Chapter 966: Chapter 966

Zhou Xiong quickly waved his hand and explained, "Although Tang Xin is the Group Leader of my Dark Group’s Martial Arts Inspection Team, this is indeed the first time I’ve seen his true face as the Deputy Director of the Dark Group. Su brother, you are truly fortunate to have such a talent as your son-in-law; it makes others envious."

"Hiss, the Deputy Director of the Dark Group? You are?"

Tang Ming took a sharp breath, staring at Zhou Xiong in disbelief.

"My name is Zhou Xiong, I’m in charge of the day-to-day affairs of the Dark Group."

Zhou Xiong looked at Tang Ming with a smile, full of emotion. Thanks to Lin Canghai for bringing Tang Ming into the Dark Group back then; otherwise, the Dark Group would have missed out on such a decisive and unruly talent.

"It seems you are indeed meeting for the first time."

Su Tianyu, looking bewildered, then laughed heartily, "Interesting, really interesting. Tang Xin, as the Group Leader of the Dark Group’s Martial Arts Inspection Team, has never met his superior and yet has accomplished so many earth-shattering feats; truly extraordinary."

"I’m truly meeting him for the first time."

Tang Ming pursed his lips, looking at Zhou Xiong with a complicated expression. He should have been paying respects, but since joining the Dark Group, Lin Canghai had been handling his communications with the higher-ups. Seeing his superior for the first time, he really didn’t know how to react.

"Alright, Tang Xin’s identity is special, no need to follow the internal etiquette of the organization; you can just call me Director Zhou."

As if seeing through Tang Ming’s thoughts, Zhou Xiong smiled and instructed, warmly saying, "Everyone else is already here, just waiting for you two. We should go in and continue our discussion."

"Alright, apologies for keeping everyone waiting. Let’s go inside and see our old friends."

Su Tianyu, without hesitation, gestured for Tang Ming to follow Zhou Xiong further into the manor.

Upon entering the manor, Tang Ming discovered a unique world within. From the outside, it seemed like an ordinary manor, but inside the facilities and security level were no less than the Ming Group headquarters.

"Tang Xin, this is the headquarters of the Dark Group in the Imperial City."

As they walked, Zhou Xiong introduced, "This is your first time at headquarters; feel free to visit more often in the future."

"Absolutely, absolutely."

Tang Ming suddenly realized this was the Dark Group headquarters. Though not as ostentatious as the Ming Group, it was quite impressive.

A few minutes later, the three entered a small yet stylish meeting room within the manor, where six people were already seated.

Seeing the people inside the meeting room, Tang Ming was surprised to find several acquaintances among them.

"Tang Xin, you finally arrived."

Upon seeing Tang Ming, Lin Canghai immediately stood up and, with excitement, said, "Hearing that you’re also participating in the martial arts competition puts my mind at ease."

"Heh, it seems you’re also participating in the competition. I feel like I’m halfway to losing."

Tang Ming showed no courtesy, grumbling with pursed lips.

"Bro, can’t you give me some face? Talking like that, you’ll have no friends."

Hearing the disdain in Tang Ming’s words, Lin Canghai complained bitterly, but considering the gap between them, he had to admit defeat.

"Hmph, acting all impressive."

A girl in a fitted outfit snorted with disdain, then looked admiringly at a young man in a white training suit. "Long Ao is our hope for the competition. With him, victory is assured this year."

The young man referred to as Long Ao slightly curled his lips, sitting on the chair sipping tea, his head unraised, exuding arrogance and pride.

"Hmm, isn’t that Wu Xiaoyu?"

Tang Ming looked at Wu Xiaoyu with amusement and mockingly said, "You seem fond of that guy, but he’s not interested in you. This is what you call throwing a warm face at a cold butt, right?"

"You’re talking nonsense."

Upon hearing this, Wu Xiaoyu was instantly furious.

"Haha, except for Tang Xin, everyone here is an acquaintance. Let’s all introduce ourselves."

Seeing the rising tension among the youths, Zhou Xiong quickly spoke to ease the atmosphere.

"No need for introductions, Tang Xin and I are old friends."

Lin Canghai spoke up first, introducing a middle-aged man beside him, who bore a resemblance to himself and wore a Zhongshan suit. "Dad, this is Tang Xin whom I often mention. Tang Xin, this is my father, Lin Qingfeng."

Lin Qingfeng looked at Tang Ming, nodded slightly, and gratefully said, "Thank you, Group Leader Tang, for taking care of my children, especially Lin Xue. She can be quite unruly; please forgive her rudeness."

"It’s nothing, it’s nothing."

Tang Ming nodded politely and whispered to Lin Canghai, "Is this your dad? Then what’s his relation to Lin Xue?"

"Bro, Lin Xue and I are siblings, so naturally, he’s Lin Xue’s father too."

Lin Canghai rolled his eyes at Tang Ming, baffled by his silly question.

"Alright, I’ve met the Lin Family Head."

Tang Ming nodded and returned the courtesy, puzzling internally over how the Lin family’s genes produced such a tempestuous policewoman like Lin Xue, given the genteel demeanor of Lin Canghai and Lin Qingfeng.

"Dad, this is the Group Leader Tang that used to bully Hao Jian."

After the Lin family introductions, Wu Xiaoyu turned to the middle-aged man beside her, gritting her teeth, "He also bullied me."

"One cannot blame others for their shortcomings."

Wu Xiaoyu’s father, also dressed in a Zhongshan suit, responded indifferently, then fell silent.

"Ahem, this is Family Head Wu Dao of the Wu Family."

Seeing Wu Dao’s lukewarm attitude towards Tang Ming, Zhou Xiong promptly interjected, then turned to Long Ao and a middle-aged man beside him with a sharp, heroic appearance. "This is Family Head Long Aiyu of the Long Family, and the young master, Long Ao."

"Su brother, we’ve been waiting for you for a long time; shouldn’t we get down to business now?"

Long Aiyu, with narrowed eyes, impatiently tapped the table, neither he nor Long Ao showing any favor towards Tang Ming.

"Of course, of course."

Su Tianyu guided Tang Ming to a seat.

"Su brother, the heads of our families have all sent our best disciples to participate in the competition. Why is the Su Family using an outsider?"

Long Aiyu, still narrowing his eyes, was clearly displeased with Tang Ming’s participation in the competition.

"Long brother, Group Leader Tang is my daughter Su Xiaoxi’s fiancé. Based on relations, he should be considered part of the Su Family."

Su Tianyu knew he was somewhat overstepping, but with matters as they were, he had to brace himself and press on.

"A fiancé is not a husband, still an outsider."

Long Aiyu remained displeased, "Group Leader Tang is someone from the Dark Group. If he is branded with the Su Family, it won’t benefit his future in the Dark Group."