CHAPTER 365: 309 VS. WHAT? _2

"I never imagined you’d be one of them."

Tian Hetu took a deep breath, feeling his blood pressure spike.

Xia Liang continued, "In terms of ability, you say he’ll reach the peak one day, but there are things that only I can do. I will help this land in my own way."

He produced a reddish-gold medal. Yang Su knew what it was, of course; medals were awarded to those who had rendered meritorious service. It was just that so many had been issued over the last century that they were no longer anything special.

"This... this is!"

Tian Hetu leaped to his feet. He strode forward and grabbed Xia Liang’s wrist, his eyes nearly bulging out of his head.

"Old Tian, what’s so special about it?" This was the first time Yang Su had ever seen her husband react so strongly. Even fifteen years ago, when he’d nearly lost the entire family fortune, he had remained confident and cheerful.

Tian Hetu spoke through gritted teeth. "The Dragon Soul Guardian Medal. It has only been issued once since the founding of the nation, and that was twenty-five years ago to honor a contribution of the highest order. As far as I know, it should be in *his* hands. How did you get it?"

"Mr. Tian, do you really think someone like Old Bai would lend something so important to just anyone?" Xia Liang asked with a wry laugh. "As for character... sigh, you might not believe this, but just now, Yuanyuan asked me to take her to a small inn, and I managed to resist the temptation."

Indeed, I resisted. There were no rooms, and I didn’t take her to the woods to light mosquito coils either.

At that moment, Tian Hetu was still gripping Xia Liang’s wrist tightly. Seeing this, Yang Su gently pulled her husband back to his seat and asked in a low voice, "What on earth is going on?"

Tian Hetu gave a bitter smile. "When you were young, you admired Bai Yin more than anyone. But he didn’t receive the Dragon Soul Guardian Medal until he was thirty. This kid is only in his twenties, yet he’s already reached that height. What do you think is going on?"

Just a moment ago, they had tried to use Feng Pojun’s wealth and status to intimidate Xia Liang, but they never expected to be so thoroughly and swiftly put in their place. Feng Pojun was certainly from an illustrious family, but that was only because he was born into it. In contrast, here was a young man from a common background who had become a member of Luan Long and had even been awarded the Dragon Soul Guardian Medal. The difference in their standing was immediately obvious.

However, that wasn’t all.

As if that wasn’t enough, Xia Liang calmly added, "Since Uncle Tian wants to compare, let’s go all the way."

As he spoke, Xia Liang produced something else. "I have a lot of real estate, so I’ll just show you some of my liquid assets."

It was a card that looked as if it were crafted from diamond. The words "World Bank Connection" were printed on its surface.

"That’s a—!"

The couple, who had yet to recover from the previous shock, stared with wide eyes. As businesspeople, they instantly recognized the card. It was issued by the World Bank Connection. One could receive a card for depositing over one thousand Yuan, but that was just a silver card. Tian Hetu had one, which he’d received for depositing 3,000 Yuan—an amount equivalent to three billion back then.

Only a deposit on the level of one hundred thousand could earn a diamond card.

To put it in perspective, Tian Hetu’s entire net worth had only just reached that level. Yet Xia Liang had that much in liquid assets alone. The amount was horrifying.

Ignoring the two, who were now too shocked to speak, Xia Liang put the card away. "Well then, I’ll be taking my leave."

With that, Xia Liang stood up and walked out.

Watching his departing figure, the couple exchanged a look, both seeing the bewilderment in the other’s eyes before shaking their heads.

Tian Hetu couldn’t help but sigh. "Since when did Qingyun City have such a powerhouse living in it?"

By the time he walked out of the Lingxiao Club, it was already midnight. Xia Liang walked aimlessly down the road, confident that the Tian couple’s stance would soften. The power he had displayed would be enough to deter them from obstructing his and Yuanyuan’s relationship. He had the strength to make them hesitate.

Moreover, he was one of the Dragon King’s men. Anyone with a shred of sense knew how fiercely protective the Dragon King was of his own and wouldn’t dare to cross him.

At an intersection, a black Hui Teng was parked by the curb. Xiao Qianxi was leaning against the car door, gazing at the moon.

"I thought you wouldn’t make it out alive, or at least not without losing some skin," she said.

