The Hex Family of Macau had never gotten along with Hong Kong's Five Great Tycoon Families. This was especially true for He Che, who had been outwitted by Chen Yaoyang several times and suffered heavy losses, deepening his antipathy. He found it annoying every time he saw the man or received his calls. Yet, even so, he couldn't just ignore them. After all, Chen Yaoyang's current status was the acting head of the Hong Kong Chen Family, placing him on the same level as his own father. If Chen Yaoyang had any dirt on him, it would definitely mean more trouble.

On the other end of the line, Chen Yaoyang's face twitched with irritation at He Che's impatient sneer, but he forced himself to endure it. "He Che," he said slowly, "I do have something I need to ask you."

"Oh? What is it?" He Che asked impatiently.

"I'm calling about a casino under the protection of your Hex Family. Did you scam a young man named Hua Zhinan out of one hundred million last night and detain him?" Chen Yaoyang didn't want to beat around the bush and went straight to the point.

"How do you know about that? What's that kid to you?" He Che's expression changed, surprised that Chen Yaoyang was asking about this.

Of course, he knew. He was the one who had set the trap and ordered the detention. But now, Chen Yaoyang had unexpectedly jumped into the fray.

"So you do know about it? Good, that makes things simple. Do me a favor and release him for now. As for the one hundred million, I'll have someone send it over shortly," Chen Yaoyang said without a moment's hesitation.

"Release him?" He Che's expression darkened. He never expected the kid's family would actually know Chen Yaoyang, much less be able to get him to personally call and plead their case. What did this mean? It meant the kid's family background had to be extraordinary. Otherwise, someone with Chen Yaoyang's status would have no reason to make this call himself.

But if he released him now, how would he explain it to Young Master Junn? Young Master Junn's background was extraordinary, even astonishing—so much so that even their Hex Family of Macau was deeply wary of him. That was why He Che, the eldest son of the Hex Family, had personally played host, spending four or five days showing him around Macau without daring to ask for anything in return.

"What, is there a problem?" Chen Yaoyang frowned as He Che hesitated. "He Che, I know we don't get along, but are you really going to refuse me this small favor? I am the acting head of the Chen Family, after all."

"Don't try to intimidate me with that title. I, He Che, don't fall for that. Besides, it's not that I won't give you face, but this matter involves someone of a special status. I have to get his opinion first. Until then, I can't give you a clear answer," He Che replied coolly.

"Someone special? With a powerful background?" Chen Yaoyang was startled at first, then his tone turned cold. What was He Che implying? That his status as Chen Yaoyang wasn't enough? That this other person had a more powerful background?

"Hmph. He's the Young Master of the Holy Fire Sect, one of the eleven second-tier ancient martial arts sects in the Inland. And his grandfather is the strongest of the old monsters in the sect. You tell me if his background is powerful," He Che snorted.

"What? The Young Master of the Holy Fire Sect?" Chen Yaoyang's expression became extremely grave, a hint of panic flashing in his eyes.

What did it mean to be a second-tier ancient martial arts sect like the Holy Fire Sect? The concept was simple: any ancient martial arts sect, school, or family that possessed a Half-Step Innate Powerhouse qualified for second-tier status. There were eleven such organizations in the Inland, and the Holy Fire Sect was one of them.

"Now you see how serious this is?" He Che couldn't resist mocking Chen Yaoyang's tone. That was the Holy Fire Sect he was talking about! They had a Half-Step Innate Powerhouse in their ranks, an existence equivalent to the most terrifying A+ Level Ability User below S-rank. Even the Hex Family of Macau didn't have a master of that caliber, which was why He Che was so wary.

After all, that Young Master Junn was the direct grandson of the Holy Fire Sect's Half-Step Innate Powerhouse. His status was naturally extraordinary.

"I... I..." A bitter smile formed on Chen Yaoyang's lips, his eyes betraying his hesitation. Of course, he knew what a Half-Step Innate signified.

Seeing Chen Yaoyang's hesitation, He Che sneered again. "So, shall I go ask his opinion for you?" He assumed Chen Yaoyang had lost his nerve. After all, why would anyone risk offending the esteemed Young Master of the Holy Fire Sect for some random young man? It just wasn't worth it.

"...Ask," Chen Yaoyang finally said, gritting his teeth after a long pause.

After all, Chen Fei himself had called to ask for this favor. Even if the other party was the so-called Young Master of the Holy Fire Sect, he had to see it through.

Besides, in his view, Hua Zhinan had already lost the money, lost face, and been detained. Surely they would give him, the acting head of the Hong Kong Chen Family, enough face to let the man go now, right?

