Like the Hong Syndicate, the Qing Syndicate also had its own base of operations in the East Sea – the Azure Dragon Villa.
Located to the east of the East Sea, the Azure Dragon Villa was nestled against mountains and bordered by the sea, facing a small bay directly opposite. Its geographical position was superb.
The Azure Dragon Villa boasted a three-story main building, over a dozen villas with distinct architectural styles, and facilities such as a golf course, a shooting range, and a horse racing track.
Half of the dozen or so villas were residences for the core members of the Qing Syndicate. This was a perk from Chu Wansong, and also a symbol of their identity and status within the Qing Syndicate!
The afternoon after Chu Weiyang's concert ended, Jiang Wuming arrived at the Azure Dragon Villa.
He had received a call from Chu Wansong that morning. Chu Wansong had invited him for dinner that evening and arranged for his bodyguard and part-time driver, Cai Xin, to personally pick up Jiang Wuming from the East Sea Martial Arts Academy.
"Thank you, Brother Cai."
After the car parked in front of the main building's parking lot, Jiang Wuming thanked Cai Xin before alighting.
"You're welcome, Master Wuming. This is my job," Cai Xin smiled, then added, "Master Chu values you highly."
"Why do you say that, Brother Cai?"
Hearing this, Jiang Wuming lowered the hand that was resting on the car door handle, looking at Cai Xin with some confusion.
"Since I became Master Chu's driver, this is the first time he's had me drive his private car to pick someone up. Even the young lady and young master haven't received this treatment," Cai Xin explained. "Furthermore, as far as I know, it's also the first time Master Chu is inviting you to dinner with all the core members of the Qing Syndicate as company!"
"Thank you for letting me know, Brother Cai."
Jiang Wuming was taken aback by Cai Xin's words, then thanked him and got out of the car.
Cai Xin said no more, leading Jiang Wuming into the main building and then taking the elevator to the third floor.
The third floor of the main building contained only three rooms: one was Chu Wansong's office at the villa, another was the Qing Syndicate's conference room, and the third was the dining room.
When Jiang Wuming followed Cai Xin into the dining room, people were already seated around a large octagonal table made of rosewood.
Swish, swish, swish…
As Jiang Wuming appeared, everyone, including Chu Wansong, turned their gaze towards him simultaneously. Their expressions varied: some were warm, some appraised him with curiosity, and one man wore a look of vigilance.
The man had a crew cut, a fierce appearance, wore a black martial arts uniform, was burly and muscular, radiating a sense of power and the aura of a martial arts master.
Through his aura, Jiang Wuming deduced that the man was a dominant existence in the martial arts master realm, stronger than Lin Pingzhi. Moreover, the man exuded a fierce aura and a faint killing intent; it was evident at a glance that his hands were stained with blood and he had taken lives, and not just one.
"Wuming, come and sit," Chu Wansong beckoned to Jiang Wuming, pointing to the empty seat to his right. "After you sit down, I'll introduce everyone to you."
"Alright, Uncle Chu."
Jiang Wuming nodded and walked expressionlessly to the seat on Chu Wansong's right.
"Everyone, I presume you are all familiar with Wuming. As the saying goes, 'heroes emerge from youth.' Wuming's reputation is immense right now," Chu Wansong said with a smile, looking at the nine core members of the Qing Syndicate. He introduced Jiang Wuming first, then introduced the elder seated to Jiang Wuming's left. "Wuming, this is Eighth Master. He is a sworn brother to my father-in-law and an elder of the Qing Syndicate."
"Greetings, Eighth Master."
Jiang Wuming stood up to greet Eighth Master, both out of politeness and to show respect to Chu Wansong.
"Wuming, I look forward to the day you surpass your father and become a legendary figure in the martial arts world, not just in Longguo, but globally!" Eighth Master said with a kindly smile, appearing nothing like a magnate from the underworld, but rather like a grandfather next door. In fact, ever since Chu Wansong took charge, Eighth Master had ceased to involve himself in the affairs of the Qing Syndicate, spending his days bird-watching and collecting antiques, enjoying his retirement. Had he not done so, he would not be alive today, but would have met a tragic end like the other three elders who had tried to leverage their seniority to contend for power with Chu Wansong.
"Wuming, this is your Uncle Zhong Hu. He is the chief steward of the Qing Syndicate. When I'm not around, he usually manages affairs," Chu Wansong said, extending his hand towards a middle-aged man next to Jiang Wuming. The man wore glasses and sported an old-fashioned side-parted hairstyle, exuding an elegant demeanor.
"Greetings, Uncle Zhong."
Jiang Wuming offered his greetings. He knew that Uncle Zhong was likely the strategist and advisor of the Qing Syndicate, akin to Qin Xiaozhi in the War Dragon Hall.
