But Boss Chen didn't know.

The reason their business had ballooned to account for 60% of Quan State City's market, supplying approximately more than one hundred thousand children from the Federation's lower classes, was entirely due to Jin Botao's secret support and the abundant resources Wang Zhan provided.

Therefore, Wang Zhan would certainly not mind giving him such an opportunity, but right now, it was impossible. Hearing Wang Zhan's words caused the faces of the three men to tighten.

They felt the pressure instilled by Wang Zhan and the lurking threat of Ku Zhu behind him.

But Wang Zhan didn't want to entertain any of the thoughts or bewilderment in the minds of the three men before him; he just said straightforwardly, "So my intention is to extend our front line beyond Quan State City! We can't always confine ourselves to one corner. Only when we see a glimmer of hope do we begin to explore the next possible direction for a breakthrough. We need to cast a net, and it has to be a big one! Remember, my partners, we are not philanthropists, nor are we ambitious. We are merely businessmen! And what do businessmen do? They strive for the greatest benefits in the shortest possible time…"

Boss Chen suddenly asked, "But once we attract the Federation's attention, what should we do? We can't always hide in the Underground City. We need a legitimate identity to operate! Moreover, once exposed, it'll be a dead end…"

Everyone was silent. Indeed!

A legitimate identity would allow them to pass the Underground City's blockade, appear openly and legitimately above ground, and admire the clouds and rain on the horizon. But if they were exposed, they would have to flee as they did today, with no destination in sight.

However, Wang Zhan just indifferently surveyed the faces of the three people and said calmly, "The path to success is bound to be difficult. Especially considering your backgrounds, you will inevitably endure such a process. So, are you scared? Of course, as part of my plan, you do need a suitable identity. But I regret to tell you, at least until our goal is achieved, you temporarily don't need one. Furthermore, do not underestimate my abilities. As I said, I can certainly get you out of Quan State. However, until my goal is achieved, I will only provide you with the energy and freedom to manipulate things from behind the scenes."

Working diligently for Wang Zhan in exchange for their limited freedom and a glimmer of hope for the future—these were Wang Zhan's conditions.

The more aware they became of the quagmire behind Wang Zhan, the more they realized this man was not simply an individual seeking to make pocket money.

Boss Chen sighed, chuckling to himself. He turned to Ku Zhu and Tie Xiuqing and said, "You two go out first! I have some matters to discuss with Brother Wang."

Being the focus, Wang Zhan naturally enjoyed it and feared nothing.

Yet Boss Chen finally asked, "Brother Wang, you're not just a simple wealthy young master, are you?"

When the room quieted down, Boss Chen looked at Wang Zhan as if his gaze could penetrate his heart.

Wang Zhan, of course, knew. This man was just suspicious. After all, his own behavior had been too unusual. Although his background was vague, it was definitely far more profound than that of a typical noble family, deep as the sea. How could that not arouse suspicion? So what if it did?

Wang Zhan, shadows half-covering his face, simply smiled faintly. "Big Brother, why bother about my identity? Anyway, what I can tell you now is, as long as you can help me make this matter bigger—the bigger, the better—I promise that your wife and children will enjoy everything you leave behind for them."

At this moment, Wang Zhan no longer spoke of sparing Boss Chen's life, as if aware of the difficulty.

In fact, Wang Zhan was clear. He could certainly target Boss Chen as he pleased, but that didn't mean the power he currently possessed could save this man.

Yet, with Wang Zhan's words, Boss Chen laughed. He laughed somewhat freely, relieved, and melancholically, as if a huge pressure had been lifted from his mind.

"No wonder! The moment you entered Quan State Underground City, you seemed to have set your sights on me. You asked me for directions, sold goods to me, pawned items with me… Brother Wang, ah, Brother Wang Zhan, has nobody ever told you how terrifying your intentions can be?"

Boss Chen knew what he had originally thought. Wang Zhan was a bit unpredictable, undoubtedly cunning, but still very young. This could be seen from Wang Zhan's progress after entering the Federal Internal Affairs Department. But Boss Chen had never expected this. He had indeed investigated and thought that even if Wang Zhan's purpose wasn't simply money, it wouldn't be a major issue. So, he hadn't hesitated to get involved, even bringing along a promising young man he favored, hoping to offer some help. Little did he know, he had ultimately fallen for Wang Zhan's apparent youthfulness. Wang Zhan looked too young. So young that his occasional immaturity and calculated schemes often seemed somewhat naive and abrupt, as if one could see through their truth or falsehood at a glance. What Boss Chen hadn't realized was… "This is a little fox!"

