Changes in Yanjing

It seemed that Grandpa Xu didn't want to delve deeper into the topic. Ling Hong quietly sighed. After all they had only been recently acquainted so he couldn't force his decision. He figured that he could try again after getting more familiar with each other.

Sensing his dejection, Xu Bing suddenly changed the topic and asked "Did you just move in the area? If I'm right, the No. 3 Villa belonged to the Hua's. Are you a relative?" he asked.

Ling Hong said "No, I was just presented with an opportunity and this place was gifted." Following that he briefly explained how he and Hua Meimei used to live together and that Hua Jun arranged this place for him to live as thanks.

Hearing his explanation, Xu Bing went quiet for a few seconds before letting out a sigh and saying "Thank goodness, they finally they have some fortune. Things have not been going well for them these past few years."

Ling Hong's ears perked up at the reply. Were some things bothering the Hua Family? Since he had received their grace, he would definitely lend a hand if he could. He asked Xu Bing "Uh...Grandpa Xu, have you been here for a long time?"

"Yes, why do you ask?" he relied, curious at the abrupt question.

"I have been away from the city for nearly five years, so I wanted to know what changes had happened while I was away. Does it relate to what you said about the Hua Family facing problems?" Ling Hong asked cautiously.

Xu Bing thought for a while and decided to answer the young man's question. He began to explain the major events that had taken place.

It seemed things were going well for the first two years as new companies began to show up and more people got jobs. The lifestyle improved, people got richer and everything was due to the Blue Ocean Group prospering. But everything changed at the two years ago when a new company called Golden Lion sprang out of nowhere.

As soon as they appeared, they began to attack smaller branches of various businesses. People did not mind it at first but soon things turned grave after a year. The company started relying on dirty tricks to force others to close their business and then take them over. People wanted to retaliate but a gang named Azure Dragon which appeared to be a force under the Golden Lion Group beat them up mercilessly. Some even had severe wounds that left them crippled for life. The police could not take action because they were very meticulous and did not leave any traces.

After this event, they began acting more and more unbridled, finally starting to attack the Blue Ocean Group. But as an experienced businessman, Hua Jun held on and even counterattacked several times. This deadlock continued until two months ago when the Golden Lion Group snatched several branches of Blue Ocean Group by bribing their CEO's and Managers.

They even publicly announced that they would swallow up the Blue Ocean Group in time and wanted Hua Jun to become a mere Manager in their company. But Hua Jun surprised everyone by holding on. Meanwhile the Azure Dragon gang started kidnapping girls into prostitution for their Nightclubs and even blatantly did it in broad daylight. But by the time police arrived, these girls would say that they had willingly came for work and the gang had grown to an existence that could take on the police head on.

As such, these two organizations had started to lead Yanjing into ruin. But no one came out to stop them, even the Mayor seemed afraid. Then a rumor spread out that these organizations were under some family in the Beijing and had connections to suppress the mayor. Soon everyone accepted the harsh reality.

Hearing this, Ling Hong was shaken. No matter what, Yanjing was a city he had lived for so many years. To make it fall into this state, it seemed that they were intent on controlling the entire city. Also from the description of Azure Dragon gang, he was very sure that the people who attacked Ling Hong and Hua Meimei in the city was under them. It seemed that the should pay a visit to the gang.

He wished he could directly help but he couldn't do anything yet. He needed a plan.

Ling Hong got up and thanked Xu Bing, saying "Thank you for today, Grandpa Xu. I'll come by again when I have time."

As he walked away, Xu Bing suddenly felt a sense of similarity upon seeing his back. The image of a calm and composed young man from the past seemed to overlap with the image of Ling Hong.

"Could it be..." he muttered. But in the next moment, he shook his head. There was no way such a coincidence would occur - the man had died long ago and had no kids. But still he felt that he was comfortable as he talked to Ling Hong. He truly looked forward to the next time he came over.

Ling Hong exited the house and headed back home. When he returned, he saw Li Xin in the hall talking on the phone with someone. He slowed his footsteps and listened to the conversation.

"....Mmm yes I will come by tomorrow. No need to inform everyone." she said.

From the voice on the other end, it seemed to be another woman.

"Oh and tell her I'll be bringing a surprise when I visit. See you!" she hang up the call. As she turned around she caught sight of Ling Hong and yelped in surprise.

"Who were you talking to?" he asked.

"Oh? It was Xiao Fei, someone from the orphanage. She was the only one I had kept in touch with. I hadn't gone back for so long so I just wanted to let her tell Mother Ma so she would know." she replied.

"And the surprise you mentioned? Is it me?" he asked with a playful smile. To his surprise, she did not reply immediately but had a downcast look.

"Mother Ma.....she hasn't been well recently. She told me wanted to see you atleast once before her condition worsened." she said with a sad look.

Ling Hong patted her head and said "Don't worry. It'll be okay."

"Mmm now that Brother Ling will visit her, she would be happy." she said. "Where did you go?"

"Oh, I just went around the area and asked around about what happened in the past years." he replied.

"Ah. So you found out already." she said in a bitter tone.

Ling Hong felt something was wrong so he grabbed her and asked "Is there something you are still hiding from me?"

Li Xin bit her lips as she thought about whether she tell him about it or not. Seeing her hesitation, Ling Hong knew it must be something serious and she did not want to involve him. He said "Xinxin, tell me. I already said that you need not do anything and just stand by me. Your troubles are also my troubles."

Seeing how stubborn he was, Li Xin did not hold back anymore. She said "The Azure Dragon gang you heard about attacked the orphanage a few weeks ago and demanded they close it. They had done this thing to other orphanages in the area too. Mother Ma tried to bock them and got badly injured . The doctors said her heart had received damage and could not help her anymore unless she had money for a transplant, else she would probably die within a year. She refused for the sake of everyone in the orphanage and now she supposedly has only months left, that's why she wanted to see you once again."

"Bastards!" Ling Hong raged. Mother Ma was like a real mother to him, she had brought him up since he the day he could remember. He smashed a nearby chair in anger. The chair burst into pieces under his unconstrained strength, scaring Li Xin.

Looking at the scared girl, Ling Hong smiled and said "Don't worry. Did I not say that I was stronger than before? This was what I meant. I have become a cultivator."

"Cultivator? You mean like those martial arts in wuxia novels? Such a thing actually exists?" she asked, shocked at the sudden revelation.

"Mmm. It really exists, I was fortunate enough to be on this path. So don't worry about Azure Dragon gang. I'll beat them all up as revenge for Mother Ma." he said with a cold glint in his eyes.

"Br..Brother Ling, you looked scary just now." she stammered.

He chuckled, reached out and pinched her cheeks and said "Oh, are you afraid of me now?" She hurriedly shook her head in response.

"Then go and dress up, we'll go out to buy things now. I need you to show me around." he said and patted her head.

"Okay!" she said excitedly and ran off. Going shopping with him was something she always looked forward to. Now that there was a chance, she would definitely take it.