Chapter 413 - 79: Qi Manipulation Skill

CLACK! CLACK!

A flurry of footsteps echoed from the entrance of the club.

A group of people from the Xu family, all dressed in black suits, hurried out of the main hall.

At the lead was Xu Fengnian, flanked by several Elite Level Peak security guards. His expression was haggard.

Beside him stood a middle-aged man at the Superpower Level, also in a suit. He bore a slight resemblance to Xu Fengnian and wore a similar look of exhaustion.

"Second Uncle, what exactly did Senior Chen and the other two mean?"

Xu Fengnian asked in a low voice, his usually composed face showing a hint of confusion. His younger sister, Xu Ling’Er, followed behind. Though exquisitely dressed, her eyes were red-rimmed with sorrow.

"They don’t want to get involved."

With a helpless sigh, Xu Zhenggang, a Superpower Level expert, shook his head. His tone was complex. "The ones who attacked your father are well hidden. On top of that, the Tan family’s attitude toward us has been peculiar lately. They’ve shifted all the blame for the port incident onto our family."

"The situation is a mess right now. The Storm Club just doesn’t want to get dragged into this."

At these words, Xu Fengnian’s expression soured, filled with resentment.

Xu Ling’Er, who had been silent until now, gritted her teeth. "Second Uncle, how can they do this?" she asked, her voice filled with indignation.

"The Xu family helped them out so much in the past, and now they’re just watching from the sidelines. Isn’t that going too far?"

Silence fell.

Xu Zhenggang sighed at her words, while Xu Fengnian simply gave a bitter wave of his hand.

"Let’s go."

’A part of him felt the same way.’

In the heavy silence, the group walked to their waiting cars by the roadside.

Hm?

Just then,

Xu Zhenggang seemed to sense something and looked across the street.

Many passersby milled about, casting curious glances their way.

A black Sharp Light sedan was parked on the other side of the road. Its tinted windows were rolled up, and it looked perfectly ordinary.

And yet, he felt a faint sense of danger.

’A Superpower Level?’

Xu Zhenggang frowned, his expression turning grave.

Xu Fengnian and the others were taken aback for a moment before looking over as well, their gazes on the black sedan filled with caution.

"Second Uncle, could it be the person who attacked Father?"

Xu Fengnian asked hurriedly, his expression tense, but Xu Zhenggang shook his head.

"No."

"I think it’s the Hunter Guild."

He had seen the car’s license plate and, thanks to the powerful memory afforded by his Superpower Level, recognized its affiliation.

Xu Fengnian was stunned. ’Why would the Hunter Guild be here?’

Then, as if he had thought of something,

He quickly looked toward the back seat of the black sedan.

Even though he couldn’t see inside, it was as if he had already guessed the identity of the person within.

Bitterness, helplessness, hesitation...

’Could it be him?’

’If I went and begged him...’

"Let’s go."

Xu Zhenggang patted his shoulder and shook his head, signaling for them to leave.

The group got into their cars, which soon disappeared from view, leaving only the fading glow of taillights.

Lu Chao watched them go, sitting calmly in the black sedan across the street. It was a mirror of a time when their roles had been reversed, when they had watched him leave from this very spot.

"I heard the City Lord’s Mansion held the Jinggang Chamber of Commerce accountable for the Beast Tide. They even sent people to oversee them and ended up discovering some maintenance issues with the high walls and the riverbank port."

As if reading his mind, the quick-witted Xu Yao relayed a rumor she had recently heard at the Hunter Guild. "The Xu family is a minority shareholder in the Jinggang Chamber of Commerce. Their main business is related to that area, so they’ve been implicated pretty badly. Some people are also saying that the Tan family is making them take the fall."

"And..."

She trailed off, glancing hesitantly at Lu Chao in the rearview mirror.

"Go on."

Lu Chao prompted gently, his expression calm.

At that, Xu Yao lowered her voice and said, "The Patriarch of the Xu family, Xu Zhengyi, was attacked by a mysterious expert some time ago. He was seriously injured and is now in a coma from being poisoned."

"To treat him, they need some special Superpower Spirit Plants, but with the Beast Tide running rampant in the wilds, it’s extremely dangerous. No one dares to venture out..."

’So that’s what happened.’

Lu Chao’s confusion cleared as the pieces fell into place.

’First, a reprimand from the City Lord’s Mansion, and now their Superpower Level expert is grievously injured.’

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say the Xu family was teetering on the brink.

However,

His eyes flickered with a hint of confusion.

Rumor had it that the Xu family’s Patriarch, Xu Zhengyi, was an Exploration Level expert—one of the best in the Red Maple City Circle.

’How could someone that powerful be so easily, grievously wounded?’

As the thought crossed his mind, he watched the cars carrying Xu Fengnian and his family drive off into the distance until they disappeared.

In the end, he decided to put aside any plans to investigate further.

Lu Chao opened the car door, got out, and walked into the club carrying a briefcase.

...

The bright incandescent lights of the spacious hall merged with the twilight visible through the windows.

Muffled thuds echoed continuously as sweat sprayed through the air.

Some disciples in silver training uniforms diligently practiced their Body Techniques among the iron posts, while others in long, white, cloud-patterned robes struck punching bags to temper their bodies.

It had been many days, and the Storm Club now had some new faces.

Bench presses, weighted squats... every equipment area was packed with people.

In the central ring, talented youths were sparring. They were surrounded by voices of praise and adulation, with many marveling at their potential to break through to the Elite Level.

Then, as if sensing a new presence, someone spotted a sturdy young man walking into the hall.

He rubbed his eyes instinctively, then they shot wide open as he cried out in surprise:

"Senior Brother Lu?"

The hall fell silent the moment he spoke.

One by one, the club’s Elite Level disciples stopped what they were doing and turned their heads to look.

And then,

"Senior Brother Lu!"

"Senior Brother Lu!"

Respectful cries of his name echoed through the hall. Song Yan, Yang Chengfeng, and the others were the first to hurry over, bowing with broad smiles to welcome him.

"Who’s that?"

A new disciple in the equipment area farther away looked confused. ’Why are all these high-ranking Elite Level senior brothers being so respectful to that guy? He doesn’t even look that old.’