Chapter 134: Making a Mountain Out of a Molehill

Lu Ming glanced at the two men and said slowly, "Those who do not know are not guilty; there is no need for you to worry."

Only then did Wang Yangming and Wang Jingshan feel a slight sense of relief.

At this moment, Wang Yangming spoke, his face full of reverence. "Master, before today, I had never encountered a peerless expert like yourself. Might I dare to ask what realm you have reached, so that this junior may broaden his horizons?"

With the discernment of a Grandmaster, Wang Yangming could see that Lu Ming stood at a supreme height, looking down upon them. He now realized that the saying "a Grandmaster is invincible" was nothing more than a joke. He could not suppress his curiosity or his pursuit of martial arts; he longed to know what level this god-like man had reached and how he had broken through the shackles of the Grandmaster realm.

Seeing the respectful and expectant look in Wang Yangming’s eyes, Lu Ming said slowly, "You should realize by now that the Grandmaster realm is not the pinnacle of martial arts. Perhaps it could be said that the Grandmaster realm is merely the beginning of humanity's pursuit of power."

Wang Yangming was struck as if by lightning. If the Grandmaster realm was only the beginning, then what could possibly exist beyond it? He felt he dared not imagine any further.

Just then, Zhao Huang hurried over, dropped to his knees before Lu Ming with a thud, and said in a panic, "Master, I was ignorant and offended you. I beg for your forgiveness."

Only now did Zhao Huang realize Lu Ming's true strength. Even a master of the previous generation had to call himself a junior in front of him, and he himself had actually dared to challenge the Master—he had to admit he was lucky to be alive. Had the Master not held back, he would have been reduced to nothing by now.

Lu Ming glanced at him and said, "Remember to deliver the money. Furthermore, what happened here must be kept confidential. Anyone who dares to speak of it will meet the same fate as Gou Cunjian."

A shudder ran through the crowd. Lu Ming turned and left, disappearing from their sight in a few strides.

After Lu Ming left, Wang Yangming murmured, "The world is vast, vast beyond imagination. How ridiculous it was for us to be complacent in our Grandmaster status, thinking ourselves invincible." Saying this, he pushed Wang Jingshan aside and walked away with a hunched back, looking as if he had suddenly aged decades. The remaining people looked at one another, still filled with shock and confusion. Everything that had transpired today had transcended their understanding, leaving them at a loss for words.

Lu Ming returned to his hotel and headed straight to his room. He was waiting for Zhao Huang to deliver the money so he could return to Xijing; he had been away long enough and was beginning to miss Qin Lan and Yun Ketian.

He pushed the door open, looked around, and frowned. He did not see A-Duo, nor could he sense her presence. After checking the room and confirming she was not there, Lu Ming sat on the sofa and turned on the television. Perhaps A-Duo had just felt restless and gone for a walk.

An hour passed, and when A-Duo still had not returned, Lu Ming began to feel uneasy. It was already past ten o'clock at night; given A-Duo’s obedient nature, she should not have stayed out so late.

Immediately, Lu Ming released his spiritual sense to search the vicinity for signs of her. Having spent the last two days with her, he was extremely familiar with her aura. However, as his spiritual sense expanded, Lu Ming sensed something was wrong—there was no trace of her within a ten-mile radius.

He quickly pushed his spiritual sense further, continuing the search. Within moments, beads of sweat appeared on his forehead. This was the first time he had utilized his spiritual sense on such a massive scale, and he found it incredibly taxing.

Meanwhile, in the most luxurious private suite at the Dade Entertainment Club in the city center, Wang Zeyan, Liu Shaojun, Lele, and Yaoyao, along with seven or eight others, were drinking and singing. Wang Zeyan and Liu Shaojun looked listless, drinking in silence, while Lele and Yaoyao no longer possessed their usual seductive charm, appearing deeply troubled.

Having escaped with their lives at Mt. Luoji and nearly met with disaster in Huishan Town, they had been saved by Lu Ming both times. That evening, they had returned to the capital and gathered a group of fellow wastrels to go out and celebrate to soothe their nerves. They never expected to cross paths with the god-like Mr. Lu again, which had nearly made them lose control of themselves. They knew full well that Mr. Lu did not have a favorable impression of them. Fortunately, Mr. Lu had not held it against them, and they were able to escape to this place to drink and calm their nerves. Yet, thinking of the recent sequence of events, the alcohol tasted like nothing.

