Chapter 88

"Sit down."

As Chen Fan spoke, Wei San Ye, Zhou Tianhao, and Master Guo each sat in the rattan chairs, while the others could only stand behind them.

"Master Chen, I have already informed the big shots in various cities of your return. They are all very excited about your return and are eager to meet you in Chuzhou," Wei San Ye said with a slight bow.

This person was no longer just a street magician who could summon lightning and perform spells. He was Master Chen, the renowned figure in Northern Jiang!

All the big shots bowed to him, none daring to disobey. Some even compared him to Tang Yuanqing from Southern Jiang, calling them the two major warlords of Jiangnan Province.

"Meeting them is fine."

Chen Fan was indifferent.

"Having Master Chen here, we in Northern Jiang no longer need to fear that scoundrel Tang Yuanqing," Zhou Tianhao said excitedly, slapping his thigh.

"Tang Yuanqing?"

Chen Fan opened his eyes, slightly puzzled.

"Before you came, Tang Yuanqing was the top figure in Jiangnan Province," Zhou Tianhao explained. "This guy is based in Nanjing, with influence spreading across various cities in Jiangnan and half of Eastern Jiang Province. However, the cities in Northern Jiang have always resisted him, so Tang Yuanqing has tried multiple times to interfere in Jiangnan affairs, but we have always pushed him back."

"Is this Tang Yuanqing so powerful?" Chen Fan asked curiously. "You have the Wei family backing you, Xu Ao has his father-in-law, and the leaders of various cities mostly have their own backers. Why can't you deal with one Tang Yuanqing?"

"If everyone could work together, why would we fear a mere Tang Yuanqing?" Zhou Tianhao said with an awkward smile.

Xu Ao, Xing Zhong, Bald Liu, Zhou Tianhao...

Which of them was not a major figure in their own right?

Who would be willing to follow someone else's orders in their own territory? Moreover, they had deep-seated grudges against each other, making them a disunited group. How could they possibly match Tang Yuanqing?

"But Tang Yuanqing is indeed formidable," Wei San Ye nodded. "The Tang family has been entrenched in Jiangnan for over a hundred years. His grandfather was a major warlord in Southern Jiang, commanding thousands of troops and even supporting Mr. Sun Yat-sen."

"Later, they formed an anti-Japanese militia. Although the Tang family disbanded their army after liberation, they still have deep roots in Nanjing, making them one of the top families in Jiangnan."

"Moreover, Tang Yuanqing is extremely skilled. Over the years, he has made Nanjing as solid as a fortress, impervious to outside forces. All the major figures in Jiangnan follow his orders. Even forces from Hong Kong, Zhonghai, and Eastern Jiang have been driven out by him," Zhou Tianhao said solemnly. "The Tang Group's influence spans various industries, and most of the cargo ships on the hundreds of miles of the Yangtze River belong to the Tang family."

"He has people, money, and backing. Almost no one in the province dares to provoke him."

"Even the richest man in Jiangnan Province has to give him some face. For years, he has been trying to infiltrate Northern Jiang. The cities of Jiangzhou and Haizhou, which are close to Nanjing, have been the most heavily infiltrated. That old man Wu in Jiangzhou is just a proxy for Tang Yuanqing."

At this, Zhou Tianhao seemed somewhat resentful.

Chen Fan nodded.

From what he heard, this man was indeed a warlord-level figure, far beyond the scope of Zhou Tianhao's small-scale operations in Chuzhou.

Master Guo, who had a slightly pale face, interjected, "Brother Hao, there's a piece of news you might not know."

"What?" Zhou Tianhao was taken aback.

Master Guo bowed to Chen Fan and said, "Master Chen, in the martial arts world, the Tang family of Nanjing is a well-known martial arts family. Although they haven't produced a grandmaster in over a hundred years, both Tang Yuanqing and his father are peak-level experts in internal energy, unmatched in Jiangnan Province."

"That makes sense," Chen Fan nodded slightly.

Money, power, background, and skills were all secondary.

For Tang Yuanqing to have dominated Jiangnan Province for so many years, suppressing the leaders of Northern Jiang, he must have had some extraordinary power. Otherwise, his enemies could have easily hired a few gunmen or assassins to take him out.

Zhou Tianhao laughed awkwardly, "We didn't know these details, but Tang Yuanqing's martial skills are indeed formidable. I heard that Old Gu, who was with Xu Ao, once fought him and suffered a significant loss."

Master Guo shook his head, "That's not a problem. No matter how powerful Tang Yuanqing is, we have Master Chen."

As he spoke, he looked at Chen Fan with a fanatical gaze.

This was a peak martial arts master, a 'Grandmaster of the Transformation Realm'! And he was so young, capable of suppressing Jiangnan Province for decades. Facing a martial arts grandmaster, even Tang Yuanqing would have to back down.

"Exactly, with Master Chen here, that Tang Yuanqing is nothing but a minor issue for Master Chen," Zhou Tianhao laughed heartily.

