Start with push-ups to gain experience

Chapter 332 Secret Telepathy: Please Return to the Martial World

"Cough, cough, cough—"

Xiao Sa suddenly coughed, the acrid smoke from his cigar making his eyes water.

Secretary Liu picked up the cup on the table, poured water into it, and handed it to him.

"Hey handsome, have some water and catch your breath."

He took it casually, not even bothering to thank him, and started gulping it down.

Having gone almost half a day without rice water, this ordinary glass of cold boiled water tasted like nectar to him.

After drinking a large glass of water, my parched throat finally felt a bit better.

He wiped his mouth casually and let out a long sigh of relief.

At the same time, I seized this brief respite and my brain worked at lightning speed.

The gang leader in front of us, Chen, is unpredictable and can change his mind faster than turning the pages of a book.

That neurotic performance just now is still fresh in my mind.

Now he's changed to this amiable and gentle demeanor.

Admiring "Mr. Killer" and discussing cooperation are likely just ways to lull oneself into a false sense of security.

You have to be careful; if you say the wrong word, you could lose your life.

Chen Chen waited patiently, and only continued speaking after he finished drinking the water:

“I know, handsome brother, you must have a way of contacting that assassin.”

"So, I would like to ask you to act as my intermediary and convey some things to that gentleman on my behalf."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Sa tightened his grip on the cup, his heart pounding again.

Although thanks to that mysterious expert, his life seems to have been temporarily saved.

But how could he possibly know the other party's contact information? How could he act as this so-called intermediary?

Moreover, Chen Chen looks so sinister and cunning.

Who knows if he was deliberately trying to be friendly and trick me into revealing information?
Chen Chen seemed to see through Xiao Sa's concerns and stubbed out his cigar, which he had only taken a few puffs of, heavily in the pure gold ashtray.

"Brother Xiaosai, you've been around in the underworld before, you should understand one thing."

"In the adult world, fighting and killing are just the most basic means and cannot solve the fundamental problems."

"What's the most important thing when you're navigating the world? It's making a profit."

He leaned forward slightly, his eyes, sharp as a hawk's, fixed intently on Xiao Sa.

"As long as the benefits are sufficient, even the hatred of killing one's father or stealing one's wife can be resolved by sitting down and having a cup of tea and chatting calmly. Don't you agree?"

"Uh... well... what the chairman said does make sense..."

Xiao Sa felt her scalp tingle under his gaze and could only stammer in response.

He stole a glance at Awei, the muscular giant standing by the door like an iron tower, and his heart skipped a beat.

There's no way they can escape now.

Xiao Sa was well aware that his only value to others was his vague connection with that mysterious expert.

Every bit of delay brings a glimmer of hope; who knows, something might turn out differently.

"This... I need to think about it."

He swallowed hard, struggling to organize his thoughts:

"As you know, that big shot... has a bad temper and will kill people at the slightest disagreement."

“Talking to him... is risking my life.”

"I understand, I understand."

Chen Chen immediately flashed a warm smile and patted Xiaosai's shoulder affectionately:

"No rush, no rush, handsome brother, take your time to think it over."

He then winked at the muscular man standing at the door:

"Awei, go and call someone outside to send over some of the best medicine for bruises and sprains."

"Oh, and call the gentlest and most considerate nurse from the club downstairs. Make sure she takes good care of Brother Xiaosai's injuries and doesn't leave him with any disabilities."

"Otherwise, if anything happens to Brother Xiaosai in the future, I'll hold you all accountable!"

His words, though seemingly full of concern, carried a hint of coldness in his tone.

Even a fool could hear the strong sense of threat in it.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Sa felt a chill run down his spine and inwardly groaned.

This time, they're truly in a bind.

If you tell Chen Chen the truth, that you can't contact that mysterious expert at all...

Without a second thought, he would be immediately disposed of as a piece of trash with no value whatsoever.

But if they keep dragging their feet and not making a statement, and continue to pretend...

With Chen Chen's cunning and shrewdness, he would surely be able to spot the problem.

Once he loses his patience...

Thinking of the phrase "pour cement into a bucket and throw it into the sea," Xiao Sa couldn't help but shudder again.

Chen Chen sat across from him, legs crossed, completely at ease.

He didn't urge him, just looked on with a carefree air, even a slight smile on his lips.

Xiao Sa felt uncomfortable under his gaze, and sat awkwardly on the sofa, giving an embarrassed smile.

He then picked up his water glass and took another sip, trying to ease his tension.

However, the fingers holding the cup began to tremble slightly uncontrollably.

Just when he was in a state of confusion and didn't know what to do.

Suddenly, a deep, steady male voice rang out:
"Ask him first what the specific details of the cooperation are."

