Underworld: Starting with conquering countless lustful beauties

"Ninth Master, there's something I don't understand."

"explain."

"You invited me here today, is it really just to avenge Zhao Biao and Dafei?"

Ninth Master paused for a moment while holding the teacup.

"If that's the case," Chen Feng's voice wasn't loud, but every word was clear, "you could just send a few men to arrest me; why bother inviting me for tea in person?"

"What you really want to see is what kind of person the man who crippled Zhao Biao and Dafei was. Was he worth your time? Could he possibly be of use to you?"

Ninth Master put down his teacup, his gaze becoming playful: "Continue."

"I can take this blow, but not to explain myself to anyone, but to give face to you, Ninth Master." Chen Feng looked directly into Ninth Master's eyes.

After he finished speaking, the private room fell into a deathly silence.

The four burly men looked at each other, unsure whether they should make a move.

Ninth Master watched Chen Feng quietly, his expression shifting unpredictably.

A moment later, he suddenly burst into laughter.

"Excellent! Well done, Chen Feng!" He patted the tea table, his eyes full of admiration. "It's been a long time since anyone dared to speak to me like that!"

Ninth Master's laughter echoed in the private room, carrying a somewhat enigmatic meaning. As the laughter subsided, his gaze returned to Chen Feng, his eyes now showing a more serious expression.

"Young man, you're quite interesting," Ninth Master said slowly and deliberately, "but interesting as it may be, rules are rules. You still have to take this blow."

He raised his hand and waved it gently.

A burly man standing behind Chen Feng immediately pulled out a dagger from his pocket, the blade gleaming coldly under the light.

Chen Feng didn't move, but simply asked, "Where?"

"Left shoulder." Ninth Master's tone was as calm as if he were discussing the weather. "I heard you were injured there before? Perfect, let's finish you off in the same spot. From now on, when you see this scar, you'll remember today's lesson."

Chen Feng's eyelids twitched slightly. His left shoulder was where he had been shot by the crossbow bolt; the wound had just healed. If he were stabbed again, he would probably never fully recover.

But he did not back down. Instead, he slowly stood up and began to unbutton his leather jacket.

The movements were slow, unbuttoning one button at a time.

The burly man with the knife looked at him, a hint of doubt flashing in his eyes—why is this kid so calm?

Ninth Master frowned slightly. He had seen too many people kneeling and begging for mercy, and he had seen many tough guys, but he had never seen anyone as calm and almost indifferent as Chen Feng.

Chen Feng's leather jacket was half-unbuttoned, revealing his inner lining.

Just then—

"Knock knock knock."

The knocking on the door suddenly rang out.

Ninth Master's brows furrowed even deeper, a hint of displeasure flashing in his eyes. His men all knew the rules: when he was discussing matters, no one was allowed to disturb him unless the sky were falling.

"Come in," he said coldly.

The door opened.

A woman in a burgundy cheongsam walked in gracefully. The cheongsam accentuated her shapely figure, and the slit revealed a glimpse of her fair thigh. She wore a perfectly measured smile, her makeup was exquisite, and she exuded the unique charm of a mature woman.

Jiang Hong.

Chen Feng's pupils contracted slightly, and he stopped unbuttoning his shirt.

The moment Ninth Master saw Jiang Hong, his expression changed drastically. A complex mix of emotions flashed in his deep eyes—surprise, nostalgia, and a barely perceptible tenderness. But these emotions lasted only a moment, quickly replaced by his usual sternness.

"Hong'er."

The way he addressed them instantly created a tense atmosphere in the private room. The four burly men lowered their heads, not daring to look at him again.

Jiang Hongying walked gracefully to the tea table, her posture respectful yet not servile: "Ninth Master, it's been a long time."

"Yes, it's been a long time." Ninth Master's gaze lingered on her, his tone becoming wistful. "The last time we met was at the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet three years ago. How have you been these past few years?"

"Thanks to you, I'm still alive." Jiang Hong smiled and sat down next to Chen Feng. "I heard you invited my people for tea, so as their boss, shouldn't I offer you a toast?"

