Chapter 27: Meddling in Others’ Affairs

"Mr. Gao, I’ll give you another option. The Hongcheng Group’s West District Plaza project—my Liu family intends to participate. In the plaza’s plan, thirty percent of the tenants are restaurants. If you hand over the leasing rights for those tenants to the Liu family, we’ll take fifty percent of the rent for the next three years. If you agree to this, the previous victory in the ring stands, and for tonight’s match, I, Liu Hao, will speak on your behalf."

A sudden voice interrupted, and everyone’s attention shifted. On the viewing platform stood Liu Hao, hands clasped behind his back, a confident smile on his face.

"Liu Hao, does your Liu family also want a hand in the entertainment business?" Wang Shaokun frowned slightly, displeasure showing on his face. Among the four top families of Qing City, only the Wang and Liu families had sent representatives tonight. Liu Hao, as the eldest son of the Liu family, matched Wang Shaokun in status and was the only person present qualified to speak with him as an equal.

"Shaokun, for that project, my Liu family will give your Wang family a three-million concession, plus another seven million—five million to compensate the Huang family for the loss of their three bars, and two million as compensation to the other seven families. You decide how to distribute it. What do you say?"

Liu Hao quickly outlined his proposal. Wang Shaokun thought for about ten seconds, then nodded lightly. "I’ll give you this courtesy, but on one condition—Paradise’s expansion ends here."

Liu Hao agreed without hesitation. "That’s acceptable."

Within two minutes, the two young masters exchanged a few rounds, and the profit distribution was settled. The two top families took the lion’s share, while the Huang family and the other six families got scraps. Hongcheng Group was left to bleed, as if it were all perfectly natural.

Those families with no interests at stake watched coldly. The Huang family and the others seemed somewhat dissatisfied, but none spoke up. Gao Tianxiong, however, would not remain silent. He smiled inexplicably. "I appreciate Young Master Liu’s goodwill."

He appreciated it.

Liu Hao looked at him in surprise and asked, "You appreciate it, but you don’t intend to accept?"

Gao Tianxiong replied calmly, "If Young Master Liu is interested in the West District Plaza project, we can arrange another time for a detailed discussion. The Liu family’s businesses don’t involve entertainment. For tonight’s matter, it’s best not to interfere."

Liu Hao’s expression tightened. "Mr. Gao thinks my Liu family isn’t qualified?"

"It’s not a matter of qualification, but of character. As a top family, the Liu family has many ways to accumulate wealth. Why seize the opportunity to profit from others’ misfortune?"

A raspy voice answered from nowhere. Everyone turned to look, only to see a figure entering slowly from the doorway, wrapped in a thick gray cloak, and wearing a gray mask.

Seeing the newcomer, Gao Tianxiong felt a surge of relief.

Liu Hao stared at the cloaked figure for a moment, his smile fading. "The way my Liu family conducts business is not for outsiders to dictate. Do you think dressing up will intimidate anyone? If you have the guts, take off your mask."

The cloaked figure didn’t respond directly, only said, "Out of respect for your grandfather, I’ll caution you: don’t be stubborn."

With that, his gaze shifted to Wang Shaokun. "Young Master Wang, tell me—which industry rule has Paradise’s expansion broken?"

"Who are you?"

"Who I am doesn’t matter. I simply can’t stand those who abuse their power. From my perspective, it’s not Hongcheng Group breaking the rules, but you, Young Master Wang."

Wang Shaokun’s eyes narrowed sharply. "Are you meddling?"

The cloaked figure retorted, "You think I’m not qualified?"

"You’re certainly not qualified."

The answer came not from Wang Shaokun, but from Liu Hao, who looked down with disdain. "Someone who hides behind a mask dares to mention my grandfather? Let me tell you, since my Liu family has decided to get involved tonight, we won’t back out. If Mr. Gao accepts my proposal, all will be well. If not, then he’s disrespecting my family, and we’ll send someone to oppose Hongcheng Group. Are you qualified to meddle?"

The crowd was shaken, all turning to Gao Tianxiong with sympathetic and sorrowful looks.

