Chapter 29: The Fool's Reversal (A Third Chapter Offered Sincerely—Please Add to Your Bookshelf)

When Sha Jin and Sha Yin returned to the Gathering Righteousness Martial Arts School, Cheng Feng endured the most excruciating day he’d had in two years at Swan International Group.

With bandages wrapped around his head, he rushed back from the hospital, intending to stand up for Hongwei Security Company and make an impression on the newly arrived Director Wei, hopefully leaving a good mark. Instead, he was immediately scolded as worthless by Hua Tianyu, and the fact that Wei Xueying didn't explode at him on the spot was already a sign of restraint.

No sooner had he returned to the security office than his brother-in-law Shi Yi, oblivious as ever, sidled up and asked, “Brother-in-law, can I have some pocket money? It’s the end of the month...”

“Get lost...” Cheng Feng roared, his voice echoing through the room. Everyone stared at him in disbelief; not a single person dared utter another word.

At last, the workday ended. Cheng Feng grabbed his phone from the desk and stormed out of Swan International Tower, flagging down a taxi the moment he reached the street.

“To the Jiang Family Martial Arts Hall, Upper East Main Branch,” he gave the driver the address then fell silent, staring out the window, his mind churning.

“Good evening, Uncle Cheng!” The guard at the entrance of the Jiang Family Martial Arts Hall spotted Cheng Feng stepping from the taxi and hurried over to greet him.

Cheng Feng strode ahead without so much as a sideways glance, not even flickering an eyelid.

Pushing open the main hall doors, he saw the head of the Jiang Family Martial Arts Hall, Jiang Lifu, talking with Jiang Liliang, the leader of the Yongxing Clan.

Seeing Cheng Feng enter, both men immediately fell silent. Jiang Liliang quickly stood and stepped forward. “Cheng Feng, what brings you here tonight?”

“No need for pleasantries. Let’s get straight to business.” Cheng Feng waved off Jiang Liliang’s polite words, cutting directly to the point. He was in no mood for empty courtesies or meaningless talk.

The Jiang brothers exchanged a glance. Clearly, Cheng Feng had come with a weighty purpose tonight.

“Please, have a seat and speak at your leisure,” Jiang Liliang said cautiously, gesturing to the sofa nearby.

Cheng Feng sat down heavily and slapped the armrest. “Find out everything you can about a man named Hua Tianyu—his background, his origins. And if you get the chance, make sure he’s taught a harsh lesson.”

At the mention of Hua Tianyu, Jiang Liliang immediately straightened from his relaxed posture.

Fat Dog and Thin Dog had said the one who injured his son was named Hua Tianyu—could it be the same person?

Jiang Lifu shot Jiang Liliang a look, and only then did Jiang Liliang restrain himself, carefully asking, “Is this an order from the Hall of Samara?”

The Hall of Samara was an ancient and mysterious organization. No one knew where it was based, how much power it wielded, or even when it had first emerged. All that was known was that there were ten Lords of Yama in the Hall, and their true faces were never seen. Only those on the Hall’s death list had a chance to glimpse the Lords of Yama—and naturally, no further news ever came out, for those who had seen them were all dead.

Cheng Feng, for his part, was only a peripheral member of the Hall—such operatives were scattered everywhere, usually serving as liaisons or part-time informants. Their connections were strictly one-way, and their understanding of the Hall’s inner workings was superficial at best.

Cheng Feng shot Jiang Liliang a cold glance. “What? If this isn’t the will of the Hall of Samara, you won’t help me investigate?”

“Ha, of course not,” Jiang Lifu replied with a forced laugh, saying nothing more. His meaning was clear: if the Hall of Samara wasn’t involved, the Jiang Family would not interfere.

A flash of anger crossed Cheng Feng’s eyes, but he was helpless.

The Jiang Family Martial Arts Hall was the local power in Shangjiang City, and the Hall of Samara relied on them for many things.

So, Cheng Feng recounted how the Hall had sent people to Swan International last night, only for their plans to be thwarted by Hua Tianyu—sharing all he could, though he kept the events of this morning’s meeting to himself.

Jiang Lifu listened, frowning in thought for a long moment before replying, “Consider it done. The Hall’s affairs are ours as well. Once we have news, you’ll be the first to know.”

Satisfied with Jiang Lifu’s promise, Cheng Feng made a perfunctory farewell and left at once.

No sooner had he stepped outside than Jiang Liliang could contain himself no longer. “Big Brother, the Hua Tianyu he mentioned must be the same man who injured Xiao Yong.”

Jiang Lifu sighed and shook his head. “How old are you? Still so impatient? If we act against Hua Tianyu at Cheng Feng’s request, the Hall of Samara will owe us a favor. If you’d told Cheng Feng directly that Xiao Yong was beaten by him, we’d lose that favor.”

Jiang Liliang was taken aback, but after a moment’s thought, understanding dawned. “You’re right, Big Brother. This way, dealing with Hua Tianyu kills two birds with one stone.”

Seeing his brother had grasped the point, Jiang Lifu waved him off. “Go on, then. Give my regards to Xiao Yong. As for that place called Star Whisper Bar—once we’ve dealt with Hua Tianyu, just smash it to bits. Our Jiang Family Martial Arts Hall doesn’t care about gaining or losing one venue.”

At that very moment, in the VIP suite on the second floor of Star Whisper Bar—the very place Jiang Liliang had just mentioned—Hua Tianyu sat on the sofa, while Tian Li perched on the armrest, her arms looped around his neck, her head resting against his shoulder.

Across from them, Lin Lin lounged on the opposite sofa, one leg crossed over the other, her right arm draped over the armrest. If not for the breathtaking beauty of her face, the way she sat would have made Hua Tianyu believe she was a gruff old fellow.

Lin Lin cocked her head, squinting at Hua Tianyu. She seemed about to speak several times but held back each time.

Seeing her like this made Hua Tianyu uncomfortable. “What is it you want to say? Out with it.”

“So, does this mean you’ve stolen my girl?” Lin Lin said, gesturing toward Tian Li with her lips.

Tian Li smiled sweetly, and with a quick nip, bit gently at Hua Tianyu’s neck.

Ahem—this little enchantress was becoming utterly shameless!

Just wait and see how Heaven Brother deals with you later!

“Why aren’t you saying anything?” Lin Lin arched an eyebrow.

Hua Tianyu paused for a moment. “So should I call you ‘Mother-in-law’ then?”

Lin Lin was speechless.

Tian Li couldn’t hold back and collapsed against Hua Tianyu’s shoulder, laughing uncontrollably. “Sister Lin Lin—or rather, Mother-in-law—hahaha!”

“Shut up!” Lin Lin barked at Tian Li.

“You shut up too!” Hua Tianyu shot back at Lin Lin.

Then, meeting Lin Lin’s glare, he asked mildly, “Did you pass your make-up exam?”

Lin Lin was silent for a moment. “Let’s talk about something else.”

“Did you pass or not?” This time, it was Hua Tianyu’s turn to raise an eyebrow and press the question.