399: A big shot who only appears on TV

Chapter 391: A Big Shot Only Seen on TV

Distinguished Guests Arrive

On the driveway outside the gilded gates of the Old Lu Family Manor, three extremely ordinary-looking black sedans were slowly approaching.

The cars had no markings, and their windows were fitted with the darkest blast-proof film, completely obscuring the view inside, reflecting only a cold, hard metallic gleam as they passed.

At this moment, the Old Lu family bodyguards, who had long been lined up on both sides of the gate, were all dressed in black suits, with earpieces hidden at their collar edges, hands clasped in front of their stomachs, and backs ramrod straight.

They had clearly received advance notice, yet showed no hint of relaxation, their sharp gazes sweeping over the slowly stopping motorcade, their breathing unconsciously lightened, and even the curve of their jacket corners lifted by the breeze appeared exceptionally solemn, not daring to show the slightest slack.

To be treated with such solemnity by the entire Old Lu family, these were certainly no ordinary visitors.

In front of the crowd, Lu Yuliang, dressed in a well-fitted dark black suit, had his gaze firmly fixed on the middle car from the moment the motorcade appeared.

When the subtle sound of tires rubbing against the ground ceased, a barely perceptible solemnity flashed in his eyes, and he reconfirmed in his heart: This was the distinguished guest he had specifically waited for today.

Behind the dark car window sat a big shot capable of determining the fate of Yifeng Province.

And the sole purpose of this mysterious guest, who had traveled all the way from the The Capital, was to uproot Li Gangshan's backing.

The corners of Lu Yuliang's wrinkled eyes twitched slightly, and an indescribable surge of emotion welled up in his heart.

Lu Yuliang considered himself to have long cultivated a state of mind where honor and disgrace did not stir him, but the frequency of his heart beating in his chest at this moment could not deceive him.

Even during the peak of his political career, Lu Yuliang had never dared to hope to personally meet this individual.

To him, he was more like a distant and authoritative symbol; he had never imagined there would be a day of close contact.

As Lu Yuliang pondered, the door of the middle black sedan slowly pushed open, the soft click of the metal hinge exceptionally clear on the silent street.

Similarly, almost the instant the car door opened, Lu Yuliang instinctively held his breath, and even the breathing of the surrounding bodyguards seemed to halt with his.

The sense of solemnity pervading the air instantly solidified, and even the wind seemed to have stopped in place, not daring to disturb this moment of gravity.

There was awe for ultimate power, apprehension at facing a legend, and even a touch of unease he himself hadn't noticed.

Lu Yuliang's heart churned, but upon recalling his father's unperturbed face, all his chaotic emotions seemed to hit a pause button, gradually calming down.

In his memory, his father's face always carried an air of effortless composure.

Whether facing business dilemmas or intricate personal connections, there was never any panic in those eyes, as if as long as he was there, no problem was unsolvable.

Lu Yuliang suddenly understood that this big shot's visit was not just to eliminate Li Gangshan's backer; more importantly, he had come personally to pay his respects to his father.

This cross-level respect was earned by his father with a lifetime of prestige.

And for him to stand here, to have the opportunity to interact with such a distinguished person, ultimately, was thanks to his father's influence and his father's reputation.

Understanding this, the tension in Lu Yuliang's throat quietly dissipated.

His previously slightly leaning body unconsciously straightened a bit, and when his gaze fell back on the open car door, only an appropriate solemnity and respect remained.

Lu Yuliang also straightened his suit and tie, holding his back ramrod straight—he represented the Old Lu family, and he could not tarnish his father's prestige.

The driver, who got out first, almost jogged around to the back row, his movements a bit cautious as his fingertips touched the door handle, and with a soft “click,” the car door was steadily pulled open.

The first thing to come into view was a pair of gleaming black leather shoes, followed by a middle-aged man in a black casual suit slowly emerging from the car.

He wore a finely textured pure cotton casual jacket over a crisp pair of black trousers, devoid of any superfluous decoration, yet exuding a calm that required no deliberate display.

His hair was meticulously combed, the part as straight as if measured with a ruler.

However, a few sparse white hairs were interspersed among the dark strands, adding a gentle touch of age to his otherwise unremarkable face.

If one were to judge solely by his appearance, anyone would think he was just an ordinary man in his fifties, showing no hint of being a “big shot.”

And just as his feet touched the ground, the doors of the front and rear cars opened almost simultaneously.

Two similarly dressed middle-aged men emerged—the same black casual wear, the same neatly combed hair, even the unhurried aura in their brows was identical.

They did not rush forward, but stood tacitly on either side of the leading man, their gazes calmly sweeping over the Old Lu family mansion before them.

Although these three men had not uttered a single word, they added an invisible sense of pressure to the already heavy atmosphere.

