"Oh?" Chen Fan raised an eyebrow. "How much do you think is appropriate?"
Hu Dechang mistook his question as a sign of surrender, his triumph evident in his eyes. "Why, a few million wouldn't be too much, would it?"
Only a few million?
Chen Fan shook his head. "My life isn't that cheap."
Huh?
Hu Dechang's eyes widened in surprise. He had never encountered such haggling! A hostage arguing with their captor about the price being too low, suggesting they add more online.
Before Hu Dechang could speak, an elder in Tang dynasty attire behind him scoffed impatiently. "Mr. Hu, did you bring me here today just to deal with this fool?"
Hu Dechang's dismissive expression vanished instantly. He quickly bowed apologetically to the elder. "Elder Zhao, you misunderstand. This kid might not be the sharpest, but he's certainly capable. You should have seen him at Hu Ji that day; he took down more than ten of our men by himself."
Elder Zhao sneered. "You're comparing me to those useless fools?"
"How dare I!" Hu Dechang's bow deepened in fear. "Everyone knows you are the backbone of Ruixing'er Hotel! Without your presence over the years, this hotel would never have reached its current standing!"
Hu Dechang's flattery had some effect. Elder Zhao's expression visibly softened. "Very well. I have other arrangements this afternoon. Let's resolve this kid's matter quickly."
Elder Zhao had not wanted to come. For a Yuan Ying stage cultivator like himself to be bothered by a mere youngster who knew a bit of martial arts – it was like using a cannon to kill a mosquito, a butcher's knife to slaughter a chicken! But Hu Dechang had managed to obtain the secret recipe, and the boss of Ruixing'er had asked him to do Hu Dechang a favor and accompany him.
Elder Zhao impatiently looked up at Chen Fan. "Kid, if you want to buy your way out, be quick about it! If you can't produce the money, then kowtow to Mr. Hu today. Don't wait for me to act, or I'll make you regret ever being born!"
Chen Fan looked utterly unconcerned. He gazed at Elder Zhao. "Specifically, how would I regret it? Perhaps I should test it?"
This kid dares to provoke Elder Zhao?! The men Hu Dechang brought with him looked at Chen Fan as if he were an idiot. "Haven't you heard of our Elder Zhao's reputation? How many of Ruixing'er Hotel's competitors in Europe have you seen? Look at their fates! Which one of them lasted a single move against our Elder Zhao?"
Chen Fan frowned. "It seems you're quite practiced at this sort of thing."
Resolving commercial competition with fists instead of business tactics. If everyone operated like this, what order would the market have? Chen Fan had always loathed such chaos.
The group, however, paid no mind to Chen Fan's changing emotions. As he finished speaking, they even puffed out their chests and chuckled smugly. "Of course! The entire catering industry in Europe is now ruled by Ruixing'er Hotel! If anyone dares to defy us, or get ahead of us, Ruixing'er will make sure they disappear from European soil immediately."
As they spoke, their gazes pointedly fell on Hu Dechang, implying that Hu Ji was a prime example. Of course, their intention was merely to intimidate Chen Fan and make him quickly beg for mercy! Many of them had suffered at Chen Fan's hands before, and they were eagerly anticipating seeing him cry and plead with Elder Zhao for leniency.
However—
Chen Fan looked at them with cold eyes. "With such a modus operandi, it would truly be wrong of me to let you continue your tyranny." He took a step forward. "Then let's not waste any more time. After I'm done with you all, I'll personally visit Ruixing'er Hotel and have a word with your boss."
"Hahaha! Did I hear that right? Is this kid scared silly? He wants to speak directly to our boss?"
"Our boss doesn't meet lunatics like you!"
"Besides, it's questionable whether you'll even walk out of this door alive today."
Scoffs erupted from all sides, but Chen Fan remained unfazed. He looked at Elder Zhao. "Aren't you going to make a move? Or do you plan to come here for nothing today?"
"Arrogant brat!" Elder Zhao had not encountered anyone so audacious in front of him for many years! Did he really think he had ten lives, to withstand the beating from a Yuan Ying stage expert even a few times? Fine! Today, he would teach this kid a lesson in humility! He just hoped that after this punch, the kid would still be breathing!
The next moment, Elder Zhao's spiritual energy surged! A faint blue light enveloped him, and his oppressive aura forced the people behind him to retreat.
"Tsk, we're truly lucky today!"
"This is my first time witnessing Elder Zhao's divine might live!"
The crowd watched with anticipation, certain that Chen Fan would be beaten to the ground in the next second!
But—
Why did Elder Zhao's light suddenly dim? Chen Fan hadn't done anything! He had simply taken two more steps towards him.