Brimming with confidence, Xiang Laoer and Tao Laosi were extremely arrogant as they endlessly hurled threats at Luo Xiu. Xiang Lanxin also interjected from time to time. Judging by their demeanor, it seemed that even ten lives wouldn't be enough for Luo Xiu to lose today.

However, Ye Ningxue kept her head down, not daring to look at Luo Xiu. She slowly retreated until she blended into the crowd, and then slipped away unnoticed. It wasn't until she had fled a considerable distance that she finally breathed a sigh of relief.

That was close. Thank goodness Master didn't recognize me just now, otherwise I'd be doomed.

She sat on a stone bollard by the roadside, one hand patting her chest and the other wiping the cold sweat from her forehead, filled with lingering fear. At the same time, she felt incredibly fortunate that she had been wearing a mask that night, which had prevented Luo Xiu from seeing her face.

Hmm... I absolutely cannot let Master know I was here, or else he'll ignore me. If he ignores me, then I won't be able to learn the Supreme Sword Technique. I need to get out of here, fast. I'll come back to find Master later.

「Meanwhile, at Shen Luo Company.」

The press conference was underway in the first-floor lobby.

Luo Xiu, already in a poor state of mind, was in no mood for pleasantries. He asked directly, "How do the two Dragon Heads plan to settle the score today?"

Xiang Laoer suddenly gestured with a wave of his hand, and a subordinate from the South District brought a contract over to him.

"Luo Xiu, I remember you said last time... in the Jianghu, it isn't always about fighting and killing; sometimes, you have to consider relationships and social etiquette," he said. "Your words made a lot of sense, and they're still fresh in my memory."

Tao Laosi, who was standing to the side, had no patience for such pretenses. He said bluntly, "You'll be returning all the businesses you took from our two districts today!"

Luo Xiu nodded, looking at the two of them as if they were idiots. He smiled and asked, "What else? I feel like that's not enough."

Tao Laosi sneered. "We each want thirty percent of the shares in your Shen Luo Company! Furthermore, the medicine you're releasing today will have to be repackaged with our trademarks on it."

Luo Xiu nodded again. "Not bad. Quite the appetite. You're a ruthless one, which fits your gangster persona perfectly."

Xiang Laoer smiled faintly. "Since you know what's best for you, then sign the contract quickly."

Luo Xiu reached out for the contract, but without so much as a glance, he ripped it in half and threw the pieces in Xiang Laoer's face.

The entire venue instantly fell silent.

Everyone's gaze was fixed on Xiang Laoer, waiting to see how he would react. With Luo Xiu being so brazen, could Xiang Longtou possibly tolerate it?

Xiang Laoer chuckled, gently shook his head, and looked at Luo Xiu as if he were already a dead man.

"You little bastard, I gave you a chance. You're the one who didn't cherish it, so don't blame me for what happens next."

He then turned to look for Ye Ningxue and said, "Miss Ye, would you please help..."

As he was speaking, he suddenly froze. He realized that Ye Ningxue was gone, as if she had never been there at all.

"Miss Ye? Miss Ye! Miss Ye, where are you?!"

A moment later, Xiang Laoer was bowing and scraping as he sidled up to Luo Xiu, a broad smile plastered on his face. "Hehe, uh... Director Luo, this is all a misunderstanding! It really is!"

He slapped his own forehead hard. "Ah, it's my fault for drinking too much last night. My head still isn't clear, and I came to the wrong place."

At that point, his once-pounding heart had gone completely cold.

The same was true for Tao Laosi.

Xiang Lanxin was even more distraught, her heart turning to ash as she despaired for her future.

Because Ye Ningxue had suddenly run off.

They didn't know why she had abruptly fled, but that no longer mattered. The most pressing issue was how to face Luo Xiu now. Without Ye Ningxue to rely on, what could they possibly use to fight him?

"It seems the backer you found this time is somewhat unprofessional," Luo Xiu said, looking at Xiang Laoer with a playful expression.

"Director Luo... I really... this is a misunderstanding," Xiang Laoer pleaded, his face looking as though he was about to burst into tears. He knew better than anyone just how terrifying Luo Xiu, this jinx, could be.

Luo Xiu smiled. "In the Jianghu, it isn't always about fighting and killing; sometimes, you have to consider favors and social etiquette, too."

As he spoke, he glanced at Qin An beside him. "Mister Qin, you just took a beating. Don't you want some compensation?"

