94: When soldiers come, we'll block them; when water comes, we'll dam it!

"Yes!"

The attendant responded solemnly, immediately pulling out a cell phone and walking to the side.

The wild laughter on Zhao Tiangang's face came to an abrupt halt.

Was Zhou Weiguo going to... wipe them out completely?!

He didn't doubt for a second that Zhou Weiguo had that kind of power!

Once the Provincial Department really took action, those so-called "protective umbrellas" of the Azure Dragon Society would probably be the first to throw him out to save themselves!

"Zhou Weiguo!"

"You... You're so ruthless!"

Zhao Tiangang's eyes felt like they were splitting. He struggled to get up, but Ye Chen stepped on his back, pinning him back down to his knees.

"Ruthless?"

Zhou Weiguo sneered.

"Compared to the evils your Zhao family has committed over the years, what do my methods even count for?"

He paused.

He stopped looking at Zhao Tiangang and turned his gaze toward the guests in the hall, who were as quiet as cicadas in winter.

"You have all seen and heard everything today."

"Zhao Tiangang and his gang are arrogant and lawless, daring to openly storm a private banquet and commit assault with weapons!"

"Such wicked deeds are intolerable by heaven and unpardonable by law!"

"I, Zhou Weiguo, implore you all: if the Provincial Department needs to investigate in the future, please cooperate and provide clues and evidence truthfully!"

"We must thoroughly uproot this tumor that has plagued the Provincial Capital for years and restore a clear sky to our Fujian Province!"

As his voice fell, a chorus of agreement immediately rang out in the hall.

"Rest assured, Elder Zhou, it is our duty!"

"The Zhao family's sins are overflowing; it's about time they had this retribution!"

"We will certainly cooperate fully with the investigation!"

...Among the guests present, which one wasn't a shrewd fox?

Seeing that Zhao Tiangang's power was gone and Zhou Weiguo had taken such a clear stand, if they didn't voice their support now, when would they?

Moreover, the Zhao family had indeed committed many crimes over the years and offended no small number of people.

When a wall is about to fall, everyone gives it a push; when a drum is broken, everyone beats it!

Zhao Tiangang slumped on the ground, his face ashen, but his cloudy eyes were filled with venomous resentment.

Just wait!

Every single one of you, just wait for me!

When they arrive... every last one of you!

Will pay the price!!!

Just then, the piercing sound of sirens came from outside the hall.

A squad of fully armed SWAT officers, led by hotel staff, quickly entered the banquet hall.

The officer in charge scanned the scene in the hall, nodded to Zhou Weiguo, and then gave a sharp wave of his hand.

"Take them away!"

Several SWAT officers stepped forward, handcuffed the slumped Zhao Tiangang and all the others lying on the ground, and quickly led them away.

Ghost Old Man and Scalpel Man were naturally taken away as well.

The two were pale, no longer harboring the slightest thought of resistance.

They regretted it... why hadn't they just run away back then?

Why did they even go to the Zhao family?

Now the Zhao family was gone... A moment later, peace was restored to the hall.

Zhang Sansheng breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly stepped forward, cupping his hands to Zhou Weiguo and Mr. Ye. "Old Zhou, Mr. Ye, today's matter was due to my lack of consideration. I've caused you both distress."

Zhou Weiguo waved his hand.

"Old Zhang, it's not your fault."

"It's that old scoundrel Zhao Tiangang who lost his mind and brought about his own destruction."

He turned to Ye Chen with a warm smile. "As for Mr. Ye, you've opened my eyes once again today. With divine medical skills and earth-shattering martial arts, you are truly a remarkable talent of this age!"

Ye Chen smiled slightly.

"Elder Zhou, you flatter me. These are just minor tricks, not worth mentioning."

"Mr. Ye, you're too modest."

Zhou Weiguo looked deeply at Ye Chen.

"Furthermore..."

"You don't need to take Zhao Tiangang's final words too seriously, Mr. Ye."

"His grandson Zhao Yi may indeed have some connections, but no matter who is involved, as long as you act uprightly, Mr. Ye, no one on this land can touch you!"

"Although I have retired, I still have some influence."

"If anyone is blind enough to make things difficult for you in the future, just come to me!"

These words were a promise.

The guests around them, who were listening intently, were shaken once again.

Elder Zhou had truly accepted Ye Chen... Ye Chen felt a warmth in his heart and solemnly cupped his fists. "Thank you, Elder Zhou."

Zhou Weiguo laughed and patted Ye Chen on the shoulder.

"What's there to thank?"

"You saved my life, and I'm returning the favor with some peace. It's only right!"

Having said that, he looked around and added.

"Everyone, today's banquet was spoiled by those scoundrels. It's truly a disappointment."

"However, to meet a young hero like Mr. Ye and witness such astounding medical and martial skills makes this trip worthwhile!"

"Old Zhang, we'll make up for this banquet another day!"

Zhang Sansheng nodded quickly. "Of course, of course!"

