When Ji Cang and the other person entered the private room, Shang Ru Long and Shang Wu Shuang were already inside.
"Brother Ji!" Shang Ru Long stood up and greeted him.
"Patriarch Shang, Young Lady Shang."
Ji Cang chuckled and said, "I've always wanted to visit, but I never found the opportunity. This time, it's all thanks to Chen Tian Jiao playing matchmaker. I'll definitely treat Patriarch Shang to a few drinks later!" Da Feng Novel Network.
"Master Ji, I'm a regular at your Guankou Ghost Market."
Shang Wu Shuang smiled and said, "Last time at the Guankou Ghost Market, I even made two or three hundred million because of Tian Jiao's challenge. Hehe, I have to thank Master Ji and Master Ba."
"That's your insight and skill, Niece Wu Shuang."
Ji Cang smiled and said, "However, that time, I suffered heavy losses. It was all thanks to Mr. Chen."
Chen Fan also smiled and said, "I'm glad Master Ji and Master Ba don't blame me."
"We did blame you at the time, but we were outmatched and couldn't keep Mr. Chen," Ba Zhuo said.
Chen Fan smiled and said, "There was no other way at the time. I apologize for the losses incurred by Master Ji and Master Ba. I hope you don't take it to heart."
"I can afford to lose that little money, Ji Cang said. "On the other hand, Mr. Chen's prowess was truly unparalleled back then. Seeing Mr. Chen spar with Elder Yan of the Yan Yu Sect today, I realize I shouldn't have offered him such terms back then. I can only say that those losses were self-inflicted by the Ghost Market."
"That's because Master Ba couldn't go all out at the time. Otherwise, I might have really been finished in the Guankou Ghost Market."
Everyone burst into laughter.
With this pleasantry, their relationship had drawn much closer.
After taking their seats, Chen Fan asked the waiter to serve the dishes.
"Mr. Chen, may I be so bold as to ask, what is your relationship with Master Hui Xing and True Person Chong Xu?" Ji Cang asked first.
Chen Fan was not surprised.
During the Hero Gathering, Master Hui Xing and Chong Xu Zi had spoken up for him, naturally arousing much speculation.
Ji Cang's question was to ascertain Chen Fan's influence and make his own calculations.
"Shaolin and Wudang have close ties with the authorities," Chen Fan said without concealment. "These two seniors were invited by the authorities to guard the capital. If any experts in the martial arts world threaten the stability of the capital, these two seniors will not stand idly by!"
The answer did not exceed their expectations. Ji Cang, Ba Zhuo, and Shang Ru Long all showed understanding.
It could only be said that the influence of the secular authorities was far greater than most people in the martial arts world imagined.
Even the Hero Alliance, when compared to the power of the authorities, might not appear all that formidable.
Of course, there were intricate calculations involved, which could not be explained in a few words.
The martial arts world did indeed surpass the secular world, but since ancient times, the restraint of the imperial court and authorities had been an unavoidable presence for the martial arts world.
This was true in ancient times, and even more so in the current era of advanced firearms and technology.
Of course, the authorities were a collective, and the internal power dynamics and struggles were very complex.
While sects in seclusion like the Yan Yu Sect might not fully grasp these matters, magnates like Ji Cang, who were not far from the capital, understood them clearly.
He pondered for a moment and said, "It seems the authorities have made preparations and countermeasures for the gathering of martial arts grandmasters in the capital. Coupled with the presence of a Martial Saint, anyone who dares to act recklessly in the capital will have to pay the price!"
Chen Fan nodded, "Of course, the capital is the center of the nation, and it cannot fall into chaos. I believe Zuo Li Zhou is also aware of this!"
Ji Cang asked, "Zuo Li Zhou defeated Yin Ya Zi. Mr. Chen, Patriarch Shang, what do you think of this matter?"
Shang Ru Long said, "Tian Jiao and I were just discussing this. Zuo Li Zhou's demeanor today was extraordinary. The momentum of the Hero Alliance will surely surge significantly."
