Chapter 118: I Dare Not Let You Come

Hong Yu’s words left everyone present in a state of shock. Without the backing of the Hong family, Liang Zhanpeng lacked the confidence to take down Huang Tian.

If Huang Tian were merely building influence or recruiting men as he had in the past, Liang would have been confident enough to unite the other wealthy elites and mount a resistance. The problem, however, was that over the years, Huang Tian had somehow mastered formidable martial arts. Even the elite bodyguards employed by those wealthy families were no match for him; none could last even a single exchange.

Liang Zhanpeng had not encountered such a fearsome, lone-wolf powerhouse in many years. Only with the resources of the Hong family would it be possible to surround and capture him, and if pushed to the brink, the Hong family could dispatch their own true masters. Liang had seen those experts before—men who could snap stone and slice jade, elites who stood at the very pinnacle of the world.

If anything were to happen to Hong Yu, the Hong family would undoubtedly unleash their full might. But Liang knew that if he himself were killed, the Hong family would likely send only a few people at most, and by then, Huang Tian would have likely already fled. Still, if he were dead, it wouldn’t matter; his only desire now was to see Huang Tian eliminated as quickly as possible.

Observing Liang’s troubled expression, Hong Yu suddenly smiled. "I said I wouldn't have the Hong family step in, but I never said I wouldn't step in myself. There is no need to be this disheartened."

Liang Zhanpeng’s eyes widened. "Young Master, have you been cultivating your own forces and experts all these years?"

"If that is the case, then that would be wonderful. Truth be told, I never wanted to trouble the Hong family either."

Hong Yu chuckled. "I don't have any 'forces.' But my own strength is sufficient. This Huang Tian—I am quite interested in him. To strike fear into the entirety of Hannan as a lone individual, he must have some real skill. I should see what kind of man he truly is."

"Young Master, you alone?" Liang Zhanpeng was stunned, then shook his head vigorously. "No, that is far too inappropriate. You really should..."

Liang did not finish his sentence, but his meaning was clear. He dared not gamble; Hong Yu was just a young man who had been cast aside by the Hong family for years. The idea that he possessed such formidable martial prowess was something Liang found impossible to believe. The most terrifying prospect was that if something happened to Hong Yu, it wouldn't just be Liang who suffered—many in Hannan would be buried with him, and at the very least, everyone in that room would lose their lives.

Hong Yu smiled. "Are you sure? Are you certain you don't need my help?"

Liang urged anxiously, "No, truly, there is no need."

"A person of great wealth and status does not sit on a dangerous wall. Your position is too noble, Young Master; I absolutely cannot let you take such a risk!"

Liang had already seen the horrific state of the bodyguards who had clashed with Huang Tian—some suffered broken limbs, while others lost their lives entirely. Even if given more courage, Liang would never dare let Hong Yu take such a risk.

Hong Yu waved his hand helplessly. "If you don't want my help, then why did you even call me here to discuss this?"

After this retort, Hong Yu rose to leave the private room. Liang Zhanpeng raised a hand, but ultimately refrained from calling him back. He only mentioned that all the wealthy elites of Hannan would be meeting at Pengzhan Restaurant the next day to discuss the matter, and he hoped Hong Yu would grace them with his presence.

Still undecided, Hong Yu sat in Liang’s car and checked his phone. Seeing dozens of missed calls, he dialed back. Lin Shuyu’s voice was anxious, even tinged with tears. Hong Yu offered a few words of comfort and soon stepped out of the car to find her, her face streaked with tears.

Seeing her this way made Hong Yu’s heart ache. Abandoning her usual reserve, Lin Shuyu rushed toward him and embraced him the moment she saw him. This was the first time they had held each other so tightly, and in that moment, Hong Yu wished to stay like this forever, never letting go.

"Hong Yu, you bastard, how exactly did you get back?" Chen Yingying asked, glaring at them. She was extremely displeased to see Lin Shuyu embracing him. As for Wang Qi, his face turned livid; he looked as if he wanted to rush over and pull them apart.

Hearing Chen Yingying’s voice, Lin Shuyu remembered they were not alone; she blushed and pulled away from Hong Yu.

Hong Yu glanced back at Chen Yingying and sneered, "How else? I walked back."

"Are you playing games with me?" Chen Yingying’s eyes widened. "Don't think that just because you looked heroic earlier, you’re suddenly some big shot. I’m telling you, in my eyes, you’ve always been a coward—a live-in son-in-law. You will never amount to anything in my presence."

Hong Yu frowned. "Don't think you’re so important. I don't care at all how you see me. If your cousin weren't my wife, I wouldn't even bother acknowledging someone like you."

Chen Yingying stomped her foot in anger. "Who the hell do you think you are to act so arrogant?"

Hong Yu sneered, "At least I’m a thousand times better than a gold-digger like you. You’d better not compare yourself to me; I find it disgusting."

Wang Qi frowned from the side. "Hong Yu, why must you speak so harshly? Yingying is Shuyu’s cousin, a girl barely in her twenties. Is that any way for a man to act?"

Lin Shuyu tugged gently on Hong Yu, urging him not to keep bickering with Chen and Wang. However, Hong Yu would not allow Wang Qi to insult him. He gave a mocking laugh and retorted, "Heh, and you, a spineless coward, have the nerve to lecture me?"

"I’m not a man? Are you? Back at the Pengzhan Restaurant, I saw you running faster than a rabbit. What’s the matter? If you’re such a 'man,' why are you so afraid of death?"

Wang Qi’s face turned crimson. "What kind of nonsense are you spouting! In that situation, could we have stayed?"

"Not everyone is as reckless with their life as you. If a pathetic life like yours ends, so be it, but we are different!"

"Different? Aren't we all human? Did you fall from Mars?" Hong Yu scoffed.

Lin Shuyu couldn't bear it any longer. "Wang Qi, don't speak so cruelly. If it weren't for Hong Yu, none of us would have escaped."

"Who says?" Wang Qi replied, looking unconvinced. "Xiao Sa and his men were just trying to scare us; they wouldn't have dared to actually lay a hand on us."

"My father has dined with Xiao Sa's master. Unless Xiao Sa has a death wish, he wouldn't dare touch me."

Chen Yingying added impatiently, "Cousin, why are you defending Hong Yu? We were perfectly fine before, but this guy had to go and hold Xiao Sa hostage, and that’s what escalated everything."

"Don't think we're safe now; it’s Xiao Sa’s retaliation later that I'm worried about!"

Ignoring Chen Yingying, Hong Yu turned his gaze to Wang Qi.

Hong Yu smiled. "The master of Xiao Sa you mentioned—is it Liang Zhanpeng?"

Wang Qi stated proudly, "Of course!"

"Fine!" Hong Yu suddenly pulled out his phone and dialed Liang Zhanpeng.