Chapter 20

When Chen Fan arrived, he was surprised to find that Ah Biao had a bandaged hand.

"I wonder who did this?" Chen Fan was curious. Ah Biao was quite strong; the kick he received that night probably only caused some internal injuries, and after a month and a half, he should have recovered. Why was his hand broken again?

With these thoughts, he walked over.

"Brother Hao, it seems you're not here to apologize, but to ask for my help."

"Indeed, I can't hide anything from Brother Chen." Zhou Tianhao didn't feel embarrassed when his intentions were revealed. He laughed heartily and said, "I've run into a bit of trouble and need Brother Chen's help."

"Speak your mind." Chen Fan nodded slightly.

Zhou Tianhao lowered his head and remained silent. Red Sister, standing beside him, quickly signaled the others to leave. After most people had gone, leaving only a few in the Golden爵 Pavilion, he said with a bitter smile, "Since Brother Chen is related to Old Wei, we're family. I won't hide anything from you."

"An old rival of mine fled overseas years ago. Now he's back, and he's already wrecked three of my places, injuring two or three dozen of my men. Even Ah Biao suffered a great loss at his hands." Zhou Tianhao said with a deep hatred.

"You should call the police, why are you coming to me?" Chen Fan laughed wryly. He had no interest in gang fights.

"If it were just a simple power struggle as Brother Chen thinks, it would be simple." Zhou Tianhao sighed deeply. "My rival came back alone this time, and he has learned some martial arts, making him extremely formidable. He only injures people, not for money, which suggests I must have offended him deeply in the past. Moreover, dozens of people can't stop him, so what good would the police do?"

"Oh?" This piqued Chen Fan's interest. He glanced at Ah Biao and asked, "How does his skill compare to mine?"

"He's terrifying. I can't even take one punch from him. I'm afraid he's even stronger than Brother Chen." Ah Biao said with a bitter smile. "I've been in the game for over a decade and have never seen such a master. We might have to use guns."

Chen Fan nodded, saying no more. He had some suspicions; this person was likely an internal strength martial artist. As for Ah Biao saying he was stronger, Chen Fan didn't care. He had only used three-tenths of his strength when he disciplined Ah Biao and his group. Otherwise, one punch would have killed them. Now, he had reached the middle stage of the Foundation Building period, greatly enhancing his cultivation, making him much stronger than before.

"That person has invited me to meet him on the island in Yan Gui Lake tonight. If Brother Chen can come to help, I'll give you this much." Zhou Tianhao held up both hands.

"Ten thousand?" Chen Fan frowned.

"No, one million!" Zhou Tianhao said. "The extra is to apologize to Brother Chen."

Chen Fan shook his head inwardly, knowing that Zhou Tianhao wasn't genuinely inviting him; otherwise, he would have given the money first to show sincerity. However, he didn't mind. He would get money and see a new internal strength martial artist, so why not?

Zhou Tianhao knew Chen Fan was a guest of Old Wei, but he didn't have high hopes for his skills. He invited Chen Fan just in case.

"Alright." Chen Fan nodded.

"Great, Brother Chen is indeed straightforward." Zhou Tianhao was delighted. "A bit later, another master will arrive, and I'll introduce him to you."

Chen Fan understood. This master was likely Zhou Tianhao's main reliance, and inviting him was just for insurance.

While drinking the premium Da Hong Pao tea served by Red Sister, a group of people entered again.

This time, Zhou Tianhao stood up and greeted them warmly.

"Oh, finally, Master Guo, please come in."

The one who walked in first was a middle-aged man in a black training suit. He moved with the grace of a dragon and a tiger, his eyes sharp, followed by a group of martial arts students.

Zhou Tianhao introduced him, "Brother Chen, this is the great master I mentioned earlier, Master Guo Wei from the Weisheng Martial Arts School, the top martial artist in Chuzhou."

Master Guo Wei glanced at Chen Fan and coldly snorted, "You're relying on a kid? To go to his death?"

Zhou Tianhao looked embarrassed and said, "Master Guo, what are you saying? My Brother Chen once fought a dozen people and even my top man, Ah Biao, couldn't match him. He has real skills."

"It seems you don't know who your opponent is." Master Guo Wei shook his head and said disdainfully, "No matter how many men like yours come, they won't be enough. His strength is beyond your imagination, far beyond what ordinary people can handle."

"Huh, how so?" Zhou Tianhao was puzzled, not expecting there to be more to it.

Chen Fan smiled but didn't argue, watching Master Guo Wei's performance.

He remembered that Old Wei had mentioned that besides the Wei family, the Weisheng Martial Arts School in Chuzhou also had internal strength martial artists. This Master Guo Wei was likely from the Weisheng Martial Arts School, and his strength was indeed low, just a minor internal strength. No wonder Old Wei didn't think much of him.

