After Wang Hu parked the car, a sudden burst of firecrackers rang out around them. Two rows of men in black fired ceremonial salutes in unison and shouted together, "Welcome, welcome, a warm welcome!"
Zhao Haiqing came forward with a smile, accompanied by a scar-faced man. Gu Chen had just gotten out of the car when the spectacle startled him, leaving him at a loss whether to laugh or cry. Anyone who didn't know better would have thought they were welcoming some education official on a school inspection.
"Captain!" Zhao Haiqing strode up to Wang Hu, stepped forward, and saluted in one smooth motion.
Wang Hu glanced at him and raised a hand slightly in return. Then he frowned. "What are you doing?"
Seeing Wang Hu's displeasure, Zhao Haiqing hurried to explain. "I'm welcoming you, Captain. I started preparing as soon as I got the call."
"It's too flashy. I don't like this kind of reception." Wang Hu grunted. In truth, he had seen the indifference on Gu Chen's face. He added, "Let's go in. Don't stand around outside."
"Yes, sir."
Though Zhao Haiqing wielded considerable influence in Zhou City, he was exceedingly respectful before Wang Hu and dared not show the slightest neglect. He hurriedly ushered them both into the reception room. Once they sat down, he brewed tea himself and brought a cup to Wang Hu.
"I'm not the main guest today." Wang Hu didn't take the cup. Instead, he pointed at Gu Chen and said calmly, "He is."
Only then did Zhao Haiqing turn his gaze to Gu Chen. He looked him up and down, a flicker of surprise crossing his eyes. "He's so young. Which Shangjing family is this young master from?"
"Don't ask what you shouldn't," Wang Hu said sternly. "Have you forgotten the rules after all these years out here?"
"Yes, yes, of course." Zhao Haiqing hurriedly agreed. Before Wang Hu, he was as docile as a cat. He quickly turned to Gu Chen. "Please, my friend!"
Gu Chen took the cup and smiled slightly. "Sorry for the trouble, Boss Zhao."
As Zhao Haiqing sized Gu Chen up, Gu Chen was also observing him. Zhao Haiqing appeared to be a little over thirty, with a buzz cut, firm features, and a respectable appearance.
Unlike the underworld kingpins depicted on screen, he wasn't the type to hide his thoughts behind a deep facade and excel at plotting. At first glance, the air he gave off was more that of a soldier than a man of the jianghu accustomed to schemes and intrigues. On the way over, Gu Chen had happened to learn from Wang Hu that Zhao Haiqing did indeed have a military background, and no ordinary one: he had served in the special forces. However, he had been ambushed during a mission and shot in the left shoulder, leaving him no choice but to retire from the military.
Although Zhao Haiqing was polite on the surface, Gu Chen still caught traces of disdain in his eyes. After all, for people like him, there was no need to go out of their way to curry favor with even a young master from Shangjing. He was only giving Wang Hu face.
"Don't mention it." Zhao Haiqing replied offhandedly, then introduced the scar-faced man beside him. "Captain, this is Qi Ming, the deputy hall master of our Black Wind Hall and the company's vice chairman."
Qi Ming had a long scar across his face, giving him a loathsome appearance. He lowered his head and said, "Brother Hu, I've always heard Boss Zhao speak of you. It's a great honor to meet you today."
Wang Hu looked around and said with a sigh, "You've been in Zhou City all these years, and I've never come to see you. It looks like you really have built something impressive."
"It's all thanks to the guidance you gave me back then, Captain!" Zhao Haiqing said modestly. "If I hadn't learned so much from following you, I couldn't have reached this level."
"I won't waste any more words on pleasantries," Wang Hu said seriously. "This is Gu Chen, a friend of mine. He's a third-year student at Zhou City Xinghua University. I brought him here specifically because I want you to look after him."
"The captain's friend is my friend!" Zhao Haiqing laughed heartily and held out his hand. "Student Gu, don't worry. I still have a little face here in Zhou City. If anything comes up, just say the word."
Gu Chen didn't answer. He simply reached out and shook Zhao Haiqing's hand.
As soon as their hands met, Gu Chen felt a powerful force pressing against his palm. He looked up to see a sharp gleam in Zhao Haiqing's eyes as the man stared at him with a faint smile.
Testing me?
A slight smile appeared on Gu Chen's lips, but he gave nothing away.
Soon, Zhao Haiqing's expression stiffened. No matter how hard he squeezed, it was like casting a stone into the sea: Gu Chen's hand didn't react at all. Just as Zhao Haiqing prepared to pull his hand away, a powerful force suddenly came from Gu Chen's palm!
It was like a lightning strike, stabbing Zhao Haiqing with pain!
How is that possible?
How can this kid be so strong? Zhao Haiqing was completely unable to resist him!
In less than two seconds, Zhao Haiqing's face turned deathly pale, cold sweat streaming down his forehead as the pain nearly twisted his mouth out of shape!
"Boss Zhao." Just as Zhao Haiqing was about to reach his limit, Gu Chen let go and smiled faintly. "I, too, heard of your great name long ago, Boss Zhao. Seeing you today, you truly are a dragon among men. I admire you."
Zhao Haiqing glanced at Gu Chen, his heart still pounding. Gu Chen had let him go at just that moment, as though he had calculated when Zhao Haiqing could no longer bear it, giving him a way out while sparing him the humiliation of screaming in pain.
"The captain's friend really is formidable." A trace of wariness flashed in Zhao Haiqing's eyes.
Wang Hu had taken it all in and laughed inwardly. He knew his former adjutant too well: he was the sort who responded to a soft approach but not a hard one. Though he had agreed for Wang Hu's sake, some testing was bound to follow. But given Gu Chen's cultivation, even the old master had said he wasn't confident he could deal with him. How could Zhao Haiqing not come off worse?
But just then, Gu Chen suddenly stood up and walked over to Zhao Haiqing.
Zhao Haiqing's eyes turned cold, and the underlings behind him all reached into their pockets.
Gu Chen merely shrugged and placed a hand on Zhao Haiqing's shoulder. "I heard Brother Hu mention that your left shoulder was injured and still hasn't healed?"
Zhao Haiqing nodded instinctively. Suddenly, he felt a surge of heat rush into his shoulder. Gu Chen's palm felt like a scorching iron, burning him until his face twisted!
"Ah!!"
The scream he had held back during the handshake finally burst out of him!
"What are you doing?!"
Qi Ming, standing beside Zhao Haiqing, let out a roar.
Gu Chen glanced at Qi Ming with an indifferent expression and said nothing.
"Let go of our boss!" Qi Ming no longer cared about Wang Hu. After all, in his heart, Wang Hu was nowhere near as important as Zhao Haiqing. He stared coldly at Gu Chen and said menacingly, "Otherwise, you'll bear the consequences!"
"Don't disturb me!" Gu Chen said coldly.
"You little bastard!" Qi Ming was so furious that he laughed, his smile made even more vicious by the hideous scar. Then he raised his arm and hurled a fist at Gu Chen.
But in the next second, before he could finish throwing the punch, a backward kick slammed into his chest! Qi Ming flew backward and crashed to the floor!
Swish-
At the same time, the black-clad underlings by the reception room all pulled out pistols and aimed them at Gu Chen!