Tokyo Narita International Airport.
Carrying a backpack, Chen Nuo disembarked from the plane, humming a tune. After passing through customs, he casually scanned the area in front of the international arrivals gate.
Two Japanese men in black were already waiting there. One of them held a sign with a name on it.
Chen Nuo smiled and walked over, standing before the two men.
The two men in black suits seemed slightly surprised as they eyed the remarkably young man before them. The one who appeared older asked, "Excuse me, are you..."
"It's me," Chen Nuo nodded.
The two immediately lowered themselves, bowing at a ninety-degree angle before respectfully escorting Chen Nuo out of the airport.
Outside, a black minivan was waiting.
After meticulously confirming with Chen Nuo that he had no other luggage, they hurriedly stood by the car, bowing and inviting Chen Nuo to get in.
Chen Nuo glanced at the Toyota before him, nodded, and got inside.
The younger man in a black suit took the passenger seat, while the older one joined Chen Nuo in the second row.
Once the car started, the older man turned halfway toward Chen Nuo and asked politely, "According to the chairman's instructions, we will first take you to a hotel to settle in. If you have any other requests, please feel free to command us!"
Chen Nuo leaned back in his seat, casually twisted open a bottle of mineral water, and took a small sip. "Where is Domoto Hideno?" he asked lightly.
"..." The older man hurriedly nodded and bowed again. "The chairman has a very important dinner engagement tonight, so he entrusted me to receive our honored guest. The chairman will await your esteemed presence tomorrow morning at the company headquarters!"
Hearing this, a strange smile touched the corner of Chen Nuo's mouth.
An important dinner engagement?
"Yes!" the older man in the black suit immediately replied with a smile. "Tonight, the chairman is hosting a banquet for a political figure, an engagement scheduled long ago."
"Oh," Chen Nuo responded noncommittally.
The older man in the black suit cautiously observed Chen Nuo's expression. "Shall we take you to the hotel to rest first then?"
"No," Chen Nuo said flatly. "Let's go to the company."
"Eh?"
Chen Nuo smiled, his eyes narrowing. "Do I need to say it a second time?"
"..."
Domoto Hideno.
Currently fifty-four years old.
From Kansai.
He left his Kansai hometown at twenty to make his mark in Tokyo.
At twenty-eight, he founded a company, which went bankrupt a year and a half later.
Yet, miraculously, at the age of thirty-one, Domoto Hideno made a comeback. He established a new dock transportation company, which he steadily grew. By the time he was forty, his company had successfully expanded into the construction materials sector. He had even forged relationships with key figures in vital government departments, enabling him to start undertaking Japanese government projects.
From then on, his life soared as if he had activated a cheat code.
Now, at fifty-four, Domoto Hideno was one of Tokyo's renowned tycoons.
After more than thirty years of hard work, his Kansai dialect was gone, replaced by a fluent Tokyo accent.
Without a doubt, Domoto Hideno's other hidden identity was that of a senior "white-glove"—a Gold Digger—for The Abyss Organization in Japan.
Even within The Abyss Organization, among the dozen or so existing Gold Diggers, Domoto Hideno possessed the deepest seniority.
He had served The Abyss Organization for over thirty years.
Leveraging the power of The Abyss, his rise during three decades of striving and development was almost meteoric; powerful competitors invariably met with mysterious accidents whenever they stood in his way.
At thirty-three, a rival competing for his dock transportation business suffered a warehouse fire in the middle of the night, reducing it to ashes.
At thirty-six, during a fierce bidding war, Domoto Hideno's company narrowly lost. The true reason was that the competitor's backer was a government official who controlled that project's bidding at the time.
However, less than a week after the failed bid, that powerful figure died unexpectedly of a heart attack after drinking. This triggered a domino effect, causing Domoto Hideno's rival company to lose its largest official backer. Within the next six months, they were utterly crushed by Domoto Hideno, and a year later, their assets became part of his empire.
By forty, he began extending his reach to higher-level political figures and even started undertaking numerous government infrastructure projects.
Today, the fifty-four-year-old Domoto Hideno had evolved into a notable and influential business tycoon. Even in Tokyo, he was a significant figure, occasionally appearing in financial news—the kind of person who even participated in the shady dealings of political donations. Three years ago, he had successfully helped a powerful member of parliament win their election.
Let's put it this way: he definitely couldn't compare to a Zaibatsu. However, excluding the Zaibatsu echelon, Domoto Hideno's accomplishments over more than three decades of relentless effort had positioned him at the apex of the social tier directly beneath them in Japan.