The cloaked figure’s appearance seemed to side with Hongcheng Group, but by targeting Liu Hao, he had inadvertently made things worse. Instead of helping Hongcheng Group out of trouble, he had added another formidable adversary.

The combined weight of two top families far exceeded the sum of the Huang family and the other six.

Yet, unexpectedly, Gao Tianxiong’s face showed neither sorrow nor joy. He performed an astonishing gesture, bowing respectfully to the cloaked figure. "Please, grant justice to Hongcheng Group."

Under the mask, a light smile flashed. The cloaked figure waved his hand. "I’m no hero, just passing through. Since I happened upon this, I’ll meddle for once and owe you a favor, Mr. Gao."

Gao Tianxiong bowed again. "Thank you."

The cloaked figure said nothing more, then glanced at Liu Hao. "Whether I’m qualified, you’ll soon know." With those words, he darted forward.

In the blink of an eye, he appeared before the Liu family’s internal martial arts expert, delivering a punch. The man tried to block, but the powerful force shattered his defense.

A crack sounded—his fist struck the man’s chest, breaking bone, sending him flying and knocking down two Liu family members.

Though the attack was sudden, the cloaked figure’s ability to defeat an internal expert with one blow left everyone in awe.

As the crowd was still stunned, the cloaked figure sped to the Li family’s internal expert, repeating the move—a single punch sent him flying, the sound of bone breaking even sharper.

"All together!" Within seconds, after two defeats, sensing he would pick them off one by one, Huang Wujian shouted, stomped his foot, and charged forward. Two external experts from other families, along with internal experts from the Qiao and Wang families, surged after him.

The cloaked figure didn’t attack proactively, but flashed to an open area, allowing the five to surround him. Then, he unleashed five rapid punches, clashing directly with their attacks.

The result: the two external experts’ hand bones fractured from the shock. Huang Wujian and the two internal experts were forced to retreat, while the cloaked figure stood unmoved, like an immovable mountain.

In the next instant, he moved—swift as an arrow. Before Huang Wujian could steady himself, the cloaked figure struck his shoulder and twisted, dislocating an arm with a crack.

The two internal experts’ pupils contracted, wariness in their eyes. As Hong Chen looked their way, both shouted almost simultaneously, "Stop! We concede!"

It was no joke—Huang Wujian was nearly a top-tier, able to release internal energy, yet his arm was easily broken. The opponent was at least a first-rank martial artist. If they continued, they’d be crushed without suspense.

"This isn’t a ring match—surrender doesn’t apply." The cloaked figure’s reply crushed their last hope, and the next moments proved their judgment correct. Within ten seconds, each had an arm broken.

Everyone stared in shock at this scene. Single-handedly, he defeated seven with ease, clearly holding back. With such an expert, Hongcheng Group’s strength now surpassed the near top-tier families, rivaling the four top families—or perhaps matching them.

For a moment, the venue was as silent as a midnight graveyard.

"Do you still wish to issue a challenge?" The cloaked figure had not gone too far, only rendering the five incapable of further fighting. He looked up at Wang Shaokun, whose face was ashen. The plot against Hongcheng Group had collapsed in less than half a minute. There was no way he wouldn’t be angry, but the cloaked figure’s display left him helpless, at least for now.

"What do you want?"

"With no formal challenge, there’s no bet. You haven’t lost a cent, and these men have only suffered minor injuries—they’ll recover after some rest. Take this as a warning. From now on, follow the rules. Today, I’m only meddling; next time, it’ll be serious."

With that, the cloaked figure turned to Liu Hao. "Am I qualified to meddle?"

Liu Hao’s face reddened with frustration.

"Does your Liu family still intend to participate tonight?"

His face shifted from red to pale, fists clenched tight, veins bulging.

"Tonight, out of respect for your grandfather, I haven’t given you the chance to get involved. Next time, even your grandfather’s status won’t help."

With those words, the cloaked figure turned and walked away, vanishing through the entrance amidst the crowd’s complicated gazes.