CH 1

Chapter 1

“Chief Jiang….” The assistant called, trembling. Ever since he entered the office and said the line ‘the other party still refuses to move’, his boss had fished out his phone and started playing a puzzle matching game. Yet that cheerful tinkling music made him break out in a cold sweat in the air conditioned room.

Jiang Chao Ge let out a hiss, eyes never moving away from the screen, long thin fingers moving rapidly. His pupils reflected the light of the phone, seeming as if there’s a bit of coldness in them, fine curled eyelashes appearing even more distinct. The high bridge of his nose also seemed to be lit by a layer of light, like an unsheathed sword, perfectly straight and sharp. Thin pursed lips transmitted an annoyed message.

The assistant’s little heart jumped, swallowing incessantly in order to relieve the nervousness in his heart. Normally, his boss greeted people with a smiling face, and was also very generous with his subordinates. In addition, he was both tall and handsome, and always spoke with a bit of sluggishness and idleness. He was simply the dream partner of all the women in the office. It was just that he had followed his boss for many years and had some understanding towards his boss’s complex background. He knew that this refined and elite image is just a layer of skin. Once he was provoked, he had seen how his boss dealt with competitors. They’ve been unable to deal with this matter of pulling down the old house and resettling it’s occupants time and time again. From the moment he stepped into the office, he was already prepared to be blamed.

Jiang Chao Ge let out a mutter of disappointment. It was evident that he had lost this round. He threw the phone on the table and looked at the assistant his chin propped up, sharp eyebrows raised slightly, “how many times have you been there?”

The assistant said in a small voice: “ Its the fourth time.”

Jiang Chao Ge tapped the surface of the table with his index finger, “The price has already been increased to this figure. He is still unwilling to move. Do you think this is a question of money?”

The assistant pressed his lips together, eyes fixed on the black diamond ring on his boss’s index finger. Such an expensive ring. He had seen his boss using it like an iron knuckle, one punch making people look for teeth all over the floor. He could not help but tremble.

Jiang Chao Ge clicked his tongue two times, “This head of yours.” He stood up.

The assistant subconsciously took a step back.

Jiang Zhao Ge stretched out his hand and pinched his neck, “What’s wrong? Afraid I’ll beat you?”

The assistant’s neck shrunk back. He shook his head furiously.

Jiang Chao Ge lowered his head and whispered beside his ear with a smile, “Why would I beat you? Don’t be afraid.” Then he patted his back.

The assistant nodded stiffly, still feeling as if his back gave off a cold air.

“Let the driver prepare the car, I will personally go meet him.” Jiang Chao Ge opened his long legs and strode out the door with large strides.

“Yes.”

Jiang Chao Ge got out of the car, and inspected the large residential area in front of him that was to be demolished, like a king inspecting his own territory.

After going through many challenges for so many years, this old city district transformation project will push his career to new heights. With the olive branches that the government continually threw out, huge loans and strong business partners that came to your door, one can predict more than 4 billion dollars in net profit and more room for unpredictable profit. He will become the most radiant young upstart in Dong Ping City. Who would’ve thought that 10 years ago, Jiang Chao Ge was still a small pickpocket on the streets.

At the moment, the project had encountered a small obstacle— a considerably stubborn ‘nailed down’ household who wouldn’t relocate no matter what. Succeeding in this important matter was originally beset with difficulties. Jiang Chao Ge did not take it to heart. When a problem arose, the problem would be solved. Nobody can stop him rising in the world.

With the assistant and the body guard clustered around him, he entered the residential area. It had just rained. The broken construction site had mud everywhere. His handmade leather boots from Italy was very quickly stained dirty. This time, how come he can’t even live up to a pair of boots, he thought.

Only after walking for almost ten minutes did they find the old fashioned quadrangle dwelling in the messy residential area.

The bodyguard was about to aggressively pound at the door when Jiang Chao Ge stopped him, went up and softly knocked at the door three times. Although this house appeared unremarkable, Jiao Chao Ge recognised with one glance that the front door was made of pink ivory wood. He had bought and sold wood a few years ago. People who dare take this type of wood to make the front door definitely aren’t an ordinary person. No wonder they turned their noses up at his money.

Soon, the front door opened, and a pretty little girl poked her head out, her face alert and impatient, “I already said we won’t move, don’t come anymore!”

