Chapter 49: Tang Qiong’s Authority

"Do you have people too?" Ye Tianci asked in puzzlement.

Tang Qiong's delicate brows arched fiercely as she replied with proud indignation, "Master, perhaps you still don't know? Not only am I one of the Ten Great Generals, I'm also the head of the Vermilion Bird Hall in the Grand Xia War God Palace!"

"I can easily mobilize over ten thousand men! My tiger tally for command is on par with the highest-ranking warlord in the Southern Province theater!"

Ye Tianci was mildly astonished; he had not imagined Tang Qiong wielded such power.

No wonder, at her apprenticeship banquet, everyone was eager to curry favor with her.

"To deal with a mere Yang family, there's no need to trouble a general star like you."

"You are one of my most important trump cards—don't play your hand lightly," Ye Tianci said gravely.

"Understood!" Tang Qiong nodded and handed Ye Tianci a purple-gold bank card.

"Master, all your profits and assets have been stored in this card. It's time I returned it to you."

"My Tang family has been managing the Tianmen industries all these years; the accumulated profits over more than a decade are all inside. I have no idea how much is in there."

"But I recall my grandfather mentioning there are several tens of billions at least."

Tang Qiong spoke with utmost seriousness.

"Tens of billions?" Ye Tianci could not help but click his tongue in surprise.

If just the Tang family held several tens of billions, once he gathered all eight generals under Tianmen, would their combined wealth not reach several hundred billion?

After accepting the card, Ye Tianci watched Tang Qiong depart with a sense of relief.

Night fell quickly.

At eight o'clock that evening, at the Blue Sea Court Business Club in Shu City.

A Rolls-Royce glided smoothly into the parking lot. Ye Tianci and Yuan Zhonghuang stepped out from the car.

"Mr. Ye, this Blue Sea Court Business Club is Yang family property; the owner is Yang Ting, the eldest son of the Yangs."

"Yang Ting has a few sworn brothers in the underworld—he's ranked fourth among them, so many simply call him 'Fourth Yang.'"

Yuan Zhonghuang walked at Ye Tianci's side, explaining in a low voice.

He wore a hat and sunglasses, dressed in plain clothes to avoid easy recognition.

The two entered the club and requested a large private room.

Once seated, a waiter came forward politely, "Gentlemen, do you need company for business?"

"Mr. Ye, 'business' is code here—it means female companions," Yuan Zhonghuang whispered in Ye Tianci's ear.

"I've heard the hostesses here are all very attractive and high-class. Shall I order a couple for you?"

Ye Tianci gave him a cool glance. Yuan Zhonghuang immediately bowed his head, not daring to speak further.

Ye Tianci's lips curled in a faint smile as he raised two fingers to the waiter. "Bring two for my friend here. Make sure they're eighteen."

The waiter exited.

Soon, two young women entered, both in short skirts, their long fair legs exposed and dressed in alluring fashion.

No sooner had they entered than they pressed themselves toward Ye Tianci and Yuan Zhonghuang.

Ye Tianci raised a hand to block one, gesturing at Yuan Zhonghuang. "Both of you are for my friend here—see to him."

"Oh, handsome, you ordered two and there are two of us. Isn't that one each?"

"Are you shy? No need to be shy!" one of them said, swaying seductively as she leaned into Ye Tianci's arms.

Seeing Ye Tianci's displeased expression, Yuan Zhonghuang quickly pulled both women into his own embrace.

"Come here, both of you are mine!"

"Oh my, big brother, you're so strong!"

"You look just like a boss! So imposing!"

The women nestled on either side of Yuan Zhonghuang, purring their flattery.

Yuan Zhonghuang's hands roamed freely, taking his fill.

Ye Tianci allowed Yuan Zhonghuang a few minutes of amusement before speaking, "Master Yuan, I asked for two eighteen-year-olds. Why not check their IDs?"

Realizing it was time for business, Yuan Zhonghuang withdrew his hands and put on a stern face. "Right, I told your manager I wanted two who were eighteen. Show me your IDs."

"Who brings an ID to this kind of work?" one of the women retorted.

"We're both eighteen, no need to check, big brother," cooed the other, clinging to his arm.

Yuan Zhonghuang pushed them away, his tone hardening. "I insist on checking!"

"I'm particular about these things—must be eighteen! Any older and I lose interest!"

"You two are definitely not. Look at all that powder on your faces—it's thicker than the plaster on my walls!"

The woman in red stood up, sizing up Ye Tianci and Yuan Zhonghuang with crossed arms and a cold sneer. "You two don’t look like real customers to me—more like troublemakers!"

The woman in blue rolled her eyes. "You're both old vegetables and still picky, making demands for eighteen-year-olds. Who do you think you are? Take a look in the mirror!"

"You called me old vegetables? Told me to look at myself?" Yuan Zhonghuang, never one for insults, snapped, delivering a fierce slap.

Smack!

The woman in blue crumpled to the floor, hair disheveled, blood at her mouth.

"You old bastard, who do you think you are, causing trouble at Blue Sea Court and bullying my sister?" The woman in red snatched up an ashtray and hurled it at Yuan Zhonghuang's head.

Smack!

Yuan Zhonghuang slapped her as well, sending her flying to the floor.

"They're hitting us!"

"Someone's making trouble at Blue Sea Court!"

"Help! Somebody!"

The two women scrambled up, ran out the door in panic, shrieking for help.

Soon, a burly man built like a tower stormed in with over a dozen security guards.

"Brother Nan, that's him!"

"That old scoundrel hit us!"

"He kept demanding eighteen-year-olds and to see our IDs! He and that punk are definitely here to make trouble!"

The two women cowered behind the big man, pointing at Yuan Zhonghuang with venom.

Brother Nan cracked his knuckles, the joints popping audibly.

It was clear he was no ordinary brawler.

"You two dare cause trouble in Blue Sea Court? Do you have any idea whose establishment this is?" Brother Nan barked coldly.

"And whose establishment is it?" Ye Tianci asked serenely from where he lounged on the sofa.

Brother Nan raised his brow, declaring proudly, "This is Lord Fourth Yang's place!"

"Not only is he the boss here, he's the head of Yang Real Estate—worth over a billion!"

"His younger brother, Dr. Yang Ming, is the esteemed son-in-law of Lord Qi of Qichangling!"

"The Yangs and the Qis are in-laws. Cause trouble here and you're asking for death!"

Watching Brother Nan's blustering, menacing display, Ye Tianci gently crooked his finger. "Make him kneel to speak with me."

Yuan Zhonghuang's figure blurred—he appeared beside Brother Nan in an instant and clamped a hand on his shoulder.

"Ow!"

Thud!

Brother Nan cried out in pain as Yuan Zhonghuang kicked the back of his knee, forcing him to kneel.

The security guards behind surged forward, but Yuan Zhonghuang pinched Brother Nan's neck. "Nobody move, or I'll snap his neck!"

Not one dared act rashly.

Kneeling, Brother Nan still wore an arrogant sneer. "I'm just the chief of security here. My big brother is a real figure in Shu City. If you’ve got guts, let me call him!"

"See if he doesn’t crush you!"

"Let him call."

Ye Tianci waved a hand indifferently.