Chen Fan examined the jade token in his hand.
Besides the fish and dragon pattern, beneath the镂空 carving on the back of the jade token, there was a character: Pei.
This was clearly a surname, most likely representing the identity of the owner behind Ping Yihong.
He was contemplating finding Zhong Yishan to inquire when Zhong Yishan and his son arrived for a visit.
In the past few days, without Gu Zi'an's pressure and with the investment from Longteng Group, the Zhong family had returned to normalcy and their development was highly anticipated.
Zhong Hao took out his briefcase and from it, produced a stack of documents, which he handed to Zhong Yishan.
Zhong Yishan took them and respectfully presented them to Chen Fan, saying, "Mr. Long, this is the share agreement for Yihetang. I wish to gift you twenty percent of the shares."
Chen Fan did not even glance at the documents and directly refused, "Patriarch Zhong, if I had wanted Yihetang's shares, six years ago would have been a better time."
Zhong Yishan was taken aback.
Back then, he had received Chen Fan's guidance to make Yihetang successful.
At that time, Chen Fan was already Mr. Long and had provided much assistance to Yihetang. If Chen Fan had been interested then, it would not have been a problem for him to hold a dominant position in Yihetang.
But Chen Fan had not done so then, nor had he even invested.
"Put them away," Chen Fan said.
Zhong Yishan hesitated and then said, "Mr. Long, I am still worried that once the formulation for the Body Tempering Pills is complete, it will eventually bring disaster to the Zhong family."
"Gu Zi'an was just the beginning!"
Chen Fan thought for a moment and said, "Cooperate with Longteng. Exchange some shares, and Longteng can provide you with some security. I will have them send someone to help you manage these Body Tempering Pills and establish connections with those martial arts families and sects, to minimize any future trouble."
"Thank you, Mr. Long!"
"It's just business cooperation. Longteng also needs to profit."
Chen Fan waved his hand, handed the jade token to Zhong Yishan, and asked, "Do you recognize this?"
Zhong Yishan took it, looked at it for a moment, and his expression changed drastically.
"This is a Fish Dragon Jade Token. Mr. Long has received an invitation to the Fish Dragon Secret Gathering?"
Zhong Yishan's breathing quickened slightly.
Chen Fan asked, "Is this token difficult to obtain?"
Zhong Yishan's eyes gleamed with fervor as he nodded, "This is the credential for attending the Fish Dragon Secret Gathering, or rather, an invitation. Obtaining this Fish Dragon Jade Token is equivalent to gaining admission to the Fish Dragon Secret Gathering!"
"All along, I had only heard of this Fish Dragon Jade Token, and today is the first time I have seen a physical one."
Chen Fan had not expected this item to be so valuable.
"This Fish Dragon Secret Gathering has always been a legend in Jinling. Its organizers are extremely mysterious, and no one knows the identity of its master even now. All that is known is that the owner who issues the jade tokens possesses great power and can do what others cannot!"
This was quite interesting.
"I've also heard that every few years, or every decade or so, the owner of the jade token sends people to distribute Fish Dragon Jade Tokens, inviting people to attend with rare treasures."
"At the secret gathering, one can trade rare treasures with him, or with other guests, to obtain what they most desire."
Chen Fan asked, "Are many people invited?"
Zhong Yishan shook his head, "Not many. Often, there are no more than twenty people, and as few as a handful. The reason why the owner of the jade token is said to be so powerful is, importantly, that he issues invitations only to those who possess rare treasures."
"Even if some attendees keep their treasures very hidden, the owner of the jade token often knows about them and sends out invitations."
Chen Fan asked, "What happens if one doesn't go?"
Zhong Yishan said, "No one would refuse to go. Even if they are unwilling to part with their rare treasures, going to broaden their horizons and meet other invited guests is a rare opportunity."
"However, it is said that if one truly does not go, it is also permissible. The owner of the jade token will not reclaim the Fish Dragon Jade Token, but the style of the jade token will change next time!"
"If you want to sell this token, Mr. Long, it would be easy to fetch ten million. Some might even offer a hundred million for it."
Chen Fan nodded slightly, "It's just a credential for a secret trade gathering, why would it be so valuable?"
Zhong Yishan sighed, "It is only because the owner of the jade token possesses things that people dream of."
"Rare treasures are one thing, they are merely valuable. The owner of the jade token holds elixirs that can prolong life, cure all illnesses, or allow one to undergo a complete transformation. These can be exchanged for with rare treasures!"
"The Yang family in Jinling is a major local clan. The Yang family's patriarch was gravely ill and on the verge of death seven years ago, and coincidentally received a Fish Dragon Jade Token. He mustered his strength to attend the Fish Dragon Secret Gathering, and upon his return, he looked more than ten years younger, and all his ailments had vanished!"
"This matter was originally a secret. It was only after the Yang patriarch came to the Zhong family seeking medicine that I learned of it!"
Chen Fan mused thoughtfully.
He now understood the reason for the high regard of the Fish Dragon Secret Gathering.
After all, while rare treasures were hard to come by, they were still obtainable with money. But those elixirs that could extend lifespan and cure all illnesses were worth any price for the wealthy and powerful.
"Besides that, is there anything else?" Chen Fan asked.
"It is said that there are many rare treasures at the secret gathering, but what is presented at each Fish Dragon Secret Gathering is not entirely the same."
Zhong Yishan said, "I have only heard of it, I have not personally seen it!"
Zhong Hao, on the side, listened as if to a fairy tale, his mouth agape in shock.
Chen Fan nodded, "In that case, I need to prepare some rare treasures so that if I fancy something at the Fish Dragon Secret Gathering, I can exchange for it?"
Zhong Yishan nodded, "Indeed."
"However, ordinary treasures are said to be not worthy of mention there. It often requires something extremely rare!"
"I heard that the Cao family was once invited to the Fish Dragon Secret Gathering and brought a piece of Heavenly Silk Brocade passed down from their ancestors. This item was created by the Cao family when they were weaving for the royal court in the previous dynasty, gathering the most skilled weavers from across the land, and took twenty years to complete."
"There is also the antique collector Shi Yue. He attended once more than ten years ago, and afterward, he never mentioned his collection of the 'Zhanlu Ancient Sword'. Those in the industry speculate that he traded it for something."
Chen Fan smiled, "I roughly understand."
"Mr. Long, do you have anything prepared? Is there enough time?"
Zhong Yishan asked.
Chen Fan chuckled, "If there's not enough time, then I'll owe it."
Zhong Yishan was taken aback.
Chen Fan did not explain and said calmly, "We will see tomorrow. Consider it an opportunity to broaden my horizons."
Zhong Yishan hesitated, then finally could not help but speak, "Mr. Long, I have a presumptuous request. Each Fish Dragon Jade Token can bring one person along. If Mr. Long has not already chosen someone, would you please take me with you? Would that be possible?"
Chen Fan looked at Zhong Yishan.
"The Zhong family has also collected a few rare items. I don't know if they will catch the eye of the owner of the Fish Dragon Gathering. If Mr. Long isn't already set on someone, and you'd be willing to take me, I'd be immensely grateful. These items would be at Mr. Long's disposal." Zhong Yishan gritted his teeth.
Chen Fan considered for a moment and then nodded, "Alright. Be at the Qin Huai River pleasure boat dock tomorrow morning at eight o'clock!"
"Thank you, Mr. Long!" Zhong Yishan was overjoyed and rose to bow, "The legendary elixirs truly make me itch with curiosity. Thank you, Mr. Long, for fulfilling my wish."