was out of his wits, and then looked at Long Zhengyu, plea on his eyes. He knew the relationship between him and Tang Xiu, and the only person who was probably able to calm Tang Xiu down at this time was none other but him.
Long Zhengyu was taciturn for a while before he suddenly shook his head and smilingly spoke, "Tang Xiu, let's just wait for someone from the Du Family to come over! If they lower their heads to apologize, let's conclude this matter and forget it. But if they don't, then let's have some more fun."
"Are you getting soft?" Asked Tang Xiu with a smile.
"Nope, nothing like that." Long Zhengyu shook his head. "It's just that our original intention was to play in Blue City. There's no need to create more trouble; though we don't fear trouble ourselves. But having fewer incidents is much better than more, nonetheless. Rather than waste time on fighting and killing, it's better to sit with some friends to eat and drink."
"Makes sense to me." Tang Xiu couldn't help laughing.
"True that. True that." Huang Xu echoed quickly. "I have nothing here but tons of good wine and meat to spice things up. Or, how about I arrange this for you in advance? When someone from the Du Family comes here and expressly discuss this matter, everything will be finished."
"No hurry. I don't think this matter can be done easily." Tang Xiu slightly smiled. "I'm afraid I won't let this matter go as long as the Du Family wants their face still intact. We'll wait here! Someone will probably come soon."
Immediately, the atmosphere inside the Seacraft Hall froze. Except for those stocky men who were badly beaten and were lying around Du Yanjie, Huang Xu and Wang Zidong had bitter smiles plastered on their faces, as they didn't know whether they had to sit or stand, feeling on edge and uneasy.
"I… let me go out and have a look first." After getting stunned for a period of time, Wang Zidong braved himself to speak.
Tang Xiu glanced at him and said, "Going out to take a look is fine, but don't talk too much!"
Wang Zidong himself had just decided that he would tell Du Yunlong about Tang Xiu's identity after the man had arrived here. But when he heard Tang Xiu's warning, he immediately tossed this thought away. He was not afraid of the Du Family, what he feared was Du Yunlong. But if he were to compare him with Tang Xiu, he was definitely more afraid of Tang Xiu.
After going out, Wang Zidong saw Li Chunlei waiting in the corridor outside and said with a bitter smile, "Send instructions to clean up the Supreme Hall and prepare good wine and dishes. Also, take the best tea leaves in my room to the Supreme Hall as well, it will be used later."
Inside, Li Chunlei was shocked. Though he had long guessed that Long Zengyu and Tang Xiu had extraordinary identities, little did he think that they would receive such attention and care. One must know that the guests who could use the Supreme Hall in Blue City were probably less than the number of fingers in both of his hands.
"I'll arrange it now!"
Wang Zidong watched as he left. He fell into silence for a short while before clenching his teeth, typing a text and sending it.
On a road a dozen kilometers away, two cars were heading toward the direction of the Clearlake Club. Inside one of the Mercedes-Benz, Du Yunlong's mobile phone vibrated. After he took it out and read the text message, his face slightly changed.
"Master, A' Qiang is dead." Du Yunlong turned his head and looked at the middle-aged man sitting beside him.
Shao Mingzhen slightly furrowed his brows. Pity could be seen on his face as he lightly said, "I originally wanted to enter Blue City secretly by subduing A' Qiang and using him as my proxy. I didn't expect him to die. Wasn't he sheltered by your Du Family? Don't tell me he provoked a terrifying figure?"
"I don't know, either." Du Yunlong shook his head. "Just before I received a text that you're at the airport, I had been informed that my little brother has stirred up trouble in the Clearlake Club. He should be the one who called A' Qiang, so…"
"You two are biological brothers from the Du Family, yet have such different characters." Shao Mingzhen narrowed his eyes. "You have great aim, great ambition, a steady and safe attitude in pursuing something, and a low-key disposition. Yet Du Yunjie is unbridled and seriously have a silk pants' bad habits. I'm afraid he will be in for getting stabbed and stuffed into a big basket in the future if your family can't properly restrain him."
"My parents are too fond of him, thus they spoiled him," said Du Yunlong helplessly. "Though I have tried to keep him in check, I don't have other means to change his slovenly, reckless attitude completely. How about you find some time to teach him well, Master? I believe that he will definitely grow a lot if you are willing to teach him."
