After more than an hour of running around, the three of them returned to Mount Wu Town.
Just as they were about to ask someone where the Ma Brothers Teahouse was, a sign reading 'Ma Brothers Teahouse' caught their eye.
After parking the car, the three of them walked in together.
You three look new here—are you here for tea or to play cards?
As soon as they entered, a shirtless, scruffy middle-aged man in beach shorts and flip-flops, a cigarette dangling from his mouth, greeted them.
"We're looking for someone. Is Tony Zhang here?" Ian asked.
"No idea. I don't know that guy. Get lost!" The man's expression changed sharply at the mention of Tony Zhang, and he rudely shooed them away.
"If you know, this money is yours!" Ian took out two thousand yuan from his storage ring and waved it in front of the man.
But to Ian's surprise, the man wasn't tempted at all and grew even more impatient: "Get lost! I really don't know!"
Boss, is someone causing trouble?
Just then, a bald, tattooed strongman nearly 1.9 meters tall, wearing a tight tank top, walked over and stared menacingly at Ian and his companions.
What are you three doing here—coming to my Ma Brothers Teahouse to cause trouble? Tired of living, huh?
No need to misunderstand, brother. We're just looking for someone, not here to cause trouble!" Ian smiled. "If you're willing to tell me where Tony Zhang is, this money is yours!
As he spoke, Ian added ten thousand yuan to the stack of cash from before.
At the mention of Tony Zhang, the strongman's expression changed dramatically, but he quickly put on a cold face and said to Ian, "Never heard of Tony Zhang. Get lost—if you don't, I'll start swinging!"
Neither of the brothers were good at hiding their expressions. Although they strongly denied knowing Tony Zhang, Ian was sure they knew a lot more than they let on.
So he looked at the two and said, "If that's not enough, I can add more money!"
Add my ass! Can't you understand plain Chinese? Get lost!" The strongman shouted at Ian, then a group of people rushed out of the private rooms and surrounded Ian and his friends.
Big bro, second bro, are these guys looking for trouble?" A youth holding a steel pipe glared fiercely at Ian and asked the Ma brothers.
See that? Everyone here is one of my brothers. If you know what's good for you, get lost!" The strongman cursed at Ian again.
Ian frowned, debating whether to back off or not. Cliff Fu whispered, "Ian, with thugs like these, reasoning gets you nowhere. If you beat them up, they'll tell you everything."
Alright, I'll leave it to you!" Ian said.
Although there were over ten opponents, they were just ordinary people. For Cliff Fu, a mid-stage acquired realm martial artist, it was more than enough.
Let me handle it!" Henry Han volunteered.
He strode forward and slapped the strongman on the chest. The nearly 1.9-meter-tall thug flew through the air like a rag doll, landing several meters away.
Damn, you hit Second Bro! Everyone, get him—kill that old guy!
Bang! Bang! Bang!
With a series of crashes, in less than a minute, Henry Han had knocked down all ten-plus thugs, including the Ma brothers.
Young Master Song, want to ask again now?" Henry Han dragged the strongman over like a chicken and threw him in front of Ian.
Do you know Tony Zhang?" Ian looked playfully at the strongman.
Yeah, I know him." The strongman immediately turned honest.
Why did you say you didn't know him before?" Ian pressed.
Because we didn't want any trouble," the strongman replied, a little scared.
Tell me in detail," Ian said thoughtfully.
A lot of people have come asking about Tony Zhang lately, but that guy disappeared over two months ago...!
As the younger Ma brother explained, Ian finally understood why the two brothers didn't want to mention Tony Zhang. Three days ago, a group came to town, beat them up badly, and warned them not to reveal anything about Tony Zhang to outsiders.
Unfortunately, the two brothers are too simple-minded and can't keep secrets.
According to the younger Ma brother, three months ago Tony Zhang suddenly got rich, paid back the fifty thousand yuan he owed them, and spent three days and nights gambling at their teahouse.
After losing seventy or eighty thousand, the guy vanished and never came back. Since then, lots of people have come to the teahouse asking about Tony Zhang—even the police have dropped by.
Where did Tony Zhang go? And who are all these people looking for him?" Ian wondered as he walked out of the teahouse.
Ian, maybe we should head back to the city first. I'll have my people investigate slowly," Cliff Fu suggested.
Sounds good!
Tony Zhang had been missing for over two months, so staying here was pointless. Ian agreed with Cliff Fu's suggestion.
But just as they drove out of Mount Wu Town, Ian noticed they had picked up a tail.
We're being followed," Henry Han said in a low voice. He'd clearly spotted the car behind them too.
Find a quiet spot and pull over!" Ian thought for a second and said.
Got it!
Cliff Fu slammed the gas pedal, and the Land Rover shot forward. As it sped up, the car behind them sped up too—no doubt, it was after them.
A few minutes later, the Land Rover stopped on a deserted stretch of road. The car behind them stopped too. Three men and a woman jumped out, and the three men rushed up, guns pointed at Cliff Fu. "Out of the car!" they barked.
Ian and his friends cooperated, got out of the car, and raised their hands under the threat of the guns.
She was a red-haired woman, with a curvy and sexy figure. Her sunglasses were so big they covered most of her face, making it hard to see her features, but even the bit of cheek that showed made it clear she was attractive.
Who are you people?
Ian asked the red-haired woman as she walked slowly toward them.
So, why are you looking for Tony Zhang?" The red-haired woman stopped a meter in front of Ian and asked, her voice sultry.
I'm interested in antiques. I heard Tony Zhang is a tomb raider, so I thought I'd try my luck and see if he had anything good." Ian answered, half-truthfully.
The red-haired woman's eyes lit up behind her sunglasses. She stared at Ian and said, "So you have something Tony Zhang sold? Hand it over, and I'll let you go!"