Douluo: A Century-old Legend I Am the Second Uncle Chenxin

Chapter 1596 The Hidden Light Bureau: Let's do it!

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Five more today.

……

"Are you sure?" Ma Zhibin lowered his eyebrows.

Chen Zhang shook his head: "It's hard to say. After that old bat Ming Xiangyun was hit in the face, he might hide or cower... It's unpredictable, so..."

He looked at Xue Dingshi and Ning Hai.

The smooth, white jade chess piece in Ning Hai's hand fell silently to a corner of the chessboard: "It's better to act quickly than slowly."

A silent consensus was formed as their eyes met.

Chen Zhang spoke again, his tone even more somber than before: "When the Heavenly Dou Chen Mansion was attacked this time, they only sent the families of the legion commanders, and they already issued eight titles."

He paused, letting the number strike coldly into everyone's hearts.

"As everyone knows, the last catastrophe ended too early... The Crimson Seven Demon Legion not only did not suffer too many losses, but also spawned even more titles."

"Now, they have at least three titles, including those held by their family and subordinates."

He raised his eyes, his gaze like the sharp point of a quenched needle, "The total number of titles held by the entire Crimson Church is no less than thirty."

An invisible pressure, heavier than a boulder, crashed down on the VIP room.

Ning Hai's knuckles, which were gripping the chess piece, turned slightly white. Fang Tingbo's wrinkles deepened at the corners of his eyes. The surface of the tea in Gui Minghao's cup trembled without wind, and the ripples lingered for a long time.

Thirty of them. Although I don't know how the Chen family got them, I won't speak carelessly.

In the deathly silence, only the distant clamor outside the window served as background noise, making the room feel even quieter, as if a pin drop could be heard.

Chen Zhang's voice pierced through the suffocating atmosphere: "Douhun City... bore the heaviest debt from the last catastrophe, shed the most blood, and had the deepest grudge against Fei Hong."

His gaze swept across the solemn faces, finally settling on the void, as if staring at an unseen enemy. "If we can't tear its throat in one go, then... little by little, we'll peel off its skin and pull out its claws!"

Xue Dingshi tilted his head slightly, with the unique caution of the Xue family: "Once the Central and Western regions are thrown into turmoil... His Majesty and the important officials of the court..."

Chen Zhang's knuckles tightened silently on the carved armrest, a cold glint flashing in his eyes: "It's alright."

“Crimson has crossed the line this time, stirring up a massive bloodbath at the foot of Heaven Dou City.”

"Emperor Xue... the fire of imperial power in your heart has been completely ignited."

He raised his eyes, his gaze sweeping over everyone present. "It is said that His Majesty has decreed the establishment of a new agency called the 'Huimingjian' (災明监), which will be dedicated to eradicating hidden organizations, especially cults, within the Soul Master community."

He paused, emphasizing the last few words, "Under the personal command of His Majesty the Heavenly Duck, Zuo Tinggang."

He leaned forward slightly: "They want immediate, thunderous glory; we want blood for blood, to sever their crimson fangs."

"Both of us are seeking the same path now, so let's act together!"

"Let the mighty umbrella of the Heavenly Dou Empire be held open to the light, drawing most of the attention of the Crimson Church."

What a brilliant idea! Using a furnace to start a fire, moving mountains and filling seas.

The Heavenly Dou Court, with its banner of "Huimingjian" covering the sky, naturally concealed the blood-stained shadow of Douhun City under its radiant light.

Having avenged their family's grievances, the Chen family retreated to the shadows; the empire unleashed its thunderous might, but the enemy's sharp teeth were mostly biting at the scepter hanging high in the main hall.

What's even more amazing is... what the Chen family handed to Zuo Tinggang, the newly appointed supervisor, wasn't a knife at all. It was clearly a pedestal of merit, forged with crimson blood, which sat firmly in the court!
A timely act of kindness... is worth more than a thousand words.

That cold, meticulous support, grounded in precise calculation, silently permeated the tea smoke and settled into everyone's eyes.

Amidst the clash of swords and the shadows of blood, revenge was taken, bonds were rekindled, and even the path of allies was partially razed.

a long time.

Gui Minghao gently pushed the slightly cool teacup in his hand onto the center of the table, the bottom of the cup hitting the hardwood with a crisp "click".

"Let's do it then."

……

People gradually dispersed, leaving only Chen Zhang and Ning Hai in the flickering lamplight.

Dusk was falling outside the window, painting the sky with the last iron-gray hues.

Ning Hai flicked on his worn-out brass lighter, then suddenly asked, "Where is that man from the Long family?"

Chen Zhang picked up the now-cold tea and took a sip: "Yu Yongyuan invited him to appraise ancient artifacts and left a message beforehand—he'll handle things for the Chen family."

