Madman!

Chapter 76: Too Arrogant

The two entered the conference room. Guan Laosan, Elephant, and Tall Guy had all arrived. Guan Laosan was chatting with Tall Guy about women, while Elephant occasionally chimed in.

"Everyone won money, right? No one bet on Lidong to win, I hope?" Shark Jiu said with a smile as she walked in.

"How is that possible? We are all one family; we definitely have to support you!" Guan Laosan laughed boisterously.

"Kid, you fought well last night! When are you coming to my venue to have a go?" Elephant turned his head and extended an invitation to Chen Wujun.

Elephant owned an underground fighting arena; it was his biggest asset.

Wealthy individuals frequently visited his venue to bet on matches.

Those rich people... they lacked neither food nor entertainment, but they craved this kind of bloodshed, something that could directly stimulate their adrenaline.

Chen Wujun's fighting style yesterday had greatly pleased Elephant; it would certainly attract many tycoons.

And he wasn't worried that everyone would bet on Chen Wujun. Many tycoons had New Arts experts as bodyguards, or they might even scout experts from the outside to fight.

Chen Wujun actually felt a twinge of temptation. The sensation of beating someone to death in the ring last night had left him thoroughly exhilarated.However, upon careful reflection, it really wasn't necessary. He didn't lack opportunities to fight.

'I'm to be a big boss. How can I go to the ring and fight for my life every day?'

'Elephant clearly views me as just a thug.'

A surge of malice rose in Chen Wujun's heart. He smiled, his tone dripping with sarcasm:

"Is Brother Elephant that short of men? You need to find outside help to hold up your venue?"

The implication was that Elephant's venue was failing and couldn't sustain itself.

Elephant glanced at Chen Wujun and casually held up two fingers. "Kid, I'm giving you a chance because you fight well—fierce and ruthless! The rich folks love watching your type. I'll give you this much for one match—two hundred thousand!"

Two hundred thousand for one match meant one million for five.

But if he took this money, Chen Wujun would truly become nothing more than a fighter.

Chen Wujun was clear-headed. He could step into the ring for turf wars, for gang conflicts, or for other matters, but the one thing he couldn't do was step into the ring just for this money.

"Jun-zai isn't a fighter under your command. Besides, you have plenty of fighters under you; you don't lack just one more." Shark Jiu lightly pushed Elephant's invitation back.

After chatting for a moment, the door was pushed open. Several lackeys entered first and stood to the side, followed by Master Xin.

"Jun-zai fought well yesterday. You showed off Hetu's prestige and won us a lot of face." Master Xin walked up to Chen Wujun, patted his shoulder, and praised him.

"Only with fresh blood like this can Hetu grow and strengthen."

"Thank you, Master Xin!" Chen Wujun said with a smile. He knew, of course, that Master Xin was only winning him over on the surface.

After speaking, Master Xin walked to the head seat and sat down.

"Hetu won this gambling arrangement. Lidong will hand over the territory within three days. Shark Jiu, you won the territory back, so naturally, it is yours to handle."

"However, Lidong suffered a huge loss this time, especially Wen Long, who lost almost all his turf... You need to be careful."

"He was lucky he ran fast last time. I couldn't kill him!" Shark Jiu smiled.

"As long as you understand the situation, don't be careless." Master Xin moved past the topic, then spoke in a deep voice:

"Additionally, the company has a debt to collect. The principal alone is 30 million. That bunch from Bird of Paradise has no integrity... They should have repaid it three months ago, but they kept stalling. There is still no movement. Including principal and interest, it is now over 43 million."

"Tall Guy, this matter is handed to you. The company only needs the principal back."

"This debt must be collected. If we don't get it back, everyone will think Hetu is easy to bully."

When Chen Wujun left the Welfare Association, he was still thinking about the debt Tall Guy was sent to collect.

If he could collect it all, he could pocket at least 13 million. That was more profitable than doing business.

Unfortunately, he didn't have that capability for the time being.

If the money were easy to collect, Master Xin wouldn't have needed to send Tall Guy.

Tall Guy controlled a group of desperadoes who specialized in solving troublesome problems for people.

"Sister Shark Jiu, who are Bird of Paradise?" Chen Wujun asked after leaving the Welfare Association.

"They are one of the three major gangs of the Luoyue people."

Hearing "Luoyue people," Chen Wujun immediately understood.

The Luoyue people looked very similar to the Huayan people, but the Huayan people were quick-witted and willing to endure hardship. Even under the suppression of the foreigners, they had produced quite a few tycoons.

The Luoyue people had much less influence in mainstream society, but they were ruthless and held significant power in the gray zones.

"Three major Luoyue gangs. What are the other two?"

"'Born to Kill'—famous for extreme violence, murder, robbery, and kidnapping; the 'Luoyue Gang,' mainly robbery, theft, and selling Wolf Drug and Number 4; and then 'Bird of Paradise,' who primarily do burglary, car theft, and transport contraband like Number 4."

"Don't think too much about it. For the next few days, focus on receiving the territory Lidong lost."

Parting ways with Shark Jiu, Chen Wujun returned to the gambling den.

"Brother Jun!" The lackeys rushed to greet him upon seeing him, their expressions filled with excitement.

Chen Wujun had fought beautifully yesterday, beating Yu Wei to death in the ring. It gave them face when they went out.

