Chapter 88: Snake King Appears (Part 2)

As he pondered, Tang Yuan had already swiftly treated Hu Fei’s wounds and stopped the bleeding.

Watching Hu Fei’s breathing grow weaker, Ling Chen frowned. Snake King was truly ruthless, stabbing him five times.

Hu Fei was the middleman for Snake King, responsible for providing him with intelligence and equipment. Earlier, when he was casually chatting with Hu Fei, he must’ve been seen by Snake King, who had infiltrated the banquet hall. Thinking that Hu Fei had betrayed him, he made his move in the shadows, wanting to exact revenge.

Although Hu Fei dealt in the business of intelligence and assassins, he too had forces backing him. More precisely, it was an alliance formed by middlemen, known as the Secret Society, tasked with upholding the interests of people like Hu Fei.

Being a middleman seems glamorous, but in reality, they bear great risks since they often have to deal with assassins and mercenaries, all of whom are ruthless killers. A slight misstep could cost them their lives.

To prevent such incidents, the Secret Society was formed. If a middleman is killed without just cause, the Secret Society would send someone to seek justice.

As long as those involved break the rules, be they assassins or mercenaries, regardless of the powers behind them, the Secret Society would pursue the matter relentlessly and without mercy. Moreover, anyone targeted by the Secret Society could not hide or disguise themselves; they would be hunted down, dealt an eye for an eye.

Thus, the Secret Society became an entity that all factions dared not provoke.

However, if a middleman betrays their employer or assassin, the Secret Society would no longer offer protection.

It was for this reason that Snake King dared to lay hands on Hu Fei, for he knew that the Secret Society wouldn’t trouble him.

"Ling Chen, you go protect Miss Nanrong. Leave the fatty to me."

Seeing Tang Yuan speak up, Ling Chen nodded without a word and stood up to head towards Nanrong Wanqing.

"Ling Chen, what’s happened, who’s dead?"

"Captain Zhong, stop asking so many questions, get Miss Nanrong out of here immediately. Snake King has already infiltrated the banquet hall; he could strike at any moment."

"Snake King?"

Zhong Ping and Liang Zhao Hui’s expressions suddenly changed.

"Wanqing, Wanqing."

Right at this moment, Zhu Hong arrived quickly with several bodyguards.

"Wanqing, I heard someone was hurt, are you okay?"

"I’m fine."

Zhu Hong breathed a sigh of relief, then turned to the bodyguards beside him and ordered, "You guys, from now on, stick close to Miss Nanrong and don’t leave her side for a second, got it?"

"Yes, Mr. Zhu."

"It’s not necessary." Nanrong Wanqing spoke lightly, "My own people will ensure my safety; there’s no need for you to worry."

"Miss Wanqing, I know you’re still angry with me, but now’s not the time to be stubborn. Your safety is of utmost importance." He said, and then glanced at Zhong Wei and Liang Zhao Hui, "Miss Wanqing, no offense to your men, but when it comes to competency, they are not at the level of my bodyguards. I can only rest assured if they accompany you."

Hearing this, Zhong Wei and Liang Zhao Hui’s faces instantly soured, as anyone would feel maligned by such a remark.

"Mr. Zhu, we’ve been protecting the chairman for more than a day or two, and the chairman understands our capabilities best. However, I don’t think you have any right to evaluate us."

Seeing Zhong Wei speak up, Zhu Hong, without another word, gestured to one of his bodyguards. The latter understood immediately, stepping towards Zhong Ping with a slight smirk of disdain curling at his mouth.

"First time meeting, please advise," he said, stretching out his right hand.

Zhong Wei immediately grasped the man’s intention and, without showing weakness, stretched out his hand, both powerful hands clasping tightly.

However, within mere seconds, sweat began to bead on Zhong Wei’s forehead, his arms trembled slightly, and his thick lips pressed into a line. To any observant onlooker, it was clear that Zhong Wei was at a disadvantage against the bodyguard.

"Enough!"