The sound appeared out of nowhere, causing Xiao Sa's hand holding the cup to tremble, and he almost choked again.

He suddenly raised his head and subconsciously glanced at Chen Chen.

At this moment, besides Chief Chen sitting in front of me, and Secretary Liu and the muscular man standing not far away, there was no one else in the office.

There was no one else at all.

In other words, this voice... appeared directly in my mind!
"do not worry."

The man's voice rang out again, familiar and calm, carrying a reassuring power.

"Next, you will communicate with Chen Chen on my behalf. You will answer whatever I say."

Xiao Sa has finally confirmed it.

It was the same voice I heard in the van when I was kidnapped!
The other party didn't seem to have given up on them and finally tracked them here.

Could it be... that mysterious master has reappeared and returned to the martial world?

He even hid in the room and spoke to me using the "sound transmission" technique from martial arts novels.

The mere thought of this possibility made Xiao Sa's heart pound uncontrollably, a mixture of surprise and apprehension.

Afraid that Chen Chen would notice something was wrong, he couldn't help but lower his head, trying to hide the expression on his face.

The mysterious expert seemed to sense his nervousness and spoke again:
"Stay calm, don't give anything away, and you need to be firm."

"Only in this way will the Red Tiger Gang be wary and dare not easily attack you."

This secret exchange in the mind actually happens in an instant.

Seeing Xiao Sa lower his head and remain silent, Chen Chen assumed he was weighing the pros and cons, and a barely perceptible glint flashed in his eyes.

It seems this kid is no pushover either; he knows he has to be careful in situations like this.

A few seconds later, Xiao Sa suddenly raised his head, and his previously timid eyes now showed a hint of composure.

He took a deep breath and mustered his courage to say:

"I need to understand the specific details of the cooperation first."

"I can only pass on this to my boss if I deem it appropriate; otherwise... forget it!"

Seeing that Xiao Sa suddenly became "tough" and even took the initiative to admit his relationship with that mysterious master.

A hint of surprise flashed in Chen Chen's eyes, but it was quickly replaced by a look of understanding.

However, when he heard the final, threatening "No discussion," Chen Chen's brows furrowed slightly.
"Oh? This matter is of utmost importance, concerning our lives. Are you really capable of making this decision?" Xiao Sa was taken aback upon hearing this.

He seemed to consider it for two seconds, then nodded seriously, his tone firm:

"I can make the decision!"

Chen Chen's eyes narrowed instantly, and the smile on his face disappeared.

He re-examined the bruised, ragged thug in front of him and for the first time truly took him seriously.

The atmosphere in the office instantly became somewhat subtle.

Secretary Liu and Awei also noticed the change in atmosphere, and their expressions became serious.

Xiao Sa was still a little apprehensive.

But the thought of having that unfathomable big shot supporting him made him straighten his back.

After a moment of silence, Chen Chen finally made a decision.

"it is good."

He spoke slowly, his voice regaining its calm:

"Since Brother Xiaosai can make the decision, then I won't beat around the bush."

"To be honest, I want to ask that gentleman to help me kill someone."

"Who?"

He asked immediately, his tone crisp and decisive, a stark contrast to his previous timidity.

"Noah Organization, Eastern Capital Branch Field Operations Department, Level 8 Cadre, codename 'Scorpion'."

Chen Chen spoke each word clearly, a ruthless glint flashing in his eyes.

Xiao Sa looked somewhat bewildered, completely unable to understand what he was saying.

Fang Cheng's voice rang in his mind just in time:
"Ask him why, as the leader of the Red Tiger Gang, supported by Noah, and a key figure in Dongdu, he would betray his master and murder a high-ranking member of the same organization?"

Xiao Sa suddenly had a burst of inspiration and rephrased the question:

"Chairman Chen, I'm a little confused."

"As far as I know, your Red Tiger Gang was supported by the Noah Organization, so you're considered one of their people, right?"

"Now you're turning the tables and trying to assassinate their high-ranking officials. Isn't this... like... a case of the flood washing away the Dragon King's temple, or our own people fighting each other?"

"What exactly is the reason for doing this?"

He opened his eyes wide, his tone carrying just the right amount of skepticism.

They seem to take this issue very seriously; without a reasonable explanation, cooperation is out of the question.

Chen Chen hadn't expected the other party to be so direct. After a brief silence, he slowly explained:
"Brother Xiaosai, some things are not as simple as they seem on the surface."

"The Noah organization is not monolithic; it has always been divided into factions and constantly fighting."

"Those people in the Eastern Capital branch are no longer on my side."

He paused, a hint of resentment in his voice.

"I want to lead my brothers to clean up their act, go ashore, do legitimate business, and make the group bigger and stronger."

"But what about them? All they need is an underground force that can do the dirty work and take the blame for them."

