Chapter 498: The Arrogance of the Hongmen
A Message from the Hongmen
Luke had no interest in attending such a public event. He sent Derek Qiao, who had traveled from the Hongmen, to the stadium with Jiu. Derek Qiao was an unofficial disciple of Lingxu Zi. When he learned of Jiu's existence, the old man was ecstatic, filled with the fervor of an elderly man who'd found a son. He called four or five times a day, relentlessly pressing the matter.
Luke understood his feelings. The old man had been reckless in his youth, incurring some romantic debts but having no children. When he got older, he took on the responsibility of the sect and never planned to marry or have children. After the events that forced him to flee to the US, he wandered for a few years until he met Luke's grandfather and finally settled down.
Before taking on Linda, Lingxu Zi had two direct disciples: the eldest, Li Su, who died young, and the second, Zhang Hanqing, who also died young.
Linda didn't know these things, but Luke knew them clearly. In a sense, Zhang Jiu was no different from Lingxu Zi's own grandson.
However, Luke would not change his plans for the sake of the old man's feelings.
The plan must be completed, regardless of anything else. No oversight would be allowed.
Derek Qiao was a typical Chinese American, accustomed to the American way of life, yet his family education and surroundings made him curious about China. He walked with Jiu to the VIP platform, clasped his hands in a formal martial arts greeting, and bowed politely according to Hongmen customs.
"You gentlemen must be the leaders of the major sects. I am Derek Qiao, and I am here at the command of my Young Master to handle the negotiations."
Lin Chuancheng's eyes were red, and he hissed,
"Why didn't Luke Shaw come? Is he afraid?"
Derek raised an eyebrow and scrutinized the old man, who looked ferocious and had a white cloth wrapped around his waist.
"And you are..."
Someone nearby quickly interjected, "This is Lin Chuancheng, Sect Leader Lin."
"Oh, it's you."
Derek immediately understood. No wonder he was wearing white cloth around his waist—his son must have died. Derek had been in the car during yesterday's ambush. Those assassins had truly misjudged things, daring to ambush the Young Master. The result, needless to say, was the total annihilation of the assassins; not one escaped. One was kept alive, and the rest were either neutralized or handed over to the Chinese special forces that arrived shortly after.
That captured assassin had clearly confessed that Lin Chuancheng's eldest son was the one who hired them.
Derek smirked internally, and his tone immediately turned hostile.
"The Young Master has no interest in attending such an event. I am sufficient. If you truly wish to see my Young Master, I suggest you finish your mourning first."
"You..."
Lin Chuancheng roared with rage and lunged forward, only to be desperately held back by the people next to him.
Derek calmly flicked dust from his suit. He spoke with chilling indifference.
"Yesterday's attack was truly eye-opening. I never expected that in China, a country with strict gun control, we'd encounter a sniper ambush. Unfortunately, the assassins were too weak; they were captured alive before they could even fire a shot. Sect Leader Lin, perhaps you can guess what the police will dig out of them."
As he spoke, the air became thick and heavy.
All the old men had heard about yesterday's ambush, believing it to have been a fierce battle, but the young man's words suggested otherwise.
Derek curled his lips, his gaze fixed menacingly on Lin Chuancheng.
"The things my Young Master has experienced since childhood are beyond your imagination. He wouldn't even glance at such a low-level assassination attempt. However, as his subordinate, he may not care, but that doesn't mean I don't care."
"Lin Chuancheng, this matter is not over. You have two sons and four grandsons. That makes exactly ten people in your family. Take my advice: buy ten urns, just in case you run out."
"Sir, aren't you being too arrogant?"
Zhao Cheng said coldly, "This is China, not America."
Derek merely smiled, speaking with feigned casualness.
"Sect Leader Lin, why don't you call your younger son? There might be a surprise!"
Lin Chuancheng's face instantly changed color. He frantically pulled out his phone, his hands trembling as he dialed his son's number. The others also looked grim; no one had anticipated the Hongmen's reaction would be so dominating and merciless.
The phone rang for half a minute, but no one answered.
A flicker of despair crossed Lin Chuancheng's eyes. He pressed the speaker button and called his daughter-in-law. When he learned his younger son had fallen from the roof and broken his leg, but was not in danger, he couldn't help but sigh in relief, collapsing weakly onto the ground.
Hahahaha!!!
Derek burst into untimely laughter, his eyebrows raised, his face radiating boundless malice.
"Trash like you dares to hire assassins to ambush the Young Master? Truly, ignorance is bliss."
Zhao Cheng couldn't tolerate it any longer.
"Young man, don't be too arrogant. The Hongmen cannot cause a storm in China."
Derek scoffed. "I know this is China, which is why I told him to prepare urns. If this were the States, you'd already be tossed into the sea to feed the fish."
"..."
Everyone was enraged, but they didn't dare utter threats. They had previously believed the Hongmen, like local triads, to be all bark and no bite. Now, they realized the difference: local gangs use killing as a threat but rarely follow through; the Hongmen's words meant you really would die.
Who wasn't afraid of death?
The sect leaders, who were usually so high and mighty, were now timid and cautious. Ultimately, no one stepped forward.
Derek shook his head in boredom. No wonder the Young Master didn't want to show up; this lot wasn't worthy of sitting with him.
"Alright, enough with the nonsense. Jiu has arrived. Where is your man?"
The yellow-faced man, Chen Feng, walked out from the back. Seeing the hardened calluses on his hands and the spiritual light in his eyes, Derek couldn't help but frown.
"He's truly a master."
After a moment of thought, he leaned toward Jiu and whispered,
"What do you think of him?"
The boy examined the man.
"He's okay."
Derek immediately relaxed. He had witnessed Jiu's danger-sensing ability. If Jiu said "he's okay," it meant there wasn't a huge problem. He didn't want to mess up the task assigned by the Young Master.
"Since everyone is here, let's begin. The sooner we start, the sooner we finish."
"Wait a moment!"
Lian Qigong stepped forward. "Before the match, some things need to be made clear. This contest concerns the honor of the martial arts world. If we win, the plaques you took must be returned, and you must publicly apologize."
Derek's expression remained unchanged, and he seized the opening.
"And if you lose?"
Lian Qigong was silent for a few seconds, then said quietly, "State whatever terms you have."
"Really?"
Derek's eyes lit up, and he couldn't help but tease, "If I asked you to kneel down and bark like dogs, you'd be willing?"
The crowd: "..."
"Just kidding! Don't be so tense."
Derek put a cigarette in his mouth. "The Young Master said that if you win, the plaques will naturally be returned. But if you lose..." He paused, then said strangely,
"They can also be returned, but under one condition."
"What condition?"
"After this match, Jiu will challenge an even more powerful opponent. At that time, every sect must send five core disciples and fifty core apprentices to provide support. During this period, whatever the Young Master asks you to do, you must comply. No exceptions."
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