The entire private room fell into dead silence.
Zhao Dongshan’s eyes were fixed on Chen Nan, as he restrained himself from losing his temper. After a good while, he finally showed a hint of a smile, "Is Young Master Chen joking?"
Chen Nan glanced at him, "What do you think, Boss Zhao?"
"I hope you are joking."
Zhao Dongshan took a drag of his cigarette. Although a smile hung on his face, he had already made up his mind. If Chen Nan did not agree to join the Zhao family today, he would stop at nothing to ensure Chen Nan was buried here.
Chen Nan flicked his cigarette ash, lying back casually in his chair, "If I weren’t joking, does that mean I won’t be able to leave this private room tonight?"
"Young Master Chen is kidding. The banquet I’m hosting today is not a trap," Zhao Dongshan said with a laugh.
"What’s the harm even if it is a trap?" Chen Nan said with a faint smile, inscrutable in thought, "Don’t forget, the final outcome of the Chu-Han Contention was Liu Bang dominating the world, while Xiang Yu, who arranged the banquet, could only take his own life at Wujiang."
"You’re courting death!"
A bodyguard captain sitting next to Chen Nan, perhaps fueled by alcohol, lost his temper and, without waiting for Zhao Dongshan’s command, swung his fist at Chen Nan.
Chen Nan gave him a look and remained motionless, allowing the punch to land on his body.
The bodyguard captain was at the Entering Dao Seventh Layer Heaven, a whole Great Realm below Chen Nan. After the punch, Chen Nan simply released his Protective True Qi, instantly sending him flying four to five meters away, crashing into the wall with a nosebleed flowing long.
"What is the meaning of this, Boss Zhao?" Chen Nan said with a laugh.
Zhao Dongshan drew in a cold breath. Chen Nan’s strength was truly formidable; even this capable bodyguard captain under his command couldn’t break through Chen Nan’s Protective True Qi and was sent flying backwards.
Zhao Dongshan hesitated in his heart. If they really fell out with Chen Nan, even if all of his men attacked with full strength, they might not be able to take Chen Nan’s life.
"My apologies, Young Master Chen. He’s not good with alcohol, he must have been drunk," Zhao Dongshan said with a hint of apology, then glanced at the bodyguard captain with dissatisfaction, "To get drunk on a single bottle of wine, truly embarrassing. Apologize to Young Master Chen."
After crashing into the wall, the bodyguard sobered up quite a bit.
Although he was unreconciled in his heart, since Zhao Dongshan had spoken, he had no choice but to offer an apologetic smile.
Chen Nan smiled and said nothing.
Zhao Dongshan fell silent for a while, then shifted the conversation back to the main topic, "Young Master Chen, I, Zhao, am of limited talents and don’t quite understand what you meant just now. I’m hoping Young Master Chen could clarify."
Chen Nan took a puff of his cigarette, speaking leisurely, "Joining the Zhao family is something I can absolutely not agree to. However, since Boss Zhao has so sincerely extended an invitation, I, surnamed Chen, can’t be too ungracious. Although I’m not a man of the Zhao family in the future, I am a friend of the Zhao family. If Boss Zhao needs help with anything, I will do my utmost."
Chen Nan held no deep-seated hatred towards the Zhao family, so since Zhao Dongshan wanted to build ties, he saw no need to outright reject them. After all, it’s always better to have an extra friend than an enemy.
Hearing the beginning of Chen Nan’s response, Zhao Dongshan’s face turned sour. But upon hearing the latter part, his heart eased considerably.
Though he hadn’t managed to pull Chen Nan into the Zhao family, maintaining a good relationship was also beneficial, "With those words from Young Master Chen, I can rest assured. If Young Master Chen doesn’t mind, how about we address each other as brothers from now on?"
"Since Brother Dongshan has said as much, then I will not stand on ceremony," Chen Nan responded.
"Haha, little brother, you really are a straightforward person. In a moment, I’ll give the order that anyone from the Zhao family who sees you should treat you as if they’ve seen me, Zhao Dongshan." As Zhao Dongshan spoke, he glanced at Zhao Ming beside him, "Ming, have you greeted your Uncle Chen yet?"
Zhao Ming almost died of frustration—calling Chen Nan ’Uncle’? That was even more painful than killing him!
Although he was reluctant, Zhao Dongshan had spoken, and Zhao Ming couldn’t ignore it. Gritting his teeth and with his face turning beet red, it took him a long while before he managed to say, "Chen... Uncle."
Chen Nan nodded, "Little Ming, if you ever encounter any trouble at school, just tell your uncle, and I’ll take care of it for you."
Zhao Ming’s face turned ashen as he internally cursed a string of obscenities!
Having been bullied by Chen Nan at school, how could he not feel miserable hearing Chen Nan’s words now?
"Thank you, Chen... Uncle." Zhao Ming said, his face dark.
Chen Nan smiled and directed his gaze towards Zhao Dongshan, "Bro East, there are some matters I need to discuss with you alone, is that okay?"
Zhao Dongshan hesitated slightly, then nodded, "Of course, it’s convenient." Then he swept a look over Zhao Ming and the four bodyguards and said, "You can go out first."
Nobody moved, it was clear they were all worried Chen Nan might harm Zhao Dongshan.
"What’s there to worry about when I’m discussing matters with my brother?" Zhao Dongshan glanced at everyone, a hint of displeasure on his face, "Have you forgotten what I just said? From now on, whatever Brother Chen says is as if I, Zhao Dongshan, said it. Anyone who disobeys will be dealt with according to gang rules!"
The four bodyguard captains responded, and, along with Zhao Ming, they left. Now in the private room, only Chen Nan and Zhao Dongshan remained.
Looking at Chen Nan, Zhao Dongshan said, "Brother Chen, please speak frankly."
"Do you want the Zhao family to go further?" Chen Nan asked.
Zhao Dongshan was startled for a moment, then nodded, "As a man, I aspire to the whole world, of course I do."
"Then you shouldn’t be doing those shady deeds." Chen Nan took a puff of his cigarette and spoke seriously, "If you want to build a great empire, you should develop legitimately, not engage in sneaky and underhanded activities. Otherwise, you’ll not only be scorned by the people, but you’ll also invite fatal strikes from the government."
Zhao Dongshan laughed awkwardly; the deeds he had done before weren’t exactly honorable.
Chen Nan looked at him and said bluntly, "I’ve heard about that underground arms factory of yours, which was allegedly in cahoots with the Japanese, a joint venture with the islanders. Such traitorous behavior, if you do it again, I will still show no mercy."
Zhao Dongshan fell silent for a while, then nodded, "You are right, I agreed to cooperate with the Japanese back then for the development of the Zhao family. I will definitely not do that again."
"If you truly heed what I’ve just said, then from now on, we are friends, we are brothers. But if you don’t listen, and should you do anything excessive in the future, don’t blame me, Chen Nan, for not adhering to the codes of Jianghu," Chen Nan said, "In these peaceful times, if you want the Zhao family to go far, there’s only one path, and that is the righteous path."
Zhao Dongshan nodded, "You’re right, I should indeed consider the future of the Zhao family."
"I’ve said what I needed to say, and it’s getting late, I should head back." Just as Chen Nan was about to get up, it seemed he remembered something else, "Oh yes, about that night when your people tried to assassinate Su Yixuan, who bought them off? Who wants her dead?"