Chapter 16: Come With Me

“The Jiang family has operations in Jianghai City as well?”
Inside the hotel suite.
Chu Qingcheng nestled on the sofa, her delicate face tinged with surprise as she looked at Jiang Chen. “No wonder they were once among the three greatest powers in the Dragon Kingdom. Even after suffering such a tremendous blow, they still possess a foundation and influence that ordinary forces could never imagine.”
In this city teeming with both good and evil, to hold so many assets and remain unscathed—clearly, the Jiang family’s strength ran deep.
“From today onward, the company will be restructured as Jiang International. You’re the general manager, responsible for all affairs on the surface,”
Jiang Chen stretched lazily, carelessly tossing her the documents. “In addition, appoint Zhao Zaiye as the chief steward of Jiang Manor. He’ll handle our security and outside operations.”
Having given his orders, he paid no mind to Chu Qingcheng’s slightly dazed expression and walked straight into the bedroom.
Standing by the window, Jiang Chen gazed out at the city’s nightscape, unable to suppress a sense of exhilaration.
If before, he had come only to retrieve the Jiang family’s ashes, then this time, it was his true step into the underworld—his journey of vengeance had begun.
He looked toward the direction of the imperial capital, his eyes calm as a still lake, yet carrying a chilling undercurrent. He murmured softly:
“Are you all prepared…”
…
The next morning, after breakfast, Jiang Chen and Chu Qingcheng boarded a private car and headed straight for Jiang Manor.
“Young master, if we’re putting down roots in Jianghai City, we’ll have to pay our respects to the local powers. There are a dozen or so groups in the outskirts—some noble families, some gangs. What’s your plan for dealing with them?”
In the driver’s seat, Zhao Zaiye glanced at the rearview mirror and grinned. “None of these groups even have a martial arts grandmaster. Only a handful have inner strength practitioners. Wiping them out would be easy.”
“In less than three days, our Jiang family could unify the whole outskirts of Jianghai City.”
“Don’t be so reckless. Jianghai City isn’t as simple as you think,”
Jiang Chen rubbed his chin with a hint of helplessness. “There are so many forces in the capital, all racking their brains to take over Jianghai City, yet none have succeeded. How could we just do as we please?”
He knew all too well that, while his personal strength might allow him to dominate the city, he had neither power nor influence—he couldn’t just go on a killing spree, could he?
Besides, now that they were stationed in Jianghai City, with the Jiang Group and Jiang Manor… there would inevitably be times when he wasn’t around.
The world of power wasn’t just about fighting and killing, after all…
“Here’s what we’ll do: tonight, host a banquet at Jiang Manor and invite all the forces from the outskirts. Let’s see if anyone is foolish enough to court death.”
Jiang Chen smiled, giving his orders in a gentle voice. “Apart from that, Qingcheng, this afternoon I’ll accompany you to the Jiang Group and we’ll overhaul the company’s management.”
“Alright.”
Chu Qingcheng nodded obediently. She understood that, as the newly appointed president of the entire group, she would have trouble commanding authority on her own. With Jiang Chen’s status as the Jiang family’s direct heir, things would go much more smoothly.
Half an hour later, their car entered Jiang Manor.
A starving camel is still bigger than a horse—the Jiang family’s estate had everything: parks, villas, buildings, all exuding an air of grandeur and luxury.
In the vast front courtyard, dozens of professional staff and members of the Dragon Squad stood in neat lines, watching the car approach.
“I heard the direct heir of the Jiang family is coming this time—a real big shot!”
“Wow, our Jianghai City branch has never attracted much attention, just a cog in the profit machine. Why would Young Master Jiang come in person?”
…
Among the crowd were some core staff from the lower ranks of the Jiang family, whispering to each other, their gazes toward the car filled with awe.
A top family from the imperial capital was no empty claim. Their assets and teams were countless.
Even a casual aristocratic family from the capital probably had a combined staff of nearly ten thousand!
Let alone a powerhouse like the Jiang family…
The car came to a stop with a soft clack. Jiang Chen stepped out with Chu Qingcheng, facing over a hundred assembled people, his expression calm, his presence commanding. “I’ve come to take up permanent residence in Jianghai City. Let’s all work together to make the branch stronger and better!”
“Yes, sir!”
Everyone straightened, responding at once.
Only Chu Qingcheng, standing to the side, felt a strange sense of unease.
Did Jiang Chen really just want to build up the Jianghai City branch? Or did he mean to rebuild the Jiang family itself—perhaps even surpass its former might…
“Zhao Zaiye, from now on you’re in charge of all planning for Jiang Manor. You may start expanding the Dragon Squad’s numbers as well. For any funding issues, go to Qingcheng—she’ll sort it out for you…”
Jiang Chen wasted no words. Among these hundred people, there were some who couldn’t be trusted, so he simply handed out assignments.
With tasks distributed, he said nothing more, leading Chu Qingcheng to the car and heading straight for the Jiang Group.
These matters needed to be dealt with quickly, or they would hamper the actions to come—especially the Jiang Group, the economic lifeline.
Their car sped through the city, and soon the soaring Jiang Group tower appeared before them.
As they pulled up to the entrance, several vice-chairmen and senior executives who had been waiting hurried forward to greet them, smiling broadly:
“Welcome, Young Master Jiang, to the Jianghai City branch—it’s our honor!”
“Young Master Jiang, so glad you could make it!”
…
The senior staff all treated Jiang Chen with utmost respect, but couldn’t help feeling some suspicion toward Chu Qingcheng.
The message from headquarters hadn’t mentioned any outsiders—could this woman have a significant background?
“Let’s go. All department heads and above, to the conference room for a meeting.”
Jiang Chen nodded and strode toward the doors.
The vice-chairmen hesitated, their faces troubled. One of them spoke up with difficulty, “Young Master Jiang, the chairman has called in sick today, and several other executives are also away for various reasons and haven’t returned to headquarters yet.”
The others muttered, not daring to speak up.
Jiang Chen paused, his steady gaze fixing on the man who had spoken. “Oh? And what is the chairman’s name?”
He wasn’t a fool. Clearly, this so-called chairman had grown used to ruling over the Jianghai City branch, and had no desire to welcome a new leader from above.
But this was always the Jiang family’s property!
The senior staff looked at each other nervously, not daring to utter a sound.
The vice-chairman who had spoken gritted his teeth. “The chairman is Xu Ziyue. After all these years, the Xu family has earned some reputation in Jianghai City…”
“So what?”
Jiang Chen raised an eyebrow and said coolly, “Any executive who failed to attend today’s meeting is to have their contract terminated immediately. Assign someone to investigate their work histories, and if any violation of rules is found, deal with it at once—no leniency!”
“Enough, follow me. Let’s get this meeting started…”