Chapter 137: Attending the Banquet

"How can this be?"

The two leaves had already withered!

Furthermore, the leaves had turned pitch black!

"This is malevolent energy, transformed into fatal energy through sweat!"

"Director Guan, you've been wearing this item brimming with malevolent energy close to your skin. Being afflicted by the fatal energy, it's a wonder you haven't met a worse fate!"

Ye Tianci's words turned Guan Mingtang's face pale with fright.

"It was given to me a month ago by that bitch Wang Qing, who claimed she had it consecrated at the Green Mountain Temple."

"She gave me a jade pendant that had been buried in a tomb for years—that bitch was trying to kill me!"

Guan Mingtang was both shocked and furious.

"Brother Ye, I beg you to save me!"

Guan Mingtang completely dropped his airs, even sounding somewhat servile.

Ye Tianci replied, "Director Guan, there is no need to be afraid. Once the jade pendant is removed, the malevolent energy will automatically detach from your body. As for the fatal energy already inside you, I only need to draw a talisman to expel it."

With that, he drew a talisman on the spot and stuck it onto Guan Mingtang's back.

Guan Mingtang insisted on treating Ye Tianci to a meal, but was politely refused.

"Brother Ye, I, Guan Mingtang, owe you a huge favor. If you need anything in the future, just say the word. I, Guan Mingtang, will go through fire and water without hesitation!"

Guan Mingtang patted his chest, making a solemn pledge to Ye Tianci before leaving with a lightened heart.

No sooner had he left than a Maybach roared to a halt. The person stepping out was none other than Zhong Shaokun, who had previously been injured by Ye Tianci.

Zhong Shaokun stepped forward and bowed respectfully to Ye Tianci: "Mr. Ye, I overstepped my bounds earlier at the Azure Dragon Club, and I have specifically come to your door to offer my apologies."

Ye Tianci looked at him coldly: "You certainly are well-informed, even knowing that I live here."

"Upon learning your identity, my father pulled every string and exhausted all his connections to track down Mr. Ye's residence."

"Complying with my father's strict orders, I rushed here to make amends. Bring it in!"

At a wave of Zhong Shaokun's hand, two servants carried over two large suitcases and opened them on the ground.

Inside, they were packed entirely with bundles of red banknotes!

"This is five million in cash, offered as an apology to Mr. Ye. I sincerely hope Mr. Ye can forgive my previous offense!"

"In addition, I am hosting a banquet at the River-Viewing Tower tonight, along with another grand gift. I wonder if Mr. Ye would honor me with his presence?"

Gone was Zhong Shaokun's previous arrogance; he was now utterly respectful.

"Not interested!"

Ye Tianci's voice was cold.

"Mr. Ye, my ignorance was to blame earlier, but the Lingjiang Martial Arts Hall holds a pivotal position in Shucheng. My Zhong family sincerely wishes to befriend you, and we are willing to place ourselves at your beck and call in the future."

Zhong Shaokun displayed the utmost sincerity.

Ye Tianci stared into Zhong Shaokun's eyes for a moment, then nodded faintly: "In that case, the River-Viewing Tower tonight. See you there."

"Thank you, Mr. Ye, for giving me this face!"

Zhong Shaokun bowed deeply once more and respectfully withdrew.

Watching his car drive away, Lei Hong said in a deep voice, "Master Ye, I've heard of this Zhong Shaokun. He is a petty villain who holds grudges and is utterly ruthless; he's not worth befriending."

"Why did you accept his invitation to the banquet?"

The corners of Ye Tianci's lips curved upward: "I need opponents, I need challenges, otherwise life would be far too dull."

Lei Hong laughed: "Master Ye, you're treating Zhong Shaokun like a dish to be stir-fried. I just hope he knows what's good for him and doesn't end up burning himself in the pan."

Night fell swiftly.

As the evening lights began to twinkle, Ye Tianci took Lei Hong and left the villa, heading straight for the River-Viewing Tower.

"No matter what happens later, you are not to interfere."

After getting out of the car, Ye Tianci instructed Lei Hong.

"Don't worry, Master Ye. I certainly won't ruin your mood," Lei Hong replied, following closely behind Ye Tianci.

