Under Su City International, in a black BMW.
Lin Yu's brows were deeply furrowed, his expression solemn. After telling the specifics of the transaction, he hadn't heard a response from the other end for a long time.
After a moment, Lin Yu tentatively asked: "How about it?"
The woman on the phone let out a gentle sigh, then chuckled: "More than a transaction, I feel like you're threatening me."
"No."
Lin Yu immediately shook his head and explained: "It really is just a transaction. As long as you can become Su Qianmo's personal bodyguard, I’ll keep the matter of your kidnapping Liu Mingrui to myself."
The woman on the phone thought for a moment before asking: “I'm very curious why you're doing this.”
“So I'm planning to get the answer myself.”
“Alright, it’s a deal then.” Lin Yu’s expression brightened and he nodded.
After hanging up the phone, Lin Yu turned to look at Su City International Tower, his gaze piercing.
"Qianmo, I know your situation isn’t easy now, but please believe me, I will definitely save you!"
...
At the Gu family mansion.
Upon returning, Gu Chenan immediately locked himself in his room.
Damn it, something shady is going on!
Not only was the predetermined plot somehow getting derailed with the female lead destroying her image and attracting enmity, even Gu Chenan's two younger brothers were causing trouble for him.
Most importantly, there was also an unknown figure causing problems using Gu Chenan’s name.
This is outrageous!
Gu Chenan decided that other than when he had to make scripted appearances for the plot progression, he would stay at the Gu family and not go anywhere else or answer any calls!
I just want to safely reach the finale in one piece, why is that so hard?!
Having made up his mind, Gu Chenan promptly turned off his phone.
The plot line involving the Ye family would arrive in two days. He absolutely cannot have any accidents happen during this time!
“Ma Bing!” Gu Chen called out while peering down the second floor staircase.
“Young Master Gu.”
Ma Bing quickly exited his room and strode upstairs to Gu Chenan within a few steps.
Gu Chenan pointed at his bedroom. “Bring your laptop to my room.”
“Huh?” Ma Bing was puzzled and asked, “Young Master, did something happen?”
Gu Chen raised a brow and grinned. “Keep me company playing games for a couple days.”
Ma Bing: “...”
...
Time passed swiftly.
Over those two days, Gu Chenan and Ma Bing transformed into gaming addicts youths, madly grinding ranked games.
Hmm, dropped down from Gold to Silver rank.
Gu Chenan was mentally boom.
“Ma Bing, you really are a griefing noob!”
Gu Chenan pushed open his door and walked out, his previously immaculate handsome appearance now disheveled with oily hair and stubble.
Ma Bing was likewise unkempt with scruff on his face. He awkwardly rubbed the back of his head and embarrassedly laughed. “It’s not like I played that much.”
Gu Chenan rolled his eyes at him and grumpily said, “Alright alright, stop making excuses. Go get cleaned up, we’re heading to the Ye family at noon.”
“Yes sir!” Ma Bing instantly resumed his professional demeanor and nodded.
As Ma Bing went downstairs, Gu Chenan called out again: “Bring more men.”
“Understood.”
Ye Wenfei inviting Gu Chenan to participate in the Ye family’s ancient martial arts tournament was not as simple as just having him attend for entertainment.
The Gu family was one of the top families in Donghai. Naturally, the Ye family also needed the Gu family to lend them some face.
Furthermore, Ye Wenfei and Gu Chenan already had a good relationship. As brothers, even without Ye Wenfei saying anything, Gu Chenan understood what was expected.
After showering, Gu Chenan changed into a dark blue suit paired with a gray tie.
His entire being once again exuded an extraordinary confidence and prestige.
Only then did he turn on his phone that had been switched off the past two days. The moment the screen lit up, countless unread WeChat messages and missed calls instantly flooded the screen.
Other than a WeChat message from Ye Wenfei saying that today was the start of the ancient martial arts tournament, the rest were various luxury goods and property ads.
Gu Chenan sent a simple reply to Ye Wenfei: “On my way.”
Then he stepped out.
At this time, outside the manor, Ma Bing was leading over a dozen men wearing black suits, black sunglasses, and communication earpieces.
Seeing Gu Chenan, they simultaneously bowed in greeting.
