39: Chapter 39 New Allies, An Invitation from the Underworld

"Mr. Qin, this is a 'gift' Brother Nan asked me to deliver."

The courier at the door, wearing a baseball cap, suddenly lifted his head, revealing a pair of sinister triangular eyes. He didn't hand the black package to Qin Feng; instead, right in front of him, he slid a folding knife from his sleeve and slashed hard at the seal on the package.

"Rip—"

The sound of the tape tearing was piercingly loud in the hallway.

The courier grinned, revealing teeth yellowed by smoke: "Brother Nan said this item is hot. If Mr. Qin can't handle it, you might lose your head."

Qin Feng didn't move.

He just watched the folding knife, which still had bits of tape residue on it, without even blinking.

He even yawned.

"Are you done?"

Qin Feng reached out to pick his ear, his attitude so indifferent it was like he was listening to a neighborhood auntie trying to sell eggs: "If you're done, put the thing down and get lost."

The grin on the courier's face froze.

This isn't how the script is supposed to go, right?

Shouldn't a normal person be scared weak in the knees at this display? At the very least, shouldn't they step back cautiously?

Why is he looking at me like I'm an idiot?

"You…" The courier gripped the knife tighter, veins bulging on his arm.

"Don't flash that piece of junk at my door." Qin Feng interrupted him, his eyes suddenly turning cold.

[Passive Skill Triggered: Bandit Aura (Partial Release)]

In that instant, the courier felt like he was being stared at by a ferocious beast that had crawled out of a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood.

Qin Feng was clearly just standing there, doing nothing, but the suffocating sensation washing over him made his throat go dry and his heart feel like it was being squeezed hard.

"Clang."

The folding knife fell to the ground.

The courier took three steps back, his back instantly soaked in cold sweat.

"Get out." Qin Feng spat out the words.

The courier, as if granted amnesty, scrambled toward the elevator, not daring to even turn his head.

Qin Feng curled his lip and bent down to pick up the black package on the ground.

"Tch, gangsters these days have no class. Bringing threats along with gifts."

Back inside, Qin Feng tossed the package onto the coffee table.

Pei Ji poked his head out from under the sofa, his beady eyes darting around: "Brother Feng, he's gone? What's that? A bomb?"

"Something like that."

Qin Feng tore open the packaging box.

There was no bomb inside, only an exquisite rosewood box.

Opening the box, inside lay a black and gold invitation, along with a golden… bullet.

There was only one line of wild calligraphy on the invitation:

[Tonight at eight, Longmen Teahouse, discussing the Dao over tea. — Chen Haonan]

"Holy crap!" Seeing the bullet, Pei Ji jumped three feet high from under the sofa, knocking his head hard against the corner of the coffee table, "This is a trap! Is this that Chen Haonan? The Underground Emperor of the West District, Chen Haonan?!"

Pei Ji clutched his head, his face pale: "Brother Feng, we can't go! This is a trap! These people kill without blinking. We should call the police! Or find that Xie Qingshang!"

Alice, who had been sitting by the window cleaning her gun, walked over.

She picked up the bullet and twirled it between her fingertips, a trace of disdain flashing in her azure eyes.

"9mm Parabellum pistol round, brass casing too." Alice sneered, "This is the underworld's rule: courtesy first, force later. If you don't go, this bullet will appear on your pillow tomorrow."

"Besides." Alice looked at Qin Feng, "We need allies. That Xie Qingshang has already gone mad. It's hard to escape the city-wide lockdown relying only on us."

Qin Feng leaned back on the sofa, toying with the invitation.

The black and gold cardstock felt heavy, the edges even a bit sharp.

"We're going."

Qin Feng slapped the invitation onto the table, his eyes filled with an excitement that was hard to decipher.

"Since someone is inviting us for tea, why not go? Besides, we're out of tea leaves at home."

Pei Ji almost cried: "Brother, is this about tea? This is like drinking blood!"