He even occasionally became an esteemed guest of a Zaibatsu.
Over thirty years as a Gold Digger, Domoto Hideno had transfused hundreds of millions of US dollars into The Abyss Organization.
As early as yesterday, he received news that a special envoy from The Abyss Organization was coming to Tokyo.
But tonight, Domoto Hideno still chose not to personally receive this envoy—a first in his thirty-year career as a Gold Digger.
Needless to say, this act carried a subtly meaningful implication.
A Gold Digger seasoned by thirty years, Domoto Hideno was unlike Yao Weishan, a newcomer incorporated into The Abyss only a few years prior.
Thirty years was sufficient for Domoto Hideno to access a wealth of intelligence and information unavailable to other Gold Diggers.
And thirty years of experience, coupled with his gradual success, had allowed increasingly dangerous thoughts to take root in Domoto Hideno's mind.
Especially as the most senior and one of the most successful Gold Diggers within The Abyss Organization, Domoto Hideno had distinctly felt a change in recent years. As his seniority grew and he aged, the special envoys sent by The Abyss to Tokyo treated him with far more courtesy than before.
He even faintly entertained the notion that he, alongside those "monstrous" special envoys from The Abyss, was actually on an equal footing for dialogue within the organization.
Thus, some long-concealed notions thrived deeper in his heart.
Ordinarily, such thoughts would naturally be suppressed deep within, never daring to surface.
The problem was, a few months ago, The Abyss had suddenly and intentionally cut off all contact with Domoto Hideno.
That months-long period of silence had immediately alerted Domoto Hideno, a man who had battled his entire life in the business world, to a subtle scent in the air!
The Abyss Organization must have run into trouble! Moreover, for The Abyss to painfully sever ties with me, its biggest Gold Digger in Asia, its largest source of revenue... the problems they're facing must be substantial! Perhaps this is an opportunity.
From a twenty-year-old kid from Kansai to a renowned, successful tycoon in his fifties.
Domoto Hideno's character lacked nothing in decisiveness, capability, or even ambition—The Abyss Organization didn't select incompetent individuals as Gold Diggers; they chose only those with exceptional foundations and outstanding talent.
Open rebellion, of course, was still out of the question.
But if The Abyss Organization itself had encountered a problem, and a major one at that... well, that was a different story.
No one wanted to be a puppet on strings for life.
Besides, having amassed so much wealth through a lifetime of struggle, he had become a significant force within Japan, even beginning to participate in the arena of political maneuvering. He had started making political donations, supporting legislators who could be beneficial to him...
By any measure, Domoto Hideno considered himself an absolute "big shot."
Therefore, he didn't want to be a white-glove forever.
So, tonight's actions were merely a small probe.
The special envoy sent this time was an unfamiliar young man. He had received the other party's file yesterday upon notification.
Names and such could, of course, all be false.
But the listed age of nineteen made Domoto Hideno further suspect that his earlier guesses might indeed be correct.
In his thirty years, he had met practically all the organization's special envoys—including Anderson, that fellow who was now dead; Domoto Hideno had known him previously.
But this nineteen-year-old sent this time was someone he had truly never dealt with.
Has The Abyss... really run into problems? Why would they send such an absurdly young whelp to deal with me, a regional magnate in my own right? Could it be... there's truly been an upheaval? Are they unable to dispatch capable personnel?
Recalling the preceding months of silence, the complete severance of contact...
It was a small probe, also tinged with a desire to test the waters, to assert a certain posture.
If the organization has genuinely encountered significant problems, then this young lad probably won't get angry over this. I've sent people to receive him, their attitude was respectful, the best hotel, the best suite, the best service. I just deliberately didn't show up tonight, leaving him hanging for one evening. This sort of thing can be magnified or minimized, and it's easy to smooth over.
To downplay it, my excuse is meeting a councilor—a legitimate and important matter. This young special envoy should be inexperienced and unlikely to get truly upset. If it blows up, and he actually gets infuriated, then when I meet him tomorrow morning, I'll just be more polite and respectful, adopt a conciliatory stance, and properly appease him. He's just a naive kid, what could he possibly understand? What depth of character could he have?
Thinking this, Domoto Hideno mentally reviewed the evening's events once more, finding no flaws. He then raised the sake cup before him, gestured a toast to the distinguished guest seated opposite, and took a light sip.