“Young Master Gu.”
“Young Master, these are the elites among elites.” Ma Bing said.
Gu Chenan surveyed the men, satisfied, and nodded approvingly. “Alright, not bad. Let’s go.”
...
The Ye family residence was located in western Donghai City.
Like the other prominent families, their buildings were designed in the Suzhou Classical Gardens style.
In the outer courtyard of the Ye residence, a half-meter tall platform arena had been constructed.
It was packed with people everywhere, crowds swarming around.
There were some martial artists dressed in exercise robes warming up in open spaces, while some wealthy business leaders were also present to support the Ye family.
Amongst the crowds, Lin Yu's gaze was fixed intently on the arena stage, his fists tightly clenched.
Beside her stood a woman wearing hot pants with black and white striped over knee socks. Her eyes blinked rapidly like a cute elf sprite.
She was Lin Yu's master, Tang Yunjin.
For Tang Yunjin, she was also greatly anticipating Lin Yu participating in the Ye family's ancient martial arts tournament.
Although she herself could not cultivate internal energy, she had always been curious as to what position their family's ancestral Primordial One Qi Exercise occupied in the ancient martial world.
Although the time Lin Yu spent learning from her was short, she was still considered an inheritor of the Primordial One Qi Exercise.
Since Tang Yunjin herself could not cultivate internal energy, she placed her hopes on Lin Yu.
She wanted to see how far Lin Yu could reach relying on Primordial One Qi Exercise.
"Confident?" Tang Yunjin glanced at Lin Yu whose gaze was fixed on the arena platform and asked.
"Mm." Lin Yu nodded firmly. "I'm taking this championship!"
The contestants stood to one side of the arena stage, while exquisite red embroidered gold trim seats were arranged on the opposite side, evidently prepared for the guests of honor here to spectate today.
In the main hall of the inner courtyard.
The Ye family patriarch, Ye Jinyuan, stood with his hands behind his back before a window overlooking the outer courtyard. He turned back to look at a young man in a dark gray robe standing before him.
"With practically the entirety of Donghai's ancient martial world that could make it here in attendance."
"If you can't take the championship, my Ye family really would have given away 50 million for nothing!"
The man in gray robes shook his head, his expression resolute. "Don't worry, Master Ye. Those who can surpass me in Donghai are few and far between."
"Few and far between? So there are some then?" Ye Jinyuan glared.
Amongst Donghai's prominent families, the Ye family's influence had already declined compared to earlier years.
Some people didn't even know the Ye family was once a distinguished household.
Thus, in order to raise the Ye family's standing, Ye Jinyuan organized this ancient martial arts tournament.
Prior to the tournament, the Ye family announced that the champion would receive a 50 million cash prize.
But with the Ye family's cash flow dire straits now, actually taking out 50 million could directly lead to the bankruptcy of several Ye family enterprises.
Regarding this, Ye Jinyuan hatched a scheme.
He invited a reputed inheritor of the Ghost Hand Thirteen Needles to win the championship for the Ye family.
Ye Jinyuan's thoughts were simple. As long as this person could win, not only would the Ye family not need to pay out 50 million, they could also use the tournament to elevate the family's prestige.
However... according to the plot, Lin Yu would win the championship and even break the gray robe man's arm.
Enraged by the humiliation, the gray robe man would hysterically and publicly denounce Ye Jinyuan, questioning what was going on.
Upon the guests realizing Ye Jinyuan's ploy, the Ye family would lose face completely and become mortal enemies with Lin Yu.
In the end, Lin Yu would borrow the Black Owl's forces to massacre the Ye family.
It had to be said, this plot truly seemed to insult a prominent family clan's intelligence somewhat.
Even though the Ye family's influence had declined in recent years, they should still be thinking of ways to develop the Ye family's commercial enterprises, rather than coming up with such a nonsensical ancient martial arts tournament.
Could the Ye family raising their prestige simply by hosting an ancient martial arts competition?
Perhaps it would help a bit, but definitely not by much. Some of that effort would be better spent considering expanding into what industries.
It could only be said that in order for the female lead Lin Yu to show off, the author could come up with all kinds of ridiculous plots.