Chapter 293: No One Can Touch My Guests
Shen Manwen wasn’t the least bit discouraged. Back in school, it was common for classmates who liked each other to refer to one another as a "big brother" or "little sister."
’Starting off as a little sister isn’t so bad.’
"I’m about to go to Beijing with my dad, so we’ll have even less time to see each other. My cultivation has felt off lately. Could you help me adjust my Cultivation Technique again?"
Faced with such a request, Cheng Yuan couldn’t refuse.
"Alright."
Shen Manwen naturally linked her arm with Cheng Yuan’s, leading him toward a private room.
It had to be said, Shen Manwen was truly beautiful.
Even with Cheng Yuan’s high standards, he couldn’t find a single flaw in her. It was impossible to be alone in a room with such a beauty and not feel his heart stir.
Cheng Yuan forcibly suppressed his racing heart.
"Manwen, go ahead and start Cultivating. I’ll watch."
"Mhm."
Shen Manwen began her Cultivation Technique, and Cheng Yuan activated his Double Pupil to observe her Circulation Route.
By now, Cheng Yuan’s power had increased considerably, and so had his insight.
After one complete Great Cycle, Cheng Yuan noticed several nodes where the flow of her True Essence was obstructed.
"Manwen, wait a moment. I’m going to study this and see if I can make an adjustment."
With that, Cheng Yuan began circulating his own energy, searching for a new path.
After a full quarter of an hour, Cheng Yuan finally found a better route. He opened his eyes and said with a hint of excitement, "Manwen, I found—"
He stopped mid-sentence. Shen Manwen was standing right in front of him, staring at him intently.
Gazing at Shen Manwen’s bewitching face, Cheng Yuan subconsciously swallowed.
"Manwen, you..."
"Cheng Yuan, has Ruoxi ever told you that you’re very handsome?"
Cheng Yuan was secretly overjoyed by the compliment. "She, uh, hasn’t actually mentioned that."
Shen Manwen desperately wanted to give in to the impulse and kiss him, but the thought that Lin Ruoxi was her best friend allowed her conscience to overcome the urge.
"Why wasn’t I the one who met you first?"
Shen Manwen’s mood instantly plummeted.
Not knowing how to comfort her, Cheng Yuan gently patted her shoulder. "Manwen, I’ve finished adjusting your Cultivation Technique. I’ll demonstrate it for you once."
With that, Cheng Yuan began to demonstrate the technique while explaining the changes.
Immersed in her Cultivation, Shen Manwen briefly forgot her sadness.
Cheng Yuan quietly slipped away, afraid that if he stayed with Shen Manwen any longer, he might lose control and make a mistake.
Just as he stepped out of the private room, Cheng Yuan heard a commotion from the direction of the main hall.
A one-eyed giant, at least six-foot-three, stormed in with a group of men with buzz cuts, all of them brandishing weapons.
The faces of the bigwigs in the banquet hall changed drastically. Their lives were far too precious to risk fighting a bunch of thugs!
Someone had a flash of inspiration and shouted, "Protect the leader!"
The bigwigs all rushed to surround Shen Jiangnan, as if they would be safe by his side.
With a bodyguard from the Quasi-Divine Realm by his side, Shen Jiangnan wasn’t the least bit afraid of these thugs. He asked coldly, "Who are these people?"
The bigwigs looked back and forth at each other, all of them completely baffled.
Only Gao Qingyuan recognized the giant. "Leader," he said gravely, "that’s Dong Long. He was one of Bai Jiangbo’s top enforcers, and he’s incredibly powerful!"
’Bai Jiangbo’s man?’
Shen Jiangnan’s gaze darkened. ’I was the one who personally ordered the takedown of Bai Jiangbo. Is this underling of his here for revenge?’
Shen Jiangnan shouted sternly, "You have some nerve! Do you know who I am? Do you realize the consequences of what you’re doing?"
