Seeing Hong Zhong’s expression, Xiao Yufan couldn’t help but feel puzzled. Would this proud guy actually have something he needed help with?
However, since Hong Zhong hadn’t spoken yet, Xiao Yufan naturally couldn’t say anything either. Although Hong Zhong could be considered his half-rival in love, he was still someone worth befriending. Most importantly, this guy had no ulterior motives.
“Brother, I guess you could say we’ve become friends through battle. If I have something to ask for your help, I hope you won’t refuse!”
Hong Zhong shifted his gaze nervously toward Xiao Yufan, licking his lips. He looked quite honest and straightforward. However, anyone familiar with him would be shocked to see Hong Zhong acting so amiable. When had this martial arts fanatic become so easygoing?
“I don’t know…”
Xiao Yufan wasn’t foolish. If he agreed to help before even knowing what Hong Zhong needed, he might end up in a precarious position, unable to advance or retreat.
“Direct enough!” Hong Zhong was taken aback. He hadn’t expected Xiao Yufan to be so straightforward. After all, this wasn’t Britain; even if he was a powerful outsider, he still needed an ally, especially since he had made enemies soon after returning to China.
“Hey, when did you become so indecisive? It’s fine that you’re so good-looking, but acting so effeminate is going too far!”
Seeing Hong Zhong’s odd expression, Hu Yingluo couldn’t help but pout. Hong Zhong hated being called effeminate. If it had been anyone else, he might have already lost his temper. However, this was Hu family’s little princess.
“I mean, is it a crime to be good-looking? It’s all thanks to my parents, you know…”
Although Hong Zhong was quite annoyed, he couldn’t show it. He felt frustrated because he was the one seeking Xiao Yufan’s help. If he could find a reliable ally, he wouldn’t have to fear those people.
“Since Hong and Yingluo are so close, if you have any difficulties, I might be able to help!”
Xiao Yufan had expected Hong Zhong to show some displeasure, but his expression barely changed. This made Xiao Yufan appreciate Hong Zhong even more. This kind of man was indeed upright.
“It’s not a big deal actually. When I just returned to the country, I saw a few people I didn’t like and taught them a lesson, so I ended up offending them!”
Hong Zhong said somewhat awkwardly. He knew Xiao Yufan’s strength was formidable and that he had a deep background, which was why he had come seeking him out. As for those annoying people, he could handle them himself, but they had allies.
“I suppose those people must have some status, if even Hong family’s hidden young master needs to find an ally. They must be either hidden aristocrats or guardians of the temple!”
Xiao Yufan couldn’t help but smile. So this guy was looking for a bodyguard. Getting into trouble right after returning to the country—Hong Zhong was truly not an ordinary person. Naturally, those who made even Hong Zhong cautious were no pushovers either.
“They don’t seem to be from a hidden family. Anyway, just a group of people who deserved a beating…”
“Not from a hidden family? Just who did you offend, exactly? Do you think this place is your Hong family estate where you can do whatever you want?”
Xiao Yufan nearly fainted. This guy was truly unique—offending so many people right after returning home. At the upcoming martial arts competition, he would probably offend even more people. After all, those attending were all from powerful hidden families.
“About four or five people. If they fought me one-on-one, I’d send them all home on stretchers. The problem is they don’t play fair. Last time, several of them ganged up on me!”
Thinking back to the fight from a couple of days ago, Hong Zhong felt anger rising. Those guys had been so unfair, ganging up on him even though their strength was at the early and peak stages of condensing energy. Together, their combined power was formidable.
Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been so embarrassed. The most critical part was that they had allies whose strength was no weaker than his…
“If they fight you without ganging up, they’d be the fools. Tell me who you’ve offended, so I can decide whether I should help you or not!”
Xiao Yufan wasn’t someone who avoided trouble, but he didn’t want to get dragged into unnecessary problems by helping Hong Zhong. After all, this guy might suddenly leave for Britain one day, and those enemies wouldn’t follow him all the way there.
“They’re from the hidden Gong family—Gong Hao and Gong Luotian. Also from the Luo family—Luo Feng. The strongest one is Situ Xuan. If we really fought, I’m afraid I wouldn’t have much chance against him!”
Mentioning these names made Hong Zhong clench his teeth, especially that Situ Xuan. Next time they met, he would definitely make that guy pay…
“Gong Hao, Situ Xuan? They’re actually old acquaintances!”
Xiao Yufan’s expression showed surprise. He realized how small the world was. He hadn’t had time to deal with these two before, and now they had appeared again. He guessed they would also attend the upcoming martial arts competition.
“Wait, do you know them?” Hong Zhong noticed Xiao Yufan’s expression and asked curiously. If any of those guys were friends with Xiao Yufan, his plan might fall apart.
“I could say I know them. We have some unfinished business…”
Xiao Yufan’s gaze swept over Lan Yue and Huangpu Xian’er’s beautiful faces. He smiled, but received two glares in return. His previous conflicts with Gong Hao and Situ Xuan were all because of these two women.
He wasn’t too concerned about Gong Hao, but Situ Xuan left a deeper impression. A member of the hidden Situ family—they were technically from the same clan. However, Situ Xuan seemed to harbor significant hostility toward him. The reason was probably related to Xian’er.
“Oh, so you have unfinished business! You scared me for a moment. If you have conflicts with them, then we won’t hold back when we fight them!”
Hong Zhong laughed. If Xiao Yufan had conflicts with those people, things would be much easier. If the two of them joined forces, they could even challenge true experts at the later stages of cultivation. Among their generation, how many experts at the later stages could there really be?
“Did I say I’d help you?”
Before Hong Zhong could finish speaking, Xiao Yufan’s words immediately dashed his hopes.
“Considering how close you are with Princess Yingluo, would you let me get beaten up by a group of people?”
Quickly changing to a pitiful expression, Hong Zhong looked at Xiao Yufan with anticipation. To gain a reliable ally, he had to swallow his pride. If those young girls who secretly admired him knew he was begging someone else now, his image would definitely take a hit…
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