Chapter 213 — The Panther's Revenge

At Black Panther's words, Zhong Yongliang's heart instantly eased. So long as Brother Panther had not come looking for trouble with him, everything else was easy. Money, was it? He had plenty of that. Brother Panther had shouldered such a heavy crime on his behalf and was even going to help him deal with Wei Zhao — Zhong Yongliang was practically giddy with delight!

"Brother Panther, rest easy — money is no problem. I'll speak to my father and get you a million up front!" Zhong Yongliang said. "But as for dealing with Wei Zhao, we need to think this through carefully. We can't lay a hand on him at school — we'll have to find somewhere else!"

"Thank you, young Master Zhong!" Hearing that Zhong Yongliang was so generous as to hand him a million on the very first go, Black Panther was set at ease. It seemed this trip had not been wasted after all — the Zhong family had treated him well, and shouldering the blame had been worth it! As for dealing with Wei Zhao, he was hardly foolish enough to strike in a public place, so he nodded. "Quite right, that will need careful deliberation. But it cannot take too long — otherwise my strength will return to normal, and then I will have no way to beat that brat!"

"Don't worry, Brother Panther, it's only a matter of a few days!" Zhong Yongliang was just as eager to be rid of Wei Zhao. The more he thought of that boy, the angrier he became — the wretch had actually dared to kick him head over heels right in the middle of class, making him lose face completely. Until this grudge was settled, Zhong Yongliang would have no peace.

"Good! Then I'll be off first. Here is my phone number." With that, Black Panther handed Zhong Yongliang a slip of paper with his number written on it. "News of my escape will be released soon, and the police will certainly turn their attention to you. I am not afraid of anything myself — with my current strength, they cannot catch me — but we must not let it drag you and your family in!"

"Understood, Brother Panther. I'll have my father get the million together and then give you a call!" Zhong Yongliang was rather moved. Brother Panther was a decent sort after all, even worrying about whether he would be dragged into it.

"No need to hurry about that — deal with Wei Zhao first." Black Panther was clearly grinding his teeth with hatred at the very mention of Wei Zhao. "Until that brat is dead, I will never know a moment's peace!"

"All right then, Brother Panther. You go on ahead — I'll get in touch with my father, work out a plan for dealing with Wei Zhao, and then call you," Zhong Yongliang said with a nod.

Black Panther nodded, said nothing more, clapped Zhong Yongliang on the shoulder, and with a whoosh leaped up onto the windowsill, then vanished into the darkness.

"My God, is that even possible? How is this any different from the martial arts masters of legend?" Zhong Yongliang stared at the empty windowsill and could only click his tongue in amazement. He walked over and looked down — Brother Panther was long gone, presumably already well away.

Had it not been for the scene that had just played out so clearly before his eyes, and for the slip of paper with Brother Panther's number still in his hand, Zhong Yongliang might have thought he was dreaming! The moment Brother Panther had gone, he hastily pulled out his phone and dialed his father's number.

It was a good while before the call went through, and the background noise was clamorous — clearly Zhong Fabai was at some dinner engagement outside, drinking. "Pinliang, is something the matter?"

"Dad, it's urgent — could you come home for a bit?" Zhong Yongliang said, unconsciously lowering his voice, even though he knew no one nearby was listening in.

"What is it? I'm out here entertaining clients, and your mother's here too — they're all old friends, it's not easy to just leave!" Zhong Fabai said.

"It really is urgent, Dad. Please come back!" Zhong Yongliang dared not speak too plainly, for fear someone beside his father might overhear.

"Pinliang, what on earth is it? Why are you being so unreasonable? Your father really is busy here!" Zhong Fabai was somewhat displeased. What could possibly be so urgent at this hour of the night?

"Brother Panther has escaped from prison..." Zhong Yongliang lowered his voice to a bare whisper.

"What? What did you say?" Zhong Fabai was stunned for a moment, then said, "Wait for me — I'll be right back."

Hearing that Brother Panther had broken out of prison, Zhong Fabai's heart clenched at once, and he could no longer be bothered with entertaining clients. This was a serious matter — if it was mishandled, his son could be dragged into it!

He had gone to considerable trouble before to get a lawyer to see Black Panther, to persuade him to take the whole thing on his own shoulders, promising him a handsome reward once he was out of prison. But now Black Panther had run, and things had become rather more complicated. There must not be any more mishaps!

He glanced at his wife. "Xiaohua, you stay here and keep our old friends company. Something has come up on Pinliang's end — I have to get back right away!"

"All right, then go quickly." Zhong Fabai's wife knew well that if her husband was leaving at such a moment, something serious must have happened. She asked no further questions, only told him to set his mind at ease. "Leave things here to me. Our old friends all know Sister-in-law here can hold her liquor — let's carry on!"

The guests at the table were somewhat put out by Zhong Fabai's sudden departure — after all, they had not yet drunk their fill — but hearing his wife's words, they could only nod and accept it. They were all on very familiar terms, and there was no point in making a fuss.

Zhong Fabai came down from the dinner, left the car to his wife, and hailed a taxi right there at the foot of the building to take him home.

Without even stopping to take off his coat, he shouted the moment he stepped through the door: "Pinliang, where are you? I'm back!"

Hearing his father's voice, Zhong Yongliang came swiftly out of his room and ran downstairs: "Dad, I'm here!"

"What's going on? How did Black Panther escape from prison? Tell me, how did you find out? The news doesn't seem to have gotten out yet?" Zhong Fabai asked, somewhat puzzled. After all, Black Panther's escape was a major matter; news reports and the like should have come out, yet there was still no word — how did Zhong Yongliang know?

But before Zhong Yongliang could open his mouth, Zhong Fabai's phone rang.

Zhong Fabai glanced at the caller display, then at once gestured to his son Zhong Yongliang to keep quiet before answering: "Captain Song, it's so late — why are you calling me?"

"President Zhong? I have some bad news for you — Black Panther has escaped." Qiu Lingshan had not wanted to make this call, but she had to, because after Black Panther's escape, the targets of his revenge were Wei Zhao and Zhong Fabai.

As for Black Panther's going to the school to***, Qiu Lingshan was no fool and could naturally guess roughly why; it was just that Black Panther had owned up to the matter, and Zhong Fabai wielded no small influence in this city — his brother-in-law was even a shareholder of the Gu Group — so with so many interested parties involved, Qiu Lingshan could not well make wild accusations over something for which there was no evidence.