He paused and added, "Brother Ji, you have close ties with the Hero Alliance, and you will likely benefit from this. It should be a good thing for you, Brother Ji."
"Patriarch Shang is indeed joking," Ji Cang said. "My situation is not much different from yours, Patriarch Shang. The Hero Alliance has long since encroached on the interests of the Guankou Ghost Market, but they have not dared to go too far because you and I, Brothers Ba, are both martial arts grandmasters."
"Thirty years ago, Zuo Li Zhou re-established the Hero Alliance and has always intended to consolidate it into an entity completely under his control. Over the years, those minor sects and factions have become subservient to him and are mostly under his strict control."
"If this continues, you and I will have fewer and fewer choices. Either we submit, or we leave the Hero Alliance."
"Either way, it is not good for you and me."
Shang Ru Long had indeed been probing. Hearing this, he nodded and said, "The Shang family is already in a difficult situation. Brother Ji Cang, your situation is much better than the Shang family's now."
"It's not much better," Ji Cang said. "It's still a slow erosion, with our subordinates being enticed and divided, leaving us powerless in the end."
"As for withdrawing from the Hero Alliance, that would only give Zuo Li Zhou and his ilk a pretext, and they might even strike us down with ruthless intent. With Zuo Li Zhou and Xin Bei Tian, they can dominate the martial arts world!"
Shang Wu Shuang interjected, "Master Ji, why don't our two families form an alliance first and advance and retreat together? It would be better than fighting alone."
She was very clever. Making such a proposal at this moment would not damage her father's reputation even if Ji Cang refused.
Ji Cang did not answer directly but looked at Chen Fan and said, "This is precisely why Ji Cang invited Mr. Chen."
"In this game, it will ultimately depend on Mr. Chen!"
He chuckled, "To be honest, when I was at the Guankou Ghost Market, Ji Cang did not expect Mr. Chen to achieve this much. The battle at Yao Zi Mountain, where a martial arts grandmaster was slain and the Brotherhood was severely wounded, also caused the Hero Alliance to be implicated."
"Ji Cang always feels that this game will end within a few days, perhaps after the battle between Xiao Kai and Watanabe Kanmei?"
Chen Fan had to admit that Ji Cang's judgment was quite sharp.
As the King of Ning Nan and a figure in the underworld, Ji Cang's judgment was accurate.
In fact, with the death of Fei Zheng En, Chen Fan had touched the innermost core of the Brotherhood.
A decisive conclusion would inevitably be reached between him and the Brotherhood soon.
In this matter, the Hero Alliance would not stand idly by. At the very least, they would, like in Yuzhou, provide the Brotherhood with support in the form of martial arts grandmasters.
"So, what does Master Ji mean?" Shang Wu Shuang asked.
"There's no other meaning," Ji Cang said with a smile. "Just to remind Mr. Chen, so that Mr. Chen can be prepared."
Chen Fan cursed the slippery politician in his heart.
Ji Cang had invited him to indicate that his interests were, to some extent, aligned with Chen Fan's. He did not want to see the Hero Alliance grow too powerful.
However, in the current situation, Ji Cang was unwilling to fully commit to Chen Fan's side.
Therefore, this meeting with Chen Fan was merely to foster goodwill and show a degree of amity.
To some extent, Shang Ru Long was in a similar position.
They did not wish to break ties with the Hero Alliance at this moment, unless Chen Fan gained the upper hand and completely suppressed the Hero Alliance.
After all, they were martial arts grandmasters, and the Hero Alliance would not truly hunt them down to the last man, as the cost and the impact on the martial arts world would be too great.
It couldn't be said that they all had ulterior motives, but this was not yet an alliance of mutual advancement and retreat. Chen Fan would ultimately have to rely on himself to destroy the Hero Association and strike down the Hero Alliance.
"Thank you for the reminder, Master Ji." Chen Fan certainly would not force Ji Cang to declare his stance, as it would be meaningless. He then asked meaningfully, "By the way, what do you think of that Yin Ya Zi, Master Ji?"