Just a little fox whose tail is revealed the moment its true nature emerges. With a single net, Wang Zhan had fished out Boss Chen and his friend Tian Qi, like two fish from the river late at night. Then, he set up a stove by the riverbank, metaphorically chained Tian Qi to it, and then said to Boss Chen, "Fish, if you want him to live, if you want to live, then work harder! Bring me more prey."

Caught in such a predicament, Boss Chen might have felt some resentment deep inside, but what could he do? Although Wang Zhan's means weren't pretty, realistically, they had all been attracted by the conditions he offered, whether willingly or unwillingly, and had thus voluntarily walked into his trap. In other words, apart from blaming themselves, they couldn't hold anyone else responsible.

So, all Boss Chen could do was mock himself. "Well, anyway, you know who I am, but I don't know who you are. Of course, I'm not interested, nor do I want to know. Let's just leave it at that. Deal with it however you like, but I have one condition, Brother Wang. If you can promise, I can at least bring out some of my old comrades to work like dogs and horses for you…"

Wang Zhan looked at him, confident of victory. "Speak."

"Do not harm my family. Protect my wife and children, and take care of the wives and children of those brothers I've brought to help you. Once this is done, this worthless life of mine will be yours before I die."

Immediately, Wang Zhan's piercing gaze gradually softened. Though he still stared into Boss Chen's eyes, he was obviously deep in thought.

Boss Chen couldn't help but smirk. "Is it too difficult?"

Wang Zhan shook his head, rose wordlessly, and left, leaving only one sentence behind. "No, it's too easy. But since you proposed this condition, I can only hope you remember: after you hand over your family members to me, your life will be mine."

「Some time later.」

Old Master Zao and Tie Xiuqing, who had returned to Boss Chen's side, finally saw him, after a long silence, break into hearty laughter. As he laughed, tears streamed down Boss Chen's face, and he cursed under his breath, "Goddamn it, I've lost big this time! That kid is up to no good…"

Ignoring Tie Xiuqing and Old Master Zao, he continued to mock himself.

If he still couldn't understand the cause and effect, then he'd truly lived his life in vain. Since Wang Zhan had the ability to know of his existence and even dared to approach him directly with his intentions, it proved that Wang Zhan's background was, at the very least, deep and unfathomable. Furthermore, Wang Zhan's words were enough to convince Boss Chen that Wang Zhan's actions were likely the will of those who wished to help him. But when facing Wang Zhan earlier, Boss Chen had been too nervous and had once again softened because of his wife and children, willingly choosing to dive in. In doing so, he had also risked the futures of several of his brothers, and who knew how long they would have to toil like beasts of burden before regaining their freedom.

But since the outcome was set, Boss Chen, who had been somewhat weary and anxious, completely relaxed.

Oh well, so be it, he thought. After all, I have nothing now but this cheap life, worthless… Of course, if his brothers knew he had sold them out to Wang Zhan for such a low price, they'd probably be half-dead with anger.

However, Boss Chen didn't mind. He turned and instructed Tie Xiuqing and Old Master Zao, "Get to work! Our pace is indeed too slow. We can speed up a bit…"

He paid no mind to whether this would bewilder Tie Xiuqing and the old man.

And, of course, they were stunned.

What the hell? Didn't you just say going too fast would attract the Federation's attention? Now you think it's too slow? Which damn directive are we supposed to follow?!

「Meanwhile.」

Wang Zhan, having first ensnared Tian Qi and then secured Boss Chen, finally relaxed now that this was accomplished. "Everything is ready; all we need now is a favorable wind!"

Ku Zhu watched Wang Zhan, who had suddenly become satisfied and triumphant, with some confusion. Unable to understand, he decided to ignore it and asked, "Young Master, where are we going now?"

He found it increasingly difficult to keep up with Wang Zhan's thinking. He no longer felt Wang Zhan was a martial artist, a genius, or even a demon—more like a monster.

Wang Zhan laughed. "Of course, we're going to the surface to have some fun. We're going to be very busy starting tomorrow, so consider this a bonus from me. Tonight, pick anyone you like; all expenses are on my tab."

Ku Zhu looked at Wang Zhan in shock.

Hey, what do you mean? Am I that kind of person?

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