From Igniting Talent to Becoming a Demon God Section 32

Some delivered flying kicks from midair; others grabbed opponents around the waist and slammed them down...

The scene was not overly bloody, but it won out with exaggerated movements and the right atmosphere, igniting the restlessness and wildness in every customer in the bar.

"Brother Hao's move really is impressive."

"Ever since this ring was set up, the bar's foot traffic has gone up by at least thirty or forty percent. Tsk, tsk. Now, in all of North Street, our place is the liveliest."

Xiao Yang's voice came from the side, a little smug. He was still holding a tray, as if he had just finished delivering drinks.

Hearing him, Lu Chao nodded, also somewhat impressed by Brother Hao's methods.

A month ago, ever since Master Xu had come by, Brother Hao had had people set up this ring that resembled an octagonal cage.

The rules looked bloody. It could only end when one side was beaten down and could not get back up.

But in reality, the burly men who went up to fight were all subordinates arranged by Brother Hao. The fights looked dangerous, but they were mainly performances.

They looked exaggerated, but the damage was minimal.

Most of the customers who came to relax did not understand the tricks behind it. They only felt it was lively and interesting, and the bar's business became even better because of it.

"That's a good thing."

The better the bar's business was, the more secure his security job would be.

"No problem there."

With a light laugh and a nod, Xiao Yang walked over to the bar and ordered a drink, agreeing, "Brother Hao may be one of the Three Heroes of Iron Ring, but he's the most loyal to us."

"No matter what, the more popular the bar gets, the better."

As he spoke, he also mentioned the other two "big shots" who had left the welfare home, as well as Lin Ze and the others' invitation to get together at the end of this month.

Lu Chao's eyes shifted slightly. Hearing that, he thought of Wu Yuntao from Leiji Martial Arts Hall. He wondered who had the higher Vitality compared with Senior Brother Zheng.

Buzz, buzz!

The thought flashed through his mind, and a sound suddenly came through his earpiece.

"Ah Chao, come to the office."

Brother Qiang?

Slightly startled, Lu Chao looked up toward the second floor.

At the end of the corridor that wrapped around on all four sides was Brother Hao's office in the bar.

The solid wood door, inlaid with gold trim, was blue-black in color, deep and heavy, and rarely opened.

At this very moment, Zhou Qiang, dressed in a black suit, was standing at the door, beckoning to him lightly.

A faint guess vaguely rose in his heart. He immediately ended the idle chat with Xiao Yang, turned, and went up to the second floor.

"Brother Hao, Ah Chao is here."

Dark marble tiles lay beneath his feet, and an exquisite, bright crystal chandelier cast a soft glow.

Inside the lavishly decorated office, there were leather sofas, as well as rosewood cabinets placed against the wall, with bottle after bottle of precious red wine stored inside.

Lu Chao followed Zhou Qiang into the office and looked ahead.

A wide, solid red-wood desk stood before the window, the leather-bound books on it arranged quite neatly.

Behind it, the back of a brown leather chair blocked most of his view. Only after Zhou Qiang reported did the chair turn, revealing a figure.

"Brother Hao."

Lu Chao addressed him respectfully. Chen Junhao, dressed in a white suit with a cigarette between his teeth, looked toward him.

"Mm..."

Chen Junhao sized him up from head to toe, and a hint of a smile appeared on his face. "Mm, not bad. You've gotten a lot sturdier again."

"Looks like you really have put some effort in at Gold-Stone Martial Arts Hall. You haven't been slacking."

Lu Chao was slightly startled, but quickly felt relieved.

Where he practiced martial arts was not a secret. To Brother Hao, it was only a matter of asking a single question.

"Here, want one?"

Suddenly, Chen Junhao tossed the half-open cigarette pack onto the front of the desk.

"I don't smoke, Brother Hao."

Lu Chao said helplessly. The martial arts hall had specially instructed him not to smoke or drink before achieving mastery in combat arts, because it would damage the lungs and organs, affect blood circulation, and be detrimental to the development of Vitality.

"Not bad. You've got principles."

Chen Junhao did not get angry. Instead, he nodded, the smile on his face carrying a trace of gratification.

Then he sat back again, leaned against the chair, exhaled a mouthful of smoke, and said, "Practicing martial arts costs money in quite a few places, but you've never once opened your mouth to borrow money from me."

"Tell me. What are your plans?"

He seemed curious.

Lu Chao thought for a moment, but he did not answer right away.

"Go ahead. I won't get angry."

"Because I already owe Brother Hao a lot."

After hesitating for a moment, Lu Chao looked at him and met his eyes frankly. "And if we went by the rules, with collateral and interest, I definitely couldn't afford it."

"But if we don't do it that way, Brother Hao has a lot of friends. It would put you in a difficult position."

He explained it tactfully, but that was indeed the truth.

He already owed too many favors. He was too embarrassed to trouble Brother Hao again and make things hard for him.

Hearing this, Zhou Qiang, who had stood silently at the side the entire time, eased his expression. Brother Hao was briefly startled, then let out a wry laugh.

"You brat..."

He smiled, tapping his cigarette-holding fingers toward Lu Chao several times, his gaze somewhat complicated.

It seemed both gratified and emotional.

In the end, he pulled open the drawer of the solid wooden desk and casually tossed over a bundle of bills.

"This..."

Lu Chao was filled with surprise and instinctively caught it.

At a rough glance, there were a full ten thousand yuan.

"What happened that night dragged you into a fright too."

Biting his cigarette again, Chen Junhao laughed and scolded, "You really can keep your cool, brat. You held it in the whole time, but am I really that petty?"

"Just take it... as a condolence payment!"

"He's got principles, he's willing to use his head, and most importantly, he values loyalty..."

Inside the private room, Lu Chao had left, and the door closed once more.

Zhou Qiang, who had been standing quietly at the side the whole time, could not help saying, "Brother Hao, honestly, if Ah Chao could join the Hongyi Society, he'd definitely make something of himself."

"Are you really not going to reconsider?"

Master Xu's arrival that day had let him see some of the old guard's malice. Right now, Brother Hao was exactly at a time when he needed people to help him.

If Ah Chao could be brought into the society, he would definitely be able to lend Brother Hao a hand.

The atmosphere turned heavy, and the lavishly decorated office fell briefly silent.

The delicate crystal chandelier cast a soft light. Chen Junhao stubbed out his cigarette and threw it into the ashtray on the solid wooden desk.

"This path isn't suitable for him."

His tall body sank back slightly into the soft sofa.

Chen Junhao raised his hand slightly and touched the knife scar by his left eye.

Hearing this, Zhou Qiang opened his mouth, as if he still wanted to argue.

But in response—

"He wants to join the Patrol Bureau."

Chen Junhao spoke again, his tone calm.

Zhou Qiang's expression stiffened. Only then did he remember that Lu Chao still had not resigned from his job in the Cleaning Squad.

"No wonder. So he wants to take the internal assessment route."

"But the Patrol Bureau's requirements aren't low. Those people won't let go that easily, will they?"

At this point, Zhou Qiang's expression turned complicated, and he subconsciously shook his head.

The Patrol Bureau was an enforcement agency, and its benefits were better than many companies'. Trying to obtain one of those scarce, fiercely contested spots was no small feat.