Ning Hai raised an eyebrow slightly: "So, that old man from the Chen family... also went too far?" Chen Zhang hummed in agreement. (Today's attendees were from 9 of the 11 families of Douhun City; only Long and Chen were absent but had given their consent.)

Chen Zhang put down his cup, the bottom of which lightly touched the wooden table: "I just forgot to congratulate you, Brother Hai, your eighth ring... is finally complete."

The tone was sincere.

Ning Hai paused, twirled the lighter in his palm, and revealed a genuine smile: "Hey, thanks to Uncle Meng Lin."

"We brought that precious herb. We've finally overcome the hurdle that's been holding us back for so many years."

A moment of silence.

Ning Hai held the lighter, his gaze falling on the bandage on Chen Zhang's shoulder, still stained with medicine: "I'm keeping you here because of a few words."

"Rui Ting, His Majesty summoned me to the palace this morning and I can't get away. I asked my brother to ask for your regards."

Chen Zhang nodded: "Please speak."

"Your family... had some trouble with the Haotian Sect earlier?" Ning Hai's eyes were calm, but his words went straight to the point. "I heard... even Tang Feng was at a disadvantage?"

Chen Zhang's expression remained unchanged, and the corners of his lips curved gently: "There were some minor, occasional frictions. Your clan's intelligence network is indeed very sharp."

Ning Hai rolled his eyes inwardly: It happened several days ago. If the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School is still slow to realize this, they should just give up.

“We just want to know,” Ning Hai leaned forward slightly, his lighter resting on the table, “what’s the Chen family up to here?”

The air seemed to freeze for a moment.

Chen Zhang's knuckles lightly traced the rim of the cup: "You're overthinking it."

“Our Chen family’s forging business is short of manpower, but the Xuanhuang Tang family has a surplus of young men.”

"It was just a matter of one side demanding and the other side supplying, and they lent a hand by chance."

"As for that little disagreement with the Haotian Sect... they were just too impatient."

Ning Hai stared at him: "Is there no room for negotiation?"

Chen Zhang raised his eyes, his gaze as calm as a still night pool: "The room for maneuver... that depends on whether Haotian Sect is willing to make a move."

As soon as he finished speaking, the only sound in the room was the soft rustling of the night wind brushing against the eaves outside the window.

After a long while, Ning Hai let out a short breath, his shoulders relaxing slightly, as if he had gotten the answer.

Chen Zhang changed the subject slightly, his tone reassuring: "As for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, we remember its decades-old rules."

"In the Midwest, the Chen family will not interfere with the key aspects of 'sales channels' such as the flow of goods and the operation of markets."

"If there are any changes, we will consult with your family. We will adhere to this principle for decades."

He deliberately added a barely perceptible emphasis to the words "sales channels".

Ning Hai slightly raised his eyelids, understanding—the friction with Haotian Sect was in the forging and production field of 'hammering iron and forging weapons'; the Chen family had no intention of touching the trade route network that the Ning family had run for generations.

Ning Hai pressed on, asking, "How many years exactly?"

“Twenty years,” Chen Zhang added decisively. “I can promise at least twenty years, and this principle will remain unchanged.”

"If your esteemed clan feels uneasy, you may send someone to the Duke of Chang'an's residence to sign a memorandum in black and white, which will serve as a kind of official seal."

Ning Hai's tense back finally relaxed completely, and the lighter in his hand began to crackle softly again: "Hmm, easy. Oh, by the way,"

He seemed to have just remembered, and asked casually, "That new gadget that's been all the rage—cigarettes? You guys came up with that?"

"Yes." Chen Zhang replied readily. "We've tested a few mid-to-high-end games in the first batch, mainly to try them out. We'll have more new features to come."

Ning Hai laughed: "Your Chang'an family's things have always been very sophisticated, but this time... you've gone downhill?"

Chen Zhang shook his head: "Cigarettes are different. They are fast-moving consumer goods. They are sold in large quantities and cater to the middle class. They are sold with small profits but quick turnover."

"This agency's betting odds..." Ning Hai didn't finish his sentence, his fingertip tapping the table.

Chen Zhang's smile remained unchanged: "Giving it to your sect is naturally no problem. Our two families have a long way to go. However—I cannot grant you exclusive agency rights."

He bluntly stated, "As I said before, a business that relies on 'volume' to make a living can't survive on its own."

Ning Hai nodded, closed the lighter, and put it in his pocket: "Alright. I'll have someone go to Chang'an Prefecture to work out the details later."

Chen Zhang stood up; it was already pitch black outside the window. "Brother Hai, just send someone. The Duke of Chang'an's mansion is ready to welcome you."

(End of this chapter)