"Of course . She's such a cute little girl . I believe that she doesn't know anything . " The old man nodded and spoke to Zhang Xuan with a smile, "Cute little princess, I have to talk to your brother for a while . Why don't you go inside and have some ice cream? Your brother won't be mad at you . "

Zhang Xingxing's face turned numb, but he still nodded earnestly and forced a smile . "Yes, big brother won't be mad . Be a good girl, Xuan Xuan . "

"Ok," the girl said, nodding unhappily . A lady in a red suit led the girl inside .

"Relax . You follow the rules, and I'll follow the rules," the old man said while mildly blowing at the tea leaves . "However, if you don't follow the rules…then don't blame me for using any means necessary . "

The words "any means necessary" sounded particularly clear, however, in Zhang Xingxing's mind; it was like thunder roaring through his ears .

"I…I haven't done anything . I only talked to him for a little bit . "

"That's why you're still here . Talking to me . " The old man raised his teacup and took a sip . He then raised his head, smiled, and said, "My name is Ji Hanwu . What do you say you work for me?"

"You…" Zhang Xingxing was stunned . In his line of work, with his vast information network, it was impossible not to have heard of Ji Hanwu . But he never would have imagined that Ji Hanwu would choose to use him instead . "You're not going to kill me?"

"There are three religions and nine schools of thoughts . As long you are a person, you have value," Ji Hanwu said calmly . "Killing is the easiest method, but at the same time, it's also the most wasteful method . "

Zhang Xingxing held himself back from asking dumb questions like whether Ji Hanwu was afraid that he would betray him . For a person like him to join Ji Hanwu's ranks, it was a given that there would be methods to restrain him . It might be a type of drug, or perhaps a kind of locust .

Everyone was smart, and everyone knew it .

. . .

"So, that's what happened…Boss . " Zhang Xingxing did not know how to address Ji Hanwu, but his pause had gone on way too long, so he had awkwardly blurted out the word "boss . "

"In the future, you can call me Chairman Ji like everyone else," Ji Hanwu said casually .

"Yes, Chairman Ji . "

"The mayor of the city base of Jinling, Han Yuanming . " Ji Hanwu repeated it a few times . Finally, an eerie smile appeared on his face . When he received information stating that someone was investigating Gao Peng, he always a.s.sumed it was something big . He never would have thought that it would be for such a reason .

If it were before the Cataclysm, no matter how large his group was, he would be helpless against the mayor of a city base .

But the Cataclysm had changed everything .

The rules of the game that governed the world had changed completely, and those changes were still constantly evolving—into something much worse .

From a certain perspective, the strongest batch of monster trainers were gradually turning into the rule makers of the new world .

"Chairman Ji, do you want to get rid of Han Yuanming?"

"No . " Ji Hanwu shook his head . "Leave Han Yuanming for Little Peng to handle himself . This incident occurred because of him, so he'll be the one to end it . It will give him a sense of accomplishment . "

"Yes . " Zhang Xingxing nodded .

"However, there is one thing that I agree with . Little Peng taking part in this compet.i.tion is really a waste of his time," Ji Hanwu said mildly .

"Huh?" Zhang Xingxing seemed confused .

"I will look for an opportunity to talk to him about it," Ji Hanwu said, looking outside the window .

It had been four years since they last met .

The cafe turned silent for a brief moment .

. . .

After returning to the hotel, Gao Peng let Dumby return to the backyard of the hotel to rest before heading inside .

Gao Peng's footsteps slowed as walked into the hotel . Around 70 or 80 people were gathered in front of the hotel reception area . He a.s.sumed it was some group's or company's dinner or gathering, so he ignored it and continued to the elevator .

After returning to his room, Gao Peng rested his head on the pillow before gradually falling asleep .

The next day, as Gao Peng was still asleep, a sudden knock came from the door .

Knock . Knock, knock . Knock . Knock, knock .

It had a regular pattern, rhythmic .

But Gao Peng was sound asleep, and the knocking did not wake him for some time . Finally, the persistent rhythm roused him from his dreams .

He rolled around on his bed and tried to get up, but he was pulled back by the soft and comfortable blankets . Gao Peng groaned weakly, saying, "I don't need any housekeeping . "

"It's not nice for a young man to constantly oversleep," came a powerful voice from outside the door .

Gao Peng's eyes opened instantly, and his heart raced .

