Chen Xiao's words immediately made the atmosphere in the tea room tense.
Qi Tianhu's muscles tensed, ready to fight at any moment.
Although he might not be much help if a fight broke out, he still had to show his stance.
Han Jiuchian's expression shifted multiple times, but in the end, he let out a gentle laugh.
"Heh heh, Mr. Chen, my personal stance has always been to prioritize peace. Since Mr. Chen is unwilling to cooperate with me today, I will not force the issue."
"Furthermore, it is my honor to have met a heroic figure like yourself!"
Han Jiuchian's words left Qi Tianhu dumbfounded.
He hadn't expected Han Jiuchian to endure this.
However, this man's words were utter nonsense. If the Wolf Gang truly acted with a principle of peace, he wouldn't have had such deep grievances with them!
But then, Qi Tianhu understood.
With the Underworld Palace on their way, they faced a formidable enemy. Han Jiuchian had enough on his plate and naturally didn't want to make another powerful enemy.
Han Jiuchian stood up to leave, but at that moment, Chen Xiao spoke again, "Mr. Han, I didn't say I absolutely wouldn't cooperate with you. Why are you in such a hurry to leave?"
Han Jiuchian's gaze faltered, his expression a mix of amusement and exasperation. "Mr. Chen, what do you mean by that?"
"I observed you just now and found that you're not as bad as I imagined. With a great enemy approaching, having one more friend is certainly better than having one more enemy!"
In fact, Chen Xiao had just been testing Han Jiuchian.
If Han Jiuchian had exploded in anger on the spot, Chen Xiao would have been forced to fight him.
But Han Jiuchian had managed to restrain himself, and Chen Xiao felt this was a man capable of great things.
He could bend and stretch, and could be worked with.
Han Jiuchian looked at Chen Xiao in disbelief. Only then did he realize that, without him even noticing, he had been led by the nose by the other party.
This was not common for Han Jiuchian.
Instantly, Han Jiuchian's evaluation of Chen Xiao increased.
"Let's form a temporary alliance to counter the Underworld Palace. Once the matter is settled, the alliance will automatically dissolve. Then, debts will be settled, and if Mr. Han still wishes to seek revenge, I, Chen Xiao, will accompany you to the end!"
Chen Xiao's words clearly laid out the terms.
Clear and unambiguous, without any hesitation.
Even Han Jiuchian had to give Chen Xiao a thumbs-up in his heart.
This man was interesting. His actions seemed reckless, but they were orderly.
And behind it all was his strong confidence.
From this moment on, Han Jiuchian no longer dared to underestimate Chen Xiao.
He had initially thought Chen Xiao was just good at fighting, but he hadn't expected his mind to be equally formidable!
Han Jiuchian slapped the table and exclaimed loudly,
"Well said, Mr. Chen! Straightforward and to the point! I am deeply impressed."
"Our past grievances are settled between us. From now on, they are wiped clean. Of course, if Mr. Chen wants to cause trouble for me, I will also accompany you to the end!"
Chen Xiao and Han Jiuchian locked eyes, like sharp points meeting.
But as they looked at each other, they both burst into laughter.
Qi Tianhu, though confused, felt a sense of camaraderie between heroes.
Han Jiuchian seemed to be in high spirits and said, "Mr. Chen, we hit it off immediately. I have prepared a small gift, please accept it."
Without waiting for Chen Xiao's agreement, Han Jiuchian raised his hands to his ears and clapped three times.
Immediately, a commotion was heard from outside the door.
The next moment, an army entered to report, "Boss Chen, Master Tiger, people from the Wolf Gang are trying to break in."
Chen Xiao waved his hand, "Let them in."
Then, two Wolf Gang subordinates dragged a person into the tea room.
As they entered, the person was pushed to the ground.
He was wearing a black hood, his body bound tightly like a zongzi.
Chen Xiao looked confused and asked, "Mr. Han, who is this?"
Han Jiuchian removed the man's hood. It was an old man, looking haggard.
Chen Xiao found him familiar, yet he was certain he had never met him before.
It was only when Han Jiuchian spoke his name that Chen Xiao understood who he was.
He was Long Qianzhan, Long Yaoyang's father.
Upon seeing Chen Xiao, Long Qianzhan's ashen face suddenly erupted with intense hatred.
"You beast, I will kill you! I will avenge my son!"
Long Qianzhan, with a surge of strength from who knows where, scrambled to his feet and lunged at Chen Xiao.
The outcome was predictable. Chen Xiao kicked him in the stomach, and Long Qianzhan collapsed in pain, unconscious.
At this point, Han Jiuchian explained, "Mr. Chen, this old scoundrel came to my door and offered twenty million for your head!"
Chen Xiao touched his head, "Only twenty million? Is my head really worth so little?"
Han Jiuchian smiled slightly, "Heh heh, Mr. Chen, you jest. Forget twenty million, I wouldn't take the job even for two hundred million."
Chen Xiao feigned surprise, "You wouldn't take it for two hundred million? That's quite a sum!"
Han Jiuchian said, "It is indeed not a small sum, but I never do anything I'm not sure of. If I took this job, I might be the one losing my head in the end!"
The two exchanged another knowing smile.
Han Jiuchian was indeed a smart man, knowing what to say to whom.
Even Chen Xiao had to admit that this man's talent surpassed Qi Tianhu's.
Once the matter was settled, Han Jiuchian didn't linger and left with his men.
Qi Tianhu looked at Long Qianzhan on the ground and asked, "Boss, how should we handle this old scoundrel? Should we..."
As he spoke, Qi Tianhu made a throat-slitting gesture.
Chen Xiao glanced at Long Qianzhan on the ground, then shook his head. "Just throw him out."
Chen Xiao was vengeful, but that was for opponents of equal strength.
And Long Qianzhan clearly did not fall into that category.
Chen Xiao even felt a sense of pity for the man and had no intention of killing him.
After dealing with these trivial matters, Chen Xiao finally began to discuss the main issue.
"Brother Qi, how much do you know about this Underworld Palace?"
Qi Tianhu replied, "Boss, as far as I know, the leader of the Underworld Palace is called the Dragon King. This person is not only powerful but also extremely skilled in handling affairs, and he has gathered a large number of experts around him, including several masters of the Hua Jing realm."
So that was it. A single Hua Jing master was a powerful figure in any region.
And the Dragon King had several Hua Jing masters under his command, so it was not surprising that he could sweep across the north.
Chen Xiao nodded, "As expected, very strong. No wonder he scared Han Jiuchian so much."
Qi Tianhu continued, "Boss, actually, the truly formidable aspect of the Underworld Palace is not the Dragon King."
Chen Xiao's face lit up with curiosity upon hearing this, "Oh? The leader of the Underworld Palace is not the most powerful?"
Qi Tianhu said cryptically, "As far as I know, the true owner behind the Underworld Palace is actually the Eastern Hero, Yang Potian!"