Chapter Fifteen: Someone Dared to Offend My King

"Mr. Chen! Mr. Chen!"

Chen Hei-bai, the wealthiest man in Jiangzhou, was rumored to have assets exceeding a hundred billion. Among the four magnates, he was firmly seated at the top when it came to wealth. In the past, the Chu family had worked with some of Chen Hei-bai’s smaller companies, and even signing a contract at that time had been a struggle. Who could have imagined that now, even he would address Chu Peng as Old Master Chu?

The crowd erupted in surprise once again.

"Old Chen, don’t tell me you also didn’t bring a gift for Old Master," Jiang Qin said with a smirk. If Old Chen had also forgotten, then there was nothing for him to be embarrassed about.

Seeing the old man about to get up, Chen Hei-bai hastily steadied him. "Please, Old Master, you must remain seated. I dare not accept such courtesy." Then he turned to Jiang Qin with a chuckle. "Old Jiang, you were hoping I’d come empty-handed, weren’t you? Sorry to disappoint, but today you’ll have to be let down—I did bring a gift."

Jiang Qin’s face reddened in embarrassment.

"Chen, I’m not boasting, but it doesn’t matter what you’ve brought. There’s no way your gift could make Old Master happier than my century-old vermilion fruit. You might as well not take it out at all—it won’t do any good," Huo Du boasted, sounding much like Sun Fu earlier.

"Oh? Old Huo, you sound so confident. Then I suppose I’ll just have to put you in your place," Chen Hei-bai replied with a calm smile.

"If you really can, I won’t mind taking the loss," Huo Du retorted. He simply didn’t believe anything could outdo a gift that prolonged life and brought joy to the elderly.

Unhurried, Chen Hei-bai accepted a box from a hostess, but unlike the others, he didn’t open it for all to see. Instead, he quietly showed it to Chu Peng alone, whispering a few words in his ear.

"Really?"

Chu Peng’s reaction was uncharacteristically intense; he seized Chen Hei-bai’s wrist. "Mr. Chen—so such a miraculous thing truly exists in the world, something that could bring me back from the brink of death…"

What did he mean? Wasn’t the old man alive and well?

Everyone was bewildered.

Chen Hei-bai merely smiled mysteriously and raised three fingers. "At least half an hour, no problem, with no side effects. After taking it, you’ll be good for another ten years."

Damn!

Now everyone understood.

But Sun the Cripple and the others refused to believe it. The old man was already so advanced in age, and half an hour—what a joke! Even at twenty, none of them could have managed such a feat.

Seeing the doubt in everyone’s eyes, Chen Hei-bai smiled faintly. "Old Master, do you take me for a man who speaks recklessly? Besides, how could I dare make such a joke in front of Master Ling? I paid a hefty price for this, bought it from Qian the Miracle Healer himself—it’s absolutely genuine."

Qian the Miracle Healer! The third greatest physician in Yanxia!

"Old Chen, you really know Qian the Miracle Healer? Then, could you get me a bottle as well? I’ll pay double," Sun the Cripple licked his lips eagerly.

Ma Zheng was tempted, too, but in front of these four, he didn’t have the right to speak, and could only brood in silence. Fang Jingmei’s cheeks flushed slightly, clearly understanding the implication.

"Are you joking? I met him twenty years ago, and he only had this one bottle. I didn’t dare use it myself, saving it for later… But today, to honor Old Master, I’m willing to part with it," Chen Hei-bai replied, glancing back, somewhat exasperated. Sun the Cripple could only laugh awkwardly, lamenting his misfortune.

Now it was Huo Du’s turn to feel awkward. His gift might bring Old Master Chu joy for a while, but as a man, what could be more delightful than a woman?

"Nothing compares to Old Chen's treasure. I admit defeat," Huo Du said with a sheepish grin.

"These are minor matters. Old Master, now that we’ve been here a while, perhaps we may be allowed to pay our respects to Master Ling? If we’re late, he might take offense," Chen Hei-bai said with a smile.

"This…" Chu Peng quickly replied, "Mr. Chen, you flatter him. Ling Zheng is but a junior; he’s not worthy of such honor. Truly, he should come out to greet the four of you instead."

"Oh, please, we couldn’t possibly accept such courtesy," the four magnates protested, waving their hands in panic. Their nervousness was no act.

Such humility could only mean one thing: Ling Zheng’s status was far above theirs.

Chu Peng had always tried to imagine Ling Zheng’s worth, but every time, he underestimated him. A few words from these four magnates would make him see his grandson-in-law in a new light, leaving Chu Peng inwardly elated and sincerely admiring:

"So be it—my grandson-in-law Ling Zheng truly brings us the greatest honor."

Ling Zheng!

Why did Old Master Chu keep mentioning that name? The four magnates were puzzled.

But then it dawned on them—after all, the old man was getting on in years, and perhaps he was a little muddled.

