Dream Walker: Feng Shui Master Bai Ya

Shang Muchen arrived at the place he had arranged with Xiao Jie, a craft beer pub located in a very secluded alley in the city center.

Xiao Jie stood at the alley entrance with a warm smile, welcoming Shang Muchen's arrival. Upon seeing him, she stepped forward and extended her hand, saying:

"Come on, this is my own little corner of the world, so it's easier to talk here. I'll treat you to some craft beers I've collected from all over the world."

Shang Muchen naturally couldn't make things difficult for the smiling man, so he shook hands very politely and asked, "Mr. Xiao, you invited me here, it's not a trap, is it?"

"What 'President Xiao'! We're all buddies, just call me 'Glasses' like Sister Yang does, haha." Xiao Jie laughed and tried to pull Shang Muchen into the hospital.

"Tell me what it is first. Don't try to trick me into going in, then close the door and get a few people to beat me up. I can't take that." Shang Muchen waved his hand with a smile.

"How could that be? Mu Chen, who are you? How dare I act presumptuously in front of you?" Xiao Jie adjusted his glasses and lowered his voice, "Were you investigating the dead dragon with Sister Yang?"

Upon hearing the words "dead dragon," Shang Muchen frowned.

Xiao Jie gestured for Shang Muchen to enter the courtyard, and Shang Muchen nodded slightly before stepping inside.

The courtyard was very cozy, with an elegant layout and exquisite decorations. Under a dim ambient light, there was a square table with an ice bucket on it, filled with four or five cans of fancy foreign beer.

Four side dishes, four kinds of Chinese and Western desserts, and two pairs of chopsticks were laid out on the table. Xiao Jie invited Shang Muchen to sit in the head seat with his arms hanging down, while he himself sat in the guest seat with his arms hanging down, showing a humble posture.

Shang Muchen ignored all that and sat down in the chair with an air of nonchalance, nodding repeatedly and exclaiming, "I often hear people say that the carefree life of the rich is unimaginable to the poor."

Seeing your yard today, buddy, it really does live up to that saying—what is the style of an old-timer?

Old Qian's style is that feeling of boredom, laziness, and relaxation that comes after you've enjoyed everything.

I'm like a wild duck trying to practice ballet, pretending to be a swan—I can't even pull it off.

"Hey, Brother Shang, you're just teasing me. Can I compare to you?"

You inherited Sa Sanqi's house and estate out of the blue. The jewelry, watches, and artwork that can be used as collateral are worth a whole small fortune, and your cash flow is incredibly healthy.

I'm just showing off. The property rights to this yard have already been mortgaged to the bank. If J Coffee can't achieve positive cash flow within three years, I'll be sleeping on the streets.

"Brother Shang, I heard you're a feng shui master, you have to save me!"

"Hey, Glasses, you really are Lu Mingdi's chief strategist, your information network is quite impressive."

"Was it shorty Wu Biao who told you that I inherited Sa Sanqi's property?"

Xiao Jie's thin lips revealed a mysterious smile. He adjusted his glasses and, instead of directly answering Shang Muchen's question, changed the subject:

"I can tell you everything I know about the dead dragon, but I have to ask you for a favor, Brother Shang. We need to make a deal."

"Sure, I enjoy making deals." Shang Muchen casually rummaged through the beer in the ice bucket and asked, "I'm not well-educated and don't speak foreign languages, so could you recommend which one tastes better?"

"Every can tastes good. If it doesn't taste good, how could I possibly put it out there?"

You might want to try this can of Hoegaarden; it has a rich fruity flavor and isn't too bitter.

"Okay, you're the expert, and I'm a novice. I'll listen to you." Shang Muchen nodded, opened the beer, and upon tasting it, he was indeed greeted by a wonderfully fragrant aroma. He had never tasted beer with this flavor before; it was truly a novelty.

Xiao Jie also took out a can of beer, opened it, clinked glasses with Shang Muchen, and said directly:

"Brother Shang, I can tell you're a rising star. I'll be following you from now on."

