Chapter 1804

"Of course it's a date," chuckled Ximen Wudi, Great Dragon Head of the Qinglong Society.

"You've been abroad for a while—surely you've met the strategist many times?" said Lin Aoxue. "I can tell, there's quite a story between the two of you."

"Aoxue… you've figured it out already?" Ximen Wudi, Great Dragon Head of the Qinglong Society, chuckled and rubbed his hands. "How about we…?"

"Get lost!" Lin Aoxue slapped Ximen Wudi hard on the back, her cheeks flushed red. "You bastard—I'm not the kind of person you imagine me to be!"

"Haha, hey, Aoxue, I'd never do anything to you—you've been my wife since birth," said Ximen Wudi, Great Dragon Head of the Qinglong Society. "Let's just keep our revolutionary friendship pure… oh, by the way, your figure's gotten even more stunning, and your skin's gotten even whiter."

After speaking, the Grand Dragon Head of the Qinglong Society fixed his gaze upon Lin Aoxue, his eyes unblinking.

"You pervert! Get back to your room and rest! Tomorrow morning, you're coming with me to the Qingbang annual meeting!" Lin Aoxue kicked Ximen Wudi again.

She was truly angry.

She had thought that over the years, the Qinglong Society had gradually matured—but she never expected that this fellow had never put any thought into developing the company, instead indulging himself in romantic pleasures!

Now, the Qinglong Society was already somewhat famous overseas, yet still refused to abandon its debauchery.

Lin Aoxue truly doubted whether her father had been deceived by this man.

This bastard, though he always appeared lazy and carefree on the surface, had actually done far too many things others couldn't understand.

For example, he sold all his shares, used the money to buy the entire North American market, then gave that market to Interpol—if Lin Aoxue hadn't known the full details, she too would have thought Ximen Wudi was insane.

After all, that amount of money was astronomical—even if every available fund were poured in, it wouldn't reach one-tenth.

Lin Aoxue knew Ximen Wudi didn't do this because he craved freedom—he merely wanted to demonstrate his strength to certain people!

"Ah, it's been so long since I've been this relaxed—I haven't properly rested these past few months," said Ximen Wudi. "Lately, I feel my body can't hold up anymore."

Lin Aoxue snorted, picked up her clothes from the hanger, draped them on, and left without looking back.

"Ah."

Ximen Wudi watched the graceful silhouette of Lin Aoxue vanish at the stairwell and sighed softly.

In truth, what he'd just said wasn't true—Lin Aoxue had cared for him all these years, and Ximen Wudi knew it well.

Though the Great Dragon Head of the Qinglong Society always indulged in debauchery, his devotion to Lin Aoxue had never changed—indeed, it had grown even deeper.

"I hope this Qingbang annual meeting brings some surprises—I've been absent for too long; I wonder if these old brothers still remember me as their big brother," Ximen Wudi murmured.

1753 had no choice but to fight desperately

In truth, he wasn't young anymore—yet his perpetual grin, combined with his handsome face and physique, made him appear remarkably youthful.

…………

Inside the room of Ximen Wudi, Great Dragon Head of the Qinglong Society, a man sat on the sofa, dressed in a black Tang suit, bearded, exuding an aura of transcendent grace.

"Second Master, how is your injury?" A voice came.

Immediately, a middle-aged man in a gray robe slowly pushed the door open.

He radiated a faint, soft yin energy, as if warping the space around him!

This man was Li Tang, Third Hall Master of the Qinglong Society.

"Third Hall Master, my recovery has been swift—I'm fully healed," said Ximen Wudi, nodding slightly, his gaze on Li Tang laced with amusement. "But you, Third Hall Master, bearing a heavy burden—your recovery will take years."

"I had no choice," Li Tang shook his head. "I encountered a powerful foe—I had to exhaust my last strength to escape."

He pointed to several photos hanging on the wall: "Those two over there were the enemies I met on the road."

"Hmm, Chinese martial arts truly are exquisite—I've never seen such powerful fist techniques," said Ximen Wudi, his eyes fixed on the paintings on the wall.

The patterns were vivid, brimming with spirit, lifelike.

Li Tang looked at Ximen Wudi and said: "Great Dragon Head, forgive me for speaking plainly—between our Qingbang and Japan's Yamamoto Clan, which is truly the world's number one gang?"

"I don't know," said Ximen Wudi, shrugging.

"That answer is irresponsible," Li Tang frowned. "Have you never considered this question?"

He paused, then continued: "And you know well—the rivalry between our Qingbang and the Yamamoto Clan has lasted generations; both sides seek to devour the other. Even if Qingbang succeeds in controlling Hokkaido, it still cannot escape the Yamamoto Clan's constraints—even…"

Here, Li Tang paused, drew a deep breath: "Even—Qingbang may never escape the Yamamoto Clan's control, forever exploited, forever oppressed!"

Hearing Li Tang's words, Ximen Wudi fell silent.

His gaze sharpened, as if lost in memory.

After a long while, Ximen Wudi said: "Perhaps your words hold some truth—but even if we wished to change this state, how easily could we?"

