Hao Liang struck Li Tianming where it hurt.
Hao Liang was brimming with confidence, forming a stark contrast with Li Tianming's gloomy expression.
"Li Tianming, you have no chance left."
"At this point, you've completely lost any possibility of a comeback!"
"I told you long ago, my path was the right choice. And now, the facts prove that I am the one laughing in the end."
Li Tianming did not argue.
Because there was nothing to argue about.
Hao Liang continued, "Chang Er, if you and your brother ever want to find me, you're welcome anytime."
Chang Tianxiong looked at Hao Liang with disgust.
"Guo Jiuxiao, give up. My brother and I could go anywhere. Why the hell would we follow you?"
"That's really a pity... Oh, right. Zhang Kuang, Lu Daoxing, Wu Yu. If you're willing, you can also come find me."
The three of them heard this and sneered in disdain.
Especially Zhang Kuang, who looked at Guo Jiuxiao like he was an idiot.
"Guo Jiuxiao, you sent one guy to kill Old Li, but for me, you sent three. And none of them were even from the regular ranks. You want me dead that bad, and yet you still have the face to ask me to work with you?"
"My hair may be messy, but my brain sure isn't."
Hao Liang shook his head, "Old Zhang, you should know, I only had a grudge against Old Li. If I were the one pulling the strings, I would've sent three people to kill Old Li."
"Hm? You mean..."
"Anyway, I can't say much more. You can figure it out yourself. Why would I hate you more than I hate Old Li?"
"But, Old Zhang, you should also be aware. Inside the safe zone, there are plenty of people who want you dead."
"Back when you were just scraping by in the kindergarten, people left you alone because they figured you had no chance of getting back on your feet. No point stirring up trouble by killing you."
"But now that you've stepped back into the game, all those who envy and hate you are crawling out of the woodwork again."
"Old Li is like a clay bodhisattva fording a river. He can't even save himself, let alone protect you. If you want to live peacefully, you'd best come find me."
At that moment, Zhao Longfei, who had been silent for a long time, finally spoke up, "Professor Guo, you're poaching people right in front of me, the principal. Isn't that a bit too much?"
"Principal Zhao, how is this poaching? This is protecting scientific talent."
"I didn't want to get involved at first, but the more you talk, the more outrageous you get."
"First, you want to kill the lead researcher of the team we just brought in this year. Then, you threaten our top professor."
"What, does the safe zone have your family name now?"
Hao Liang turned to look at Zhao Longfei.
Zhao Longfei lifted his chin and met his gaze head-on.
"Principal Zhao, you may not be a researcher, but you've seen a lot. You should be able to tell I'm speaking the truth. Professor Zhang really is in danger..."
Zhao Longfei impatiently waved his hand, "Enough. It's just a few stinking bugs from some cults. You make it sound like such a big deal."
"Those trash only dare to skulk in the sewers, peeking at people's asses."
Hao Liang was stunned for a moment, then let out a small smile, "I've never had a proper conversation with Principal Zhao before. Now that I have, you really are bold."
"In your mouth, even the major cults are nothing more than rats."
"Looks like your Black Hound business is so vast it covers the sky."
Zhao Longfei rubbed the scars on his head, "Professor Guo, no need for the passive-aggressive nonsense."
"If you ask me, you researchers all have a one-track mind."
"You think just because your tech is powerful, you can fight, you can dominate, you can command the world, you can be number one?"
"When it comes to research, I'm no good. But when it comes to power—"
Zhao Longfei gave Hao Liang a deep, meaningful look.
"You have no military backing. You're not from the three major trade guilds. You don't come from the mining industry. You're not part of any safe zone-sanctioned religion. You have no high-ranking government relatives."
"To be honest, I've been standing here this whole time, and I still don't get what the hell you're so cocky about."
"Your tech? You're hoarding it for yourself. It's useless for making alliances."
"But Li Tianming is walking around with a crimson crystal the size of an egg. Outside the safe zone, you might get away with killing him. But inside? If you still want to kill Professor Li, once the big names get involved, you really think they won't figure out it was you? You'll make enemies everywhere."
Zhao Longfei rubbed his scarred head again.
"Besides."
"Those cults you mentioned? Without my Black Hound supplying them, half of them would starve to death. They only dare to make moves outside the safe zone, behind my back."
"Inside the safe zone? Those low-level nobodies wouldn't dare kill anyone in my South Glory."
Hao Liang replied, "So, by this logic, the Zhao family is truly invincible within the safe zone. Principal Zhao, you're so incredible—I'm in awe."
"But as far as I know, South Glory University is just a well-performing institution under the education department."
"Yet Principal Zhao speaks as if he can break through all constraints. I'm truly impressed."
Zhao Longfei snorted and pulled out a cigar.
He lightly pinched it, snipping off one end.
Then, he lit it with a lighter, took a puff, and grinned at Hao Liang.
"You don't believe me?"
Hao Liang didn't respond. He just silently stared at Zhao Longfei.
"You've heard of the Fulong Society, right?"
"Fulong Society?"
"Back in the day, their power was decent. Ranked around fourth or fifth among cult organizations—I don't remember exactly."
"But three years ago, they came to South Glory University to assassinate Lister. Have you heard from them since?"
After saying this, Zhao Longfei took another puff of his cigar and continued smiling at Hao Liang.
Hao Liang's gaze wavered slightly. He was no longer as composed as before.
"As for the name 'South Glory University'. Just thinking about it pisses me off."
"When I founded the university, I wanted it to be fully private and named 'Feiteng University.'"
"Every day, it's 'Tengfei Group this, Tengfei Group that'. I got sick of it. I wanted to name a university to overshadow my brother, just for my own satisfaction."
"But then, Secretary-General Guo approached me and my brother, talked us into it, promised us all kinds of benefits. Out of consideration for the United Government, we accepted the name 'South Glory University.'"
"So, get this straight."
"I don't work under the education department."
"The United Government begged me to collaborate with them."
Zhao Longfei pointed at Hao Liang with his cigar.
"You may be somewhat talented, but that's it. Your understanding of power is shallow. You might make a splash outside the safe zone, but back inside? Saying you can protect this guy, kill that guy—you're just ignorant."
After saying this, Zhao Longfei smirked and shook his head, "You research types really do mess up your own brains."
"Didn't want to get involved, but you just had to push your luck."
Hao Liang stared at Zhao Longfei, his eyes filled with anger. His jaw clenched, but he said nothing.
Qin Siyang, listening from the side, was completely stunned.
'This scarred guy... Is this what he is really like?'
Zhao Longfei looked at Li Tianming again. "Professor Li, I don't get it. You seem pretty smart. How did you let this idiot screw you over so badly?"
Li Tianming sighed, "No choice. I was betrayed."
"Betrayed by your wife?"
"..."
Qin Siyang was curious, "Principal Zhao, how did you know?"
"Just a guess."
Zhao Longfei exhaled a smoke ring, "It's not the first time I've seen this happen."
Suddenly, Qin Siyang realized he had never met Zhao Sifang's mother. He whispered, "Then... what about Little Zhao's mom..."
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