Chapter Seventy-Two: The King’s Club Changes Hands

Hong Chen subtly furrowed his brow, glancing sideways at Qiu. Seeing that Qiu showed no sign of concern and was evidently full of confidence in Tank, Hong Chen felt reassured. Soon enough, events proved that Qiu's faith in Tank was not misplaced.

In the face of the blue-clad man's entangling assault, the elder's frontal charge, and the forceful wind attacking from behind, the masked man did not panic. Calmly, he halted his advance, taking a blow to the chest from the blue-clad man as the price, but seized the man's arm with both hands and, with a sudden surge of power, swung him like a hammer toward the elder.

The elder's eyes narrowed, his outstretched palm abruptly stopping. His reaction was swift, but the energy he had released could not be fully withdrawn in time.

With a resounding crash, the blue-clad man slammed into the elder's palm, was blasted away by the force, and fell to the ground, fainting from overexertion.

Having thrown the blue-clad man aside, the masked man suppressed the tumult within caused by the heavy punch, spun around, and launched a flying kick that collided headlong with the fist of the first-rank martial artist.

The masked man was forced back several steps, while his opponent steadied himself with a backward step and launched another attack. It was expected that the masked man would dodge or defend, but instead, he suddenly stopped and charged straight ahead.

Boom!

The two clashed at close quarters, fists flying, a true melee where every blow landed solidly. In the end, the first-rank martial artist spat out a mouthful of blood and was sent flying. The masked man forcibly swallowed the blood rising in his throat, shifted his body to let the elder's attack miss, though his shoulder was caught by the residual force, resulting in a faint crack of bone.

Such injuries were trivial to the masked man, hardened by years in the underworld. He casually shook his arm, took a deep breath, and turned his gaze to the elder.

The blue-clad man had fainted, and though the first-rank martial artist still had some strength, his aura had clearly weakened. The only true opponent left was the elder.

Under the cold, ghostly stare of the masked man, a chill crept into the elder's heart. It felt as if he were being watched by a beast devoid of human emotion—a beast exhausted and wounded, yet still exuding a deadly threat.

Before the elder could think further, the masked man charged at him. The elder gritted his teeth and met the attack head-on. In the blink of an eye, the two fought fiercely, while the first-rank martial artist stood aside, eyes flickering.

Soon, both landed solid hits, each knocked back, only to advance once more. This continued for ten seconds or so, until they exchanged heavy punches, sending both flying. The elder's face turned pale, blood trickled from his mouth, and the masked man spat out a mouthful of blood—hidden by his mask, unseen by others.

Seeing the masked man quickly rise and prepare to attack again, Wang Chenghu finally could not restrain himself, shouting desperately, "Stop!"

This time, the masked man ignored him, eyes blazing, shooting toward the elder like an arrow, battle intent erupting.

The elder's pupils contracted sharply. Not only did Wang Chenghu's words fail to halt the masked man, they made the elder waver, and he no longer chose to meet the attack head-on, but instead retreated swiftly.

The masked man was faster, closing within three meters, thrusting out a palm. The elder was forced to respond with his own palm, but the masked man's strike was merely a feint, suddenly shifting to a punch.

The elder's palm landed on the masked man's shoulder, worsening his injuries, while the masked man's punch struck the elder's abdomen, causing him to double over like a shrimp, groaning.

Seizing the moment, the masked man kicked the elder in the chest, sending him tumbling seven or eight times across the floor, his aura utterly diminished.

"I surrender!" The masked man did not press the elder further, but turned his gaze to the first-rank martial artist who had withdrawn in hesitation. The latter, terrified, immediately raised his hand in submission.

At that moment, Liu Hao grew anxious, shouting loudly, "Chief Gao, he's from the Liu family!"

Hong Chen glanced at Qiu, giving a subtle signal. Qiu nodded and flashed forward, blocking the martial artist’s escape route without making a move.

With their tacit understanding, Tank and Qiu immediately ceased their attack. The masked man turned his sharp gaze to Wang Chenghu. "Will you agree or not?"

Wang Chenghu's face was clouded as if veiled in black, his whole body trembling with rage. He knew that tonight he could not turn the tide, but simply could not bring himself to agree. The King Club was the Wang family's flagship in the entertainment industry. To lose it, to see it change hands, meant the family's reputation would be utterly stripped, and their leadership in the industry surrendered.

While Wang Chenghu struggled inwardly, Gao Tianxiong moved. He flashed to the crew-cut man's side, grabbed Chen Feiyang from the ground, and handed him over to Hu Yidong.

Gao Tianxiong's actions darkened Wang Chenghu and his companions’ expressions. Gao Tianxiong looked coldly at Wang Chenghu and said with chilling menace, "Wang, as long as you agree to hand over the King Club to Hongcheng Group as compensation, whatever dirt he has on your family won't matter."

Wang Chenghu’s eye twitched several times, but he forced himself to reply, "Take him if you want. I don't believe he really has any useful evidence against us."

Gao Tianxiong sneered, then moved again. Moments later, he reached the Wang family’s half-step master, pulled him up, and delivered a decisive punch to his lower abdomen, releasing a burst of energy.

The man, previously unconscious from his injuries, woke with a scream, feeling his dantian collapse. Terror and despair filled his eyes, and after several seconds, his head lolled and he fainted again.

