Chapter 73

"Are you crazy?"

After a brief silence, a sharp female voice cried out. Zheng Anqi could no longer maintain her previous demeanor as a high-level executive and almost jumped up from the ground.

She stared at Chen Fan with the eyes of someone looking at a madman.

"Do you know what a hundred billion means? Who would spend a hundred billion on a broken bottle?"

This was 2007, not 2017.

In 2007, there were only about 900 billionaires on the Forbes list, and the threshold for the Forbes list was 1 billion US dollars, which was equivalent to 600 to 700 million RMB. There were no more than a thousand billionaires worldwide with a net worth of over 700 million RMB. Although this was just the surface, there were still many unlisted billionaires and families, but not too many.

Thus, in China, only about 60 could make it to the list, and including the entire Chinese diaspora, there were only a little over a hundred.

A hundred billion! It was enough to rank among the top 100 billionaires in the Chinese diaspora, and even the richest person in some remote provinces didn't have such wealth.

Although the Zheng family was said to have a net worth of tens of billions, that was the total market value of their numerous listed companies.

The Zheng family's actual net assets were only about 20 billion. Even so, the Zheng family was one of the top ten richest families in Hong Kong and could rank around 30th in the entire Chinese diaspora.

When Chen Fan opened his mouth and asked for nearly half of the Zheng family's assets, how could Zheng Anqi not be furious?

"I of course know what a hundred billion means," Chen Fan said calmly.

"But my elixir is unique in the world, and this is the price. If you don't buy it, please leave now."

Upon hearing this, Zheng Anqi was stunned on the spot, her chest heaving, unable to speak from anger.

Master Wu, standing beside her, was almost prostrating in admiration.

Chen Fan's deal was too domineering.

A hundred billion!

A fixed price, take it or leave it!

This was a hundred billion, the richest person in Central Province had a net worth of about this much, and they were already in the top 50 of the Hurun Rich List. Even in a coastal province like Jiangnan, this net worth was enough to rank in the top five, at least the chairman of two or three listed companies.

In 2008, the net worth of a certain Wang, the father of a national husband, was only a little over 15 billion, and he was already in the top 30 nationwide.

A hundred billion to the Zheng family was like cutting a person in half or chopping off their limbs, leaving only the trunk. Just to extend the old man's life by two years, could the Zheng family accept it?

Sure enough, Zheng Anqi took a deep breath and shook her head, saying:

"Mr. Chen, we cannot accept this price."

"A hundred billion is too outrageous. Even the most luxurious hospital in the world wouldn't sell for this price, let alone a mere bottle of elixir."

"It's not outrageous," Chen Fan said calmly.

"Can the best hospitals in the world guarantee that Mr. Zheng will live two more years? And not just lying in bed, but living a lively life for two years? Money can't buy longevity, but I can."

Pausing, Chen Fan continued:

"Of course, I can give you time to raise the money. Take this bottle of Jingqi Pills first."

Saying this, he gently tossed the bottle of longevity elixir to Zheng Anqi and looked at her meaningfully.

"But don't take too long. I don't have much patience."

Zheng Anqi caught the porcelain bottle, looking at the elixir in her hand, seemingly disbelieving.

She stood there, her eyes flickering, and suddenly smiled:

"Alright, since Mr. Chen is so straightforward, the Zheng family agrees."

"A hundred billion deal! I'll start raising the money as soon as I get back, and I won't keep you waiting long."

The transaction completed, Chen Fan waved his hand, indicating they could leave.

Zheng Anqi turned and quickly left, taking the ashes of the dead bodyguards with her.

Master Wu, standing beside her, watched helplessly as Zheng Anqi took the Jingqi Pills, almost jumping in frustration.

...

After Zheng Anqi and her group left Yinlong潭 (Yinlong Pond), Mr. Shi, seeing her excited expression, couldn't help but ask:

"Miss Zheng, is the Zheng family really going to spend a hundred billion?"

"This will be a huge blow to the Zheng family. Shouldn't we first communicate with Second Master Zheng and the family?"

For many companies or billionaires, spending a hundred billion to build a commercial square, residential complex, five-star hotel, or to invest in a factory was a normal thing. They not only spent their own money but also used bank loans, stocks, crowdfunding, and other means.