"Hey, don't say that." Shang Muchen shook his head repeatedly. "Get to the point, don't flatter me to death."

I've been poor all my life, and I've never heard praise before, so I can't handle this kind of sweet talk.

"I'm telling the truth," Xiao Jie said in a low voice, taking a sip of beer. "The Lu family has everything. If I continue to associate with Lu Mingdi, I'll eventually become food for their family."

Your brother Shang is different. You are a highly skilled person recognized by Director Wu and Sister Yang, and the only man who is not afraid of Lu Mingdi.

I see through this trend. The Lu family is indeed at its peak, but their family ambitions are no longer satisfied. They are aiming for the heavens, which will inevitably lead to their demise.

Brother Shang, you are honest and insightful, and have a bright future ahead of you.

I am very self-aware. I am smart, but not a leader. I can only offer advice and strategies, not shoulder great responsibilities.

I've always wanted to break free from the Lu family's control, but I'm struggling to find a suitable ally to join.

Brother Shang, your appearance has been nothing short of salvation for me.

"That's not right," Shang Muchen laughed. "I have no grudge against Lu Mingdi, and I'm not worthy to be a rival to their Lu family conglomerate. Don't put me in such a precarious position right from the start; you're just trying to harm me."

"Just tell me straight, how much do you know about the dead dragon?"

"I can tell you everything I know, but please promise me that in the future, when we're on the edge of a cliff, you'll pull me out of there at the crucial moment."

"Ha, what are you saying? You call yourself a brilliant strategist, don't you even understand the principle of 'a wise man avoids dangerous places'?"

"The cliff is dangerous, so don't go."

"When you're in the martial arts world, you're not in control of your own destiny."

"I know I shouldn't go to dangerous places, but what can I do? I was born in an eagle's nest," Xiao Jie said, shaking his head.

"My background and my family have naturally labeled me, making it impossible for me not to take sides."

On the contrary, Brother Shang, you come from humble beginnings, are free and unrestrained, without labels or burdens, which is why you are truly invincible.

"Alright, stop flattering me. Just tell me straight: how much do you know about the dead dragon?"

"You already know about the Lu family's business dealings with the Japanese, right?" Xiao Jie asked softly, gazing at the dim, swaying landscape lights in the courtyard.

"Mm." Shang Muchen nodded silently.

"Let's start from the beginning," Xiao Jie said softly. "The person in charge of the Lu family, Lu Zhanshan, the chairman of Tianlu Group and Lu Mingdi's father, is on good terms with a Japanese investor named Takeuchi Tsuruhiko."

The rise of the Tenro Group is closely related to Tsuruhiko Takeuchi.

Thirty years ago, when foreign investment was just entering China, Lu Zhanshan retired from the army and started a foreign trade business, which is how he got in touch with Takeuchi Tsuruhiko.

Later, Tianlu Group's series of investments in color TVs, computers, mobile phones, real estate, entertainment, the internet, and even finance were all closely related to the Takeuchi family.

The marriage partner that Lu Zhanshan arranged for Lu Mingdi was Takeuchi Tsuruhiko's youngest daughter, Takeuchi Asuka.

If it weren't for Shikamaru's relentless pursuit of Yang-jie and his constant arguing with his father, she would probably be married to Takeuchi Asuka by now.

At the same time, Takeuchi Tsuruhiko's rise and success within his family was also closely related to the Shika family.

As far as I know, Takeuchi Tsuruhiko was originally just an adopted son of the Takeuchi clan, a relative of the imperial family, and had no status in the family. The main business of their family was in the West, not here.

It was precisely because of this rise and fall that Takeuchi Tsuruhiko's investment in the Tenro Group achieved unprecedented success, which led to his continuous rise in status within his family, ultimately culminating in his current position as the family heir.

In short, the Shika family and the Takeuchi family have a deeply intertwined and inextricably linked relationship.

"Hmm, so what does all this background have to do with the Dead Dragon?"

"This all started with Hidetoshi Kurosaki."