Chapter 161 The Celebration Banquet
The next morning, Chen Xuan stretched and moved his limbs.
Forcibly opening the Yellow Springs Road yesterday had cost him a year of his lifespan, and his complexion was slightly pale, showing a hint of illness. However, as a profound azure aura surged from his entire body, he immediately felt invigorated.
At this moment, Fatty Zhang came running over.
"Fatty Zhang, what are you doing up so early?" Chen Xuan raised an eyebrow.
"Master Chen, many influential figures from Jiangbei heard about your exploits yesterday and want to pay tribute to you, asking for your protection for their families," Fatty Zhang said.
Chen Xuan showed a trace of confusion.
Yesterday, those wealthy individuals were acting out of self-preservation, and their promise to offer tribute was a last resort. But today, these rich men were eagerly sending money?
Fatty Zhang smiled and explained, "Master Chen, those influential figures yesterday were forced to do so for their own safety. However, ever since they witnessed your abilities, they have been completely convinced. If you tell them to go east, they would never dare to go west. Furthermore, many wealthy individuals have heard about this matter and wish to curry favor with you, otherwise, they won't be able to establish themselves in Jiangbei. That's why they are thinking of offering tribute."
Chen Xuan frowned.
Fatty Zhang continued, "Master Chen, you must be concerned that those families have too little strength, or that they might bring you considerable trouble. Mr. Murong and I will definitely help you supervise this matter. At the very least, only first-tier families or top second-tier families will have the qualification to offer tribute, and of course, these families must also have a good reputation."
Fatty Zhang had hit upon Chen Xuan's thoughts. Since the prominent families of Jiangbei were offering tribute, if something were to happen, he would also be responsible for those influential figures in Jiangbei. If some families who were constantly causing trouble were to provoke a lot of issues, wouldn't he be abetting evil?
"Fatty Zhang, then I'll entrust this matter to you."
To make the Su family of the capital crush the Su family of Jiangbei, Chen Xuan had already resolved to develop his own influence. Although Jiangbei was not a large city, if he were to bring it all under his control, it would absolutely be a force to be reckoned with!
Jiangbei would become Chen Xuan's first force to contend against the Su family of the capital!
"Thank you, Master Chen. I will definitely handle this well for you!"
Fatty Zhang was secretly delighted. If he was in charge of this matter, his status in Jiangbei would rise another step, and he would no longer be just some big thug!
Of course, he knew that his current status was all thanks to Chen Xuan, and he was determined to do a good job for Chen Xuan.
"Master Chen, it's getting late. Shall I drive you to the hotel for the banquet?" Fatty Zhang glanced at the time.
"Alright!"
...
The Ji family.
Patriarch Ji Xiong and his second son, Ji Xinghai, were sitting on the sofa, their expressions not very pleasant.
"Master, the car is ready, and the things you asked me to prepare are also ready," the Ji family's butler walked over and said respectfully.
"Good!"
Ji Xiong stood up and glanced at Ji Xinghai, "Xinghai, let's go as well."
"Dad, that Master Chen didn't invite our Ji family. Wouldn't it be too embarrassing if we went uninvited?"
Ji Xinghai said unhappily, "Besides, that medicinal garden is the foundation of our Ji family. If we hand it over, how can the Ji family produce martial arts geniuses in the future?"
"In the future, Jiangbei will revere Master Chen. For the Ji family to survive in Jiangbei, it will depend on the attitude of that Master Chen."
Ji Xiong sighed and stared at Ji Xinghai, warning him, "Xinghai, I'm telling you, no matter what humiliation you face at the banquet today, you must endure it. Also, you must definitely obtain Master Chen's forgiveness today. Do you hear me?"
Ji Xinghai was unwilling, but the terrifying methods Chen Xuan had displayed yesterday flashed through his mind. He shriveled his neck and quickly nodded in agreement, "Dad, I understand."
As for Ji Xingchen, he sat to the side with a dejected look, Chen Xuan's figure reappearing in his mind from time to time. The former prodigy seemed unable to withstand this blow.
...
