Chapter 20: Running Into a Brick Wall

“Wow~” The leader spat out a mouthful of blood and said, “I’ll talk, I’ll talk. I’m with Wolf from East District.”

“Which Wolf?” Futuo asked in a deep voice.

“Wolf with the Severed Tail.” At this moment, the yellow-haired leader was as obedient as a child, answering every question without a moment’s hesitation.

Severed Tail Wolf—Futuo vaguely remembered hearing that name, but couldn’t recall who it was exactly.

He was running out of patience. Having to spend so much time on Mr. Lu’s business was making him lose face.

He extended a foot and stomped hard on the yellow-haired leader’s chest, twisting it with force. His face darkened as he demanded, “Who the hell is Severed Tail Wolf?”

“Spare me! Wolf is under Boss Fan Jingtian of East City. You can’t kill me! If you do, Boss Fan won’t let you off.”

The yellow-haired leader, terrified that Futuo would crush him to death, revealed the name with a hint of threat.

Hearing the name Fan Jingtian, Futuo finally snorted coldly and kicked the yellow-haired leader so he rolled across the floor, then took out his phone and dialed.

Fan Jingtian had been chosen as the new boss of East City after the Four Heavenly Kings died, under Futuo’s oversight.

After all, managing all the underworld factions in Xijing alone would have been overwhelming for Futuo. These four men were clever; in front of him, they no longer dared to assume lofty titles like the Four Heavenly Kings. They simply used their real names as a sign of respect.

Moments later, the call connected. Futuo said immediately, “Bring your man Severed Tail Wolf and get over to the noodle shop opposite Xijing University—right now.”

Having said that, Futuo hung up and walked over to Lu Ming, bowing respectfully, “Mr. Lu, they’ll be here soon. I assure you, you’ll receive a satisfactory explanation.”

Lu Ming nodded without speaking.

The bloody scene had already terrified Xue Dongni and Li Wei; the two girls clung to each other, trembling.

Seeing Xue Dongni’s fear, Lu Ming began chatting casually with her, distracting her from the distress.

Meanwhile, Fan Jingtian, after answering Futuo’s call, flew into a rage and called Severed Tail Wolf, urging him to rush to Xijing University at once. Fan himself sped there without delay, driving recklessly.

Futuo had slaughtered hundreds of underworld toughs overnight, earning the nickname Nine-Lived Futuo, a name that struck terror across Xijing’s criminal world.

He and the other four district bosses had been elected after the Four Heavenly Kings died, all deeply impressed when they first met Futuo, legs trembling before his expressionless face and the chilling aura of a man who’d crawled out of a mountain of corpses.

Now, Futuo’s call was sharp and severe; Fan Jingtian had no idea what was wrong and dared not ask. He only hoped Severed Tail Wolf hadn’t gotten him into trouble.

If Severed Tail Wolf had angered Futuo, Fan Jingtian resolved to skin him alive on the spot to beg Futuo’s forgiveness.

Arriving urgently at the university entrance, Fan Jingtian parked and saw Severed Tail Wolf arriving in a panic. Without questioning him, Fan pulled him into the noodle shop across the street—if they were late and Futuo got angry, Fan knew he couldn’t bear Futuo’s wrath.

Entering the noodle shop, Fan Jingtian saw Futuo standing there and hastened over, bowing and nodding, “Lord Futuo, you called?”

Futuo glanced at Fan Jingtian and said coldly, “Did you bring Severed Tail Wolf?”

Fan immediately dragged Severed Tail Wolf forward and declared, “He’s here. If he’s offended you, just say the word—I’ll skin him alive right now.”

Severed Tail Wolf’s soul nearly left his body; he had no idea how he’d provoked this legendary figure.

He’d only met Futuo once, when Futuo lectured the four district bosses; he’d sneaked a peek behind Fan Jingtian, never imagining he’d somehow incurred Futuo’s wrath.

Futuo looked at the shivering Severed Tail Wolf and asked, “Do you recognize the ones lying on the ground?”

Hearing Futuo address him, Severed Tail Wolf shuddered, then looked down.

After a glance, he hurriedly replied, “Yes, I know them—they’re some of my boys. If they’ve offended you, I’ll drag them off to feed the dogs right now.”

The yellow-haired men on the ground were already scared out of their wits.

Only now did they realize they’d been shouting at the new, fearsome boss of Xijing’s underworld, Lord Futuo, the Nine-Lived Futuo.

What fools they’d been! Even their boss’s boss called Futuo ‘boss.’ What now?

No doubt, Futuo only had to say the word and Wolf and Fan Jingtian would dispatch them with the cruelest methods.

Futuo snorted coldly, ignoring Severed Tail Wolf—he wasn’t qualified to speak with Futuo. Instead, Futuo addressed Fan Jingtian.

“Your loan shark business is thriving, I see. Even resorting to despicable threats with nude photos—and using them on Mr. Lu’s friends?”

Futuo knew Fan Jingtian’s main income came from loan-sharking, legitimized via a registered company.

Severed Tail Wolf and his men were mere errand runners, so Futuo went straight to Fan Jingtian.

