Chen Fan pondered Feng Qianluan's intelligence, secretly wondering if the arrival of Xiao Kai in the capital had anything to do with him.
He now had a significant intersection with the martial arts world, yet he was not inherently part of it.
He had never met Xiao Kai before. Logically, Xiao Kai's arrival in the capital should have nothing to do with him.
However, at this particular juncture, could Xiao Kai's arrival in the capital truly be unrelated to the Northern Brotherhood?
It was known that his conflict with the Brotherhood had reached a point of no return, a state of open hostility and white-hot struggle. Who could say that Xiao Kai had not been invited to the capital by the Brotherhood?
Moreover, the scheduled duel between these two grandmasters seemed somewhat peculiar.
The Great Xia Kingdom did not have an abundance of martial arts grandmasters, but neither were they too few. If one were to list them all, there would certainly be over twenty.
The capital, as the imperial seat and core territory, had martial arts grandmasters stationed there.
The military did not have martial arts grandmasters, but Chen Fan, as the Zhenguo Zhanshen, possessed strength not far inferior to that of a martial arts grandmaster.
In addition, in the vicinity of the capital, beyond the passes, in Jingang, and the Qilu region, there were martial arts grandmasters in Jibei.
If Watanabe Kami's sole intention was to improve his martial arts, it seemed unlikely that he would seek out Xiao Kai, the Wolf Emperor of the grasslands.
The simplest explanation was that the Feng family had two martial arts grandmasters, and they were much closer to the capital than any others.
Furthermore, it was rather curious that Xiao Kai's disciple had caused trouble in the capital three years ago.
Chen Fan was now only one step away from infiltrating the core of the Brotherhood.
From the Brotherhood's perspective, their actions towards him were likely driven by fear.
Given that experts in Huajin like Luo Bin could be easily defeated and captured by Chen Fan, it was entirely conceivable that the Brotherhood, desperate, would resort to inviting a martial arts grandmaster to act.
Of course, these were merely Chen Fan's speculations. Without meeting Xiao Kai, he could not verify them.
On his way out of the private collection hall, Chen Fan called Han Wei, asking the Han family to help investigate Xiao Kai's true purpose for entering the capital.
Additionally, he dialed an international number.
Upon returning home and opening his computer, he had already received an international email.
This email was from Sakura Country and contained detailed information about Watanabe Kami.
He was a martial arts prodigy, having studied under Beisheng Ichidai Ryu, and subsequently traveled extensively throughout Sakura Country, visiting renowned martial artists. He was one of Sakura Country's three great martial arts grandmasters, proficient in swordsmanship and boxing.
His most glorious achievement was single-handedly, with a single sword, annihilating a pirate organization of over three thousand men in the South China Sea, leaving no survivors.
This demonstrated his ferocity and ruthlessness.
The information did not reveal any past grudges between him and Xiao Kai.
At nine o'clock the next morning, Chen Fan met Yu Fuguo outside a construction site in the eastern part of the city.
A sign hung outside the construction site: "Xingyue Lake Project Development Department."
The two waited at the entrance. Yu Fuguo said, "This project covers over 100,000 mu, utilizing the artificial lake within to create the first commercial city south of the capital. The estimated total investment exceeds 100 billion, including a commercial plaza, top-tier luxury residential communities, and various supporting facilities, schools, hospitals, entertainment centers, and so on..."
Chen Fan squinted and smiled, "With such a massive project, who is handling it?"
One hundred thousand mu could be considered a small satellite city.
"Such an ultra-large-scale project cannot be undertaken by a single entity. It is jointly developed and funded by several major families. The Shen family, a top aristocratic family in the capital, is involved, as are many other top families who have invested!"
Chen Fan's eyes narrowed as he looked at the construction site, a hint of amusement in his gaze.
Just then, a middle-aged man in a suit came out.
"Old Yu, oh my, you've been waiting, haven't you? We were just having a project meeting, apologies, apologies."
Upon emerging, the man greeted Yu Fuguo warmly and said, "Is this Mr. Chen from the Longteng Branch?"
"Yes!"
"Hello, Mr. Chen, hello. My name is Yang Chen, manager of the Xingyue Lake Development Project Department." The man shook Chen Fan's hand enthusiastically, then added, "Please come in, please come in. Let's have some tea in my office first, and then I'll give you a tour."
Chen Fan remained noncommittal.
As they entered the gate, the construction site had already commenced, but it was evident that it was just the beginning, and the scale was still small.
"I heard Mr. Chen is interested in investing in our Xingyue Lake project. Mr. Chen, let me tell you, your foresight is truly exceptional. This project is guaranteed to be profitable. Once it's completed, its value will surely soar!"
Chen Fan nodded and said, "I heard this is spearheaded by several major wealthy families?"
"That's right. The Shen and Wu families are involved, and not only them, but also the Xu, Li, and Yu families, among other wealthy families who have invested. Mr. Chen, I'm not exaggerating, with the background of this project, it's truly connected to the heavens. Once this project is completed, it will immediately be a sensation. If you want to invest, you'll need to act fast, otherwise, you'll miss your chance..."
Under Yang Chen's flattery and introduction, Chen Fan and Yu Fuguo sat in the rudimentary temporary office at the construction site, looked at the blueprints, and then toured the site.
Judging by its size, this Xingyue Lake development project was indeed extraordinary.
Finally, Yang Chen said, "If Mr. Chen is interested in investing, there are two options. First, you can undertake a section of this project yourself and construct it according to the blueprints. The profits will be substantial."
"The second option is to invest in the development company. As the project's funds are recouped, your returns will be paid in stages."
"However, whichever option you choose, it will require discussion and approval from the various directors. I have reported your visit to our Director Xu. He said he will be dining with Young Master Wu and others tonight at the Haitain Hotel. Why don't you go over to meet them and have a chat?"
The real show was finally about to begin!
Everything prior had been a prelude; the main event was yet to come.
The elaborate setup was naturally designed to showcase their strength and background to Chen Fan, making him interested in the project.
Chen Fan smiled, "That would be wonderful. I also wish to expand my network in the capital and meet some important figures!"
"The timing is perfect. I'll drive ahead and take you there," Yang Chen said.
Chen Fan got into the car, and he and Yang Chen drove to the Haitain Hotel.
Upon arriving at the supreme private room of this five-star hotel, Chen Fan saw two people chatting over tea in the lounge area.
One was a middle-aged man with a composed demeanor.
The other was about twenty-six or seven years old, dressed in an expensive suit, with sharp eyes.
"Director Xu, Young Master Hua!"
Yang Chen quickly went up to greet them.
The middle-aged man nodded, his gaze falling on Chen Fan, and smiled, "This must be Mr. Chen from the Longteng Branch? Truly young and promising. I am Xu Yuntian, the person in charge of the Xingyue Lake project!"
Saying this, he enthusiastically went to shake Chen Fan's hand.
"Hello, Director Xu."
Chen Fan shook his hand warmly in greeting.
"Allow me to introduce, this is Young Master Du of the Du family, Du Fumin, also a representative investor of the Xingyue Lake project!"
Chen Fan's eyes narrowed upon hearing this.
The Du family in the capital had been on a rapid rise in the past three years, showing a trend of potentially supplanting the Chen family and becoming a top aristocratic family.