Chapter 56: Yu Hu

The conference room was dead silent, and some people even began to tremble. Those who drove taxis, even if not the best informed, at least knew who could be messed with in Tianhai City and who could not.

While the fierce reputation of Da Jun might not be deafening to all, many had at least heard whispers of it. Especially his unfathomable skill with hidden weapons; average gunmen were no match for him.

Faced with someone of such terrifying notoriety, there was no need for him to even make a move—some people's legs were already shaking!

In stark contrast, a man slumped over a desk in the corner slowly raised his head.

In this world, not only do like-minded people appreciate one another, but professionals in the same field often repel each other. Perhaps guided by some unseen resonance, the moment this man raised his head, Da Jun sensed a piercingly cold murderous intent washing over him. Instinctively, Da Jun stepped in front of Xiao Ziguan to shield him.

Xiao Ziguan also felt a sudden chill run through his body, involuntarily tightening his grip on the gun hidden inside his jacket. Following the direction of Da Jun's gaze, he locked eyes with a pair of bloodshot eyes.

The face was familiar. Xiao Ziguan narrowed his eyes, searching frantically through his memories, yet for a moment, he simply couldn't recall who this person was.

Noticing Xiao Ziguan's curiosity, Xue Qiang leaned in and introduced, "Ziguan, do you know Yu Hu too? He's a real oddball. While everyone else hands in one hundred in daily management fees, Yu Hu hands in two hundred, claiming he can do the work of two men. On top of that, Yu Hu logs the highest mileage and requires the most vehicle maintenance..."

"Yu Hu, Yu Hu..." Xiao Ziguan muttered, turning the name over in his mind until the man before him finally clicked with the notorious ruthless bandit of his future memories—Black-Hearted Hu.

No wonder he possessed such an aura of slaughter; this was none other than the infamous, bone-swallowing, kidnapping-and-extortionist Black-Hearted Hu from his past life!

Dig! Dig! Dig deeper...!

Xiao Ziguan finally dragged Yu Hu's profile out from the deepest recesses of his memory.

A former reconnaissance company soldier who had once carried out secret missions overseas, he was later discharged due to injuries, leaving behind a sick mother and a disabled younger sister at home...

After his discharge, he drove a taxi in Tianhai, only to be involved in a traffic accident caused by fatigue driving, resulting in one death and one injury. Imprisoned for three years, upon his release upon completing his sentence, he discovered that his mother had passed away from illness and his younger sister had starved to death inside their home...

Once cheerful, optimistic, and never bowing to life, Yu Hu slowly blackened, transforming into the dreaded gangland overlord, the kidnapping and ransom-murdering Black-Hearted Hu.

He was a man of deep loyalty and passion, yet also a hero driven to ruin by a mere copper coin!

Stirred by an impulse to cherish talent, Xiao Ziguan looked at Yu Hu and asked, "What, you disagree?"

***

Yu Hu slowly straightened up. "It's not about agreeing or disagreeing. I just want the boss to leave me a way to survive."

"Driving a taxi makes money fast, but it's still a far cry from getting rich!" Xiao Ziguan stared directly into Yu Hu's eyes. "Let me see your skills. As long as you can last a few rounds against Da Jun, you'll drive for me, with a monthly salary of fifteen hundred."

The moment these words were spoken, an uproar immediately swept through the room. One had to remember this was the year 2000, when general wages hovered between four and five hundred, and pork cost only two yuan and eighty cents per catty. Fifteen hundred was an absolute, undisputed fortune.

The eyes of those who had previously felt dejected lit up instantly, some even growing restless with ambition. However, a single cold sweep of the gaze from Da Jun instantly quelled their impulses.

Regardless of how ruthless and desperate Yu Hu would become in a past life, in this lifetime, he was still an innocent man. Driven by his appreciation for talent, Xiao Ziguan felt that if he could lend a helping hand, he would!

Before he grew strong enough to ensure his own survival, Xiao Ziguan carefully recruited all kinds of talent, aiming to first build a team and expand it until others wouldn't dare look down upon them.

