Chapter 116: Creditor Number One — Eighty Million

This jade mask originally belonged to Lu Yier. I had no intention of hiding what I saw, so I told him everything I had witnessed in the hallucination.

“Boss, shouldn’t we investigate that mountain?” I asked.

“Are you saying that mountain might actually exist in reality?” Lu Yier proposed, a glimmer of excitement flickering in his eyes.

After my reminder, he had already come to accept my theory. He believed his ancestors must have left him something.

I pondered for a moment before nodding in agreement. “Alright. When the opportunity arises, we’ll definitely check it out. But not now. I have a feeling that black mountain might conceal dangers unknown to the world.”

“Or maybe it’s a family treasure!” Lu Yier said excitedly.

I nodded thoughtfully. At that moment, Lu Yier spoke slowly, “So, boss, I’ve decided we absolutely cannot sell the Bengjian Market!”

“As long as you’re here, this place must be hiding secrets! We just have to uncover them!”

Looking into Lu Yier’s steadfast eyes, a flicker of hope and determination kindled within me. Perhaps this jade mask and the visions truly were guiding us toward some vital secret.

Bengjian Market, seemingly ordinary, might conceal immense secrets and wealth.

If we sold it, these things could be lost forever.

“Alright,” I said, patting Lu Yier’s shoulder, “we must protect this place. When the time is right, we’ll explore that black mountain.”

Lu Yier nodded vigorously, his eyes shining with excitement. “Boss, rest assured. I’ll arrange everything to ensure Bengjian Market’s safety.”

We returned to the market, but as soon as we reached the gate, several men were standing guard.

Old Chen Bao said they were men sent by Gao Qiqiang.

He wanted me to attend Gao Youde’s funeral tomorrow and, in front of everyone, settle the debts once and for all.

I glanced at a simple IOU. The debtor: Wang Hu. Debt amount: fifty million.

I looked coldly at my own name, knowing tomorrow’s event was bound to be a trap.

Seeing this, Lu Yier’s face darkened. He whispered, “Boss, should I help you raise some money? That way, you’ll have some leverage tomorrow.”

I waved him off with a cold snort. “No need. The Gao family doesn’t deserve this money. I have my own ways to handle it.”

Though worried, Lu Yier nodded after seeing my resolute expression.

As night deepened, Lu Yier and I patrolled the market to ensure nothing unusual.

Back in the office, I pulled out the IOU and quietly strategized.

Gao Youde’s funeral was surely a trap, but I wouldn’t back down.

If Gao Youde couldn’t kill me, why should I fear his death? Ridiculous.

“Lu Yier,” I suddenly said, “stay here at the market tomorrow and keep it secure. I’ll go alone.”

Lu Yier was momentarily stunned, then understood. “Boss, don’t worry. I’ll hold this place down.”

I nodded.

The night wind brushed past, carrying a chill.

At dawn the next day, I rose to prepare.

The thoughts from last night lingered in my mind, but I knew today I must remain fully focused.

Dressed and ready, I found Lu Yier waiting at the office door.

“Boss, everything’s prepared,” he said quietly.

I nodded, grateful for his loyalty and care. “Remember, no matter what happens, you cannot leave the market today.”

Lu Yier nodded solemnly. “Understood, boss.”

I stepped out of the market, facing the rising sun, quietly repeating to myself: the black mountain and the jade mask’s secret will be revealed one day. But today, I must first confront the challenge before me.

Gao Youde’s funeral was held at a lavish estate outside the city, where luxury cars lined the entrance, exuding opulence.

I took a deep breath and entered the estate, immediately met with a solemn atmosphere.

The Gao family’s disciples and their thugs, all dressed in black, wore stern expressions as if awaiting something.

“You must be Wang Hu. You’ve come,” a low voice whispered beside me. I looked up to see a middle-aged man with slicked-back hair, not looking like a street thug but more like a leader or official.

“I’m Gao Qiqiang.”

He extended his hand.

“Mr. Gao,” I replied coolly, my gaze steady.

Gao Qiqiang smiled, a chilling glint in his eyes. “Today is my brother’s funeral. We hope to give him some closure here.”

“You currently owe fifty million,” he continued. “You’re the third creditor.”

I sneered coldly, “Debts die with the dead. That’s your family’s rule, and I’ll abide by it.”

Gao Qiqiang nodded, then signaled his men to lead me further inside.

We passed through the estate and entered a spacious hall already filled with the city’s prominent figures.

“Everyone,” Gao Qiqiang stood at the center, his voice booming, “today, we not only bid farewell to my brother, but also resolve an important matter: settling my brother’s debts. We must give him closure today.”

I stood in the middle of the hall, scanning the room. These influential people were all seasoned foxes, their eyes sharp with scrutiny and testing.

I knew every step today had to be taken with utmost caution.

Gao Qiqiang continued, “I know all of you here are respectable people who wouldn’t easily incur debts. But my brother’s debts must be wiped clean today, to ensure his burial is not hindered.”

He glanced around at us all. “Now, I will begin reading off the names of the creditors.”

After a pause, he announced, “Yushan Village, Li Hongyu! Owes my brother eighty million!”

“Yushan Village, Li Hongyu owes my brother eighty million!” echoed through the hall.

The room fell silent as everyone’s gaze focused on one corner.

At first, we assumed from the name it was a woman, but the one who stood up was a young man.

Li Hongyu slowly rose, slender and stern-faced, with eyes full of resolve. He wore a black shirt with no jacket.

Whispers spread among the crowd; evidently, this young man was unfamiliar to most.

“Li Hongyu, you owe my brother eighty million. What do you plan to do about it?” Gao Qiqiang asked coldly.

Li Hongyu replied with neither humility nor arrogance, “Gao Qiqiang, I never intended to repay a cent today.”

The moment he spoke, everyone was stunned.

Gao Qiqiang had already notified everyone of his purpose in calling this funeral. He couldn’t be unaware.

But what did this declaration mean?

Li Hongyu raised his gaze disdainfully at Gao Qiqiang. “Let me be honest with you. Not only do I not owe this money, it’s actually your brother who owes me—”

He paused for effect. “Blood money.”