Li Xiaotian glanced at the few people ahead, paying them no mind, and continued his conversation with Long Yi.
The two groups soon encountered each other. They were about to pass by without incident.
However, the burly man in leather leading the group deliberately bumped into Li Xiaotian. With an angry expression, he cursed,
"Damn it, are you looking for trouble? Do you want to die?"
As soon as the man in leather finished speaking, dozens of figures instantly appeared, surrounding Li Xiaotian and Long Yi.
"Speak! Do you want to die? Apologize to me immediately!" the man in leather sneered, looking at Li Xiaotian. He was certain that this was the person Xue Zhiyuan had asked him to find.
"Did Xue Zhiyuan send you?" Li Xiaotian asked calmly.
"Oh! This kid isn't stupid?" the man in leather exclaimed in surprise, speaking to the person beside him.
"It seems he knows he's finished. He offended Young Master Xue. Perhaps this guy is deliberately waiting for us here? Wants to confess and apologize?" one of his subordinates chuckled.
The man in leather looked at Li Xiaotian with disdain and then spoke.
"Heh, it was Young Master Xue who sent us. Your name is Li Xiaotian, right? Tell me, how do you want to die? Don't think about begging for mercy on your knees, you don't have the right!"
A cold glint flashed across Li Xiaotian's face. He had warned Xue Zhiyuan not to court death back then. It seemed his words had gone in one ear and out the other.
"Long Yi," Li Xiaotian said lightly.
"Brother, give the order. How should we kill them?" Long Yi licked his lips, his eyes burning with anticipation as he looked at the man in leather and his group. There were over thirty of them, enough for a warm-up.
The man in leather and his subordinates were stunned as they watched Li Xiaotian and Long Yi converse. Then, they burst into laughter.
"How do we want to die? Hahaha, you two clowns are going to make me die of laughter! Don't you see how many people I have? Can't you count?"
The man in leather sneered and waved his hand, about to order his subordinates to attack.
Long Yi's eyes flickered, awaiting Li Xiaotian's command.
"Stop! Stop immediately!!" Suddenly, a loud shout came from a distance. Following that, Song Wei, with a group of men in suits, ran over quickly.
The man in leather was about to curse, but his expression immediately changed upon seeing Song Wei. He stood at attention respectfully.
As the top official of Jiangnan, someone at his level, though he hadn't seen Song Wei in person, he had seen countless photos and wouldn't mistake him.
Song Wei, leading his subordinates, charged in. Seeing the scene before him, he felt immense fear. At the same time, he was relieved that he had arrived in time to prevent a major mistake; otherwise, he would have been finished.
Li Xiaotian's expression remained calm. He glanced at Song Wei. Long Yi glared fiercely at Song Wei. With the latter's arrival, his chance to act was gone.
Song Wei walked up to Li Xiaotian and, without a word, knelt down on both knees.
"Song Wei pays his respects to Lord Li. I implore Lord Li to forgive my transgressions!"
Upon witnessing this, the man in leather's face turned pale instantly, cold sweat streaming down his face. With a thud, he also knelt, and his subordinates behind him knelt with expressions of terror.
In an instant, except for Li Xiaotian and Long Yi, everyone around them was kneeling.
Li Xiaotian looked at Song Wei and said playfully,
"Song Wei? You've arrived just in time. Tell me, what is your crime?"
Song Wei's head was pressed firmly against the ground. Hearing Li Xiaotian's words, he quickly replied,
"Song Wei's discipline has been lax. Although these people are not my men, allowing these blind fools to offend Your Lordship is a crime for which Song Wei deserves to die!"
The kneeling man in leather, upon hearing Song Wei's words, was so terrified that cold sweat poured down his face. He immediately began to kowtow incessantly, his head hitting the ground with loud thuds.
Li Xiaotian glanced at the man in leather, frowned, and said lightly,
"It's a bit noisy!"
"Slap!" Upon hearing this, Song Wei immediately turned and slapped the man in leather across the face. The latter, startled, immediately behaved himself. Then, Song Wei turned back and continued to kneel facing Li Xiaotian.
A trace of admiration flashed in Li Xiaotian's eyes. He said lightly,
"Have them all leave a hand behind, then you follow me."
"Yes! Yes! Thank you, Your Lordship!" Song Wei responded quickly, feeling relieved, afraid that Li Xiaotian would hold him accountable for this matter.
Sounds of muffled groans filled the air. Song Wei's subordinates stepped forward, covered the mouths of the man in leather and his group, and then proceeded to break the arms of those individuals without any hesitation.
Li Xiaotian walked ahead, with Long Yi and Song Wei following behind him.
"Song Wei," Li Xiaotian called out.
"Your humble servant is here!" Song Wei immediately replied, bending slightly.
Li Xiaotian couldn't help but smile and nodded, saying,
"Don't be so reserved. You are doing very well."
"Thank you for your praise, Your Lordship!" Song Wei replied immediately, his heart filled with immense joy. He had been praised by the Dragon King!
Song Wei already knew Li Xiaotian's identity. His own boss had told him, and it was with Li Xiaotian's permission.
Li Xiaotian estimated the time and felt it was about right. He prepared to enter the Cloud Palace.
As they reached the entrance of the Cloud Palace, a father and son hurried over from the other side. It was the Su family father and son.
The Su family father and son had met Li Xiaotian before. Li Xiaotian could be considered a benefactor to their Su family. Of course, Li Xiaotian wouldn't pay attention to such a small matter, but the Su family father and son had always remembered it and regretted not having an opportunity to repay Li Xiaotian.
After receiving Long Yi's call that evening, the Su family father and son rushed over from home without delay. Seeing Li Xiaotian now, they were filled with excitement.
"Su family patriarch Su Haoran! Pays his respects to Your Lordship!"
"Su family, Su Ping! Pays his respects to Your Lordship!"
The Su family father and son bowed deeply, their voices filled with reverence. This scene shocked the security guards at the entrance of the Cloud Palace.
Their employer, the owner of the Cloud Palace, the current patriarch and future patriarch of the Su family, were showing such great respect to that person in public!
At this moment, everyone who witnessed this scene was filled with suspicion about Li Xiaotian's identity.
"You've arrived at the perfect time. Let's go. You'll need to cooperate with me well later," Li Xiaotian said with a faint smile, hoping his prepared surprise would please his wife.
The Su family father and son were bewildered but dared not ask Li Xiaotian anything. They could only obediently follow behind Li Xiaotian and enter the Cloud Palace.
At this moment, in the private room for Ye Qingmei's class reunion, Su Haitao suddenly barged in, breaking the room's tranquility.
"Uncle Su, why are you here? Who did you say you were looking for?" Xue Zhiyuan, upon seeing the middle-aged man enter the room, immediately stood up with a smile.
Su Haitao cast a faint glance at Xue Zhiyuan, ignoring him, and asked again,
"Excuse me, who among you is Li Xiaotian's wife, Ms. Ye Qingmei?"