Bluffing

Inside a grand, imposing hall.

The lighting was dim.

A tall, powerfully built man sat on the throne, radiating authority without even showing anger.

Iron Tuo Wang entered the hall through the distant doors, stopped from afar, and dropped to one knee.

"I, Iron Tuo Wang, pay my respects to my lord!"

The imposing man said nothing. Instead, a scholarly-looking man stepped out from the side, fanning himself as he said calmly, "The young master is currently in Northern Snow City and has encountered a slight obstacle. He needs you to lend him a hand."

The man looked up in shock. "The young master is exceptionally gifted. He has always taken every target and won every battle, invincible wherever he goes. How could he possibly encounter resistance?"

"Even tigers have their naps. Go. Help the young master unite the Four Great Families of Xue City and then rule the Northern Country. That will be a great achievement to your credit."

"This subordinate will certainly give his all to assist the young master! But... it is said that the young master is as elusive as a dragon, seen only in glimpses. This subordinate does not know what he looks like. How am I to recognize him?"

"Simple. The young master is dashing and romantic, steals hearts and seduces beauties, is surrounded by lovely women, and excels at showing off. Remember that well."

"Yes! Thank you for the strategist's guidance and my lord's trust. This subordinate will devote everything to assisting the young master!"

"Remember, the young master likes to show off without leaving a trace. You must leave all the glory to him. Do not use force unless absolutely necessary. He is currently competing with a local scion of a prominent family. You must handle things naturally and smoothly if you wish to earn the young master's favor."

"Thank you for your instruction, Strategist. This subordinate will remember it well!"

Xue City.

Lu Chengwen and Xu Xuejiao were eating ice cream.

"Hey, are you really getting engaged to Leng Qingqiu?"

Lu Chengwen could not be bothered with her. "Engaged my ass. Things are a little out of control right now."

Xu Xuejiao giggled. "Hey, then why don't you get engaged to me?"

Lu Chengwen looked up at the little vixen.

"Miss, haven't you messed with me enough? I'm warning you, don't push your luck. I have a temper too!"

Xu Xuejiao cackled nonstop. "Then... be my boyfriend."

Lu Chengwen smiled. "Sure. Come to my place tonight wearing one of those JK uniforms, the easy-to-take-off kind. Then you'll see whether I teach you a lesson."

"Get lost!"

Xu Xuejiao blushed. "You never act serious."

Lu Chengwen said, "Let me make this clear. I took on this project intending to lose money. I never asked you people to follow along, but you threw in five or ten billion at a time on your own. Don't come looking for me when you lose money later. It was your own choice, so take responsibility yourselves."

Xu Xuejiao snorted. "You would make a losing deal? I don't believe it. If you, Lu Chengwen, are willing to invest fifty billion, you can definitely turn it into a hundred billion. Do you think I don't know you?"

"You really don't know me," Lu Chengwen said. "The old me only cared about money, not morality. But now, my soul has ascended to a realm comparable to that of a sage. All I want is for this world to be full of love and leave behind a beautiful human world. How much money I lose doesn't matter."

"Oh my, you really have no shame. Go pull anyone off the street in Xue City and ask whether they believe you."

Lu Chengwen was utterly depressed as he ate.

Xu Xuejiao went to pay the bill.

Lu Chengwen could not be bothered to argue with her over something so trivial.

But before long, an argument broke out over there.

Xu Xuejiao was arguing with a man.

"How can you be so shameless? You shameless man!"

"Little girl, watch your mouth, or don't blame me for getting rude!"

Lu Chengwen hurried over and shoved the man aside. "What's your problem?"

Xu Xuejiao said, "He cut in line! When I called him out, he even cursed at me!"

Lu Chengwen shook his head at the man. "Cutting in line is bad enough, and you're cursing at people too? Do you have any elders at home? Didn't anyone teach you about civility and virtue?"

Xu Xuejiao said, "Brother Chengwen, don't waste your breath on him. Have your lackey beat him up!"

At that moment, Zhao Gang sprang out from a booth inside and shoved the man's arm. "Kid, are you looking to die?"

Zhao Gang was shocked to discover that this guy was incredibly well-built! He had shoved him, and an ordinary person would have been knocked several steps sideways, but this man had not budged at all!

