Chapter 22: Welcome to My World

When Wang the Elder heard that cold voice, a chill shot straight from his tailbone up to the crown of his head.

“Master Tu—Tu, when did you arrive? If you’d sent word, I would have arranged a proper reception,” he stammered, spinning around to see Master Tu slowly approaching. At once, Wang's face broke into a sycophantic smile.

“With your formidable presence, how could I dare disturb you?” Tu, standing beside Lu Ming, replied with a blank expression.

Hearing such sarcasm from Master Tu—renowned for his reticence and impassive demeanor—Wang the Elder realized things had taken a dire turn.

“Master Tu, if something’s happened, just say the word. I guarantee I’ll give you a satisfactory account,” Wang swallowed hard, forcing the words out.

A man's name is like the shadow of a tree—Tu was a living legend. He had once fought a bloody battle along the Long Street, slaughtered hundreds, and refused to fall even when death hovered near; he was a god of war incarnate. Overnight, he healed from his injuries and, like a tempest, swept through the entire Xijing underworld. His mythic aura was unmatched—even greater than that of Huang Chao before him.

Though Tu's words were softly spoken, to Wang the Elder they crashed like thunder on a clear day, leaving him utterly terrified.

Tu snorted coldly, ignoring him, and said instead, “Huang Qi.”

A man behind him, Huang Qi, answered and immediately launched a fist at Wang the Elder.

Wang was no stranger to martial arts, an expert in external disciplines, but with Huang Qi’s attack, he dared neither evade nor retaliate. He took the punch head-on.

With a heavy thud, the burly Wang was sent flying, crashing into and shattering the table at Li Yifan’s booth.

At this point, Li Yifan and his companions were ghostly pale. The name “Tu” alone was enough to spell death. It was clear now—Tu was on the same side as that lazy-looking man, and their hearts sank into utter despair.

Wang the Elder struggled to his feet, crawled over to Tu, knelt, and spat blood as he said, “No matter what I’ve done wrong, I submit myself to your punishment, Master Tu.” He looked every bit the picture of abject surrender.

Tu sneered, “Showing disrespect to Mr. Lu is a capital offense.”

The words had barely left Tu’s lips when Huang Qi struck again, a sweeping kick aimed at Wang the Elder’s head.

Another brutal thud. Huang Qi showed no mercy. Wang’s head smashed into the marble floor, leaving a deep dent.

Li Yifan and his lackeys were now utterly colorless, trembling viole