"Ah?" Everyone was stunned and said, "Really?"

"Feng Taibao must think that we've teamed up with Lin Chuan," Mr. Hu chuckled. "So, he's scared. Feng Taibao was always slightly weaker than me. Once Lin Chuan and I truly join forces, hehe, his position in the eastern district might be in grave danger."

"Mr. Hu is wise." Everyone immediately understood Mr. Hu's intentions.

However, in terms of cunning, Mr. Hu is obviously no match for Feng Taibao. If Feng Taibao was not as wily as Mr. Hu, he probably wouldn't have been able to establish himself in the eastern district back then. Being able to secure his reign in the eastern district today meant that Feng Taibao indeed had something extraordinary.

Just when the eastern district was abuzz with acknowledging Lin Chuan's status. Another piece of news came out.

It was still on the bar street, the hub of the street's news. Because there were many gangsters around, both Mr. Hu and Feng Taibao's men liked to spend their time on this bar street. The territory here was split half and half between Mr. Hu and Feng Taibao, and the protection fees collected each month were a significant income.

"Damn, I heard that the protector from Eight Horses Tea House went to Haiqing Pool."

"Really?"

"Exactly, I just bumped into him on the way here, damn, that procession, truly boss. A yellow-plated car, five eights, Rolls-Royce. Tsk tsk..."

"So openly and officially?!"

In the bar, everyone was discussing fervently, showing great interest and curiosity. Because the protector was a benchmark figure in the entire eastern district. Of course, this included the underlings of Mr. Hu and the Thirteen Grand Protectors.

At that moment, at the entrance of Haiqing Pool.

A Rolls-Royce measuring over six meters was parked at the entrance, followed by two Mercedes-Benz S500s. Over a dozen burly men in black guarded the Rolls-Royce on both sides. One of the brawny men opened the rear seat of the Rolls-Royce, and Feng Taibao, with a jade smoking pipe in his mouth, wearing Armani leather shoes and a black Armani custom coat over a gray Armani wool sweater, stepped out. Dignified, generous, and extraordinary in presence.

"Quick, go inform Brother Chuan," said an underling at the door, overwhelmed by the spectacle, and quickly added: "Feng Taibao has brought people."

"Yes!" Another underling was scared witless upon hearing it was Feng Taibao. He sprinted inside.

The underling dashed frantically all the way to the third floor, where Lin Chuan was lying on Qingzi's bed recovering from his wounds.

From last night to tonight, Lin Chuan hadn't moved at all, just lying on the bed head, occasionally getting up to use the restroom, or to turn over. Qingzi was by his side, serving him meticulously and willingly.

"Brother Chuan, it's bad," the underling ran all the way.

"What happened?" Lin Chuan asked.

"It's really bad," the underling, still in shock, said: "Feng Taibao... he's brought people."

"Feng Taibao?" Lin Chuan asked anxiously, "How many people did he bring?"

"About ten or so," the underling hurriedly replied.

"What is there to fear?" Lin Chuan smiled and said, "However, visitors with ill-intentions must be met. Qingzi, come with me."

"Mmm!" Qingzi immediately nodded.

Lin Chuan got up, and Qingzi hurried to help him put on his clothes and pants. When Qingzi saw Lin Chuan's proudly erect little brother, her face instantly turned red. Lin Chuan quickly zipped up and belted his trousers, and promptly walked out.

Qingzi, meanwhile, casually picked up a Japanese katana lying on the table beside and followed Lin Chuan out.

Feng Taibao's visit was something Lin Chuan hadn't expected. However, Lin Chuan was quite curious, with Feng Taibao seeking him out at this critical moment, his motives couldn't be simple. Initially, Lin Chuan thought Feng Taibao was here to cause trouble, but hearing that Feng Taibao only brought ten men, Lin Chuan was immediately reassured.

Without a second thought, Lin Chuan immediately went out.

Outside, Feng Taibao fidgeted with a string of bright green jade beads, slowly walking towards Haiqing Pool.

At the entrance, not a single one of the more than ten underlings dared to stop him.

Li Qiang hastily said to an underling nearby, "Quick, go call Brother Kai, say the Thirteen Grand Protectors are here to cause trouble!"

"Mmm!" The underling nodded and then quietly slipped away.

Li Qiang, being Zhou Kai's underling, although brave, quickly felt overwhelmed by Feng Taibao's imposing aura, he hurriedly bowed his head, not daring to block Feng Taibao from entering. Instead, he took a few underlings and cleared a path.

At this moment, Lin Chuan came down from upstairs, smiling, "Yo, what kind of wind blew the Protector over here?"

"Lin Chuan," Feng Taibao smiled. "It's really not easy to see you, and you've set up such a big scene."

"Everyone, leave!" Lin Chuan waved his hand.

"Yes, Brother Chuan." Li Qiang quickly led the underlings all cleared out.

Lin Chuan walked over, took Feng Taibao's hand, and said, "Protector graces us with his presence, to what do we owe this honor?"