"We'll discuss this matter some other time!" said Shao Mingzhen faintly. "I still have a lot of things to deal with, and though there's no need for me to involve myself with the matters in Star City, the expansion I planned in the dark is kind of obstructed. If there's no other way around to break into Blue City, it won't be easy to expand my influence in other provinces than Shuangqing Province."
"But Master, there are many families in Blue City, and some of them even have a deeper heritage as well as an intricate network," hesitantly said Du Yunlong. "If you want to control the underworld forces in Blue City, I'm afraid that it won't be easy to counter the resistance from those families without the support from some big shots in the government."
"I'm not unaware of this fact." Shao Mingzhen nodded "I wanted to control A' Qiang, who could be said as someone discovered by your family. I want to exercise control over dozens of powerful people in the entire Blue City, but I'm aware that more than that may possibly give rise to the anger of the families, joining in opposition to battle the same adversary. However, I have no other options. There are reasons behind my actions."
Du Yunlong was very confused and puzzled. He couldn't figure out why his Master wanted to control the underground forces in Blue City. Even if he wanted to be the Godfather of the entire Shuangqing Province, it didn't mean that Blue City was the only place he could start at. He really wanted to ask him, but was evaded by his Master every time, and therefore could only bury his confusion inside.
"Master, I just broke through the Foundation Establishment Stage a couple days ago." Du Yunlong changed the subject and spoke in an undertone voice.
Shao Mingzhen's eyes lit up and nodded with satisfaction. He had two disciples being an itinerant cultivator. His first disciple had been living in a foreign country and only returned to China every year to celebrate New Year, whereas his second disciple had always been in the country and followed him for at least a few months every year for cultivation purposes.
Originally, he thought that his second disciple would require at least a few years more before he breakthrough to the Foundation Establishment Stage. Little did he expect that his aptitude turned out to be this good and had already had a breakthrough now.
"That's great, you're very good." Shao Mingzhen nodded and praised. "Maybe you can surpass your First Martial Brother and break through to the Golden Core Stage earlier than him."
"As a matter of fact, this disciple chanced upon a good opportunity," said Du Yunlong with a smile. "I met someone, a authoritative figure in the Endless Virtue Pharmaceutical in Blue City. I bought several precious medicinal herbs from him, and after a period of having nourishing medicated dishes, I then broke through to the Foundation Establishment Stage.
"You mean, someone in charge of the Endless Virtue Pharmaceutical in Blue City sold it to you in secret?" Shao Mingzhen was surprised.
"Yeah, he often keeps some precious medicinal herbs." Du Yunlong nodded. "I can help you contact him if you need them."
"I had better let it pass!" Shao Mingzhen shook his head. "I'm afraid that things will go awry if Chen Zhizhong learns about this."
"But Master, why do you still pay attention to Chen Zhizhong given your present capacity?" Du Yunlong's brows raised.
With a forced smile, Shao Mingzhen said, "It's not him who I look at, but his Master! Well, let's forget it! Anyways, since you always wanted to know why I want to control the underground forces in the entire Shuangqing Province, especially here in Blue City, then I'll tell you about it today."
Chapter 620: Crushed
After glancing at his trusted henchman who was driving the car, Shao Mingzhen then spoke with a voice that only he and Du Yunlong could hear, "The reason why I want to control the underground forces in Shuangqing Province is to get closer to Chen Zhizhong's Master, so that I can help him a bit whenever he comes across something his hands are unsuited to act."
What?
Du Yunlong was taken aback as he looked at his Master with disbelief, as tempestuous waves raged inside his heart. This meant that the reason why his Master was trying his best to control the underground forces of Blue City was to… fawn upon someone else?
This… how could this be?
The identity of his Master was something Du Yunlong was perfectly aware of. Other than controlling the underground forces of several provinces, his Master also controlled two major companies with total assets of over 10 billion yuan, and the most notable of all was that his identity as a cultivator who possessed a mysterious power.
And yet, he unexpectedly still needed to fawn upon someone else despite this?
"Your cultivation is still very low, so your vision is still too shallow," sighed Shao Mingzhen. "In the future, you will perhaps meet some people who are stronger than me in the world, who are capable enough to give me many benefits only by casually giving a few pointers. Anyways, since you already broke through to the Foundation Establishment Stage, I'll take you to see him a few days later!"
This revelation from Shao Mingzhen shocked Du Yunlong. Ever since he formally acknowledged him as his Master since he was five years old, Miao Wentang from Haiqing Province was the only cultivator he knew of. He thought that he was already very formidable now that he had reached the Foundation Establishment Stage—a state where he could become a presence countless people would look up to. Yet now, who could have ever thought that there would be more who were stronger than his Master in this world.
