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

In December, Shanghai was blanketed in heavy snow. If you spread your fingers in front of your eyes, your eyebrows and eyes would be wet with snowflakes, making it difficult to see anything clearly.

The Peace Hotel was brightly lit, exuding brightness and warmth. Under the lamplight, people were scattered about, jostling each other in the dance floor.

Today is Christmas Eve. Chen Che, Chen San, and Sun Congzhou attended the Christmas party at Huagong Center. After a few rounds of drinks, the group, slightly tipsy, started dancing to the music.

The lazy, comfortable environment was just like the atmosphere at the Paramount nightclub a few months ago, which reminded Chen Che of Su Yanqing.

As Chen Che was immersed in a somewhat sentimental nostalgia, the doors of Huagong Pavilion suddenly opened, and five or six burly men dressed in tight-fitting clothes and mink coats walked in. The one in the lead was none other than Zhang Xiaolin, the head of the Shanghai Six-Thirty Hall.

Six and a Half Hall is the second largest gang in Shanghai. Although the gang power in Shanghai isn't as glamorous or easily discernible, everyone knows that Six and a Half Hall is indeed the second largest gang in Shanghai.

Zhang Xiaolin walked into Huagongxuan and sat down in the head seat.

The Christmas party was a private gathering, and several waiters immediately came up to inquire. Before they could even get to Zhang Xiaolin's side, they were pushed aside by several of his gang members. One waiter who tried to argue was slapped and, covering his face, was pushed to the phone to pick it up, intending to call the front desk security.

Chen Che walked over to the man, gently put down the phone, and said, "It's alright, you can go and rest for a bit." The security guard looked at Chen Che gratefully. This young master not only never caused trouble, but also treated his servants well. Everyone in the restaurant was sincerely convinced of his worth.

Chen Che walked to Zhang Xiaolin's side. Several of his gang members tried to stop him, but Chen Che gave them a cold look and infused them with an invisible "intention." The men were all startled and unconsciously took a few steps back. This "intention" was a profound martial art technique; the gang members felt as if they were "standing naked in the snow and not knowing why they were cold," completely bewildered and unable to defend themselves.

Chen Che sat opposite Zhang Xiaolin, cupped his hands in greeting, and said, "May I ask your esteemed name? We're hosting a private banquet here; I wonder where we've offended any of the underworld brothers?"

Zhang Xiaolin glanced sideways, his eyes sweeping over Chen Che as he sized him up. A cold smile played on his lips, making the scar on Chen Che's face appear even longer. He said, "Come and get to know Chen Che, the young master of the Chen family?"

"It is indeed I," Chen Che said, his eyes indifferent and expressionless.

"I heard you're planning to set up a fighting arena in Shanghai, not only publicly selecting disciples on behalf of the Central Martial Arts Academy, but also sending invitations to several major martial arts schools and families in Shanghai to participate?"

Chen Che coldly replied, "That is indeed the case. I truly do not know how this matter has caught your attention. What shortcomings have we incurred in our hospitality that allowed you to bring your men into our banquet and cause trouble for the staff of my Peace Hotel?"

Zhang Xiaolin grinned and said, "I will never change my name or surname. My surname is Zhang, and my given name is Xiaolin. I am the head of the Six and a Half Hall, and more than 20,000 disciples in the hall follow me to make a living."

At this point, a sly glint appeared in his eyes: "Speaking of which, I haven't thanked Young Master Chen enough for helping me take down the Green Gang. If it weren't for this whole thing, my plans in Shanghai wouldn't have gone so smoothly."

As soon as Zhang Xiaolin finished speaking, a murmur immediately broke out in the room.

"Is this Zhang Xiaolin from the Six and a Half Hall? No wonder he's so unreasonable."

"The Six and a Half Hall and the four major families have always kept to themselves, so why are they having this dispute today?"

"Young Master Chen won't stoop to their level. With Master Sun here today, I hope they'll back down."

The Six and a Half Hall is the darkest and most sinister existence in the legends of Shanghai. It is said that the eight hall masters have reached the "Martial Venerable" level in terms of combat power, and the left and right protectors and the main hall master have reached the Profound level in terms of combat power. Not to mention in Shanghai, they are hard to match even in the entire south.

It is said that the hall and its eerie secret chambers house the Nine Netherworld Flame, which requires living sacrifices to greatly enhance the secret technique of Limitless Demonic Power in a short period of time. Disciples of the Six and a Half Hall often mysteriously disappear, requiring constant replenishment of their ranks. This is also why, in the past twenty years, no disciple of the Six and a Half Hall has ever emerged alive.

Rumors circulated in the martial arts world that Zhang Xiaolin was merely the "face" of the Six and a Half Hall, responsible for traveling the martial arts world and making connections, while the real power was in the hands of the left and right protectors.

Chen Che had been in Shanghai for some time now, and the Six and a Half Hall had been invited to the dockside banquet, but they hadn't attended. He wondered what their intention was in choosing such a large and lively Western Christmas occasion. Chen Che asked, "Master Zhang, what brings you here to offer your guidance?"

Zhang Xiaolin rubbed his chin repeatedly with his right hand, squinting his eyes and displaying a cunning and shrewd demeanor: "The Central Martial Arts Academy has set up a challenge arena in Shanghai and widely distributed invitations to heroes, so why is one of the six and a half halls missing?"

Chen Che was startled. The National Martial Arts Academy did not want to be associated with the Shanghai underworld, so the invitations were only sent to established families and martial arts schools in Shanghai, and the underworld was not informed. Chen Che said calmly, "Boss Zhang knows whether his business is open to the public or not. If he didn't send them out, he didn't send them out. If Boss Zhang has any objections, he can talk to my grandmaster Li Jinglin."

"Hahaha, trying to scare me with Li Jinglin's name?" Zhang Xiaolin slapped the armrest and stood up. "Li Jinglin is a top-tier figure in Tianjin, but that might not be the case in Shanghai. Young Master Chen, don't forget that even a powerful dragon can't suppress a local snake!"

Zhang Xiaolin walked to the door, then suddenly turned back to Chen Che and said, "If anything unexpected happens during the arena match, don't blame me."

Chen Che cupped his hands in farewell: "Please take care, Chief Hall Master Zhang. I won't see you off."

Zhang Xiaolin strode out with an air of authority. Chen Che whispered to Chen San, "Third Brother, follow them out and find their hideout. We'll investigate tonight."

Chen San nodded and said okay, then his figure disappeared into the depths of the staircase.

At this moment, Richard from Huifeng stepped forward and asked, "Young Master Chen, although Zhang Xiaolin acts rashly, his eight hall masters and left and right protectors are all experts who have reached the Martial Venerable realm. Especially the left and right protectors, even Sword Immortal Li might have some reservations about them."

Chen Che nodded and said, "I know what I'm doing. Don't worry, we can handle the heavy work."

Sun Congzhou also came up: "Che'er, don't underestimate the enemy. Tonight we'll raid the Six and a Half Hall's lair. I'll go with you."

Chen Che nodded and said, "Master, you're overthinking it. Let's see what Third Brother brings back first. The day of the arena is just around the corner, so it's best if you stay at the camp."