"Noah doesn't lack a company that does legitimate business; all they need is a biting dog and a black glove that they can easily discard!"

"I, Chen Chen, don't want to spend my whole life as a shady thug, I don't want to be their dog for the rest of my life!"

"Over the years, although the conflict between us has not completely escalated, I have been holding this grudge for a long time."

"Recently, something happened that made me make up my mind completely."

At this point, Chen Chen calmed his agitated emotions, and his expression turned somewhat gloomy.

"what's up?"

Xiao Sa pressed for an answer, something Fang Cheng also wanted to know.

Chen Chen didn't answer directly, but instead pointed to the ceiling and said in a cryptic tone:

"It's related to the struggles within the Xia Kingdom, but as for the specifics, I'm not at a position to access core intelligence."

"But I know that Noah is probably in deep trouble this time."

“Once they lose power and withdraw from Dongdu, I, as the person in charge of the peripheral forces, will most likely be pushed out as one of the scapegoats.”

"Therefore, I must plan ahead and find a way to survive for myself and my brothers."

Fang Cheng, through his keen perception, sensed a hint of panic and resentment in Chen Chen's words.

Then, he spoke to Xiaosai in his mind:

“Tell him that even so, there’s no need to kill Noah’s senior executives; the risk is too great.”

Xiao Sa immediately continued:

"Chairman Chen, even if Noah does run into problems in the future, if you want to protect yourself in advance, is there any need to choose this method?"

"Assassinating a high-ranking member of the same organization, once exposed, could lead to a fight to the death."

"Hmph, risk?"

Chen Chen sneered several times:

"I'm all alone, what am I afraid of?"

"Moreover, the person I'm going to eliminate is the leader of the Noah Organization who is responsible for controlling us peripheral forces."

“Over the years, he has been tripping me up at every turn, planting spies and restricting my development. He is like a knife hanging over my head, ready to fall at any moment.”

"Only by eliminating him can I truly unleash my potential, consolidate the underground forces in Dongdu, and gain greater leverage for myself."

"Perfect timing! The Noah Organization has recently suffered a major blow, and their surveillance of us peripheral forces will definitely be relaxed. Now is a golden opportunity!"

He looked at Xiaosai with burning eyes, then changed the subject.

"I know that the assassin seems to have an irreconcilable feud with the Noah Organization, right?"

"I suppose he wouldn't mind killing another Noah member. I can provide him with detailed intelligence, including the target's whereabouts, habits, specific abilities, and so on, to ensure that nothing goes wrong."

"If we need manpower to provide support during the operation, or if we need a safe evacuation route and hiding place afterwards, the entire Red Tiger Gang will cooperate fully."

As Chen Chen said this, a sly glint flashed in his eyes.

He paused deliberately, observing Xiaosai's reaction.

Fang Cheng naturally understood the probing meaning in Chen Chen's words and did not respond directly.

After a moment's thought, he casually stated his conditions.

"Chairman Chen, words are not enough. Cooperation is possible, but we need to see your sincerity."

Under Fang Cheng's secret guidance, Xiao Sa was no longer nervous or timid.

He sat up straight and started to put on airs, even imitating Chen Chen by crossing his legs.

Although his posture looked somewhat comical due to his injuries, he still had a certain "style" to it.

"Moreover, as far as I know, the Noah Organization's power in Dongdu is considerable."

"Even if my boss could kill that level 8 cadre called 'Scorpion' all by himself, he probably wouldn't be able to escape unscathed, right? And how much support can you provide?"

"Besides, every trade has its rules, and every bandit has his code. My boss is no ordinary person. If you want him to take action, you have to follow the rules."

"Otherwise, if we rashly make a deadly enemy of a powerful force like Noah, it will be difficult for my boss and the higher-ups to explain."

Upon hearing this, Chen Chen's eyes flashed with a sharp light, and then he burst into laughter:

"Brother Xiaosai is straightforward and outspoken, I like him!"

He patted his chest and said in a bold tone:

"I understand the rules, so you can rest assured!"

"As long as that gentleman is willing to take action, in addition to all the information about Poison Scorpion, I can also provide a considerable reward for the mission, which will surely satisfy the gentleman."

"If this collaboration goes smoothly, we can engage in even deeper cooperation."

“I have been operating in Dongdu for many years and have connections in both the legitimate and underworld circles. I can provide considerable assistance in terms of intelligence, funding, and manpower.”

"For example, helping that gentleman with things he can't do in person, or providing him with a private safe house."

“Furthermore, if you are interested, sir, we can even share some of the resources of the underground world of Dongdu.”

"Moreover, I know more about Noah's arrangements in Dongdu than many others do, and this information will surely be of great use to you, sir..."

(End of this chapter)