Chapter 32: Do You Dare Commit Violence and Harm Others?

Standing respectfully behind Lu Ming, Yeqi Miyu bowed and said, “Yes, sir. I’ll make arrangements immediately.”

Off to the side, Huo Yutong’s face flushed with excitement. To have Changwu Society willing to cooperate with her was a fortune beyond her wildest dreams. Her small company had been struggling to survive in the business world, and she had endured much hardship. Manufacturing was no easy path, and she had long considered transforming her business. Sadly, she had neither the right project nor sufficient funds, so her dreams remained just that.

Now, with the strong backing of Changwu Society, establishing a supermarket brand would no longer be an insurmountable task. What’s more, Lu Ming had said they would spare no expense. Given the power of Changwu Society, if they truly put their resources into it, defeating the Meilian Group would be a matter of moments. Once they seized Meilian Group’s share of the supermarket market and emerged as the industry leader, the rewards would be astonishing.

Yet, at that moment, Ren Zhiyuan and Jiang Hailan burst out laughing in unison. Ren Zhiyuan sneered, “What a joke. You can bring in anyone off the street, claim she’s from the Yeqi family, and threaten to crush me at any cost. If bragging was an art, I’d have to admit you’re a master.”

He looked at Lu Ming with utter disdain, refusing to believe this man could truly be connected to the Yeqi family.

But Huo Yutong’s smile only grew, for she knew every word Lu Ming spoke was true. If he said Yeqi Miyu would cooperate with her, then it would be done without question. She had already witnessed Yeqi Miyu’s deference and obedience to Lu Ming.

Just then, a waiter knocked and entered, addressing the group, “Excuse me, we have three guests outside who say they’re here to dine with a Mr. Lu?”

Ren Zhiyuan glanced at Lu Ming, his eyes narrowing.

Lu Ming smiled, “No need to be nervous. They’re just some friends who insisted on treating me to lunch. But I’d already promised you, Mr. Ren, and couldn’t refuse them either, so I invited them to join us. I hope you don’t mind?”

Ren Zhiyuan sneered, “Three more, thirty more, what does it matter? Let them in.”

The waiter nodded and left.

Ren Zhiyuan watched Lu Ming coldly. With Guo Gang, the undefeated champion of Xijing, present—not to mention his own dozen or so elite bodyguards—and this hotel being Jiang Hailan’s turf, he had nothing to fear, even if Lu Ming had brought reinforcements. Three more people—what difference could it make?

Soon, Yun Shengguo, Mu Weizhen, and Yun Ketian entered.

As soon as Yun Ketian saw Lu Ming, he greeted him with a smile, “Brother Lu, sorry we’re late. Let me introduce you—these are my parents.”

He pulled his father and mother forward for introductions.

Lu Ming nodded in greeting. “Please, have a seat,” he said with a peculiar smile.

At this, Huo Yutong grew increasingly uneasy. Who were Yun Shengguo and Mu Weizhen? Top leaders of the entire northwest. Never in her wildest dreams had she imagined she would one day share a table with such figures. She was so nervous that beads of sweat broke out on her forehead.

Even more shocked were Ren Zhiyuan and the others.

Yun Shengguo was a regular on television—anyone would recognize him unless they were blind. None of them had expected Yun Shengguo’s family to attend this meal.

Ren Zhiyuan, Jiang Hailan, Shi Yidan, and even Guo Gang were so stunned they scrambled to their feet, stammering, “Secretary Yun, what brings you here?”

Yun Shengguo chuckled, “I wanted to invite Mr. Lu to lunch, but he said he’d already made arrangements with you, so I had no choice but to impose. I hope you don’t mind?”

He assumed these people were friends of Lu Ming and was thus amiable—after all, he had come to apologize, not to flaunt his authority.

Upon hearing this, Ren Zhiyuan felt as if struck by lightning.

Secretary Yun actually knew Lu Ming—and their relationship seemed anything but ordinary. Had he just kicked an iron wall?

Shi Yidan, meanwhile, was ashen. As someone within the system, she knew well the weight Yun Shengguo carried. His mere presence was enough to make her feel immense pressure. Coupled with the events of today, she could sense her own doom.

Huo Yutong was so nervous she didn’t know whether to stand or sit, fumbling awkwardly. Lu Ming, noticing her distress, gently held her hand, and she managed to compose herself and stay seated.