"Thank you, Master!" Replied Du Yunlong with gratitude.
He had followed and cultivated under Shao Mingzhen's tutelage from five to 16 years old and spent most of his time with him. In his eyes, Shao Mingzhen was more intimate than his own biological parents.
Quickly after, the two cars drove into the Clearlake Club. Shao Mingzhen didn't get off the car since it was a conflict between 'children', something that didn't require him to act at all. His gaze followed Du Yunlong as he entered the building, as then he slowly closed his eyes to ponder about things he had in possession that could make Tang Xiu take fancy in.
Inside the Seacraft Hall.
Just as Du Yunlong walked inside with his two men, he slightly furrowed his brows. He didn't pay a glance to Du Yunjie who had been badly beaten, and even felt that his little brother deserved such a beating, else he would incite more trouble all day and would surely cause a big mess in the future. The scene that took his attention was A' Qiang's dead body on the floor, as well as the miserable state of dozens of his men.
"Yunlong." Huang Xu immediately got up from the sofa upon seeing Du Yunlong and gave an eye sign, with his back against Tang Xiu and Long Zhengyu.
Du Yunlong narrowed his eyes and nodded. Then he looked at Du Yunjie and coldly said, "This is the second time tonight, isn't it? Does being forced to cry out for help feels that good to you?"
Du Yunjie was never afraid of his parents, but was toward his big brother who possessed a terrifying strength. His lips squirmed a few times upon hearing Du Yanlong's question, before lowering his head to answer, "It's my fault, Brother."
After snorting coldly again, Du Yunlong then turned to Tang Xiu and Long Zhengyu and indifferently said, "Two gentlemen, I'm well aware of my little brother's character, and I'm afraid that he's the first one who provoked you first. I would like to apologize to both of you on his behalf. I hope that you can have a broad mind and not stoop down to the likes of this ignorant brat."
"Thank God there's still a sensible person in the Du Family!" Said Long Zhengyu indifferently. "Your apology is needless since a third party is not needed when settling conflicts, so we naturally have nothing to blame you."
"I already said that I apologize." Du Yunlong unable to refute as he nodded and said, "Now let's talk about something else. I'm sure you already know that A' Qiang is someone backed by my family. Now that he is dead, it should be you who did that, shouldn't it? And the rest is badly injured and some should have become disabled. Both of you acted too ruthless, I think you should explain this to me."
"If it wasn't for us possessing some abilities, it would have been us to end up in such a bad luck today!" Long Zhengyu sneered. "If it did happen, then who would explain it to us, huh?"
Du Yunlong fell into silence, but his sharp eyes glanced back and forth at the duo.
Tang Xiu, whose body was half-nesting on the sofa, folded his arms while letting out a smile and said, "So, what kind of confession do you want from us?"
"Men exchange fists with their power, money, and connections. But I can tell that you don't bully others on someone else's power, so I don't feel like using these methods either. Given the fact that you can kill A' Qiang and heavily injure his men is evidence that your individual martial strength is formidable. I'll accompany you in a fight. I'll do whatever you want if you win, but you will bow your head to apologize and give A' Qiang and his men a proper aftermath deal."
Tang Xiu ruminated for a moment before smilingly saying, "What good aftermath deal do you want, exactly?"
"You two don't seem like people who are short on money," said Du Yunlong. "So you will compensate 10 million yuan to A' Qiang's family and pay 2 million yuan for their each of their medical expenses."
"You're not bad." Tang Xiu smiled. "A lot more benevolent than me. Alright, I'm probably not a man if I were to refuse that."
After saying that, Tang Xiu got up from the sofa.
"Tang Xiu, this…" said Huang Xu hastily with a change in expression.
"It's alright. It's just for fun!" Tang Xiu smiled. "Rest assured, I promise I won't kill him."
Huang Xu forced a smile and said, "Tang Xiu, I'm afraid…"
Tang Xiu stared blankly and was at a loss whether he had to laugh or cry before he replied, "You mean… you're afraid that I'll be killed by him? Is he very powerful?"
"He is," said Huang Xiu without thinking. "I can't recall anyone in Blue City who can be his match. He once KO'ed 20 to 30 people…"
When he spoke up to there, he couldn't continue talking anymore since he had just seen Tang Xiu in action a while ago, and Tang Xiu was also someone who could deal with a dozen hardened tough guys by himself!
