197: Chapter 195: Gu Xing 197: Chapter 195: Gu Xing Zhang Guoli was acutely aware of his current situation, indeed, just as Tangyu had said, his body temperature was rising dramatically, and he felt as though his entire body was on the verge of bursting into flames.
If this continued, he wouldn’t last a day before he would inevitably be steamed dry to death.
“You’re ruthless.
What do you want?” Zhang Guoli gritted his teeth and said.
Tangyu said, “First, have your men throw their guns over here, and then stand still.”
Zhang Guoli made a gesture to his four bodyguards, who immediately obeyed and threw their guns at Tangyu’s feet.
Tangyu moved behind the four men and, with swift strikes of his hand, knocked them all out cold.
Seeing Tangyu’s actions, the corners of Zhang Guoli’s mouth twitched involuntarily.
The physical strength of these four men was extraordinary, yet they had been knocked out so easily; this young man’s methods were indeed terrifying.
No wonder he remained calm in such a situation.
It turned out he had such a terrifying ace up his sleeve.
So young, yet so meticulous in his thinking, and so shrewd in his tactics.
Zhang Guoli felt as though he was facing an old enemy with years of experience.
“Fine, I, Zhang Guoli, haven’t lost to anyone over the years, yet I’ve fallen to you several times in a row.
Today, I concede.
Whatever your demands are, just state them,” Zhang Guoli said, his gaze as cold as ice.
Tangyu said, “My demands are quite simple.
First, stop those little tricks of yours in the future.
Don’t resort to dirty methods again; I won’t be lenient next time.
I can’t guarantee anything else, but I’m absolutely confident I can kill you.
Your bodyguards won’t be able to save your life.
If you still doubt my ability, continue to test my limits.
I promise you’ll die a miserable death, and no one will be able to save you.
That’s something you’ll agree to, right?”
“Hmph, fine.
I won’t trouble your company or your friends anymore,” Zhang Guoli said.
“You’ve agreed to the first demand, so the second issue is simple.
Who are you working for, and where is the poison factory located?” Tangyu stared at Zhang Guoli, hoping to take this opportunity to clarify these matters once and for all, saving himself the trouble.
“Hmph, I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Zhang Guoli scoffed coldly.
“So you mean to say you don’t care about your own life?
Think carefully before you answer me.
If I don’t cure this poison, you’re going to die in agony.
To be steamed dry to death and become a dried corpse—is that what you really want?” Tangyu asked.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.
Hmph, you think you can intimidate me like this?
You’re underestimating me, Zhang, which is laughable,” Zhang Guoli said defiantly.
Tangyu shook his head, noting that Zhang Guoli’s lips were tightly sealed, preferring death over betrayal.
Perhaps, it was necessary to apply more pressure to make him talk.
Some people won’t give up until they’re at the brink of death.
It would have been suspicious if he had given in too easily.
Zhang Guoli’s refusal to talk was quite normal.
“Alright, I won’t force you, but let me warn you one last time, any move you wish to make, direct it at me.
I hope you remember what you’ve just promised.
You still have time.
If you’re willing to talk, call me,” Tangyu said, then with a flick of his hand, the Flame Demon Scorpion King turned into a stream of light and flew into Tangyu’s mouth.
Tangyu didn’t look back at Zhang Guoli and just walked away.
Watching Tangyu’s retreating figure, Zhang Guoli’s face turned incredibly expressive.
Having left Shengshi Media, Tangyu let out a sigh of relief.
He believed that as long as Zhang Guoli wasn’t a fool, he wouldn’t dare to harm Xingjie and the others.
To take action, he would definitely need to deal with Tangyu first.
Besides, whether Zhang Guoli could survive was still an unknown.
Tangyu had not bluffed with the poison of the Flame Demon Scorpion King; without his intervention, Zhang Guoli would indeed die.
Of course, by doing this, Tangyu also aimed to draw out any possible involvement of the Yin Medical Sect.
If Zhang Guoli survived, it would prove that his backing was connected with the Yin Medical Sect.
Whether the Yin Medical Sect was lured out or not was irrelevant.
Tangyu wanted to see if Zhang Guoli would truly rather die than submit, and whether he would choose to cooperate with Tangyu at the moment of life and death.
If he chose not to cooperate, he could die.
Though Zhang Guoli’s death would bring some trouble to Tangyu, the law required evidence, and without proof, they couldn’t touch Tangyu.
“Hmm.” Tangyu’s gaze suddenly sharpened, as he sensed a strong scrutinizing presence—it was from a master.
Tangyu swiftly looked toward an alley from where the presence emanated and darted into that alley.
Shortly after, he arrived in the alley to find a figure leaning against the wall, looking rather unwell and obviously suffering from severe injuries.
The person was intently watching Tangyu.
Recognizing the man, Tangyu realized it was the same man he had saved the day before, who had mysteriously disappeared from the hospital that morning.
“I owe you my life,” the man said, with a cold and handsome demeanor, resembling an assassin hidden in the shadows, his face showing virtually no emotion.
Seeing him, Tangyu couldn’t help but be reminded of Huangfu Jing’s bodyguard, Brother Qing.
“You have quite a recovery ability.
With such severe injuries, most people wouldn’t be able to get out of bed for a month, but you had the strength to sneak out of the hospital unnoticed.