A man nearby, noticing their lack of spirit, brought his glass over. "Young Master Wang, Young Master Liu, what’s wrong? You’re usually not like this. When we go out to have fun, you two are always our role models," the man said with a smile.

Wang Zeyan glared at him and snapped, "Wu Jinyuan, I’m in a bad mood. Don't provoke me."

Wu Jinyuan was taken aback; he hadn't expected Wang Zeyan to be so dismissive. However, as Wang Zeyan and Liu Shaojun were top-tier heirs of the capital and he was only second or third-rate, he couldn't afford to offend them, and he usually looked to them as his leaders. Seeing Wang Zeyan’s cold look, Wu Jinyuan changed the subject, whispering mysteriously, "Young Master Wang, have you heard about the big event in the capital lately?"

"What big event?" Wang Zeyan asked, distracted.

Wu Jinyuan chuckled. "A few days ago, Zhao Huang, the Great Paoge of the capital, was confronted by an enemy who injured one of his Four Vajras and declared he would challenge his position as the Great Paoge. It seems to be happening tonight."

He looked at Wang Zeyan with anticipation. This was first-hand information he had obtained through a friend in the underworld, and he believed it would surely catch Wang Zeyan’s attention and earn him some respect. To his surprise, Wang Zeyan remained listless and merely uttered an "Oh."

Wu Jinyuan was stunned. "Young Master Wang, that’s Zhao Huang, the Great Paoge! Someone is looking for trouble with him." Zhao Huang was a legendary figure in the capital; even people like Wang Zeyan would never dare to provoke him. These people, to put it bluntly, were desperate criminals; offending them meant risking one's life, and as people of high status, they had no desire to cross such individuals. Wu Jinyuan thought this was explosive news, yet Wang Zeyan acted as if he hadn't heard a thing.

Wang Zeyan looked back at him and said slowly, "It’s just Zhao Huang. What’s there to be so surprised about?"

"But that’s Zhao Huang, Young Master Wang!" Wu Jinyuan exclaimed in astonishment.

Wang Zeyan snorted and ignored him. Ever since witnessing Lu Ming’s divine power, people like Zhao Huang were nothing in his eyes.

Just then, a man with a slicked-back hairstyle knocked and entered, handing out cigarettes. "Young Masters Wang and Liu, are you all having a good time?"

"Having a good time? Can't you see they're unhappy?" Wu Jinyuan, having been rebuffed by Wang Zeyan, vented his frustration on the club manager, Jia Yuda.

Jia Yuda smiled fawningly. "With such beauties by their sides, if the Young Masters are still unhappy, there’s nothing I can do."

"Then why the hell haven't you arranged something better? I've been here for so long, where the hell have you been?" Wu Jinyuan demanded. He couldn't stand up to Wang Zeyan or Liu Shaojun, but he was certainly imposing in front of Jia Yuda.

"Right away, right away," Jia Yuda said with a smiling face. "I wouldn't dare arrange anything for Young Masters Wang and Liu, but for you gentlemen, would you like the usuals?"

"Damn it, I'm sick of those women. Don't you have anything fresh?"

"I do, I do. A girl just arrived tonight. She’s so delicate, and still a virgin," Jia Yuda whispered.

"Really? Then why the hell aren't you bringing her in?" Wu Jinyuan urged. They had long grown tired of the hostesses there; the mention of someone new piqued their interest.

"She’s a bit feisty, though. She just bit one of my men," Jia Yuda added.

Wu Jinyuan laughed. "I don't know where you dragged this girl from, but what are you afraid of? Two pills, and I guarantee she’ll be perfectly obedient and at my mercy." He picked up a jar of pills from the table and shook it.

"Very well. If you’re not afraid of her being feisty, I’ll have her brought over immediately."

"Go, go!"

Jia Yuda spoke into his walkie-talkie. A moment later, two waiters arrived, pulling and dragging a girl into the suite. Her exposed skin was covered in blue and purple bruises, clear evidence that she had been severely beaten.

As the waiters brought her into the room, Wang Zeyan glanced at her casually, then suddenly froze. A moment later, he bolted to his feet, his face filled with panic.