As Jiang Wuming and Zhao Shanhe waited by the villa entrance for Zhou Ba to arrive with his men, inside the villa, Dongfang Xiaoyao and He Fang sat on the sofa, the atmosphere feeling awkward, even oppressive.
Dongfang Xiaoyao knew that Jiang Wuming had asked her to stay so she could communicate with He Fang, but her memories of He Fang were from childhood and were all negative. She had no desire to converse with her.
He Fang, on the other hand, had many things she wanted to say to Dongfang Xiaoyao and several questions she was curious about. However, seeing Dongfang Xiaoyao’s silence, she didn’t know how to start.
"Xiao Rou, your friend has been out for so long and hasn't returned. Is something wrong? Should we go out and check?"
Finally, He Fang couldn't hold back and broke the silence.
"Alright."
Dongfang Xiaoyao nodded.
Although she knew that nothing could possibly happen to Jiang Wuming, she also didn't want to sit there with He Fang in awkward silence. It was better to go out and look for Jiang Wuming.
As soon as she spoke, Dongfang Xiaoyao stood up and went out with He Fang.
At the same time.
Eight cars were driving towards He Fang's villa.
"Boss, it's up ahead, Villa Number 18!"
In a new Maybach, Brother Shan sat in the passenger seat, pointing forward and shouting.
In the back seat, Zhou Ba held a cigar in one hand and a wine glass in the other. Western liquor and cigars were his signature.
Hearing Brother Shan, Zhou Ba tilted his head back, downed half a glass of wine in one gulp, then rolled down the car window and flicked away the half-smoked cigar.
"You point out the person first, and I'll have Brother Awu and Brother Alai deal with that female martial artist you mentioned!"
Zhou Ba shook his neck, causing a series of crackling sounds.
"Yes, Boss!"
Brother Shan immediately acknowledged, his face contorted with ferocity and excitement, eager to get out of the car and get revenge on Dongfang Xiaoyao.
Ten seconds later, at Zhou Ba's command, the eight cars stopped almost simultaneously – the drivers of each car were equipped with wireless earpieces and could receive commands at any time.
As the cars stopped, more than twenty people, including Zhou Ba, got out.
Among them were Brother Shan, Brother Awu, and Brother Alai, who followed Zhou Ba.
"Brothers Awu and Alai, I'm counting on you tonight. You must kill that little b*tch!"
Brother Shan said obsequiously to Brothers Awu and Alai.
"Either of us can take her down in minutes!"
Alai shot Brother Shan a disdainful glance.
He and his brother Awu hailed from the martial arts family of the Tai family in Nangang, the top martial arts family. Both were five-star martial artists and considered experts in the secular world!
"Let's go!"
Zhou Ba cut the chatter and took the lead, heading towards He Fang's villa with over twenty people, creating a formidable presence.
"Wh-why are so many people here? Are they here for revenge??"
As soon as He Fang stepped out with Dongfang Xiaoyao, she saw a dense crowd of people approaching, her face turning pale with fright, unable to speak clearly.
"Don't worry, they won't dare to act recklessly."
Zhao Shanhe heard her, looked back at He Fang, and said with a smile.
"R-really?" He Fang seemed doubtful.
"???"
Zhao Shanhe looked utterly bewildered.
In his opinion, even if He Fang didn't know him, she should know how extraordinary the young man beside him was!
Let alone Zhou Ba, even Zheng Tianyuan, who was behind Zhou Ba, wouldn't dare to act recklessly!
"Boss, they're at the villa entrance. That female martial artist is also there. It looks like they're waiting for us!"
Brother Shan, leading the way, saw Jiang Wuming and the others and turned back to report to Zhou Ba.
"Mr. Zhou, I'll go deal with that woman first!"
Upon hearing Brother Shan, Awu volunteered.
"Good!"
Zhou Ba instinctively replied, simultaneously casting his gaze forward, where he suddenly saw Zhao Shanhe!
This discovery made his face instantly change. Before Awu could make a move, he low-voiced, "Wait!"
"Boss, what's wrong?"
"Mr. Zhou, what is this?"
Brother Shan and Awu turned back at the same time, looking confused.
Without answering, Zhou Ba widened his eyes and confirmed carefully. Yes, the old man in front of him was the current boss of Hongzitou – Zhao Shanhe!
"Stop! Everyone stop! Didn't you f*cking hear me?!"
After recognizing Zhao Shanhe, Zhou Ba realized his subordinates were still moving forward and immediately yelled anxiously.
Although he didn't know why Zhao Shanhe was here, his instincts told him that Zhao Shanhe was involved in tonight's events!
Huh?
Whether it was Brother Shan, Brothers Awu and Alai, or Zhou Ba's other subordinates, they were all stunned by Zhou Ba's words, not understanding his intentions.
The loan sharking business Zhou Ba managed was only a small part of Hongzitou's operations.
For this reason, apart from Zhou Ba, no one else had the qualification to go to Qinghong Villa. They only recognized Huang Xiong, who was often reported on television, and had never seen Zhao Shanhe before.
"You all wait here. Without my order, no one is allowed to move! No, you all retreat!"
Sensing his subordinates' confusion, Zhou Ba did not explain but issued further instructions. Feeling that his subordinates were too close to the villa, he changed his command.
With that, Zhou Ba stopped wasting words and sprinted towards Villa Number 18, as if he was using all his might!
What's going on?
Seeing this, Brother Shan, Brothers Awu and Alai, and Zhou Ba's subordinates were all dumbfounded.
The next moment, the answer was revealed.
"Master Zhao!"
Zhou Ba ran all the way to the entrance of Villa Number 18, then, like an ancient court servant seeing his master, bowed to Zhao Shanhe in front of the villa. Simultaneously, he quickly glanced at Jiang Wuming, Dongfang Xiaoyao, and He Fang, realizing he didn't recognize them.
Given his status and position in Hongzitou back then, he was qualified to attend the Qinghong Gathering, but not to watch Jiang Wuming's fight against Tiger, the twin flower red cudgel. Therefore, he didn't recognize Jiang Wuming.
"Zhou Ba, you actually put loan sharks on Young Master Jiang's friend's mother?
Moreover, your subordinate trespassed into the villa without authorization and even drew a gun to injure someone!
And you even brought so many people here for revenge!
Have you eaten the gall of a bear?"
Zhao Shanhe pointed at Zhou Ba and reprimanded him sternly.
"Master Zhao, my subordinate didn't tell me these things. He only said he was collecting money and got beaten, so I brought people to check."
Zhou Ba explained nervously, then, enduring the heartache, said, "Since they are Master Zhao's friends, this money is written off. I'll take my men and leave now!"
"Did I tell you to leave?"
This time, before Zhao Shanhe could speak, Jiang Wuming suddenly said.
"M-Master Zhao, who is this?"
Zhou Ba looked up, his arrogance completely gone, and with a cold sweat, he looked at Jiang Wuming.
"Young Master Jiang, Jiang Wuming!"
Zhao Shanhe raised an eyebrow, wishing he could crack open Zhou Ba's head to see if it was filled with alcohol – it was that obvious, and he still didn't understand?
"Jiang... Jiang Wuming?!"
Hearing Zhao Shanhe's words again, and looking at Jiang Wuming's unfamiliar face, Zhou Ba mumbled the name and then thought of everything associated with that name!
"Plop—"
The next moment, under everyone's gaze, Zhou Ba, known as the cash king of Nanguang, collapsed onto the ground.
A person's reputation precedes them.
He was so terrified by the name Jiang Wuming that he collapsed!
...