Qin An instantly understood. Chuckling, he stepped forward and slapped Tao Laosi across the face before grabbing Xiang Laoer by the collar, pulling him in, and delivering another flurry of slaps. After he was done, he suddenly turned to Xiang Lanxin and slapped her as well.

The three of them lowered their heads, not daring to make a sound. In their line of work, what goes around comes around. When you get hit, you take it.

Qin An sneered, "I have to say, you two bosses are a real piece of work!"

"Come on, let's settle the accounts properly," he continued. "I remember the shopping street in the South District makes a pretty good profit. You just slapped me, so you ought to pay some compensation for my emotional distress, right?"

Xiang Laoer gritted his teeth and snarled, "Qin An, don't go too far! Leave some leeway in all things so we can meet again on good terms. If you push things to the brink, it won't end well for any of us!"

"Too far?" Qin An was thoroughly amused.

"Why does that sound so familiar? If you two had just listened to me a moment ago and shown me some respect, I might be putting in a good word for you with Mister Luo right now."

Unable to rebut, Xiang Laoer looked away and muttered under his breath, "It was clearly Elder Tao who hit you. Why are you making me pay for it?"

Hearing this, Tao Laosi's eyes widened as he shot a look at Xiang Laoer. That spineless bastard had no loyalty at all!

Qin An thought for a moment, then looked at Tao Laosi. "Oh, right. I remember you have a piece of land in the Western District, very close to a school... that should be enough to compensate Mister Luo for this broken door."

Tao Laosi glared. "Qin An, you motherf—"

Qin An's gaze darkened, cutting him off. "We are all businessmen," he said slowly. "We solve things with money. But since you don't want to use that method, we'll have to follow the rules of your underground world. Today, you two will each leave an arm behind. And as for this Xiang Lanxin, that punk girl has a damn foul mouth. She'll be leaving her tongue."

Hearing this, the three of them fell silent, not daring to utter another word.

Just then, Luo Xiu gestured with his hand and called out, "Xiao Lu!"

Xiao Lu hurried over. "Yes, Director Luo?"

"Have the Legal Department draft a few transfer contracts and print them out in President Lin's office. Our two Dragon Heads are in a hurry," Luo Xiu instructed.

"Right away, Director Luo."

「About an hour later.」

Xiang Laoer, Tao Laosi, and their entourage left Shen Luo Company.

When they had arrived, they were all full of bluster, but now, every one of them was dejected.

As they walked, Xiang Laoer suddenly slumped to the ground, nearly fainting.

"It's over... it's really over now... We've lost almost all of our two districts' profitable businesses. The boss will kill us when he finds out!"

Tao Laosi sighed, speaking wearily, "Not necessarily. Miss Ye was sent by the boss to assist us, but she fled at the critical moment. When we report to the boss, we'll have an excuse."

Just then, a stretch Rolls-Royce pulled up in front of them.

Cao Ende got out of the car and then hastily ran to open the rear passenger door.

"Mister Cao? What are you doing here?" Xiang Laoer asked, quickly getting to his feet to greet him.

Cao Ende sized up the two Dragon Heads with a mocking glint in his eyes. "I heard you brought your men to find Luo Xiu," he said with a faint smile. "How did it go?"

"Don't even mention it," Xiang Laoer said, waving his hand dismissively.

Cao Ende asked, "Is that little bastard Luo Xiu still in there?"

"So what if he is?" Tao Laosi retorted disdainfully. "What could you do to him?"

The corner of Cao Ende's mouth lifted. He glanced at Zhou Jingong, who had just stepped out of the car. "Allow me to make an introduction. This is my son Hong'er's master, Zhou Jingong, Elder Zhou. Today, Elder Zhou is here for the same reason you were. What do you say, gentlemen? Care to join us? The more, the merrier."

Tao Laosi and Xiang Laoer exchanged a hesitant glance.

Xiang Laoer asked cautiously, "Mister Cao, this Elder Zhou... is he really capable of dealing with that bastard?"

Cao Ende scoffed. "You give that little bastard far too much credit. Elder Zhou is a Martial Way expert from the Xuan List. No matter how strong that bastard Luo Xiu is, do you two really think he can match an expert from the Xuan List?"

At these words, the two Dragon Heads burst into hearty laughter.

"Excellent, Mister Cao! We'll join you!"

"This time, we'll tear that little bastard to pieces!"

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