Chapter 1199 - 1196: The Monster Appears
However, Tang Yumeng couldn't quite figure out why Chen Mingguo, who had always been somewhat cooperative with her, suddenly started treating her this way.
As the second-in-command of Jiangbei City, Chen Mingguo openly challenged her. Tang Yumeng pondered repeatedly whether there were other reasons behind it, but she couldn't fathom the cause.
While sitting in the office handling some documents, her secretary came in to say that someone named Xie Tianyi was there to see her.
Xie Tianyi, upon hearing this name, Tang Yumeng couldn't help but furrow her brows; what was he here for?
If it weren't for Lin Chuan, perhaps Tang Yumeng would be with Xie Tianyi now.
"Let him in," Tang Yumeng said to the secretary after a moment's hesitation.
In less than five minutes, the office door opened, and Xie Tianyi walked in.
As the young master of a well-known family in Beijing, Xie Tianyi was very particular about his attire, wearing brand names from head to toe. Just this outfit alone might cost an ordinary person's annual salary.
"Yumeng, it's been a long time. How have you been?" Xie Tianyi said as he looked at Tang Yumeng upon entering the office.
Tang Yumeng looked at Xie Tianyi and tried to maintain a smile on her face, saying, "Young Master Xie, what brings you here at this time?"
Since consuming the Red Fruit, coupled with the mental method Lin Chuan taught her, Tang Yumeng had not only matured but also gained a unique feminine charm.
This charm made Tang Yumeng even more alluring in front of men, and when Xie Tianyi looked at her, there was something unusual in his gaze.
"What, does that mean you're not welcoming me?" Xie Tianyi said.
Tang Yumeng laughed, "Young Master Xie's visit is welcome, I just didn't expect it."
Xie Tianyi chuckled and said, "Yumeng, I've come this time to ask you for a favor."
Tang Yumeng said, "Young Master Xie needs my help? I'm honored. Tell me, what's the matter?"
Xie Tianyi said, "Well, recently I've taken a fancy to a piece of land in Jiangbei City and want to invest in a project. Could you help me with that?"
Tang Yumeng was well aware of the Xie family's strength, and their investment in Jiangbei City would undoubtedly be a good thing, so she said, "Alright, tell me which piece of land you've taken a fancy to?"
The land Xie Tianyi had his eyes on was located in an already bankrupt factory in the city district of Jiangbei City, Tang Yumeng knew about this factory.
This factory used to be a state-owned enterprise, primarily producing clothing, but declared bankruptcy a few years ago due to severe losses. Over the years, the factory workers often petitioned due to placement issues.
The City Committee had studied the issue several times, but due to many complicated matters, it had never been resolved.
"Young Master Xie, I'm sure you must know that although the land is under City Committee management, there are many issues, and I can't help with this," Tang Yumeng rejected Xie Tianyi.
Xie Tianyi said, "Yumeng, I know it's difficult, but I've sorted out some matters. It's just that there are some procedures with the City Committee that haven't been completed, so I wanted you, as Secretary, to put in a word."
Tang Yumeng said with some reluctance, "I'm afraid that's not possible; everything has to follow procedure."
In this matter, Tang Yumeng wasn't intentionally avoiding helping Xie Tianyi, but the factory's issue was too troublesome.
A trace of dissatisfaction flashed in Xie Tianyi's eyes, but he still had a smile on his face, "Since it's like this, just pretend I didn't ask. Yumeng, do you have time this evening? I'd like to invite you to dinner."
Tang Yumeng pondered for a moment and said, "Young Master Xie, having come all this way, why should you invite me? Let me invite you instead."
Xie Tianyi laughed heartily and said, "Alright, I'll follow your lead, Secretary. I'll wait for your call in the evening."
After finishing work in the afternoon, Tang Yumeng went home first, changed her clothes, dressed simply, then called Xie Tianyi, informing him she'd be waiting at Fuqing Building.
Fuqing Building was one of the top restaurants in the city of Jiangbei. When Tang Yumeng arrived, it was around seven o'clock in the evening.
As Tang Yumeng often entertained City Committee guests here, the lobby manager recognized her, quickly approached with a smile, saying, "Secretary Tang, you've arrived."
Tang Yumeng nodded and smiled, "Arrange a private room for me, I'm inviting a friend for dinner."
The lobby manager didn't dare delay, leading Tang Yumeng to a private room on the second floor.
Xie Tianyi arrived at seven-ten and began chatting with Tang Yumeng before starting the meal.
While the two were eating, outside the private room, a man wearing a mask was holding a tiny camera. When the door of the private room opened, he quickly took a few photos with a click.
...
Hearing Feng Lingfeng mention the name "Mushroom Apex Red Fruit," Lin Chuan couldn't help but look at her and said, "Sister Lingfeng, do you know that thing?"
