Chapter 139: The Buddha's Vigil

“Lord Jiu, you’ve arrived,” Meng Hemei said with a smile.

Having spent quite some time with Futou, Huang Jiu also wore a stern expression. He nodded slightly and asked, “What exactly happened?”

Meng He, adding some embellishments, repeated the story and pointed toward Wang Hongfu sitting in the lounge area.

Then, Meng He led Huang Jiu toward Lu Ming’s table.

Before they reached the table, Meng He arrogantly declared, “Gentlemen, if any of you had the guts to still act so cocky in front of Lord Jiu, I, Meng He, would truly be impressed.”

No sooner had he finished speaking than Huang Jiu suddenly trembled all over, stepped forward, and bowed to Lu Ming, saying, “Mr. Lu.”

Lu Ming, mouth still chewing, gave a muffled “Hmm.”

Meng He was utterly baffled, unsure of what was happening.

Only then did Huang Jiu straighten up and coldly say to Meng He, “Are you saying someone at this table assaulted that honored guest?”

Meng He nodded. “Yes, Lord Jiu. These people are extremely arrogant; they don’t even respect Lord Tu’s authority. Look at what they did to our VIP.”

Meng He shook his head, feigning deep sorrow.

Without another word, Huang Jiu struck Meng He squarely in the stomach. Meng He immediately curled up in pain, tears streaming down his face.

“Damn useless trash like you deserve to be beaten to death,” Huang Jiu snarled.

He followed with a kick to Meng He’s face. With a loud smack, Meng He was knocked backward, sprawling onto the ground, his face a gruesome mess of blood and torn flesh.

“Lord Jiu, what’s going on?” Meng He gasped weakly from the floor.

Huang Jiu’s punch and kick nearly took his life. Meng He’s head rang, and his insides felt like they were being turned inside out, agony piercing him from within.

“Bring that pig-headed fellow over,” Huang Jiu commanded coldly.

Two henchmen quickly grabbed a terrified Wang Hongfu and dragged him forward.

“What’s going on?” Wang Hongfu asked nervously.

Huang Jiu said nothing but kicked him sharply in the back of the knee. Wang Hongfu collapsed to his knees with a thud.

Huang Jiu then hoisted the half-conscious Meng He up and forced him to kneel beside Wang Hongfu.

“Apologize to these gentlemen and ladies immediately, or I’ll skin you alive,” Huang Jiu warned with words as scorching as a red-hot iron, stabbing straight into their hearts.

Glancing at the group calmly dining at the table, the two suddenly realized they had provoked someone they absolutely should not have.

No wonder these men showed no respect to Lord Tu. Judging by Huang Jiu’s demeanor, it was likely Lord Tu himself had come. Their fate would be no different.

By now, Wang Hongfu was so frightened he had wet himself. Huang Jiu’s reputation in Xijing City was formidable.

If even Lord Jiu treated these men with such deference, Wang Hongfu couldn’t fathom who they truly were.

But now wasn’t the time to ponder such questions. Wang Hongfu’s head suddenly slammed the ground as he muttered, “Brothers and sisters, I was blind and disrespectful. I deserve to die. Please have mercy.”

He slapped himself hard twice. His already swollen, bruised face puffed up even more.

Meanwhile, Meng He finally understood these people were beyond his comprehension. From Lord Jiu’s attitude, it was clear that if he couldn’t satisfy these few, by nightfall, his corpse would be left in some dark corner, gnawed by rats.

Bloodied and weak, Meng He croaked, “Brothers and sisters, I was blind to help this Wang Hongfu. I was wrong and won’t dare to again. Please spare me.”

He then bowed his head to the ground, tilting it to the side, unable to rise.

Huang Jiu’s blows were brutal. Meng He’s internal organs were bleeding, and his face was a mess of torn flesh and blood. Without prompt medical care, he’d be in mortal danger.

Though weak, Meng He forced himself not to collapse. If these men didn’t forgive him, he feared he might never wake again.