"Don't worry! I won't kill him," said Du Yunlong with an indifferent expression.
The arrogance shown by the Du Family's brothers really made Huang Xu annoyed and vexed inwardly, as he immediately yelled, "Du Yunlong, even if you're more powerful than Tang Xiu, you still must lose today, else your Du Family will…"
"Huang Xu!" Tang Xiu shouted in a heavy tone.
Huang Xu's body shuddered as he turned his head at Tang Xiu with difficulty and said, "He has helped me a few times before and is my benefactor. Brother Tang, could you look at my face and spare him this time? I assure you he will never provoke you again in the future."
Tang Xiu furrowed his brows and didn't speak a word.
Taken aback and startled, Du Yunlong couldn't help but observe Tang Xiu. Astute and wise as he was, he could tell from Huang Xu's words that Tang Xiu was not someone ordinary and that his origin was probably earthshaking to make even Huang Xu frightened. But, what kind of background could it be to even frighten Huang Xu like this? He couldn't be someone from the capital…
As he thought up to there, Du Yunlong said with a serious expression, "Huang Xu, I think you misunderstood something. We're just sparring and comparing our martial strength. The conflict and grievances between him and my brother will be written off regardless of the outcome. I'll do whatever they want if I lose, and they will only pay compensation for medical expenses if it's the other way around. I believe that everyone here is a man, so we can accept the outcome of this trifling matter with equanimity."
"Du Yunlong, yes? You're a man with character." Tang Xiu clapped and nodded with a smile. "Huang Xu, get back! He has said it, so I won't haggle over this matter again whatever the outcome."
Huang Xiu was secretly relieved and gratefully looked at Tang Xiu as he quickly stepped back.
There was a proud expression on Du Yunlong's face as he flicked his finger at Tang Xiu and said, "Me fighting you is akin to bullying, actually, so I won't fight back before your first three moves. I hope you can take my moves after that."
An odd, strange smile appeared on Tang Xiu's face.
With a sudden stride, he stepped forward and his speed instantly rocketed when he was just two meters away from Du Yunlong and slapped his face.
Pa… "First move!"
Tang Xiu's voice sounded, and shortly afterward, a second loud slap was heard:
Pa… "Second move!"
Pa… "Third move!"
After three consecutive slaps, Tang Xiu instantly stepped back a few steps. While folding his arms, he looked at Du Yunlong and smiled, "Three moves are done. Do you still want to try to fight?"
Getting slapped thrice by Tang Xiu made Du Yunlong perplexed. He had broken through to the Foundation Establishment Stage at present. A martial arts grandmaster was akin to an ant in his eyes—and not even a dozens of them could be his opponents if he wanted to.
But… but how could the other party be so fast? He couldn't react at all and was slapped thrice by him?
He… who could he be?
An alarm rang and fear arose inside him. But an intense feeling of shame grew inside his heart upon seeing the faint smile on Tang Xiu's face. He clenched his fists tightly as he paced forward and dashed a few meters away in an instant while his lightning-like fist striked at Tang Xiu's face.
Bang…
A muffled sound was heard. It was not Du Yunlong's fist that hit Tang Xiu's face but the latter's foot that kicked the former's chest as Du Yunlong's body was directly sent backwards for seven-plus meters away and heavily fell on the floor.
Cough…
A mouthful of blood spurted out from Du Yunlong's mouth. Just a kick had already caused his internal organs to become injured. Just as he bounced off the floor, Tang Xiu had already appeared beside him like a shadow, sending a barrage of fists towards Du Yunlong's body like raindrops. Despite his face being hit just a few times, it still made his nose bleed and his face swell, all black and blue.
Finally, Du Yunlong's body hit the wall and then fell on the lower part of the wall.
Tang Xiu deliberately flung his wrist and smilingly said, "Few people can stand up to my heavy beating. Though I didn't use much strength, I think I have vented out my heavy mood quite a lot tonight. Well, Du Yunlong, we can continue to fight if you still have the ability to stand up again, but if you can't, it means you lose."
Du Yunlong spat out a few mouthfuls of blood but endured and suppressed the pain all over his body. He propped himself up from the floor, yet didn't act again as shock and fear appeared on his face instead. He shook his head and said, "I lost already. Perhaps you only needed one strike to kill me if you wanted to. I lost… I fully admit it."