Subsequently, Chu Wansong introduced the other five individuals, each responsible for a different sector, such as investment, gambling, film and television, and real estate businesses. In the terms of the ancient Qing Syndicate, they were all hall masters of their respective halls and the pillars of the Qing Syndicate.
"Wuming, this is our Qing Syndicate's 'Double Flower Red Pole' – Wu Long. Wu Long is a martial arts master and ranks among the top ten martial arts masters in Longguo! He is primarily responsible for the underground boxing business, as well as undertaking special missions and mentoring juniors." Chu Wansong introduced the middle-aged man radiating that fierce aura last.
"Brother Wu!"
Jiang Wuming cupped his fists in greeting towards Wu Long.
"Wuming, I've long heard of your exploits, especially how you, with the strength of an eight-star martial artist, crossed borders to kill the martial arts master Lin Ziping at the Longlan Restaurant. It's simply unbelievable," Wu Long stood up, returned the salute with cupped fists, and said with a smile, "Let's find time to spar properly."
"Certainly, I will definitely find an opportunity to learn from you, Brother Wu!" Jiang Wuming replied with a humble smile. This time, Wu Long smiled without saying a word, readily accepting the term "learn from." Although he had mentioned Jiang Wuming killing Lin Ziping earlier, it was mere flattery. In his heart, Jiang Wuming was no match for him and could barely be considered his opponent! Wu Long proposed a spar because he was worried that Chu Wansong might recruit Jiang Wuming and have him replace Wu Long as the Qing Syndicate's Double Flower Red Pole! He wanted to defeat Jiang Wuming in front of Chu Wansong before Chu Wansong made such a decision, thereby preserving his own status as the Double Flower Red Pole!
Seeing this, Chu Wansong frowned slightly. With his sharp eyes and experience, he naturally understood Wu Long's intentions. However, he did not reprimand Wu Long in public. Instead, after Jiang Wuming was seated again, he surveyed the surroundings and spoke once more.
"Today, I specifically invited Wuming to dine with everyone because I want you all to meet him, and also to make one thing clear. Wuming is the son of my life-saver, Jiang Zhan. By seniority, he should call me Uncle. However, in my heart, I treat him the same as Weiyang and Xiao Feng! From now on, whether I am in the East Sea or not, if Wuming seeks any of you present, you must unconditionally fulfill Wuming's requests!"
Chu Wansong's words were decisive and allowed no room for doubt. Furthermore, he released the aura of a One-star War God, intimidating everyone present!
"Yes, Master Chu!"
As Chu Wansong finished speaking, everyone, except Eighth Master, rose and respectfully acknowledged his command.
"Alright, let's all sit down and eat." Chu Wansong gestured, his expression no longer as stern as before.
Upon hearing Chu Wansong's words, Cai Xin, who was guarding the door, immediately notified people to begin serving the dishes. Soon, the waiters from the main building's dining room pushed carts laden with eight cold appetizers to the entrance of the private room. Cai Xin inspected each dish one by one, and only after confirming there were no issues did he allow the waiters to bring them to the table.
Once all eight cold appetizers were served, the waiters deftly opened two boxes of Maotai, placing a bottle in front of each person.
"Come, let us all toast Xiao Feng together!" Chu Wansong proposed. He then stood up, holding a wine glass filled with Maotai, nearly four liang. The custom of drinking baijiu was to use large cups, not small ones. The first cup was to be drunk in one go, the second in two gulps, the third in three gulps, and so on. This was their drinking habit. Most people could not handle such a method; even martial artists, unless they used their internal energy to expel the alcohol, would get drunk on the spot.
After several rounds of drinks and dishes, except for Jiang Wuming, Chu Wansong, and Wu Long, everyone else showed signs of intoxication. Eighth Master had even fallen asleep leaning against his chair. Wu Long, seeing this, hesitated whether to have a drink with Jiang Wuming. Unexpectedly, his phone vibrated. He intended to hang up directly, but upon seeing it was his subordinate's call, he walked out of the private room to answer.
Half a minute later, Wu Long returned to the private room with a grim expression, his body radiating killing intent.
"Xiao Long, what happened?" Chu Wansong noticed Wu Long's anomaly, stopped talking with Jiang Wuming, and asked with a hint of confusion.
"Master Chu, Huang Xiaoxie, the young master of the Hong Syndicate, along with Lei Bao and others, are creating trouble at our venue and have crippled three of our boxers!" Wu Long clenched his fists, his anger palpable. "Master Chu, you continue drinking; I'll go handle it."
"I'll go with you." Chu Wansong's eyes flashed with cold light upon hearing this, and he made a decision. He then turned to Jiang Wuming, "Wuming, do you have anything to do? If not, shall we go take a look together?"
"Alright, Uncle Chu." Jiang Wuming nodded. He did not refuse Chu Wansong's invitation, unaware that the Huang Xiaoxie they were talking about was actively trying to find him, intending to take parts from him!