Even a fool could tell that these three men, who had traveled together from the The Capital, were no ordinary individuals.

As soon as the three men stood still, a synchronized sound of footsteps came from behind them.

Six guards in light gray uniforms steadily Advanced, their crisp uniforms making their figures appear even more towering, shoulder lines as straight as a ruler, and sleeve buttons fastened tightly without a single crease.

Their strides were precisely spaced as if meticulously calculated, each footfall almost overlapping, without any hint of disorder.

Even more noteworthy was that all six kept their right hands at a fixed position at their waists, elbows slightly bent, fingertips no more than two finger-widths from their belts.

That was muscle memory formed from years of carrying firearms and maintaining constant vigilance.

Even now, within the protected confines of the Old Lu family mansion, this ingrained alertness showed no slack, silently demonstrating their professional caliber far beyond that of ordinary security personnel.

Lu Yuliang's gaze lingered on the six guards for a moment, and he quickly made a judgment in his heart — they were far more than just professional bodyguards.

Besides the keenness and composure honed from years of executing missions, he also detected a familiar aura from them.

It was a tautness of highly coordinated muscles and strength, and faint traces of exertion in their joints as they walked, identical to the stance of his second brother, Old Dog Lu Yulong, a master of National Art.

As if with just a signal, these guards could instantly switch from “guard” to “attack” mode, the power hidden in their fists and feet far beyond what ordinary security could match.

As soon as Lu Yuliang withdrew his gaze from the guards, he immediately stepped forward quickly, his steps steady and unhurried, his hands already naturally open in front of him, palms slightly upward, his posture full of respect yet without appearing obsequious.

“Leader Huang, hello!” His voice was clear and steady, carrying an appropriate warmth, “I am Lu Yuliang of the Old Lu family. It’s truly an honor for our entire Old Lu family that you personally made this trip from the The Capital!”

As he spoke, Lu Yuliang's hand was already extended steadily towards the other party, fingertips slightly curled, maintaining a polite distance while showing full sincerity.

The leading man—who was Leader Huang Tangming—looked at the outstretched hand, a gentle smile appearing on his face, devoid of any air of superiority.

He slowly raised his right hand, his distinctively jointed palm gently clasping Lu Yuliang's hand with moderate force, holding it symbolically for only two seconds before releasing it, responding in a calm tone: “Hmm, Mr. Old Lu, you are too kind.”

Leader Huang's voice was not loud, yet it carried a reassuring weight, instantly bridging the distance between them.

Upon hearing Leader Huang's response, the anxiety in Lu Yuliang's heart completely settled, and the smile on his face became even more genuine.

He bowed slightly, his tone growing more respectful: “Not at all, not at all. Leader Huang, you are truly a distinguished guest of our Old Lu family. It is our good fortune to have you grace us with your presence.”

As soon as his words fell, Lu Yuliang's gaze naturally turned to the two men on either side of Leader Huang, his tone carrying an appropriate hint of inquiry: “Leader Huang, these two gentlemen are...”

Although he already had some suspicions in his heart — anyone who could walk alongside Leader Huang Tangming was certainly no ordinary figure, but a big shot capable of stirring up storms in the Dragon Country's political arena.

But in such an occasion, formal confirmation was essential, showing respect and avoiding any subsequent oversight in etiquette.

“These two are from the inspection...” Huang Tangming's voice paused slightly here, not continuing, the trailing sound carrying a tacit understanding that needed no further explanation.

Lu Yuliang immediately understood in his heart.

Having navigated the political seas for many years, he best understood the profound meaning hidden in such concise words — the mention of “inspection,” combined with the current display, made the answer clear.

This was exactly in line with his previous conjecture; only power from the The Capital had the confidence to move against Li Gangshan's backer.

One must know that Li Gangshan's backer involved several Advanced-level figures in Yifeng Province, their intricate connections having long permeated the local area, making it impossible for local forces to easily shake them.

Only people sent from the The Capital, armed with sufficient authority and deterrent power, could completely untangle this mess, which was also the reason Lu Yuliang's previously anxious heart had finally settled.

“Hello.” Lu Yuliang was the first to extend his hand to the man on the left, his tone no less respectful.

“Hello, Mr. Old Lu.” The other man raised his hand to clasp his, his voice steady, without unnecessary pleasantries.

Next, he turned to the man on the right, greeting him equally politely, the entire process brief and proper, neither lacking in etiquette nor wasting a single moment.

However, during the pleasantries, Lu Yuliang keenly noticed that Leader Huang Tangming seemed somewhat distracted.

His gaze occasionally swept over the gates of the Old Lu family mansion, his brow slightly furrowed, as if searching for something, clearly not focusing on the present greetings, but rather waiting for someone important.

