Forty minutes later, the first person Yu Fuguo had called arrived.
Chen Fan met the visitor in the reception room, reviewed the investment plan, and listened to the project introduction.
It was an e-commerce project focused on group buying, attempting to carve out a new path in a market already dominated by established players.
Chen Fan offered no immediate evaluation, telling the visitor to wait for news.
Next came the second, focusing on the trending concept of the sharing economy.
The last was a web video project.
After meeting the three potential investors, Chen Fan walked out of the reception room and saw Yu Fuguo approaching.
"How was it, Brother Chen? Do these projects meet your requirements?"
Chen Fan smiled. "Old Yu, I can see you put in a lot of effort. These three projects can certainly burn through cash, and if they succeed, their prospects are indeed boundless."
"But the problem is, they're not exactly reliable. The competitive pressure from similar projects is immense, requiring teams with exceptional execution capabilities. And billions upon billions might not be enough to sustain them!"
"I know they can find other investors, but if that happens, my investment will be diluted, which doesn't meet my needs!"
Yu Fuguo glanced at Chen Fan, thinking to himself that this guy was indeed not easily swayed.
However, this was normal. If Chen Fan were a mere figurehead, he wouldn't be of much value to them.
After all, the stakes involved a billion, perhaps even more.
"It's alright, Brother Chen. I've contacted the head of another project. However, they are incredibly strong and have significant backing. They lack connections, but certainly not investment."
"What kind of project is it?" Chen Fan asked.
"Real estate development."
Yu Fuguo explained, "Projects like this are generally a sure bet with considerable returns. However, this time, we'll have to adopt a humble approach and proactively reach out to them to get a slice of the pie."
"That's no problem!" Chen Fan replied. "As long as it's a profitable venture, there's no harm in being a little humble."
"Then I'll arrange a meeting with the project manager right away!"
Chen Fan nodded.
Yu Fuguo returned after making a phone call. "They're actually willing to bring in capital to share the risk, and the 'Long Teng' brand is renowned and prestigious enough. We'll go to their company tomorrow morning at nine!"
"Alright."
Chen Fan agreed.
Yu Fuguo lingered for a while longer before taking his leave.
Watching Yu Fuguo's retreating figure, Chen Fan tapped his fingers lightly on the table.
If his predictions were correct, he would likely meet a key figure from the Brotherhood tomorrow.
Projects of this magnitude wouldn't appear out of thin air; they required the mobilization of various resources and influence, inevitably involving the high echelons of the Brotherhood.
As for who the "big fish" was, that would require discernment.
While he was contemplating, his phone rang.
It was Feng Qianluan.
Chen Fan answered the call. Before he could speak, Feng Qianluan's voice, filled with righteous indignation, blared, "Chen Tianjiao, you were the one who defeated Blood Fiend Palm at the Fang family's place and forced him to kneel, weren't you?"
Chen Fan paused for a moment, then felt no surprise.
The Feng family was an ancient royal lineage and a martial arts clan, naturally well-informed about matters in the martial arts world.
Although Feng Qianluan hadn't been present at the Fang family's event, it wasn't surprising she could deduce his identity.
"It was me!"
Chen Fan replied.
"You've uncovered important clues, and yet you still haven't informed me about this?"
Feng Qianluan's intention to confront him was all too obvious.
Chen Fan felt a touch of awkwardness. "I attended the banquet through other connections and just happened upon that situation. There wasn't time to inform you."
"If I hadn't called, you wouldn't have called me at all," Feng Qianluan said with a cold laugh.
Chen Fan stated calmly, "When there's something important, I'll naturally contact you."
"As I suspected, you don't take the Feng family's matters seriously at all. You're only investigating the mastermind for your own sake."
Feng Qianluan said coldly.
Her words were accurate, but her accusatory tone displeased Chen Fan. He replied indifferently, "You can investigate on your end too. We are cooperating, not necessarily acting in unison."
Feng Qianluan's voice faltered at his words.
Chen Fan was indeed correct, but the Feng family's influence in the secular world was relatively weak. She desperately wanted to find the killer of Feng Qianyuan but lacked the means.
She had realized in the past few days that the Feng family was now relying on Chen Fan, not the other way around.
Still, she couldn't help but feel aggrieved.
"Come to the private gallery from last time!"
After a moment of silence, she said curtly, "I have something to tell you."
"We can discuss it over the phone," Chen Fan replied.
"Come or don't. If you don't, don't blame me for not warning you if sudden trouble arises!"
Feng Qianluan snorted and hung up.
Chen Fan put down his phone, his brow furrowed.
After some consideration, he decided to leave the company and drive to the place where he had last met Feng Qianluan.
Exposing the Brotherhood and avenging Old Liang and his comrades was his most urgent priority. He couldn't afford to miss any potential leads.
Although Feng Qianluan's demeanor was somewhat irksome, he decided to tolerate it for now.
Upon arriving at the private gallery, the curator he had met previously was waiting. "The young lady is inside. Please come in, Mr. Chen!"
Entering the richly decorated and impeccably clean private gallery, Chen Fan found Feng Qianluan standing before an ancient sword.
Glancing at Chen Fan, Feng Qianluan said, "This was my brother's favorite sword, named Yue Li. He would take it out and practice with it every time it was maintained."
Chen Fan did not respond.
"News has come from my family: the Grandmaster of Martial Arts, the Wolf King of the Grasslands, Xiao Kai, is already on his way to the capital!"
Chen Fan looked surprised. "A Grandmaster of Martial Arts? What is his purpose?"
"It's said he's accepted a challenge to compete with the Grandmaster of Martial Arts from Sakura Country, Watanabe Keimei!"
Mentioning Watanabe Keimei, Chen Fan recalled his encounter with Shen Tinghao a few days prior.
At that time, Shen Tinghao, holding a grudge against him, had introduced someone by his side to intimidate him. That person was none other than Watanabe Keimei.
Had the Shen family invited Watanabe Keimei to compete with the Grandmasters of Great Xia's martial arts world?
This was a matter of the martial arts world, not directly related to Chen Fan, but the involvement of the top influential Shen family was significant.
"You asked me to come here just to relay this news?" Chen Fan asked.
"Xiao Kai will have a disciple accompanying him, named Nariye Wang. Three years ago, when my brother died, he was also in the capital!"
"Are you suspecting that Nariye Wang is connected to your brother's death?" Chen Fan asked.
Feng Qianluan replied, "My family investigated and found no connection. Although they met in the capital and even sparred."
"I don't know if there's a connection. Have you uncovered any leads on your end?"
"I found that the organization behind the scenes is called the Northern Heroes' Society. They have immense power, but their specific members are still unknown," Chen Fan said casually.
"Northern Brotherhood?"
Feng Qianluan shot Chen Fan a displeased glance. "Such crucial intelligence, and you didn't tell me?"
Chen Fan remained noncommittal.
"I will send word to my family to see if they have any information about this organization," Feng Qianluan said.
"Mm, this organization is deeply hidden, and its members are extremely secretive. What we've uncovered so far are only peripheral members, and the information is limited and of little value," Chen Fan said. "I will inform you if I get more intelligence."
Giving Chen Fan a glare, Feng Qianluan said, "It's best if you do."