The sake was, of course, excellent—a top-tier brew with a crisp taste.
The guest was also distinguished: the very councilor he had personally supported.
The only difference was that tonight's drinking party involved no discussion of work or affairs; it was purely a private gathering to foster connections.
To call it important would be an overstatement; it truly wasn't.
"Domoto, you seem preoccupied tonight?" the gray-haired councilor remarked with a faint smile. His face was lined with wrinkles, yet, in the typical style of Japanese politics, he maintained a very dignified posture and expression—albeit slightly deliberately.
Domoto Hideno waved the snow-white folding fan in his hand and chuckled, "It's nothing. Just an impoverished young relative from my hometown, a mere child, has arrived. I've sent someone to receive him."
"I see." The councilor, having lost interest, changed the subject. "I've received word that the Prime Minister has signed off on some new appointments. Mr. Ando is due to take office as the Governor of Kyoto shortly."
Domoto Hideno immediately paid closer attention, deliberately raising his cup with a smile. "I hear Mr. Ando is an old acquaintance of yours."
"Mm, he was a student of mine back in school," the councilor said, his tone carrying a hint of self-satisfaction. "To think so many years have passed, and now we're both in politics. However, Ando has always treated me with great respect."
Domoto Hideno nodded. "A forty-year-old Governor of Kyoto—he's indeed a rising star of the future. I daresay he has a strong chance of vying for the Prime Minister's seat someday."
Next, the councilor was expected to subtly hint at his rapport with this Mr. Ando.
Then, Domoto Hideno would seize the opportunity to strengthen their connection and, by extension, ask the councilor for an introduction to this future political heavyweight. The councilor, in turn, could propose some conditions for the exchange...
These were all familiar maneuvers, merely going through the motions.
But precisely at this moment, the sliding door of the elegantly decorated room was gently pushed open.
A middle-aged beauty in a kimono knelt at the doorway, her hands pressed to the floor, her forehead lightly touching the back of her hand. She said cautiously, "Chairman, there is a phone call."
"Didn't I instruct that I am not to be disturbed when I am drinking with the councilor?" Domoto Hideno mused for a moment, his face showing faint dignified restraint. "You may withdraw."
"Yes!" The middle-aged beauty hesitated briefly, then said in a low voice, "Although you did give that instruction, this call is from Assistant Fujita, whom you mentioned we should expect."
A flicker of understanding crossed Domoto Hideno's mind.
The councilor, worldly-wise, smiled faintly and, picking up his white paper fan from the table, gave it a light wave. "In that case, you should attend to it, Domoto! I have thoroughly enjoyed myself tonight!"
"...Very well." Domoto Hideno smiled and stood up. "Just some mundane affairs, I wouldn't dare spoil your enjoyment. Please, continue to relax and enjoy your drink. There are some light entertainments arranged to follow."
When Domoto Hideno stepped out of the room, four young women in full kimonos were already gliding down the corridor. They were a vibrant spectacle of diverse beauties, some statuesque, others petite, all exquisitely graceful. Clad in snow-white tabi socks, they advanced with tiny, delicate steps, each movement flawless.
Domoto Hideno smiled faintly and left the corridor. Before departing, he saw the four beautiful young women file into the small room where he had been drinking.
Rounding the corridor, he reached the front area, only to find it wasn't a phone call. Assistant Fujita had come in person.
It was the older man in the black suit.
"What has happened?" Domoto Hideno frowned.
"That distinguished guest refused to go to the hotel. He ordered us to take him to the company, and he is now waiting for you at headquarters. We dared not refuse, as you had instructed us not to deny any of his requests, so..."
Domoto Hideno's heart clenched. He frowned. "Why didn't you call?"
"You instructed that you wouldn't be taking calls tonight, so I had no choice but to come here."
"Did he say anything else?"
"...Er..."
Domoto Hideno said coldly, "Speak! What else did he say?"
"He said... for you to go see him immediately."
Domoto Hideno's brows furrowed deeply.
Actually, Assistant Fujita had already softened and embellished the message. Chen Nuo's original words had been far too discourteous, and Fujita hadn't dared to relay them verbatim.
Chen Nuo's original words were: "Tell that old bastard Domoto to haul his ass over here and see me right now."
However, given the chairman's usual imposing authority, such disrespectful words were simply unutterable.
Chen Nuo sat in a VIP lounge.