Behind Lin Chuan, Qingzi stared at Feng Taibao with a vigilant expression, her eyes slightly squinted, always ready to defend against a sneak attack from the other party. Although the other party didn't seem to have any malice, who can really tell when it comes to malice? Smiling tigers hide their claws well, and these things are often hard to guard against. Qingzi has seen various scenes and met all kinds of people. It's necessary to always be on guard.

"I heard that you just opened Haiqing Pool, so I specifically came to visit and bring a congratulatory gift." Feng Taibao smiled and said, "Opening a bathhouse in the eastern city area—don't tell me you don't consider me a friend, you didn't even invite me to the opening."

"This…" Lin Chuan was dumbfounded; he really didn't understand what the other party was implying.

"Bring my congratulatory gift." Feng Taibao immediately said.

"Yes!" At this moment, a follower behind him held a huge box, the man carried the box forward, and presented it to Lin Chuan, saying, "Lin Chuan, this is the congratulatory gift from our master Feng, we hope you will accept it."

Lin Chuan smiled, took the box with both hands, and gently opened it. Inside, the box was empty.

Lin Chuan looked at Feng Taibao, puzzled.

"Lin Chuan, this is indeed a generous gift." Feng Taibao smiled and said, "Worth a fortune."

Lin Chuan paused, then suddenly realized and said, "Thank you, Master Feng, for your generous gift. I'll accept it without reserve."

Having said that, he turned around and handed the empty box to Qingzi, saying, "Qingzi, keep it safe."

Although Qingzi was puzzled, she didn't ask any questions; since Lin Chuan said to accept it, she would accept it.

"Master Feng, please come in!" Lin Chuan said with a smile.

Not far from Haiqing Pool, two figures in black, hidden among the trees, held high-powered night-vision binoculars to scout the situation. After a while, they immediately got up and left the scene.

Master Feng and Lin Chuan entered Haiqing Pool. After a day's repairs, Haiqing Pool was still not fully restored—it would take about three days to reopen. Only about one-third of the area was fixed today.

The two entered the hall and sat down on the sofa. Qingzi, standing by, brewed tea for them, then served it.

The Thirteen Grand Protectors looked at Lin Chuan with a smile, then said, "Lin Chuan, I came to see you this time because there are some things I need to tell you."

"Whatever you have to say, just say it," Lin Chuan replied.

"In the jianghu, often one cannot act as one pleases," said the Thirteen Grand Protectors with a smile: "I hope you understand this. Moreover, since I have come, it is clear where I stand. I, Feng Taibao, always adhere to the principle of not initiating trouble but resolutely eliminating any threat if provoked."

"Of course," Lin Chuan nodded and said, "I am flattered by your recognition, Master Feng, and will naturally not overstep. However, borrowing your words, 'not initiating trouble but resolutely eliminating threats if provoked,' this is also my principle!"

"Good!" the Thirteen Grand Protectors laughed heartily, "Here, I replace wine with tea, cheers to you!"

"Cheers!" Lin Chuan nodded.

The two clinked their cups together, then sipped their drinks.

Before long, Feng Taibao suggested it was time to leave. Lin Chuan naturally didn't insist on him staying. Today, Feng Taibao's visit to Haiqing Pool was merely to show his stance, nothing more. In reality, it was just an open and covert struggle between him and Zhou Kai. As for himself, he was like a mouse trapped in a bellows, caught in a difficult position on both ends.

Watching Feng Taibao's departing figure, Qingzi asked with a puzzled expression, "Mr. Lin Chuan, that man is quite strange."

"What's up?" Lin Chuan asked curiously.

"He said it was a generous gift, so why was it an empty box?" Qingzi looked at Lin Chuan, filled with confusion.

"Haha..." Lin Chuan laughed loud.

"Please enlighten me, Mr. Lin Chuan," Qingzi bowed.

"That's because the 'generous gift' was Feng Taibao himself," Lin Chuan chuckled, "At first, I didn't understand either. But then I realized. This 'generous gift' was actually just Feng Taibao's way of showing his stance, acknowledging my position in the eastern city area and recognizing the legitimacy of Haiqing Pool there."

"Is that so?!" Upon hearing this, Qingzi suddenly understood.

"Now you get it?" Lin Chuan smiled.

"I understand." Qingzi nodded eagerly; although Japanese, she still had some understanding of China. After all, both China and Japan share similar cultures and histories, so Qingzi quickly grasped the meaning behind Lin Chuan's words. She hurriedly said, "Thank you for the lesson, Mr. Lin Chuan."

"You're welcome!" Lin Chuan shook his head, "Qingzi, there's still much for you to learn."

"Yes." Qingzi quickly bowed, "So, please don't hesitate to teach me more in the future."

"Of course," Lin Chuan nodded.

Whoosh...

At that moment, aanother group of people rushed in.

Lin Chuan looked up and saw it was Zhou Kai and his gang, racing towards the Changlin Factory direction, each one of them carrying axes, machetes, and iron bars.

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