The Tempting Road to Becoming an Official

Jianghu has always had its own system.

However, influenced by wuxia novels, the term "jianghu" at first gives the impression of loyalty and righteousness.

But that is far from the truth.

What is referred to as "jianghu" is actually the underworld.

If you replace it with "underworld," you'd sense the emergence of gusty winds and looming shadows of knives and swords.

Peel back the superficial layer of cloth, and all you can see are the despicable and the sordid.

Wen'an City is neither large nor small, and those who could be considered bosses in their own right were all influential figures who competed in secret while maintaining a harmonious façade.

A'bao wasn't worth mentioning compared to Zhang Cheng.

And before the likes of A'bao, Niu Yong was not worth mentioning either.

Is it about who has more underlings when it comes to underworld bosses?

Of course not.

It's about who has more money and a sturdier umbrella of protection from higher-ups.

A'bao and Niu Yong could at best be considered county-level players.

But Zhang Cheng was different; he didn't only own real estate and construction companies, but his protective umbrella was rumored to be very strong, so much so that even Chen Fang didn't know who it was.

A single sentence from him could decide the fate of a county leader.

Such deeds could only be done by Zhang Cheng.

The news of A'bao stirring trouble in Changming County had already spread like wildfire in jianghu. Originally, A'bao was going to be taken into custody, but unfortunately, after a few hits from Chen Fang, he was almost crippled.

Not only were his underlings lost.

His industries and territories had been taken over by Zhang Cheng's men.

Learning that A'bao's downfall was caused by this young man in front of him, how could Niu Yong not shiver with fear?

"Oh, right, I forgot to tell you, Zhu Xiaojiu also fell by my brother's hand," Zhang Cheng added.

These words made Niu Yong tremble.

It seemed that today, he really had encountered the King of Hell himself.

"Cheng... Brother Cheng, that... about this brother of ours... I mean..."

For a moment.

Niu Yong didn't know what to say.

Zhang Cheng understood his meaning.

He smiled and said, "My brother has always believed in a saying, 'Do not offend others unless offended, and if others offend me, return it tenfold.' I suggest you give him whatever he wants, otherwise, if my brother isn't happy, you can either come to me, or I'll come to you. In the end, the outcome will be the same. Weigh it carefully for yourself."

"Yes, yes, yes, Brother Cheng, I'll listen to you," Niu Yong said, nodding and bowing.

Zhang Cheng hummed in acknowledgment and said, "Old Niu, all those little tricks of yours may work on others, but save it when it comes to my brother. Don't overplay your hand. You should be well aware that even if someone from Jinde County is protecting you, if Zhang Cheng wants to move against you, you won't live to see tomorrow's sun."

"Yes, yes, yes, Brother Cheng, I understand fully," Niu Yong said.

As soon as he finished speaking,

Zhang Cheng hung up the phone.

The domineering look in Niu Yong's eyes had vanished by now.

What replaced it was fear, fear that came from the depths of his heart.

He was just someone from the service industry.

His empire was only so big.

Even if he had good relations with those above him.

If Zhang Cheng wanted to deal with him in the way of jianghu, Niu Yong wouldn't be able to stay in Jinde County for another day.

And could he bear to see his empire turn to ashes overnight?

"Chen... Brother Chen, I didn't recognize a great man before me earlier, so... we're all among our own. Let's call it off..."

After a forced laugh,

Niu Yong quickly waved his hand to disperse his men.

First, he didn't want to anger Chen Fang, and second, he still needed to maintain his big brother persona. How could he stand tall in front of his underlings if they saw him groveling?

The underlings, too, were confused,

But since the boss ordered a retreat, they had to retreat obediently.

Niu Yong's men withdrew.

Chen Fang did not stand on ceremony.

He coughed once,

And his men also exited the Today Grand Hall, getting back into their cars.

After a farce,

Only Chen Fang, Niu Yong, and Sister Lulu were left in the hall.

Seeing Chen Fang sitting on the sofa with his arms crossed looking somewhat displeased,

Niu Yong didn't know how to start speaking.

Suddenly, he motioned to Sister Lulu, saying, "Lulu, come here."

Sister Lulu, not quite comprehending the situation, approached him.