Before him were fine coffee and refreshments. The room's decor was exceptionally tasteful and quite luxurious.
These details, without exception, conveyed the respect Domoto Hideno's subordinates held for this young, honored guest.
But... Chen Yanluo instantly saw through Domoto Hideno's little ploy.
A VIP lounge? What a joke! In the past, when a special commissioner from The Abyss Organization arrived, they would directly enter Domoto Hideno's office, sit in Domoto Hideno's own chair, close the door, and have Domoto Hideno stand before them to report! And now? A VIP lounge? Ha!
However, Chen Nuo wasn't in a hurry. He leaned back lazily on the sofa, sipping coffee. Without so much as a by-your-leave, he took out a cigarette and began to smoke, then casually tossed the cigarette butt directly into the coffee cup.
There was no ashtray on the table; smoking was likely prohibited in this building.
Both the VIP lounge and Domoto Hideno's personal office were on the top floor of this building.
This 32-story building, amidst Tokyo's towering skyscrapers, wasn't particularly striking, but it was still quite respectable.
The entire building was the property of Domoto Hideno's company.
After sitting in the VIP lounge for a full forty minutes, Chen Nuo's spiritual power detected the building's exclusive elevator ascending.
Domoto Hideno was back.
But the old fox didn't come directly to the VIP lounge. Instead, he bypassed it, went to his own office first, had a drink of water, even made a phone call, and only then sauntered over to knock on the door.
When the door opened, Chen Nuo beheld Domoto Hideno, the most senior Gold Digger of The Abyss Organization.
He was typical of Japanese men his age: short and sturdy.
His eyes were bright, and his hair half-gray. His face bore a customary authoritative expression, softened only by the slightest hint of a smile.
He seemed to carry himself with a well-practiced air of command.
Moreover, upon entering the lounge, Domoto Hideno walked with his head held high, his back straight as a ramrod.
Then, he strode directly towards Chen Nuo, extending his right hand as he walked. "You must be the one who has come to Tokyo to handle affairs this time..."
Seeing this old man approach with such an air of confidence, even extending his hand for a handshake?
Chen Nuo, contrary to expectation, smiled.
No bow, no formal greeting, just this casual offer of a handshake—it appeared polite and courteous enough.
But...
Chen Nuo had already deciphered the underlying message: an attempt to establish an equal footing.
"Interesting," Chen Nuo chuckled.
He ignored Domoto Hideno's outstretched hand, merely squinting, his gaze fixed on the man's palm. "Are you trying to shake my hand?"
"???" A flicker of confusion crossed Domoto Hideno's eyes.
The next second.
Chen Nuo suddenly slapped Domoto Hideno across the face!
SLAP!
Domoto Hideno staggered, stunned. The burning sting on his cheek brought him to his senses—this kid, he actually struck him?!
"You... you scoundrel..."
SLAP!
Another stinging slap!
Domoto Hideno stumbled again, this time from left to right.
"You!!"
SLAP!!
Yet another slap!
Chen Nuo's slaps, of course, weren't delivered with true force. If Chen Yanluo had genuinely struck with power, Domoto Hideno would likely be having his memorial service the following week.
But after the initial bewilderment and rage, as Domoto Hideno reeled from the blows, an indescribable sense of absurdity flooded his mind.
This kid... he actually hit me! Without any ceremony, without holding back, he hit me?! Those special commissioners in the past, they always spoke to me so respectfully, honoring my thirty years of seniority! Just tonight, I was enjoying a lively conversation with the councilor, discussing a rising political star who might become prime minister—someone with whom I might soon forge a connection! And now, so quickly, I've been slapped by a youngster not even old enough to be my son!?!
Domoto Hideno, seething with fury, was about to roar when Chen Nuo's hand suddenly clamped around his throat, lifting him off his feet!
Chen Nuo's right hand gripped Domoto Hideno's throat as he slowly walked him to the floor-to-ceiling window. With a light wave of his left hand, a pane of the window silently shattered into fragments, which rained softly onto the floor.
The high-altitude night wind howled through the opening. Chen Nuo stood at the edge, casually extending his arm, and dangled Domoto Hideno out of the building, his body suspended in the air.
Domoto Hideno struggled desperately, his face turning crimson. His hands clawed futilely at Chen Nuo's arm, his short legs kicking frantically.
Chen Nuo smiled coldly.
