Eunuch, do you really know these martial arts?

As the protector of the Shadow, he chose to follow Jiang Nian for some reason. This choice is really not an easy one.

Takeshi Tano was instructing his men to prepare lavish gifts. Although he had already asked Daiya Tasa to arrange these things, just to be on the safe side, Tano ordered an extra set to be prepared. After all, he was bringing so many gifts, and surely that Mr. An would give him some face by being so welcoming?

Daiya Tasa came directly to Takeshi Tano's house.

It was already late at night.

Just as Takeshi Tano lay down on the bed, he received a report from his subordinate that Tadashi Taza had also arrived.

"Damn it, that damned Daiya Taza, coming here at a time like this, doesn't he know I'm already asleep?"

After cursing fiercely, Takeshi Tano had his men take Daiya Tasa to the reception room.

Taiya Tasa waited in the reception room for almost an hour before Takeshi Tano finally strolled over. He was deliberately keeping Taiya Tasa waiting, wanting to make it clear who was in charge.

Taiya Taza had no time to ponder Takeshi Tano's little schemes. All his attention was focused on repeatedly recalling what had happened at Mr. An's villa.

This time, Mr. An didn't come to see him at all. And the man's threatening words still faintly echoed in his ears.

The other party didn't give them any room to negotiate.

Dealing with people who are stubborn and unyielding, yet whom you can't afford to offend, is really difficult.

At least for now, Tasao doesn't know what to do next.

Should we really allocate gold now to buy a batch of weapons?
Unfortunately, based on the amount of gold they currently have, the weapons they can buy are far from enough to make up for the batch that was destroyed earlier.

What brings you here at this hour?

Seeing that he had already arrived, and that Tadashi Tadashi didn't even greet him, and was clearly lost in thought, Takeshi Tano's face darkened, and he asked in a cold tone.

"Huh? What?"

Taiya Tasa finally came to his senses, but he really hadn't heard what Takeshi Tano had said. Thinking of this, Taiya Tasa's face instantly turned deathly pale.

"No, Mr. Tano, it's like this. I went to see Mr. An, but this time I didn't see him in person, only one of his subordinates. They didn't give us any room to bargain, only one option—if we wanted weapons, we had to bring gold to trade. Otherwise, we wouldn't even be able to get into their house."

Seeing Tano Takeshi's completely dark and sinister expression, Tasa Daiya finally realized what he was going to say and recounted his experience with Mr. Dark.

"What do you mean? Is this Mr. An showing me no respect?"

Takeshi Tano thought that it must be because Tadashi Taza hadn't mentioned his name either, otherwise how could anyone dare to disrespect him?

Tadashi opened his mouth, but no words came out. But his expression clearly conveyed one meaning—this Mr. An really didn't give Takeshi Tano any face.

"Damn it, this Mr. An is going too far. We'd rather not do business with someone like him!"

In a fit of anger, Takeshi Tano said this directly.

"Tanno-kun, you absolutely mustn't! The weapons we need right now can't be supplied by any other arms dealer besides Mr. An. If we give up on Mr. An, we're truly doomed!"

Taiya Taza never expected that Takeshi Tano would be so willful at this time, daring to make the decision not to make a deal with Mr. Darkness.

Tadashi Tadashi also thought that Takeshi Tano was absolutely insane.

However, while Takeshi Tano could go mad, Daiichi Tasa couldn't go mad with him. He couldn't risk the future of the Tasa family by following Takeshi Tano.

"..."

Takeshi Tano seemed to have all his strength drained away. After anxiously saying these words, Daiya Tasa leaned back against the cushions, not wanting to move an inch.

He understood the reasoning that Tadashi Taiya was making.
It was precisely because he understood this so well that Takeshi Tano became even angrier.

He even understood why Tadashi was shouting at him so rudely, which was quite unusual for him.

The Taza family cannot be destroyed by Taza Daiya. Similarly, the Tano family cannot be destroyed by itself.

"Go and gather gold. Our two families should join forces and gather as much as we can. Even if it means buying gold from others at a high price, we must ensure that we have enough gold."