Ximen Wudi stood, opened the window, letting the cool night wind rush in.

"The Qinglong Society—my father, once the supreme ruler of the Jianghu—was slain by the Tokugawa Shogunate during WWII. In that battle, he led the Qingbang's elite to catastrophic losses; the society nearly lost its lineage."

"I refuse to let Qingbang follow my father's fate—but it has rotted through and through. If this continues, it will surely collapse," said Ximen Wudi, his voice low.

"Great Dragon Head, I think… you should find a chance to speak properly with Yamamoto Kyoko. This is between you two as husband and wife—you should seek her consent."

"I know. It's my debt to her," said Ximen Wudi.

In truth, the information hidden in those words was immense!

"Then what is your intention, Great Dragon Head?" Li Tang's eyes flickered with a strange light. "Shall we tentatively raise this matter?"

"Wait a bit—after this annual meeting," Ximen Wudi narrowed his eyes. "My sisters are all quite capable. Arrange for them to meet Apollo. This young man is worth entrusting."

"Is that appropriate?" Li Tang hesitated. "Great Dragon Head, you know what I mean—you're not satisfied with Ximen Wudi, Great Dragon Head of the Qinglong Society… but…"

"Hmph." Ximen Wudi suddenly sneered twice. "Li Yang, I think you misunderstand."

The sneer dripped with mockery.

"This young man's talent truly exceeds my expectations," said Ximen Wudi. "At this annual meeting, see to it that you treat him well."

"Understood, Great Dragon Head," Li Tang immediately bowed.

"Also, keep a close watch on Ye Pu Island—especially any news from Ninghai and the capital. Don't miss a single detail," Ximen Wudi warned. "I won't tolerate any deviation."

"I understand, Great Dragon Head," Li Tang gave his boss one last long look, then turned and left.

…………

Half a month later, the Qinglong Gang held a grand annual meeting.

This was a gathering among internal members, held every year; in past editions, it had always been hosted in the East Ocean, with Yamamoto Kyoko serving as host, for over these years, the core strength of the Qinggang had all come from the East Ocean.

This year, the theme of the event was also to celebrate Yamamoto Kyoko's birthday; of course, to the vast majority, this year's Qinggang annual meeting was to celebrate the arrival of a certain big boss from the Western Dark World, for in many eyes, this big boss would represent the pinnacle of the entire Dark World.

At this time, Ximen Wudi had quietly withdrawn, having decided to enter seclusion for cultivation.

He was a clever man; he knew he would never reach that realm in his lifetime, but at least through seclusion, he could make his mind slightly sharper, allowing him to prepare more thoroughly.

Of course, if the Qinglong Gang could successfully weather the crisis and ascend to its peak, it would be a fulfillment of Ximen Wudi's merit.

"The Great Dragon Head is in seclusion?" The Great Dragon Head of the Qinglong Society, Ximen Wudi, raised an eyebrow as he read the report sent back by his subordinates.

Then he shook his head and said, "This guy, of all times, still has the nerve to hide in a secret chamber and seclude himself—clearly frightened by this crisis; his courage is truly pitifully small."

"The Great Dragon Head says he has already guessed certain outcomes, but he dares not guarantee he can turn danger into safety," said the strategist beside him.

"If so, we must resolve it ourselves," said the Great Dragon Head of the Qinglong Society, Ximen Wudi. "Do you sense any movement from the East Ocean?"

"Not yet," the strategist paused thoughtfully. "But I believe the quieter it is, the closer Yamamoto Kyoko is to exposure. If she dares to return to the East Ocean even once, we will surely catch her flaw and leave her with no defense."

Though this remark sounded like an objective observation, her eyes revealed a thick aura of killing intent.

1755 was deeply dissatisfied.

The Great Dragon Head of the Qinglong Society, Ximen Wudi, shook his head: "Actually, I think Yamamoto Kyoko has no need to return at all."

This man always seemed to meddle in others' emotional affairs, which made the strategist deeply dissatisfied.

Of course, she limited herself to mere dissatisfaction.

"If she wishes to come, she will come," the strategist shook her head. "Besides, how can you be certain Yamamoto Kyoko won't return? What if her reason for not returning is precisely because she doesn't want to?"

"You have a point," the Great Dragon Head of the Qinglong Society, Ximen Wudi, sighed. "Ah, how suddenly stupid my mind has become. No more overthinking—I'll take it one step at a time. After all, I've already prepared."

…………

"My lord, the shipment you ordered is ready," Li Yang reported from inside the car. "Shall we proceed to Jiangnan Province, Huaxia now?"

"Yes," said Ximen Wudi. "For this annual meeting, let's use the opportunity to sell the goods."

He had decided: from now on, he would no longer participate in the gang's transportation business, but focus entirely on martial study.

After all, this path had grown increasingly difficult; unless… Ximen Wudi took the final step, even exhausting all resources, he might still fail to catch up to the Great Dragon Head of the Qinglong Society, Ximen Wudi.

Thus, Ximen Wudi abandoned that arduous, endless road, choosing instead a relatively simpler yet far riskier grand path.