Chapter 138: The Attack of the Black Dragon Society (2)

Uncle Wu first nodded, then furrowed his brow and said, "Nine times out of ten, it's about the arms again. The Black Dragon Society has been making quite a stir domestically lately, especially in the Central Plains. I suspect they are trying to establish a foothold here."

"Hmph, trying to establish a foothold in the Central Plains?" Old Master Tang let out a cold snort, his eyes filled with utter disdain. "The Central Plains is my territory. Even if you're a dragon outside, you've got to coil up when you come here."

Hearing Old Master Tang's words, Uncle Wu opened the door and stepped outside. Since Lin Fan had arrived, he naturally needed to go and welcome him. After all, the old master had just instructed him to bring Lin Fan to the study. The Tang estate was so vast that Uncle Wu was genuinely worried Lin Fan might not find his way.

Meanwhile, Lin Fan and Tang Rui had just parked the car in the courtyard, and Xiang Wei happened to be walking out from inside. Seeing Lin Fan and Tang Rui standing side by side, his expression turned unusually ugly. A cold, murderous intent flickered in his eyes, though it vanished as quickly as it appeared. He then forced a smile and walked toward Tang Rui, yet that fleeting flash of murder and resentment had already been captured by Lin Fan.

"Rui'er, what happened to your lip? It looks bruised," Xiang Wei asked with apparent surprise as he drew closer, noticing a trace of blood on Tang Rui's lip.

Tang Rui instinctively bit her lower lip, realizing there indeed was a faint taste of blood. Looking at Lin Fan with a flutter of panic, she quickly made up an excuse: "It's probably due to internal heat lately; my lips are a bit chapped."

Lin Fan was momentarily stunned. Logically speaking, that shouldn't have been the case—his skills weren't that lacking. Even in the heat of the moment, it shouldn't have gone this far. Besides, right after they finished, he had specifically glanced at her, and her lips had looked plump and rosy. But recalling how nervous Tang Rui had been, biting her lip in the car, Lin Fan felt he already had his answer.

To Xiang Wei, however, Tang Rui's lips were more than just rosy; there wasn't the slightest sign of chapping. How could it possibly be internal heat? Coupled with her flustered expression, Xiang Wei was certain this matter had something to do with Lin Fan. Never had he expected the two of them to have progressed this far. Gritting his teeth with bitter jealousy, Xiang Wei felt his rage flare up—he hadn't even so much as touched Tang Rui's hand yet, let alone her body.

"Brother Wei, what's wrong?" Tang Rui asked with a puzzled look, noticing Xiang Wei's dark and unpleased expression.

*Damn it, what a name to call someone,* Lin Fan thought. *Isn't that practically broadcasting to the world that Xiang Wei has erectile dysfunction?* Even with Lin Fan's strong self-control, it took all his might not to burst out laughing, though his face turned completely red. What kind of name gives someone a character like "Wei"? Most people surely associated "Brother Wei" with male enhancement pills.

"It's nothing, nothing," Xiang Wei forced a smile and said. Seeing the expression on Lin Fan's face, Xiang Wei knew exactly what he was thinking, but since Tang Rui had addressed him that way, he had to play along to maintain his gentlemanly persona.

In Tang Rui's eyes, after all, she and Xiang Wei had grown up together, and their bond was exceptionally close, which was why she chatted and laughed so familiarly with him. Lin Fan, on the other hand, held zero goodwill toward Xiang Wei; he merely stood off to the side with an icy expression, watching Xiang Wei play the fool.

Emerging from the study, Uncle Wu spotted Lin Fan from afar and walked over with a smile. When Xiang Wei looked up and saw Uncle Wu approaching, his expression shifted, and he hastily found an excuse to leave.

Lin Fan couldn't help curling his lip in mild dissatisfaction. No matter what, Uncle Wu was an elder of the Tang household and senior to Xiang Wei. For Xiang Wei to simply turn on his heel and walk away without a word showed a complete lack of manners. Then again, Lin Fan knew that pampered young masters like Xiang Wei had always been arrogant and dismissive of others.

"Don't mind him; he's always like that," Uncle Wu said as he walked over, seeming to read Lin Fan's thoughts. "The old master is waiting for you in the study. You should head on over."

Not far away, Xiang Wei's back was turned to Uncle Wu, but a flash of venom crossed his face as he muttered to himself, "You old immortal, let's see how much longer you can bounce around. One foot in the grave and you still dare to lecture me, hmph." Swinging his sleeve in a huff, Xiang Wei stormed off and drove away from the Tang estate.

After exchanging a few brief words with Tang Rui, Lin Fan walked toward the study with Uncle Wu. As they reached the entrance of the study, Lin Fan noticed a servant leading three Japanese men toward them from a short distance away. Halting at the study door, Lin Fan furrowed his brow slightly and muttered, "Japanese." At the same time, a glint of killing intent flashed in his eyes. Knowing they were here, Lin Fan figured they must be seeking out Old Master Tang.

"They're from the Black Dragon Society, here to see the old master. I'm afraid it's about the arms deal again," Uncle Wu pushed open the study door and whispered to Lin Fan.

Inside the study, Old Master Tang cheerfully beckoned Lin Fan over to his side. Lin Fan showed no formality and sat right down.

Immediately afterward, the door opened, and guided by a servant, three short Japanese men walked in. The moment he laid eyes on them, Lin Fan knew the old master had summoned him mostly because of the Black Dragon Society.

Upon entering, the three men stood rigidly before Old Master Tang and bowed ninety degrees from the waist. *Hmph, the Japanese are always so hypocritical. No wonder they grow up so short—bowing like that all the time is bound to stunt their growth,* Lin Fan sneered inwardly, a cold smile playing at the corners of his mouth as he picked up the teacup beside him.

After finishing these insincere bows, the man in the center spoke, "We have long heard of Old Master Tang's legendary reputation. It is a profound honor for Inukai to finally meet you today."

This man was none other than Inukai Ichiro!

During their previous visits to see the old master, the members of the Black Dragon Society had requested that he act as a middleman to purchase weaponry from Russian arms dealers, only to be turned away each time under the pretext that the old master was feeling unwell. This sudden willingness of Old Master Tang to see them now filled Inukai Ichiro with renewed hope.

In truth, the old master was simply utterly annoyed by them. The only reason he agreed to see them this time was to make the Black Dragon Society utterly abandon any such notions. As for calling Lin Fan over, it was naturally to see if he had any better ideas for dealing with this situation.

"Hehe, you flatter me, Mr. Inukai. Please, have a seat," the old master said with a smile, turning to Uncle Wu behind him. "Xiao Wu, bring out some tea for our three guests. Let Mr. Inukai taste whether our Chinese tea or their Japanese tea is more authentic."

Uncle Wu hesitated for a moment, then nodded in acknowledgment and withdrew. Initially, he had been concerned for the old master's safety, but reflecting on it, the Black Dragon Society wouldn't dare assassinate the old master openly within the Tang residence. Besides, with Lin Fan here, he trusted that as the leader of the Dragon Soul mercenaries, Lin Fan's personal combat skills were more than enough to handle the few individuals present. That was why he felt at ease stepping outside.

Paying them no further heed, Old Master Tang sat back and closed his eyes to rest his mind. A young Japanese man accompanying Inukai, noticing the old master's arrogant demeanor, clenched his fists and looked ready to throw a tantrum. However, Inukai gently pulled him back and shook his head. After all, he was representing the Black Dragon Society this time and carried a mission; offending Old Master Tang would mean coming away empty-handed, ruining everything.

A moment later, Uncle Wu brought out three cups of tea, placed them before the three men, and said politely, "Please, enjoy your tea."