Takeshi Tano's voice was light and airy, almost inaudible in the quiet room where only the two of them could be heard breathing.

If Daiya Tasa hadn't been keeping a close eye on Takeshi Tano, he almost wouldn't have heard what the other person was saying.

It's certainly possible for the Taza and Tano families to jointly acquire gold. However, Taza Daiya's biggest concern about the high price he's paying is that other families might take the opportunity to undermine them.

Even if it costs more money, Taza doesn't mind. What he fears is that those families will also buy up the gold and refuse to sell it to them.

Besides the Takahashi family on the surface, there must be other families lurking in the shadows, watching with predatory intent.

After the downfall of the Tianye and Tianzuo families, the spheres of influence they once occupied will definitely be divided up by these other families.

Tadashi Taiya felt he dared not think any further. Otherwise, he would feel utterly helpless.

"Get to work quickly. What we need most right now is gold."

Seeing that Daiya Taza was still not doing it, Takeshi Tano frowned and urged him directly.

"Tanno-kun, are you aware that Takahashi Souk is also in contact with Mr. An in private? Should we prepare in advance to guard against Takahashi Souk tripping us up behind our backs?"

After hesitating for a moment, Tadashi finally spoke.

Some things may be precautionary planning, but others are already blatantly obvious, leaving them with no way out.

"What? Takahashi Suki is actually contacting Mr. An in private? What does he want?"

Takeshi Tano was truly shocked this time. He stood up abruptly, bracing himself on the table with both hands, staring at Daiya Tasa with disbelief.

Seeing Takeshi Tano's shocked expression, Takasaki didn't know how to explain.

He had wanted to tell Takeshi Tano about this before, but Takeshi Tano wouldn't listen. What else could he do? He was exhausted too.

When Takeshi Tano saw that Daiya Taza was looking at him with that same gaze, he understood what he meant.

The little bit of energy that had been gathered due to the shock just now dissipated in an instant.

"Go ahead and gather the gold. You don't need to worry about anything else, I'll handle it." Takeshi Tano waved his hand weakly at Daiya Taza and said in a flat tone.

Daiya Tasa took one last look at Takeshi Tano before turning and leaving.

He really didn't have much time to waste with Tano Takeshi. He needed to handle other matters personally.

Of course, only if Takeshi Tano can truly handle the affairs of the other families can Daiya Tasaka be truly at ease.

After Daiya Tasa left, Takeshi Tano's sleepiness vanished completely.

He gathered the core elite members of the Tianye family.

"I, Takeshi Tano, the eighteenth head of the Tano family, have gathered everyone here to announce something."

Looking at these elite members of the Tano family before him, a faint sense of guilt and apology flashed in Takeshi Tano's eyes. If the Tano family could weather this storm, they would soar to new heights. But if they couldn't, the Tano family would vanish from the annals of Japanese history.

This outcome was something Takeshi Tano absolutely could not accept. That's why he summoned all the elites back.

“Our Tianye family has suffered a great calamity. We need a large amount of gold to purchase a batch of weapons. And now, other families are also eyeing us covetously, waiting to take advantage of our misfortune. I hope you can use your connections to obtain more gold, no matter the cost.”

Takeshi Tano gave the order.

The elites in the family were naturally very familiar with the family's situation, so they had no doubts about what Tano Takeshi said.

At this moment, the family needs them. Only by working together can we overcome this difficult time.

"Yes, patriarch. We will spare no effort to acquire more gold to buy weapons."

Their family is their foundation. Without their family, they have nothing. Therefore, preserving their family is the only thing they need to do right now.

Seeing that everyone understood what he meant, Takeshi Tano gave a faint smile.

In the past, the elites of the Tianye family developed their own careers, with the family providing assistance when they encountered difficulties. Now, it's time for them to give back to the family.

Having given all the necessary instructions, the elites of the Tianye family left directly.

"Sakurako, you stay here for a moment."

Just as Sakurako Tano got up to follow the group, Takeshi Tano suddenly called out to her.

Sakurako Tano paused for a moment, but obediently turned around and sat back down in her seat.