Feng Lingfeng nodded and said, "This is a rare exotic fruit in the world. I also saw its description in a book. It's said that consuming this fruit can increase decades of Inner Qi for practitioners."
The furry creature glared with big eyes, cautiously watching the two and the two little ones.
The two little ones also stared at the creature with their four little eyes. Xiao Ling screeched twice at Lin Chuan, clearly meaning for him to quickly snatch the Red Fruit behind the creature.
Lin Chuan secretly enhanced the Sealing Heart Skill within the Heavenly Heart Skill, glanced at Feng Lingfeng, then split his palms apart, sending two powerful forces shooting toward the furry creature.
The furry creature seemed concerned about the Red Fruit behind it. Facing the strong force from Lin Chuan's palms, it didn't dodge at all and took Lin Chuan's hits directly.
The strong force from between the palms struck the creature's body but neither pushed it back an inch nor harmed it in the slightest.
The creature endured Lin Chuan's double palm attack, its body barely swaying. Then it opened its mouth full of sharp teeth and let out a roar, with a really terrifying sound.
What kind of monster is this, Lin Chuan exclaimed in his heart, concentrating all the Inner Qi generated by the full force of the Sealing Heart Skill into his palms, his body soaring midair, dashing at the creature.
Despite its heavy body, the creature's agility was not any less than the two little ones. With a lift of its two front hooves and its big eyes blazing with anger, it opened its mouth full of sharp teeth and charged at Lin Chuan.
"Lin Chuan, watch out." Seeing the creature fearlessly counterattacking against Lin Chuan, Feng Lingfeng shouted.
By this time, Lin Chuan had difficulty avoiding the creature and could only attack its head with his palms.
With a thunderous boom, Lin Chuan's palms struck the top of the creature's head, not pushing it back at all but instead feeling a counterforce that sent him flying.
At that moment, Feng Lingfeng twisted her body, flashed toward the direction where Lin Chuan was sent flying, and caught his body. Due to inertia, they flew back two meters before coming to a stop.
The creature roared and suddenly leaped up, its heavy body pouncing fiercely toward Lin Chuan and Feng Lingfeng.
In a flash, the two little ones dashed to attack the creature's eyes. Xiao Ling and Xiao Hei moved swiftly, reaching the creature in the blink of an eye.
To protect itself, the creature had to stop its attack on Lin Chuan and Feng Lingfeng, shaking its head and retreating, rendering the little ones' attack ineffective.
After retreating, the creature's body still stood in front of the Red Fruit, its nostrils exhaling coarse breaths, glaring at Lin Chuan, Feng Lingfeng, and the two little ones.
"Damn, what kind of monster is this? Its Inner Qi inside is even stronger than mine." Lin Chuan didn't care about swearing even with Feng Lingfeng by his side.
Feng Lingfeng's face was serious as she said, "Lin Chuan, this guy has thick skin and flesh. It isn't afraid of your Inner Qi. We need to think of a way to lure it away."
Feng Lingfeng's words sparked Lin Chuan's mind. Right, this creature may not fear his attack, but it surely can't match his speed. If he could lure it away, Feng Lingfeng could grab the Red Fruit and use their speed advantage to shake it off.
"Sister Lingfeng, I'll think of a way to lure this creature away. You take the chance to get the Red Fruit." Lin Chuan said to Feng Lingfeng.
Before waiting for Feng Lingfeng's response, he shot up and dashed at the creature.
With its eyes fixed on Lin Chuan and Feng Lingfeng, the creature roared and met Lin Chuan's charge. This time, Lin Chuan didn't go for a frontal confrontation. Instead, as the creature approached, he twisted aside and dodged to the side, turning his left hand from a palm into a fist and striking at the creature's body.
The creature turned as well, charging again at Lin Chuan. Lin Chuan dodged once more, launching an attack from another direction.
The two little ones also rushed in at this time, coordinating with Lin Chuan to attack the creature.
Using their speed advantage, Lin Chuan and the two little ones dodged the creature's attacks while gradually leading it backward.
Momentarily, the creature indeed had no way against Lin Chuan and the two little ones. After taking a few punches from Lin Chuan, its anger erupted, ignoring the Red Fruit behind it, and chased after Lin Chuan and the two little ones.
Once the creature was lured to a distance seven or eight meters away from the Red Fruit, Lin Chuan shouted to Feng Lingfeng, "Sister Lingfeng, quickly get the Red Fruit."
Feng Lingfeng was ready. On hearing Lin Chuan's shout, she leaped toward the Red Fruit.
Feng Lingfeng's speed was about the same as Lin Chuan's, and in an instant, she reached the Red Fruit, grabbed the red fruit on top of the fungus, plucked it off, and turned to run.