Chapter 109: The Price of Kneeling

There are three bowls of noodles in this world that are the most unpalatable.

The face of a person.

The face of emotions.

The face of the situation!

Wu Tianhao had lived for half a lifetime, becoming a prominent figure in the southwest region of Yunhe County's underworld, and he was still alive and well to this day. He had not earned an undeserved reputation.

However, at this moment, sweat beads the size of soybeans slid down his forehead, and his expression stiffened as he looked at the steward. Yuan Luoyu?

The steward knelt on the ground with a thump, his voice trembling as he said, "Master, you're not mistaken. It is indeed the second young master of the Yuan family."

A buzzing sound resonated in Wu Tianhao's head, and his vision darkened as if his head was about to explode.

Although his expression remained calm, a storm of astonishment and fear raged within his heart.

In Yunhe County, there was only one Yuan family.

Within the Yuan family, there was only one second young master.

That was Yuan Luoyu!

Suddenly, Wu Tianhao realized something and asked, "How did my folding fan end up in the hands of Yuan Luoyu?"

The steward swallowed his saliva with difficulty and said, "According to the Black Tiger Gang, when they went to deal with that young offender, Young Master Yuan was also present..."

Hiss!

Wu Tianhao couldn't help but inhale sharply.

He knew too well the nature of those ruffians from the Black Tiger Gang. He didn't need to think to know that they had flaunted his folding fan and inadvertently offended Yuan Luoyu.

This...

Wu Tianhao, who had cultivated his mind and temperament for many years, was so enraged that he almost cursed.

"Master, Young Master Yuan also sent a message, saying that he wants you to personally... personally..."

On the ground, the steward stammered.

"Apologize? That's a given. In Yunhe County, no matter how big my face is, in the eyes of Young Master Yuan of the Yuan family, it's worth nothing..."

Wu Tianhao sighed deeply, feeling extremely conflicted.

While others saw him as immensely influential, who would have known that in the eyes of those top-tier clans, a big boss like him from an underground force couldn't step onto the stage at all?

"However, I have made connections with many influential figures in my lifetime. If I personally apologize and show enough sincerity, Young Master Yuan of the Yuan family shouldn't make too much of a fuss."

Wu Tianhao pondered, contemplating how to handle this matter flawlessly and without any hidden dangers.

If he could turn this disaster into an opportunity, it would be even better.

But the steward kneeling on the ground was dumbfounded and couldn't help but speak again, "Master, Young Master Yuan said... he wants you to kneel in Hululu Alley, and he will only give you a quarter of an hour. Otherwise, he will bring people to ransack your house and exterminate your family..."

The steward finished speaking in one breath, gasping for breath urgently.

Wu Tianhao felt as if he had been struck hard on the head with a blunt weapon. His face turned pale, his scalp tingled, and his hands and feet trembled.

A few days ago, when Lü Quan, the leader of the Black Tiger Gang, came to rescue him, he hadn't taken it seriously at all. He even thought he could take advantage of the situation.

But now...

Wu Tianhao had a sense of impending disaster!

He, who had remained calm in his dealings for many years, was truly panicked at this moment, devoid of the composed and strategic mindset of a cunning hero.

Bang!

He slammed his palm against the white jade railing in front of him. Wu Tianhao was burning with anger, a murderous intent filling his face as he gritted his teeth and said, "That damn Lü Quan, how dare he harm me! Does he really think I haven't killed anyone in these years and don't have a knife to use?"

The steward, with a tearful voice, said, "Master, what should we do?"

The young concubine on the side had already been frightened to the point of pallor, sitting paralyzed there with a deathly pale face.

Seeing this scene, Wu Tianhao angrily pointed at the concubine and said, "With a face as pale as this, are you planning to mourn for me? Get lost!"

The concubine was so frightened that she scrambled away on her hands and knees.

However, deep inside, she felt incredibly resentful. Just now, Wu Tianhao had said that there were countless enchanting faces in the world, yet he called her a mourning face now!

Indeed, men, regardless of their age, were not good beings!

Wu Tianhao took a deep breath, and his air of dominance began to return. He spoke decisively, "You go to the storeroom and have someone bring up all the treasures locked in the bottommost hidden compartment!"

"I can't avoid bleeding this time. It doesn't matter if I lose face; there is a great chance that I will be pushed into the abyss. Once such a thing happens, it's no different from being robbed and exterminated. After all, if I fall, those little wolves in the southwest region will certainly pounce and take a bite."

The steward nodded hurriedly.

Wu Tianhao exuded a fierce killing intent as he said, "Tell Zhong Wen to lead people and raid the Black Tiger Gang. No matter what, I want that damn Lü Quan's head brought to me!"

"Yes!"

The steward nodded repeatedly, resembling a pestle pounding garlic.

Wu Tianhao no longer hesitated and walked away.

Although he appeared calm as ever, his departing figure seemed incredibly desolate.

Within his heart, there was still a lingering and nagging doubt.

Who exactly was that young man who had befriended the mud-covered urchin in Willow Lane?

...

Just half a quarter of an hour.

Wu Tianhao rode his horse madly all the way into Hululu Alley.

Until he reached the front of the humble residence, he dismounted, disregarding his slightly disheveled appearance. He took a deep breath and bowed deeply, saying, "Wu Tianhao, a humble man, has come to redeem himself!"

The door of the humble residence remained open.

From Wu Tianhao's perspective, he could clearly see the figures of Yuan Luoxi and Cheng Wuyong standing in the courtyard.

In that instant, the last trace of his wishful thinking was completely shattered, and a chill ran down his spine.

