Chapter 57: The Duty of a Bodyguard

Watching as Lu Ming once again sprinted madly toward the battleship, the people could no longer contain their shock and began to whisper among themselves. Lu Ming’s repeated feats, each defying the very limits of human understanding, had already left an indelible mark on everyone’s hearts.

Yet this time, their guesses filled them with even greater terror. Could it be that Lu Ming intended, by his own strength alone, to destroy an entire warship?

Now, the massive hull of the warship filled the screens as Lu Ming’s figure charged forward. His speed increased yet again—he had become almost invisible, with only the roaring waves in his wake betraying his passage.

The battleship loomed ever closer, and everyone held their breath.

No one truly believed that a man could sink a battleship by himself. But in the depths of their hearts, they felt an uneasy certainty: perhaps Lu Ming could do it.

At that moment, they clung to a faint hope, yearning for a miracle.

Just then, with the warship only moments away, Lu Ming suddenly leapt high into the air. He raised his right fist, now enveloped in a dazzling golden light, and, like a meteor crashing from the heavens, he struck the warship with all his might. The hall fell utterly silent.

A moment later, Lu Ming’s fist landed squarely at the center of the battleship.

Before the massive vessel, Lu Ming’s frame seemed as insignificant as a mosquito on an elephant. Seeing the warship remain unmoved, people slowly let out the breath they’d been holding, disappointment washing over their faces as bitter laughter escaped their lips.

After all, who could really believe a single man could sink a warship? Such a thing was simply impossible.

Soon, the warship’s guns would surely turn this place into a blazing inferno once more, and they would not escape a watery grave.

But just as despair set in, a voice cried out, “My god!”

Everyone looked up at once—and saw the battleship splitting in two, cleaving right down the middle.

Lu Ming strode back across the waves.

The sundered warship blazed with fire, casting Lu Ming’s returning figure in a heroic glow. Moments later, the hall erupted in thunderous cheers—the people offered their highest respect for the miracle Lu Ming had wrought once again.

They embraced, tears streaming down their faces.

“We’re saved!”

“It was Mr. Lu who rescued us!”

“Long live Mr. Lu!”

People laughed and danced with abandon. Even the mighty overlords who usually dominated all around found themselves grinning and embracing their subordinates.

The thrill and excitement of surviving such a calamity was beyond words or understanding.

Not long after, Lu Ming entered the hall at a measured pace.

Everyone inside now stood at attention, solemnly and respectfully. When Lu Ming stepped inside, they bowed to him at a perfect right angle and spoke in unison:

“Thank you, Mr. Lu, for saving our lives.”

Lu Ming swept his gaze around the crowd and said slowly, “Hell, I’ve saved all of you—you’d better thank me.”

At first, people were stunned. Then their faces broke into delighted smiles; no one took offense at Lu Ming’s blunt words. Rather, it made him seem all the more genuine.

At that moment, John stepped forward, went down on one knee before Lu Ming, placed his right hand over his heart, and bowed his head.

“Here and now, I, John Rockefeller, offer Mr. Lu my highest respect. I hereby announce that Mr. Lu has gained my lifelong friendship and esteem.”

John’s gesture did not surprise the crowd; it was his next words that truly shocked them.

Every prominent figure present knew that John was a central figure in the Rockefeller family, and a strong candidate for the family’s future heir. Within a few years, he was likely to become the head of the Rockefellers. His declaration meant Lu Ming had earned the respect and friendship of the entire Rockefeller family.

The Rockefellers were one of the world’s ten greatest families, their influence beyond measure. To win their respect and friendship was no small feat.

Looking at John kneeling before him, Lu Ming replied, “I accept your respect and friendship.”

When John stood, he addressed the assembly:

“Ladies and gentlemen, due to my own negligence, today’s disaster occurred. I am deeply sorry. I know everyone is exhausted. Please return to your rooms and rest well tonight. Tomorrow at noon, we will host a grand banquet here. While expressing our gratitude to Mr. Lu, I will also offer you all my formal apologies and proper compensation.”

Upon hearing this, everyone relaxed, weariness overwhelming them.

For more than two hours, they had been on edge. Now, with the tension broken, exhaustion swept over them.

After all, Mr. Lu had fought battle after battle—he must be even more tired than they were. Suppressing their urge to thank him immediately, people prepared to rest, knowing they could show their gratitude at tomorrow’s banquet.

Just as the crowd was about to disperse, Lu Ming spoke up: “Wait a moment. There’s a small matter I need to take care of.”

Everyone paused, puzzled, until Lu Ming smiled and said, “Young Master Feng, you’ve threatened to kill me more than once. Now that the crisis is over, you can make your move.”

The crowd erupted in anger. That someone had dared speak so to Mr. Lu was unforgivable.

“Who said that? Step forward!” Old Huo Xiangying was the first to object, his face grim.

“To insult the esteemed Mr. Lu—I, Gonzales, will not tolerate such a man among us!”

“Step forward!”

“Step forward!”

The whole assembly shouted, faces contorted in rage, eager to tear the fool apart.

By now, Feng Xifan was cowering in a corner, trembling violently. When Lu Ming had flung him at the feet of the two pirate leaders, he’d still been cursing Lu Ming inwardly, vowing to dismember him if he survived. Yet when he saw Lu Ming instantly slay one pirate chief and cripple the other—those very men who held so many lives in their hands—he had been scared out of his wits.

Then, when Lu Ming’s roar turned a thousand pirates into a bloody mist, when he ran across the waves and withstood the main guns of the warship with his bare flesh, and finally, when he destroyed the warship with a single punch, Feng Xifan was left utterly broken with terror.

Only then did he realize he had provoked someone he never should have—a being far beyond his reach.

Now, hearing Lu Ming call him by name, while the crowd’s emotions ran high, Feng Xifan’s legs nearly gave out from fear. How could he dare step forward?

Lu Ming had saved every life in that room. To show such disrespect to him infuriated everyone present, who now scoured the room for the impudent culprit.

Under so many eyes, Feng Xifan was quickly discovered.

His two bodyguards stood awkwardly before the crowd; behind them, Feng Xifan, who had wet his trousers, clung desperately to their legs, shaking uncontrollably.

Faced with the crowd’s righteous fury, the bodyguards were at a loss. Having just escaped disaster, they found themselves teetering on the edge of the abyss once more.

These people could tear them apart at any moment. Yet duty bound them; they could not simply abandon Feng Xifan. So they stood their ground, uncertain what to do.

Lu Ming strode forward and stood before the two bodyguards, his voice cold: “Step aside.”

The bodyguards gave a bitter smile. “Mr. Lu, whatever you ask, please say it. We have our responsibilities—it’s a difficult position.”

Their predicament was plain. Lu Ming’s skill was such that he could crush them like ants if he wished—and he had just saved everyone on this ship.

They did not dare oppose Lu Ming, but their duty would not let them step aside so easily. All they could do was plead, hoping for some other resolution.

Lu Ming fixed them with an icy stare. Instantly, an invisible pressure bore down on them, until sweat poured from their bodies and their legs began to buckle—they were on the verge of collapse.

Suddenly, Lu Ming smiled, clapping both men on the shoulders. “As bodyguards, you’ve done your job. However—”

His expression turned cold. “Feng Xifan, that beast, must be punished.”