Chapter 22: The Beautiful Negotiator and the Sudden Crisis

With Elder Chu speaking up, Chu Yan and Yao Bing had no choice but to let Jiang Chen accompany them to the Linghu Club.

While Chu Yan went back to her room to change, Yao Bing quietly pulled Jiang Chen aside.

“Jiang Chen, I’m not afraid to tell you—the Linghu Club is territory controlled by the Linghu Sect, one of Linzhou’s three major underground powers. They’re far more ruthless than those masked black-clad men who attacked us!”

Yao Bing deliberately tried to intimidate Jiang Chen. “If you don’t want to be scared out of your wits, don’t stick to us like a shadow!”

Those mercenary martial artists scared Jiang Chen enough to flee for his life; the martial masters of the Linghu Sect would surely terrify him even more!

“Who’s driving later, you or me?” Jiang Chen asked casually, as if Yao Bing’s warnings hadn’t even been spoken.

Not a chance I’m driving! Yao Bing was so furious she wanted to curse. This rascal was so stubborn!

“Since you admit it, then you drive!” Jiang Chen decided when Yao Bing said nothing.

Yao Bing’s chest ached with frustration, pain on both sides!

Chu Yan emerged from her room dressed casually, her slender waist and elegant demeanor catching the eye. She chose a relatively low-profile BMW.

Yao Bing let Jiang Chen drive while she and Chu Yan sat in the back seat, out of sight and out of mind.

Upon arriving at the Linghu Club, Yao Bing informed the attendant of their reservation and was led to a luxurious private room.

Yao Bing’s friend and the Linghu Sect’s top leaders had not yet arrived. After all, since she and Chu Yan were seeking help, they wouldn’t keep the others waiting.

“Jiang Chen, we’re meeting with the top brass of the Linghu Sect. You’d better keep your mouth shut. Offend them and you might end up with broken limbs and thrown out!” Yao Bing warned harshly, reluctant to engage with Jiang Chen but fearful he might blurt out something foolish.

At eight o’clock sharp, Yao Bing’s friend, Lü Ying, arrived to escort the senior members into the room. Yao Bing, Chu Yan, and Jiang Chen rose from the sofa.

Lü Ying, like Yao Bing, sported short hair and was a capable beauty, also a martial master in her own right.

However, the senior member she brought was the second most important figure in the Linghu Sect—the sect leader’s daughter, Linghu Xin.

“Miss Linghu, this is my friend Yao Bing, and beside her is Chu Yan, CEO of the Chu Group!” Lü Ying introduced them first, ignoring Jiang Chen, who was not mentioned by Yao Bing and clearly an insignificant minor character.

“Greetings, Miss Linghu,” Yao Bing and Chu Yan greeted politely.

“Please, have a seat,” Linghu Xin nodded lightly, gesturing.

Jiang Chen’s sharp eyes noticed that Linghu Xin, with her fair skin, stunning beauty, and long legs, bore a resemblance to someone—Ye Qingchan.

But one’s surname was Ye, the other a compound surname Linghu; there was likely no blood relation between these beauties.

“I heard from Lü Ying that CEO Chu wishes the Linghu Sect’s help in dealing with a group of mercenaries—eighteen martial masters. There must be at least one martial grandmaster behind them, possibly more,” Linghu Xin said slowly from the central seat on the top sofa. “If you want the Linghu Sect to wade into this mess, CEO Chu cannot shortchange my brothers and sisters.”

In other words, Linghu Sect’s help wouldn’t come cheap.

“That’s only natural. Linghu Sect’s prices are fair, and among Linzhou’s three underground powers, we’re the most female-friendly. Miss Linghu, please name your price,” Chu Yan replied calmly, hoping Linghu Xin wouldn’t ask for a fortune.

“Since CEO Chu comes recommended by Lü Ying, I won’t overcharge,” Linghu Xin smiled charmingly. “Our principle is to help thoroughly—to solve all your worries. We’ll not only deal with the mercenaries but also the mastermind behind them.”

“So, the flat rate is one hundred million!”

Chu Yan’s expression shifted slightly. Though mentally prepared, she still found the price exorbitant.

“Miss Linghu, I am also a martial master. If I join the operation, can the price be reduced?” Yao Bing bargained, feeling the price was too high—likely the mastermind’s payment to the mercenaries wasn’t even close to that amount.

“If Miss Yao is willing to join the Linghu Sect, I can halve the price. What do you say?” Linghu Xin smiled, trying to recruit Yao Bing, whose martial master status Lü Ying had already vouched for. A martial master’s value far exceeded fifty million.

“I appreciate your kindness, Miss Linghu, but I have no such plans for now,” Yao Bing declined politely, unwilling to be bound by the Linghu Sect.

Jiang Chen felt continuing this negotiation was a waste of time and money. He could handle this matter alone—why spend a hundred million?

So, without being rude, he spoke up: “Miss Linghu, could we take some time to consider?”

“Who are you?” Linghu Xin glanced at Jiang Chen.

“She’s the CEO’s driver,” Yao Bing quickly said, glaring at Jiang Chen.

“Heh, CEO, does a mere driver influence your decisions? Or does he stand on equal footing with you?” Linghu Xin smirked. Even Lü Ying, a martial master, stood respectfully aside. Why should a lowly driver sit beside Chu Yan?

“Jiang Chen, stand up now! Usually, CEO Chu lets you sit to rest after driving hard, but what kind of occasion is this? There’s no place for you to sit here!” Yao Bing ordered Jiang Chen, trying to uphold Chu Yan’s CEO dignity.

Jiang Chen remained seated, calmly saying, “Yao Bing, I will handle those mercenaries and the mastermind. You can take Chu Yan back.”

Handle your grandfather! Yao Bing wanted to kick Jiang Chen flying. She knew bringing this idiot was a mistake—he was causing trouble!

They came to the Linghu Sect for help; now Jiang Chen was boasting he could handle it himself. Wasn’t that offending Linghu Sect right in front of Linghu Xin?

“Jiang Chen, shut up! If you don’t speak, no one will think you’re mute!” Chu Yan snapped at him, then stood and apologized to Linghu Xin. “Sorry, Miss Linghu. Please don’t mind him.”

“So, CEO Chu, what is your decision?” Linghu Xin, unimpressed by the lowly driver, wanted a clear answer from Chu Yan.

“No need to choose,” Jiang Chen said, looking toward the door—the guests had just arrived.

Linghu Xin’s eyes sharpened, and despite her composure, she could not hide her anger.

Chu Yan, Yao Bing, and Lü Ying’s expressions darkened, all glaring at Jiang Chen with fury.

Bang!

The private room door swung open. The Linghu Sect bodyguards stationed outside were thrown inside, and four burly men entered.

“Who are you? Such audacity to cause a ruckus on Linghu Sect territory!” Linghu Xin rose from the sofa, frowning and shouting fiercely.

“One, two, three, four... four beauties, just perfect—we each get one to play with!” The tall, broad leader grinned lecherously, his evil gaze sweeping over Linghu Xin and the three women. He waved an order: “Take the women alive, kill the men!”

Jiang Chen stood up from the sofa.

They wanted to take his wife and kill him? They must be courting death!