Nanrong Wanqing said coldly.

The bodyguard looked back at Zhu Hong, and seeing the boss nod, he finally let go and stepped back.

"I have already witnessed your abilities on behalf of Mr. Zhu, and to be honest, compared to us, you’re not yet qualified."

Zhong Wei clenched his teeth, his face filled with reluctance. However, his nearly numb right hand prevented him from uttering a word, and he could only cast a pleading look towards Ling Chen.

Mr. Zhu looked appreciatively at his bodyguard and said with a slight smile, "Wanqing, you see, I really can’t rest assured about your safety being in their hands. It’s better if one of my people stays with you."

"Your people are very impressive? No disrespect, but none of your subordinates are noteworthy in my eyes."

An unexpected statement drew everyone’s attention to Ling Chen.

"You?" Mr. Zhu’s gaze turned slightly cold, but he maintained a gentle smile on his handsome face due to Nanrong Wanqing’s presence, "Mr. Ling, if I remember correctly, you resigned from Hongyu Group."

Ling Chen grinned, "Mr. Zhu, your information is outdated. Miss Nanrong has just invited me back to Hongyu Group. If you don’t believe me, you can ask her."

"Wanqing..."

"He’s right," said Nanrong Wanqing indifferently, her beautiful eyes flashing with light.

Ling Chen pointed at the bodyguard who had just shaken hands with Zhong Wei, "You, come here."

"What for?"

"Nothing much, it’s our first meeting—please teach me." As he spoke, Ling Chen extended his hand.

Seeing this, the bodyguard hesitated. Without a word from Mr. Zhu, he didn’t dare to decide on his own.

"Since Mr. Ling wants to see your capabilities, why don’t you indulge him a bit?" Mr. Zhu commented lukewarmly.

As the two hands clasped, it took just a second for the bodyguard’s face to change color, his lips twitching incessantly. His arm trembled subtly as he tried to pull his hand away. Unfortunately, in front of Ling Chen, all efforts were futile.

Ling Chen watched him with a smile, his grip growing tighter, to the point where the faint sound of bones cracking could be heard.

"That’s... that’s enough..."

Finally unable to bear the pain, the bodyguard wiped the sweat from his forehead with his left hand and spoke up.

"What’s that? I have poor hearing, speak up."

"Let... let go... please..."

At this moment, the bodyguard’s voice shook, his face almost distorted, and he was on the verge of crying.

Seeing that Ling Chen had no intention of releasing the grip, Mr. Zhu’s face turned livid, "Mr. Ling, that’s quite enough."

"Mr. Zhu has spoken, how could I not comply?" Ling Chen said with a smile, then relaxed his fingers and withdrew his hand.

The bodyguard quickly covered his now crimson and immobile right hand with his left, clenching his teeth and enduring the agony, turning to walk back towards Mr. Zhu.

"Buddy, remember, keep a low profile in life. Arrogant people never end well." Ling Chen said, casting a meaningful glance at Mr. Zhu.

"Mr. Zhu, you should feel reassured about Miss Nanrong’s safety now, shouldn’t you? If you’re still not at ease, I don’t mind getting acquainted with all your bodyguards, to exchange some feelings."

Mr. Zhu snorted lightly, knowing he would gain no advantage against Ling Chen and simply ignored him.

"Wanqing, be careful, and give me a call when you get home, so I can rest assured."

Before Nanrong Wanqing could speak, Ling Chen took over the conversation, "Mr. Zhu, if it weren’t for you holding us up and wasting so much time, we would have been safely home by now. If there’s nothing else, please step aside; we have to go."

Hearing the mocking tone in Ling Chen’s words, a surge of anger swelled in Mr. Zhu’s eyes, nearly exploding with rage.

"Ling Chen, you..."

Boom!

Suddenly, a loud explosion erupted in the middle of the banquet hall, drowning out Mr. Zhu’s voice. Following the blast, white smoke billowed and spread, plunging the entire banquet hall into darkness as the lights went out.