Chapter 62: Chapter 59: Brother Hao’s Gratitude

"We won?"

Standing rooted to the spot, he watched the scene inside the octagonal cage.

Zhou Qiang was in a daze, muttering to himself.

On the second-floor corridor, Chen Junhao’s brow finally relaxed. His gaze lingered for a second on the fallen, grievously injured Ge Tao, before finally landing on Lu Chao, who was slowly straightening up, pulling back his fists.

’This kid...’

A faint smile touched his lips as the tense muscles in his right hand slowly relaxed.

He flicked open the metal lighter in his hand, pulled a cigarette from his pocket, and leisurely lit it.

He exhaled a plume of smoke that drifted upwards.

Chen Junhao looked toward the stage, at Liu Hong, whose expression was so grim it looked like it could drip water.

"Since we won the second match."

His tone was level as he surveyed the entire bar, his gaze sweeping over the shocked and uncertain faces of the Iron Blood Gang members.

"So, let’s hear it."

"Who do you plan to send out for the final match?"

At these words, Liu Hong’s eyes flared with anger. He glanced at the unconscious and grievously injured Ge Tao inside the octagonal cage.

He had been so certain of victory today, believing in his own man’s strength and knowing full well that Zhou Qiang was injured.

But now...

His gaze shifted, and he squinted, memorizing the face of the upright Lu Chao.

’So young, yet he has mastered a Martial Skill and a Secret Technique...’

’Could he be an elite from some martial arts hall or corporation?’

A few theories surfaced in his mind, but he knew one thing for sure: none of his men could defeat this opponent.

At least, not at the Fighting Level.

At this thought, Liu Hong’s expression shifted, his fists clenching and unclenching.

After what seemed like a great internal battle, he finally sighed, lowered his head, and cupped his fists.

"We’ll handle today’s matter by the book."

Suppressing his bitterness, he cupped his fists and said, "The third match... we forfeit."

"Let’s go!"

With a wave of his hand, he turned to leave.

However...

"Wait."

A calm voice rang out, causing him to halt.

He looked back to see Chen Junhao on the second-floor corridor. His eyes were half-closed, and his burly frame blocked the light, casting a massive shadow on the wall.

"Your business is settled."

"But."

The hand holding the cigarette lifted slightly, pointing to the several injured security guards and the few beaten waiters in the hall.

Chen Junhao spoke calmly, his gaze defiant. "How are you going to make this right for my people?"

...

「Ten minutes later.」

The men of the Iron Blood Gang departed, supporting a grievously wounded Liu Hong who was vomiting blood. They had lost every last trace of their previous arrogant Qi Flame.

Several black Sai Wei sedans sped off like dogs fleeing with their tails between their legs, terrified of being detained for another second.

Watching the scene, Lu Chao came back to his senses.

The whole bar fell unusually quiet. The remaining patrons all wore expressions of shock or excitement.

He subconsciously looked a few meters to his side.

His open black suit seemed to bulge, and his burly frame cast a long shadow on the ground.

Chen Junhao appeared completely nonchalant, a cigarette even dangling from his lips.

But a glance downward revealed a different story. The hard floor tiles at his feet were shattered, with cracks spiderwebbing out for several meters. A nearby booth had been completely flipped over, its marble table smashed to smithereens.

Three moves!

He had used just three moves to grievously wound Liu Hong, beating the Iron Blood Gang’s Hall Master—a veteran Professional-Level expert—until he was vomiting blood nonstop.

’Brother Hao, just how strong is he?’

His gaze was solemn. As he watched the calm figure exhaling smoke, Lu Chao’s mind raced with speculation.

’The peak of Professional Level, with over sixty points of Life Energy?’

’Or has Brother Hao already reached the Elite Level?’

As Lu Chao pondered, he saw the man give a wave of his hand and start issuing orders.

The injured security guards and waiters each received generous compensation and funds for their medical bills before being escorted to a clinic for treatment.

The broken furniture was gradually cleared away, and the bills for all remaining patrons were waived.

"Ha!"

"So generous! That’s Brother Hao for you!!"

The shocked guests came to their senses, laughing and raising their glasses to show respect.

