Chapter 551 - 'Chase' (III)

Eitan turned to the corner. He did not go to the restroom but to an empty balcony on the second hall.

He had noticed that the door there was slightly open. It was a sign that the man was already there.

However, when Eitan entered the balcony, there was no one. 

He frowned. 

Did he get it wrong?

Suddenly, an emotionless voice sounded behind him. "Thank you for coming."

!!!!!!

Eitan turned around.

Lu Jin was still wearing his mask. He stood quietly beside the door.

"Goodness, Lu Jin! Don't startle me too much. You know I have a weak heart."

Lu Jin ignored his words and closed the door, before turning to answer the man.

"My apologies for startling you. I have to be discreet. Did you notice anyone following you on your way here?" What Lu Jin wanted to truly ask was, did the man sitting beside their table move as well when Eitan went out? But he decided against it and asked vaguely instead.

Eitan shook his head. "No. I did not notice anyone. Although, I wonder why do we even need to meet here in secret?" 

Aside from listening to music in this private concert, there had always been a tacit knowledge in the high society that events like this would also have the purpose of letting the guests mingle for their own interests. It would not stand out too much if Lu Jin and Eitan came together on one table or in a corner to talk, because the rest of the guests would have been doing the same.

Lu Jin shook his head. "Father intends to remain low-key about it. I apologize for troubling you."

Eitan waved his hand immediately.

Even though Eitan was an heir of the Abromich family and his father was a king in the underworld society in Middle East, Lu Jin's status did not fall behind him. Not to mention, Lu Jin's father had an expanse of unfathomable connections and schemes that even his proud father had to take into consideration, sometimes giving in for this man's father. 

Thus, Eitan did not dare to be rude. "There's no need to apologize. It is my father's orders as well to meet you and inquire about the matter."

Speaking of the matter, Eitan glanced at Lu Jin. "You said earlier that we need to look out for Mistress Tang. Why do you say so?" His father seemed to have understood it, but he did not.

Lu Jin disliked to talk extensively, but tasked with his father's entrustment, he moved his lips. "Mistress Tang has invited people of great ranks. Most of them had connections to the organization. I assume they are inquiring about the hidden agreement between us." 

Eitan was stunned. He was there when his father signed the papers which Lu Jin had brought four years ago.

He knew of the plan where the father and son pair was aiming to expand their territory and monopolize the organization. His father had decided to side with them after considering all possibilities, seeing that these two would likely succeed.

But if their plan was disrupted midway by the legendary families... It would be a huge hurdle.

Eitan was someone who knew the ins and outs of the high society, so he knew that this must be avoided. "What can the Abromich do to assist you?" 

He was called out here. For sure, it was not only to get warned of the danger, but for another matter as well.

Lu Jin inwardly nodded at Eitan's quick response, which was as expected of the son of the underground king. "We need three more signatures to turn the tables to our favor. With this, we will not be needing the votes from the legendary families." Even if they noticed, it would be all too late.

'Three? Only three more are needed?'

Eitan was inwardly stunned at the knowledge that Lu Jin had managed to get all the votes except for three in just three to four years. That was no small feat.

"Who are they? And how can the Abromich help?"

"I initially planned to get their votes once the banquet is over, but father seems impatient and did not want this opportunity to convince them slip by." Lu Jin said in a low voice. "I have heard that business is going well down below..." 

Eitan's ears perked up. He could sense where this conversation was going at. "We have many reliable trading partners in the black market after all, and the transactions went smoothly too. In fact, it is also thanks to your father's help that the Abromich got more resources."

Lu Jin nodded. "I heard that you have been channeling some parcels to Country EU and your operations seem to be going well there..."

'Country EU...?'

"Yes, after Xiong De went to prison, his clients went looking for other channels in Country EU. That helped a lot." 

Eitan was a bit more cautious to disclose more about this sensitive information to Lu Jin. Both of their fathers were underground kings and were also doing the same kind of business. 

Business still business. 

There were some matters that they needed to exploit without the other knowing, and did not need getting the other's approval.

Lu Jin nodded after hearing his answer. 

When Xiong De was imprisoned without any notice, the man did not manage to tidy up his tails. All of his clients had scattered about, abandoning Xiong De's former channels to avoid getting caught up in the whirlpool. Even though Guan Gao Huan had managed to salvage some clients in Country EU's deals, some still slipped through the net. Now he knew where those clients had gone to. 

They ended up contributing to Abromich's pockets.

This was how the world worked. 

Lu Jin did not take it against them and coldly continued after a brief pause. "That is good to hear. Considering that your influence in Country EU has gotten bigger, we would like ask for your--" 

Suddenly, Lu Jin stopped speaking. The eyes beneath the mask flashed darkly. The next fraction of a second, his body blurred. 

In a short moment, Lu Jin had already kicked the door open.

Bang!

There was an aura of qigong on his feet. The door was made of oakwood framed with metallic support. It was tough and did not break easily because Lu Jin still tried to regulate the force, so as to avoid attracting people's attention. 

But the force of Lu Jin's foot made the ultra-strong metal hinge loosen. 

Eitan was shocked. 

He knew how to defend himself with a few martial art moves, but he was not a master so he had no idea know why Lu Jin suddenly vented his anger on the door.

The poor door almost broke!

"Please stay here for a while." After leaving this sentence, Lu Jin trailed off like a ghost as his body disappeared.

Eitan backed away and rubbed his eyes. 

There was no one in front of him. The door was slightly open, an indication that Lu Jin had really left.

Eitan shuddered.

Oh goodness, were these Asians still humans?

****

A few seconds earlier.

Linfeng was speedily running without a sound.

The air behind him turned heavier. He could feel a hint of qi behind.

Linfeng's eyes flashed. This hint of qi was familiar. He was sure that he had faced this masked man before.

To confirm, Linfeng stopped running, turned his body around while braking on his steps, and planted himself on the ground. 

He did not intend to run away, but instead wanted to bait the man here in case the masked man noticed him.

Bang! It was the sound of the door being blasted open.

This was an empty hallway. This hallway was a bit dimmed as few night lights were lit. The sound of the orchestra and the piano could be faintly heard in this hallway.

Linfeng stared deeply at the empty hallway.

There was no one in front of him. However, Linfeng was sure that the man know some skills to hide one's aura and oneself. It was a skill that Linfeng was familiar with. After all, he was a butler who assisted his master in the shadows.

The wind changed. It was sharp, loud, and carried a heavy pressure.

He was coming.

At the same time, the faint music reached its ultimate crescendo. The song 'Chase' was currently at the climax, the last section of the song. It sounded like a wounded beast in its last fight, an intense sound for the last chase. It was condensing, furious, and exhilarating.

Swoosh!

The air in the empty hallway seemed to have been sliced through as a streak of shadow instantly attacked Linfeng. 

Linfeng was prepared.

His crossed arms received the blow from the mysterious shadow. 

At that moment, Linfeng had a clear look on the assailant.

****

(A/n: Xiong De had dealings with the underground in Britain before. I changed it to Country EU. This was also where Gao Huan and Xiong De had first collaborated. )