Metropolitan System

Chapter 24: Zhao Wuji

Xu Jie’s message created an uproar that rippled throughout Tiandu. As for Zhang Changgeng, he did not bother holding anything back. He immediately gathered over 200 people, each of them veterans of many battles. On top of that, he had also invited about a dozen martial art experts who shared a good relationship with him. In the span of one afternoon, everyone was already gathered at his villa. And on the same evening, a fleet of several dozen vehicles set off toward the suburban district.

Everyone was of the opinion that Zhang Changgeng was making a big fuss over a minor issue. During the afternoon, Jiang Bai’s information had been dug out by many people. It was said that he was a capable fighter capable of fighting several dozen people alone. Even the river crossing dragon from the north that had arrived not long ago was chased away from Tiandu by him. It was also said that due to that incident, some sort of relationship had been established between Jiang Bai and that person.

But Jiang Bai was still a kid. Regardless of how capable a fighter he was, a force this large to deal with him was an overkill. As a matter of fact, many people thought that Zhang Changgeng was trying to kill a mosquito using a cannon, making a big deal out of nothing.

At the central area of Tiandu, at the center of a lush garden was a manor occupying several acres of land. A middle-aged man in glasses was standing respectfully beside a couch, reporting to a graceful-looking man who was lounging on the couch with his eyes shut and a glass of red wine in hand.

“Master Zhao, Zhang Changgeng has made his move. He has over 200 people gathered, and among them were over 20 convicted murderers, each armed with a firearm. He is bringing along 12 martial art experts, and even the Hong Fist Grandmaster, Zhou Shilong, is there as well. They are now on their way to the factory. What do you think he’s doing?

“From what I heard, the kid called Jiang Bai is indeed quite strong. He is at least a pseudo Grandmaster. Even the dog of Old Nalan was beaten back by him not long ago. But even so, Zhang Changgeng’s reaction is a tad bit too excessive.”

Not far from them, men in black suits could be seen everywhere. The entire manor was heavily-guarded by these men. The man on the couch was about 40 years old with a handsome appearance, dressed in a traditional Chinese robe. After taking a sip of wine, he slowly stood up with the help of the man beside him. And as he slowly stepped forward, he spoke.

“Hehe. What else can it be? Zhang Changgeng has been very busy lately. This is simply a show of force. Due to my bad health, he is probably getting ambitious. He is waiting for me to die so he can start fighting others over the empire I left behind.”

This was supposed to be an age where he still had a robust body, yet it took him great effort to just walk. He was holding a crutch yet still needed someone to support him as he walk. It was clear his health was in bad shape.

“He dares to think that way? I will kill him right this moment!” When the middle-aged man heard that, his face fell and he declared furiously.

“Hehe, you…are still as rash as ever. It has been so many years yet your temper is still the same. I know myself. I don’t have much time left. But even so, as long as I am still alive, he won’t be able to do anything. As Old Zhang grows in age, he must have gotten senile as well. He thought he is some big shot just because of his smooth growth in recent years? In truth, he is still a nobody. Does he really believe that what happened between him and Li Qingdi three years ago was due to his own power?

“If Li Qingdi hadn’t been holding back in fear of me, he could have destroyed Zhang Changgeng and his family right then. Yes, Zhang Changgeng’s backer is quite powerful, but still not quite good enough to face Li Qingdi. In fact, that backer has to worry about his own position as well. There are many dragons capable of overturning seas and rivers here at Tiandu. And of those dragons, which of them can Zhang Canggeng actually suppress?

“He is ambitious, but unfortunately, he lacks insight. A person like him will never amount to anything great. Compared to him, I am more worried about that little tiger from the south. He has been setting his sights on me for quite a while. Even with me here, he is already brave enough to challenge us. After my death, the tiger will be unleashed.”

Master Zhao spoke with a smile on his face after waving his hand. But toward the end, his expression turned solemn.

“This…”

At the mention of the tiger, the face of the middle-aged man fell as well. A trace of fear flickered in his eyes. That tiger wasn’t an opponent to be trifled with. He wasn’t called the Tiger of the South for nothing. As mentioned by Master Zhao, although that person was young, he was truly a ferocious tiger!

“Alright, stop talking about him. Although the tiger holds absolute power at the south, it’s not like he has no opponents. Over the past two years, that madman from Hong Kong had broken several of his fangs. Before he can do anything here, he has to first clean up the danger lingering behind him. But that madman is no easy opponent. Their fight will likely continue for quite some time…And there’s also the Dragon of the Capital, Li Qingdi waiting around despite the setback he had suffered back then. Hahaha, looks like the floodgates will be opened the moment I die.”

Master Zhao laughed as he spoke, seemingly not bothered about these people at all. Then, he recalled something as he said, “I owed Xu Jie’s master a favor in the past. Since Xu Jie is his only direct disciple, give Zhang Changgeng a call. Tell him that I don’t care what he does to Jiang Bai, but Xu Jie must remain alive. Tell him these words come directly from me.

“That young man called Jiang Bai is quite a surprise. He actually has the guts to challenge Zhang Changgeng to an upfront confrontation. He is gutsy, but unfortunately, he lacks wisdom. I doubt he can survive this. But if he really does manage to survive this, I will have a whole new of respect for him. If he survives, there is no harm in bringing him to see me. Perhaps in a few years, he will also be one of the dragons capable of overturning seas and rivers.”

Done speaking, Master Zhao turned around and left.

At the same time, within a graceful countryside courtyard at the outskirts of Tiandu, an old man in a robe had received the same news as well. His body trembled slightly when he heard that, but he did not say anything. He waved his hand, telling the bearer of news to leave before he continued watering the plants in his garden.

After a long time, he muttered to himself, “Xu Jie, this is a path you have chosen for yourself. I only hope this is the right path.”

All that had happened was unknown to Jiang Bai and the others. Since noon, Xu Jie and his underlings had been feasting. Jiang Bai had told them that anyone who wanted to leave may do so. He would not stop them.

But surprisingly, the kids that came with Xu Jie seemed to be completely fearless as well. Not a single one of them left. Seeing that, Jiang Bai decided to reward them. He ordered some meat and liquor and just like that, they all sat there and feasted, seemingly having forgotten about the incoming crisis.

As for the pitiful Zhang Tian’ang, he was left lying on the ground with all four limbs broken. He spent an entire afternoon groaning in pain, coughing some blood occasionally due to the injuries his internal organs had sustained. He looked to be in an incomparably sorry state, the arrogance he had earlier was nowhere to be seen. The only thing he was feeling was an intense fear, fearing that Jiang Bai would decide to drag him down even as they were about to die.

Time passed, and night finally arrived. A bunch of torches were lit up all over the abandoned factory. It was also at this time that sounds of vehicle rang out from the distant. Car after car arrived without stop, while men in suits got off the cars like an unending current.