Chapter Forty: The Troublemaker Arrives

Just as Liu Fan and his companions were enjoying their meal, the door to their private room was pushed open. In walked a middle-aged man wearing a grayish-white suit. He had a thin face, black-rimmed glasses, and an average build. Beads of sweat trickled down his forehead, evidence of his hurried arrival.

He entered looking rather embarrassed and said, “Ladies and gentlemen, my name is Zhu Guangming, manager of this hotel. I apologize for intruding on your meal—it's rather impolite, I know. I’m here because there’s something I’d like to discuss with you all, if I may?”

Everyone looked puzzled, unsure of the manager’s intentions. All gazes naturally turned to Liu Fan, clearly regarding him as the leader. Liu Fan made no attempt to deny it and replied assertively, “What is it you want to discuss with us, Manager Zhu?”

“And may I ask your name, young man? Where do you study or work?” Zhu Guangming, perceiving that Liu Fan was the decision-maker, inquired warmly. In truth, he was trying to gauge Liu Fan’s background to better handle what he needed to say next.

“Manager Zhu, there’s no need for such formality. We're just students, acquaintances who happened to meet. Names aren’t important—just say what’s on your mind,” Liu Fan replied bluntly, having seen through Zhu Guangming’s probing.

Learning they were all students, Zhu Guangming’s eyes lingered briefly on the three women, whose beauty surprised him. He couldn’t help but entertain some thoughts, but the women’s air of distinction made it clear they were far from ordinary, and he dared not think further. As for the other three male students, Zhu didn’t even bother to notice them—what influence could a few poor students have, after all?

As a seasoned hotel manager, Zhu Guangming maintained an impeccable, friendly facade, his calm smile giving the impression of a spring breeze. He was even secretly pleased with his performance, unaware that Liu Fan could see straight through the act, amusedly awaiting Zhu’s next move as if watching a play.

“Well, here’s the situation,” Zhu Guangming began with a wry smile. “Master Qi has requested this very private room. He’s the hall master of the Axe Gang, one of the three major gangs in Shanghai. Our hotel can’t afford to offend someone like him. There are also several Japanese guests with them—fierce-looking men we dare not cross. So I must ask you to give up the room. Of course, tonight’s meal is on the house, as an apology for the inconvenience.”

Zhu Guangming was in a difficult position. Though his boss was influential, their hotel did business on the Axe Gang’s turf and had to pay a hefty “security management fee” every year—a protection fee in all but name. But if the gangsters wanted trouble, no amount of money could stop them smashing things up.

Liu Fan could see Zhu was doing his best and didn’t want to make things harder for him. Besides, they were nearly finished eating, and a free meal was nothing to refuse, even if he didn’t care about the money. There’s no reason to turn down a bargain, especially when avoiding trouble was preferable—though that didn’t mean he was afraid of it.

“What do you all think?” Out of respect for his friends, Liu Fan consulted the others. They all shook their heads, indicating they had no objections.

“Very well, that settles it for tonight. Next time, I’ll treat everyone to an even bigger feast,” Liu Fan said with a laugh.

“Thank you for understanding. If you come again, I can personally guarantee you a twenty percent discount,” Zhu Guangming replied with obvious relief, not forgetting to promote his hotel. As a manager, he had handled the situation quite gracefully.

But just because they were prepared to leave quietly didn’t mean others wouldn’t cause trouble. As everyone thought the matter was resolved, the door suddenly flew open with a bang—someone had kicked it in.

“Zhu Guangming, what the hell’s going on? How can you take so long to clear a room? Are you looking to lose your job?”

Before Liu Fan and the others could react, an arrogant voice rang out. They turned to the door to see a man in a black tank top, his muscular arms exposed. A green dragon was tattooed on his left arm, a white tiger on his right, and two crossed axes emblazoned across his bulging chest. His head was shaved, his skin dark, and a scar several centimeters long snaked across his cheek like a menacing centipede. He radiated a thuggish dominance, flanked by two bodyguards in black suits and sunglasses, their cold expressions making it obvious they were gangsters.