Ninth Master's gaze swept back and forth between Jiang Hong and Chen Feng, his eyes becoming playful. "Is this young punk really worth you making a special trip for?"

When he said this, there was a hint of bitterness in his tone that was hard to explain.

Jiang Hong seemed oblivious, pouring herself a cup of tea with the practiced ease of a regular customer.

Whether it's worth it or not depends on your perspective. If he's with me, I have to protect him.

Ninth Master didn't speak, only nodded slightly. His gaze remained fixed on Jiang Hong's face, as if trying to see right through her.

"He crippled Zhao Biao and Da Fei, so it's not unreasonable for him to take a knife for it, is it?" Ninth Master said calmly.

"Not excessive." Jiang Hong nodded, put down her teacup, and looked directly at Ninth Master. "But could you spare this blow for my sake?"

Ninth Master narrowed his eyes: "Your face? Hong'er, how much do you think your face is worth?"

"The friendship from back then, surely it's still worth a stab in the back, right?"

This sentence is like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, creating ripples.

Chen Feng keenly noticed that Ninth Master's fingers tightened slightly as he held the teacup.

"The bond we shared back then..." Ninth Master murmured, repeating those words, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes. "Hong'er, do you still remember back then?"

"How could I not remember?" Jiang Hong's voice turned low. "Back then, you were the one who fished me out of the garbage dump, and you even gave me away..."

The air inside the private room seemed to freeze.

Chen Feng held his breath, his heart pounding. He knew that Jiang Hong and Ninth Master had a past, but he didn't expect her to bring it up at this time.

Ninth Master remained silent.

He put down his teacup and tapped his fingers rhythmically on the tea table, the "tap-tap" sound particularly clear in the silence.

"Ninth Master, if you're really in such a difficult position, how about I take the blow for him?"

Jiang Hong stood up, walked to Chen Feng, her back to Ninth Master, and said, "You wouldn't refuse even this much face, would you?"

"Sister Hong—" Chen Feng wanted to say something, but was stopped by a look from Jiang Hong.

Ninth Master watched Jiang Hong's retreating figure, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes.

"Hong'er, you really... for this boy?" His voice held a barely perceptible hint of bitterness. "Back when you were with me, you never protected anyone like this."

"Ninth Master, people change. Now he's mine, so naturally I have to protect him." Her voice was soft. "Just like you were back then, you weren't like this now."

These words caused Ninth Master's expression to change slightly.

He and Jiang Hong stared at each other for a good ten seconds, the air thick with an indescribable tension. It was the complex emotion between former lovers—resentment, nostalgia, and a hint of unwillingness to let go.

Finally, Ninth Master looked away.

He didn't say anything more, but slowly stood up, straightened his Tang suit, and turned to walk towards the door. His steps were neither fast nor slow, and his upright figure exuded a sense of desolation.

He stopped when he reached the door.

Ninth Master turned to the side, his gaze passing over Jiang Hong and landing on Chen Feng. In those deep eyes, the previous oppressive aura and killing intent were gone, replaced by a complex expression—a mixture of appreciation, scrutiny, and a hint of meaningful expectation.

That look seemed to say: Kid, you've got guts, but you still have a long way to go.

It's as if it's saying: Protect her well, don't let her suffer any more grievances.

That look lasted only two or three seconds, but it sent a chill down Chen Feng's spine. He suddenly understood that Ninth Master had let him go tonight not only because of his past relationship with Jiang Hong, but also because he saw a possibility in Chen Feng—a possibility of protecting Jiang Hong.

Jiang Hong took in all of this, and her heart trembled slightly.

"Thank you, Ninth Master."

Her voice wasn't loud, but it carried a hint of sincerity. This thank you wasn't just for letting Chen Feng go, but also for the silent entrustment in his eyes.

Ninth Master didn't turn around, but simply waved his hand lightly, pushed open the door, and disappeared at the end of the corridor.

Only Chen Feng and Jiang Hong remained in the private room, along with the aroma of tea.