Chapter 128: Let’s See How You Die

"What the hell!"

"Are you out of your mind?"

"With that physique of yours, I bet you couldn't even beat me. Where do you get the confidence?" Liang Siqi's eyes widened in disbelief. She was genuinely amazed that Hong Yu could say such things in public.

The wealthy tycoons present also frowned. Not daring to confront Hong Yu directly, they huddled together and began to murmur among themselves.

"Is this young master of the Hong family sick? His thigh is thinner than someone else's arm; what is he even planning to fight with?"

"He's probably just jealous of Mr. Cheng Long and wants to save face."

"We absolutely must not trust the words of a playboy like him. If he fails, it's just a bit of lost face for him, but for us, it could mean our lives!"

"It's all Liang Zhanpeng's fault. Why on earth did he invite such a playboy here?"

"What do we do now? If it were anyone else, I would have kicked him out already without a second thought."

"The Hong family is too powerful. If we offend this brat, we'll end up just as bad as if Huang Tian had found us."

Liang Zhanpeng felt conflicted.

As the primary target of Huang Tian, he found it infuriating that Hong Yu would speak so recklessly at a time like this, as if their lives meant nothing to him.

If it were about anything else, Liang Zhanpeng might have gritted his teeth and trusted Hong Yu. But this was about combat, where physique and build were paramount. Hong Yu’s slight frame didn't look like that of someone who had trained a day in his life.

He actually found Liang Siqi’s earlier rebuke quite plausible. Although there is a significant difference in raw strength between men and women, Liang Siqi had practiced Taekwondo since childhood and could easily handle a thug or two; dealing with Hong Yu would likely be even simpler.

Just then, a tycoon in the conference room stepped forward.

He hadn't spoken since Hong Yu arrived, but Liang Zhanpeng knew that among everyone present, this man held the highest status—even higher than himself, the King of Huaizhou.

This man was Li Tian, a renowned landowner in Hannan with vast holdings. Some even whispered that he was the true wealthiest man in the region.

"Boss Liang, I know you're in a difficult position, but you must understand our predicament as well," Li Tian said, his tone indifferent, betraying no clear emotion.

Liang Zhanpeng sighed with a headache. "Boss Li, please give me some advice. I am truly caught in a bind."

"Very well." Li Tian nodded, then looked at Hong Yu. "Stop trying to protect him. I know he is from the Hong family, but I have dealt with them before."

"It seems the Hong family doesn't really acknowledge him."

As expected of a major landowner in Hannan, he had even managed to dig up information on the Hong family.

The other tycoons immediately turned to Li Tian. "Boss Li, is this true? This is nothing to joke about."

"It is true!" Li Tian nodded. "This young man is actually just an illegitimate son; he isn't even in the Hong family genealogy!"

"Boss Liang’s daughter just said he came here specifically to borrow ten thousand yuan. If the Hong family acknowledged him, why would he be so pathetic?"

Shen Chong sneered, "Damn, so that's how it is. I was actually scared by this kid earlier."

Shen Chong turned to Hong Yu and mocked, "Kid, you've got some nerve! An illegitimate son daring to swagger about and swindle people? I bet when you were broke, you used the Hong family's name to scare others, didn't you?"

Liang Zhanpeng immediately urged, "Everyone, don't speak like that. You don't understand the situation with the Hong family. Speaking like this will lead to disaster!"

Li Tian said impatiently, "Boss Liang, are you still defending this illegitimate son?"

"Or has this bastard promised you some grand future?"

Shen Chong sneered, "Boss Liang, you are the King of Huaizhou. How could you be so muddled this time?"

"Can you really trust the words of an illegitimate son? I think you... you're really getting old."

Liang Zhanpeng was left speechless. He looked at Hong Yu, hoping he would step forward to clear his name.

But Hong Yu didn't seem to care; he remained standing there, calm and composed, not saying a word.

"Boss Li and Boss Shen are right. No wonder he doesn't use the Hong family's influence—he can't!"

"I was wondering before, how could a world-class elite family produce such an ill-mannered playboy? So he's just an illegitimate son!"

"Heh, an illegitimate son actually having the audacity to brag. Compared to Mr. Cheng Long, he's like mud to the clouds. He isn't even fit to carry Mr. Cheng Long's shoes!"

"Let him get out! I can't stand looking at him anymore."

Li Tian had expected that these comments would force Hong Yu to leave in shame, but to his surprise, Hong Yu remained unmoved, even starting to bounce his leg nonchalantly.

"Kid, why are you so stubborn? Letting you leave now is for your own good."

"I have dealt with the Hong family for many years. A top-tier elite family like theirs has strict rules. An illegitimate son like you will never be able to step through their front door."

"You are using the Hong family's name to swindle people right now. If I make one phone call to them, I doubt we'll even need to lift a finger—the Hong family will deal with you themselves."

Liang Siqi was delighted.

A moment ago, she had thought Hong Yu was a core member of the Hong family. Now that she knew he was just an illegitimate son, she seized the moment to mock him once Li Tian finished. "Hong Yu, everyone here wants you gone. Everyone is chasing you out. How do you still have the leisure to stand there?"

"I don't know what your skin is made of. Have some sense and get lost."

"You wretch, will you die if you keep your mouth shut for a second? I’ll say it again: you are not to offend Mr. Hong again! If you do, even I won't be able to protect you!" Liang Zhanpeng snapped.

He dared not yell at Li Tian, only reason with him, but he had no such reservations with Liang Siqi.

"Dad, why are you still speaking up for this bastard?" Liang Siqi complained. "Do you know he almost made Mr. Cheng Long walk out?"

"He might feel good about himself, but he's going to drag every tycoon in Hannan down with him. Besides, you are also a primary target of Huang Tian. I am your daughter; I can't help but care about your safety."

Since his daughter had put it that way, Liang Zhanpeng couldn't bring himself to scold her further.

"Boss Liang, stop scolding Xiao Qi. I think out of all your children, she is the most filial and capable."

"That's right, it's lucky Xiao Qi came, otherwise we would never have seen this guy's true colors."

"I was completely duped. If I had known he was just an illegitimate son, why the hell would I have apologized to him!" Shen Chong grumbled indignantly.

However, in the face of the taunts and accusations from the wealthy tycoons, Hong Yu merely smiled.

After a long while, once the conference room had settled into an awkward silence, Hong Yu sneered, "I only offered to step in and help you all in Hannan because Liang Zhanpeng is an old acquaintance of mine."

"But now, it seems that won't be necessary."

"It's one thing that you useless people aren't worth a dime, but you also have the gall to be disrespectful to me. Fine, I'll just sit here and watch. Let's see how each of you idiots meets your end!"