Fan Jingtian wailed in protest, “Lord Futuo, I’d never use such vile methods—it must be these men acting out of turn. But rest assured, whatever your friend borrowed will be wiped clean. I’ll have them delete every photo—if a single one remains, you can chop me up and feed me to the dogs.”

Fan Jingtian didn’t know who this Mr. Lu was, but anyone connected to Futuo was not someone he could afford to offend.

Futuo’s expression finally eased, and he turned to Lu Ming, bowing. “Mr. Lu, is this resolution satisfactory?”

Without looking up, Lu Ming said, “That’ll do. Once this is handled, go keep watch at the bar in West City yourself, and report back as soon as there’s news.”

“I understand, Mr. Lu,” Futuo replied obediently.

Lu Ming then stood, patting Xue Dongni’s shoulder, “All right, it’s over. Let’s go home.”

Xue Dongni and Li Wei stared blankly at Lu Ming, unable to believe the matter had ended so easily.

“What’s wrong? Any lingering worries?” Lu Ming smiled.

“N-no,” Xue Dongni replied.

“Good. Remember—study hard. I’ll come see you next week.” Lu Ming gently ruffled Xue Dongni’s hair.

“Mm, thank you, Brother Lu.” Seeing how effortlessly the issue was resolved, Xue Dongni’s admiration for her brother soared.

Her face glowing with a smile, she pulled Li Wei’s hand, saying, “Quick, thank Brother Lu.”

Li Wei, stunned by Lu Ming’s influence, stammered for ages before she managed, “Thank you, Brother Lu.”

Lu Ming looked at her and sighed inwardly. “From now on, be more careful.”

After waving goodbye to Lu Ming once more, Xue Dongni dragged Li Wei through the crowd of fierce-looking men, out the door. Once outside, she playfully patted her chest and stuck out her tongue before leaving.

Fan Jingtian and Severed Tail Wolf were left in shock—so this was Mr. Lu.

Futuo was already a top figure in Xijing’s underworld, yet he was so deferential to Lu Ming. Who was this man?

Lu Ming left, taking Huo Yutong with him. As he departed, he told Futuo, “Remember—compensate the boss for their losses.”

“Understood, Mr. Lu.” Futuo agreed and bowed to see Lu Ming out.

Fan Jingtian and Severed Tail Wolf bowed repeatedly to Lu Ming and Huo Yutong as they passed, making Huo Yutong want to laugh.

The yellow-haired men on the ground finally realized they’d run into a brick wall. As Lu Ming walked by, each clutched their wounds, displaying agony, afraid Lu Ming wouldn’t find them miserable enough and order their deaths or worse.

After Lu Ming left, Fan Jingtian couldn’t help but ask, “Lord Futuo, who was that? I’ve never seen him before.”

Futuo sneered, “You think you’re qualified to know? Don’t poke your nose where it doesn’t belong. Delete all the photos—compensate the boss for their losses. If I find a single photo left, you’ll wish you were dead.”

With that, Futuo left for West City.

After Futuo left, Fan Jingtian breathed a sigh of relief, then beat Severed Tail Wolf savagely. After venting, he sneered, “Hurry up and delete those photos! If you kept any backups, delete them too. If you dare leave a single one, you won’t see the sun tomorrow.”

...

Forget-Worry General Store.

Lu Ming lounged on the sofa, legs crossed, enjoying cigars pilfered from Huang Chao, puffing away.

Huo Yutong sat nearby, visibly anxious.

“Don’t worry. As long as she’s still in Xijing, we’ll find her,” Lu Ming said, seeing Huo Yutong’s nerves.

Hearing Lu Ming’s assurance, Huo Yutong calmed down. In her eyes, there was nothing Lu Ming couldn’t do. If he said he’d find her, then he would.

Watching Lu Ming smoke with his legs crossed, Huo Yutong suddenly had a bold idea.

After some hesitation, she slowly reached for Lu Ming’s calf and gently began to massage it.

Lu Ming was startled at first, then let her continue.

At first, Huo Yutong felt awkward, but after a while, she grew bolder, massaging his legs with increasing vigor.

Soon, she was massaging his thighs, her face as red as a ripe apple.

As a proper young woman, well-educated and well-mannered, she’d never massaged a man before. Aside from handshakes and formal gestures, she’d barely had any physical contact with men.

She couldn’t figure out why she was doing this, or how it had even started!

Now, her hands reached the very root of Lu Ming’s thighs. Her face grew even redder, her hand only a breath away from forbidden territory, her heart pounding wildly.

She stole a glance at Lu Ming, only to find he’d fallen asleep at some point.

Huo Yutong, frustrated, lightly punched his leg and sat aside with an annoyed expression.

“Like a block of wood—doesn’t he know how hard this is for a girl?” she muttered angrily.

Time passed slowly.

A ringing phone woke Lu Ming.

He answered, spoke a few words, and hung up, only then noticing Huo Yutong’s unhappy face.

“What’s wrong?” Lu Ming asked curiously.

Huo Yutong turned away, pouting, “None of your business.”

Lu Ming shook his head. “There’s news about your sister.”