Chapter 39: Romance and Clamor

However, Zhang Pu instantly noticed Liu Qingyan’s hidden dissatisfaction.

The scenery here was indeed beautiful, with tall tropical trees all around. In the moonlight, the entire Weiming Lake appeared veiled in a delicate mist, poetic and picturesque.

In his previous life, Zhang Pu had certainly been naïve, but after a thousand years in the world of cultivation, not even a clever girl like Liu Qingyan could outmaneuver him emotionally. Still, for the moment, Liu Qingyan seemed to have her own untold story, which piqued his imagination.

Soon enough, the two of them sat together on a viewing platform, looking every bit like a couple. They ordered drinks: Zhang Pu chose a cola with ice, while Liu Qingyan picked a lemon ice.

Sitting side by side, neither spoke much at first.

Suddenly, both noticed a group of more than a dozen people aggressively approaching. Among them seemed to be—Wu Yu!

Even before the group arrived, Zhang Pu and Liu Qingyan had already recognized him. So the retaliation had come this quickly! Both thought the same, but it was hardly surprising; after all, Wu Yu’s father owned most of the Weiming Lake area.

Well then? Bring it on!

At that moment, Wu Yu fixed his gaze on Zhang Pu, who still sat calmly on the bench, and sneered inwardly: Zhang, you never expected I’d dare defy you, did you? And that I’d come so quickly! The way you treated me before—I’ll pay it back tenfold!

And Liu Qingyan...

Yes, Zhang Pu, I’ll ruin your reputation in front of her!

My father’s men are the real deal—not like those security guards I brought before. And this time, Uncle Zhou has come with us. Uncle Zhou is formidable—not only a top martial artist in the Qingwu area but also someone whom both the underworld and legitimate circles respect!

Zhang Pu! You’re a great fighter—so much so that you’ve terrified me—but you’re also reckless and heedless of consequences. Tonight, you’re going to learn a lesson you’ll never forget.

As the group drew near, both Zhang Pu and Liu Qingyan grew alert. They could sense the extraordinary skill of these men—and, more importantly, there were many of them. Zhang Pu also worried whether any of them might be armed; although guns were officially banned here, it wasn’t uncommon for some to carry them in secret.

With his current cultivation, Zhang Pu couldn’t dodge bullets. Despite his intensive recent training and the costly medicinal herbs he’d used, cultivation was not something that could be achieved overnight. Reaching a level where he could evade bullets like the master martial artists would take time.

But since the situation was upon him, Zhang Pu had no choice but to face it head-on. Even if he couldn’t dodge bullets, he could find ways to prevent his opponents from firing—perhaps with a few minor spells from the cultivation world.

“That’s the guy, right?” At this moment, Wu Yu’s father, Wu Jigong, was confirming with Wu Yu.

“Yes, that’s him. I’d recognize him even if he were reduced to ashes!” Wu Yu replied through clenched teeth.

“Good!” Wu Jigong, who had always indulged his beloved son, immediately turned to his top fighters. “Go, take that kid down first!”

Yet just as five or six martial artists prepared to charge at Zhang Pu, a man who had been leisurely trailing behind suddenly called out, “Wait—!”

These martial artists all knew this man. Though he and their boss addressed each other as equals, in truth, their boss was more like his subordinate. When he spoke, even their boss had no choice but to obey.

“Brother Yu—” Wu Jigong was momentarily at a loss. The boy had assaulted his people—confirmed by his own son. Someone had dared to cause trouble on his turf, so why was Zhou Yu, who always supported him, acting so out of character today?

But Zhou Yu seemed not to hear Wu Jigong. In a flash, he darted past the martial artists he had just stopped.

As Zhou Yu approached Zhang Pu, the latter was perplexed. Zhang Pu had never expected Zhou Yu—one of Master Zeng Guoxing’s top men—to be here at Weiming Lake, let alone to be part of Wu Yu’s group. But there was no doubt—Zhou Yu had arrived with Wu Yu’s entourage.

Yet while Zhang Pu was surprised, Zhou Yu’s expression was full of warmth and respect for him.

“So you’re here too!”

Whether Zhou Yu was simply making conversation or being courteous, the sincerity and respect in his manner toward Zhang Pu were unmistakable.

Even Liu Qingyan, observing from the side, could see it clearly. Her face was filled with astonishment. She seemed to recall having seen Zhou Yu in some high society gathering before—not a deep impression, but she knew he was among the most prominent figures in the Qingwu area.

Moreover, from the respectful attitude displayed by Wu Yu’s father just now, Zhou Yu’s status was evident. As an outstanding young woman, Liu Qingyan was no mere ornamental beauty; her powers of observation were excellent. When Wu Yu had stormed in with his group, she had quietly taken in every detail.

Wu Jigong was deeply puzzled by Zhou Yu’s unusual behavior but had now approached as well.

Who exactly was this young man to Zhou Yu? Could he be his illegitimate son? Yet they looked nothing alike… Wu Jigong’s thoughts were in turmoil. Zhou Yu’s background was formidable; Wu Jigong usually treated him with the utmost deference. Yet now, Zhou Yu seemed to be treating this young man with equal, if not greater, respect.

Damn! It’s not my fault I don’t know—the world just changes too fast! In Wu Jigong’s mind, it was as if ten thousand wild horses were galloping madly.

As he drew near, Zhou Yu turned and casually said, “This young man is the one who saved Master’s life.”

Zhou Yu’s voice was soft, as if he were speaking only to Wu Jigong.

But those understated words struck Wu Jigong with the force of a mountain crashing down, nearly robbing him of breath.

Master… Wu Jigong knew exactly whom that referred to.

And this student—God! Zhou Yu said he was Master’s savior, which meant…