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It turned out that Gu Liang had come to Haze City on his father’s direction to set up a Golden Jade Hall branch. By using Haze City as a foothold, they could accumulate sufficient power and resources to eventually spread the Golden Jade Hall brand to the entire southwest province.

Since Haze City was the capital of the southwest province, Gu Yanping planned to utilize it as a launching pad. If they could successfully establish themselves here, they would be able to recruit numerous merchant talents and further strengthen Golden Jade Hall.

However, Gu Liang never expected that trouble would come knocking before he could find steady footing and was genuinely distressed by this problem.

After learning everything, Lin Xun could not help but feel amazed. The Gu father-son duo were definitely no ordinary characters. It had only been a little over a year but they had already shifted their goal to the entire southwest province!

However, given the merchanting prowess Gu Yanping had displayed in the past, Lin Xin had to admit that he was indeed a rare talent.

As if feeling the topic was somewhat depressing, Gu Liang smiled and said, “I heard several things about you when I arrived in Haze City. You’re a rising star that is known in every household. In fact, I almost doubted that it was actually you.”

His voice contained genuine amazement.

Lin Xun had accomplished so much in the year since they last met. Gu Liang could not help but sigh when he compared himself to his friend. He couldn’t even do something simple like setting up a small store without thugs coming to cause trouble.

What could have happened to Lin Xun over this period to have enabled him to attain such achievements?

“It’s just meaningless fame.”

Lin Xun shrugged. “People are scared of fame and pigs fear being fattened up. The more famous you are, the more troubles there will be.”

Gu Liang chuckled heartily. “Others wish they could be famous while you view it as trouble. You sure are different.”

Lin Xun also laughed. “Let’s not talk about these things. Do you plan to continue staying in Haze City?”

Gu Liang nodded. “If I can overcome this hurdle and manage to establish a foothold in Haze City, I definitely won’t be leaving any time soon.”

He suddenly revealed a mysterious smile. “Lin Xun, although you’ve grown far more than me over the past year, I will not lose to you when Golden Jade Hall develops in the future.”

Before Lin Xun could say anything, Gu Liang continued, “My father plans to develop Golden Jade Hall into a first-class merchant group that will be known throughout the empire. This is certainly not achievable through ordinary methods but my father has already found a way!”

Lin Xun could not help but ask, “How?”

Gu Ling displayed a faint smile. “You’ll know in the future. If this path works, I will definitely not be left behind by you.”

Lin Xun jokingly cursed, “You might as well have told me nothing.”

Gu Liang chuckled. “All in all, I can guarantee that if everything goes smoothly, the Golden Jade Hall brand will spread all over the empire and maybe even to the lands beyond!”

His eyes shone in anticipation of this glorious future.

Lin Xun’s heart shook. Spread beyond the empire? Gu Yanping has such grand ambition. If this is true, wouldn’t Golden Jade Hall become an enormous faction like Stone Cauldron Alms in the future?

A commotion from the outside suddenly interrupted their reunion.

“Where’s the boss? You’d better come out now!”

“That kid who got violent as well, come out!”

Evidently, the group of thugs was back. Moreover, they seemed to be filled with confidence and had clearly found reinforcements.

Lin Xun rose to his feet and said, “Let’s go out and have a look.”

Gu Liang worriedly said, “Lin Xun, I know you’re famous now but the various factions in Haze City have complex relationships and are not to be underestimated. Promise me you won’t be rash. Even if the store is smashed by them, there will be an opportunity for a comeback as long as we’re still alive…”

Before he could finish, Lin Xun sighed and interrupted, “Alright, alright. Hurry up and go.”

What else could Gu Liang say? He was quickly pulled by Lin Xun and they walked out of the private room.

……

A group of thugs was crowding around the front of the store, each one sporting menacing expressions. The thug leader was also back although he looked rather comical with his swollen face.

However, they were just extras this time and the main actor was an elder sporting a goatee. He leisurely sat on a chair in the store with an arrogant expression and was closing his eyes as if resting.

When Lin Xun and Gu Liang emerged, the thug leader immediately displayed a resentful expression, pointed at Lin Xun, and yelled, “Old Qian, that’s the kid who interfered. If not for him, our group would have already succeeded!”

The other thugs also called out, “Yeah, that’s the abominable little bastard. He has zero respect for our Jadelight Pavilion.”

Jadelight Pavilion!

Gu Liang’s expression changed drastically. No matter how little he understood of Haze City, even a newcomer like him knew that Jadelight Pavilion was a powerful first-class faction. He never imagined that they would be the ones that were targeting him!