The reason Xue Ao was able to firmly establish his footing within the Xue family was not merely because he was the eldest son's branch, but also because he had loyal subordinates like Da Jun who would willingly risk their lives for him.

Faced with Yu Hu—whose martial prowess promised to rival Da Jun's—Xiao Ziguan felt a strong desire to recruit him!

Yu Hu's heart stirred, but he didn't agree immediately. Instead, he looked at Xiao Ziguan and asked, "Why help me?"

"I know you're desperate enough, and now I want to see if you're vicious enough! Of course, today isn't just about killing a chicken to scare the monkeys; I also want to buy a fine steed with a thousand gold." Xiao Ziguan's eyes shone with ambition as he scanned the rest of the people in the conference room. "Don't say I didn't give you all a chance. Anyone who believes he has the skills and the loyalty is welcome to try."

Da Jun stepped forward in silence. With a flick of his wrist, *thump, thump, thump*—

Three stainless steel drinking straws pierced straight into the table right in front of Yu Hu. Though Da Jun said nothing, his gaze was blunt and clear, as if silently daring him: *If you've got the guts, come at me.*

Yu Hu looked at Xiao Ziguan. "I have a request!" Seeing Xiao Ziguan signal for him to speak, Yu Hu said loudly, "If I'm fortunate enough to drive for you, I'd like to draw half a year's salary in advance."

Xiao Ziguan nodded without a moment's hesitation. "Granted!"

Yu Hu's bloodshot eyes began to burn with a fierce, brilliant light. His mother's condition could not wait, and his sister needed prosthetics as soon as possible; he desperately needed this money!

Since Xiao Ziguan had agreed, he would give it everything he had!

As Yu Hu's fighting spirit soared, the aura radiating from his entire body shifted dramatically. Da Jun silently threw himself into peak alert, a flash of admiration crossing his eyes. What a robust and vigorous young man! Had this been five years ago, he could have knocked him flat with a single hand, but now, he would likely have to put in some real effort.

***

Everyone around loved a spectacle, and upon hearing that a fight was about to break out, they eagerly rushed forward to push the tables aside.

Yu Hu stepped up first. He ripped his shirt into two strips of cloth, wrapped them tightly around his hands, and signaled his readiness to Da Jun.

A cold smirk tugged at the corner of Da Jun's mouth. Bending his body slightly, he lunged forward directly.

Others might not have caught it, but Xiao Ziguan saw it clearly: tucked between the knuckles of Yu Hu's fists were three coins. Once bound with the cloth strips, their striking power was no less lethal than brass knuckles.

Though advanced in age, Da Jun's physical functions had not yet degraded. Once launched, his speed was terrifyingly fast—as he ran, his figure surged forward with the momentum of a galloping horse!

Yu Hu knew that to deal with an expert like Da Jun, he had to put his life on the line. Charging forward with his center open, he unleashed twin punches from left and right, blasting straight toward Da Jun.

Fists fear the young and vigorous; Yu Hu knew where his advantage lay and intended to leverage his youth to clash with Da Jun head-on!

Da Jun had no intention of falling into that trap. Lashing out with his left foot while his body hung suspended in mid-air, he whipped his right hand outward, sending three steel pellets flying.

Da Jun carried more than just stainless steel straws; he carried steel pellets as well. Different equipment served different functions. If the stainless steel straws were lethal hidden weapons, the steel pellets were versatile auxiliary gadgets.

They could be used for feints, or to shatter light bulbs. Even if aimed at an opponent's eyes, an ordinary person would instinctively dodge; and if an extraordinary opponent were struck, those eyes would be ruined!

Since this was merely a spar, Da Jun opted for the steel pellets. Yu Hu's sturdy frame spun like a top to evade them, then suddenly grabbed an entire table and hurled it directly at Da Jun.

When two tigers fight, one is bound to be injured, but in a narrow clash of paths, the courageous always prevail.

Stepping lightly onto the edge of the airborne table, Da Jun leaped high into the air, surveying all beneath him like a soaring goshawk, clutching six stainless steel straws firmly in his hands...