Qin Feng stood up and adjusted his collar.

He walked to the floor-to-ceiling mirror, looking at his slightly lazy self in the reflection, and took a deep breath.

His eyes changed in an instant.

The lethargy belonging to an ordinary citizen vanished, replaced by a heart-palpitating indifference and arrogance.

Joker, online.

"Pei Ji, get the car ready."

Qin Feng straightened his sideburns in the mirror, his tone as flat as if he were discussing what to have for dinner.

"Tonight, we're going to meet this 'Underground Emperor'."

…

Eight o'clock in the evening.

Jianghai City, West District, Longmen Teahouse.

Although this place was called a teahouse, it was never open on public review sites. There were no greeter girls at the entrance, only two two-meter-tall stone lions and two rows of burly men in black suits and sunglasses.

The whole street was deathly quiet.

Even the stray dogs passing by tucked their tails and took a detour.

"Screech—"

A beat-up wuling hongguang pulled up to the entrance, the brake pads emitting a shrill screech.

Pei Ji slumped over the steering wheel, his legs trembling: "Bro… Brother Feng, I won't go in, right? I have to watch the car… What if I get a ticket?"

"Suit yourself."

Qin Feng pushed open the car door.

The night breeze was cool, lifting the hem of his trench coat.

The two rows of men in black at the door turned their heads in unison, dozens of fierce gazes hitting him like searchlights.

If it were an ordinary person, they probably would have wet their pants by now.

But Qin Feng calmly took a pack of cigarettes from his pocket and pulled one out to hold in his mouth.

"Got a light?"

He walked up to the 1.9-meter-tall burly man in black at the front and looked up slightly.

The burly man was stunned.

He had seen countless ruthless people in his life, but he had never seen anyone dare to ask Brother Nan's top enforcer for a light at the entrance of Longmen Teahouse.

"No fire?" Qin Feng frowned, somewhat impatient.

[Bandit Aura: Deterrence bonus 300%]

The burly man looked at Qin Feng's eyes, which had no emotional fluctuations, and felt a strange chill. It was like a venomous snake had crawled down his spine.

He subconsciously took out his lighter.

"Click."

A flame flickered to life.

Qin Feng leaned in to light his cigarette, took a deep drag, and exhaled a smoke ring. In the swirling smoke, his face was somewhat blurry.

"Thanks."

Qin Feng patted the burly man's iron-like pectoral muscles and strode into the teahouse entrance.

Not until his back disappeared behind the door did the burly man come back to his senses, discovering that his palms were covered in sweat.

"Damn… What kind of person is this? Why the hell didn't I dare to move just now?"

…

Teahouse second floor, private room.

There were no luxurious decorations here, only an ancient root-carved tea table and walls covered in cold weapons.

Machetes, three-sided daggers, brass knuckles…

Each weapon seemed to carry the scent of aged blood.

Behind the tea table sat a middle-aged man in a Tang suit. He was bald, twirling a string of agarwood Buddhist beads in his hand, and had a scar running from his brow bone to the corner of his mouth, which made him look exceptionally ferocious when he smiled.

Chen Haonan.

The uncrowned king of Jianghai City's underworld.

Behind him stood four bodyguards exuding murderous aura, their hands tucked inside their jackets, clearly holding guns.

"Mr. Qin, what courage."

Chen Haonan didn't stand up, just lifted his eyelids, tilted the teapot slightly, and poured hot tea into two purple clay cups.

"Coming alone to a meeting, and in a wuling hongguang at that. In this Jianghai City, you are the only one."

Qin Feng walked over, pulled out the chair opposite, and sat down boldly.

He didn't even look at the bodyguards, his gaze falling on the teacup.

"Boss Chen is too kind."

Qin Feng reached out to pick up the teacup but didn't drink it; instead, he held it to his nose and sniffed.

Then, he frowned.

He put the teacup on the table with a crisp sound.