Jiang Chao Ge smiled warmly, and said politely, “Hello, I’m the chairman of Chao Ge Group, the surname is Jiang. Some of my subordinates visited a few times before. There may have been a few misunderstandings with what was said. I came here today especially to apologise. Moreover I hope I’m able to properly communicate with the owner of this house.”

The little girl hesitated. Looking at Jiang Chao Ge’s handsome face, a faint blush suddenly appeared on both cheeks. She frowned and said, “There’s nothing more to communicate, Grandpa said he definitely won’t move.

Jiang Chao Ge smiled and said, “You are unwilling to move. We will not give up so easily for the overall harmony of the new district. This stalemate does not bring any benefits to both sides. I am the person with the final say in this project. I came here today to communicate a means both parties can accept.”

The little girl still wants to say something. A voice sounded from inside the house. Let them in.

The little girl opened the door. Jiang Chao Ge left the bodyguard and the assistant outside the door and strolled in by himself.

Stepping into the yard, Jiang Chao Ge suddenly felt a indescribable feeling, like there was something in this house that was attracting him making him feel a flash of shock.

The courtyard was very spacious, full of flowers, plants and greenery. The little rock bridge was unique and elegant. The pool used to raise koi was beside the small wayside pavilion. The red gold koi swam amongst the lotus leaves. The two rowed quadrangle dwelling in front of his eyes had green eaves and vermillion pillars. The eaves turned upwards like wings in flight, with an air of great antiquity.

Looking at such an elegant old residence, even Jiang Chao Ge felt a bit like he couldn’t bear to tear it down. There was no knowing how old this old residence was. It truly was a bit of a shame to destroy it. However, he was a businessman seeking nothing but profit. In his mind, this piece of land was currently spouting out gold.

Jiang Chao Ge was led into the main house.

The sharp eyed old man that sat on the old fashioned wooden armchair should be the head of household. There are also two youngsters in the house, both with a dignified appearance. While they wore ordinary clothes, to Jiao Chao Ge who had practised martial arts before, one glance is enough to tell that they both also practiced martial arts. He felt very puzzled in his heart. It seemed that before setting out, he should’ve first found someone to investigate the background of this family. He intuitively thought that this was not an ordinary family.

The old man looked at him expressionlessly.

Jiang Chao Ge still didn’t feel awkward, and first introduced himself, then brought up the purpose of this visit.

The old man said coldly, “Boss Jiang, what you want to say, the people you sent have already said it countless times. My answer is still the same. I’m not moving. I’m not moving no matter what. This old residence holds a special meaning to me. It’s not something that can be measured with money.”

Jiang Chao Ge smiled, “Old gentleman, the times are changing. This type of generational change will happen sooner or later. The government plans to turn this place into a new city district. It is of great significance to the image of the city. At that time, a single old residence placed in the midst of an expanse of modern buildings is not only awkward for other people to look at, it will also be uncomfortable for you to live in. When the old city is rebuilt, the original water supply, electricity supply, gas supply and draining of sewerage will all be greatly changed. You will definitely be faced with long periods of time without water, electricity, gas, sewage and waste material won’t be drained. Even if special infrastructure is especially built for this house later on, your transformed facilities won’t be able to keep up with the many high rise buildings beside you. It’ll be endlessly troublesome once it’s summer. If you still insist on not moving today, you will definitely come to regret it later.”

The old man said coldly, “This doesn’t need your concern.”

The smile on Jiang Chao Ge’s face remained unchanged but his eyes were already cold. He casually picked up an ornament carved from bone from the tea table and played with it, and indifferently said, “Old gentleman, you must also somewhat consider the younger generation. I’m determined to win at this project. If I can’t persuade you today, I may come back tomorrow. However there’s a limit to my patience and energy. Old gentleman, why would you allow an entire family to ‘have no peace’ for the sake of a house?”

This was already a threat. The old man let out a heavy snort and the two young people stood up. Jiang Chao Ge squeezed the bone ornament in his hands, his eyes as ferocious as wolves and tigers, and looked at them with a sneer, strong hostility rising in his heart. This was not yet the last resort. He didn’t want to use the special trick, but this family of people truly refused to submit until they were forced to. He, Jiang Chao Ge, was not so easy to dismiss.

Suddenly, he felt the palm of his hand grow hot, and saw a flash of white light from the corner of his eye. He lowered his head abruptly, feeling as if that white light had emitted from the palm of his hand.