This was far too surprising. Golden Jade Hall hadn’t even found its footing yet. How had it offended Jadelight Pavilion?

A strange look flashed in Lin Xun’s eyes when he heard the words Jadelight Pavilion and an unnoticeable smile rose on his lips.

Lin Xun displayed a radiant smile. “I couldn’t tell that earlier that you guys do have some backbone. To think you dared to return with reinforcements.”

“You’re asking for it!”

“How dare you act so arrogantly in front of Old Qian. You’re dead, kid!”

“Kid, don’t blame us for not telling you that Old Qian is one of Jadelight Pavilion’s experts. If you two don’t want to die, get on your knees and beg for forgiveness!”

The thugs sternly scolded and cursed.

Gu Liang was worried and afraid Lin Xun would do something reckless. Hence, Gu Liang hurriedly cautioned in a low voice, “Lin Xun, don’t be rash. We can’t afford to offend Jadelight Pavilion. Please let me handle this matter.”

The thugs roared with laughter at this sight. They displayed pleased and resentful expressions. If they knew this would happen, they would have done this earlier instead.

However, Lin Xun’s smile only grew wider. “Jadelight Pavilion, huh, you guys have found the perfect faction. Let’s not waste any more time talking, who is Old Qian? Step forward so we can get acquainted.”

The goatee elder was clearly sitting there but was being completely ignored by Lin Xun. The arrogance he displayed enraged the thugs, making them wish they could just kill him.

Gu Liang felt a sense of helplessness and knew that he could no longer stop Lin Xun. However, Gu Liang had also decided to throw caution to the wind. If worse comes to worst, they would fight to their hearts’ content now and find a chance to return in the future.

The proud-looking goatee elder called Old Qian, whose eyes were still closed, suddenly released an icy snort.

“Young man, it’s not good to have such a temper. I’ve already given you a chance but you refuse to take it. Don’t blame this old man for…”

Old Qian’s voice was low and openly frosty. While he was speaking, he finally opened his eyes.

However, his eyeballs abruptly popped from their sockets as if he had seen a ghost and his words froze in his throat.

The thugs could not help but feel excited by Old Qian’s stern and commanding voice. As expected of Old Qian, even without using any foul language, merely hearing him speak makes us feel an invisible pressure. Amazing, truly amazing!

They did not realize that their almighty Old Qian was currently in a state of distress. His mind felt as if it had been struck by lightning and he was starting to feel a little faint.

Why is it him!?

Old Qian’s expression froze as he recalled the assassination operation several days ago on that stormy night and the apex duel that had occurred in the battle arena…

Why?

Why did I have to encounter this star of disaster?

The corners of Old Qian’s lips began to twitch. He did not dare to imagine the consequences if the Jadelight Pavilion higher-ups were to find out that he had provoked the star of disaster.

“Why did you stop talking?”

Lin Xun smiled at Old Qian. He could tell in a single glance that the old fellow had already given up.

Old Qian’s lips trembled. Just as he was about to speak, the thug leader cut in and scolded, “How dare you be so disrespectful to Old Qian even at this juncture! You must be tired of living!”

Whap!

Old Qian could no longer hold himself back and ruthlessly slapped the thug leader.

The man cried out in pain as he grabbed his face before looking at Old Qian in disbelief. The other thugs were also stunned and confused by the sudden turn of events.

The thug leader innocently asked, “Old Qian…this…did you hit the wrong person?”

“I was definitely aiming for you, you blind idiot!”

Old Qian trembled in anger as he unleashed another series of slaps to release his rage. The other man wailed in pain and fell to his knees to beg for mercy.

The other thugs were shocked and horrified. As they looked at the crazed Old Qian, they finally realized that they had offended someone they couldn’t afford to.

Gu Liang had been ready to fight alongside Lin Xun. Who could have imagined that he would instead be treated to a dog-eat-dog show? He was taken aback. What the hell is going on?

He could not help but look at Lin Xun, only to find him smiling as he watched. Something began to click inside Gu Liang’s head, causing him to be shocked. He never expected that Lin Xun’s reputation had already grown to such an extent.

“You guys as well. Get on your knees and apologize to Young Master Lin Xun!”

Old Qian had grown tired of dishing out these beatings and also knew that the thug leader would probably lose his life if this continued. Hence, Old Qian glared at the rest of the thugs and demanded they apologize to Lin Xun.

If they failed to gain the star of disaster’s forgiveness today, the consequences would be too heavy for even Old Qian to bear.

The thugs immediately fell to their knees. They had already been scared witless. How could they possibly dare to show any hesitation?

After all, they could all see that even Old Qian had gone pale with terror.