"Gao Tianxiong, are you mad?" Wang Chenghu and his companions nearly burst their eyes in rage. Wang Chenghu shouted, losing his composure. Gao Tianxiong glanced at him coldly, "When martial artists act, they must be prepared to be crippled, even killed. Don’t you know this rule? I’m curious—which do you value more, the King Club or your martial artists?"

As he spoke, he strode toward another half-step master.

Everyone present understood what Gao Tianxiong intended, and a collective gasp of horror swept the crowd.

"I agree!" As Gao Tianxiong grabbed the second half-step master, Wang Chenghu finally relented, spitting out the words as if his teeth might shatter.

No matter how unwilling or furious he was, what could he do? If three half-step masters and two first-rank martial artists were crippled on the spot, the Wang family would be left half-ruined. In comparison, losing the King Club was insignificant.

Gao Tianxiong nodded silently, released the man, and glanced at one of Hu Yidong's associates. That person, understanding, quickly pulled out a prepared transfer contract from his briefcase and handed it to Gao Tianxiong.

"Sign it now."

As Wang Chenghu took the contract from Gao Tianxiong, his heart trembled and bled. He finally signed his name, eyes nearly closed.

With the contract signed, Gao Tianxiong announced, "Ladies and gentlemen, the club will close for three days starting tomorrow. Three days later, it will reopen as Paradise Club, and every member will receive a payout of one hundred thousand."

The club had over two hundred members. Gao Tianxiong’s declaration meant he was giving away more than twenty million—a reward for those who witnessed tonight’s drama.

Everyone exchanged glances, each with their own feelings and thoughts.

"Young Jiang, the Liu family is meddling—if you were Chief Gao, what would you do?" As the drama neared its end, Hong Chen asked casually.

This time, Jiang Tao did not answer immediately. He looked deeply at Hong Chen and smiled, "What, are you hoping to borrow my name to express your own wishes?"

Hong Chen nodded without hesitation. Jiang Tao hadn’t expected him to be so straightforward and said, "Fine, do as you like. I’m not afraid of offending anyone."

Hong Chen gave him a thumbs up, then called out loudly, "Chief Gao, Young Jiang says that when someone interferes, there should always be an explanation."

The moment those words left his lips, Liu Hao shot a cold gaze at Hong Chen. Hong Chen met his look without flinching, then grinned, "It’s not my idea, I’m just repeating Young Jiang’s words. Don’t think about revenge—I have Young Jiang backing me."

Jiang Tao felt a weight in his chest. He’d seen Hong Chen’s shamelessness—using him as a scapegoat and a shield. He regretted coming tonight.

"Liu Hao, I’ll say it again: Hong Chen is my brother. No one touches him." Despite his annoyance, Jiang Tao spoke loyally, giving Liu Hao a warning look.

"My Liu family can offer thirty million. Is that enough?" Liu Hao took two deep breaths, forcing himself to calm down. Before Gao Tianxiong could reply, he named his price. Gao Tianxiong glanced discreetly at Hong Chen, who gave no sign, so he agreed.

With matters settled, the crowd dispersed, still savoring the evening’s events. Jiang Tao invited Hong Chen to the bar for drinks, but Hong Chen declined, remembering he had to escort Lin Yufei back to school, agreeing to meet up over the weekend instead.

Before leaving, Gao Tianxiong asked how to deal with Chen Feiyang. Hong Chen answered with three words, "As usual."

"As usual" meant the arrangement Gao Tianxiong had already negotiated with the Chen family: Chen Feiyang would lose his sight, but the family would not be left without heirs. Outsiders might call Hong Chen cruel—blinding Chen Feiyang and Lu Ke’er, condemning them to darkness for the rest of their lives, a fate more painful than losing limbs.

Yet Hong Chen saw it differently. Chen Feiyang and Lu Ke’er were deeply resentful people. Only by stripping them of the light could he prevent their revenge against Lin Yuxin. To show mercy to them would be cruelty to Lin Yuxin. The choice was clear and without suspense.

...

After leaving the club and seeing Lin Yufei back to school, Hong Chen returned home. It was already ten o’clock at night. When he opened the door, he found the living room brightly lit, with a circle of people seated around the sofa.

It reminded him of the night Lin Meimei’s company was blacklisted by Hongcheng Group; his second uncle and third aunt’s families had waited for him in the living room then. This time, apart from the younger Lin family members, he saw not only his second uncle and third aunt, but also his eldest uncle.

The moment Hong Chen walked in, Lin Yuxin stood up, eyes full of hope fixed on him. But before she could speak, Shen Huifang, for reasons unknown, unleashed a barrage of criticism: "Hong Chen, what’s your problem? Why didn’t you go with Yuxin to handle the divorce today? Are you planning to ruin Yuxin’s life and freeload off us forever? I’m telling you, don’t even think about it!"

Hong Chen looked at Lin Yuxin, bewildered. She opened her mouth to speak but was cut off by the third aunt’s sarcastic voice: "Hong Chen, you’re not only useless, you’re a jinx. We’ve all heard about what happened to Yufei. If you ask me, it’s your bad luck rubbing off on her. Now you shamelessly refuse to divorce—are you aiming to drag Huifang’s whole family down with you?"