"Bang!" The meeting room door swung open, and Xu Ming and Ye Xiaohou strode in, accompanied by Long Yi and several high-ranking female gang members.

"They're here!" the middle-aged man in black called out to Nakagawa Tengjun.

Nakagawa Tengjun managed a faint smile, rose from his seat, and turned to face the newcomers. "Gentlemen, hello. I am from the Nakagawa Group..."

"Haha, hello, hello! The Chairman of the Nakagawa Group, it's an honor to finally meet you!" Xu Ming said with a grin, shaking his hand.

"An honor," Ye Xiaohou echoed, shaking his hand as well, then added, "Please, have a seat so we can discuss things properly!"

Seeing their warmth, Nakagawa Tengjun felt a surge of confidence. Yet, he remained guarded, viewing the situation with necessary skepticism, for after all, the world of commerce was a battlefield where not even the slightest anomaly could be overlooked.

Once everyone was seated, Xu Ming, his face a mask of amiability, asked Nakagawa Tengjun, "May I ask what brings you to seek our company today, Chairman Nakagawa?"

"Ah, yes, it is this way." Nakagawa Tengjun nodded toward the middle-aged man in black beside him.

The man in black understood immediately and handed over the documents he held to Xu Ming, Ye Xiaohou, and the others.

"Actually, our company has recently been developing a film project, and we are looking to collaborate with you!"

Hearing Nakagawa Tengjun’s proposal, Xu Ming and Ye Xiaohou feigned surprise. "You wish to collaborate with us?"

"Indeed. Please take a look at these materials!" Nakagawa Tengjun explained patiently. "The Nakagawa Group has branches all over Shanghai, and this project we propose is quite substantial, involving a sum as high as fifty million US dollars."

"Fifty million US dollars?" Ye Xiaohou scoffed internally. This Japanese fellow seemed desperate to partner with his side.

It couldn't be denied that the Nakagawa Group had singled out Xu Ming and Ye Xiaohou specifically because of the promising trajectory of their respective companies. Moreover, he harbored ulterior motives; after all, he currently controlled only fifty percent of Shanghai's economy.

"Yes, so please take some time to consider it," Nakagawa Tengjun said. Though he had lowered his status to personally negotiate, the tone of his speech remained elevated—he was, after all, the Chairman of the Nakagawa Group.

"Mmm! We shall look," Xu Ming and Ye Xiaohou exchanged a glance, a flicker of a smile passing between them. They pretended to scan the documents superficially, taking about five minutes before setting them down on the table.

A hint of approval flashed in Nakagawa Tengjun’s eyes. Whether these two youths had truly absorbed the information or not, their ability to set the papers down so swiftly suggested composure, a trait he valued highly in business dealings.

"What do you two think?"

"Well, the project itself is sound. However, Chairman Nakagawa, may I ask you one thing?" Xu Ming said with a slight smile.

"Please do!"

"How much capital are you intending to invest?"

"You need not worry about that; funds are not an issue. The main concern is whether you can deliver the results I require."

"Heh heh," Ye Xiaohou chuckled. "Regarding this partnership your group seeks with us, could you perhaps grant us some time for deliberation?"

"Certainly, though this project is rather time-sensitive, so..."

"We understand that. How about this: we will send someone to your company tomorrow to discuss the details!"

"Very well. If that is the case, we shall not impose further. I look forward to a fruitful collaboration!" Nakagawa Tengjun stood up, seemingly utterly convinced that Xu Ming and his associates would agree to the partnership.

"We will indeed have a fruitful collaboration!" Heaven knew what Xu Ming truly meant by those words; it was certain, however, that they carried a hidden significance.

After seeing Nakagawa Tengjun off, Xu Ming and Ye Xiaohou doubled over, clutching their stomachs as they burst into roaring laughter!!!

"Damn, that little Jap is incredibly easy to fool!" Xu Ming chuckled.

"Don't underestimate him. He's probably thinking right now, trying to guess who is truly backing us," Ye Xiaohou added with a light laugh.

"Agreed. Let's go report the situation to the Boss!" Xu Ming nodded.

As Nakagawa Tengjun exited the Black Guard Company's meeting room, though his face was smiling, his mind was indeed wrestling with what Ye Xiaohou had guessed—wondering if some powerful entity truly stood behind the Black Guard and Dragon Guard.

Once settled in the car, the middle-aged man in black asked Nakagawa Tengjun, "Boss, do you think those two companies really have some tremendously influential figures supporting them?"

"There's no mistake," Nakagawa Tengjun paused before stating, "The fact that they showed absolutely no reaction to a fifty-million-dollar proposition on their very first day of business proves everything."

