Even though Zhang Yu was the Third Miss of the Zhang Family, she didn't really serve any practical use; not saving her would merely tarnish the reputation of the Zhang Family.

But Uncle Fu was different.

A martial artist at the early stage of mastery, he was considered a top expert among the Zhang Family and the Seven Small Families.

An expert like that was a loss the Zhang Family could not afford.

Moreover, at a time when the Zhang Family urgently needed people, if they didn't save Uncle Fu, it would definitely chill the hearts of the many non-family members serving the Zhang Family. They might not say anything at the moment, but whether they would serve the Zhang Family wholeheartedly in the future would become a question.

All of this was within Xu Hao's control.

By capturing Zhang Yu, the Zhang Family would surely send someone to rescue her. Then he could detain another expert of the Zhang Family, forcing them to pay a hefty ransom for their release.

Since the Zhang Family had already made their stance clear by siding with the Wu Family, they were enemies to him.

Facing his enemies, Xu Hao would absolutely not be lenient.

Even if he didn't kill, he had to exchange them for enough benefits.

Just like now, a mere commoner, a martial artist at the early stage of mastery, Xu Hao could kill with a flick of his wrist, posing no threat to him at all; but it was obviously more worthwhile to use them to exchange for things.

Zhang Yu's face showed anger.

She wasn't angry at Xu Hao's outrageous demands, but at Xu Hao's contempt for her.

If Xu Hao thought she was worth half of the Northern Second District, he would have directly made that demand. But he didn't, which indicated that Xu Hao himself didn't think she was worth that much, only together with Uncle Fu who was at the early stage of mastery.

Zhang Yu felt deeply humiliated.

She glared at Xu Hao, but he simply ignored her.

Who would care about the rage of an ant?

Upon hearing Xu Hao's price, Uncle Fu immediately became furious, "Xu Hao, don't get greedy! I'm just at the early level of mastery, expendable. The Zhang Family will definitely not agree to your demands!"

Xu Hao replied with a faint smile, "True, to me, someone at your level of early mastery is indeed expendable, but that's not the case for the Zhang Family. With only one Great Perfection Mastery Level, one Peak of Mastery, two at the Late Stage of Mastery, two at the Middle Stage of Mastery, and three at the Early Stage of Mastery, you can certainly be considered part of their core strength. If you're not saved, what would the other three non-family experts think?

"I don't believe the Zhang Family would be that foolish. Half of the Northern Second District is nothing, it can be taken back if lost, but losing an expert at the early stage of mastery? That would be very difficult to replace. After all, it's not safe to stay with the Zhang Family! You could fight for the Zhang Family your whole life, and yet in the end, you might not even have a place to be buried."

After listening to Xu Hao, Uncle Fu felt speechless.

Xu Hao was absolutely right; everything he said made sense, and he had no idea how to refute it.

Xu Hao watched him coldly and made him send his demands to the Zhang Family, requiring an answer within half an hour, otherwise, he would kill them both.

Seeing Xu Hao's icy expression, Uncle Fu didn't doubt for a second that Xu Hao meant what he said. If the Zhang Family didn't save them and he felt they lost their value, he might really kill both him and Zhang Yu on the spot.

Although the restaurant manager waived the bill, Director Zhou insisted on paying. In the past, he would have been overjoyed at such a lucky break, but now he dared not! This restaurant had been frequented by Xu Hao, and he was certain its business would only get better and better!

The Third Miss of the Zhang Family had been overbearing for not just a day or two. Xu Hao punishing her today was indeed a delightful turn of events for many.

...

At the Zhang Family. Part of a series hosted by My Virtual Library Empire (MV&LEMP&YR).

"This damned Xu Hao is simply going too far!"

A disciple of the Zhang Family slammed his teacup down in anger and yelled.

"Enough, hold your tongue. No matter how much you curse, Xu Hao will still be safe and unharmed; he won't suffer any damage at all," said Zhang Zetian, the Eldest Young Master of the Zhang Family, in a frosty voice. "We have all seen Xu Hao's power, even the Wu Family can't withstand his onslaught now. Let's not thrust our heads under his blade; I suggest we first hear what the Wu Family has to say."

The elder sitting in the seat of honor was none other than the Old Master of the Zhang Family. He glanced at Zhang Zetian and said, "Zetian makes sense. To put it bluntly, our Zhang Family is surviving at the mercy of the Wu Family; any slight misstep, and we might fall into an abyss. Alas, the waters of Huadu are getting deeper and murkier!"

The Old Master of the Zhang Family was filled with emotion. In the past, although there were conflicts between the major powers of Huadu, they generally controlled themselves, maintaining a relatively peaceful dynamic equilibrium.

However, Xu Hao's sudden arrival disrupted this balance.

One man, with his fists, stirred millions of people in Huadu into turmoil.

Zhang Zetian nodded and said, "Then I'll go to the Wu Family now and see what Old Master Wu has to say. Sigh, this is the first time our Zhang Family has directly clashed with Xu Hao; I hope it doesn't become a disaster for our Family."