Wiping the cold sweat from his hand hidden under the table, Han Dongxu forced himself to remain calm and asked a question.

"Wasn't my meaning clear enough already?" Xu Fan still wore that smiling face, but Han Dongxu, who had witnessed his strength, now felt that this smile could be fatally penetrating!

"Don't you think that this is rather excessive," he asked.

"Or do you think you have the strength to oppose the Qing Gang?"

In control of the Qing Gang, Han Dongxu had never encountered such a thorny opponent. The individuals present were all prominent figures in the Qing Gang. Han Dongxu had no choice but to bite the bullet and slapped the dagger, which had just been presented to him by his subordinates, onto the table!

"Strength isn't something you can prove just by talking about it."

The corners of Xu Fan's mouth lifted slightly, and after drinking the clear wine from his cup, he reached for the dagger that Han Dongxu was pressing with his hand.

"You!"

Even though Song Xiaozhu tried his best to resist, he was still effortlessly disarmed by Xu Fan, who casually snatched the dagger away.

"Hmm, a black blade? The craftsmanship is quite decent," Xu Fan commented as he held the dagger in his hand, swishing it out of its sheath to admire it for a moment before murmuring in appreciation.

Then, with his thumb and index finger pinched together, he flicked the sharp edge of the blade lightly with a 'ding' sound.

This was but an ordinary action, yet the result it caused was so shocking that everyone around him gaped in astonishment!

The previously razor-sharp dagger, with just that light flick, suddenly snapped into pieces!

Bits of the blade clattered and fell onto the table with a series of clangs!

"This..."

So astonished was Han Dongxu that he found himself at a loss for words, as if a large fishbone was stubbornly lodged in his throat.

Just a while ago, everyone here had been discussing how incredibly sharp and resilient this black dagger was. His subordinates had told him that it had been specially forged by a master craftsman, able to slice through iron as if it were mud, and Han Dongxu had even tested it...

But now, this black blade that he had so revered, with a mere flick from Xu Fan, was broken into pieces. What did that represent?

Han Dongxu shook his head; he didn't dare naively think that his subordinates had deceived him...

If he were to put on an act of bravado today, his fate would certainly be no better than this dagger's...

Recalling his previous arrogant attitude towards Xu Fan, Han Dongxu felt his kimono soaking with cold sweat in an instant.

"Hmm? Mr. Han Dongxu, did you understand what I just said?" Xu Fan inquired.

"This..."

Han Dongxu was extremely conflicted at this moment, uncertain of what choice to make.

To submit to him would mean betraying the Crown Prince Party and even becoming an enemy of the entire Shanghai's families. Han Dongxu thought the risk was too high...

Indeed, his strength was far superior to his own, and even now, if Xu Fan wished, he could take Han Dongxu's life at any moment.

But the major families in Shanghai had been entrenched for a long time; how could they not have a few tricks up their sleeve?

Han Dongxu understood the principle of mutual dependence well.

But what use was it to think about all this now?

Han Dongxu gave a wry smile, thinking what use was there in refusing? He would probably be dead by now...

Taking a deep breath, Han Dongxu made up his mind. He looked at Xu Fan earnestly and said, "Since you hold Han Dongxu of the Qing Gang in such high regard, from today onward, I, Han Dongxu of the Qing Gang, will follow your lead!"

"This..."

All members of the Qing Gang present in the private room were taken aback, not knowing what to say.

The Han Dongxu who once carried himself with proud defiance, who had led the Qing Gang to carve out a place for themselves in Shanghai's family-dominated city, finally bowed his prideful head.

Perhaps, this could be an opportunity for the Qing Gang to rise again.

At this moment, everyone glanced at Han Dongxu, then knelt on one knee towards Xu Fan.

"The Qing Gang follows only your lead!"

The people in this room, who could represent half of the Qing Gang's power, were now submitting to him, and Xu Fan couldn't help but reveal a smile.

The effect of today's endeavor had indeed been achieved.

"Sir, do you have any orders for us now?"

The Qing Gang, now in good terms with the Crown Prince Party, may seem to sit jointly with the major powers, but Han Dongxu knew very well that this was only superficial glamour.

To Ke Longxiang and his ilk who were born with silver spoons, his brothers who gambled their lives were merely seen as canine teeth.

And the other powers, seemingly calm on the surface, who wasn't calculating every day when they could trample on one another?

Han Dongxu didn't want to be a fawning lapdog in front of the rich, nor did he want to be a frog at the bottom of a well, forever reveling with a few courtesans.

He wanted to climb higher! He also wanted to restore the Qing Gang's glory of old so that his successors would remember the name Han Dongxu.

Otherwise, when he would join the ranks of the dead, how could he face the old Gang Leader who had entrusted the Qing Gang to him?

Through years of effort, Han Dongxu realized his limitations, but at this moment, a stronger force had emerged before him.

What he couldn't do, he could, and Han Dongxu felt that today, he might have bet on the right treasure.

"There's nothing particular for you to do at the moment, only one thing, I don't want today's events to be known by anyone else,"

Xu Fan ordered at this time.

At this moment, throughout Shanghai, aside from the group inside this room, nobody knew that the Qing Gang had switched allegiance to him, an outsider.

Military tactics demand cunning moves, and Xu Fan did not want to expose this hidden chess piece too soon.

"Rest assured, should anyone dare to leak today's events, I, Han Dongxu, will be the first to serve your justice!"

Standing on the same side as Xu Fan, Han Dongxu deeply understood the importance of keeping today's events confidential, and he spoke with a somber face and utmost seriousness.

"If there's a leak, I'm ready to accept the punishment of three cuts and six holes!"

Everyone present declared their resolve.

At this time, a trusted aide whispered something into Han Dongxu's ear.

Hearing the reminder from his confidant and seemingly realizing something, Han Dongxu furrowed his brows and said, "I will handle this matter when the time comes."

Without further questioning on this issue, having achieved his objective, Xu Fan breathed a sigh of relief and rose to his feet, saying, "Alright, if there's anything I need you to do, I will arrange it in due time."

"Let's end things here for today."

Halting the group led by Han Dongxu who were ready to see him out, Xu Fan then stood up and left the private room alone.

After exiting the tavern, he crossed the street and returned to where his car was parked.

He then opened the car door and sat down.

"Did you see Han Dongxu?"

At this time, Li Qinghe, sitting in the passenger seat, turned her head to look at Xu Fan.

From the moment Xu Fan had entered the tavern to his return, it had been only around ten minutes.

How could such significant negotiations be resolved in merely ten minutes?

Li Qinghe held no hopes for the outcome of Xu Fan's endeavor today.

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