Chapter 107: So What Exactly Is a Neutral Tavern?

Early morning.

Coffee, newspapers, Cigar.

Still the same old three things.

But Lu Chen's mood did not improve much.

The newspapers had already begun to sensationalize yesterday's events regarding Old Zhao and the attack on his Zhuangyuan.

All sorts of speculations, even the melodramatic affairs between wealthy families, were fabricated in such a nonsensical way.

One tabloid even made up a story that Lu Chen had unsuccessfully courted Old Zhao, and out of love turned to hate, which led to yesterday's events.

It left Lu Chen simply... unable to laugh or cry, even feeling a hint of absurdity.

Lu Chen took a deep drag of his 555, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.

"Sir, would you like me to go and warn those newspaper offices?"

Butler Wang frowned and asked in a low voice.

His tone still carried a sense of weakness.

"No need. Those who want to attack us have already prepared for it."

Lu Chen narrowed his eyes, his tone carrying a hint of coldness.

"Groundless speculation won't make things worse; trying to cover it up will only cause things to slide toward a worse outcome. These newspapers, on the contrary, have given those emotions a vent."

Lu Chen paused, took two puffs of his cigarette, and then spoke softly.

"Who is the most popular actress in Xianggang? Find someone to expose her gossip; be quick, the material must be sensational, groundless speculation is fine too."

Lu Chen did not stop, but continued.

"Give her a sum of money, let her go out to perform, anywhere is fine, just don't let her appear in Xianggang recently. Contact the newspapers where she is performing and report it simultaneously."

"For a full week, arrange for it all to be on the front page headlines for me."

After several seconds, Lu Chen added one more sentence.

"If she is unwilling, Luosha, Professor Li, use their resources as you please, but give them a heads-up before you do."

"Understood."

Butler Wang was stunned, looked deeply at Lu Chen, and bowed slightly.

"I am afraid I cannot accompany you to see Miss Luosha today."

"Let Chen Mo drive."

Lu Chen took a puff of his cigarette, narrowed his eyes, and did not express any objection.

"By the way, why didn't I see that guy Chen Mo this morning? Did he go out?"

"He took a bunch of the boys to deliver textbooks and toys to the little girl; he will be back before 9 o'clock."

Butler Wang had a hint of a smile on his face, his light tone carrying a trace of worry.

"Hmph, if they still choose to attack, then there is no need to talk."

Lu Chen took a deep drag of his cigarette, his tone carrying a hint of indisputability.

"However, we do need to be more cautious recently, especially those going to work at the company; everyone should be careful."

After giving his instructions, Lu Chen silently flipped through those newspapers that made him unable to laugh or cry.

One piece of news from a few days ago in Piaoliang Guo made his pupils shrink suddenly.

"A certain wealthy family in Piaoliang Guo suspected of being attacked by enemies..."

The entire Laimu family has gone missing; it is unknown if members across the globe will return to the Piaoliang Guo mainland to fight for the family assets.

According to the Laimu family's inheritance tradition in Piaoliang Guo, if no heir is decided within 30 days, the Laimu family's approximately 2 billion USD in assets will be automatically donated to establish a Revenge Fund.

After several minutes, Lu Chen licked his dry lips.

He grabbed the phone on the table and dialed out.

"I am looking for the Chief Appraiser of Laimu. What? He returned to Piaoliang Guo? That is truly a pity."

After hanging up the phone, the corners of Lu Chen's mouth curled up slightly.

He returned to the study, wrote a string of numbers on a piece of paper, went to the telegraph room in person, and handed it to the telegraph operator.

Only then did he leisurely return to the reception hall.

"Boss, I'm back."

Chen Mo had dark circles under his eyes, and there was a hint of laziness in his tone.

"We are going to Luochas Manor, you drive."

Lu Chen smiled and said softly.

Chen Mo nodded slightly and turned to go out; Lu Chen glanced at Butler Wang, nodded slightly, and followed him out.

A line of motorcades had already been arranged in the parking lot.

Lu Chen did not say anything this time.

He just quietly got into the Rolls-Royce and sat in the back seat.

"Boss, this is for you, just in case..."

Chen Mo sat in the driver's seat and reached out to hand Lu Chen a pistol.

Lu Chen took it and nodded slightly.

He tossed it into his portable space.

The motorcade slowly drove out of the Zhuangyuan, adopting a standard circular formation, although to Lu Chen, it looked like he was surrounded by iron cans.

But in this era, vehicle collisions were still relatively rare.

Even if he were attacked, Lu Chen still had a chance to escape.

He was too lazy to command anything else; compared to the professionals, Lu Chen was still a novice.

However, just as Lu Chen had anticipated, there was no so-called attack at all; there were only some minor disturbances along the way.

At Luochas Manor, the iron gate opened silently; Lu Chen's motorcade did not stop but drove straight inside, and only after the iron gate had closed silently did Lu Chen get out of the car.

He shook hands briefly with Old Hou, and was then guided toward the backyard.

"Does Chairman Lu want to go see Liu Xiaofeng first? He sustained some necessary injuries during the interrogation yesterday, but rest assured, he isn't crippled."

Lu Chen paused, giving Old Hou a deep look.

He spoke softly, though his voice was somewhat hoarse.

"No need, take me to see Miss Luosha directly."

"Very well, Liu Xiaofeng can stay on our side to recover for now; you may see him whenever you wish."

Old Hou bowed slightly, then guided Lu Chen to the door of Luosha's boudoir.

He reached out his hand.

"I won't go in; please, go ahead."

Lu Chen nodded slightly, frowned, and took a deep breath.

Only then did he push the door open and enter.

The scent of Luosha rushed toward him.

The decor was the same as last time and had not changed, but this time Luosha was not bathing; instead, she was sitting on the sofa, looking at him with a faint, enigmatic smile.

She pointed to the sofa beside her and tossed a pack of 555s to Lu Chen.

Lu Chen poured himself a cup of coffee, topped off Luosha's, and then sat on the sofa, crossing his legs.

Only then did he light one up.

"Miss Luosha, how should this matter be resolved?"

Lu Chen tapped the envelope resting on the side table.

"I will go with you, but this matter is not easy to resolve."

Luosha took a drag of her lady's cigarette, frowned, and spoke softly.

"The Neutral Tavern is a lawless zone in Xianggang; it is not something I can control."

Lu Chen nodded slightly, smoking his 555 in silence, and only after a good while did he speak.

"Is Saiyang really that difficult to deal with?"

"Saiyang is not difficult to deal with; what is difficult is Fan Er. Ever since Fan Er moved into the tavern, he has never come out again."

Luosha's brows furrowed, her eyes narrowed, and she spoke softly.

"No one knows if he is actually in the Neutral Tavern or not. To them, the brainwashed lackeys at the bottom are meaningless; if you want to take out Fan Er, you have to storm the Neutral Tavern."

After a few seconds, Luosha spoke again.

"Wiping out the Neutral Tavern in Xianggang—never mind me, even if you were to wipe it out, it wouldn't be a big deal, but you would likely be trapped in Xianggang for the rest of your life, and the speed at which it rebuilds is beyond your imagination."

Lu Chen tapped the armrest lightly, his brows furrowing instantly, and he asked softly.

"Then what about the authorities?"