"Ah Fei, there are fewer people in the venue." Chen Wujun swept his gaze around the gambling den.

"Lidong's venues have been offering rebates recently, stealing quite a few of our customers. Fortunately, the hype around our venue has built up now. Although some customers were stolen, many stayed."

Chen Wujun nodded thoughtfully.

Lowering profit margins was easy; Lidong could easily copy that.

Gambling dens didn't require much technical skill; it was all about the environment, location, and the hype of the venue.

The livelier the venue, the more willing gamblers were to come.

This matter wasn't urgent.

"Put the word out that we're hiring these next few days. I want people who dare to fight and risk their lives. I'll say hello to Cun Bao. Since you're free, go around the martial arts hall more often and see if there are any good prospects."

This martial arts hall was the Hetu Martial Arts Hall, the organization's talent training base.

"Take some men and come with me to Lung Kong Road in a bit. We're chasing Lidong's people out and notifying the merchants there that the ownership has changed."

A moment later, Chen Wujun led seven or eight men to Lung Kong Road. They entered a strip club, startling the Lidong members inside.

"Hetu people? What are you doing?"

"Chasing you out, obviously. This place doesn't belong to you anymore. If you don't leave, are you planning to switch to our gang?" Chen Wujun pulled over a nearby chair, sat down, and crossed his legs.

"Three days. The time isn't up yet. Are you that desperate to be the boss?" one of Lidong's lackeys couldn't help but say.

"Listen to you. I am the boss. If I'm not, are you?" Chen Wujun sneered.

"It's good that you know it's three days. I'm a man who strictly follows the rules. But remember, everything here is mine now. Don't break anything... or I'll chase you to your homes to collect! And I'll calculate interest!"

"That guy who ruined my clothes last time... called Brother Hua, right? 5,600. It's been over four months now. With compound interest, I'll give him a fifty percent discount, but he still owes me 20,000. If he's short a single cent, I'll take him as interest payment."

"It's useless saying this to us. We follow Brother Fire Dragon! Anyway, we'll give you the place in three days."

"Since you put it that way, I won't say more." Chen Wujun stood up with a grin, preparing to lead his men away.

Just as he was about to leave, he suddenly shouted at the Lidong lackeys nearby: "AH!"

Several of them flinched in fright.

Chen Wujun pointed at them, threw his head back, and laughed loudly as he left.

The faces of the Lidong lackeys were iron-green.

Too arrogant, too unbridled.

The group went to another gambling den, and after coming out, Chen Wujun instructed Ah Fei.

"Watch my shop. I want it handed over intact. Don't let them damage my property."

"Make a list of all the merchants here and notify them door-to-door."

Only one strip club and one gambling den on this half of the street belonged to Lidong; the rest were small and large merchants.

Chen Wujun walked around the street. To the south was Longjin Street, and to the north, outside the Walled City, was Prince Edward Road West.

However, he had only secured the southern half... An alley separated the street, and the northern side closer to Prince Edward Road West was much more prosperous than the south.

Leaving matters here to Ah Fei, Chen Wujun checked the time and strolled home.

He glanced at Shu Fen's home as he passed. A different family had moved in, but it was still a prostitute.

Younger than Shu Fen's mother.

The room was lit with pink light, and a curtain blocked half the view. A plain-looking woman stood at the door. Seeing Chen Wujun look over, she immediately flashed a professional smile: "Handsome, want a go?"

Chen Wujun glanced at her and went upstairs to his home.

"There was a big feast yesterday. I brought back a piece of roast meat, but you didn't come back to eat," Huang Meizhen said upon seeing him.

Yesterday was the Tin Hau Birthday. Hetu had set up an altar at the Tin Hau Temple and hosted a grand feast. Every household received a share.

Huang Meizhen had received a piece of roast meat.

After speaking, she laughed again:

"Luckily, I saved a piece for you, or your little brother would have eaten it all. The little one is growing and eats a lot!"

Hearing this, Chen Wujun's expression immediately softened.

"That's good."

Leaning against the door, watching Huang Meizhen busy cooking inside, Chen Wujun suddenly asked, "Mom, if we leave the Walled City, where would you want to move?"

"Leave the Walled City? Go where? It's fine here! We know all the neighbors," Huang Meizhen said without looking up.

She had grown up in the Walled City and lived there all her life; she had never thought about leaving.

Besides, Chen Hanliang could only work as a dentist inside the Walled City. How would they survive elsewhere?

"Just asking! If there's a chance in the future, I'm definitely leaving the Walled City," Chen Wujun laughed.

"Houses outside are expensive, and so are goods. If you make something of yourself later, moving out would be a good thing," Huang Meizhen said.

After dinner that evening, Chen Wujun returned to Ah Yue's place.

"I thought you'd be back early yesterday, so I prepared a late-night snack. It sat there until morning. I sent it to my dad and the others today," Ah Yue said with relief when she saw Chen Wujun unharmed.

She had waited a long time last night.

She had even gone to the dance hall to ask around, finding out that Chen Wujun had won.

Chen Wujun ate another meal, then went to the living quarters upstairs. He took out his small notebook and looked through it page by page.

He had a bad memory and was afraid of forgetting.

Then, he crossed out Yu Wei.