Afterward, Fatty Zhang personally drove and acted as Chen Xuan's chauffeur. They soon arrived at a luxurious and magnificent hotel, Tianhao Hotel.
"Master Chen, this is a renowned five-star hotel in Jiangbei. Normally, the owner is quite arrogant. When I come here, at most a manager will receive me. But today, the owner of this hotel, to curry favor with you, not only waived all fees but also suspended business for the day to host this banquet," Fatty Zhang said excitedly.
Chen Xuan raised an eyebrow, "Does the owner of this hotel also want to offer tribute?"
"Yes, but he's still undergoing my assessment," Fatty Zhang said earnestly.
Chen Xuan couldn't help but chuckle.
Presumably, Fatty Zhang was preparing to squeeze some benefits from this owner.
To avoid causing a stir, Fatty Zhang led Chen Xuan into the banquet hall through the back door.
The hall, decorated with luxurious and grand yet with a hint of serene elegance, immediately caught Chen Xuan's eye. A hotel of this caliber was unparalleled in Jiangzhou, indicating that Jiangbei's economic development was better than Jiangzhou's.
At this moment, Fatty Zhang received a phone call, and then showed a distressed expression.
"If you have something to attend to, go ahead," Chen Xuan said lightly.
"The general manager of this hotel wants to discuss the matter of offering tribute with me."
Chen Xuan waved his hand, "Go ahead."
"Thank you, Master Chen," Fatty Zhang said with immense relief, bowed respectfully, and turned to leave.
At this time, quite a few influential figures had already arrived at the banquet hall. However, most of them did not recognize Chen Xuan. It was because Fatty Zhang was by his side that many people paid attention to him, but Chen Xuan's attire, which looked like it was from a street stall, made many dismiss the idea of approaching him for acquaintance.
Master Chen of Jiangbei must have extraordinary celestial bearing and an uncommon demeanor!
Why would he be dressed like this?
After Fatty Zhang left, Chen Xuan was also free to roam. He disliked endless socializing the most, so he wandered off to get some buffet food.
At this moment, a young woman, about twenty years old, dressed in red, with her hair tied in a ponytail, acting very efficiently and without pretense, walked briskly.
This person was named Song Hongyu, the niece of Murong Yuan. Murong Yuan had no children and regarded Song Hongyu as his own, grooming her as his successor. At a young age, she had already begun to get involved in Murong Yuan's businesses and had achieved some success.
Today's banquet was also entrusted to Song Hongyu by Murong Yuan.
Of course, there was also a subtle intention to get acquainted with Chen Xuan.
She pointed at Chen Xuan and asked with a frown, "Are you someone brought by President Zhang?"
Chen Xuan nodded without much thought, "Is there something?"
Song Hongyu said in a commanding tone, "It's time for you to be useful. A batch of wine for the banquet has arrived outside, and there are not enough hands. Go help move it."
"Move wine?"
Chen Xuan frowned and immediately understood. This woman in red had probably misunderstood something.
He opened his mouth to explain, but Song Hongyu said without room for argument, "This banquet today is to welcome Master Chen, and the wine is for the banquet. It is your honor to help Master Chen. Do not be hesitant."
Chen Xuan was speechless. Since he had nothing else to do, he agreed.
But at this moment, a young man stepped out and scolded Chen Xuan, "Kid, listen to Miss Song properly. Don't be arrogant just because you're associated with Fatty Zhang. He just got to know Master Chen early. If our Zhao family knew Master Chen earlier, where would he be?"
This young man was Zhao Jiaming, the son of Zhao Feilong, the general manager of Tianhao Hotel. He had been pursuing Song Hongyu, but Song Hongyu had always been indifferent to him. Now, seeing Chen Xuan getting close to Song Hongyu, he immediately stepped forward.
Zhao Jiaming looked at Song Hongyu with a smile, a hint of smugness on his face, "Miss Song, my father has already gone to discuss offering tribute to Master Chen. With our family's strength, it's a sure thing. Then, from now on, we'll be in the same camp. Regarding our relationship, what do you think..."