In the instant he lowered his head, the expressions of the other people in the house all changed. The old man stared at him, surprise flashing across his eyes.

Jiang Chao Ge opened his palm. That bone ornament was carved into the shape of an ox head from the bone of an unknown animal. It was roughly crafted and didn’t seem like anything valuable. It was out of place amongst the many other antiques in the house. Its also strange when you think about it. There are many other ornaments made from animal bone arranged in this house, all of different size and shape. He had never seen any rich and influential family that liked to use large amounts of animal bone to decorate their home. This was probably one of the reasons he thought this old residence was strange.

There was nothing special about that ox head shaped bone ornament, let alone the possibility that it could emit light. For a moment, he felt a bit dazed. Could that flash of light from earlier really be because of his eyesight?

The attitude of the old man suddenly changed, “Boss Jiang, why don’t we talk in detail in the inner room?”

Jiang Chao Ge frowned, “I think I saw something give off light just now, did you see it?”

The old man’s expression was calm, “What was giving off light?”

Jiang Chao Ge put the bone ornament down, rubbed his eyes hard and felt that he must’ve played too much games these past couple of days. He stood up, “Please.”

The old man took him into the tea room and poured him a cup of tea.

Jiang Chao Ge had misgivings in his heart. He’d always thought the matter was somewhat strange. Ever since he entered the tea room, the old man’s gaze on him had become very strange, as if he was scrutinising something. Yet the closer he got to the heart of the of the old residence, the stronger that feeling of yearning for something grew. Although he was pretty addicted to money, it couldn’t go as far as to have such a big response to it.

The old man asked, “Boss Jiang, do you know why we must protect this old residence?”

Jiang Chao Ge did not respond. He had already been prepared to listen to an old and lengthy story.

The old man looked at him, eyes blazing like torches, “Because the post that links to that world is here.”

Jiang Chao Ge was dumbfounded for a moment and didn’t immediately react. Once his soul returned, he felt as if there was something wrong with the head of this old man.

The old man smiled mysteriously, “The reason for the existence of this post, is just to allow us to look for people like you.”

Jiang Chao Ge looked at him for two seconds and suddenly snorted with laughter. He laughed, “Old Gentleman, I’ve fought against many ‘nailed down’ households for the sake of this project. You are the most stubborn one, the one that gave me the most peculiar reason. Even I can’t help but admire you. Hahahahaha!”

The old man shook the teacup in his hands and smiled lightly, “Boss Jiang, I can only send you there, but I don’t know where you’ll be sent. The path you walk in the future shall depend on you.”

Jiang Chao Ge was already a bit angry in his heart. He felt that he’d wasted an entire afternoon talking to an old madman, it really wasn’t worth it. It might be more efficient to grab one of his grandsons and break one of their legs. He stood up, “Old gentleman, it looks like it is no longer necessary for us to keep talking.”

With a flash of the old man’s wrist, a cup of hot tea spilled towards Jiang Chao Ge. Jiang Chao Ge dodged in an attempt to avoid it, yet that cup of tea water suddenly changed into an amber coloured liquid wall in mid air. His body was sucked into the liquid wall by a huge force.

Jiang Chao Ge gave a huge shout, his eyes filled with fear. He struggled with all his might yet he simply could not resist that force. Under the calm watch of the old man, his body passed through the liquid wall and suddenly dropped.

He shouted loudly, and felt that he was about to fall to his death.

With a loud thump, his back touched the ground first, making him see stars, the fall almost scattering his bones. He rolled into a ball on the ground and shouted twice in pain.

He heard sharp intakes of breath from around him.

He held back his pain and slowly opened his eyes. His already confused brain become almost petrified.

Countless pairs, countless pairs of eyes stared at him without blinking.

Jiang Chao Ge got up from the ground, trembling, shocked by the sight in front of his eyes.

iron knuckle/铁指虎- I honestly don’t know how to translate this. It seems to roughly be something u hit people with so I called it an iron knuckle.

Olive branches/ 橄榄枝- this literally means olive branches. I think there’s a different meaning to it but I’m not sure

quadrangle dwelling/四合院- a compound with houses around a square courtyard. Kinda a unique type of Ancient building in china

refused to submit until they were forced to/敬酒不吃吃罚酒- it literally means to refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit. Basically means they hesitate to do something unless forced to.

Please/请- in this context it kinda means like after you or something along those lines.