Dong Long recognized Shen Jiangnan and was stunned. He’d never imagined Gao Qingyuan had found such a powerful backer!
’But there’s no turning back now.’
’If I don’t eliminate Gao Qingyuan today, I’ll never get a golden opportunity like this again!’
After Bai Jiangbo’s arrest, Dong Long consolidated his forces and became the new boss.
Dong Long was very ambitious; he wanted to become the sole boss of Luocheng.
To that end, Dong Long had even brought his master here!
The opportunity had come quickly. A waiter Dong Long had planted in the Lanke Clubhouse sent word that Gao Qingyuan was here.
Upon receiving the news, Dong Long had immediately stormed the Lanke Clubhouse with his master and his men.
Dong Long bowed respectfully to Shen Jiangnan. "Leader, I had no idea you were here. Otherwise, I would never have dared to act so presumptuously!"
The assembled bigwigs breathed a slight sigh of relief. Dong Long still knew the rules. They began to rebuke him one by one.
"Dong Long! Now that you see the leader, why aren’t you leaving immediately?"
"Dong Long! Brandishing weapons in front of the leader, are you trying to stage a rebellion?"
"Dong Long! Get the hell out now! What are you waiting for, an invitation from the leader to have a drink?"
...
Dong Long’s expression flickered. He truly couldn’t afford to offend these bigwigs, but he absolutely could not let such a perfect opportunity slip by.
Dong Long bowed deeply to the bigwigs. "Your criticisms are just, leaders. I will leave at once! However, before I go, I must settle a personal score with Gao Qingyuan! He is the one who brought down my boss! Today, he must answer to me! I ask you, leaders, please do not interfere! Afterward, I, Xiaolong, will do anything to repay your kindness!"
To this, the assembled bigwigs offered no opinion.
Most of them had played a part in taking down Bai Jiangbo. If they could divert this trouble elsewhere, that would be for the best.
Without an outlet for their anger, who knew what Bai Jiangbo’s men might do in their desperation.
Shen Jiangnan frowned. He had no friendship with Gao Qingyuan; he had only invited the man to pave the way for Cheng Yuan.
’Without Gao Qingyuan, having Dong Long handle things for Cheng Yuan would be just the same.’
’But if Gao Qingyuan is killed or crippled right in front of me, my reputation will be ruined!’
’After all, Gao Qingyuan is my guest.’
Shen Jiangnan said calmly, "Dong Long. Everyone here today is my invited guest. At my banquet, you will not touch anyone!"
Dong Long’s eyes flickered uncertainly, but then a vicious light flashed within them!
Dong Long gave Shen Jiangnan a deep bow. "Leader, I must offend you today! I will come to your door and formally apologize another time! Men! Take Gao Qingyuan!"
"Yes, sir!"
The young men roared in unison. The bigwigs flinched in fright, not one of them daring to interfere.
Only Shen Jiangnan remained unintimidated. He slammed his hand on the table!
"You dare rebel?! You will not take anyone from my, Shen Jiangnan’s, farewell banquet! Old Li, stop them!"
"Yes, Leader."
Shen Jiangnan’s bodyguard, Li Tai, slowly emerged from the shadows. His build wasn’t particularly imposing, but his presence brought an immense pressure down on everyone in the room.
Li Tai raised a hand, stopping the eager thugs in their tracks. "You have ten seconds to disappear. Otherwise, you won’t see the sun tomorrow."
When Dong Long saw Li Tai’s face clearly, his own turned pale. He stammered, "Ghost-Handed Li Tai? You’re Ghost-Handed Li Tai?"
’Ghost-Handed Li Tai?’
Gao Qingyuan was also shocked.
Five years ago, the name of Ghost-Handed Li Tai had resounded throughout the Provincial City!
To avenge his wife and son, Ghost-Handed Li Tai had wiped out an entire second-rate Sect in a single night!
’I can’t believe Ghost-Handed Li Tai is Shen Jiangnan’s bodyguard!’