He jumped out of his bed, turned his head, and stared blankly toward the direction of the door in disbelief . He was shocked, worried that what he had just heard was an illusion .

Knock . Knock, knock .

Gao Peng ran to the door without bothering to put on his slippers and looked through the peephole .

A muscular old man wearing baggy white Han traditional clothing stood outside the door, his neat white hair slicked back . He looked into the peephole, locked eyes with Gao Peng as if he had noticed Gao Peng's gaze, and smiled .

Upon confirming the face of the old man, Gao Peng lips curled upward into a smile almost instantaneously . He immediately opened the door, yelling, "Grandpa!"

Gao Peng rushed outside and hugged Ji Hanwu .

Ji Hanwu laughed heartily and patted Gao Peng's back . As he looked down and saw that Gao Peng had not even bother to put on his slippers, he couldn't help but lecture him, saying, "You're still a barefooted boy after all these years? Next time, wear your slippers before coming out . "

Gao Peng didn't answer . He just hummed, his eyes remaining tightly shut, his nose beginning to run as emotions overwhelmed him .

No one knew how a child who had lost both parents survived after the Cataclysm . Uncle Liu had only moved in next to him a year after the Cataclysm, and Gao Peng never really made any friends . He had been so lonely for so long .

"Okay, okay . Grandpa is back now," Ji Hanwu consoled Gao Peng with a soft voice . "As long as Grandpa is still around, no one can bully you!"

No matter how mature a person was when in front of a blood-related elder, one was still a kid .

A few people stood at the end of the corridor, but they quietly averted their gaze from the scene in front of them . It was the first time they had seen such a gentle chairman . They weren't sure of the consequences for witnessing such a scene, so it was best for them to not see it all .

Gao Peng and Ji Hanwu walked into the room and closed the door .

Ji Hanwu sat on the wicker chair beside the window and cheerfully said to Gao Peng, "Grandpa also saw your performance during the compet.i.tion . You did great! You were smart and courageous . "

Gao Peng knew himself better than anyone . Normally he would dismiss such praise after cheekily admitting to it, but hearing his grandpa praise him made him somewhat embarra.s.sed .

"To preserve yourself is the best success," Ji Hanwu said and smiled . "There is nothing to be embarra.s.sed about . You're just like your grandpa . When I first started the Southern Sky Group, I also took a step back in many matters .

"You have to remember, the reason you pull back your fist is so that you can throw out a stronger punch later!"