Amid the clamor, the bar seemed to return to its previous boisterous state.

"What did it feel like?"

After acknowledging everyone, Chen Junhao came over to him.

Lu Chao looked around at the crowd, but Chen Junhao gently shook his head.

"I meant just now."

Understanding what he meant, Lu Chao recalled the events that had just transpired.

Liu Hong’s arrogance, Ge Tao’s bloodthirsty taunts... they had come in like a storm but left in disgrace.

"Might... is right," Lu Chao said in a low voice. That was the most direct lesson he had learned.

"Yes."

With a slight nod, Chen Junhao looked pleased, yet sighed reflectively. "People like us are born rolling in the mud. We don’t get a choice."

"However..."

He raised a hand to pat Lu Chao’s shoulder, a wry smile on his face. "Today was really thanks to you, kid."

"So, tell me. How can I thank you?"

As he spoke, Zhou Qiang came over as well, looking Lu Chao up and down with a broad grin. He clucked his tongue in wonder, as if seeing him for the first time.

Clearly, he hadn’t expected Lu Chao to have improved so quickly, nor, more importantly, that he would choose to step forward at such a critical moment.

"Brother Hao has already helped me enough."

Lu Chao shook his head; he hadn’t stepped in for personal gain.

In his view, some things were far more important than money.

Besides, he knew that even without him, Brother Hao could have easily resolved the situation with the power he’d just displayed.

"Heh."

However, he just chuckled.

Chen Junhao exhaled a puff of smoke and waved a dismissive hand. "Kid... the thought is what counts, and that’s a good thing. But I can’t have people thinking that I, Chen Junhao, am stingy."

"Come with me."

He gestured with his hand and, ignoring Lu Chao’s attempts to refuse, led him toward the second floor.

The group walked into the office at the end of the corridor, and Chen Junhao casually took something out of the mahogany desk’s drawer.

A black briefcase.

He opened it with a CLACK, revealing three Life Potions and two neat stacks of hundred-yuan bills.

"Here."

Chen Junhao smiled and gestured. Lu Chao’s eyes lit up, and he scratched his head in embarrassment.

"Take it. Stop putting on an act."

Seeing right through him, Chen Junhao cursed playfully, then lowered his voice to give a serious warning, "And don’t you think breaking through to the Professional Level is so easy."

"Without enough resources to temper your body and build a solid foundation, you’ll have a hell of a time breaking through that barrier."

Hearing the sincerity and insistence in his voice, Lu Chao thought for a moment before finally accepting it with a grateful smile.

"Thanks, Brother Hao."

Three Life Potions and twenty thousand yuan in cash. This was a huge deal for him.

Chen Junhao patted his shoulder, saying no more.

They chatted for a while longer, and Chen Junhao offered a specific warning.

"That Liu Hong is a vicious bastard. He’ll definitely dig into your background when he gets back."

"However..."

Shaking his head, he added confidently, "But those few punches I landed should have taught him a lesson."

"As long as I’m around, you don’t need to worry too much about it. Just be on your guard for some petty tricks."

Lu Chao was startled for a moment, then relieved.

People who seek revenge like Ah Bao are rare, after all. Liu Hong held a high position in the Iron Blood Gang; he had too much to lose to do anything too drastic.

"I understand, Brother Hao."

Nodding, Lu Chao took it to heart.

When their conversation ended, he finally left the room, carrying the black briefcase, and departed from the bar.

Standing by the second-floor window, Brother Hao watched his receding figure. A complex look filled his eyes, a mixture of gratification and approval.

Finally, he forcefully extinguished the burnt-out cigarette butt in his hand in the glass ashtray.

He looked at the gift bag on the table that Zhou Qiang had brought.

Inside was a small, square red gift box, elegantly wrapped.

When he opened it...

A dark brown briarwood pipe met his eyes. The wood was smooth to the touch with a clear grain—it had clearly been chosen with great care.

A flicker of emotion crossed his eyes as Chen Junhao reached out, gently touching the pipe’s smooth bowl.

He shook his head with a smile, the corners of his lips curving into a genuinely warm smile.

"He’s a thoughtful kid."