"Boss Chen, this tea… is a bit stale."

Qin Feng shook his head, a trace of undisguised disdain appearing on his face: "Is this your way of treating guests?"

The air froze instantly.

The four bodyguards standing behind Chen Haonan stepped forward simultaneously, ready to draw their weapons.

Daring to complain about tea in front of Brother Nan?

How is this any different from seeking death?

Chen Haonan's hand twirling the prayer beads also paused abruptly.

He stared at Qin Feng.

He looked for a full ten seconds.

But Qin Feng acted like nothing was wrong, leaning against the back of the chair, even crossing his legs, his eyes filled with a bored attitude of "everyone here is trash."

He was acting.

The [Bandit Aura] provided by the system was running at full power.

And in Chen Haonan's eyes, this was confidence!

This was the composure of a top-tier bandit!

Facing a room full of knives and guns, facing the pressure of the Underground Emperor, not only was this person not afraid, but he dared to be picky about the tea?

What did this mean?

It meant he didn't take this scene seriously at all!

It meant he was used to scenes much bigger and more ruthless than this!

"Hahaha!"

Chen Haonan suddenly burst into laughter, the sound shaking dust from the rafters.

He waved his hand, signaling his subordinates to step back.

"Good! What a Qin Feng!"

Chen Haonan personally lifted the teapot, poured out the cup in front of Qin Feng, and poured a new one: "It was my negligence. This is indeed last year's old tea. I'll have someone change it to this year's Mingqian Longjing immediately."

"No need."

Qin Feng waved his hand, picked up the newly poured tea, and took a sip.

"Boss Chen called me here, not just to taste tea, right?"

"Straightforward."

Chen Haonan put down the teapot, leaned forward, and stared intently at Qin Feng with his wild eyes.

"Mr. Qin, let's not speak in riddles. That move of yours at the convention center, I admire it."

"Jumping from thirty stories, and daring to toy with that mad dog Xie Qingshang. Having been in this business for so many years, you're the only one I admire."

Chen Haonan lowered his voice: "But I'm very curious, what kind of person are you, exactly? Or rather… which path are you from?"

Qin Feng put down the teacup.

He looked at Chen Haonan, his eyes clear to the point of being excessive.

"Me?"

Qin Feng smiled and pointed to his own unremarkable face.

"I'm just an actor."

"An actor."

Silence.

The private room was deathly silent; you could hear a pin drop.

An actor?

Are you f***ing kidding me?

What actor dares to point a real gun at the police chief's head? What actor dares to swing on a trapeze at a hundred-meter height? What actor walks into a gang's headquarters like they're strolling through a vegetable market?

Chen Haonan looked at Qin Feng's sincere face, and ten thousand thoughts flashed through his mind in an instant.

Could it be…

This is the legendary "hiding in plain sight"?

This is the highest level of disguise?

Using the most inconspicuous identity to cover up a madness capable of overturning the world?

Treating the whole city as a movie set, treating police and criminals as supporting roles, while he himself is the only director and lead actor?

This realm…

High! It's truly high!

Compared to this person, he only knows how to collect protection money and grab territory; it's practically child's play!

Chen Haonan felt a chill rush from the soles of his feet to his scalp.

He took a deep breath, stood up, cupped his hands, and bowed deeply to Qin Feng.

"I've learned something today."

Chen Haonan's tone became incomparably respectful: "Since Mr. Qin doesn't want to reveal his identity, then Haonan won't ask any more."

"In the future, in Jianghai City, no matter what play Mr. Qin is 'acting' in, as long as you need me, Chen Haonan, just say the word."

"The three thousand brothers of my Longmen Teahouse are ready to be Mr. Qin's 'extras' at any time."

Qin Feng was stunned for a moment.

This… he actually believed it?

I just told the truth, why did this big brother bow to me?

However… this misunderstanding is quite good.

