The matter of setting sail for an adventure was thus decided. However, Sun Buzhou still had some matters to attend to upon his return, and preparations for the voyage would also take some time. Therefore, they could not depart any earlier than half a month later.
Chen Xiao was not in a hurry. After all, even if an ordinary person stumbled into such a perilous place, they would not be able to find treasures without knowing how to go about it.
It was already past four in the afternoon when he parted ways with Sun Buzhou. Just then, Han Jiuchuan called, reminding him that it was time to go to Ling Shui to meet the Dragon King.
After confirming Chen Xiao's location, a Hummer SUV soon stopped in front of him.
Elephant poked his head out from inside, grinning cheekily, "Master, get in!"
The car was custom-made by the manufacturer and had been further modified, otherwise, it wouldn't have been able to accommodate Elephant's massive frame.
Upon arriving at the Ling Shui ferry crossing, the three of them took a speedboat to the middle of the Ling Shui River.
They saw a beautifully decorated pleasure boat floating on the river. Han Jiuchuan pointed, "That one, that is the Dragon King's boat!"
Chen Xiao took a look. The pleasure boat was exquisite, with three stories, truly unique and ostentatious.
Such a boat would cost over a hundred million, which showed the Dragon King's immense wealth.
Chen Xiao and the other two boarded the boat smoothly and were guided by the staff to the reception hall within the pleasure boat.
As soon as the three entered the hall, the thirty-five magnates from thirteen cities north of the river had already arrived.
The Dragon King and the people from Ming Wang Dian had not yet arrived, but they had set up a buffet dinner in the hall for everyone to partake in.
At this moment, the magnates were gathered in twos and threes, whispering amongst themselves.
Every face showed a hint of worry, and it was clear that everyone knew this was a banquet of betrayal.
Han Jiuchuan said to Chen Xiao, "Brother Chen, come, I'll introduce you to some of the magnates. They are our people."
With that, Han Jiuchuan led Chen Xiao to a group of people and made introductions, "Everyone, this young brother is Chen Xiao, the underground leader of Jiang City."
Surprise flickered in the eyes of several people. They clearly hadn't expected Chen Xiao, at such a young age, to become the underground leader of a city.
However, their reaction was not enthusiastic. They merely nodded at Chen Xiao, considering it a greeting.
After all, Jiang City was not a major city in the north, and it was located in a corner, with its strength always being weak. This led to the underground leader of Jiang City having little presence in the eyes of magnates from other cities.
Han Jiuchuan, however, did not mind and continued to introduce Chen Xiao.
"Chen Xiao, this is Liu Songqing, the boss of Fierce Tiger Sect. The Fierce Tiger Sect he leads is dominant in Jin City. Jin City is adjacent to Jiang City, so you two should get along well in the future!"
"This is Boss Wang, the kingpin of Jiangkou City! Boss Wang's Iron Sand Palm is extremely powerful, a true hero!"
"This lady is Liu Yan of Flying Swallow Sect. Although Liu Yan is just a woman, she is as capable as any man. Flying Swallow Sect holds sway in Baling City!"
"..."
As Han Jiuchuan was introducing Chen Xiao, two sinister-looking men walked towards them with cold smiles.
Upon seeing these two, Chen Xiao clearly sensed Elephant's expression become unnatural.
"Oh, isn't this Big Dumb Elephant? I was wondering why you refused our invitation, and it turns out you've been hanging out with these out-of-town trash. Tsk tsk tsk, Big Dumb Elephant, you're really living backward, truly disgracing the people of our provincial capital!"
Before they even got close, one of them, a man with a long, thin face, began to taunt Elephant.
Elephant's eyes were filled with rage, and he immediately clenched his fists.
Han Jiuchuan pulled him back, "Elephant, Hu San is deliberately provoking you. We must consider the bigger picture and not act rashly!"
Elephant took a deep breath and finally, obediently, loosened his fists.
Then, Han Jiuchuan quietly introduced to Chen Xiao, "Chen Xiao, these two are Hu San from Dongcheng and Zuo Tianyou from Nancheng. The one who spoke just now is Hu San!"
Compared to Hu San, Zuo Tianyou was younger and his expression was more cold and arrogant.
By then, the two had arrived. Zuo Tianyou, with an arrogant expression, said coldly, "Big Dumb Elephant, Third Brother is talking to you, didn't you hear him, you bastard?"
Elephant snorted angrily, "Hmph, who was farting? It turns out to be you two scumbags. No wonder it stinks so much!"
Elephant wasn't entirely brainless. Acting rashly at this juncture would be unwise, but cursing them wouldn't have any consequences!
"What the hell did you say? Big Dumb Elephant, are you looking for death, you bastard!"
Zuo Tianyou pointed at Elephant and cursed loudly. Judging by his posture, he was about to make a move.
However, Hu San stopped him, "Young Brother Zuo, this Big Dumb Elephant is going to die tonight anyway. Why should we bother with a dead man!"
Hu San's words were clearly pointed.
Everyone couldn't help but speculate, could it be that these two knew some inside information?
At this moment, Hu San noticed Chen Xiao beside Elephant and became sarcastic again.
"This brother looks unfamiliar. Big Dumb Elephant, didn't you always bring your little leopard when you went out? What, changed your taste recently?"
Elephant immediately retorted angrily, "Hu San, if you keep talking nonsense and spewing filth, I'll tear your mouth apart! I'm telling you, this is my Master Chen Xiao!"
Elephant's admiration for Chen Xiao was beyond words. Insulting him was acceptable, but insulting his master was absolutely not!
Hu San was slightly stunned, "Chen Xiao? Why does this name sound so familiar?"
Zuo Tianyou suddenly thought of something and reminded him, "The scapegoat Qi Tianhu found, is his name also Chen Xiao?"
"Yes, yes, that's him!"
Hu San slapped his thigh, and he also remembered.
Then, he looked at Chen Xiao with even more arrogance, "Kid, I heard you've been quite arrogant lately. The one who carved words onto the face of the God of War's son, that was you, right?"
"It was me, so what?"
Chen Xiao looked at Hu San coldly and said indifferently.
Hu San chuckled, looking at Chen Xiao with disdain.
"Damn it, I've never met anyone as arrogant as you in my life. The only reason you're still alive is that the God of War is too busy to deal with you. You don't really think you can escape the God of War's retribution, do you!"
Chen Xiao sighed helplessly and said slowly, "I don't know if the God of War will punish me, I only know that you are too noisy. If you dare to babble in front of me again, I'll slap you to death!"
Hu San sneered, "Try touching me. Do you know where this is? The Dragon King's pleasure boat, how can you, trash like you, run wild here?"
As soon as Hu San finished speaking, Chen Xiao suddenly lunged forward and slapped him across the face!