Yuan Luoxi!

The jewel in the palm of the Yuan family.

Cheng Wuyong!

An elder of the Yuan family, a master at the pinnacle of the Gathering Qi realm.

In addition, Yuan Luyu, whose figure was as imposing as a mountain, was like three great mountains pressing down on Wu Tianhao, who was accustomed to facing storms and tempests. It felt as if his spine was about to snap.

"Indeed, these black-market bosses who can only lurk in the shadows are nothing compared to real power."

Huang Qianjun sighed inwardly.

In less than a quarter of an hour, Wu Tianhao, who dominated the southwest underworld, had arrived and now stood before them, bowing and scraping like this!

In the pavilion, Su Yi lay on a wicker chair, his eyes narrowed as he pondered the intricacies and mysteries of the Soul Sword Technique, "Great Void Soul Sword Art."

Last time on the boat, it was with this secret technique that he severed the soul of a grandmaster with a single sword strike.

However, at that time, using this secret technique almost depleted his soul power.

But now, after tempering his soul day and night with the "Heavenly Transformation Scripture," he had reached a point where he could easily display some of the mysteries of the Great Void Soul Sword Art.

Feng Xiaoran sat obediently on the side, fanning Su Yi with a folding fan.

In the entire courtyard, only Feng Xiaofeng and Ah Fei were somewhat surprised. As people who grew up in Yangliu Alley, how could they not be aware of Wu Tianhao's might?

But now, Wu Tianhao, who used to be awe-inspiring, had come to redeem himself like a frantic old dog!

Silence.

No one paid any attention to Wu Tianhao; they seemed to be completely indifferent to his presence.

But this disregard made Wu Tianhao feel even heavier in his heart, and his temples and forehead were drenched in sweat.

"I know I have done wrong, and I am sincerely terrified and repentant in my heart. I hope I can make amends with enough sincerity!"

As he spoke, Wu Tianhao gritted his teeth and waved his hand towards a nearby place.

His steward had arrived, holding a two-foot-long bronze box in his hands.

Bang!

Wu Tianhao opened the bronze box and placed it in front of him on the ground. Inside the box were the most precious treasures he had collected in his lifetime, including rare third-grade spiritual medicines and invaluable spiritual materials.

The value was enough to make even a Martial Grandmaster jealous!

Then, Wu Tianhao bowed again and said, "This is a small token of my sincerity. I hope you honorable people can forgive me!"

Seeing the master who had dominated the world for many years now bowing and scraping like this, the steward beside him was filled with sorrow and fear.

This was the might of the Yuan family, terrifying and overwhelming!

However, what made Wu Tianhao and his steward feel chilled was that no one in the courtyard paid any attention to them, as if they were invisible.

In an instant, Wu Tianhao's face turned pale.

He couldn't understand that the price he had paid was far from enough!

With this realization, he smiled bitterly, his knees bent, and he prostrated himself on the ground, trembling as he said, "Wu Tianhao, a humble man, has come to redeem himself!"

This kowtow meant more than just a loss of face.

It meant that the reputation and prestige Wu Tianhao had accumulated over decades in Yunhe County were now completely destroyed!

"This old thing actually kneeled down..."

Lü Quan, who was in a restaurant not far from Hululu Alley on the third floor, saw this scene through the window crack and his expression changed dramatically.

He had a bad feeling about this.

Before, he was only happy to have dragged Wu Tianhao down.

But he never expected that Wu Tianhao, such a black-market overlord, not only didn't bring people to storm Hululu Alley, but instead knelt down like this!

"It's over. The person who tore up that old guy's fan must have a huge background! Wu Tianhao will definitely want me dead for this!"

Lü Quan was distraught.

"I must leave. I can't stay in Yunhe County anymore!"

Lü Quan turned around, intending to escape as soon as possible, without bothering to watch the excitement anymore.

But as soon as he stepped out of the room, he saw an expressionless, cold face.

Zhong Wen!

Wu Tianhao's top henchman!

Lü Quan felt his scalp go numb. How did he find him so quickly?

But before he could react, everything went black, and he lost consciousness.

In the courtyard of the humble residence.

Yuan Luoyu finally reacted. He looked up at Wu Tianhao kneeling there and sneered, "You think you're a wolf, but you're just an old dog."

His words were full of contempt.

Wu Tianhao was in a daze, his expression numb.

"Lord Su, how do you think we should handle this matter?" Yuan Luoyu turned to Su Yi, his face showing a touch of respect.

Lord Su?

Wu Tianhao trembled in his heart. He had a hunch that the young man in the pavilion must be the one who killed those thugs from the Black Tiger Gang!

And what made him shudder was that the second young master of the Yuan family showed such respect towards this "Lord Su."

This was completely beyond his expectations!

Wu Tianhao finally understood where he went wrong. Initially, he subconsciously connected this "Lord Su" with the lowly and poor people gathered in Yangliu Lane!

"Xiaoran, what do you think we should do?" Su Yi looked at Feng Xiaoran, who was fanning him.

Feng Xiaoran was taken aback for a moment and said, "Brother Su Yi should make the decision. However, when I was captured by the Black Tiger Gang, there is a clear cause and effect. If it were me seeking revenge, I would definitely go after the Black Tiger Gang."

At this moment, Wu Tianhao felt as if he had grasped a lifeline. Excitedly, he exclaimed, "Rest assured, Miss. The Black Tiger Gang will be expelled from Yunhe County today!"

As if to confirm his words, a tall and thin man hurriedly approached Wu Tianhao and respectfully presented a bloody severed head.

"Sir, this is the head of Lü Quan!"