Chapter 424: The Way of Hospitality

His gut told him this couldn't be true.

However, as soon as the words left his mouth, Mr. Kong's expression turned awkward.

Mr. Kong said in a heavy tone:

"This happened right here in the Provincial City. You're the Chief Investigator of the Provincial Security Pavilion, yet you're only finding out now. That's hardly appropriate, is it?"

Mr. Kong had assumed Huo Jianqiang was already aware of the situation, never expecting that he was only just hearing about it.

Hearing Mr. Kong's words, Huo Jianqiang instantly broke out in a cold sweat!

The faint note of reprimand in Mr. Kong's tone, in particular, made Huo Jianqiang tremble inwardly.

Huo Jianqiang quickly bowed his head and apologized, saying:

"Mr. Kong, this is my failure. I have been derelict in my duty. Please punish me!"

He bowed his head low, remaining perfectly still, ready to accept his punishment.

But Mr. Kong simply waved a hand and said:

"Let it go. It's not really your fault. For now, just accompany me to visit this young man."

Huo Jianqiang dared not say another word. It was only then that he was once again struck by how terrifying Qin Tuo was. He was finally beginning to understand why even a great personage like this had to pay a personal visit.

...

Chen Man Ni and Ouyang Feifei had spent the better part of the day shopping. Laden with bags of all sizes, they seemed to be in high spirits.

Chatting and laughing, the two made their way to the villa's entrance.

Just as they arrived, however, they saw they had visitors.

A closer look revealed it was none other than Huo Jianqiang.

They also noticed Huo Jianqiang standing deferentially before a middle-aged man with an extraordinary presence, his expression one of utmost respect and humility.

Behind the middle-aged man stood a younger man who looked like an aide.

The two women exchanged a puzzled glance. 'Who on earth could he be?'

But Ouyang Feifei had once been a member of the Security Pavilion. As Huo Jianqiang's former subordinate, it was only natural for her to step forward and greet him.

"Inspector Huo, what brings you here?"

Ouyang Feifei stepped forward to greet him.

Huo Jianqiang was a little surprised to see Ouyang Feifei and Chen Man Ni.

He discreetly pulled Ouyang Feifei aside and said:

"Feifei, this is a very important person from the Capital City. He's here today to visit Qin Tuo personally. Hurry and tell Qin Tuo to prepare himself!"

Ouyang Feifei was stunned. She couldn't help but ask,

"Inspector Huo, who is he, exactly?"

Clearly, Ouyang Feifei didn't recognize Mr. Kong or know his true identity.

But Huo Jianqiang just shook his head and said:

"Don't ask for now. You'll find out when the time comes."

Seeing how serious Huo Jianqiang was, Ouyang Feifei didn't dare take it lightly and quickly nodded.

"Everyone, please follow us inside!"

Ouyang Feifei beckoned to Mr. Kong and Xiaozhang with a smile.

The group then entered the villa.

Ouyang Feifei and Chen Man Ni graciously offered them seats and ordered someone to brew tea.

Chen Man Ni urged a nearby servant,

"Where's Qin Tuo? Go get him, quickly."

The servant, however, frowned and said with a strained smile:

"Miss Chen, Mr. Qin is in his room. It seems he's busy!"

But Chen Man Ni said irritably:

"Just go get him and tell him to come down. We have important visitors."

Not daring to delay, the servant could only obey Chen Man Ni's order and go call for Qin Tuo.

Mr. Kong and his companions sat on the sofa, surveying the villa's interior, their thoughts unreadable.

Huo Jianqiang sat with them, making cautious small talk, terrified of displeasing Mr. Kong.

Unexpectedly, however, the servant soon hurried back, gasping for breath as he spoke:

"Mr. Qin has an urgent matter to attend to and has given orders not to be disturbed by anyone. He asks that you please come back another time!"

The moment they heard this, everyone was dumbfounded, thinking their ears must be deceiving them.

Huo Jianqiang's face flushed crimson as he shot a worried glance at Mr. Kong.

'I can't believe it. Even a personage this great, visiting in person, was actually refused?'

'And to be dismissed so callously by a young man... If word of this ever got out, how could he possibly save face?'

Ouyang Feifei and Chen Man Ni also looked extremely awkward, completely at a loss for words.

After a moment's thought, Chen Man Ni couldn't resist asking:

"Couldn't you tell Qin Tuo to just put his work aside for now?"

But the servant shook his head and said gravely:

"Mr. Qin is indeed busy. If you must see him, you'll have to wait here for now!"

"What? Make us wait for him!"

Mr. Kong's expression didn't show much displeasure, but Xiaozhang at his side couldn't hold back any longer.

He was young, hot-blooded, and impulsive to begin with. Hearing Qin Tuo's arrogant attitude, he finally snapped.

Xiaozhang shot to his feet and said furiously:

"Damn brat! How dare you be so rude to us? I'm going to make you answer for this!"

Evidently, Xiaozhang felt that since Qin Tuo had forced him to come pay a visit in the first place, they had already gotten off on the wrong foot.

'Combined with this latest incident, both scores had to be settled!'

Seeing Xiaozhang about to go cause trouble for Qin Tuo, both Chen Man Ni and Ouyang Feifei grew anxious and quickly stepped forward to intervene.

"We're sorry, sir! We'll go get Qin Tuo right now!"

Chen Man Ni and Ouyang Feifei exchanged a glance, both shaking their heads in helpless resignation.

'Qin Tuo's behavior was no way to treat a guest.'

'He came all this way from the Capital City to visit personally. How could Qin Tuo just leave him out in the cold?'

Huo Jianqiang, sitting to the side, opened and closed his mouth, unsure of what to say.

'Qin Tuo's nerve is just unbelievable! He's probably the only person in the world who would dare to take this kind of attitude with Mr. Kong!'

Just as Xiaozhang was about to charge upstairs, however, Mr. Kong gestured with a wave of his hand.

"Xiaozhang, do not be rash!"

Instantly, Xiaozhang forced himself to suppress his anger, his teeth grinding with a loud CRUNCH. He could do nothing but continue to wait, helpless.

"But Mr. Kong, I can't stomach this insult!"

Xiaozhang said, gnashing his teeth in hatred.

Mr. Kong said impassively:

"Xiaozhang, we are the ones who have come to impose on him. There's nothing wrong with waiting a little."

Despite hearing this, Xiaozhang was still fuming, but he didn't say anything else.

And so, the group waited silently in the villa for Qin Tuo.

After more than ten minutes, Qin Tuo finally walked slowly down the stairs.

He had just been helping Long Wu break through to the Realm of Grandmaster, which was why he had been unwilling to receive guests.