Niu Yong grabbed Sister Lulu's arm, escorted her to Chen Fang's side, and with a serious expression, said, "Lulu, Brother Chen has taken a liking to you, which is your good fortune. Tonight, you should accompany Brother Chen well. Remember, you must make him satisfied."

Sister Lulu was stunned.

She looked at Niu Yong with an incredulous expression and said, "Yong brother, I'm your woman."

"What's this about yours and mine? If my brother takes a fancy, then she's my brother's," Niu Yong chastised.

Lulu was taken aback for a moment.

Pointing at Niu Yong's nose, she yelled, "Niu Yong, do you still consider yourself a man? Just handing your woman over to someone else like that?"

As soon as she said this.

Niu Yong became frantic.

He turned around and pointed at Lulu, shouting, "You filthy whore, what's your problem with me? You're my woman, and you do what I tell you to do. Don't believe me? I'll beat you to death."

"Beat me to death? You think you can beat me to death, Mr. Niu? You don't treat me like a human being, believe it or not, I'll ruin you too," Lulu barked vehemently.

Lulu roared fiercely.

She certainly was quite a special woman.

After saying that.

Lulu rushed to the bar and picked up an ashtray, charging at Niu Yong.

Niu Yong saw this.

He lifted a foot.

And kicked right into Lulu's abdomen.

Lulu was overpowered.

She fell to the ground with a thud.

She didn't cry.

Instead, she tried to get back up...

"Alright, stop it now," Chen Fang said, unable to watch any longer.

Lulu didn't care about him, still intending to "charge."

Chen Fang stepped forward, immediately grabbed her shoulders, forcefully took the ashtray from her hands, smashed it on the ground, breaking it into pieces, and then said, "Rest assured, I'm not going to sleep with you, I have important matters to discuss."

Lulu was obstinate.

After seeing the fierce look in Chen Fang's eyes, she actually shivered and stood frozen, daring not to move.

"Brother Chen, you've seen a joke, a real joke," Niu Yong said meekly.

Chen Fang sat down and took out a cigarette.

Niu Yong quickly fetched a lighter from the bar and obsequiously lit Chen Fang's cigarette for him.

Chen Fang took a puff.

He said, "Please forgive the commotion today, I was left with no choice. I apologize to you both. Chen Fang came here today, actually to ask a favor."

"Brother Chen, you jest, just command me and I am at your service like a dog or a horse," Niu Yong replied.

Chen Fang waved his hand and said, "Mr. Niu, don't be hasty in agreeing, wait until I've finished telling you the situation, then you can consider whether to tell me the truth."

Seeing Chen Fang so serious.

Niu Yong also reined in his smile.

He said, "Brother Chen, please speak."

Chen Fang paused and then said, "There was a woman who fell from a building at the Haos Hotel. Mr. Niu, you should be aware of this incident, right?"

Niu Yong thought it was some other matter.

But upon that question.

His entire body jolted.

He stiffened on the spot.

"Chen... Brother Chen... this... that..."

Sweat suddenly beaded on his forehead.

He wiped it with his hand.

Chen Fang could see he was afraid to speak.

He sighed deeply and said, "Mr. Niu, I want the truth, you understand what I mean, right?"

"Understood, I understand!"

Niu Yong nodded.

He said, "Brother Chen, about this matter... let me ask, Brother Chen, why are you interested in this?"

Chen Fang reached into his pocket.

He took out an ID and presented it before Niu Yong.

Niu Yong opened it and became stunned once again, his voice trembling as he asked, "You... you're the Director of the Education Bureau?"

As soon as this was said.

Even the shocked Lulu turned to look in amazement.

A Director of the Education Bureau, a government official, seemed so well-versed in the ways of the underworld, and the aura of authority he emitted was something many in the underworld couldn't even match.

Niu Yong took a sharp inhale.

He had already figured out Chen Fang's purpose for being there.

To speak, or not to speak, that was the question.

Niu Yong hesitated.

If he spoke, the connections he had worked so hard to establish in Jinde County would be destroyed.

If he didn't, he couldn't afford to offend the formidable person before him.

Lost in his dilemma.

Chen Fang asked, "Mr. Niu, how much does your shop make in a year?"