It seems your skills are quite admirable,” Tangyu remarked, assessing the man whose impression on him was favorable.
Tangyu always trusted his instincts; if he felt good about someone, he was willing to make acquaintances.
His decision to save this man the day before was partly due to this reason.
“You’re kidding, I just have a hard life and am not easy to kill.
If not for your timely rescue, I’m afraid I would have unquestionably died yesterday.
I, Gu Xing, will remember your great kindness deeply in my heart, and I’ll never forget it as long as I live.
Your skills are definitely superior to mine,” the man said earnestly.
Tangyu said, “Don’t keep calling me benefactor; just call me Tangyu.
I helped you out because we had some affinity, not because I believe in being a ‘good person.’ It’s said that saving one life is better than building a seven-story pagoda, but I’ve never believed that.
I think you’re a decent person, which is why I saved you, so you don’t need to be grateful.
If we’re fated, then becoming friends is enough.”
Gu Xing was a bit taken aback as he looked at Tangyu and then said, “The grace of saving a life is greater than the heavens, and Gu Xing will never forget it.
I came to find you today because I have a favor to ask.”
Since this person called Gu Xing insisted on calling him a benefactor, Tangyu let it be and said, “Tell me what it is, but let me be clear, I won’t help with just anything.
If it’s something I can do, I might consider helping you, but that’s not a promise for all requests.”
Gu Xing nodded and said, “I understand.
If you are willing to help me this time, I, Gu Xing, am willing to work like an ox or a horse for you, sparing no effort.”
“That’s too serious; I don’t need you to work like an ox or a horse for me.
Just tell me what you need,” Tangyu said, finding this person a bit strange with somewhat old-fashioned thinking.
“It’s like this, benefactor.
My young master and I have been pursued and hunted down.
We barely escaped to Donglin City, but we walked into an ambush laid by our enemies and were tricked.
In yesterday’s fierce battle, I covered for my young master to escape, and then I fell.
I don’t know where my young master is now.
So after waking up this morning, I immediately escaped the hospital to search for my young master, but I found no trace of him after searching for hours.
However, I am certain of one thing: my young master hasn’t fallen into the enemy’s hands because I spotted them this morning.
They’re searching the entire city for my young master.
But I’ve lost contact with my young master.
We have a specific way of communicating, and he has not reached out to me.
I’m afraid his situation might be dire.
Our enemies are also searching for my young master, and if they find him first, he will surely have no chance of survival.
Therefore, I implore you, benefactor, to help me locate my young master,” said Gu Xing.
Tangyu fell silent after hearing all of this; the situation was certainly not a simple one.
Gu Xing, with his abilities, was willing to serve others and swear undying loyalty.
Who was his master, then?
And who exactly were their enemies?
Getting involved with this vortex could potentially bring a disaster upon him.
Tangyu would normally ignore such matters if they involved others—it wasn’t that he feared them, but he didn’t want to create unnecessary trouble.
He wasn’t afraid of trouble, but the people around him couldn’t withstand it.
Even dealing with someone as minor as Zhang Guoli was enough to give him a headache.
“If you want my help, you have to tell me more about your situation.
Who is your young master?
Who are your enemies?
What caused the enmity?” Tangyu said, without outright refusing.
Gu Xing looked at Tangyu hesitantly, then after a long pause, shook his head and said, “I apologize, benefactor, but I cannot divulge anything about my young master to anyone.
I also cannot reveal who our enemies are.
All I can say is that our enemies are very powerful and terrifying.
This matter is indeed a great vortex, and I don’t wish to trouble you or involve you further.
But if you don’t lend your help to find my young master, he may truly not survive.”
Tangyu’s interest waned as Gu Xing refused to share any information, leaving him to ponder whether he should get involved at all.
An intuition urged him to help, but was it worth it to make enemies of a mysterious, powerful force for the sake of an unrelated person?
Coming to Donglin City, Tangyu had intended to live a peaceful and happy life, enjoying the world’s splendor.
To flirt with girls and live joyously—those were his pursuits.
If it weren’t for Zhang Guoli crossing his bottom line, he wouldn’t be bothering with any of this.
And now, with an unknown terrifying force surfacing, the question remained: should he help?
This dilemma gave Tangyu some pause.
“Give me one reason to help you,” Tangyu said after some thought.
Gu Xing fell silent for a moment before suddenly kneeling before Tangyu and said, “If you are willing to rescue my young master, the day he reclaims what is his, both he and I will be at your beck and call, no questions asked.”
“Oh, you can decide for your young master?” Tangyu became somewhat interested.
“I stake my life that I know my young master well.
If you can save him from this disaster, he will surely pledge loyalty to you.
My lowly life is not important; I would gladly serve in any capacity, hoping, benefactor, that you will grant me this favor,” Gu Xing replied.
Tangyu shook his head with a smile, his lips curving in amusement, and then said, “Stand up, Gu Xing.
Fine, I’ll take a gamble and help you this time.
You don’t need to serve me; just be willing to lend a hand when I need it in the future.”
Tangyu had to consider the future since his master had left him to handle the Yin Medical Sect.
Relying solely on his own strength would certainly seem inadequate.
If he could gather some covert forces now, perhaps they could become a sharp tool for him later on.