Was he always inferior to the Tianzi Consortium?
Upon hearing this, Xu Wangjun's expression darkened. He suddenly stood up from his seat, staring intently at Luohou. "What do you mean?"
At this moment, Xu Wangjun truly realized that Luohou's main purpose for inviting him might not be related to the arranged marriage.
"Brother Xu! Don't get agitated!"
Luohou seemed satisfied with Xu Wangjun's reaction. He squinted and smiled, "As you said earlier, times have changed. We ordinary folks must seize the tail end of this old era and find a harbor to anchor ourselves in the coming new era, don't you agree?"
Anchoring in the new era.
Hearing this, Xu Wangjun looked at his long-time friend with disbelief, unsure of the basis for his confidence.
Luohou, however, showed no intention of explaining.
"Brother Xu! Although the relationship between our two families is good, we are ultimately of different surnames. Some matters..."
Luohou sat back in his high seat and chuckled lightly, "Some matters can only be told to our own people."
"Don't you agree, Brother Xu!"
Luohou's words finally brought the conversation back on track, and their meaning was very clear.
Only one's own people could share secrets!
This was almost an explicit statement.
How could Xu Wangjun not understand this?
"Brother Luo! I will carefully consider your words!"
The amiable demeanor Xu Wangjun had before arriving was gone. In its place was an unprecedented solemnity.
"Then Brother Xu must consider it quickly! After all, some opportunities are fleeting!"
Luohou reminded him.
"Farewell!"
Xu Wangjun gave him a deep look and then turned to leave.
Regardless of anything else, this matter was significant enough to warrant his full attention and could not be taken lightly.
However, as he took two steps after turning, a hurried and disheveled figure rushed in from outside. Their hair was matted, their face covered in dirt and bruises, and their original features were barely discernible.
"Dad! Save... save me!"
After rushing in, the person seemed to have exhausted all their strength. They directly knelt on the ground and cried out to Luohou.
"Hm?"
Seeing this person, both Luohou and Xu Wangjun were stunned, unable to recognize the newcomer for a moment.
However, upon hearing the tone of the address, Luohou finally reacted.
"Fu... Fu'er!"
His eyes widened in disbelief that the disheveled man before him was his son, Luo Fu.
"It's... it's me! Dad! I'm Luo Fu, please save me!"
Luo Fu cried incessantly on the ground, his heart consumed by fear, his face as pale as could be.
Although the soul of Zuo Zun had been extracted by Xia Baiyi, the memories of what had happened had not disappeared. Therefore, the scenes that had unfolded were deeply imprinted in his mind.
It was precisely because of this that Luo Fu felt an endless terror upon regaining consciousness.
At the same time, he realized what kind of person he had offended.
"Fu'er! Who beat you up like this! Who?"
Luohou quickly went to his son's side. Seeing his disfigured face, his expression instantly turned grim, his eyes filled with rage. "Tell me, and I will surely chop him to pieces and feed him to the dogs."
Luo Fu was his only son. Luohou had always doted on him and wouldn't even bear to hit him himself. But now, he had been beaten by an outsider to the point where his own parents didn't recognize him.
This ignited a murderous intent in Luohou.
However, upon hearing his father's intention to retaliate against the one who beat him, Luo Fu instinctively shivered. The images in his mind, like something out of a sci-fi movie, began to shatter his worldview.
"No... No! Dad! We are no match for him! That person is a monster!"
Luo Fu shook his head frantically. He dared not even entertain the thought of revenge.
He possessed at least this much self-awareness.
"Wh... What?"
Seeing his son's terrified expression, Luohou almost thought he was mistaken.
In the past, when had he ever seen Luo Fu so fearful? He always looked down on people.
What had happened now?
What exactly had transpired?
"Right! Wasn't that senior by your side? Did he not help you?"
At this moment, perhaps recalling something, Luohou asked in a deep voice.
He thought, with that senior present, how could Luo Fu possibly be injured? It shouldn't be like this.
"Dad! Th-that senior... is dead!" Luo Fu shook his head weakly.
Upon hearing this, Luohou also slumped to the ground, completely disbelieving. "Impossible! That senior was an immortal! How could he possibly die! Impossible?"
Luohou absolutely refused to believe it.
Or rather, he refused to accept this reality.
He had still hoped that person would help the Luo family establish themselves in the new era.
How could he have died?
Wouldn't that mean all his hopes were dashed?
Xu Wangjun, standing nearby, heard the father and son's exchange. Although he didn't know the specifics of what had happened, he could guess the general situation.
One thing was clear, however: the Luo family was likely facing a great calamity.
Thinking of this, Xu Wangjun also realized the impending danger.
What if the person involved came and mistook him for a member of the Luo family? That would be troublesome.
He had to leave immediately.
"Uh... that! Brother Luo, I have an urgent matter to attend to. I'll be leaving now!"
Xu Wangjun dared not linger any longer.
Without waiting for Luohou's response, he turned and ran out, not looking back.
That's right!
He was indeed running.
However, before he could even take two steps out the door, Luo Fu's plea for help came from behind him.
"Uncle Xu... Uncle Xu! Right... Right! Uncle Xu can save us! He can definitely save us!"
Before this, Luo Fu hadn't noticed Xu Wangjun's presence. But when the latter spoke up to leave, he realized it belatedly.
At the same time, Luo Fu clutched at his only hope for survival.
Xu Jingyao!
That's right! It was Xu Jingyao!
In his memory, although the senior had been killed by a woman whose face he couldn't see clearly, he had been relentlessly pursued by Ye Ming before that.
And he had seen Nangong Qian and Xu Jingyao together.
Luo Fu naturally recognized both of them.
Therefore, driven by an extreme desire to survive, Luo Fu finally grasped a lifeline.
Given Xu Jingyao's relationship with Ye Ming, perhaps Ye Ming would spare them.
"Ro... Nephew Luo! I really have an urgent matter, I must be going!"
Upon hearing Luo Fu's plea, Xu Wangjun hesitated for less than a second before hurrying away.
He wasn't foolish. Although his Xu family was stronger than the Luo family, the difference wasn't substantial. An entity that even the Luo family dared not provoke, why should the Xu family wade into such troubled waters?
It was better to leave quickly!
However, someone was unwilling to let him leave so easily.
"Guards! Stop him! Quickly! Absolutely do not let him escape!"
Luo Fu roared, almost screaming.
With his command, the path in front of Xu Wangjun was blocked.