Kneeling in Surrender

Huo Xuan's heart raced wildly, but he kept his tone calm. "Sis Yue, one year would actually be enough."

Lin Yue let out a soft hmph and hung up, leaving Huo Xuan on the other end with his thoughts in turmoil. Was that Lin Yue's way of confessing to me?

That evening, Huo Guoqiang arrived at the Golden Dragon Hotel in high spirits. Huo Xuan had already ordered food and drinks, and the two chatted over their meal. Huo Guoqiang's first day at the Personnel Bureau had gone well—though he was still in the probationary period and wouldn't officially start for another three months.

"Little Uncle, is the Personnel Bureau busy?" Huo Xuan asked.

"Busy? It's packed with beauties—of course I'm busy!" Huo Guoqiang replied.

Huo Xuan rolled his eyes. "Little Uncle, focus on doing solid work first. If you perform well—plus with my connections—I guarantee you'll rise straight to the top."

Huo Guoqiang nodded. "Don't worry, Xiao Xuan. No matter where I am, I'll be first-rate. Just give me an opportunity, and I'll leap through the dragon's gate."

After staying the night, Huo Guoqiang moved into the Personnel Bureau's dormitory the next day, claiming the hotel didn't suit him—though Huo Xuan knew it was to save him money and didn't press further.

While Huo Xuan leisurely waited for Hua Buyi's return to Jiangzhou, Xu Bo's days were anything but peaceful—in fact, they could be described as sheer terror.

Ever since the failed assassination attempt on Huo Xuan at the train station, Xu Bo had been living in constant fear, increasing his bodyguards from two to eight. He also seethed at the incompetence of those two hired killers—how could they fail to take down someone defenseless?

He knew all too well how terrifying Zhang Wu could be. He must know about this by now. Will he retaliate?

His fears soon materialized. Three days after the failed hit, a Xu family jade transport vehicle vanished the moment it entered Jiangzhou. The cargo—worth 30 million yuan—was smuggled goods, meaning they couldn't even report the loss to the police. They had no choice but to swallow the humiliation.

But that wasn't all. One morning, Xu Bo woke to find a bloody dog's head on his pillow, scaring him out of his wits. He called the police immediately, but even they were baffled. How could someone bypass eight bodyguards to place this here?

The horrors didn't stop. His prized ornamental fish turned up dead. Bottles of expensive wine poured nothing but blood. Cockroach corpses surfaced in his rice. Each incident drove Xu Bo closer to madness.

Finally, after enduring over twenty days of psychological torment, Xu Bo could take no more. On the fifth day after Huo Xuan's return to Jiangzhou, he sought out Zhang Wu himself.

Inside a dimly lit room, Zhang Wu and Huo Xuan sat coldly on one side, while a haggard Xu Bo faced them, flanked by eight visibly tense bodyguards who kept glancing around nervously.

Wiping his face, Xu Bo glared at Zhang Wu. "Fifth Master Zhang, cut the crap. What do you want?"

Zhang Wu replied icily, "I've got no idea what you're talking about."

Xu Bo gritted his teeth and slammed the table. "Fine, I'll spell it out. I sent those men to kill Huo Xuan. It's done. Now name your price!"

Zhang Wu narrowed his eyes. "Bold words, Young Master Xu. If I recall, I warned you not to touch Huo Xuan—or face dire consequences."

Xu Bo sneered. "Save the threats, Zhang Wu. This is mainland China. No room for gangsters here. Cross me, and you'll burn too."

Huo Xuan's anger flared. "Xu Bo, why target me? We've never had any real feud."

"You're just an ant. Who needs a reason to crush an ant?" Xu Bo scoffed. "Twice you slipped away—luck won't favor you forever."

"Well said!" Zhang Wu clapped slowly. "The mighty Young Master Xu, owning up to his deeds. Admirable."

Xu Bo snarled, "Enough games, Zhang Wu. What's your move?"

Zhang Wu chuckled. "Now, now. I'm a law-abiding businessman. But you? Attempted murder carries a minimum three-year sentence under the Criminal Code."

Xu Bo jolted to his feet. "You're setting me up!"

Zhang Wu gestured to the wall behind him. "Hidden HD cameras captured your confession just now. You're free to leave, Xu Bo. Await your subpoena."

Xu Bo paled. "You think a video alone can convict me?"

"Of course not." Zhang Wu snapped his fingers. A swarthy middle-aged man—Er Gou, the very assassin who'd attacked Huo Xuan—was ushered into the room.

At the sight of the man, Xu Bo's face turned ashen. Gritting his teeth, he spat out, "I admit defeat. What do you want?"

Zhang Wu's expression turned frosty. "Simple. Pay 200 million to compensate my brother for his distress, offer him a formal apology, and guarantee his safety."

Xu Bo erupted in anger. "200 million? You might as well rob a bank!"

"Unwilling? Fine, that's your choice," Zhang Wu said darkly. "But Huo Xuan retains the right to sue. You're still young—three to five years in prison won't kill you. Though I should warn you, prisons house all sorts of people. Do take care."

