Return of the Celestial King

Chen Wenxiong knew better than anyone that this was all thanks to Qin Tuo.

After much effort, he finally finished toasting all the bigwigs and found a chance to slip away, heading straight for Qin Tuo’s side.

”Mr. Qin, could we have a word over here...?”

Chen Wenxiong said in a low voice.

Qin Tuo nodded. In truth, he didn’t want to be sitting here either.

In just this short time, he had already lost count of how many people had come up to offer him a toast.

Although Qin Tuo wouldn’t get drunk thanks to his Cultivation Technique, he still disliked this kind of superficial charade.

Stepping to the side, a beaming Chen Wenxiong asked:

”Mr. Qin, are you interested in starting a company?”

Qin Tuo shook his head without hesitation.

”Mr. Chen, I don’t have any plans like that for the time being.”

He was telling the truth. His most pressing goal was to quickly advance his cultivation realm. He needed to become strong enough to set foot on the Peach Blossom Island the old madman had spoken of before the Mid-Autumn Festival arrived.

Chen Wenxiong looked completely surprised.

He had actually been hoping to hand over the entire family business for Qin Tuo to manage.

So, he pressed on:

”Mr. Qin, Manni is my only daughter. Although my health has improved a lot recently, I’m not getting any younger. That’s why I want to entrust the family business to someone I can trust.”

His meaning couldn’t have been clearer.

Qin Tuo, however, just shook his head and said helplessly,

”Mr. Chen, I truly have no interest in that sort of thing. Please forgive me.”

In his mind, reaching Peach Blossom Island was the most important mission.

’Inherit the Chen Family’s business? Forget it!’

Besides, even if Qin Tuo did have such ambitions, he would build something from scratch himself rather than become what others would see as a man living off his wife.

Chen Wenxiong laughed heartily, not dwelling on it.

”No matter, Mr. Qin. Manni has a talent for business anyway. We can just have her manage it when the time comes.”

Qin Tuo nodded, finally breathing a sigh of relief.

Chen Wenxiong then asked,

”Oh, right. When are you two going to pick a date and make it official? Once you do, I can finally relax and just wait to hold my grandchildren!”

The moment he finished speaking, Qin Tuo’s face was a picture of embarrassment. For a moment, he was stunned and had no idea how to respond.

Just then, Chen Man Ni happened to walk over.

Hearing what Chen Wenxiong had said, her face turned bright red with embarrassment. She stomped her foot and said,

”Dad, what are you spouting nonsense about?”

Chen Wenxiong just laughed.

”My dear daughter, you’re just in time! Dad was just planning on picking an auspicious date for you two to get married!”

Chen Man Ni’s face turned an even deeper shade of red. She protested,

”Dad, you’re being so improper! Who said anything about marrying him?”

Beside them, Qin Tuo’s expression grew more and more awkward. He was speechless.

Chen Wenxiong continued to tease her.

”Manni, even Mr. Ouyang thinks you two make a great couple. And be honest with yourself—do you really not have any feelings for Mr. Qin?”

”I... I...”

Chen Man Ni opened her mouth, but not a single word of rebuttal came out.

”Haha, see?”

Chen Wenxiong laughed triumphantly, like a cunning old fox.

”Dad, you’re terrible! Besides, it’s not like my feelings are the only thing that matters. You have to consider what Qin Tuo thinks, too!”

Mustering her courage, Chen Man Ni glanced at Qin Tuo, her heart a mix of anticipation, fear, and something else entirely.

Qin Tuo, however, feigned total detachment, looking as if his mind had wandered far away.

Just then, Long Wu appeared. He glanced around before walking straight toward Qin Tuo.

Chen Wenxiong noticed Long Wu as well. He knew Long Wu must have business with Qin Tuo.

”Manni, let’s go over there and greet a few of your uncles, shall we?”

Mortified, Chen Man Ni quickly nodded.

”Okay, Dad!”

With that, she beat a hasty retreat.

Only then did Long Wu approach and greet Qin Tuo in a low voice.

”Celestial King, my apologies. This subordinate has been neglectful...”

Qin Tuo asked curiously,

”Long Wu, where have you been? I haven’t seen you.”

Qin Tuo knew that Long Wu’s main purpose for attending this banquet was to secure more connections for Huaiyi Hall.

So why was he only now seeing Long Wu for the first time since the banquet began?

Long Wu forced a smile.

”Celestial King, before you arrived, Mr. Ouyang had already introduced me to many influential people. I’ve already achieved my goal for today...”

Qin Tuo nodded in satisfaction, thinking to himself.

’This Mr. Ouyang certainly knows how to get things done!’

But Qin Tuo soon noticed that Long Wu’s expression was a bit unnatural, as if he had something heavy on his mind.

”Long Wu, what happened? Are you hiding something from me?”

Long Wu’s expression was grim. He then gritted his teeth and said,

”Celestial King, my men just received intel. Hong Qing, the leader of the Cyan Fire Gang, has gathered a large number of his men. It looks like they’re heading for the Lige Hotel.”

”Oh? Is that so.”

Qin Tuo’s face was a mask of surprise.

’What is the Cyan Fire Gang up to?’

Long Wu nodded heavily.

”Yes, Celestial King! I didn’t bring many men with me to the banquet tonight. Hong Qing must have found out, so he wants to use this opportunity to get rid of me. His next step will be to absorb Huaiyi Hall.”

Seeing Long Wu’s grave expression, Qin Tuo was inwardly astonished.

”Are you serious? This banquet is being hosted by Mr. Ouyang. Is the Cyan Fire Gang that bold? Aren’t they afraid of retaliation?”

Long Wu shook his head and said helplessly,

”Celestial King, you may not know this, but while Mr. Ouyang is certainly intimidating, the Cyan Fire Gang also has a powerful figure backing them!”

Qin Tuo nodded. That made sense.

’If they didn’t have someone powerful behind them, they would never dare to do something like this.’

Long Wu added, grinding his teeth,

”Besides, if it means they get a chance to absorb Huaiyi Hall, the Cyan Fire Gang would absolutely be willing to take the risk, even if it means earning Mr. Ouyang’s enmity!”

Qin Tuo fell silent.

Long Wu urged him,

”Celestial King, this subordinate must leave with his men immediately. We can’t let the Cyan Fire Gang succeed and cause a disaster for Huaiyi Hall!”

Qin Tuo thought for a moment, then said with regret,

”Long Wu, you worked so hard to build all these connections. It would be a real shame to just leave without saying goodbye, wouldn’t it?”

But Long Wu was getting anxious.

”But Celestial King, if I don’t leave, Huaiyi Hall could be swallowed up by the Cyan Fire Gang!”

But to his surprise, Qin Tuo just waved his hand.

”Don’t worry. If anything happens later, I’ll step in and protect you.”

Long Wu was instantly overjoyed. With Qin Tuo’s words, his heart was completely at ease.

Just as Qin Tuo finished speaking, the doors to the banquet hall were suddenly kicked open!

BOOM...

All the guests jumped in fright and quickly turned to look.

The doors swung open, and a massive, dark swarm of thugs pushed their way inside.

Without a doubt, the main force of the Cyan Fire Gang had arrived!

Seeing this, Long Wu’s face was filled with horror.

’The Cyan Fire Gang got here so fast...’