Chapter 130: The Contemporary Magnate, Master Gu

When the name “Brother Zong” escaped from Xiangzi’s lips, many onlookers—those who had seen the world—began to murmur in astonishment.

“Brother Zong? Could it really be that Brother Zong?” one exclaimed.

“Which Brother Zong?”

“In the entire Forty-Nine City, is there any other Brother Zong? Of course, it’s Zhang Tianzong, the top expert under Fourth Master—Brother Zong!”

“Oh, it’s him!” Upon hearing Zhang Tianzong’s name, the man gasped in awe, a hint of reverence evident in his voice.

“I heard Zhang Tianzong is Fourth Master’s personal bodyguard, never leaving his side. If he’s here, does that mean Fourth Master himself has come...?”

“Brother... Brother Zong, you’ve arrived just in time! This brat came causing trouble in our Zijin territory and injured so many of us. You must definitely help us settle this!” Usually brash and reckless, the desperate outlaw Xiangzi now cowered like a servant before Zhang Tianzong, as if forgetting he had just been slapped hard enough to bleed by one of Zhang’s men.

The burly Zhang Tianzong cast a grim look down at Xiangzi clinging to his leg, utterly ignoring his words as if he hadn’t heard a thing.

Zhang Tianzong and his men stepped aside respectfully, bowing in unison toward the corridor behind them.

Under the gaze of the crowd, a tall man in a long black coat emerged, his expression cold and composed.

This man had a fair complexion and delicate features, his black hair slicked back to a glossy sheen. He wore gold-rimmed glasses perched upon his nose, lending him an air of refinement and kindness in his brows.

Judging by his appearance alone, he looked more like a sophisticated intellectual or a university professor.

Yet, given the reverence Zhang Tianzong and the others showed him, it was clear he was no academic but a true local overlord.

“Fourth Master! This must be Fourth Master Gu!” someone who’d seen the world immediately recognized the refined man’s identity.

Indeed, this was the infamous Gu Hanliang—Fourth Master Gu of Forty-Nine City.

At the mention of his name, the crowd erupted in astonishment.

Fourth Master! The legendary Gu Hanliang!

Living in the capital’s Forty-Nine City, they had heard countless tales of Fourth Master Gu, a near-mythical figure in their eyes. To see him in person stirred waves of excitement among them.

Even Ni Fang and Lingling were rendered speechless with excitement at Fourth Master Gu’s appearance.

To them, Fourth Master Gu held far greater sway than any youthful celebrity or idol.

Having grown up in the capital, they had been raised on stories of Fourth Master Gu, who stood as a formidable and commanding figure of the era.

As the crowd marveled at Fourth Master Gu’s presence, many secretly relished Lin Le’s misfortune.

“This guy, Lin Le, has the biggest backing in Zijin—Fourth Master Gu himself. He’s incredibly unlucky to have arrived just as Fourth Master showed up; not even the Jade Emperor could save his life now!”

“Exactly, that kid’s really hit the jackpot of bad luck!”

Those nearby nodded in agreement, having heard ample stories of Fourth Master Gu’s decisive ruthlessness.

Zijin was Fourth Master Gu’s turf, and to dare make trouble here, injuring his men so badly—there was no way Lin Le could survive this.

The crowd’s gaze on Lin Le was as if he were already dead.

Ding Jun and Zhang Yang felt a surge of pride. They had expected retaliation against Lin Le but never imagined it would come so swiftly—and with Fourth Master Gu himself present.

“Lin Le, let’s see how you’ll escape death this time!”

“Four... Fourth Master...” Xiangzi was utterly stunned upon seeing Fourth Master Gu.

He tried to appeal to him for help, but a single look from Zhang Tianzong froze him to the ground.

“What are the rules about the gun?” Zhang Tianzong’s voice was low and menacing.

Xiangzi trembled violently, unable to imagine that a man who feared even death would now be so terrified.

“You... can’t shoot in public...” Xiangzi stammered, his voice shaking.

Before he finished, Zhang Tianzong lifted his boot and delivered a brutal kick directly to Xiangzi’s face.

“Still daring to act recklessly, damn it!”

With a loud thud, Xiangzi was sent flying several meters.

The force was tremendous; his entire face caved inward, his nose flattened, blood pouring as he lay unable to rise.

The crowd was stunned into silence by Zhang Tianzong’s fierce display.

Throughout this, Fourth Master Gu’s gaze never lingered on Xiangzi; to him, Xiangzi was mere dust, unworthy of a second glance.

Fourth Master Gu only cast a brief look at the wounded guards sprawled along the corridor, showing not anger but a bitter, amused smile.

“Quite the spectacle,” Fourth Master Gu said with a smile.

It was as if those beaten men had nothing to do with him, only entertaining him.

Everyone knew Fourth Master Gu was temperamental and unpredictable.

One moment he smiled, the next he might take your life.

So even with a smile on his face, an icy chill swept through the crowd, plunging them into tense silence.

Then Fourth Master Gu lifted his gaze and fixed it upon Lin Le, not blinking away.

In their hearts, everyone knew what was coming.

Fourth Master Gu was here to settle accounts with that brat.

He strode slowly down the corridor toward Lin Le.

With each step, the guards on the floor, writhing in pain, hurriedly moved aside, not daring to delay Fourth Master Gu even a moment.

Watching him approach, Lingling and the others grew anxious. Zijin was Fourth Master Gu’s domain; Lin Le had smashed his turf and struck his men. Knowing Fourth Master Gu’s nature, they feared he would be merciless.

Ni Fang sighed deeply. She had hoped that knowing Mr. Haidong Lin would bring her protection, but now Lin Le had crossed Fourth Master Gu’s path, and his burgeoning reputation and promising future seemed doomed.

After all, Fourth Master Gu’s fame and strength far surpassed that of a mere local warlord like Lin Le from Haidong.

With Lin Le’s current power, confronting Fourth Master Gu head-on was like smashing a stone with an egg.

Ni Fang lamented the wasted potential. If Lin Le had kept a low profile in Haidong for twenty years, he might have met Fourth Master Gu and possibly earned some favor. But now, no matter how renowned he was in Haidong, he could never enter Fourth Master Gu’s sight. Such was his ill fate.

Ding Jun and Zhang Yang were ecstatic, practically jubilant, ready to witness Lin Le’s demise at Fourth Master Gu’s hands.

“Lin Le, we’re eager to see just how you’ll die!”

At last, Fourth Master Gu came to stand opposite Lin Le.

Just as everyone expected Fourth Master Gu to strike at any moment, a sudden smile crept across his lips, his expression brightening.

“Mr. Lin, forgive me for keeping you waiting,” Fourth Master Gu said with a bow and a warm smile.