The Panlong Mountain was exceptionally quiet today, devoid of its usual clamor.
Even the vast parking lot halfway up the mountain appeared sparsely occupied, with few cars parked.
On the main road leading to Panlong Mountain, a striking blue sign bore the words 'Closed Today,' clearly indicating that the Hongye Bar was not open to the public.
However, the staff of Hongye Bar were busier than ever.
This was because a grand arena competition was scheduled for today, and in attendance were the underground bosses from several surrounding cities, along with their fighters.
This was an annual life-and-death arena match. Only the first-place winner who walked off the stage alive would receive a generous reward and gain direct entry into a mysterious organization.
There, a year's income would be enough for an individual to achieve financial freedom, a place every fighter yearned for.
Furthermore, if a fighter won first place, the underground bosses would also receive substantial rewards and even unexpected resources.
This was also why these underground bosses invested heavily in training these fighters.
"Boss Song, it's been a year, and you've become even more beautiful!" a middle-aged man said playfully to Song Wenting, his eyes lingering on her.
Upon hearing this, several other influential figures also turned their gaze to Song Wenting.
Many wore lewd expressions.
A cold glint flashed in Song Wenting's eyes. "Does that concern you?"
The middle-aged man chuckled, "Boss Song, I'm just concerned about you. What is a woman doing meddling in men's affairs?"
"Exactly. Women should stay home and obediently bear children and raise them. Such public displays are not for women."
"A beauty like Boss Song, whoever marries her would be blessed beyond measure."
"If it were me, I guarantee I wouldn't get out of bed for a month."
"Old Lang, forget it. I heard that the beauty I introduced to you last time couldn't even last three minutes and had to resort to medication."
"Damn it, that shrew! How dare she spread such things! I'll kill her!"
The atmosphere in the private room instantly changed as a group of men engaged in vulgar discussions.
"Everyone, please be mindful. Boss Song is a woman. Have you considered her feelings when speaking like this?" a middle-aged man said.
"Don't act so virtuous. Who doesn't know you run a private club with rooms filled with qipaos, ancient costumes, and even scantily clad girls? All of us combined don't play as many games as you do."
"Hahaha!"
A burst of laughter filled the room.
"If you continue to talk about such things, I will have you thrown out," Song Wenting said coldly, her demeanor distant and her voice sharp.
Seeing Song Wenting's anger, the others dared not say more.
"Boss Song, we were just joking. Please don't take it to heart."
"Yes, we've known each other for years. It's just a joke, don't be serious."
The men who had spoken earlier offered awkward smiles and explanations to Song Wenting.
They could only joke around; a woman like Song Wenting was not someone they could trifle with.
"Have you heard about someone called Da Xiong recently?" a man changed the subject.
"Didn't he take over Jin Shiran's position? He was threatening my people not long ago, telling them to get out of Jiangcheng."
"If you hadn't mentioned it, I would have almost forgotten. This Da Xiong has quite the nerve. He severely injured my men and kicked them out of Jiangcheng, threatening that next time it wouldn't just be serious injuries. I've never seen a brat dare to be so arrogant towards me."
"Where did this Da Xiong come from? He dares to be so audacious. It seems it's time to teach him a lesson."
A cold glint flashed in everyone's eyes. To them, Jiangcheng was a prize, and everyone wanted a piece of it.
Song Wenting remained silent. The Hongye Bar did not involve itself in such matters, a rule set by her adoptive father long ago.
Just then, the door to the private room was opened.
A middle-aged man entered.
Upon seeing him, the previously boisterous room fell silent. Everyone respectfully stood up.
The middle-aged man was distinctive, wearing a mask that obscured his face. Though his features were hidden, the palpable aura of menace emanating from him sent chills down their spines.
"Boss!" all the underground bosses respectfully greeted the middle-aged man.
"Adoptive Father!" Song Wenting also addressed him respectfully.
The middle-aged man took a seat on the best sofa, looked out at the arena beyond the glass wall, and asked, "Are all the people here?"
"Adoptive Father, we're still missing Gui Shou from Sucheng," Song Wenting replied.
"Boss, that pervert is probably out there harassing the waitresses again. Should I go find him and hurry him over?" Old Lang asked cautiously.
Because the middle-aged man always wore a mask, he couldn't discern his emotions and thus proceeded with extreme caution.
Although these were all underground bosses from various parts of Huannan Province, in front of this man, they were nothing. A single word from him could lead to their utter ruin.
The middle-aged man waved his hand.
Old Lang nodded quickly and then left the observation room.
Meanwhile, in the corridor outside the arena, a man was blocking a bunny girl, a smirk on his lips, his gaze fixed on her ample chest.
"Little girl, come, play with me in my room. Serve me well, and I'll reward you!" The man extended a hand, marked with several dark spots, and grabbed the bunny girl's arm.
The bunny girl was clearly startled and struggled to break free. "Sir, please have some self-respect."
"Self-respect? Heh heh heh, I don't know what those two words mean since the day I was born," the man sneered, pulling her into his embrace with a forceful tug.
"Help! Help!" The bunny girl panicked and, disregarding everything else, cried out.
Her cries for help quickly attracted several security guards.
"Who dares cause trouble at Hongye Bar!" several security guards shouted, rushing towards them.
The man turned to look at the security guards. "Damn it, a bunch of dogs! Don't you know who I am? Get lost!"
As the security guards were about to retort, they froze upon seeing the man's face, their hearts filled with shock.
"Gui, Gui Ye!" The security guards stopped in their tracks, their anger replaced by reverence.
The man standing before them was none other than Gui Shou, the underground boss of Sucheng!
He earned this nickname because of a skin condition on his hand.
"Scram!" Gui Shou commanded again.
The security guards dared not delay and quickly retreated from the corridor.
Seeing this, despair filled the bunny girl's eyes. She had heard of Gui Shou's name before; he was said to be a pervert who left his women battered and bruised.
"Little girl, now let's see who can save you," Gui Shou said triumphantly, pinching the bunny girl's cheek and asking mockingly.
"Stop!" However, at that moment, another voice rang out from not far away.