At this moment, Lu Ming finally put down his chopsticks, wiped his mouth, and spoke slowly:

“Wang Hongfu is a fool, drunk on a little money and wine, so arrogant he dared openly harass my people. And you, to defend this fat nobody without knowing the facts, threatening us with your hotel’s power—you’re even stupider than he is. This is the lesson you deserve.”

Finishing, Lu Ming turned to Huang Jiu and said, “Take them away. Don’t let them ruin my meal.”

Huang Jiu nodded immediately and ordered his men to drag the two out, leaving a trail of blood on the floor.

Other diners in the hotel watched in shock; the timid almost cried in fear.

Within moments, the room emptied completely.

Lu Ming shook his head. “What a disgusting scene.”

Though he said this, he lifted his chopsticks and resumed eating heartily.

Everyone else smiled broadly at this.

Soon, Huang Jiu returned and stood respectfully beside Lu Ming.

At that moment, a waiter came to replace the dishes. Huang Jiu took the plates filled with leftovers from the others and personally replaced them with fresh ones, dismissing the waiter.

He carried out the server’s duties meticulously, not feeling the slightest embarrassment, but rather an incomparable honor.

Serving Mr. Lu was an opportunity not afforded to just anyone.

After another half-hour or so, the table was nearly cleared of dishes—most of which had ended up in Lu Ming’s stomach. Compared to him, the others simply couldn’t match his appetite.

Seeing everyone full, Lu Ming patted his belly and said, “Alright, time to go home.”

At that, Yun Ketian said, “Lu Ge, since everyone’s in such good spirits, how about we go sing some songs?”

Yun Ketian’s suggestion sparked enthusiastic responses from the group, especially Qin Lan and Huo Yutong, who eagerly agreed.

Lu Ming shook his head helplessly. “Fine, Huang Jiu, make the arrangements.”

Lu Ming didn’t mind singing; after all, the Futou Gang managed the largest entertainment club in Xijing.

Huang Jiu quickly made a call and soon reported, “Mr. Lu, it’s arranged. We’ll go to our Top Sky Entertainment Club. The Supreme Private Room is reserved for you.”

Lu Ming nodded. “Alright, let’s go. I’ll treat you all well today.”

Since they didn’t have to pay there anyway, Lu Ming wasn’t concerned.

The group stood and happily headed out.

“I don’t think we’ve paid the bill yet,” Lu Ming said, wincing as he approached the front desk.

Huang Jiu hurriedly explained, “Mr. Lu, this hotel holds shares in your name. No need to settle the bill.”

“How come I didn’t know I had shares?” Lu Ming asked, puzzled.

“It’s like this: the hotel voluntarily invited Lord Tu to invest, and he agreed. So, you hold shares through him,” Huang Jiu said humbly.

Lu Ming nodded, understanding, and said nothing further.

Shortly after, they left the hotel. Lu Ming and the others boarded Yun Ketian’s business van, heading straight for the Top Sky Entertainment Club, with Huang Jiu following behind.

More than half an hour later, they arrived at Chang’an Street, Xijing’s busiest thoroughfare, now lit with evening lights and bustling with guests.

Outside the most luxurious Top Sky Entertainment Club stood two rows of burly men dressed in black, aligned at the entrance like a formation of flying geese, each strong and sharp-eyed.

Futou, the formidable boss of Xijing’s underworld, stood solemnly at the door, seemingly awaiting someone’s arrival.

Passersby couldn’t help but whisper in awe.

Futou’s name resonated throughout the northwest, and in Xijing, he was an extraordinary figure. Who else could command such respect to have him personally greet them?

Just then, a business Buick pulled up to the club’s entrance. Lu Ming and the others stepped out one by one.

Futou bowed deeply and loudly said, “Welcome, Mr. Lu.”

“Welcome, Mr. Lu,” echoed the men beside him.

This scene stunned many onlookers.

How could a few young men stepping out of a modest Buick earn such reverence from the legendary Lord Tu—who not only personally greeted them but also humbly lowered himself so profoundly?

[End of excerpt.]