After leaving the headquarters, he didnât dare to attack Chen Jie, but within the headquarters, he had no fear because Nan Batian had his back.
Moreover, the attack was instigated by Nan Batian, who himself wanted to gauge the level of Chen Jieâs strength over the past six months.
With this probe, he had an idea.
And Chen Jie?
He knew that Qin Yingâs attack must have been instigated by Nan Batian, who wanted to test his strength. But he also wanted to test Nan Batianâs strength.
And with the previous strike, Chen Jie had gauged Nan Batianâs strength.
Stronger than himself.
Chen Jie looked at his right wrist, covered with fine frost. It wasnât even winter yet, far from when oneâs breath could turn to frost, yet Nan Batian could utilize the Mystic Ice Power to produce frost, which was terrifying, beyond what ordinary people could match.
Moreover, his Inner Strength was so strong that Chen Jie felt immense pressure. If it were just up to Chen Jieâs current skills in Stone Breaking Hand, Water Manipulation Palm, and Yang Chun Skill, he definitely could not defeat Nan Batian.
But if he used the Seventeen Dragon Capturing Palms, Chen Jie felt he was only slightly inferior to Nan Batian.
It wouldnât be easy for him to kill me, and if it came to a fight for life, Chen Jie figured he would probably get killed, while Nan Batian would end up disabled.
Both would be gravely injured, with himself suffering slightly more.
He hadnât trained long enough, although various Elixirs had assisted him, but Nan Batian also continuously used Elixirs. As the Gang Leader of the Fishing Guild, the resources he could access were superior to Chen Jieâs.
This old fellow, tough to deal with.
As Chen Jie thought this, Nan Batian was also looking at Chen Jie, his gaze filled with shock. How had Chen Jiusi progressed so quickly!
Chen Jiusi was only eighteen, yet his palm power had reached, even exceeded, Peng Shizhongâs level from back then. What kind of talent was this!
Too strong. This man must not be allowed to remain!
If given another ten years, I likely wouldnât be his match!
Nan Batian looked at Chen Jie, his gaze full of wariness.
He was like an old wolf in a pack, and Chen Jie was like a new wolf. The older wolfâs aging was an opportunity for the new wolf to rise. Both understood that a battle was inevitable.
Thinking this, Chen Jie and Nan Batian caught each otherâs gaze.
Immediately after, Nan Batian angrily said, "What are you doing, you two? Do you still act like Hall Masters? Fighting during a meeting, do you even consider me, the Gang Leader?"
"Do you think youâve grown strong wings, huh? Do you want me to hand over the position of Gang Leader to you?"
"Qin Ying!"
"This subordinate acknowledges the error."
Qin Ying immediately bowed in apology upon hearing this.
Nan Batian turned his head towards Chen Jie and said, "Chen Jiusi."
"This subordinate acknowledges the error."
Chen Jie then retracted his right hand, followed by bowing in apology.
Quietly, he circulated the Yang Chun Skill, slowly melting the frost on his right arm. Nan Batian glanced at it, said nothing, and sat back down.
Chen Jie also sat down, and Nan Batian looked at Qin Ying and said, "Go back."
"Yes."
Qin Ying immediately returned to his seat.
Nan Batian said, "Continue, Qin Ying. Why has the income of Eagle Hall decreased over the past six months? If you canât handle it, Iâll select another Hall Master!"
"Gang Leader, weâve been wronged! The income from the three streets under Eagle Hall has decreased all because of his White Tiger Hall!"
Qin Ying again pointed to Chen Jie. Chen Jie squinted his eyes and said, "Havenât had enough fighting?"
Nan Batian cleared his throat and said, "Put your hand down, Qin Ying, speak to the issue. What exactly is going on?"
Qin Ying, feeling aggrieved, sat down and said, "Gang Leader, his White Tiger Hall doesnât leave us any room to survive. As you know, Eagle Hall has always relied on gambling houses, brothels, and loans for survival."
Nan Batian remained silent, and Qin Ying continued, "Among them, loans are the most important. But to outdo us, they have offered loans at a lower interest rate, charging only a one percent interest. Gang Leader, have you heard of such low-interest rates anywhere else? Theyâre maliciously squeezing our Eagle Hall."
"Now everyone in our Eagle Hallâs territory has run to their White Tiger Hall for loans. We canât loan out a single penny. If money isnât lent out, it affects the gambling houses and brothels too. Theyâre not letting us survive!"
"Gang Leader, you must intervene. If you donât, Eagle Hall will battle it out with his White Tiger Hall, fight to the bitter end, a fight where itâs either your death or mine. If White Tiger Hall doesnât let Eagle Hall survive, they wonât survive either!"
Qin Ying once again stood up agitatedly.
At this moment, Nan Batian turned to look at Chen Jie, who calmly said, "Gang Leader, what Qin Ying says is complete nonsense. My White Tiger Hall has paid every penny due to headquarters."
"And I havenât done business in his Master Qinâs territory. I conduct my business on my own turf. How does that hinder Master Qinâs Eagle Hall? Please, Gang Leader, judge and restore my innocence."
Chen Jie calmly responded.
"Youâre lying. Offering low-interest loans is squeezing our Eagle Hall. Your actions are targeted at me. Gang Leader, stand up for me!"
"Heh, I set my own interest rates for the money I lend from my land. What concern is it of yours?"
"Chen Jiusi, donât push people too far. All of the people who used to borrow from me are now borrowing from you. Whom can I lend my money to?"
"Ah, Qin Ying, what do you mean by that? Your people coming to me for loans is my fault? If youâre upset, why donât you also lend money at an interest rate of one percent?"