"Yes, that is certainly true!"

"However, none of that truly matters. I am merely more interested in the dark figure operating behind them."

"The dark figure?"

"Mmm. Perhaps once we collaborate, we might have the chance to glimpse that person's true face!" Nakagawa Tengjun said, waving a hand at the driver. "Drive on. Back to the company."

"Yes!" the driver replied, setting the car in motion.

Meanwhile, on the other side, Xu Ming and Ye Xiaohou gave Yang Yi a summary of the encounter, handing over the materials for the proposed collaboration.

"Boss, that guy is definitely arrogant, proposing a fifty-million-dollar project right off the bat!" Xu Ming reported.

"Heh heh," Yang Yi smiled noncommittally, turning to Feng Shi beside him. "Any news from Uncle Han?"

"Yes, Young Master." Feng Shi composed herself before speaking. "The Shangguan family hasn't made any major moves, but there is one thing that is rather perplexing!"

"What is it?"

"This afternoon, the Shangguan family issued an order severely restricting Shangguan Tengfei's power, forbidding him from utilizing even a shred of the family's strength until he has successfully secured the alliance with the Xuanyuan family!" Feng Shi explained.

"Hmm?" Yang Yi frowned, a bizarre smile suddenly playing on his lips. "Haha, this is getting more and more interesting."

"Boss, what... what exactly is going on here?" Ye Xiaohou asked, confused.

"Don't overthink it. The Shangguan family is currently choosing to watch the battle from the shore."

"Watching the battle from the shore?"

"Indeed. Since the Shangguan family places such importance on me, I shouldn't disappoint them!" Yang Yi smirked darkly and immediately commanded Feng Shi, "Notify Uncle Han immediately: do not miss even the slightest observation regarding the Shangguan family!"

"Yes!"

"Fourth Brother and Long Yi, you two must focus entirely on boosting the reputation and performance of both companies."

"Yes!"

"Fatty, get ready. Tally up the first batch of high-ranking Black God Gang members—we need about three thousand, all to be commercialized!"

"Got it!"

"As for Third Brother, when is your father arriving?"

"Probably the day after tomorrow at the latest," Xu Ming replied. Seeing that Yang Yi had assigned tasks to everyone except himself, he asked tentatively, "And Boss, what am I supposed to do?"

"Mmm. While you still have these couple of days in Shanghai, here's what you'll do: tomorrow, you will go to the Nakagawa Group to negotiate the details of today's project. After all, profit is paramount; the Japanese money is easy to earn."

"Understood!"

"Good!" Yang Yi paused in thought, feeling like some vital task remained unassigned. A sharp glint flashed in his eyes as he turned and waved his hand grandly. "Long Yi, immediately arrange some people for me—infiltrate the Nakagawa Enterprises. Within three days, I need a detailed report listing all their internal affairs!"

"Yes, Dragon Lord!" Long Yi responded.

"Excellent, that covers the general arrangements for now. Work hard on these tasks. Oh, and Fatty, prepare those three thousand high-ranking gang members right away; I need them immediately!"

"Right, I'll go arrange it now!" Lin Fatty replied and walked out.

"All of you go make your arrangements!" Yang Yi suddenly showed a spark of excitement in his eyes, but it vanished quickly. He waved his hand, signaling everyone to leave.

"Yes!" The group filed out, filled with curiosity.

"Yanran, you stay behind, and prepare a pot of top-grade Longjing tea for me!" Yang Yi said as he sat on the sofa, addressing Feng Shi, who had been about to exit.

"Yes!" Feng Shi replied, her heart giving a slight jolt, as if she sensed something significant.

About three minutes later, Feng Shi had brewed the tea and was about to pour it when Yang Yi stopped her.

"Let me do it. I haven't truly shown filial piety in all these years," Yang Yi said with a smile, slowly pouring the tea. Then, with a distinctly strange tone, he added, "Top-grade Longjing tea, pure and delicious, with a fragrant aroma. This is your favorite tea, isn't it? I'm not mistaken?"

"Haha, you mischievous boy!" A figure suddenly materialized eerily from thin air.

Immediately following this, six other figures appeared, watching the newcomer with tense alertness. Yang Yi frowned at the sight and shouted sternly, "Insolent!"

"Heh heh, no matter, no matter!" The arrival was an old man, his head threaded with strands of white hair, his face bearing the markings of many years etched with a gentle smile, his eyes gazing at Yang Yi with unmistakable fondness.

"It seems you have grown quite quickly over these past two years. Even the six masters of the Huaxia Dragon Ranking have submitted to your command. Very good, very good!"