Sure enough, as soon as Lu Yuliang finished his pleasantries, Huang Tangming stepped forward directly, skipping all formalities, and asked straightforwardly: “Is Old Lu in there?”

“Yes, Leader Huang, please come in.” Lu Yuliang responded almost instinctively, stepping aside to clear the path into the villa.

He had long anticipated that the core purpose of this big shot's visit was never to deal with minor figures like himself, but specifically to pay his respects to his father.

Huang Tangming entered the villa almost shoulder to shoulder with Lu Yuliang, the solid wood floor silent underfoot.

Passing through the foyer and around the screen, the living room scene unfolded, and his gaze immediately locked onto the figure in the main seat.

This powerful figure, who commanded the Dragon Country's intelligence System, paused slightly upon seeing Lu Xuan.

The next moment, Huang Tangming's steps unconsciously quickened, his tone unable to conceal genuine warmth: “Old Lu, it’s been so many years! You are indeed as vibrant and formidable as ever!”

As the second son of Old Lu, Huang Tangming had known Lu Xuan's appearance by heart since he was old enough to remember.

As a child, he always heard his father speak of this “guard who could withstand a thousand troops.”

Later, after personally witnessing Lu Xuan repel assailants with his profound boxing skills, and even evade bullets with his Physical Body, Huang Tangming came to regard him as the most invincible being in his heart — without exception.

Although the man before him was aged, his posture remained as straight as a pine, and the sharpness in his eyes had not diminished in the slightest.

Huang Tangming, who had previously maintained a certain official composure, now seemed to have shed all pretense.

This man in his fifties unconsciously quickened his steps, almost hurrying forward, his hands already outstretched in front of him, his posture full of the eagerness of a Junior meeting an elder, completely devoid of the composure he showed to others.

Lu Xuan, in the main seat, slowly raised his eyes, his gaze on Huang Tangming carrying a somewhat inexplicable meaning.

However, he did not sit for long; his seemingly aged body slowly rose, and he extended his hand, firmly clasping Huang Tangming's.

At this moment, in Lu Xuan's mind were the original owner's memories of Huang Tangming.

From the child who played around his father's knees to the young man who gradually showed his brilliance, those fragments were as clear as yesterday.

Lu Xuan nodded lightly, his voice carrying a mellow quality honed by time: “Hmm, Tangming, long time no see.”

Huang Tangming held Lu Xuan's hand, his knuckles slightly tensing, his tone full of undisguised excitement, without any false politeness: “Old Lu, I never thought I would see you again in my lifetime. I truly have no regrets now.”

These were not mere pleasantries.

When Lu Xuan suddenly retired from his father's side, returning to Yingnan City to live out his retirement with a legendary past, Huang Tangming felt a deep sense of loss upon hearing the news.

He always felt that the National Art legend, who had been like a “guardian god” in his childhood, would completely fade out of their lives, and there would be no chance to meet him again in this life.

Now, to be able to hold the hand of this legendary man and see him still so robust, this surprise and satisfaction were already overflowing.

“Old Lu, my father has always thought of you,” Huang Tangming's voice still carried uncalmed excitement, and instead of letting go of Lu Xuan's hand, he tightened his grip even more, completely unaware of his impropriety.

“It's just a pity that his health hasn't been good these past two years, and he really can't endure long-distance travel. He couldn't come to Yingnan City to see you himself, so he could only ask me to bring a message.”

This demeanor completely stunned Lu Yuliang — he had never seen Huang Tangming so unpretentious.

This leader, usually steady, serious, and awe-inspiring in the news, now seemed like a Junior clutching an elder's hand, unwilling to let go, his tone even carrying a childish dependence.

Even the two men beside Huang Tangming, who had remained calm throughout, couldn't help but raise an eyebrow slightly, a hint of imperceptible surprise flashing in their eyes.

They had known Huang Tangming for many years and were well aware of his reserved nature, rarely showing such genuine emotion in front of outsiders. The current scene truly exceeded their expectations.

“Hmm, in a while, I will personally make a trip to the The Capital.” Lu Xuan's tone was as calm as if he were discussing an ordinary matter, without any superfluous preamble.

“Ah?” Huang Tangming's eyes suddenly widened, and his grip on Lu Xuan's hand unconsciously loosened as he asked in astonishment, “Old Lu, can your body endure the long journey?”

He instinctively thought of Lu Xuan's age and remembered that the other party had long since retired, unconsciously worrying about the impact of travel fatigue on the elder's health.

Facing this urgent concern, Lu Xuan did not explain much, merely stating calmly: “No matter, I have my own arrangements.”

Although his voice was light, it conveyed a composure that suggested everything was already meticulously planned, making it impossible for anyone to press further.