Chapter 8: Phoenix Yao Bing, Jiang Chu’s Promise

After Jiang Chen left the Xiongwu Hall, a woman arrived at its entrance.

She had neat, short hair and a striking aura of bravery between her brows. Dressed in a sleek black leather jacket, her tall and shapely figure exuded a bold and heroic beauty.

“Who is the head of Xiongwu Hall? Come out!”

The short-haired woman shouted into the hall.

Xiong Wuqiang quickly emerged. Having been intimidated by Jiang Chen before, he now looked like a frightened bird. He eyed the woman warily and asked, “May I ask who you are? What business do you have with me?”

“I am Yao Bing from the Fire Phoenix Special Forces. I heard you owe the Chu Group 100 million yuan. When do you plan to repay it?”

With commanding presence, the woman introduced herself and stated her purpose.

Xiong Wuqiang was momentarily stunned. Another visitor? Jiang Chen had already humbled him; why was someone from the combat division stirring up trouble now?

Yao Bing possessed the strength of a martial arts master, but out of respect for Jiang Chen, Xiong Wuqiang didn’t question her identity and responded politely, “Thank you, Officer Yao, for coming personally. I will settle the debt immediately!”

Yao Bing was taken aback. Chu Yan had described Xiongwu Hall as ruthless and tyrannical—how did they suddenly become so courteous?

She had recently retired from the Fire Phoenix Special Forces and wasn’t really an officer, only using the title to pressure Xiongwu Hall into paying back the debt. Chu Yan had even warned her not to act rashly.

But judging by the hall’s compliance, everything seemed to be going smoothly.

“Don’t tell me you’re just trying to fool me—promising payment verbally but planning to renege once I leave?” Yao Bing asked suspiciously, letting her guard down.

“Officer Yao, you worry too much. I’ll call the finance department right now.”

Xiong Wuqiang immediately phoned the finance department to check on the payment status. After the call, he smiled and said, “The money has already been transferred. You can call President Chu to verify.”

“So soon?”

Yao Bing was surprised and quickly dialed Chu Yan’s number.

“Ice, you finally returned my call. Please don’t go to Xiongwu Hall…”

Chu Yan’s voice trembled with worry on the other end; she had been trying to reach Yao Bing all along.

“Yan Yan, Xiongwu Hall has repaid the debt. Check if the funds have been received!”

Yao Bing spoke directly.

“What?! Xiongwu Hall repaid the debt?!”

Chu Yan was incredulous.

At that moment, her female secretary entered the office, reporting that Xiongwu Hall had indeed repaid, even including accrued interest as shown in the printed invoice.

Chu Yan’s concern deepened. “Ice, Xiongwu Hall really paid back? Did you have a confrontation with them? Are you hurt?”

“It’s fine now. Such a small underground faction isn’t worth me getting injured over. I’ll tell you everything when I get back to Chu Group!”

Yao Bing smiled proudly. As an elite of the Fire Phoenix Special Forces, even if she had fought, she would have forced Xiongwu Hall to pay.

Out of respect for Jiang Chen, Xiong Wuqiang kept silent. Otherwise, as a martial arts grandmaster, he might have made sure Yao Bing, a martial arts master, suffered a few injuries.

***

Chu Group, President’s Office.

Chu Yan exhaled in relief. Yao Bing was her childhood friend. Upon retirement, learning that Chu Group was in trouble, she had come to help at once, which touched Chu Yan deeply.

Jiang Chen arrived just as Chu Yan was buried in work.

“Has Xiongwu Hall repaid the 100 million yuan it owed Chu Group?” Jiang Chen asked bluntly.

“You’re well-informed. Unfortunately, you haven’t proven your capability—less so than a woman,” Chu Yan looked up with some disappointment. Aside from medicine, Jiang Chen hadn’t impressed her much.

“What do you mean?” Jiang Chen frowned, confused by her comment about disappointment and the woman.

“You don’t need to know so much. If you have nothing else, leave. I have work and no time for idle chatter.”

Chu Yan turned back to her documents, indifferent.

“I helped you recover that 100 million yuan and ensured I wasn’t harmed. Now, you should keep your promise and tell me who the murderer is.” Jiang Chen’s expression was serious.

“You? Jiang Chen, don’t make me look down on you!” Chu Yan’s voice was cold. “I understand your thirst for revenge, but don’t embarrass yourself by pretending to be something you’re not. That will only harm you and make me despise you.”

“Chu Yan, just one question: is the killer a mysterious figure wearing a mask?” Jiang Chen asked seriously, unwilling to argue.

“Don’t try to trap me. When you have the ability, I will tell you.”

Chu Yan’s face was calm, revealing no emotion.

Jiang Chen frowned. Was there more to this? Was the killer not the masked mystery he imagined?

He pressed on, “Set a condition. What must I do for you to tell me?”

“Are you annoying or what? If you want to prove yourself so badly, then make the Chu family the leading clan among Linzhou’s top five families. If you can’t, then shut up!”

Chu Yan was irritated, setting an impossible condition.

The Chu family was currently unstable and barely holding onto their place among the five great families. Surpassing even one of the others was nearly impossible; becoming the top family was a near-impossible feat.

“Fine. Draft an agreement so there’s no backing out later.”

Jiang Chen accepted Chu Yan’s terms and added one of his own.

“Hah!”

Chu Yan laughed dismissively, “As you wish. I’ll keep my word, but I doubt you will.”

***

“One thing—don’t ask my grandfather for help. He’s old and can’t handle any chaos.”

“You can rest assured. I’m more than capable on my own.”

Jiang Chen planned to fulfill the agreement within three months—more precisely, two and a half months. Then, by combining two pieces of evidence, he would uncover the true culprit.

After signing the agreement, Jiang Chen left Chu Group with his copy.

“Yan Yan, did you miss me?”

Yao Bing entered the office, smiling as she gave Chu Yan a warm embrace.

The sight of the two beautiful women together was captivating, especially their statuesque, graceful legs.

“Thank you, Ice. Coming back and delivering such a gift!”

Chu Yan released Yao Bing, sincerely grateful.

“We’re sisters. Any trouble, I’ll help you solve it all!”

Yao Bing said boldly, picking up some documents from the desk. “Thirty-six acres by Linhu Lake? Valued at five hundred million? Zhao Group? The Zhao family ranked third among Linzhou’s five major families?”

“Yes. I want to buy that land from the Zhao family for development. Now that you’ve helped me recover the 100 million from Xiongwu Hall, my chances are better.”

Chu Yan nodded. Zhao Group was Linzhou’s largest real estate company, with plenty of idle land. Chu Group was well-positioned to take over the thirty-six acres by Linhu Lake.

***

After meeting with Jiang Qing, Jiang Chen did not reveal his agreement with Chu Yan, unwilling to worry his sister.

“Sis, where is the best villa in Linzhou?” Jiang Chen asked.

“At Tiange in Lindu—it’s the top villa district developed by Zhao Group. One villa costs over a hundred million. The most expensive, Tiange Zifu, is worth 1.8 billion!” Jiang Qing answered instinctively.

“Then let’s buy a villa in Tiange, Lindu!” Jiang Chen declared. He intended to make up for everything he owed his sister over the past four years.

“Chen, that’s too expensive!” Jiang Qing was reluctant, wanting him to save money.

“I’ll only feel at ease when you’re safe. Trust me, your brother isn’t short of money!” Jiang Chen smiled slightly and hailed a taxi toward Tiange in Lindu.

As the taxi passed a park, cries for help pierced the air.

“Is there a doctor? Please save my grandfather! I’m Zhao Linxuan from the Zhao family. I’m willing to offer ten million…”