<h4>Chapter 1384: Chapter 1692: Unification of North and South (Part 2)</h4>


    Finally, it’s over!


    Ling Chen closed his eyes, thinking to himself. From the God Organization to the Southern Ling Family, everything has concluded. From now on, he can finally live a peaceful life.


    "Ling Chen." At this moment, Hu Fei’s voice came through. Opening his eyes and seeing the satellite phone Hu Fei handed over, Ling Chen asked, "What’s up?"


    "Mr. He’s call, looking for you."


    Ling Chen quickly took the satellite phone and asked, "Mr. He, is there something you need me for?"


    On the other end of the line, He Ziyun asked, "When can youe back? A lot has happened at the Dragon Tiger Hall while you’ve been away."


    "I’m on the ne now, just a few hours until I arrive."


    "Alright, we’ll wait for you at the hall."


    After hanging up, Hu Fei asked curiously, "Hey! What does Mr. He need you for?"


    Ling Chen shrugged, sighing helplessly, "What else could it be? It’s always the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion that can make Mr. He this anxious. Sigh! I was nning to rx for a while, but it seems I’m destined to be busy, never a moment of leisure."


    After resting on the ne for two hours, by the time it arrived at East Sea City’s airport, Jiang Hao was already waiting with a convoy outside the airport.


    Getting into the car, Ling Chen massaged his temples and took the fast food Jiang Hao had bought, eatingrge bites. He hadn’t eaten anything sincest night, and his stomach was nearly empty.


    "Jiang Hao, how have things beentely?" Ling Chen asked casually.


    Jiang Hao was among the first to follow Ling Chen. Now, Jiang Hao and Zhao Zhengxiong are well-known figures in East Sea City, controlling the entire city’s underground forces. Initially, there was also Nanrong Hao, but since he had to take over Hongyu Group, he didn’t have the energy to manage too many things, so he withdrew.


    "Chen, don’t you trust my work?"


    Ling Chen joked with a smile, "I do trust you, but it’s important to stay alert in peaceful times. I’m worried you might get toofortable, and by the time enemies reach your doorstep, you won’t even be aware."


    "That won’t happen. Chen, I’m not idling around; I’ve been expanding our power. Besides East Sea City, the surrounding towns are under our control. I’ve discussed with Xiong, and we’re nning to continue expanding, taking over a few second-tier cities nearby." Jiang Hao spoke enthusiastically about his ns.


    However, despite Jiang Hao’s excitement, there was a trace of concern in Ling Chen’s eyes.


    "Jiang Hao, listen to me, don’t expand any further. Just hold onto East Sea City and ignore the rest."


    Hearing this, Jiang Hao asked in confusion, "Chen, why should we miss out on such a great opportunity?"


    "Underground forces are always part of the underworld, and many things can’t see the light of day. Moreover, the nation despises the underworld. Once you cross their line, the government won’t stand by idly. When that timees, you could be in danger. Do you think the government is unaware of what we’ve been doing in East Sea City? In fact, they’ve been monitoring us all along. Because you’ve been following the rules and haven’t done anything unjust, no one bothers you now. But if you step over the line, they’ll certainly cause trouble for you."


    "Really?" Jiang Hao wiped the sweat from his forehead, "Chen, you’re not trying to scare me, are you?"


    "Have I ever lied to you? In any case, just manage what you have well, and stay away from drugs, gambling, and prostitution. Otherwise, if something happens, even I won’t be able to help you. Got it?"


    Jiang Hao quickly nodded, replying, "Chen, don’t worry, I won’t do anything reckless."


    As they spoke, the convoy had already reached the headquarters of the Dragon Tiger Hall. Upon getting out of the car, Ling Chen headed straight to the Dragon Tiger Hall’s office. Upon entering, he saw He Ziyun and Tong Zhentian both present, waiting for his return.


    "Elder Tong, Mr. He, what’s the urgent matter?"


    "Recently, the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion has been causing a lot of trouble for our Dragon Tiger Hall, so we wanted to discuss with you how we could turn the situation around."


    Ling Chen curiously said, "Elder Tong, our Dragon Tiger Hall has already made a name for itself. Even if the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion follows in our footsteps, they can’t surpass us all of a sudden. Could it be... they’re using some underhanded methods again?"


    "Not really." He Ziyun chimed in, "This Su Mei is much better than Su He, she hasn’t used any tricks, but instead seems sincere, even surpassing our Dragon Tiger Hall."


    "Is that so?" Ling Chen became interested and asked, "How are they being sincere?"


    "The Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion’s foundation isparable to ours. This time, they not only opened more than a dozen martial arts academies but also offered many rare martial arts secrets. However, the most attractive is the Heavenly Mechanism Pill. You know, the Heavenly Mechanism Pill is a unique elixir of the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion, especially effective for martial artists. Besides our secrets, Dragon Tiger Hall really can’t offer anythingparable to the Heavenly Mechanism Pill. So in recent times, the recruitment rate for the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion has been several times higher than ours, and many talented individuals have been poached by them."


    Hearing this, Ling Chen’s lips curled into a smile as he said, "Who knew, the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion is willing to spend so much, even offering their Heavenly Mechanism Pill. By the way, Elder Tong, where have they opened their martial arts academies?"


    "Beijing, Jinhai City, and many first-tier cities, even here in East Sea City, there’s one not far from our Dragon Tiger Hall. This time, the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion has clearly marked us forpetition."


    Ling Chen nodded and said, "Competitions lead to progress. As long as it’s healthypetition, we’ll go along with it."


    "So how do you n to handle this matter?"


    "Well..." Ling Chen scratched his nose and said, "I have no understanding of elixirs, so asking me won’t help. Besides, elixirs aren’t something you can just concoct out of thin air; the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion has taken hundreds of years to develop the Heavenly Mechanism Pill. So, if we want topete with the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion, we’ll need something equally appealing to draw people in."


    "Elder Tong, Mr. He, how about this, let me think about it for a while. Also, I’d like to find some time to visit them."


    "Fair enough," Tong Zhentian said. "To my knowledge, Su Mei is also in East Sea City these days; you could meet with her."


    "Actually, I have a foolproof solution," He Ziyun said from the side.


    "Mr. He, what solution do you have?"


    "Isn’t the Pavilion Master of the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion somewhat interested in you? If you put in a little effort, you might win thedy’s heart. Then everything she has will be yours. Elder Tong, do you think what I’m saying makes sense?"


    Tong Zhentianughed heartily and said, "Makes sense, quite a lot of sense. Ling Chen, you should give it a try; after all, you’ve got nothing to lose."