"Since Boss Chen is so polite." Qin Feng didn't pretend anymore, tapping his fingers on the table twice, "I do need some things."

"Name it." Chen Haonan immediately leaned in, "Need guns? Need explosives? Or do you want me to send someone to take care of Xie Qingshang?"

Qin Feng almost choked on his own saliva.

Take care of Xie Qingshang? Big brother, don't mess around, that's attacking the police! That's a death sentence!

"No need for such big moves."

Qin Feng waved his hand, looking light and airy: "Help me get a few cars. Needed for the next scene."

"Cars?" Chen Haonan was taken aback, "What kind of cars? Ferraris? Lamborghinis?"

"No."

Qin Feng thought about the plan ahead.

"Needs to be sturdy. Preferably the kind… that can't be smashed."

"Also, needs enough power, the kind that can outrun a helicopter."

Chen Haonan's eyes lit up.

Can't be smashed? Outrun a helicopter?

This is f***ing wanting to stage an armored assault in the city!

This isn't asking for cars; this is asking for a mobile fortress!

"Understood." Chen Haonan looked fanatical, "Mr. Qin, rest assured, I happen to have a few modified off-roaders just brought back from the border. Bulletproof glass, run-flat tires, V12 engine monsters."

"They can be delivered tonight."

Qin Feng nodded with satisfaction.

This is professionalism.

This is efficiency.

This free logistics team is really great.

"The tea is not bad, just a bit hot."

Qin Feng stood up, straightened his trench coat, didn't say another word of nonsense, and turned to leave.

That detachment, that composure.

It made Chen Haonan yearn for it for a long time.

Long after Qin Feng left, Chen Haonan was still standing by the window, watching the wuling hongguang drive away, unable to recover for a long time.

"Boss."

The bodyguard nearby asked in a low voice: "Is this person… really reliable? Driving a beat-up wuling…"

"Slap!"

Chen Haonan backhanded him, slapping the bodyguard so he spun in place.

"You know nothing!"

Chen Haonan pointed outside the window, his eyes fanatical: "So what if he drives a wuling? That's keeping a low profile! That's returning to basics!"

"Didn't you see his eyes just now? That look that views all living beings as grass, you can't fake that!"

"Pass on my order! Tell the brothers to keep their eyes peeled! From now on, when you see this wuling hongguang, you all better address him as Brother Feng with respect!"

"Whoever dares to make him unhappy…"

Chen Haonan touched the scar on his face and grinned hideously.

"I'll chop them up and feed them to the dogs!"

…

In the car.

Pei Ji peeked at Qin Feng in the passenger seat while driving.

"Bro… Brother Feng, how was it? Didn't lose any arms or legs, right?"

Qin Feng closed his eyes and adjusted the seat to lie flat.

"Done."

"Do… done?" Pei Ji widened his eyes, "That's it? No shootout? No negotiation?"

"What negotiation?"

The corners of Qin Feng's mouth curled up, revealing a mischievous smile.

"I just went to have a cup of tea and incidentally borrowed a few cars from that bald brother."

"By the way, he said he'd send us some local specialties too, the bulletproof kind."

Pei Ji's hand trembled, and the wuling hongguang almost drove into the green belt.

"Holy crap! Brother Feng is awesome!"

Qin Feng ignored Pei Ji's flattery.

He looked at the neon lights flashing by outside the window, calculating silently in his heart.

Got the cars.

Got the guns (even if they are fake).

Next…

Time to prepare a real "surprise" for that advisor Xie who hasn't woken up yet.

After all, I took so many shock points from them.

If I don't turn this Jianghai City upside down.

How can I live up to the title of "SSS-level Bandit"?

[System Notification: Congratulations to the host for successfully subduing the "Underground Forces"! Villain Halo experience points + 5000.]

[Current Reputation: Master of both the underworld and the police force.]

Qin Feng listened to the notification sound in his head and rolled over.

Comfortable.

Can get a good night's sleep tonight.