Yun Muy野 was somewhat stunned.
Mu Wenjing spoke as if it were serious business, not a joke.
He came back to his senses, frowned, and asked, "Old Mu, are you sure you're not kidding me?"
Mu Wenjing's expression was grave. "Old friend, do I look like I'm joking?"
"Do you really think my kneeling just now was because I tripped over the doorstep?"
"If you trust me, then remember what I said. Don't try to stop Chuxue and him anymore. If you think I'm joking, then pretend I said nothing."
Seeing Mu Wenjing's increasingly serious tone, and recalling Lu Pan's earlier words, Yun Muy野 still had doubts, but he chose to believe his old friend.
"I believe you!!"
"Alas..." Mu Wenjing sighed, looking at Yun Muy野, even showing a hint of envy. "I came here intending for us to become in-laws. It seems my Mu family is not destined for such fortune."
—
"Kid, you're the one who had Chuxue ask my grandfather to save you?" Mu Liang looked at Lu Pan arrogantly, with a condescending air. "I advise you to stay away from Chuxue!"
Lu Pan found Mu Liang's inexplicable words amusing.
Truly, any Tom, Dick, or Harry dared to jump out and vie for his woman.
Lu Pan remained silent and patted Mu Liang's shoulder.
Mu Liang was somewhat bewildered. As he watched Lu Pan leave, about to speak, a piercing pain shot through his shoulder. He nearly fainted.
Lu Pan wouldn't waste too much time on a spoiled brat like Mu Liang; a small lesson would suffice.
Not long after leaving the Yun family, Lu Pan sensed he was being followed by a few tail-enders.
He stopped only when he reached a secluded spot in an alley.
Lu Pan stopped and said coldly, "You've been following for so long, come out!"
Swish, swish, swish—
Several figures appeared, attacking from both front and back, trapping Lu Pan in the alley.
"The Lu family? The Qi family, or the Qiulong Association?"
Lu Pan looked at the masked figures before him and asked calmly.
During his time in Qingcheng, these were the only ones he could recall offending.
As for the Xu family, they had already vanished.
"Why does a dead man need to know so much?"
"Attack, no quarter given!"
As he spoke, two figures lunged swiftly at Lu Pan, their weapons flashing, aiming for his abdomen and neck!
Their moves were all fatal, clearly intending to end Lu Pan's life.
Lu Pan snorted coldly, his movements like a swimming dragon, easily evading their attacks.
"Since you won't say, then die!"
Lu Pan spoke, his voice icy. The dim alley seemed to instantly transform into the underworld.
The next second, Lu Pan attacked. His body moved like a phantom. The two charging figures inexplicably collapsed, their lives extinguished!
Lu Pan took a step forward, his terrifying aura instantly surging towards the three approaching figures!
The chilling, terrifying aura was like sharp knives, scraping against the faces of the three, causing them pain.
"Go to hell!"
The leader drew a short saber from his calf and attacked Lu Pan's lower body with extreme speed.
Lu Pan snorted lightly and kicked out forcefully, attacking from a trailing position.
This kick from Lu Pan shattered the opponent's arm. He then bent his leg and kicked again, directly striking the opponent's jaw!
With a crack, the jaw exploded into pieces!
Before the man could even cry out, he slammed heavily against the wall, his fate uncertain.
In a brief exchange, Lu Pan dealt with everyone.
"Speak, who sent you?" Lu Pan kept one alive, smiling at him.
"If... if I tell you, will you spare my life?" The man looked at Lu Pan fearfully.
"I can leave you with your body intact!" Lu Pan smiled, his eyes looking at the man indifferently. "You have no bargaining chip with me."
"I... I..."
"Forget it, if you don't want to talk, then don't!"
Lu Pan exerted force with his fingers, crushing the man's windpipe, and then left the alley.
Five minutes later.
A dark shadow appeared at the mouth of the alley. Looking at the dead black-clad figures, he exuded a fearsome aura.
"I never thought that little bastard from back then would have such strength..."
His hoarse voice echoed through the blood-soaked alley.
—
The next morning.
As Lu Pan and Ye Wudao were about to leave, Zhao Changming came to seek an audience.
In the study.
"Speak, what is it so early in the morning?" Lu Pan sat in his chair, looking at Zhao Changming, who stood respectfully nearby.
"Great Boss, I am aware of the Western Coast Police Department's situation. I will handle Li Wei."
"The most important matter today concerns the election of the new president of the Qinghai Chamber of Commerce."
Zhao Changming stated his purpose. "The previous president was Yun Muy野. Yun Muy野 proposed to step down this March. The election for the new president is imminent. According to regulations, Huang Guangyi should be promoted, but this man has questionable morals..."
"What does the Qingcheng Chamber of Commerce's affairs have to do with me?" Lu Pan interrupted Zhao Changming impatiently.
"Cough, cough." Zhao Changming coughed awkwardly and said cautiously, "Great Boss, you may not know, but they intend to nominate Lu Yuansen as this term's president."
Hearing this, Lu Pan narrowed his eyes.
Given the Lu family's influence in Qingcheng and Lu Yuansen's seniority, he was more than qualified to be the president of the Qingcheng Chamber of Commerce, and no one would object.
However, Zhao Changming knew of Lu Pan's grievances with the Lu family, which was why he was concerned.
Yet, despite being the Grand Governor of Qingcheng, he could not directly interfere with the election of the Qingcheng Chamber of Commerce.
Lu Pan mused, tapping his fingers on the table.
In the vast study, no one dared to speak.
After a long silence, Lu Pan chuckled. "Since Lu Yuansen wants to be the president, then let him be."
Hearing Lu Pan's words, Zhao Changming felt a chill run down his spine.
"The higher his position, the harder I will make him fall."
"Go back. There's no need to interfere in this matter!"
After Zhao Changming took his leave, Ye Wudao asked with some confusion, "Great Boss, Lu Yuansen's bribery is true. Based on that alone, he could be in trouble. Why are you still engaging with him?"
"We'll cast a long line to catch a big fish!" Lu Pan's gaze was deep, a playful expression on his face. "If we get rid of Lu Yuansen so easily, the big fish behind him will definitely become alert. It will be difficult to lure them out again then!"
"What I want now is to make him extremely uncomfortable. This way, he will expose more weaknesses, and perhaps, he will seek help from the person behind him."
Ye Wudao suddenly understood. "As expected, Great Boss is wise!"
"Alright, enough flattery. Where has Ziyan gone?" Lu Pan inquired about Mo Ziyan's whereabouts.
Seeing Lu Pan asking about Mo Ziyan, Ye Wudao quickly replied, "Great Boss, Miss Ziyan has enrolled in an advanced business management class at Qingcheng University."
Lu Pan smiled upon hearing this. "That's good. Let her settle down and study for a while."
Ye Wudao tentatively asked, "Aren't you going to see her?"
Lu Pan thought for a moment and replied, "Since she wants some quiet, let's give her a few days. I'll go in a couple of days."
Just then, there was an urgent knocking at the door.
"I'll go check," Ye Wudao said and left the study.
A moment later, Ye Wudao opened the door.
Before Yuan Pu, covered in bloody filth, could utter a word, he collapsed.