Returning after 10000 Years Cultivation - Chapter 162

“Yes, yes! First, a toast to Master Jiang!”

“Brother Hao is absolutely right! A toast to Master Jiang!”

The wealthy men in the room scrambled to their feet, their faces filled with reverence and awe. They raised their glasses with both hands and solemnly poured the wine onto the floor.

Only after paying this respect did they dare to sit down and begin drinking in earnest.

Bai Choufei raised his glass with a flattering smile. “Brother Hao, back in the day, we were blind and ignorant, and we offended Master Jiang. Although Master Jiang is benevolent and magnanimous, and didn’t hold it against us, we still feel deeply uneasy. We’d really like to make it up to him somehow…”

“How do you plan to do that?” Zhou Zhenghao asked, glancing at him sideways.

“To be honest, I’ve noticed that Master Jiang is quite young and a martial artist. People like that usually have robust constitutions, strong hormonal drives, and often… appreciate female company,” Bai Choufei said, a hint of smugness appearing on his face. “And as you know, I run a film and entertainment company. Women are the one thing I’m not short on. There’s this artist named Li Huiyan—excellent character and looks. I was thinking of presenting her to Master Jiang…”

“Xiao Bai, watch your words!” Zhou Zhenghao slammed the table and barked. “If you try something like that, you might not live to see tomorrow!”

“Brother Hao, what’s wrong with that idea?” Bai Choufei’s face fell, confused.

“Master Jiang’s character is as pure as the bright moon and the gentle breeze. How could he be as dirty and vulgar as you and me?” Zhou Zhenghao’s face was full of reverence, his tone solemn. “Countless society beauties and young ladies admire and pine for him, but he values emotional bonds and family above all. He maintains impeccable self-discipline and never lets his gaze wander! If you recklessly send a woman to him, especially if the Lady finds out, he’d probably cut you down on the spot!”

“So that’s how it is! Thank you for the guidance, Brother Hao! You’ve saved me from utter ruin!” Bai Choufei felt ashamed of his own baseness, and a cold sweat broke out on his back, his heart pounding with fear.

Just then, Bai Choufei’s phone rang. He answered it, then shook his head, his expression turning grim.

“What’s wrong?” Zhou Zhenghao, rough but observant, noticed his displeasure and asked.

“Ah, don’t even ask. Some fan went to see Li Huiyan. Probably got refused for an autograph or photo, and a fight broke out. Several of my bodyguards are seriously injured!” Bai Choufei said with a bitter smile.

“What the hell? Are they insane? Since Master Jiang rose to power, Jiangbei has been peaceful. Who dares to cause trouble now?” Zhou Zhenghao slammed the table in anger. “Let’s go! It’s been a while since I’ve roughed anyone up. Perfect chance to stretch my legs!”

“Brother Hao, this is your territory. I’ll be relying on you!” Bai Choufei was overjoyed and stood up eagerly.

…

“Jiang Tian, please, just go!” Li Huiyan pushed Jiang Tian a few times, but he didn’t budge.

Guo Mengjia had already pulled her aside, sneering coldly, “Huiyan, can’t you see it yet? He’s a worthless good-for-nothing! He thinks the world is that simple? That everything can be solved with fists? This isn’t high school anymore, and it’s not just some schoolyard fight. He has no brains at all. How can he possibly compare to Young Master Bai?”

“Ah, forget it. Since I can’t persuade him, maybe it’s better if he learns his lesson the hard way…” Hearing this, a flicker of disappointment crossed Li Huiyan’s eyes, and she shook her head gently.

Tonight, her emotions had been turbulent, undergoing subtle changes.

The moment she saw Jiang Tian, she had indeed recalled their beautiful past and struggled to control her long-buried feelings.

But upon learning that Jiang Tian was married, his appeal in her eyes diminished significantly.

Given her current status and position, it was absolutely impossible for her to become his mistress.

Especially after the series of events that followed—Jiang Tian’s disdainful attitude toward Bai Choufei—she felt profoundly let down by him. Her affection for Jiang Tian had almost completely vanished.

Now, compared to Bai Choufei, this Jiang Tian who didn’t know when to advance or retreat seemed utterly ordinary, even a bit… foolish.

Thinking this, Li Huiyan shook her head self-deprecatingly, her beautiful eyes filled with desolation and bitterness.

How foolish she had been!

Just because he had fought for her a few times in high school, she had clung to his memory, even going so far as to give him her most precious first time.

But people must learn to grow up, must move forward. Neither she nor Jiang Tian should—or had the right—to dwell in the past forever.

She even regretted meeting Jiang Tian today, shattering those beautiful memories she held of him.

The glorious of their youth was better off kept as a memory in the depths of her heart.

Like soap bubbles in the wind or sandcastles on the beach, they couldn’t withstand the slightest test of harsh reality. A gust of wind, a wave, and they vanished without a trace.

As her thoughts wandered, a group of people suddenly poured into the backstage area. Leading them were a middle-aged man with a ruthless air and a handsome man in his thirties.

It was Zhou Zhenghao, Bai Choufei, and their entourage, who had rushed over from the banquet.

“Brother-in-law! You’re here!”

Hei San, finally seeing his backer arrive, struggled to his feet despite the pain, scrambling to greet him like a dog seeing its master.

“Young Master Bai, they hit me! You have to get justice for me!” Guo Mengjia also stepped forward, tearfully complaining with a pitiful expression.

“Kid, my brother-in-law and Brother Hao are here now! Let’s see how he finishes you off!”