Xia Liang caressed the brand-new car’s body. "Nonsense. My future in-laws adore me. And I have to say, this feels completely different."

"I’ve completed the task from Uncle Lu," Xiao Qianxi said, tossing a set of keys to him. "This is your home in the Imperial Capital. I’ve stocked it with the weapons you like to use, but don’t go picking fights with people. The waters run deep here."

"You worry too much. I’ll be heading back in a few days. Who could I possibly provoke in such a short time?"

Xia Liang opened the passenger door. "Come on, I’ll give you a ride."

"No need. I have my own car," she said before turning and walking away.

The evening breeze gently lifted her dark hair as the bright moonlight cast her beautiful shadow long upon the ground.

"Why the snappy tone?" Xia Liang murmured, touching his nose. He didn’t insist.

Sliding into the familiar yet foreign driver’s seat, he couldn’t help but feel a wave of nostalgia.

Shift into gear, tap the accelerator, shift again, and floor it!

The all-carbon-fiber body made the initial launch terrifyingly fast. With a simple series of motions, the car could accelerate from zero to one hundred kilometers per hour in under 2.8 seconds. It was insanely fast.

「Ten thousand kilometers away.」

In an underground room, a group of men and women, black and white, were crowded around a monitor, repeatedly watching a video. The edited footage showed Xia Liang leaping over the Rainbow Bridge and racing wildly through Qingyun City.

"Wow, this kid from the East has some serious driving skills. Dominic, I think he might even be better than you..." the speaker, a tall black man, remarked.

"Think before you speak, Roma," Dominic said with a chuckle, shaking his head. "I admit his driving is exceptional, but he’s still got a ways to go before he can compare to me."

A woman with a great figure brought over a tray of coffee. "You’ve all been watching this for hours. So, what’s the verdict? Are we recruiting him?"

Dominic pondered for a moment. "That gold shipment won’t be easy to hit. Let’s observe him a little longer."

The others had no objections. To them, all that mattered was that the plan was foolproof and they could steal the gold.

The late-night radio station was broadcasting various gossip stories.

Just then, an announcer broke in. "We interrupt this program with breaking news. Mr. Maga Teng, the CEO of the Goose Factory Company, was abducted by kidnappers at approximately eleven o’clock tonight. His whereabouts are currently unknown. We urge all drivers to be on the lookout for a gray van with the license plate Jing J5438. If you spot this vehicle, please contact the authorities immediately."

That four-eyed Maga Teng got kidnapped? Xia Liang chuckled. For the CEO of such a large internet company, his security was seriously lacking. But what goes around comes around. Probably karma for selling too many overpriced Ninjas in his games.

Xia Liang checked the time and started accepting rideshare orders for the day.

"Live Order: From Pingzhuang No. 35 to Tianmen Grand Plaza. Please accept promptly if you do not wish to decline..."

"Order accepted."

Shangjing was vast, and Pingzhuang was located on the very edge of the suburbs. The chance of getting a hidden mission was slim, but it was better than doing nothing.

When he arrived at the location, he found himself in an area with very few streetlights, surrounded by old, single-story houses. He waited for a good while, but the passenger never showed up.

Thinking he might be in the wrong spot, Xia Liang got out of his car and looked around. This was the only access road, so it was impossible for him to be in the wrong place.

What the hell? Wait a minute! That gray van up ahead? The license plate is Jing J5438! No way! What a coincidence!

He killed the engine and vaulted onto a nearby wall. The small courtyard below was a mess. A light was on in one of the rooms, and he could faintly hear voices from within.

Xia Liang carefully crept closer and peeked through a crack in a broken window. Inside, several burly men were playing cards. In a corner, a man with glasses was tied to a chair while a large man stood over him, cursing loudly.

"You goddamn scammer! Years ago, when I was still in school, you were already pulling all those ’Diamond’ VIP scams! You made it so a guy couldn’t even get a girlfriend without being a ’Noble’! Give me back my youth!" he yelled, slapping the top of Maga’s head so hard that the man saw stars.

"Boss, you can’t blame me for that!" Maga pleaded. "It was a plan from my operations team! It had nothing to do with me!"

"Cut the crap!" the large man sneered. "You think they would’ve dared to so blatantly squeeze people for money without your approval? Have you no shame?"

Maga didn’t dare say another word, fearing another slap to the face.