Master Guo Wei ignored Chen Fan, took a sip of tea to clear his throat, and then said slowly, "Have you heard of internal strength martial artists, Brother Hao?"

"Internal strength martial artists?" Zhou Tianhao frowned, thinking, "I think I've heard of them somewhere."

Ah Biao, standing beside him, suddenly trembled and said, "Do you mean that person is an internal strength martial artist?"

Master Guo Wei nodded and looked at him, "If he hadn't reached internal strength, how could he break your arm with one punch? That strength exceeds human limits."

"You know about this, Ah Biao?" Zhou Tianhao looked at his subordinate in surprise.

Ah Biao smiled bitterly, "I heard about it when I was learning boxing from my master. It's said that when martial arts reach their peak, internal and external strength merge, allowing one to enter 'internal strength' and gain the terrifying skills of martial arts masters in TV shows."

"But I thought my master was telling a story and didn't pay much attention. My master also said that in modern society, only one in ten thousand can achieve internal strength, and even he hasn't seen many."

"Your master is right. In today's world, those who have achieved internal strength are few and far between. Such people are not something ordinary people can retain. Even if you point a gun at them, they can kill you before you pull the trigger." Master Guo Wei nodded and said, "Of course, internal strength is not the pinnacle of martial arts. Above internal strength is the Transformation Realm, where one becomes a god-like figure, capable of going anywhere in the world."

Zhou Tianhao listened as if to a fairy tale, disbelieving, "Is it really as exaggerated as Master Guo says? If there were such powerful people, wouldn't the whole world know?"

"Ha ha." Master Guo Wei laughed proudly.

He placed his hand lightly on the table. When he lifted it, the entire hall gasped in shock.

A shallow palm print, about half an inch deep, with fine lines, was left on the table.

"This... this... is internal strength?" Zhou Tianhao's eyes widened in disbelief.

Ah Biao was drenched in cold sweat, "If such a hand were to press on me, wouldn't it create a bloody hole?"

Chen Fan watched from the side and shook his head slightly.

Master Guo Wei's move was just using internal strength to secretly shatter the table, which was made of plastic and relatively brittle. Chen Fan had once left a fist print several inches deep on a century-old willow tree, far surpassing Master Guo Wei's move.

At this point, Zhou Tianhao was already in awe, repeatedly saying, "So Master Guo is also an internal strength master. With Master Guo here, that person won't dare to be so arrogant."

He could no longer hide his resentment, "That guy is called 'Lin Bao.' He and I fought for territory in Chuzhou years ago. I hired a hitman to break his legs and he fled. I never thought he would return after more than ten years, having learned martial arts. These past few days, I haven't been able to eat or sleep well. Seeing Master Guo today, I finally feel at ease."

After speaking, Zhou Tianhao took out a safe and pushed it to Master Guo Wei, patting his chest and saying, "Master Guo, rest assured. This is five million, and another five million after the job is done. I won't short you a cent. Moreover, I can introduce you to Third Master Wei. I'm sure he will treat you as a distinguished guest."

At this, Master Guo Wei finally smiled in satisfaction.

He came to help, and money was only part of it. More importantly, he wanted to connect with the important people behind Zhou Tianhao. The Wei family's reputation in Jiangbei was immense, and even he, an internal strength martial artist, wanted to climb the social ladder.

Chen Fan watched coldly.

Zhou Tianhao probably didn't know that Old Wei was an internal strength martial artist. Even Third Master Wei's niece might be stronger than Master Guo Wei, so how could he look up to him?

During the meal, Master Guo Wei became the center of attention. Whether it was Zhou Tianhao, Ah Biao, or the other subordinates and Red Sister, they all wanted to be close to Master Guo Wei.

Master Guo Wei's move truly shocked them, broadening their horizons.

Chen Fan took the opportunity to call Sister Ying and his teacher to ask for leave in the afternoon and evening.

After the meal, Master Guo Wei confidently selected a few people: Zhou Tianhao, Ah Biao, two hitmen, and one of his disciples who had just entered the internal strength realm. In total, six people were going to the island in the lake that night.

Seeing Chen Fan excluded, Zhou Tianhao hurriedly said, "Master Guo, Brother Chen is also here to help. It wouldn't be right not to let him go."

"I've already said, an ordinary person, no matter how strong, can't withstand a punch from an internal strength master. Sending him would be sending him to his death." Master Guo Wei frowned.

Zhou Tianhao looked at Chen Fan with a troubled expression.

Chen Fan said calmly, "Since you invited me, I have the duty to protect you."

"As for internal strength masters, I think it's just exaggerated."

"Young people really don't know their place." Master Guo Wei sneered.

Zhou Tianhao was conflicted, but considering Chen Fan's relationship with Old Wei, he finally decided to let Chen Fan go.

Master Guo Wei huffed but didn't argue further.

He wasn't the host and couldn't make decisions for the host, but he disliked Chen Fan even more.