"Fine, I'll go ask then..." He Che said, startled for a moment before letting out another sneer.

「Meanwhile, in the study of a high-end residential complex in Northern Mountain City.」

Hua Ming, Hua Zhinan's father, and his wife, Wang Ying, were waiting anxiously. They had been waiting for about ten minutes.

"Hah, it seems that young man was just talking nonsense," Hua Ming suddenly said, unable to hold back any longer. "It's been ten minutes. Why is there still no call?" He truly didn't believe Chen Fei could easily raise one hundred million. He must have been lying to them; those words were nothing but empty boasts.

After all, he was a businessman. More than the average person, he understood the fickle nature of human relationships. In his heyday, someone might have been willing to lend him eight or ten million. But this was a full one hundred million. Even if someone had that kind of money, why would they lend it to him? Interest-free, no less? It was a joke. He truly didn't believe it.

"Let's just wait a little longer..." Wang Ying's eyes reddened, but she bit her lip and spoke, her face pale. In truth, she didn't believe Chen Fei's words either, but what other choice did they have right now? All they could do was wait.

"What's the point in waiting? I need to figure out how to raise the money," Hua Ming said, having already given up on Chen Fei. His brow deeply furrowed, he began to pace around the room. "I'll call Old Zhao later and discuss mortgaging Jinnan Jewelry. That should get us thirty-five million. And then..."

"Are you really going to mortgage Jinnan Jewelry?" Wang Ying asked in a low voice. "Old Hua, if you mortgage the shop, won't it be hard to get it back?"

"Let's not talk about that now. We need to focus on raising the money," Hua Ming said, more to himself than to his wife. "The shop will get us thirty-five million. I'll try borrowing from Director He and Director Wang. With our years of business partnership, they should be willing to help."

"Old Hua!" Wang Ying cried out, her heart aching as she watched her husband.

"Enough! The priority is to get that rebellious son of ours back. We can talk about everything else later. I can't just stand by and let him die, can I?" Hua Ming suddenly snapped. Just then, his phone began to ring.

Hua Ming pulled out his phone. Seeing the caller ID displayed "Unknown Number," his brow furrowed. It's probably a prank call, he thought. There was no way Chen Fei had actually gotten the money.

But even so, he answered immediately, his fingers trembling slightly. "Hello, may I ask who's calling?"

"Hello, is this Mr. Hua Ming and Ms. Wang Ying? My name is Gao Zhinan from the Vast Sea Group." The unfamiliar voice on the other end spoke words that left them utterly stunned.

"G-G-Gao... You're Director Gao?" Hua Ming felt his tongue twist into a knot, his breathing instantly becoming heavy and ragged.

As a businessman in Northern Mountain City, Hua Ming was of course familiar with the name Gao Zhinan. That name belonged to the city's current richest man, the one and only true boss of the Vast Sea Group.

Yet here he was, personally calling him with such a polite tone. Could it be...

His gaze trembled, an uncontrollable shock seizing him as he suddenly recalled Chen Fei's previous "wild talk." How about this, sir, ma'am? I'll find someone to get the hundred million for you... Could the person he found be Director Gao of the Vast Sea Group? How is that possible?

He couldn't begin to imagine it. If the person on the phone really was Director Gao Zhinan of the Vast Sea Group, and if he was really calling because of Chen Fei, then what kind of terrifying background must that young man possess? But... but how? He was so young, a classmate of his son's at that third-rate, no-good university...

"Hello, Director Gao. This is Hua Ming from Jinnan Jewelry. But... are you really Director Gao? Forgive me, I'm just having a hard time believing this," Hua Ming stuttered, forcibly suppressing the shock in his heart.

"Yes, it's me. We can have a video call if you'd like," Gao Zhinan said with a light chuckle, tapping the video call button.

"Th-this..." Staring at the video call invitation on his screen, Hua Ming was stunned for a long moment before his trembling finger finally tapped the button.

The call connected, and Gao Zhinan's face—a face he knew well from television—appeared on the screen. Hua Ming's fingers began to tremble again. "Director Gao," he stammered, dumbfounded, "it really is you!"

From the moment Chen Fei had boasted that he could find someone to raise one hundred million, Hua Ming had thought his son's classmate was either crazy or just making up excuses to avoid lending them money. But now he realized he was the one who had been foolish. The Director of the Vast Sea Group was personally calling him. This was the city's richest man, a titan from a world completely separate from his own. If someone hadn't put him up to it, how would a man like that know his wife's phone number? Why would he be calling them? And how could it be a coincidence that he knew both of their names?

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