While Zhao Gang was stunned, several more people surrounded them. The other side clearly had the numbers!

Zhao Gang was not one to back down.

"Damn it! Young Master Lu of Xue City and Eldest Daughter Xu are eating ice cream here. Whoever isn't afraid of dying, take one step forward!"

All four men took a step forward together.

"Oh, so there's no negotiating then? Rules of the martial world—one-on-one!"

Zhao Gang roared.

The four men remained expressionless. They exchanged glances, their eyes and brows carrying faint mockery and disdain.

Lu Chengwen sensed that something was wrong.

From Zhao Gang's flash of surprise earlier, Lu Chengwen had already concluded that these people were not easy to deal with.

Lu Chengwen hurriedly said, "Forget it, forget it. They're obviously outsiders. Zhao Gang, pay the bill and let's go."

"Yes."

Zhao Gang knew best when to advance and when to retreat. He fully understood that he probably could not handle even one of these people.

So he quickly took the opportunity to back down.

Xu Xuejiao refused to accept it. "Hey! He cursed at me just now, and he hasn't apologized!"

Lu Chengwen put an arm around Xu Xuejiao and smiled. "Forget it, forget it. I'll apologize to you. Sorry."

"I won't accept that! No one has ever dared to curse at me since I was little. What gives these people the right? Are you scared because there are so many of them?"

At that moment, a dark-skinned big guy rose from a seat, turned around, and said, "Who's making all that noise? I can't even eat in peace!"

Lu Chengwen's heart skipped a beat when he saw him.

No way, right!?

What the hell is going on!?

Iron Tuo Wang!?

He was supposed to be a character who only appeared in the middle and later stages of This Book!

He seemed to be one of the Four Heavenly Kings in some damn squad stationed along the Northern Country border. He was extremely powerful and overbearing. Later, he followed Long Aotian with absolute loyalty, willing to go through fire and water for him.

Why was someone like him appearing so early!?

This is bad! I need to find a way out of here immediately!

Xu Xuejiao said angrily, "They're your subordinates, right? Keep your men under control. They cut in line and cursed at people!"

"Hahaha!"

The dark-skinned big guy walked over with a laugh. "Sorry. Cutting in line is routine for us, and cursing comes as naturally as breathing. Besides, we like beating people up too."

Xu Xuejiao said furiously, "You want to hit me? You dare!? My boyfriend is Lu Chengwen, Young Master Lu! In Xue City, he's the only one who gets to bully others. No one dares bully him! Or his girlfriend!"

Lu Chengwen immediately covered Xu Xuejiao's mouth and said with a smile, "Settle up first, Zhao Gang!"

Zhao Gang hurriedly pulled out two thousand yuan and slapped it onto the counter. "Keep the change."

Lu Chengwen dragged Xu Xuejiao toward the exit, saying, "Goodbye, goodbye."

Xu Xuejiao shoved Lu Chengwen away. "Lu Chengwen! Didn't you see them bullying people?"

Miss, I can't explain this to you. This isn't that simple. If things go wrong, I might end up dying here.

"I know, I know. We'll talk about it when we get back."

At that moment, Iron Tuo Wang smiled. "Stop!"

Lu Chengwen gritted his teeth inwardly.

Damn! I caught his attention!

Iron Tuo Wang walked over with a smile. "This little beauty looks pretty good."

The four big guys laughed together. "This little beauty is pretty good."

"I didn't expect that I'd meet such a pretty and adorable girl as soon as I arrived. Hahaha, the Northern Country truly has many Beauties!"

The four big guys said in unison, "The Northern Country has many Beauties!"

Xu Xuejiao looked at him. "Have some shame. What do the Northern Country's Beauties have to do with you? You people look like five ghosts. Just seeing you standing here can make someone lose their appetite for three days. From now on, stay away when you see women, trash!"

Iron Tuo Wang laughed heartily. "A violent loli! Hahaha, I like her!"

The four big guys said in unison, "A violent loli, I like her!"

Xu Xuejiao felt that these people were crazy. "Are you four tape recorders?"

