Chapter 132: Thunderous Means

"If you keep acting so smug, boy, watch out that you don't capsize in the gutter. To be this disrespectful to your elders, so vicious and flamboyant in your dealings—I wonder who you learned that from?"

Old Master Wang Yudong’s words were a biting jab at Fu Yanyan, implying that the Fu family was inherently rotten and distancing himself from his grandson-in-law.

The old man gestured, and an attendant handed him a cane. Leaning on it, he hobbled out of the entrance with the help of his aides. He cast a fierce, malicious glare at the Fu family bodyguards standing by, his disdain palpable.

Once Old Master Wang had departed, a familiar figure sauntered in, followed by ten bodyguards. A small knife was tucked into his waistband, and he was chewing on horse meat. Guan Yujing had changed into a white T-shirt, blue jeans, and custom-made sneakers.

As he entered, he brought with him the scent of tranquil lilies. He sat in a nearby chair—evidently having arrived upon hearing the commotion—pulled the knife from his waistband, set it gently on the table, and closed his eyes to rest, speaking slowly.

"President Fu, seeing the old man leave in such a rage, did you say something truly heinous again?"

The attendant serving tea prepared a cigar, wine, and tea for Guan Yujing.

"So much curiosity? I never do anything heinous."

Fu Yanyan picked an orange from a nearby basket and tossed it to the man opposite him. His tone was low and frank.

Guan Yujing caught the orange and chuckled. His features were as exquisite as a Western sculpture; even when he squinted and laughed, he displayed a rare, youthful vitality beneath his inherent ferocity. His deep blue eyes were vivid, reflecting shifting emotions like the frozen lakes beneath the snow in the frigid Northeast—untouchable, cold, and dangerous, yet with currents moving slowly beneath the surface, ever-changing.

He peeled the orange slowly and replied, "President Fu, you are truly the 'Buddha of the Capital'..."

His words carried a heavy subtext, mocking Fu Yanyan’s duplicity, hypocrisy, and cruelty.

"President Guan, you don't quite understand Chinese culture. In Buddhist tradition, the Buddha has two faces. He may lower his eyes and show compassion to the world, but when his eyes flash with rage, he is more terrifying than an Asura. Without the thunderous means to enforce it, kindness and compassion are meaningless. Sometimes, human ruthlessness is merely following the laws of heaven. Thus, I never do anything heinous; I am simply acting in accordance with the rules of the universe."

Fu Yanyan pressed his fingertips lightly against his temples. Wisps of smoke from his cigar curled into the air. He ordered someone to light a stick of sandalwood for peace of mind.

"This orange..."

Guan Yujing had just squinted and popped a piece of the orange into his mouth, only to be hit with a nauseating, rotten taste. Even after spitting it all out, the flavor lingered in his mouth. The orange was definitely rotten, and it had been treated specifically—it was even more disgusting than the horse meat.

"President Guan, do I still deserve the title of 'Buddha of the Capital'? Don't look at me with such a terrifying gaze. It is merely an eye for an eye. You fed my wife horse meat; in the spirit of reciprocity, I had to treat you to an orange to freshen your palate."

Fu Yanyan smiled faintly as he spoke, as if remembering something. He looked truly noble, his entire being radiating a brilliance that seemed to spill from beneath his black clothing. He possessed a physique as sturdy as those who dedicated their lives to Buddhism, yet he appeared neither pure nor holy. Instead, there was an inviolable majesty and a wicked edge to him—especially the sharp shrewdness in his eyes, which made it impossible for others to tell if he was a man with a Buddha's mouth and a snake's heart, or simply a manifestation of the indifferent Great Way.

"Heh, so you played a dirty trick to snatch my business, and you call that reciprocity?"

"Don't talk nonsense. How did I play a dirty trick? If I want something, I can take it by force. If that project remained in your hands, you would only betray your interests, exploit the Chinese people, turn society upside down, and let greed cripple countless industries. In my hands, it can at least benefit the people and perfect the national economy. Even if I used certain methods, the ultimate goal is righteous—that is a greater good for the world."

Fu Yanyan’s words were resonant and powerful. He reclined lazily in his chair, his aura not diminished in the slightest. After speaking, he picked up a teacup from the yellow rosewood table and took a sip of Longjing.

"President Fu, what you call the 'greater good' is merely sacrificing the few to ensure the happiness of the many. You not only gain a good reputation but also maximize your profits. The AI chip technology, Mars elevator technology, and quantum entanglement technology you've imported from abroad—if mishandled, they will bring catastrophic disaster to this country. You are playing with fire. The profits are high, but the consequences of failure are severe. Could it be that you intend to use this technology to resurrect her?"

Fu Yanyan did not offer an explanation; he simply said one thing.

He had forged his armor of iron and calm over years of hardship. No matter the outcome, since he chose to act, he was prepared to bear the consequences.

"Small evils lead to great good. In chaotic times, the first thing to do is kill the 'saint.' This world was forged and moves forward only through countless risks. If no one is willing to be a madman, there will be no Buddha left in this world."

Guan Yujing admired his opponent. He could have fought the Fu Group for this project right now, but he knew clearly that the man before him was no longer the man he used to be; he was now unfathomably dangerous, and one could not simply snatch food from the tiger's mouth.

Guan Yujing was no Buddha; he was a worldly man. He only cared if a project was profitable enough to justify the risk. Thus, taking back the project would require careful planning.

Guan Yujing had often reflected that the man before him was exactly the same as in his youth, only now he was more hypocritical, even pretending to be pious and saving the masses.

Their first meeting was over a decade ago.

The Guan Group had strongly demanded he produce an heir. At that time, he had just come of age, and from childhood, he had lacked interest in sex, finding it filthy. Yet, his family never respected his wishes and tried every means to force him to be with women.

Young and rebellious, Guan Yujing loathed being coerced.

On a night of torrential rain, he met the daughter of the Zhong Group, sent by her own family. They were of similar age, and it was said the Zhong Group was facing a financial crisis and needed the Guan family's connections, so they sold their own flesh and blood.