Xu Bo's face paled instantly. Deaths in prison were common, and with Zhang Wu's underworld connections, arranging a murder behind bars would be child's play.

After agonizing deliberation, Xu Bo didn't dare risk it. With a furious stomp of his foot, he conceded, "Fine, I agree. But you'd better keep your word!"

Zhang Wu's voice was icy. "Huo Xuan is right here. Don't you have something to say?"

Xu Bo hesitated, then stepped forward and bowed stiffly. "My apologies."

Huo Xuan, who'd been summoned by Zhang Wu without knowing the script, harbored deep hatred for Xu Bo. He remained expressionless, his gaze piercing.

"That lacked sincerity," Zhang Wu remarked.

As Xu Bo frowned, about to retort, Huo Xuan suddenly stood and—smack!—slapped him hard across the face, leaving his vision swimming. "You dare hit me?!" Xu Bo roared.

Huo Xuan glared. "Open your eyes, you bastard. You tried to kill me twice, yet here I stand." Smack! Another brutal strike split Xu Bo's lip.

Xu Bo's eyes burned with fury, but he didn't retaliate. He knew Zhang Wu wouldn't let this go until Huo Xuan vented his rage—so he endured.

Then Zhang Wu stepped forward. A light kick behind Xu Bo's knees sent him crashing to the ground, kneeling before Huo Xuan. The eight bodyguards lurched forward—only to freeze as eight pistol barrels pressed against their foreheads.

A howl of humiliation tore from Xu Bo as he tried to rise, but Zhang Wu's iron grip on his shoulder pinned him in place.

Huo Xuan sat imposingly before him, looking down with contempt. "Now get the hell out."

Zhang Wu released his grip. Xu Bo sprang to his feet, his venomous gaze sweeping over Zhang Wu and Huo Xuan before he turned and stormed out without a word.

After Xu Bo left, Zhang Wu frowned. "If it were up to me, I'd have just finished him off. Pity the boss won't let me kill anyone."

Huo Xuan said, "Killing isn't the best solution. Shifu is right."

That evening, Zhang Wu's company account received the 200 million yuan. He transferred the sum onto ten bank cards and handed them all to Huo Xuan. Grateful, Huo Xuan offered, "Wu Ge, let me treat you to dinner tonight."

Zhang Wu rubbed his nose. "Bad timing—I've got a meeting tonight. Rain check?"

"What kind of meeting?" Huo Xuan asked casually.

"The big boss above me has hit a snag," Zhang Wu explained. "Now some upstart wants to carve out a piece of Jiangzhou. I can't let that happen."

Huo Xuan, unfamiliar with underworld affairs, asked, "Big boss? You mean Shifu?"

Zhang Wu shook his head. "Of course not. The 'big boss' I'm referring to is the one who gives me free rein in Jiangzhou. Ever heard of the Yiqi Group? Total assets of 23 billion, but only 30% belongs to me—the rest is the big boss's share."

"In this country, conglomerates without backing rarely thrive. There are exceptions, but they're few," Zhang Wu added. "I'm the big boss's proxy in Jiangzhou. My profits are his profits. Get it?"

Huo Xuan nodded thoughtfully. "Got it."

"Tonight, I'm meeting a man named Wu Bo. He's formidable—started as a lawyer, ran factories, then allied with Bai Liansheng, the underworld leader of Jiangbei, becoming his right-hand man."

"Now Wu Bo controls Jiangbei's southeastern region, right next to Jiangzhou. The man's ambitious, and it looks like he's here to poach territory." A cold glint flashed in Zhang Wu's eyes.

Huo Xuan pondered. "Wu Ge, between Bai Liansheng's backer and yours, who's stronger?"

Zhang Wu waved a hand. "That's not how it works. No matter who's stronger, they won't interfere directly. Otherwise, why would they need proxies like us? Even if Bai Liansheng took Jiangzhou, he'd still have to pay tribute to my boss."

Huo Xuan understood. "So the big bosses have their own domains. Regardless of who's in charge locally, their interests remain untouched."

"Exactly. People like us are just pawns. If the situation sours, we're disposable," Zhang Wu said flatly. "That's why it's unfair when people call me gangster."

Huo Xuan smirked. "Gangster? You're more like a corporate manager."

Zhang Wu laughed and clapped him on the shoulder. "So, little brother, interested in tagging along tonight?"

After a moment's thought, Huo Xuan agreed. "Sure. I could use the education."

Along Jiangzhou's coastline, Zhang Wu boarded a luxury yacht with over a hundred men, including Huo Xuan. Another group—Wu Bo's faction—already waited aboard.

The yacht set sail, stopping only when it reached international waters.

For Huo Xuan, it was his first time on such a lavish vessel. Everything fascinated him. When I'm rich enough, I'll buy one of these and cruise the seas with a bevy of beauties.

The yacht had three decks. In the lowest-level hall, Huo Xuan spotted Wu Bo—a bespectacled, middle-aged man in a pristine black suit, his hair meticulously combed. The epitome of refinement.