Chapter 34: The Answer of the Saint of War

At that moment, seeing Tang Haofeng drop to his knees on the spot, Li Chen’s eyes widened as if he had seen a ghost. His eyelids felt as though they were frozen over, unable to move a muscle. It was shock. It was pure disbelief.

Who was Tang Haofeng? He was the most powerful figure in the business world of Jiangnan Province, the man with the deepest connections, the President of the Jiangnan Chamber of Commerce! He was a man whose single word could turn the economy of an entire region upside down. He was a titan whom even the top-tier prestigious families of Jiangcheng and beyond had to treat with the utmost respect. He was a billionaire who could move billions in cash just by stamping his foot.

Yet, at this moment, he was kneeling. Kneeling before a seemingly unremarkable old man. Kneeling before the same young man he had arrogantly dismissed just two days ago. For a moment, Li Chen questioned reality, his mind on the verge of collapse; he could not believe this was actually happening.

Tang Haofeng was also on the verge of a breakdown. He never imagined that the honored guest Elder Ji had invited would be Guan Sheng, nor did he ever expect that his own subordinate would offend Elder Ji and even plan to have security throw the old man out. The moment he reached the door, he had already envisioned his Chamber of Commerce being dissolved on the spot. Hearing Elder Ji’s icy, sarcastic tone, he broke into a cold sweat and began to tremble.

"Elder Ji, please calm your anger. Please, Elder Ji, my subordinate is ignorant; I beg for your magnanimity." As he spoke, Tang Haofeng moved to kowtow to the Elder.

Elder Ji immediately turned his head, refusing to look at him. The female secretary, Zhang Qingyu, was sharp enough to step forward and catch Tang Haofeng’s head, preventing him from hitting the floor.

"Who told you to kneel?"
"What do you take Elder Ji for?"
"Get up at once!" Zhang Qingyu commanded in a deep voice.

Hearing this, Tang Haofeng did not dare to hesitate. Realizing that his actions were highly inappropriate and would only damage Elder Ji's image, he scrambled to his feet, bowing low. He then glared at Li Chen. "Get up and apologize to Elder Ji!"

"Elder Ji?" Li Chen was slightly stunned. A second later, his pupils dilated in terror. "Boss, you... are you talking about that man from the capital who retired a few years ago..."

"Why are you still standing there? Apologize!" Tang Haofeng repeated, his voice filled with fury.

Li Chen no longer possessed a shred of his former arrogance. As he looked closely at the back of the Elder and his familiar profile, that stern, majestic face suddenly aligned with the legendary figure often seen on national television. Good heavens... He had actually offended this man. He had even nearly ordered security to throw him out! Li Chen wanted to slap himself across the face repeatedly; he finally understood why his boss was so enraged.

He wasn't just courting death; he was dragging his boss, Tang Haofeng, down with him. A single word from this old man could dismantle the Jiangcheng Chamber of Commerce, the very organization Tang Haofeng took such pride in.

Trembling, Li Chen immediately bowed to Elder Ji. "Elder Ji, I am sorry. I am truly sorry. I was blind and failed to recognize you. Please, I beg for your forgiveness."

"Elder Ji... I know I was wrong..."

Hearing this, Elder Ji said coldly, "Are you supposed to be apologizing to me?"

Tang Haofeng understood instantly. He turned to Guan Sheng and bowed deeply and respectfully. "Sir, I apologize for my rude behavior the night before last. Please, forgive me."

After saying this, he struck Li Chen on the head. Though he did not know Guan Sheng’s true identity, the fact that Elder Ji had hosted him with a state-level banquet was enough for Tang Haofeng to realize that the unnamed young man before him was someone he absolutely could not afford to provoke.

Li Chen was terrified to the core. He did not dare look Guan Sheng in the eye and followed Tang Haofeng’s lead, bowing and apologizing. "Sir, I am sorry."

Guan Sheng remained unmoved by their apologies. He set down his cutlery and said indifferently, "This meal has been truly unpleasant."

Elder Ji took a deep breath and apologized to Guan Sheng. "It was I who chose a poor venue. I, too, owe you an apology."

*Swoosh!*

Tang Haofeng’s body shook; he was utterly stunned. Elder Ji... Elder Ji was also apologizing to him? Who on earth was this guy?! Since when did the Li family have such a terrifying connection?

Guan Sheng waved his hand. "No need for apologies. The food here is fine; it's the people who are the problem."

Guan Sheng pointed at Li Chen, then at Tang Haofeng. "One took the liberty of sending the dishes I ordered to Xu Tao’s private room. The other, without rhyme or reason, confiscated the Li family’s VIP card. I heard the Li family was kicked out of the Jiangcheng Chamber of Commerce yesterday because you revoked that card, is that right?"

At these words, Tang Haofeng immediately replied, "Sir, please rest assured. I will have someone deliver a top-tier state guest card to the Li residence immediately, and I will personally invite the Li family to rejoin the Jiangcheng Chamber of Commerce."

Guan Sheng glanced at him but said nothing further. Seeing this, Elder Ji said to his secretary, "Clear the floor."

"Yes," Zhang Qingyu nodded and immediately signaled to Tang Haofeng. Tang Haofeng promptly led Li Chen out of the room. Once it was confirmed that no one else remained on the floor, Zhang Qingyu tightly closed the doors to the private room.

After the brief interruption, Elder Ji understood Guan Sheng’s answer. "Young man, you still intend to refuse?" Elder Ji asked earnestly, sounding somewhat regretful.

Guan Sheng nodded. "You saw it yourself. My principles of conduct are uncompromising."

Elder Ji lowered his head. "No, it is that you are not yet prepared."

Guan Sheng could not be bothered to refute him. "Think what you like. Regardless, I refuse. Don't think you can tie me down. I’ve always preferred to be unfettered!"

Elder Ji knew the temper of this "God of Slaughter" well. However, Guan Sheng felt a bit curious. "Old man, can I know the reason why you invited me?"

Elder Ji smiled. "Agree first, and I will tell you."

Guan Sheng immediately lost interest. "Anything else? If not, I'm leaving. I still have to go home and let my wife put me to sleep."

Elder Ji was slightly taken aback. "Wife? Who?"

Guan Sheng replied, "The Li family’s daughter, Li Yuyan."

Elder Ji’s expression shifted. "The Li family..." He couldn't help but wonder if Guan Sheng’s purpose in returning to the country was simply to marry.

"Anything else?" Guan Sheng asked again.

Elder Ji shook his head. "No, nothing more. Go on then, young man."

"Take care of your health, old man." With that, Guan Sheng turned and walked away with his hands behind his back.

Through the glass window, Elder Ji watched Guan Sheng’s figure fade into the distance, his expression tinged with melancholy. "Sigh..."

Zhang Qingyu stepped forward. "Elder Ji, shall we return to the capital?"

Elder Ji’s eyes were sharp as torches. "Not yet. Have Tang Haofeng arrange lodging for me. I will stay in Jiangcheng for a few more days. I have a gut feeling that this young man will eventually accept my invitation. As long as he does not agree, I will not be able to eat or sleep in peace. Also, go and investigate the background of the Li family’s daughter, Li Yuyan."

"Yes!"