A Life of Attributes Starting as a Nobleman in the Republic of China Era

Yu Ban laughed, a hint of amusement in his smile: "Aren't you afraid of getting yourself into trouble? Akutagawa has already set his sights on you. He's not done with Xu Wu yet, and now you've gone and stormed the execution ground. Chen Che, you're the eldest son of the Chen family, a young master of one of the four great families of Jinling. You have plenty of wealth and glory waiting for you. Do you really need to get involved with people like us who risk their lives?"

Chen Che stared at the leaping flames in the charcoal brazier and remained silent for a long time.

"Yu Ban, my father taught me from a young age that one must have a conscience." He spoke slowly, "When Xu Wu died, I couldn't save him. If something were to happen to Sister Su under my nose, I would never be able to get over it for the rest of my life."

He raised his head and looked at Yu Ban: "As for wealth and glory, I, Chen Che, have no shortage of them. But there are some things that are more important than wealth and glory."

Yu Ban looked at him, something changing in his eyes.

"You said the same thing as Xu Wu," he said. "When that kid joined the organization, I asked him what he wanted to do. He said he wanted to help those poor people live like human beings."

Chen Che felt a lump in his throat and turned his face away.

The room quieted down, with only the occasional crackling of the charcoal fire.

After a long while, Yu Ban stood up, walked to the window, and pushed it open a crack. A cold wind blew in, making the charcoal fire flicker.

"Chen Che, consider today's matter something we owe you." He had his back to Chen Che, his voice low. "If you need anything in the future, just ask. As long as it doesn't violate our principles, I'll risk my life to help you."

Chen Che stood up and walked to his side: "Yu Ban, I don't care about this."

"I know." Yu Ban turned around, a light shining in his cloudy old eyes. "That's why I want to tell you this even more."

The two looked at each other for a moment, and Chen Che nodded.

"Yu Ban, I have to go back. Staying out too long will arouse suspicion."

"Go ahead," Yu Ban patted his shoulder. "Be careful on the road."

Chen Che walked to the door, opened it, and a gust of cold wind rushed in. He paused, then turned around: "Yu Ban, Sister Su has arrived in Guangdong. Have someone send me a message."

"rest assured."

Chen Che stepped out the door and disappeared into the night.

Yu Ban stood at the window, watching the direction he left, and remained motionless for a long time.

Chen Che's state of mind was never one of tranquility and peace. Although Su Yanqing didn't say it, Chen Che knew that she had harbored feelings for him.

For Chen Che, this ending might be the best choice for everyone.

Outside the door, the cold wind howled.

The sound of ship horns on the Huangpu River continues, sometimes long, sometimes short.

Back at the Peace Hotel, Chen Che was somewhat downcast and worried, his melancholy evident on his face.

Sun Congzhou noticed the unusual mood in Chen Che at a glance, but he didn't ask any questions. He just accompanied Chen Che to practice the nameless stick technique a few more times.

"Che'er, you are very close to the key to the Meridian Forging Technique. Once you break through, you will be able to enter the Martial Venerable Realm." Sun Congzhou raised an eyebrow and said to Chen Che.

"Master, with your help, will I be able to break through today?" Chen Che asked.

"'Meridian Forging' is a crucial step, related to the 'Martial Venerable' realm. It's best if you proceed step by step," Sun Congzhou said with an undeniable authority. "Rushing it will only do more harm than good."

......

The next day, it was dark and quiet in Chen San and Sun Congzhou's room. Chen Che was awakened by the ringing of the telephone in the living room.

The caller was Uncle Qian, his voice clearly anxious: "Young Master, a group of Japanese have arrived at the Zhabei construction site. Do you have time to come and take a look?"

Japanese? The only person Chen Che had ever dealt with was Akutagawa, who lived downstairs. Why didn't he just go upstairs to find him? What was the meaning of barging into the Zhabei construction site?

Chen Che put down the phone, woke up Chen San, and after a quick wash, took the elevator down to the lobby.

Uncle Qian had prepared a Ford waiting for him at the door. Chen Che and Chen San jumped into the car, and the engine started up with a "putt-putt-putt".

After passing through the Bund Avenue and entering Zhabei District, and driving east for a while, pile drivers and excavators on the construction site came into view.

The car came to a stop, and Chen Che got out.

The shack area in front of us has turned into a huge pit that stretches as far as the eye can see. More than a dozen kinds of construction machinery are roaring in and out, and there are hundreds or even thousands of workers.

In the very center of the construction site, several people in yellow military uniforms were pointing and gesturing, while Uncle Qian stood beside them, bowing repeatedly.

Chen Che strode forward and saw that the leader among the Japanese was Akutagawa, who was pointing at the construction site with one hand and sternly instructing Uncle Qian on something.

Chen Che looked in the direction he pointed—dozens of workers were gathered in the center of the construction site, whispering and discussing something. In the middle of the crowd was a dark hole.

The opening was about two zhang in diameter, with edges so neat they were almost unbelievable, as if it had been cut open by some sharp weapon.

Looking inside, it was pitch black, with not a ray of light shining through.

Shanghai is the estuary where the Yangtze River meets the East China Sea. Zhabei District is located in the northeast corner of Shanghai, connecting Shanghai with Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces. It is situated by the Huangpu River and faces the East China Sea, where the energy of the land converges.

Although Zhabei District is poor and backward, in terms of feng shui, it is an important part of the "dragon's neck" in the "dragon drawing water" formation.

Uncle Qian's forehead was covered in sweat. He looked at Chen Che and said, "Young Master, yesterday evening, the excavator shoveled a hole and the ground collapsed. It was hollow underneath, and the bottom was nowhere in sight. The workers threw torches down, and the torches lit up for a while, but then went out because they couldn't reach the bottom."

Akutagawa saw Chen Che and a cold smile appeared on his lips: "Young Master Chen, you've come at the right time. You've unearthed something extraordinary at your construction site."

Chen Che nodded slightly. Xu Wu had died at Akutagawa's hands, and he found it difficult to smile at him again: "Mr. Akutagawa, this is my construction site. What brings you here?"

Akutagawa smiled, a very kind smile: "Young Master Chen is straightforward. I think we should go down and take a look together."

"Why should I?" Chen San glared.

"Based on this." Akutagawa paused, took a document from the officer beside him, and handed it to Chen Che.

Chen Che took the document and read it carefully for less than half a page before his face turned pale.

Richard had sold the Zhabei plot of land, which belonged to a British-owned trading company, to the Japanese military at a 50% premium.

Chen Che gripped the document, his knuckles turning white.

The transfer date, written clearly in black and white on the paper, was yesterday.

yesterday evening.

In other words, the land deed had already changed hands as soon as the hole was dug out on one side.

"In that case, I really have no grounds to stop Mr. Akutagawa from jointly developing this project." Chen Che handed the contract back to Akutagawa.

"Young Master!" Chen San stepped forward, but Chen Che gently stopped him with his hand.

"Young Master Chen is indeed sensible." Akutagawa handed the contract to the officer behind him, his smile deepening. "Since that's the case, then it's settled—each side will send five people to go down and investigate. Whatever is down there, it's up to each of us to see what we can do."