Dozens of cars sped towards them, their reckless driving causing widespread panic and forcing people to scatter. Following the sedans were two battered vans, creating a starkly incongruous scene.
Soon, the sedans screeched to a halt in front of the breakfast shop. The vans stopped too, and dozens of burly men wielding makeshift weapons spilled out, quickly surrounding the establishment. Only after this ostentatious display of force did the occupants of the sedans disembark with an air of importance.
Leading the charge was Jiang Chao, the leader of the Black Tiger Gang. Dressed in a Tang suit and sporting large sunglasses, he leaned on a dragon-headed cane, giving him an appearance far removed from that of a typical gang boss.
Behind Jiang Chao stood two elderly men, his most trusted martial arts experts, known as the Xuan Ming Elders. Both appeared to be in their sixties, one lean and the other slightly portly. However, their eyes gleamed with sharp intelligence, revealing them to be true masters.
Following them were two more individuals, the remaining members of the Four Vajras: Zhao Xiong and Zhang Meng.
The imposing group entered the breakfast shop, drawing a crowd of onlookers from a distance. They couldn't fathom what offense this humble establishment had committed to attract such a formidable force of "devils," certain that its days were numbered.
Inside the breakfast shop, Lu Fan and Fan Xue'er were calmly sipping tea. The others, however, had already fled through the back door. Even the shop's owners, Li Deli and Zhou Cuicui, had gone into hiding.
Feng San and Niu Sheng slumped on the floor, while Hao Ge and his companions knelt respectfully, too terrified to move. Even as Jiang Chao and his entourage entered, they dared not rise, for Lu Fan had warned that anyone who moved without his permission would have their legs broken.
As Jiang Chao and his men entered, chairs were immediately brought over for them. Jiang Chao glanced at Lu Fan, then at Fan Xue'er beside him, a flicker of surprise in his eyes. "Damn! This kid lives more luxuriously than I do, with a beautiful young woman accompanying him for tea... And she's truly stunning!"
"Kid! You injured my men and then demanded ransom for them. You've got some nerve! Should I say you're a formidable youth, or that you're a tiger trying to climb a tree?" Jiang Chao looked at Lu Fan, then at Feng San and Niu Sheng, his expression one of utter disbelief. Could these two Vajras truly have been injured by such a young brat?
"What's all the nonsense? I'm not here to chat with you. Your men tried to bully my woman and scared her. You owe us compensation for emotional distress. Did you bring the money?" Lu Fan downed his tea in one gulp, slamming the cup onto the table.
Recently, especially after dealing with the Bai family's affairs, he had come to deeply appreciate the saying "the strong are respected." Sometimes, one had to assert oneself, or others would assume you were easily bullied. Besides, he possessed the strength to do so.
"Hmph! No one has ever dared to threaten the Black Tiger Gang before. You, kid, are the first. And you'll be the first to die a miserable death for it!" Before Jiang Chao could respond, Zhao Xiong stepped forward, pointing at Lu Fan and shouting. Zhao Xiong inwardly cursed Feng San and Niu Sheng for being such useless weaklings, beaten so badly by such a young man. It was a disgrace to the Four Vajras that their leader had to personally intervene.
*Crack... Bang...*
As soon as Zhao Xiong finished speaking, he felt a searing pain on his face, followed by his lower leg feeling as if it had been struck by an iron bar. With a thud, he collapsed to his knees.
*Swish...* Jiang Chao's face instantly changed, and even the Xuan Ming Elders beside him grew stern. Lu Fan's speed was so extreme that neither of them had time to intervene.
"Another one, five million!" Lu Fan returned to his seat, speaking as he offered Fan Xue'er a fresh cup of tea. Fan Xue'er understood immediately, picking up the teapot and pouring him a cup.
Zhao Xiong felt the burning sensation on his face and the bone-chilling pain in his leg. He tried to stand but couldn't. He wanted to curse... but suddenly fell silent. His mouth had been too quick. If he had known this would happen, he wouldn't have spoken, even if beaten to death.
"Kid! Have you heard of our Xuan Ming Elders?" the lean elder behind Jiang Chao suddenly asked.
"Holy cow... You've read too many Jin Yong novels, haven't you? Do you know those two guys met a terrible end? By the way, which one of you is Lu Zhangke and which one is He Biying?" Lu Fan couldn't help but blurt out, finding it utterly ridiculous, "Xuan Ming Elders."
"Kid! You will pay for those words!" The Xuan Ming Elders' faces contorted with anger. In Jinyuan County, everyone knew the fame of the Black Tiger Gang's Xuan Ming Elders. Countless people had met their end at their hands over the decades. They never expected this kid to mock them.
*Whoosh...* Xuan Chi lunged towards Lu Fan. *Swish...* A dagger suddenly appeared in his hand, thrusting directly at Lu Fan's chest.
*Whoosh...* The moment Xuan Chi attacked, Zhang Ming also made his move. *Swoosh...* A small, gleaming silver flying knife shot out from his sleeve, heading straight for Lu Fan's throat.
Damn! They were truly ruthless! Their attacks were lethal from the start, befitting the reputation of the Xuan Ming Elders!
Though standing beside Jiang Chao, the two moved with incredible speed. Xuan Chi flashed forward, his dagger already aimed at Lu Fan's chest. Simultaneously, Zhang Ming's flying knife reached Lu Fan's throat. They attacked from both sides with near-perfect coordination.
*Whoosh...* Lu Fan shifted his feet, and the table in front of him instantly slammed into Xuan Chi. *Bang...* It struck Xuan Chi squarely in the stomach. The dagger, which had been inches from Lu Fan's chest, could advance no further. Almost at the same instant, Lu Fan's hand shot out, catching the flying knife as it grazed his throat, leaving a tiny red mark on his skin.
Clearly unwilling to give up, Xuan Chi tried to lunge forward, intending to bury his dagger in Lu Fan's body.
*Smack!* Suddenly, the flying knife in Lu Fan's grip slammed down, impaling Xuan Chi's dagger-wielding hand onto the table. *Ahhh...* Xuan Chi cried out in pain, his hand pinned.
"Thank you for your flying knife!" Lu Fan smiled faintly at Zhang Ming, then turned to Jiang Chao. "Now it's ten million! Of course, you can also choose to have me cripple these men."