Sakurako Tano, the eldest daughter of the Tano family, was raised with all her family's resources. Her every gesture exudes feminine charm without any flaws.

It's safe to say that in the upper echelons of Japanese society, there are countless men who want to marry Sakura Tano.

The reason Tano Sakurako is still unmarried is because the Tano family wants to keep her around so they can offer her to the most suitable candidate. And this candidate must be able to bring benefits to the Tano family.

Takeshi Tano originally had no intention of using Sakura Tano. After all, this arms dealer, Mr. An, was not currently on Takeshi Tano's list of people he was willing to offer Sakura Tano up.

But now, he has no other choice.

He knew perfectly well that what Tadashi Taiya had said earlier was not an exaggeration at all. Although he had given orders to everyone in the Tano family, no matter how powerful their connections were, when interests were at stake, no one could guarantee how much of those connections would actually be useful.

The Tianye family cannot fall.

Sakurako Tano, the darling of the Tano family. This time, Tano Takeshi couldn't think of any other way but to have her seduce Mr. An.

If Mr. An can fall at the feet of Sakura Tano, then what kind of weapons can't the Tano family get?

Thinking of this, Takeshi Tano's gaze towards Sakura Tano was filled with a hint of fervor.

Having been nurtured by the Tano family for so many years, Sakurako naturally understands deep down that she is essentially nothing more than an object to be traded within the family. So far, the family hasn't arranged a marriage for her; they're simply waiting for the right person to offer her up.

Now that Takeshi Tano has left him behind, the only possibility is that it's time for him to step up.

Sakurako Tano showed no displeasure whatsoever. Having received the family's dedicated support and nurturing, she naturally felt obligated to repay them.

"This address is Mr. An's residence. Mr. An is an internationally renowned arms dealer. If we can get our hands on Mr. An, then the Tianye family can obtain any weapons we want. Now, Mr. An is demanding payment in gold. You know, a small amount of gold can be obtained, but it's far from enough to buy a sufficient quantity of weapons. Sakura, your mission is to do everything in your power to make Mr. An fall in love with you. Once he falls in love with you, we'll have the leverage to negotiate with him. Everything depends on you."

Tano Takeshi felt no shame in placing the family's future on a woman. After all, Tano Sakurako was destined to sacrifice herself for the family. Now, Mr. An was the person Tano Sakurako had to serve and please.

"Yes, family. Sakura will definitely make Mr. Dark fall in love with Sakura."

Sakurako Tano's tone was solemn and dignified, as if she were performing some solemn ceremony.

Sakurako Tano didn't find this task difficult at all. She was the top socialite in Japan, radiating charm from head to toe. Making a man fall in love with her was incredibly easy for her.

She even secretly cursed Takeshi Tano in her heart—knowing that something had happened to the family, why didn't he let her meet this Mr. An sooner?

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

Jiang Nian received a call from Mu Zi.

“The dwarf chef is almost ready to be trained. I’ll go and bring him back.”

Putting down the newspaper in his hand, Jiang Nian spoke to Zhou Zhou in a calm tone.

"???" Wasn't the plan to learn how to cook? What can you possibly learn in three days?
A bunch of question marks subconsciously popped into Zhou Zhou's mind.

Unfortunately, Jiang Nian was informing Zhou Zhou, not discussing anything with him. So after saying that, Jiang Nian got up and left.

Jiang Nian left alone, not allowing anyone to follow her.

By the time Zhou Zhou realized what was happening, Jiang Nian had already completely disappeared.

Oh well, as long as Jiang Nian remains in the organization, that's fine. As for the rest, I'll just turn a blind eye and pretend I don't know anything.

After adjusting his mindset, Zhou Zhou decisively went upstairs to his room to play games. Since the game was so much fun, he didn't have much time to worry about Jiang Nian.

To be on the safe side, Jiang Nian instructed Mu Zi to disguise herself as a dwarf chef before meeting him, to prevent her identity from being revealed. Furthermore, they chose a Chinese restaurant as the agreed meeting place. (End of Chapter)