Wei San Ye also nodded with a dignified smile.

Although he hadn't attended the tournament, Zhou Tianhao and others had boasted about it. The stories of walking on water, shaking the stage, punching through things, and withstanding bullets were all incredible, making him even more respectful of Chen Fan.

Chen Fan smiled faintly but said nothing.

However, he didn't really care about Tang Yuanqing. Only a grandmaster of the Transformation Realm like Lei Qianjie could pique his interest.

Thinking of this, he looked at Guo Wei, whose injuries seemed not yet fully healed.

"Have there been any news from the Hongmen overseas in the past three months?"

Guo Wei bowed slightly, "Senior, according to the news from our overseas comrades, Lei Qianjie hasn't said much, apparently in seclusion. However, his disciples have declared that they will come to China to cause trouble for you. Friends in Zhonghai also say that Hongmen forces are starting to enter China, possibly as vanguards, with more to follow. It's unclear if this is related to the matter."

After finishing, he added cautiously, "Since you killed Lin Hu in that battle, many martial arts friends have heard of your reputation and want to meet you in Chuzhou."

"I don't have the time to deal with these people," Chen Fan shook his head.

So-called martial arts friends were likely just internal energy martial artists like Guo Wei, not enough to be a match for him.

Seeing this, Guo Wei had to suppress some of his thoughts.

In fact, he hadn't mentioned that after the news of Chen Fan, the 'young grandmaster,' spread, many in the martial arts world were不服 (unconvinced), angrily denouncing the possibility of such a young grandmaster.

Even many well-known experts were intrigued and wanted to meet Chen Fan in Chuzhou.

However, since Chen Fan had been missing for a few months, they couldn't find him. If the news of his return spread, it would likely cause another stir.

Chen Fan sat there, watching them excitedly discuss the time and place for the gathering of the big shots from various cities.

Zhou Tianhao and Wei San Ye were the most enthusiastic.

The disunited state of Northern Jiang had lasted too long. If someone could stand up and unify Northern Jiang like Tang Yuanqing did, the combined power would be enough to dominate all of Jiangnan Province. After all, Northern Jiang was more than twice the size of Southern Jiang in terms of territory and population, though Southern Jiang was the economic center of Jiangnan Province.

'If Master Chen can unify the forces of Northern Jiang and become the leader, he won't interfere in specific affairs, so he will need a spokesperson. Wouldn't I then be second only to him, above thousands of others?' Zhou Tianhao thought happily.

In Northern Jiang, his influence was the smallest, and his status the lowest. When had the other big shots ever looked at him with respect?

They all saw him as a dog of the Wei family. If he could attach himself to Master Chen, Zhou Tianhao would rise from obscurity to become the second most powerful figure in Northern Jiang, and even in Jiangnan Province.

Wei San Ye was also daydreaming: 'Old man has always looked down on me, thinking I'm not as accomplished as my older brothers.'

'But I have a friend like Master Chen!'

'Northern Jiang is such a vast force, even the Wei family can't ignore it! When Master Chen becomes a major figure in Jiangnan Province, he will definitely need official backing, and the Wei family will be the obvious choice!'

'Then I'll see if my second brother dares to scold me for not focusing on my duties!'

Thinking of this, they discussed more enthusiastically.

The discussion started as a simple gathering but extended to forming a loose organization, building a private club, and regular meetings. It even included how to integrate forces from various industries and balance the power and relationships among the big shots.

Although Chen Fan didn't speak, he saw through their thoughts clearly.

'You are making this too simple.'

He shook his head slightly.

The big shots in Northern Jiang only feared his power, not truly submitting to him.

To make these powerful figures with their own backgrounds and abilities hand over their power was no easy task. It would involve countless bloody conflicts, interest exchanges, and difficult negotiations.

If Chen Fan were just 'Master Chen,' he might spend five or ten years gradually eroding the power and territories of the big shots, like Tang Yuanqing, eventually bringing all of Northern Jiang and even Jiangnan Province under his control, becoming a major figure in Jiangnan Province.

But Chen Fan had no interest in such matters. To him, Northern Jiang and even Jiangnan Province were too small.

'I know they all have their own schemes and ulterior motives, and some are even colluding with external enemies to plot against me.'

'So what?'

'Power is in my hands. Those who don't submit will be eliminated!'

Chen Fan slowly closed his eyes.

PS: Thank you, Kun+Kun, Miaoshou Shenghua, Laona Fahao Kouwei Zhong, Jifeng Wangzhe F, Canzhuang Ruyi, Shenzhong Shenzhong, Youmingv Xuejun, Dahua Xiaohua, Peng Qianke, Bingjifa, Fenghua Wudi Xue, Hui Gege, Jizhennianhua, Zhi Zun Longtian, Luchen, Jingling LON, Aiqing 1987, Shishenzhe Canye, Kangjian de Pangtouyu, Wo Ai Da Bieshu, and Shuyou 160731 for your support. I am very grateful for your recommendations and donations. O(∩_∩)O

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