Seeing Ren Zhiyuan and the others still standing, Yun Shengguo said, “Please, everyone, take a seat. How can we eat if you’re all standing?”

They sat back down, fearful and ill at ease, barely perched on the edges of their chairs.

Lu Ming smiled, “Mr. Ren, perhaps it’s time to serve the dishes. The ones you brought out for me earlier were rather bland. What do you plan to serve Secretary Yun?”

Cold sweat streamed down Ren Zhiyuan’s forehead.

He had never imagined Lu Ming would know Yun Shengguo, much less that Yun Shengguo would come specifically to this meal. Though he was a self-made businessman, he had enough sense to realize from this alone that their relationship ran far deeper than he’d thought.

“Serve the food, serve the food! Right away!” Ren Zhiyuan stammered. “Waiter, bring the dishes!”

The waiter replied, “But you haven’t ordered anything yet, sir.”

“No need—just bring out your best dishes, and be quick!” Ren Zhiyuan urged, signaling his bodyguards at the door to leave.

Jiang Hailan also hurried to say, “Tell the kitchen to stop serving other rooms and focus on this table.”

With the owner’s orders, the waiter hurried off to arrange the food.

By now, Yun Shengguo sensed something was amiss. When he’d arrived, there had been a dozen burly men at the door, but now they’d vanished, and the exchanges between these people and Lu Ming hinted at underlying tension.

Still, he was no stranger to storms—calm and composed, he betrayed nothing.

Now aware that something was off, Ren Zhiyuan forced a smile at Lu Ming. “So, Mr. Lu, you know Secretary Yun. You should have told us sooner; this whole misunderstanding could have been avoided.”

His attitude toward Lu Ming shifted a full one hundred eighty degrees.

“I don’t see that there’s any misunderstanding,” Lu Ming replied coolly. “You brought all those bodyguards today and even invited Coach Guo as well. Such an elaborate reception—how could I not reciprocate? Here’s what I propose.”

He gestured to Yeqi Miyu behind him.

“Let me introduce her again. This is Ms. Yeqi Miyu. Not only is she the president of Changwu Society, she’s also the chairwoman of the Martial Arts Association of Fusang. I’ll let her spar with Coach Guo on my behalf.”

At Lu Ming’s words, Yeqi Miyu immediately stepped back, moving to the center of the hall. She looked at Guo Gang and declared, “Prepare to meet your end.”

She’d long disliked Guo Gang. With his superficial skills, he dared to show off in front of her master. Had Lu Ming not held her back, she would have dispatched him several times over.

Guo Gang broke out in a cold sweat. He knew his own limits.

To outsiders, an internal martial artist seemed formidable. But to true martial arts experts, he was still quite weak. To reach the level of chairwoman of the Martial Arts Association—her skills could not be in doubt.

If this had happened earlier, they might have doubted her credentials. But now, even Secretary Yun was eager to join Lu Ming’s table; with his status and influence, there was no need to exaggerate. Everything said was likely true.

Watching Yeqi Miyu assume a fighting stance, Guo Gang dared not accept the challenge. He stammered, “Mr. Lu, this is just a misunderstanding. I only came for a meal—nothing more.”

Seeing Guo Gang admit defeat, Lu Ming shook his head with a smile. “If you can defeat her, that would mean you’ve bested the undefeated champion of Fusang—an international master. Such an opportunity—surely you should seize it.”

Lu Ming coaxed him patiently.

Guo Gang wiped the sweat from his brow. “I wouldn’t dare. I’m just a martial arts instructor. All that talk of being undefeated is just idle gossip.”

Suddenly, Yeqi Miyu gave a cold snort and vanished from her spot.

In the next instant, she appeared behind Guo Gang, her slender hand closing around his throat. She lifted him from his seat and slammed him heavily to the ground.

The entire process afforded Guo Gang no chance to resist.

Ren Zhiyuan and the others watched in alarm.

This seemingly delicate woman was so formidable that Guo Gang—who claimed to be unbeatable in Xijing—couldn’t even put up a fight?

Guo Gang, dazed, tried to stand, but Yeqi Miyu kicked him hard.

He spun through the air, crashed into the wall, and spat out a mouthful of blood.

Clutching his side in pain, it was unclear how many ribs he had broken.

Ren Zhiyuan and his companions cried out in terror, “You—you dare assault someone right in front of Secretary Yun?”