Chapter 66: Elder Ji in Danger

After hanging up the phone, Guan Sheng's expression unconsciously turned icy.

He was not deaf, and he naturally heard the distress in Li Yuran's tone, realizing she had been provoked in some way.

Though he did not know the exact details, Guan Sheng could sense that the other party's words had been sharp.

Whatever it was, after the day after tomorrow, no one would ever dare point fingers at his wife again.

Meanwhile, standing before him, Tang Haofeng, the behind-the-scenes boss of the Old Jiangnan and the esteemed President of the Jiangnan Province First Chamber of Commerce, lowered his head tremblingly, not even daring to breathe loudly.

Guan Sheng put away his phone and stared fixedly at Tang Haofeng. "The charity banquet hosted by the 'Yuran Jiangnan' group the day after tomorrow must be of the highest standard. If any fools like the ones from the other day show up, I will burn your hotel to the ground."

His tone carried an unyielding, chilling edge.

Tang Haofeng, who had witnessed Guan Sheng conversing with that legendary tycoon, did not dare to show the slightest negligence. He nodded repeatedly. "Rest assured, rest assured, I will definitely make the banquet flawless..."

"I will also have my people prepare all the invitations you requested and deliver them personally to your guests. But... but who exactly are the big figures you are inviting?"

Guan Sheng paused for a moment just as his phone rang. He answered it and held it to his ear, hearing Zhang Qingyu's voice from the other end.

"Mr. Guan, Elder Ji has just woken up. You may come over now."

"Understood." Guan Sheng hung up the phone and said to Tang Haofeng, "I don't know the exact guest list, but Elder Ji will soon let you know who will be coming."

Hearing this, a storm of violent waves surged once again in Tang Haofeng's heart.

Was this man actually going to have Elder Ji personally issue invitations to the titans of Jiangnan Province?

Who on earth was this person?

How could he possibly have such immense clout?

If Elder Ji personally invited people to attend the charity banquet of 'Yuran Jiangnan,' then the status of these guests would be far beyond ordinary business elites or entertainment celebrities...

Watching Guan Sheng's departing figure, Tang Haofeng seemed to have already foreseen the scene that would unfold the day after tomorrow...

It would be a charity banquet of the highest standard, the highest rank, and the utmost weight in the history of Jiangnan Province!

At this thought, Tang Haofeng's legs grew somewhat weak with fear. Despite outwardly appearing as the glorious President of the Jiangnan Province First Chamber of Commerce, he knew better than anyone that in the Dragon Kingdom, having money, fame, and talent could never compare to having raw power!

"What kind of immense fortune did the Li family's daughter accumulate over past lives to be able to marry this mysterious titan..."

Tang Haofeng could not help but sigh inwardly.

***

In Jiangcheng, outside a modest villa tucked away in a quiet neighborhood near the inner-ring area of the city center, undercover agents wearing sunglasses hid in the surrounding darkness, monitoring every movement nearby.

With such security measures, even a fly within a radius of three hundred meters would have been clearly observed.

Inside the villa, Zhang Qingyu—a female secretary with an exquisite figure and a face that rivaled any current top-tier celebrity in the entertainment industry—walked over to Elder Ji carrying a cup of hot tea.

Placing the teacup down before him, Zhang Qingyu bowed slightly and reported, "News has come from the capital. The people in the courtyard interrogated several secret agents."

"However, on the very night they were captured, all of them died mysteriously in their cells."

"The forensic autopsy conducted by Long'an concluded that they were poisoned to death."

Hearing this, Elder Ji's eyes, hidden behind his reading glasses, turned as sharp as an eagle's—profound and suffocatingly intense.

He continued reviewing the stack of documents in his hands while a subtle, imperceptible curve touched the corner of his lips.

"It seems the old foxes in the imperial court are finally afraid."

Zhang Qingyu asked softly, "The high official at Long'an has asked for your instructions on whether a new residence should be arranged for you."

"Your influence is simply too great, and if you continue to stay in Jiangcheng, I'm afraid..."

Before she could finish, Elder Ji shook his head and flipped a page of the documents. "There's no need. I am quite comfortable living here."

"Elder Ji..." Zhang Qingyu attempted to persuade him further.

However, Elder Ji changed the subject, pointing to a section in the documents. "Tell me, what kind of origin is that tiger mark on that young man's body? Even the massive database of our Dragon Kingdom cannot find any relevant information regarding such a tiger mark within the martial world..."