“Oh, Master Qi! I was just sorting things out with these students and was about to report to you. Didn’t expect you’d come yourself. I apologize!” Zhu Guangming immediately slipped into a fawning tone.

This was Master Qi, hall master of the Axe Gang, real name Zhao Qijin. He had trained in martial arts at the Shaolin Temple as an outer disciple, developing formidable physical skills, but was expelled for breaking temple rules. Wandering the streets, he nearly starved before being rescued by Jin Dalong, the Axe Gang’s boss, who took him in. Thanks to his martial prowess, Zhao quickly became Jin’s right-hand man and, within a few years, rose to the position of hall master. He had since sunk deep into the city’s debauched life, becoming a figure of terror and infamy, with countless deaths to his name. He was also notoriously lecherous—a true debauched monk.

“Damn it, Zhu Guangming, don’t try to play dumb with me. On my turf, and someone dares to fight me for a room? They must be tired of living,” Zhao barked, sparing no courtesy.

“Yes, yes, I’ll have them move for you right away,” Zhu Guangming replied, bowing and scraping—there was no helping it, the powerless must yield to the powerful.

“Then get on with it, damn it! If my guests are kept waiting and my business is delayed, you’ll answer for it,” Zhao snapped. People like him only grew more arrogant when others showed weakness.

Zhu Guangming turned back to Liu Fan. “Young man, you’d best leave now.” His eyes pleaded with Liu Fan and his friends to hurry. He knew all too well what kind of man Master Qi was—insatiably lustful. With three lovely women in Liu Fan’s group, Zhu, as a man of conscience, didn’t want trouble to occur under his roof, which would make things even worse.

Liu Fan had no desire to cause a scene and preferred to keep a low profile, but trouble had come seeking them. In that case, it was simply the other party’s bad luck.

Sure enough, just as Liu Fan and his friends were about to stand and leave, Zhao Qijin swept his gaze over the group and caught sight of the three women. He was instantly bewitched, nearly losing his very soul.

“Wait. The men can leave, but the women stay. Who would have thought such beauties could be found in a place like this? I’ve never had the pleasure of such fine ladies before. Exquisite!” Zhao leered, his eyes filled with greedy lust.

At that, Sun Junyao and Zhao Wanyi shrank behind Liu Fan, seeking the safety of his presence. Though both came from distinguished backgrounds, they were still young and inexperienced, unused to dealing with such vicious men. Liu Fan gently patted their shoulders in reassurance, and their fear began to subside, comforted by his calmness.

Meanwhile, the three “wolves” from Liu Fan’s dormitory sat at the table, looking on expectantly. They knew all too well how skilled Liu Fan was—he had easily taken down a king of special forces; dealing with gangsters like these would be effortless for him. So, they weren’t worried.

Their patience wasn’t shared by everyone, however. The fiery Chen Yazhi, upon hearing Zhao Qijin’s obscene words, could no longer restrain herself and shouted, “If you’re looking for a woman, go home to your mother! Say one more filthy word and I’ll beat you so badly even your own mother won’t recognize you!”

Liu Fan and his friends couldn’t help but smile at her spirited outburst—she was as fierce as ever.

“Oh, feisty little vixen! That’s what makes it fun, makes it flavorful—I like it. Wonder what you’re like in bed, eh?” Zhao laughed even more lasciviously, while his two henchmen grinned sycophantically behind him.

“You—!” Chen Yazhi was furious, ready to storm over and give Zhao and his men a thrashing to vent her anger, but before she could take a step, Liu Fan caught her hand.

“You’re not in the best shape for a fight right now. Let me handle this scum,” Liu Fan said calmly, with a gentle smile.

“Pervert!” Chen Yazhi’s face flushed red with embarrassment. She lowered her head and muttered the word under her breath.

Liu Fan only meant that, having just broken through to a new level, Chen Yazhi hadn’t yet fully consolidated her abilities and shouldn’t be fighting. But she misunderstood, thinking he was referring to her body’s reaction when he had recently helped treat her illness.

Had Liu Fan known what she was thinking, he might have wished for an immortal spell to sink into the underworld and plead his case to the legendary judge.