Jiangning, the Mountain and Water Club.
Qian Deshui and Guan Hong alighted from the car, standing at the entrance of the club for a long time, both filled with emotion.
The Mountain and Water Club was originally their territory, and Qian Deshui was a major shareholder. However, after Hong Kui of the Qianmen displayed his formidable strength, the second largest shareholder of the club colluded with his subordinates and rebelled. Qian Deshui had trusted this second shareholder implicitly before, only to discover he had harbored ill intentions all along and had constantly obstructed Qian Deshui.
With Hong Kui's arrival, Qian Deshui was effectively sidelined.
Returning to the Mountain and Water Club, Qian Deshui felt like a mere passerby. Guan Hong, standing beside him, spoke with a cold tone, "Yang Zihao has gone too far. If it weren't for Big Brother's support, how could he have achieved what he has today?"
Yang Zihao—
He was the current proprietor of the Mountain and Water Club, and in Guan Hong's eyes, a traitor!
Qian Deshui raised his hand, signaling Guan Hong to cease his words. "Forget it. Let the past be the past. He has decided to walk a different path from us. This matter cannot be forced."
Guan Hong suppressed his anger and said no more.
As the two were about to enter the club, they were stopped by the guards at the entrance. "Apologies, Master Hong and Director Yang are currently in a meeting inside. No one is permitted to enter."
Guan Hong, with his fiery temper, would have resorted to action if not for Qian Deshui holding him back. "Get inside and tell Hong Kui that my Big Brother is here. If he refuses to see us, he will face the consequences."
The guards at the entrance recognized Qian Deshui and dared not maintain their arrogant demeanor. They immediately dispatched one of their men into the club.
Not long after.
The security personnel returned, saying to the two, "Master Hong welcomes your arrival. However, only the two of you may enter. The rest must wait outside."
"Big Brother, we can't go in!" Guan Hong pulled Qian Deshui back.
He considered it a dragon's den, a clear sign that Hong Kui was deliberately making things difficult and showing them no respect!
Furthermore, without their guards, who knew what unforeseen accidents might occur?
Qian Deshui let out a cold laugh. "This is Jiangning, not the Southwest. Even if Hong Kui has become the king of Jiangning's underworld, he would not dare to act openly."
"Let's go in."
Guan Hong hesitated, but seeing the confidence on Qian Deshui's face, he felt a jolt within!
This was their style of conducting themselves!
Confident, and overbearing!
Qian Deshui instructed his subordinates to wait at the entrance. Guan Hong specifically ordered them, "If we are not out within half an hour, call the police. Do nothing else."
Led by several security personnel, Qian Deshui and Guan Hong walked with confident strides into the club. They proceeded to the entrance of the Heaven-grade private room. After Hong Kui's subordinate knocked to announce their arrival, the two finally gained an audience with Hong Kui and Yang Zihao. Hong Kui leaned back in his chair, a thick cigar clamped between his lips.
As for Yang Zihao, he adopted an obsequious posture, leaning slightly forward, with only a small portion of his buttocks resting on the chair.
Upon seeing this, Guan Hong snorted, "He's like a eunuch from ancient times."
"He might as well be on his knees."
Yang Zihao, as if his tail had been stepped on, suddenly shouted, "Guan Hong, mind your damn mouth. You really are a dog whose mouth can't spit out anything decent."
Guan Hong's anger flared. "You are nothing but a lackey to two masters. Do you really think I care about you? This debt of betrayal against my Big Brother, I will settle with you sooner or later."
"You..."
Yang Zihao instinctively looked towards Qian Deshui.
Qian Deshui's expression was calm, making it impossible for him to guess Qian Deshui's emotions, which sent a chill down his spine.
"Forget it. I can't be bothered to argue with you. It's a waste of breath," Yang Zihao said.
Qian Deshui pulled over a chair and sat opposite Hong Kui, then crossed his legs. This posture was extremely impolite during a conversation, causing Hong Kui to narrow his eyes.
Was this a show of dominance?
Hong Kui chuckled and blew a puff of smoke towards Qian Deshui. "Isn't this Master Qian? What brings you to my club for a visit?"
Guan Hong felt indignant hearing this. This was clearly Big Brother's territory before!
Qian Deshui spoke neither humbly nor arrogantly. "I won't beat around the bush. I've come to challenge you. In three days, find a place where we can fight to the death."
Hong Kui's eyes narrowed, and the temperature in the private room plummeted.
"You want to fight me to the death?" Hong Kui's tone was hesitant, as if he found it hard to believe Qian Deshui would say such a thing.
Qian Deshui nodded. "Indeed. You can choose the location, and I will accompany you. If we continue this way, even if I am completely annihilated, you will lose a significant number of elites. However, if we fight to the death, it will save a lot of trouble."
"Why should I fight you to the death?" Hong Kui did not immediately agree.
His intuition told him there might be a trap.
Qian Deshui did not appear overly anxious. He spoke leisurely, "Of course, you can choose not to accept. But if you don't, you'd best be careful. The Young Master Chen I have backing me has been discharged from the hospital and is sharpening his knives, ready to cull the weak. I won't hide it from you; Chen Jin Zhao is my greatest source of confidence."
Accept or decline, the choice was Hong Kui's.
Hong Kui gave Qian Deshui a deep look, feeling that Qian Deshui had ulterior motives. He then sneered, "Do you truly believe that Chen Jin Zhao can turn the tide?"
This was not a battle for one man!
Qian Deshui stood up directly and said to Hong Kui, "I have delivered my message. Whether you agree or not is your choice. Contact me when you have made up your mind."
"Farewell."
The two prepared to leave.
Hong Kui did not stop them, still pondering the matter.
As Qian Deshui reached the doorway, he suddenly turned back to look at the bewildered Yang Zihao. "Little Yang, it's not too late for you to turn back now. I don't want you to go down the wrong path."
Yang Zihao was taken aback for a moment, then a struggle appeared on his face. He gritted his teeth and said, "Don't put on a pretense of false concern in front of me. This war is bound to end in your defeat. I don't want to be cannon fodder for your burial! Master Qian, I know you treated me well before, and I know that without your support, I wouldn't be where I am today. But I have decided to follow Master Hong."
"Heh heh, I won't force you. I hope you won't regret this in the future." Qian Deshui no longer lingered and quickly left the private room.
Yang Zihao felt an inexplicable sense of relief.
Seeing Hong Kui frowning in deep thought, Yang Zihao quickly advised, "Master Hong, you must absolutely not accept Qian Deshui's challenge. From what I know of Qian Deshui, he doesn't seem like someone who rushes to his death. Since he dares to issue a challenge, it means he is confident of winning!"
Hong Kui raised his hand, signaling Yang Zihao to be quiet.
"Master Hong, you..." Yang Zihao was confused.
Hong Kui's face was faintly visible through the smoke. Yet, through this smoke, Yang Zihao caught a glimpse of the sharp glint in Hong Kui's hawk-like eyes, which stung his own.
"It's true that Qian Deshui has his confidence."
"He knows me well. He knows I will definitely accept the challenge, because that Chen Jin Zhao has a deep-seated grudge against me for the death of his son!"
"Go chase after Qian Deshui and tell him that I accept this challenge!"
"I want to use Chen Jin Zhao's blood to appease my son's spirit in heaven and let my son rest in peace!"