"Domoto Hideno, it seems you've forgotten your place. You are nothing but a dog raised by the organization! An old dog, even one kept for thirty years, if it suddenly forgets who it is, starts thinking it's a person, and rudely jumps onto its master's table, barking and causing a scene... Then, such a dog deserves only to be skinned and boned, its flesh chopped into pieces and thrown into a pot for soup!"
Domoto Hideno's throat was constricted; he couldn't utter a single word, but his aged eyes were now filled with sheer terror.
"And you actually wanted to shake my hand? Ridiculous! Since when can a dog presume to extend its paw to a human on equal terms? Furthermore! When the master returns home, you, as the watchdog, merely send two insignificant insects to greet him? As a watchdog, when your master returns, shouldn't you be the first to rush to the door, wagging your tail furiously to curry favor?
"Also, I hear your personal car is a Bentley, is it not? How amusing! The master returns and is made to ride in a Toyota, while the watchdog cruises in a Bentley? It seems you've been a dog for so long that the master, occasionally showing favor due to your long service, has tossed you a few extra meaty bones, and now you genuinely believe you can stand as his equal? Hmm, perhaps even more than equal, harboring thoughts you shouldn't? Preposterous! If you can't even perform a dog's duties properly, then there's no need for you to be a dog at all!"
With that, Chen Nuo's fingers loosened their grip!
Domoto Hideno's mind went blank. A single thought screamed: I'm dead!!
But then, Chen Nuo turned and took two steps back into the room. Domoto Hideno remained suspended in mid-air outside the building, an invisible force still constricting his neck, making it impossible to breathe, yet preventing him from falling.
Chen Nuo took out another cigarette and lit it. He took a drag, squinting at Domoto Hideno. "Well? Have you figured out how to bark for your master yet?"
"Ugh... urgh... ack..." Domoto Hideno struggled desperately, guttural, indistinct sounds escaping his throat. His eyes, however, no longer held any trace of anger; only terror and desperate pleading remained.
Finally, Chen Nuo waved his hand dismissively. Domoto Hideno flew back into the room, landing in a heap on the floor as the invisible force around his neck instantly vanished.
The old man gasped for air like a drowning man saved at the last second.
Chen Nuo watched him coldly, saying nothing, just quietly smoking.
He finished the cigarette in two minutes.
Domoto Hideno finally managed to regulate his breathing. He struggled to his feet, all thoughts of resistance utterly extinguished from his mind. He stood humbly, bowing deeply. "I... I was wrong! I beg you to forgive my transgression!!"
Chen Nuo snorted, flicking the cigarette butt from his fingers directly onto Domoto Hideno's face.
"This is the guest lounge. So, when I come to inspect my own property, I'm to be treated merely as a guest?"
"I... Yes, yes! It was my folly! Please, proceed to the chairman's office at once!"
Domoto Hideno, thoroughly cowed, executed a ninety-degree bow.
Chen Nuo smiled. With a light tap of his fingers, the shattered glass littering the floor flew back to the empty window frame, re-forming into a perfect, unbroken pane!
Domoto Hideno stared, somewhat stupefied, but dared not look for long. He quickly bowed low and hurried forward a few steps to lead the way. "This way, if you please!"
Finally, they were in Domoto Hideno's own chairman's office.
Chen Nuo sat on the sofa. Domoto Hideno knelt before him, personally brewing tea. Then, shuffling backward on his knees, he prostrated himself on the floor.
"Domoto Hideno, Gold Digger of the East Asia district, pays his respects to the Special Commissioner!"
Seeing Domoto Hideno completely prostrate, his body fully groveling, devoid of any semblance of his earlier posturing.
Chen Nuo nodded slightly. "Acceptable. You finally resemble a watchdog somewhat."
Domoto Hideno remained pressed to the floor, not daring to move.
The ordeal of the past two or three minutes had forced him to fully grasp one fact:
All that talk about councilors, about currying favor with influential figures who might become prime minister... being a billionaire... being the most senior Gold Digger... All of it was an illusion! If this young man, who called himself his master, so wished, he could end his life at any moment! He was merely a tool! Even a tool used for thirty years is still just a tool! They could take his life anytime, anywhere! Whether he was a billionaire, a respected chairman, or the guest of a councilor... If he died, he would be nothing!
"Alright, I'm not interested in inspecting the company's accounts, nor am I here for that," Chen Nuo said indifferently. "Now, you are to do something for me."
"Yes! Please give your orders!"
"Help me find someone in Tokyo."
BANG BANG BANG! Requesting monthly tickets!