Because Zheng Tianyuan threatened He Fang's life, Jiang Wuming decided to confront him.
Originally, Jiang Wuming had planned to go directly to Zheng Tianyuan's residence upon arriving in South Port. However, before he even reached South Port, he received another text message from Zheng Tianyuan, who invited him for a meeting at Central Tower that evening.
For this reason, Jiang Wuming first went to one of Zhao Shanhe's villas in South Port.
Back when the real estate market in South Port was booming, Zhao Shanhe had purchased a villa in the prime location of Repulse Bay as a fixed asset investment. He hadn't lived there for years, merely arranging for someone to clean it daily.
After Jiang Wuming and Dongfang Xiaoyao arrived at the villa, the driver did not leave.
As per Zhao Shanhe's arrangement, the driver would be responsible for all of Jiang Wuming and Dongfang Xiaoyao's affairs in South Port, including transportation, accommodation, and dining.
"Brother Wuming, I feel something is not quite right about this matter," Dongfang Xiaoyao said hesitantly after they arrived at the villa.
Over the past few years, Dongfang Xiaoyao had been like Jiang Wuming's shadow, silently following him and never voicing her opinion on anything.
This was the first time Dongfang Xiaoyao had proactively offered her opinion, which surprised Jiang Wuming.
Amidst his surprise, Jiang Wuming smiled and asked, "What are your thoughts?"
"Now that the Qing and Hong syndicates have merged, Chu Wansong is the undisputed Godfather of Dragon Country's underworld. The entire underworld knows your relationship with Chu Wansong, and it was because of you that Chu Wansong was able to unify Qing and Hong. In this context, for Zheng Tianyuan to offend you for the sake of 'face' seems illogical. There must be something fishy going on – should we have Sky Eagle investigate?" Dongfang Xiaoyao suggested.
"Xiaoyao, it's better for you to speak up like this than remain silent. Offer your opinions more often when you have them," Jiang Wuming praised Dongfang Xiaoyao with a smile. Then he continued, "There is definitely something fishy going on, but there won't be any danger. I've had Sky Eagle and the Martial Department investigate, and there have been no strong individuals above the Three-Star War God realm infiltrating South Port recently! Tonight, after we meet Zheng Tianyuan, we'll know what his intentions are!"
...
Central is the political and commercial heart of South Port. Apart from some of South Port's own institutions, many multinational corporations also have their offices in Central. Central Tower is one of South Port's landmark buildings.
The place where Zheng Tianyuan had arranged to meet Jiang Wuming was a banquet hall in the Central Tower Hotel.
At 8 PM, when Jiang Wuming and Dongfang Xiaoyao arrived at the meeting point, Zheng Tianyuan was already waiting. Besides Zheng Tianyuan, there were many other people in the banquet hall. Among them were figures from South Port's martial arts circles, represented by Taishan, as well as some of South Port's business magnates. Even representatives from the South Port branch of the Martial Department were present.
Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh…
As Jiang Wuming and Dongfang Xiaoyao entered the banquet hall, led by one of Zheng Tianyuan's subordinates, they instantly drew the attention of everyone present.
Huh?
When Jiang Wuming saw the head of the South Port branch of the Martial Department, his pupils slightly dilated. He hadn't expected the man to be there! More importantly, how could they have a private discussion to resolve the incident in Nanguang if the head of the South Port branch of the Martial Department was present?
"Master Wuming, your reputation precedes you. Meeting you today, you truly are a young hero!" The silence in the banquet hall was broken as the head of the South Port branch of the Martial Department spoke first. "I am Wang Liang, the head of the South Port branch of the Southern Region Army of the Martial Department."
"Hello, Director Wang," Jiang Wuming replied, then asked somewhat puzzled, "Director Wang, I'm curious, why are you here? Did Zheng Tianyuan invite you?"
"I heard that you and Mr. Zheng intended to resolve the dispute through negotiation. This is the center of South Port, and many overseas institutions have offices in this building. I came to supervise to prevent any potential negative impact on South Port should you two resort to force." Wang Liang explained, without making any move to greet Jiang Wuming throughout. On one hand, he was a trusted confidant of the leader of the Southern Region Army of the Martial Department. Lin Xiao, the leader's son, had been severely negligent while supervising Jiang Wuming's fight with Tiger. That incident led to the leader of the Southern Region Army of the Martial Department being reprimanded by Qi Wufu, and his son Lin Xiao was subsequently exiled to the ancient city of Loulan. Because of all this, the leader of the Southern Region Army of the Martial Department harbored significant ill will towards Jiang Wuming. As the leader's confidant, Wang Liang naturally wouldn't show Jiang Wuming any warmth. On the other hand, he had been working in South Port for many years and was well acquainted with the upper echelons of South Port society, including Zheng Tianyuan.
"Is that so," Jiang Wuming said, smiling and then turning to Zheng Tianyuan, "Zheng Tianyuan, since you've invited Director Wang to oversee, why else would you invite people from South Port's martial arts circles?"
"You little beast! Back at the Qinghong Villa, didn't you say you were coming to South Port to visit the Tai family and learn their supreme techniques? Today, I'll give you that opportunity!" As Jiang Wuming finished speaking, Taishan, clad in a black robe beside Zheng Tianyuan, spoke coldly, emanating a chilling killing intent. Taiger had been a peerless prodigy of the younger generation in Dragon Country's martial arts circles, the pride and future of the entire Tai family. His tragic death at Jiang Wuming's hands made Taishan hate Jiang Wuming to the bone, dreaming of flaying him alive!
"Don't worry, I will visit the Tai family and properly learn their supreme techniques, but not now." Jiang Wuming retorted coldly, then frowned, "Zheng Tianyuan, after all this effort, you were trying to use a borrowed knife to kill?"
"Jiang Wuming, don't make baseless accusations! Everyone present is well aware of the animosity between you and Master Tai!" Zheng Tianyuan said sternly.
"Then what did you want to talk about when you asked me to meet?" Jiang Wuming stared directly at Zheng Tianyuan, as if trying to see through him.
"Jiang Wuming, as I said on the phone, it is only right to repay debts! Ask everyone present, should your friend's mother repay the money she owes my subordinate?" Zheng Tianyuan stated.
"Yes, she should!"
"What reason is there not to repay a debt?"
...
As Zheng Tianyuan spoke, some people immediately echoed his sentiments.
"You went to such lengths to invite me over for a mere twenty million?" Jiang Wuming narrowed his eyes, a sharp glint flashing within them.
"Jiang Wuming, I can forgo the money, but I demand face!" Zheng Tianyuan said sternly. "Not only did you refuse to repay the debt, but you also injured my subordinates and even made them and disciples of the Tai family kneel before you. This is utterly outrageous!"
"So, what do you want?" Jiang Wuming asked coldly.
"You owe Master Tai and me an apology!" Zheng Tianyuan declared righteously.
"You want me to apologize?!" Jiang Wuming stared intensely at Zheng Tianyuan, his eyes almost narrowed into slits. Ever since he received Zheng Tianyuan's call, he had felt something was amiss, and that feeling was now even stronger! His reason told him that the so-called apology was definitely not Zheng Tianyuan's real objective. The hunter aimed at the pheasant, but his heart was set on the deer.
...