Upon entering the River-Viewing Tower, a short and stout man hurried forward, gesturing with his hands: "This way, gentlemen, please go on up. The Heaven-rank private suite, our young master has been waiting for quite some time."

Lei Hong looked around and asked, "How is it that there are no other guests?"

The stout man quickly smiled and explained, "Our young master gave strict instructions. To host Mr. Ye properly, the River-Viewing Tower has declined all other guests for today."

"That means our young master has booked the entire place for tonight."

Ye Tianci raised an eyebrow slightly. With Zhong Shaokun pulling off such a grand display, what medicine was he selling in his gourd?

The two went upstairs and entered the Heaven-rank private suite.

It was an expansive room exuding an antique and elegant charm.

In each of the four corners stood a young woman dressed in a red cheongsam, revealing fair thighs, which was quite eye-catching.

Zhong Shaokun was dressed in a red-and-black embroidered Tang suit, sitting upright in an antique master chair.

Seeing Ye Tianci and Lei Hong enter, he hurriedly stood up and greeted them with a smile: "Welcome, Mr. Ye, for gracing us with your presence. Please, take a seat!"

Without waiting for Zhong Shaokun's further courtesy, Ye Tianci unceremoniously pulled out a chair and sat down.

"What is your purpose in inviting me here?"

Ye Tianci asked indifferently.

Zhong Shaokun quickly cupped his hands in a respectful salute: "Earlier, I was blind and failed to recognize a true master, offending Mr. Ye at the Azure Dragon Club. I have specifically set up this banquet at the River-Viewing Tower to beg for Mr. Ye's forgiveness."

"Furthermore, I have prepared a grand gift for Mr. Ye."

With that, Zhong Shaokun waved his hand: "Bring him up!"

A small side door in the corner opened.

Two burly men with dark complexions dragged a man out like a little chick and tossed him right in front of Ye Tianci.

"What's the meaning of this?" Ye Tianci looked at Zhong Shaokun.

Zhong Shaokun laughed heartily, walked over, and slapped the man across the face.

*Slap!*

The blow landed heavily.

The man's disheveled hair parted, revealing his true appearance—it was none other than Zhao Xiujie!

Zhao Xiujie currently looked rather miserable; his clothes were in tatters, his face and neck bore numerous fingerprint marks, and he was bruised and battered, clearly having been given a severe thrashing by someone.

"Mr. Ye, Zhao Xiujie is technically my cousin by marriage, but I refuse to shield him. I am putting righteousness before family by apprehending him, teaching him a lesson, and handing him over to Mr. Ye to deal with as you see fit!"

Zhong Shaokun said, as if seeking praise.

Kneeling on the ground, Zhao Xiujie wept bitterly and pleaded, "Brother Kun, you can't do this! We're relatives."

Ye Tianci looked at Zhong Shaokun: "Does that mean I ought to thank you?"

Zhong Shaokun gave a sheepish smile and said, "No need to thank me, Mr. Ye. Allow me to teach this dog of a man another lesson!"

"Beat him!"

The two subordinates immediately rushed forward, punching and kicking Zhao Xiujie.

One could tell they were holding nothing back!

In an instant, Zhao Xiujie was beaten until his face was covered in blood, howling miserably.

Seeing that Ye Tianci's expression remained entirely unchanged, Zhong Shaokun roared at his subordinates: "Did you not eat today? Hit him harder!"

The two subordinates struck even heavier blows, reducing Zhao Xiujie to a state of severe injury and unconsciousness in the blink of an eye.

Ye Tianci still maintained his expressionless face.

Having beaten his own cousin nearly to death, Zhong Shaokun showed not a shred of worry on his face; instead, a faint smile hung on his lips, and he didn't even frown once.

This demonstrated just how ruthless he was!

"Carry this piece of trash out of my sight." Zhong Shaokun waved his hand coldly.

Zhao Xiujie was hauled away.

Zhong Shaokun respectfully said to Ye Tianci, "I have already helped Mr. Ye teach that man a lesson. Shall we officially begin the banquet now?"

"My father, Zhong Xiuyuan, is a master on the Profound Rank, and I, Zhong Shaokun, am truly sincere in apologizing to you and wishing to befriend you, Mr. Ye. Surely you will grant me this face, won't you?"