"Please, gentlemen, this way. Allow me to lead you," Chu Peng said cheerfully.

Meanwhile, in the villa courtyard, Liu Xiangyun, having seen Old Master Chu go out to greet the four magnates, glanced at Chu Yang's family and said sarcastically, "Sometimes in life, one must know their place…"

"Auntie, you’ve seen the guests we’re entertaining today. For people of your standing to remain here seems inappropriate. And after that scene your precious son-in-law caused, we truly cannot keep you for dinner…"

"How about this, Empress, see if there are any leftovers in the kitchen, have someone pack them up for your aunt’s family, and you can see them out," Liu Xiangyun sighed, turning away.

"I don’t have the time. Can’t you see that Second Master Sun and Boss Chen are waiting to meet our Ling Zheng? As his worthy wife, I can’t neglect such distinguished guests. Security, you see them out," Chu Huangfei rolled her eyes.

"Ah, well, Auntie, don’t worry about us. No matter how poor we are, we’re not reduced to eating other people’s leftovers. Yao Yu, Dongmei, let’s go," Lin Fang’s face darkened. The elders of this household truly left no room for dignity.

"Well, Auntie, you have quite the temper. Take care on your way. By the way, as for President Fang, we won’t be able to help you there. Your whole family had better be extra careful in the future," Chu Huangfei sneered, arms folded.

"You—" Lin Fang wanted to retort, but thinking of Fang Jingmei's threat to their family, she lost the will to argue.

"Mom, that bastard Ling Feng has ruined us. I won’t let him off when we get home!" Chu Yao Yu stomped her foot and stormed out.

"Let’s go!" Lin Fang sighed, holding in her anger, and led her family away in embarrassment. Were it not for the crowd, she’d have slapped Ling Feng right then and there.

"Master Ling!"

As Ling Feng’s family was leaving, they nearly bumped into Old Master Chu leading the four magnates inside. Sun Fu, sharp-eyed, spotted Ling Feng from afar and hurried ahead, determined not to let Jiang Qin steal the spotlight this time.

At that moment, Ling Zheng and Chu Huangfei, flanked by a retinue of admirers, made their grand entrance toward the four magnates—a spectacle in stark contrast to the dejected retreat of Ling Feng’s family.

"Chen Hei-bai!" Suddenly, Chu Biyue halted, a thought flashing through her mind.

"Ling Feng, quick, go plead with Mr. Chen—Fang Jingmei is right behind him." Chu Biyue recalled that Ling Feng wasn’t so easily dealt with. As the saying goes, even a dog’s owner must be respected. No matter what, Ling Feng was still Chen Hei-bai’s driver today; for the sake of his reputation, Chen would have to protect him.

Ling Feng was also taken aback. What were the four of them doing here?

He wasn’t surprised by Jiang Qin’s presence, but hadn’t expected all four to arrive. No wonder that wretched woman from the Chu Tian family was strutting about so proudly.

"Damn it, are you all fools? What’s the point of having you around? Can’t you see the honored guests have arrived? Why are there still outsiders here? Get them out, now! If you disturb Second Master Sun or anyone of such stature, can you afford the consequences? Out, out, out!" Liu Xiangyun, seeing the two groups about to collide, rushed over and shouted at the security guards.

Chen Hei-bai and the others saw Ling Feng as well, but couldn’t reach him as quickly as Sun the Cripple—the crowd was too thick. They felt a pang of regret, but then, unexpectedly, a shrew barged into Master Ling’s group, shrieking for them to get out. The four exchanged glances, their faces darkening with anger.

Who did she think she was, to act so brazenly?

To berate the War Sovereign of Yanxia as if he were a dog?

That alone was a crime worthy of exterminating one’s entire clan.

"Look, isn’t that Old Master Jiang, the city’s most esteemed gentleman, in the Tang suit?"

"My god, that’s Mr. Chen Hei-bai! I’ve never seen him outside of TV before—he really is impressive."

"Keep your voices down—Second Master Sun is here, too."

"The Living Yama, Huo Du!"

As these awed whispers reached the ears of Chen Hei-bai and his peers, there was no joy in their hearts. For someone to offend the War Sovereign was to spit in their faces—intolerable.

Sun the Cripple, limping quickly, hadn’t heard Liu Xiangyun’s shrieking and was intent on being the first to pay his respects to Ling Feng.

But suddenly, a group blocked his path, and someone spoke with mild annoyance, "Sun Fu, isn’t such running unbecoming of your status?"

Sun Fu!

The name rang with a strange familiarity.

Damn.

Sun the Cripple was instantly incensed; it had been years since anyone dared call him by his real name.

He turned to see, not far away, a rather flashy young man—good-looking and decently dressed, but speaking with the crassness of a fool.

Trying to lecture him?

If it weren’t for being in Master Ling’s home, he’d have ordered the man buried on the spot.