"Is it that this young man's background is too profound?"

"Or is the martial world hiding far too many secrets from us secular rulers?"

Zhang Qingyu did not answer; she merely sighed. Ever since leaving the medical clinic of the divine doctor Zhang, Elder Ji had mobilized all secret personnel to investigate the origin of the tiger mark.

Yet the results were far from satisfactory.

The Dragon Kingdom's database contained zero useful information.

Seeing that Zhang Qingyu remained silent, Elder Ji's smile gradually faded, replaced by an expression of seriousness and displeasure.

"Very well, there's no need to worry about me. I refuse to believe those old foxes are bold enough to assassinate me."

"Planting secret agents to monitor me is the absolute limit of what they dare to do."

"As for those people in the martial world, they dare even less. I have my reasons, Xiao Zhang, so you needn't worry about me."

"But..." Zhang Qingyu began to speak.

Outside, a series of knocks suddenly sounded at the door.

Instantly, the sound of an intercom crackled in Zhang Qingyu's ear. Upon receiving the identity of the person knocking, she immediately spoke.

"Everyone freeze and hold your positions. That person is a distinguished guest of Elder Ji."

With that, Zhang Qingyu turned and walked toward the door. When she opened it, the person standing there was none other than Guan Sheng.

He had arrived.

Upon seeing him, Elder Ji's face broke into a smile once again, looking at him much like an affectionate grandfather gazing at his grandson.

"You brat, it seems you've come to me because you need something!" Having lived for so long, Elder Ji instantly saw through Guan Sheng's intentions.

This god of slaughter always acted alone; if not for a specific matter, why would he ever take the initiative to seek him out?

Guan Sheng walked into the room, but instead of immediately stating his purpose, he critiqued, "The positions of those thirty-odd fellows outside are far too exposed."

"If they were to encounter top-tier assassins, every single one of them would be a sitting duck."

"Old man, is this the kind of security treatment your Dragon Kingdom provides?"

Hearing this, Zhang Qingyu's expression turned somewhat ugly. After being disciplined by Guan Sheng that day, she realized she alone could not protect Elder Ji, so she had immediately contacted the senior official at Long'an to secretly dispatch agents for protection.

Who could have imagined that the elite guards of Longcheng's top-tier security organization, Long'an, would receive such a substandard evaluation from this man?

If anyone else had said such words, Zhang Qingyu would have undoubtedly scoffed with disdain.

But given Guan Sheng's identity...

He certainly possessed the qualification to say so.

Elder Ji shrugged. "Sigh, in your eyes, what kind of security would ever be considered an impenetrable fortress?"

"Why don't you offer some guidance?"

Zhang Qingyu instantly understood and immediately spoke into her earpiece, "Everyone, move inside!"

"Bzzzt..." Suddenly, a burst of static crackled through the headset.

The response that should have followed never came!

It was as if the agents hiding in the darkness out there were all... dead!

Zhang Qingyu's gaze tightened. "Number Thirty-Three, respond!"

"Number Twenty-Seven?"

"Number Ten?"

"Number Eight?"

"Where is everyone?"

Zhang Qingyu's heartbeat steadily accelerated, filled with an inexplicable sense of unease.

Guan Sheng's expression shifted slightly. He raised his arm, feeling the tiny hairs on his skin stand completely on end!

That was the instinct toward killing intent honed from years of walking on the razor's edge!

Just then, the static of static crackled through Zhang Qingyu's headset once more.

Followed closely... by a faint, weak human voice.

"Run... run away..."

"Snap!" That was the sound of a neck being violently broken.

Swish!

Zhang Qingyu was struck with absolute horror!

Not good, something was wrong!

A long blade materialized in Guan Sheng's hand, half the length of his arm. He slowly turned to face the street outside the door.

At that exact moment, the sky filled with dark clouds, and a torrential downpour began to pour.

"Boom!" A streak of lightning tore across the sky!

Guan Sheng loosened his joints. "Old man, it seems we have uninvited guests!"

Elder Ji lowered his documents, stood up with his hands behind his back, and let out a cold snort. "Those people have truly lost their minds!"

"Brat, your timing is impeccable. Care to lend a hand?"

Guan Sheng's eyes turned chillingly dark. "Very well!"

"Consider this the price for the favor I am asking of you."

"Old man, you've made a killing."

"After all, my assassination services are extremely expensive!"