Chapter 497: Is This a Hongmen Banquet?

Since they all went out to greet, Lu Cheng hurriedly got off the car with the gifts and went up to greet.

"Sister‑in‑law, Senior Sister Su…"

Liang Lihua smiled, still looking very brisk.

"Lu Cheng has arrived, why are you still bringing so many things? Sister‑in‑law will be angry."

Lu Cheng glanced at Senior Sister Su, saw Su Feixue shake her head slightly, and Lu Cheng could only say the usual polite words.

"Didn't bring much, Sister‑in‑law, this isn't the first time visiting Wu Shixiong, just a token of goodwill."

Liang Lihua laughed, while ordering the driver to take them away, and said.

"Alright, come quickly inside; just now Senior Sister Su and I were mentioning you, afraid that if you were busy you wouldn't come."

Lu Cheng also smiled and said: "Of course not, I'm the biggest foodie; if Sister‑in‑law invites me to a meal, I must come, and even if it's not a meal, as long as Sister‑in‑law needs anything, one word from you, even if I'm busy, I'll rush over immediately."

Working in an agency and holding a high position, Liang Lihua naturally dislikes slick talkers.

But somehow, Lu Cheng's words not only weren't disliked, they were actually pleasant to hear.

"Feixue, you little junior brother, your words are truly sweet, not at all like those senior brothers of yours, each one unbearably serious; being with Lu Cheng makes you happy."

Su Feixue glanced at Lu Cheng: "Sister‑in‑law, don't praise him, otherwise he'll start showing off again."

She said that, but Su Feixue is very confident about Lu Cheng's abilities.

The few of them laughed and entered the hall, which was quite different from the beautiful exterior; inside the decor was much more plain.

Lao Wu, Lu Cheng has arrived.

Hearing Liang Lihua's call, several middle‑aged male comrades sitting around a spring sofa, smoking and chatting, turned to look this way.

There were five of them, all dressed in military uniforms.

They all seemed about the same age, making it hard for Lu Cheng to tell which one was Wu Shixiong.

Liang Lihua, however, smiled without speaking, not introducing anyone, as if testing Lu Cheng.

"Take a look, which one is your senior brother? If you can recognize him, you'll be exempt from a drink today."

Lu Cheng had to observe; after focusing, he saw a middle‑aged man with white at the temples, whose eyebrows and eyes resembled Wu Zhekun in some ways.

Lu Cheng didn't hesitate, walked over and extended his hand: "Wu Shixiong, hello."

Wu Jingxuan looked at the outstretched hand and nodded: "Not bad, you have a good eye."

Wu Jingxuan, who never jokes when speaking, gave a very firm handshake.

Liang Lihua smiled and said: "Lu Cheng, you've recognized your senior brother, but these others, you can't recognize…"

Lu Cheng truly hadn't expected so many people; he had thought it would be a family banquet with at most members of the Wu family showing up, a gathering that would ease the pressure.

But now, the other four were clearly comrades from the Military District; their shoulder boards indicated they all held certain ranks, and the ranks were not low.

Lu Cheng felt a lot more pressure; even when delivering supplies on the Frontline, the highest rank he had seen was only Group Leader.

"Lu Cheng, this is Fan Junzhang…" Liang Lihua said, then seemed a bit worried.

"By the way, Old Fan, where do you rank in seniority?"

There are so many disciples under Xu Erye that even Liang Lihua still hasn't met many of them.

The comrade called Fan Junzhang laughed brightly: "I rank thirteenth under Xu Erye…"

Then Fan Junzhang walked up to Lu Cheng, extended his hand: "Junior brother, today is our first meeting; later you must accompany me for a couple more drinks."

Lu Cheng also extended his hand: "Hello, Senior Brother Thirteen."

Liang Lihua then introduced another person: "Lu Cheng, this senior brother of yours is formidable, Gao Siling."

Lu Cheng took a slight breath; so far only two people had been introduced, and each rank was higher than the previous.

Not to mention ordinary civilians; even soldiers find it hard to see such high‑level leaders.

The key is still Lu Cheng's senior brother.

No wonder when he caused trouble before, as long as Master stepped in, the Street Office had to give him face.

Now, looking at it, it's Master who is giving them face.

Even just these disciples, pulling out any one would be enough to intimidate a region.

Lu Cheng steadied himself a bit: "Hello, Gao Siling."

Gao Siling seemed unsatisfied: "What, you just called me Senior Brother Thirteen, and now you call me Gao Siling? I rank fourth, call me again."

Lu Cheng inhaled again: "Hello, Senior Brother Four."

The commander surnamed Gao finally nodded in satisfaction, then introduced two more comrades, also Lu Cheng's senior brothers, namely a Senior Instructor and a Group Guidance Officer.

Among them, the Guidance Officer wore glasses, named Gu Yun, a rather refined person, always smiling when speaking, very gentle.

But the words that followed were not refined at all.

Facing Lu Cheng, he directly extended his hand: "Take it out."

Lu Cheng was stunned: "Senior Brother Gu…"

Gu Yun smiled and said: "I'm referring to that Dragon Pendant, don't lie to me; when we last visited Master, we said it was given to you."

"I think that Dragon Pendant doesn't suit you; look at Senior Brother Gu's temperament, isn't it very suitable to wear…?"

He didn't know whether it fit, but Lu Cheng quickly realized this wasn't a family banquet at all; it was clearly a Hongmen Banquet.

And after Gu Yun said that, the other senior brothers all turned to Lu Cheng, their eyes filled with disbelief.

Fan Junzhang opened with surprise: "Old Gu, you say Master's Dragon Pendant was given to him?"

As Gu Yun nodded, the others instantly showed envious looks.

These high‑ranking big shots, in theory, should have reached a state of having no desires, regardless of status or benefits.

Yet now they each displayed a strong desire for a single Jade Pendant.

This is only four senior brothers; who knows how many more are behind them wanting it.

This made Lu Cheng can't help but wonder: could this Dragon Pendant have other stories, with Master not telling the whole truth.

But no matter what the background is, even several Senior Brothers of such stature want it, Lu Cheng is even less willing to let it go.

Moreover, the sense of oppression from those big shots is overwhelming; wearing the uniform to that station feels like a mountain.

If it weren't for the Senior Brother connection, an ordinary person would already be breathing tensely.

Even with that connection, Lu Cheng still takes a deep breath.

"Um, Senior Brother Gu, I—I didn't bring it today."

Lu Cheng truly didn't bring it today; normally he often keeps it on him, but these past few days he's been resting at home, frequently taking baths, finding it troublesome, and to avoid losing it, he left it at home.

Yet Senior Brother Gu Yun still wouldn't relent: "Then go home and fetch it; the meal hasn't started yet, I'm waiting for you."

Colonel Gao also chimed in: "Right, go back and get it. You all said Master has a Dragon Pendant; I haven't seen it yet. That junior disciple, I'll take it directly from you when you bring it."

Lu Cheng suddenly felt like cursing someone, "Isn't this just a blatant robbery?"