Moreover, key investments could earn back the money, and even if they didn't, they could sell at a loss without losing too much.

But in this world, there were very few billionaires who could spend a hundred billion on a bottle of elixir that would be gone after consumption, or on a purely luxurious sports car, yacht, or private jet.

Looking at China, only a few could be so extravagant, and the Zheng family was definitely not among them.

"Who said we would spend a hundred billion?" Zheng Anqi suddenly stopped and looked at him with a smile.

Mr. Shi's face changed abruptly:

"Are you planning to..."

Chen Anqi smiled smugly:

"Did I sign a contract with that Chen boy? Did I stamp it? Was there a lawyer present to witness it?"

"Nothing. Just a few words. No recording, no video, no evidence. It has no legal effect. If Chen wants to sue, the Zheng family can spend a billion to hire a legal team and drag him through the courts for decades."

She coldly snorted:

"Even if he knows I'm deceiving him, what can he do?"

"Chen boy can only do some magic and martial arts. He doesn't understand that this is modern society, where we must follow the law and rules. No matter how powerful he is, can he be more powerful than the government, the country?"

"Only in Central Province did I tolerate him. Once we get to Hong Kong, a call to the police commissioner and the chief executive will do. Then, in front of the police and the garrison, we'll see if he dares to act so recklessly."

Saying this, she tossed her head and walked away smugly.

Mr. Shi stood there, wanting to say something but ultimately sighed:

"Miss Zheng, you're thinking too simply."

"Can the money of a true cultivator be so easily avoided?"

Above the path of cultivation, it is called the path of the law.

In Daoism, they are called True Men; in Buddhism, they are called Masters.

Ancient True Men could capture the wind as a blade, exhale to create thunder, not drown in water, and not be harmed by fire. They had the power to summon wind and rain, call down thunder, and turn beans into soldiers. How could a True Man be easily deceived?

Mr. Shi shook his head and muttered to himself:

"Once I get back, I need to talk to Mr. Zheng and Second Master. Even if we can't give a hundred billion, we should give ten or twenty billion first, and then slowly negotiate with True Man Chen. His price is too unreasonable."

"If Miss Zheng continues to act on her own, disaster will soon befall the Zheng family."

After Miss Zheng left, Master Wu finally couldn't hold back and jumped up:

"Master Chen, how could you let her take the elixir?"

"What if the Zheng family doesn't pay, or even gives us nothing?"

"What if they can pay? What if they can't?" Chen Fan said calmly, his eyes cold: "Since the Zheng family has agreed, they must give me a hundred billion."

"If they can't, they will pay with their lives."

As he spoke, his eyes glinted with a faint light.

Master Wu suddenly thought of the dead Xing Zhong.

At that time, Master Chen had said the same thing to Xing Zhong. If Xing Zhong hadn't paid the 45 million, not only he but also his own and the old boss's lives would have been in danger.

In Master Chen's eyes, life was like an ant, to be crushed at will!

Thinking of this, he shivered and dared not speak.

Chen Fan sat cross-legged on a large rock, his eyes lowered, meditating like an old monk, his mind calm.

'The people of this world always think that laws and rules are the truth, and they are pleased with finding loopholes in the rules.'

'But they don't know that rules are meant to be broken. In the face of power, authority, money, and even laws are like sandcastles, washed away by the tide.'

'The world of cultivation respects power, where the strongest rules! This is the truth of the universe!'

"In this world, no one can take my money and still live freely."

Chen Fan said calmly.

PS: Thanks to Dongye Piaoxue for the generous support, thanks to Xuan Qing Tian Xuan Qing for the 1000, thanks to Yanqing Bu Yan Ai and Shi Jie Wu Bian for the 500, thanks to Di Zhan Huang, You Ming v Xue Jun, Xu Kong Yu Jiu Jian, Shishenzhe² Can Ye, Huang Yu Tian Xia, 1 Xiao 1 Ge 1, and You Dang de Zhan Lang for the support. Thanks everyone.

Um, new readers, the author updates at 3 PM and 9 PM every day, with occasional bursts. The system might have some delay, but it won't be too long. Please support with your votes. O(∩_∩)O

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