Chapter 164: Wanted Order
Zhao Yiniann looked at the wanted poster with a mixed expression. "How did Chen Dong end up on a Military Suppression Department wanted list? And this poster is so strange. There's no explanation of what crime he committed, and isn't the bounty a little low for someone with Celestial Spirit-level combat power?"
Chen Dong was on the list because he had killed a member of the Military Suppression Department and broken out of jail while heavily surrounded. As if they would ever write something so humiliating to the Department on a wanted poster.
Bo Qing laughed. "The Military Suppression Department these days... better not to say anything! If the Department were still what it used to be, this Qingtian Project would never have happened!"
Zhao Yiniann sneered. "That's true enough!" He casually handed the phone back. He was only looking out of curiosity and had no intention of reporting anything about Chen Dong. A bounty of 130 million was beneath his notice.
The Military Suppression Department's wanted posters were only sent to its own personnel, Martial Artists registered with the department, and a few allied elite families. Ordinary people never received them.
This was a way of protecting ordinary people. In the past, there were cases where wanted posters were released to the public, and the consequences were that many people, spurred to madness by the astronomical bounties, would try to take on the wanted Martial Artist. The results were predictable: when ordinary people went up against Martial Artists, it was invariably a one-sided slaughter. The criminals on these lists were truly vicious, and the concept of showing mercy was foreign to them.
Ever since, the Military Suppression Department never issued wanted posters to ordinary people again.
The Military Suppression Department's wanted posters had naturally given rise to Martial Artists who made a living off the rewards. But this particular poster had no real impact on Chen Dong's life. The mere suspicion that he had a record of killing a Celestial Spirit-level opponent was enough to deter ninety-nine percent of Bounty Hunters.
Back with Chen Dong, with a business magnate like Li Huiran on hand, there were naturally no issues with the contract.
After a brief meeting with a few of the Jiangzhou Hotel's managers, the entire establishment was smoothly transferred into Chen Dong's hands. Its hundreds of employees remained completely in the dark.
During this time, Chen Dong also called Yang Mingshan to tell him about the He Family's matter, and Yang Mingshan readily agreed. Not only had Chen Dong saved his life, but he had also helped him achieve his Outer Manifestation; handling this small favor was no problem at all.
When He Xiang and Tributor Zhao learned that the one coming to help them was the Patriarch of the Nanchuan Yang Family, they felt that giving up the hotel had been absolutely worth it. In their impression, the Yang Family Patriarch was a true veteran Celestial Spirit Powerhouse, with a reputation that surpassed even that of their own former Patriarch, He Wanyong.
With the He Family's matters and the hotel contract settled, Li Huiran and Chen Dong left the Jiangzhou Hotel together.
The silver Ferrari had just pulled out of the parking garage when Li Huiran finally couldn't resist asking, "Why would the He Family give such a massive hotel to you?"
Chen Dong remembered his agreement with Li Jianwen and, not wanting to sell out his father-in-law, put on an evasive look. "Who knows? Maybe the He Family just thinks I'm handsome!"
Li Huiran huffed. "Fine, don't tell me!" 'Chen Dong is becoming more and more mysterious,' she thought. 'I can't seem to figure him out at all.'
'His sublime martial arts, his unbelievable medical skills... and now even a powerhouse like the He Family, the overlords of the Lower River, are begging to give him a hotel.' A strange sadness welled up inside her.
The atmosphere in the car fell silent for a moment. Chen Dong had his eyes closed, sensing the changes in his mental state brought on by his Inner Realm Mystic Passage.
Li Huiran, who was driving, bit her lip and asked, "Chen Dong, what are your thoughts on this Qingtian Project?"
Chen Dong answered casually, "It's full of benefits, of course. Given the Zhao Family's background, the project is likely backed by the government. It's not hard to guess their objective. The gulf between Martial Artists and ordinary people has always existed. With the current suppression of martial arts, the various martial sects and schools have resentfully retreated into seclusion, making them extremely difficult to manage. This Qingtian Martial City is meant to concentrate the Martial Artists..."
Li Huiran's eyes lit up; she hadn't expected Chen Dong to be able to analyze things so deeply.
Chen Dong paused for a moment after saying this, then continued, "Actually, we don't need to overthink it. The profits involved in this project are immense. With this opportunity, it won't be a problem for the Li Family to expand beyond Jiangzhou."
Li Huiran nodded. Of course she knew it was a massive opportunity. But after seeing the blueprints, she worried that even with ample preparation, the Li Family's resources wouldn't be sufficient.
"A project for a city of Martial Artists is enormous, and the construction is at least three times more difficult than for ordinary buildings. The Li Family's current resources are already stretched a bit thin."
Chen Dong smiled. "To think the great President Li is actually worrying about this. Forming alliances might mean a smaller cut of the profits, but it would also significantly reduce the Li Family's required investment."
Li Huiran shot Chen Dong a sidelong glance. "We've already swallowed the Huang Family. Who is there to form an alliance with?"
"Tang Dan is a good option. He's trustworthy, so you won't have to worry about a lack of trust between the two parties."
Li Huiran's eyes brightened. The Li Family had been fighting on its own for so long, and all while being suppressed by the Huang Family, that the idea hadn't even occurred to her.
She smiled. "You're right! I can't believe I didn't think of that. Once we land the project, I'll go talk to him."
Just then, a phone began to ring. It was Chen Dong's.
Chen Dong took it out and glanced at the screen. The caller ID read 'Teacher Wang'. He was instantly filled with a bad premonition.
He answered the call, and Teacher Wang's displeased voice immediately came through the line. "Li Wang's guardian? I need you to come to the school right away. Your Li Wang's behavior has been outrageous."