. . . . Of course . Shes such a cute little girl . I believe that she doesnt know anything . The old man nodded and spoke to Zhang Xuan with a smile, Cute little princess, I have to talk to your brother for a while . Why dont you go inside and have some ice cream? Your brother wont be mad at you . Zhang Xingxings face turned numb, but he still nodded earnestly and forced a smile . Yes, big brother wont be mad . Be a good girl, Xuan Xuan . Ok, the girl said, nodding unhappily . A lady in a red suit led the girl inside . Relax . You follow the rules, and Ill follow the rules, the old man said while mildly blowing at the tea leaves . However, if you dont follow the rules…then dont blame me for using any means necessary . The words any means necessary sounded particularly clear, however, in Zhang Xingxings mind; it was like thunder roaring through his ears . I…I havent done anything . I only talked to him for a little bit . Thats why youre still here . Talking to me . The old man raised his teacup and took a sip . He then raised his head, smiled, and said, My name is Ji Hanwu . What do you say you work for me? You… Zhang Xingxing was stunned . In his line of work, with his vast information network, it was impossible not to have heard of Ji Hanwu . But he never would have imagined that Ji Hanwu would choose to use him instead . Youre not going to kill me? There are three religions and nine schools of thoughts . As long you are a person, you have value, Ji Hanwu said calmly . Killing is the easiest method, but at the same time, its also the most wasteful method . Zhang Xingxing held himself back from asking dumb questions like whether Ji Hanwu was afraid that he would betray him . For a person like him to join Ji Hanwus ranks, it was a given that there would be methods to restrain him . It might be a type of drug, or perhaps a kind of locust . Everyone was smart, and everyone knew it . . So, thats what happened…Boss . Zhang Xingxing did not know how to address Ji Hanwu, but his pause had gone on way too long, so he had awkwardly blurted out the word boss . In the future, you can call me Chairman Ji like everyone else, Ji Hanwu said casually . Yes, Chairman Ji . The mayor of the city base of Jinling, Han Yuanming . Ji Hanwu repeated it a few times . Finally, an eerie smile appeared on his face . When he received information stating that someone was investigating Gao Peng, he always a.s.sumed it was something big . He never would have thought that it would be for such a reason . If it were before the Cataclysm, no matter how large his group was, he would be helpless against the mayor of a city base . But the Cataclysm had changed everything . The rules of the game that governed the world had changed completely, and those changes were still constantly evolving—into something much worse . From a certain perspective, the strongest batch of monster trainers were gradually turning into the rule makers of the new world . Chairman Ji, do you want to get rid of Han Yuanming? No . Ji Hanwu shook his head . Leave Han Yuanming for Little Peng to handle himself . This incident occurred because of him, so h.e.l.l be the one to end it . It will give him a sense of accomplishment . . . . . Yes . Zhang Xingxing nodded . However, there is one thing that I agree with . Little Peng taking part in this compet.i.tion is really a waste of his time, Ji Hanwu said mildly . Huh? Zhang Xingxing seemed confused . I will look for an opportunity to talk to him about it, Ji Hanwu said, looking outside the window . It had been four years since they last met . The cafe turned silent for a brief moment After returning to the hotel, Gao Peng let Dumby return to the backyard of the hotel to rest before heading inside . Gao Pengs footsteps slowed as walked into the hotel . Around 70 or 80 people were gathered in front of the hotel reception area . He a.s.sumed it was some groups or companys dinner or gathering, so he ignored it and continued to the elevator . After returning to his room, Gao Peng rested his head on the pillow before gradually falling asleep . The next day, as Gao Peng was still asleep, a sudden knock came from the door . Knock . Knock, knock . Knock . Knock, knock . It had a regular pattern, rhythmic . But Gao Peng was sound asleep, and the knocking did not wake him for some time . Finally, the persistent rhythm roused him from his dreams . He rolled around on his bed and tried to get up, but he was pulled back by the soft and comfortable blankets . Gao Peng groaned weakly, saying, I dont need any housekeeping . Its not nice for a young man to constantly oversleep, came a powerful voice from outside the door . Gao Pengs eyes opened instantly, and his heart raced . He jumped out of his bed, turned his head, and stared blankly toward the direction of the door in disbelief . He was shocked, worried that what he had just heard was an illusion . Knock . Knock, knock . Gao Peng ran to the door without bothering to put on his slippers and looked through the peephole . A muscular old man wearing baggy white Han traditional clothing stood outside the door, his neat white hair slicked back . He looked into the peephole, locked eyes with Gao Peng as if he had noticed Gao Pengs gaze, and smiled . Upon confirming the face of the old man, Gao Peng lips curled upward into a smile almost instantaneously . He immediately opened the door, yelling, Grandpa! Gao Peng rushed outside and hugged Ji Hanwu . Ji Hanwu laughed heartily and patted Gao Pengs back . As he looked down and saw that Gao Peng had not even bother to put on his slippers, he couldnt help but lecture him, saying, Youre still a barefooted boy after all these years? Next time, wear your slippers before coming out . Gao Peng didnt answer . He just hummed, his eyes remaining tightly shut, his nose beginning to run as emotions overwhelmed him . No one knew how a child who had lost both parents survived after the Cataclysm . Uncle Liu had only moved in next to him a year after the Cataclysm, and Gao Peng never really made any friends . He had been so lonely for so long . Okay, okay . Grandpa is back now, Ji Hanwu consoled Gao Peng with a soft voice . As long as Grandpa is still around, no one can bully you! No matter how mature a person was when in front of a blood-related elder, one was still a kid . A few people stood at the end of the corridor, but they quietly averted their gaze from the scene in front of them . It was the first time they had seen such a gentle chairman . They werent sure of the consequences for witnessing such a scene, so it was best for them to not see it all . Gao Peng and Ji Hanwu walked into the room and closed the door . Ji Hanwu sat on the wicker chair beside the window and cheerfully said to Gao Peng, Grandpa also saw your performance during the compet.i.tion . You did great! You were smart and courageous . Gao Peng knew himself better than anyone . Normally he would dismiss such praise after cheekily admitting to it, but hearing his grandpa praise him made him somewhat embarra.s.sed . To preserve yourself is the best success, Ji Hanwu said and smiled . There is nothing to be embarra.s.sed about . Youre just like your grandpa . When I first started the Southern Sky Group, I also took a step back in many matters . You have to remember, the reason you pull back your fist is so that you can throw out a stronger punch later!