Zhou Weiguo nodded to Ye Chen and Bing Lan again before turning to leave, surrounded by his family and attendants.

Once Zhou Weiguo left, the atmosphere in the hall relaxed considerably.

But the way all the guests looked at Ye Chen had completely changed.

Previously, they had been in awe of his medical skills.

Now, they also had to add fear of his terrifying martial prowess and... Zhou Weiguo!

This young man had suddenly become someone in the top circles of the Provincial Capital that no one dared to provoke lightly!

Zhang Sansheng stroked his beard and smiled.

"Mr. Ye, Miss Bing Lan, you were both disturbed today."

"Another day, I will definitely host another grand banquet to formally apologize!"

Ye Chen shook his head. "Elder Zhang, you're too kind. This matter had nothing to do with you."

Bing Lan also said softly, "Elder Zhang, please don't take it to heart."

Zhang Sansheng nodded and exchanged a few more pleasantries before turning to greet and reassure the other guests.

Zhang Wuji leaned in close to Ye Chen, his eyes full of admiration.

"Master Ye, you're amazing!"

"Those were the Thirteen Death Zodiacs!"

"That's the gold-medal assassin team of the Black Prison!"

"And you wiped them all out by yourself!"

Ye Chen was stunned for a moment. "What is the Black Prison?"

"The Black Prison is the most powerful assassin organization in the East!"

Zhang Wuji said with great excitement.

Ye Chen was suddenly surprised... Zhao Tiangang had actually hired assassins to deal with him?

Why did it feel like... he had gotten into trouble again?

He took a deep breath and asked, "What, you want to learn?"

"Yes!"

Zhang Wuji's eyes lit up, and he nodded like a chick pecking at grain. "Even in my dreams!"

Ye Chen smiled.

"Memorize the yellow emperors inner canon first, then we'll talk."

Zhang Wuji's face fell, and he immediately lost his spirit.

Was he joking?

He didn't have his grandfather's brainpower. If he really tried to memorize it, he'd probably be dead before he finished the book!

Zhang Lu walked over and said solemnly to Ye Chen.

"Mr. Ye, although Zhao Tiangang has been brought to justice, we must remain vigilant against his remaining forces."

"I will keep a close eye on the Provincial Department's follow-up cleanup operations. If there's any unusual activity, I'll inform you immediately, Mr. Ye."

"Thank you for your trouble, Mr. Zhang," Ye Chen said politely.

"It's only right."

After a few more words, Ye Chen noticed that Bing Lan looked a bit tired, so he bid farewell to Zhang Sansheng's family and left the banquet hall with her.

After walking out of the hotel and getting into the car, Bing Lan finally rubbed her brow.

"Tired?" Ye Chen looked at her.

Bing Lan shook her head slightly. "I'm okay. I just didn't expect so much to happen just from going out for a meal."

Ye Chen gave a helpless smile.

"The tree wants to be still, but the wind keeps blowing. Some troubles simply can't be avoided."

Bing Lan turned to look at him, her cool eyes reflecting the flowing lights outside the window. "What do you think about... the person behind Zhao Yi that Zhao Tiangang mentioned at the end?"

Ye Chen gripped the steering wheel, his tone calm.

"Soldiers at the gate, water at the dam."

"No matter who is behind him, if they want to make a move... they'll have to weigh their own worth first."

Bing Lan pursed her lips and spoke.

"Zhao Tiangang wouldn't have said those things without reason."

"It's better to be careful... about everything."

"Yeah, I will." Ye Chen nodded. "I'll take you home first."

"Okay."

The car merged into the traffic and drove toward the Number One Courtyard... Meanwhile.

Somewhere in the waters of the East, on a private island.

Dense palm trees rustled in the night breeze, and waves gently lapped against the pure white beach.

By the outdoor infinity pool, a dark-skinned middle-aged man leaned back in a large beach chair, resting with his eyes closed.

He looked to be about fifty years old, his left leg empty below the knee, but his exposed upper body was knotted with muscles and covered in various hideous scars, like centipedes crawling across his bronze skin.

Most striking was the blood-red, menacing ghost claw tattooed on his chest, its tips seemingly about to tear through his skin.

Just then.

A blond-haired, blue-eyed white man in a floral shirt hurried over, his expression somewhat grim.

He stopped beside the dark-skinned man, bowed slightly, and said in a low voice.

"Hall Master, news has come from the Eastern Branch..."

"The Thirteen Death Zodiacs' mission in Xiamen City... failed."

"They were completely wiped out."

The Hall Master opened his eyes.

"Completely wiped out?"

"Did the opponent deploy a Grandmaster? Or... did the authorities intervene?"

The blond man's face was tight as he explained word by word.

"According to the vague intelligence from the scene, the opponent... was only one person."

"A young man named Ye Chen."

"The Thirteen Death Zodiacs besieged him but were defeated one by one. The entire process took no more than a minute."