It was a wonder that Hei San, with a broken arm, could still muster such energy, pointing at Jiang Tian and threatening him.

But before he could finish,

Thud!

Bai Choufei fell to his knees, trembling like a leaf, kowtowing repeatedly as if pounding garlic. “Master Jiang! I didn’t know they had offended you! It’s all my fault for failing to control them! Please, spare me this once!”

In that instant, he was truly scared out of his wits.

Master Jiang!

The man who had even crushed Wei Shuofeng! Killing Bai Choufei would be as easy as slaughtering a chicken!

Bai Choufei feared nothing in heaven or earth; he had killed people in his teens. But his greatest fear was Jiang Tian.

He could never forget the terrifying scene of Jiang Tian controlling fire to burn people to ashes.

The image of Jiang Tian, soaring like a dragon, forcefully confronting the ten li of profound earth energy at Tide Listening Mountain, was deeply branded into his soul.

For many days, whenever he recalled those scenes, he felt a chill run down his spine, as if plunged into an ice cellar.

Right now, he hated everything—he regretted this so much his intestines were turning green!

How could his men be so blind as to provoke Master Jiang?

No, it was his own fault for being so stupid! He never should have come to Linzhou to expand his business!

Everyone present was stunned, their faces filled with disbelief, as if they had seen a ghost in broad daylight.

The esteemed Bai Choufei! A top-tier young master from Yangcheng, with underworld connections, leader of the Feiyun Society, immensely powerful, on par with Tang Shaoze. Even when meeting provincial-level leaders, he remained composed and graceful.

But now he was kneeling and kowtowing to this seemingly unremarkable young man, Jiang Tian!

“Oh, stand up and speak,” Jiang Tian lit a cigarette, taking his time, and didn’t even bother to look at him.

“Master Jiang, I… I wouldn’t dare…” Bai Choufei remained prostrate on the ground, worshipping, his whole body shaking uncontrollably, scared to the point of tears.

He could never forget how Tang Shaoze’s cousin had offended Jiang Tian and ended up chopped into pieces and fed to the dogs.

And how Tang Shaoze’s legs were broken again, forcing him to leave Yangcheng and develop his business in Su Province!

He was terrified, worried that offending Jiang Tian today would lead to the same fate.

Witnessing this scene, Li Huiyan’s heart was rocked by shock and disbelief. She stared wide-eyed, unable to believe what she was seeing, as if she had seen a ghost in broad daylight.

It was unbelievable!

She was from Jinling and had long heard that the Jiang family was on the decline. Jiang Tian, having caused trouble and been expelled from the family, was the most down-and-out young master. In terms of background, skill, or ability, how could he compare to Bai Choufei?

But now Bai Choufei was kneeling to Jiang Tian, like a student before a teacher…

No, that wasn’t even enough. It was like a descendant seeing the apparition of an ancestor, or like facing a demon god—extreme respect and fear.

“Young Master Bai, what are you doing? You’ve got the wrong person! What Master Jiang, Master Garlic? This is my high school classmate! A good-for-nothing idiot who never studied!” Guo Mengjia tried to pull Bai Choufei up.

“Don’t… don’t talk nonsense…” Bai Choufei’s face turned pale with fear, his eyes bulging as if they might pop out. He felt like slapping Guo Mengjia away.

Seeing that she couldn’t move Bai Choufei, Guo Mengjia turned and pointed a sharp finger at Jiang Tian, scolding harshly:

“Jiang Tian, that’s enough! Stop pretending to be some mystical figure! Get down on your knees and return the courtesy to Young Master Bai right now! Otherwise, I will never let you off!”

Hei San, still not grasping the situation, stomped his feet and yelled, “Brother-in-law, why are you kneeling to him? What kind of trash is he? Is he even worth you kneeling? Just finish him off already!”

“Don’t you drag me down with you!”

Bai Choufei finally lost control. He sprang to his feet, snatched a handgun from one of his companions, and shot Hei San in the leg.

“Ahhh! Mom! It hurts so much!”

Hei San’s kneecap was instantly shattered, blood gushing out. He fell to the ground, clutching his leg and screaming in agony, his face contorted in pain.

“His screaming is so unpleasant! Sounds like a pig being slaughtered!” Zhao Qianru covered her ears, frowning and stomping her foot.

Zhou Zhenghao’s men immediately moved to drag Hei San out. Still not fully understanding, Hei San yelled,

“Brother-in-law, how could you do this to me? I’ve served you faithfully all these years!”

Zhou Zhenghao, knowing Jiang Tian preferred quiet and hated loud noises, promptly punched Hei San in the gut, forcing the rest of his words back down. Then, gritting his teeth, he whispered something in Hei San’s ear.

“Wha… what? He… he is Master… Master Jiang?!” Only then did Hei San finally understand. His face instantly turned deathly pale, and he was struck dumb, even forgetting his pain for a moment.

He struggled, wanting to crawl back to Jiang Tian and beg for mercy, but it was too late. He was dragged out.

After Hei San was gone, the room fell completely silent.

Jiang Tian couldn’t be bothered to speak. Bai Choufei and Zhou Zhenghao, knowing they had made a grave mistake, didn’t know how to apologize.

As for the women like Liu Yating and Li Huiyan, they were already pale-faced from the sight of blood and didn’t dare to speak.

The wealthy men from Linzhou and Yangcheng who had followed Bai Choufei and Zhou Zhenghao looked at Jiang Tian with shock and unease, trembling.