Lu Chengwen leaned close to Xu Xuejiao. "These people are not easy to deal with. Let's leave first."

Xu Xuejiao said, "If you want to leave, then leave. If they don't apologize, this isn't over."

Lu Chengwen nodded. "Fine, then I'll leave first. We'll talk another day."

Xu Xuejiao watched in shock and anger as Lu Chengwen actually turned and started walking away.

Iron Tuo Wang reached out and grabbed Xu Xuejiao by the wrist. "Hahaha, little girl, come back with me and have some fun, ahahaha..."

At that moment, Lu Chengwen stood at the entrance. "Iron Tuo Wang, let go of her right now!"

Iron Tuo Wang had not expected this young man to know his name. He was instantly startled and instinctively released her hand.

"May I ask who you are...?"

Lu Chengwen had no choice.

His mind raced.

According to the plot, none of the Four Heavenly Kings had ever met Long Aotian, nor did they know that he was using the name "Long Aotian" here.

Their organization was highly secretive, and they were practically strangers to one another.

The fact that he dared flirt with Xu Xuejiao, the Main Heroine, meant he had not met Long Aotian yet. Otherwise, even with eight hundred times the courage, he would not dare do such a thing.

In other words, he had just arrived in Xue City and had not yet figured out the situation.

Lu Chengwen's heart pounded, but his expression remained perfectly calm.

He raised his chin slightly and stared coldly at Iron Tuo Wang.

Lu Chengwen slowly walked back inside, approached Iron Tuo Wang, and leaned in to stare straight into his eyes.

Iron Tuo Wang instantly became uncertain.

This guy... his footsteps, aura, build... none of it looks like he knows martial arts. So why... does he have such a powerful presence?

Iron Tuo Wang raised an eyebrow. "Who are you?"

"Who am I?"

During the earlier scuffle, one of Iron Tuo Wang's men had gripped Zhao Gang's wrist. It was now throbbing faintly. When he rolled up his sleeve, he saw that it was red and swollen.

Zhao Gang had always been quick-witted, and now he was completely certain: these people were martial artists, and difficult ones at that. If he went up against them, he would probably be trash who got taken out in one move.

What should I do? I can't panic. Absolutely can't panic. CEO Lu is facing them down.

I need to... what can I do? They outnumber us, and they're all martial artists...

Lu Chengwen looked at Iron Tuo Wang and gave a cold smile. "Who am I?"

He turned around and smiled at Xu Xuejiao and Zhao Gang. "This stupid donkey actually asked who I am? Hahahaha!"

Just as Iron Tuo Wang's subordinate was about to step forward and hit Lu Chengwen, Iron Tuo Wang stopped him with an outstretched hand.

Iron Tuo Wang narrowed his eyes. "Sir, may I ask your name? Have we met before?"

Lu Chengwen turned around, clasped his hands behind his back, and looked at Iron Tuo Wang. "Why would I, the mighty God of War, have any past dealings with trash like you? Iron Tuo Wang, let me ask you one thing: do you fucking remember what you came to the Northern Country for?"

That one sentence left Iron Tuo Wang utterly shocked.

He said in surprise, "Could you be...?"

"Shut up, you fucking idiot!"

Lu Chengwen was sure of it.

The fact that they had not attacked yet meant there was an eighty percent chance he had bluffed him successfully.

The Four Heavenly Kings were basically a few "single-celled organisms" in This Book. How should he put it? The author probably had not used much brainpower when writing them.

They were just tools! Exceptionally skilled, devoted to the Male Protagonist, obedient, hardworking, and there to add bricks and mortar to the protagonist's showing-off career... that was all they were good for, so there was no need for them to be very smart.

That gave him an opportunity. No matter what, he had to get through today first.

He could not just let Iron Tuo Wang take Xu Xuejiao away in a daze, could he?

Although Lu Chengwen was neither as tall nor as big as Iron Tuo Wang, his presence at that moment was absolutely kingly.

Lu Chengwen cursed loudly, "Did you fucking forget what you were sent to the Northern Country to do?"

Iron Tuo Wang narrowed his eyes, completely uncertain now.

"You... could it be...?"

Lu Chengwen raised his hand and slapped him hard across his dark face.