This statement finally made Luo Chen understand. So, these two were just Martial Guards?
Heh...
Since when did such trash dare to act so fierce in front of him?
Chen Yang turned his head, staring at Luo Chen. His eyes shimmered, cold and sharp as a knife.
Subconsciously, Luo Chen straightened his back, wanting to meet Chen Yang's gaze, but he was quickly enveloped by a bone-deep chill unlike anything he had ever encountered.
"Hmph!" Luo Chen snorted coldly. "I admit you have some skill, but don't you dare underestimate me, Luo Chen."
"Don't you know who my grandfather is? Causing trouble on my turf is asking for death."
Luo Chen blatantly played the card of his family background, trying to bolster his own morale while intimidating his opponent.
TAP. TAP. TAP.
The three middle-aged men who had been standing in the corner walked over to Luo Chen's side, their sharp eyes fixed on Chen Yang. They looked like leopards that had locked onto their prey.
With just one word from Luo Chen, they would pounce and tear Chen Yang to shreds.
Luo Chen suddenly felt a surge of confidence. He didn't care who Chen Yang was; today's actions were a slap in the face, and he would not let it go.
"Originally, I just wanted to find Luo Yunhai through you," Chen Yang said after a moment. "But now... how about we find somewhere else to talk?"
"Haha!" Luo Chen burst into laughter. "What's that supposed to mean? Are you planning to kidnap me?"
Chen Yang nodded.
Luo Chen laughed in outrage. "Do you have any idea how strong my three bodyguards are?"
Chen Yang ignored him, picked up his teacup again, and ordered Yang Hu, "Clear them out."
"You got it!"
Yang Hu cracked his neck, producing a series of popping sounds like snapping beans. Then, he strolled toward the three middle-aged men and grinned. "Gentlemen, so we don't disturb them, how about we move to the terrace next door?"
Without waiting for a reply, Yang Hu walked directly toward the terrace.
Luo Chen: "..."
"Go on, keep pretending. I'd like to see what kind of trouble a mere subordinate of yours can stir up," Luo Chen sneered, simply sitting down and crossing his legs.
The three middle-aged men followed Yang Hu out.
Chen Yang slowly sipped his tea, unhurried and methodical.
Luo Chen held a cigar, a vicious smile on his face.
The two young men sat facing each other. Luo Chen exuded an exceptional aura, sharp and aggressive, while Chen Yang's presence was completely restrained, making him seem no different from an ordinary person.
But Luo Chen didn't dare to underestimate him. This seemingly unimpressive man had to have a significant background. The aura of mystery around him was unsettling.
"Drink up. Drink a lot more. Once you're in hell, you won't get another chance," Luo Chen said coldly.
Chen Yang gazed out the window, lost in memories as he murmured, "After the battle at Hundred Flowers Valley, the Great Elder gave me two taels of tea and kept urging me to drink it sparingly."
"He probably never imagined that in the home of a spoiled heir, the tea he treasured so dearly would be available in abundance."
"Great Elder? The Battle of Hundred Flowers Valley?" Luo Chen raised an eyebrow, muttering the phrases to himself. But before he could think on it further...
SCREECH.
The door to the terrace was pushed open.
Luo Chen turned his head instinctively, the corners of his mouth beginning to curl into a smirk. But when he saw who was walking in, the infamous Young Master Luo, who ran rampant in Cangyun City, shot up from his seat as if he'd been electrocuted.
Yang Hu, spattered with blood, was pulling off a pair of crimson cotton gloves as he grinned at Luo Chen.
Luo Chen: "..."
His three bodyguards... where were they?
His gaze instinctively darted to the terrace, where three bloody figures lay motionless on the ground.
"This..."
While still in a state of shock, something suddenly clicked for Luo Chen.
"The... the Battle of Hundred Flowers Valley?"
Who in the world didn't know that the Battle of Hundred Flowers Valley was orchestrated by the Former Chief Military Commander?
Then...
Instantly, Luo Chen's expression turned to one of stark astonishment as an icy chill shot through his entire body.
After the Battle of Hundred Flowers Valley, the Great Elder rewarded him with tea? And told him to drink it sparingly?
This... this...
"You... you're..."
Luo Chen felt his throat tighten. The two words were on the tip of his tongue, but he couldn't force them out. He couldn't believe it, and he didn't want to.
CLACK.
Chen Yang set down his teacup, turned, and walked away. "Take him," he instructed Yang Hu.
"As for the others... cut them down."
Luo Chen: "..."
Everyone else: "..."
...
Sudden news exploded like a depth charge among the city's upper echelons.
The grandson of Luo Yunhai, the Former Great Elder of the Elders' Court, had been kidnapped from the Ancient Cliff Grand Hotel.
"Who in the world is this person? They dared to lay hands on Luo Yunhai's grandson? Are they insane?"
"They're courting death!"
Soon, the news spread throughout Cangyun City, becoming a topic of heated discussion for everyone.
Who was Luo Yunhai?
Although forced into early retirement for his poor command during the national war, he had spent decades building his network and influence in the Martial Department and the government. In all of Cangyun City, his power was second to none.
Kidnapping Luo Chen was no different from openly slapping Luo Yunhai across the face.
As expected, the Luo Family immediately released a statement: "We don't care if you're the Heavenly King himself. If you don't return Luo Chen to the Luo Family unharmed today, we will exterminate your entire line."
But that wasn't all. While sending men out to search, they also posted a bounty. Anyone who could provide a clue to Luo Chen's whereabouts would be rewarded with fifty million.
In less than an hour, the entire city of Cangyun was thrown into an uproar by the Luo Family.
If it weren't for today's events, who would have ever imagined that a member of the mighty Luo Family could be kidnapped?
So, just who was behind this?
Members of various influential and noble families paid visits to the Luo Family, their purpose being none other than to comfort the recently retired Great Elder.
In a commercial van driving toward a cemetery, Luo Chen's expression shifted several times before he finally worked up the courage to ask Chen Yang, who was in the passenger seat, "Are... are you really the Former Chief Military Commander?"
There was no response.
But Luo Chen knew. It had to be him; there was no doubt. This was Chen Yang, the Former Chief Military Commander who had just finished fighting the national war.
Luo Chen took a deep breath, trying his best to appear composed. "Surely, you must understand your current situation. Offending my Luo Family won't do you any good.
"If you release me now, I, Luo Chen, guarantee I will persuade my grandfather to put in a good word for you with the Falcon Master. That way, you might still have a chance to survive."
After speaking, he reviewed his words, finding his argument clear and logical.
"Don't you know your grandfather was one of the first people who wanted us dead?" Yang Hu sneered.
Luo Chen's expression faltered. He quickly realized he probably wasn't going to survive the day.
"..."