Dragon Head Supreme Chapter 129
Chapter 129: Knowing My Own Weight
Fifth Master Hou’s face barely concealed a fleeting smirk as he noticed the subtle shift in Chen Xue Wen’s expression.
He strode over to the table, sat down, and poured another cup of tea for Chen Xue Wen. “Here, have some tea.”
Chen Xue Wen accepted the cup but didn’t drink right away. Instead, he scanned the surrounding mountains and forests. Beside him, Fang Ru caught the change in his demeanor, the corner of her lips curving into a cold smirk.
[You may not fall for the temptation of women, but surely, you won’t escape the allure of wealth.]
Only after a long silence did Chen Xue Wen finally take a sip of the tea. Setting the cup down, he looked at Fifth Master Hou and suddenly asked, “Fifth Master, when are we eating?”
His abrupt question stunned Fifth Master Hou. He had expected Chen Xue Wen to inquire about the bauxite mine, or at the very least, how mining operations were managed here. But instead, he asked about food?
Fifth Master Hou frowned slightly. “Wait a little. They’re still cooking.”
“This isn’t home. It takes time to cook over an open fire.”
Chen Xue Wen gave a nonchalant nod and sat quietly, saying nothing more.
Fifth Master Hou was momentarily baffled. [This guy doesn’t play by the rules, does he?]
Without speaking further, he cast a glance at Fang Ru.
Fang Ru, though slightly displeased, still turned to Chen Xue Wen with a smile. “Chen Xue Wen, after hearing all that Fifth Master has shared, don’t you feel like securing a mining lease here?”
“Selling bauxite is easy—just a few excavators and transport trucks to load the soil, deliver it to the factory, and get paid.”
“Cash payments. No delays.”
Chen Xue Wen shook his head. “Not interested.”
Fifth Master Hou and Fang Ru both paused. [That’s not what your expression suggested just now!]
Fang Ru frowned. “Why?”
“If you run a mine here, you’ll make way more than running slot machines.”
“The young man Fifth Master mentioned? He’s just the most basic player in this game.”
“The bigger players rake in at least seventy or eighty thousand a day, sometimes even hundreds of thousands!”
“If you expand your operations, millions a day aren’t out of reach.”
Chen Xue Wen’s expression remained unreadable. “For now, I’m not considering it.”
“I’d rather focus on managing my arcades first.”
Fifth Master Hou and Fang Ru exchanged looks, momentarily lost for words.
Fifth Master Hou placed his teacup down and spoke in a calm voice, “Young man, opportunities like this don’t come often.”
“Once missed, they won’t be easy to find again.”
Chen Xue Wen looked at him before suddenly asking, “Fifth Master, do you really want me to enter this business?”
Fifth Master Hou smiled. “I just think you have talent and should make a better choice.”
Chen Xue Wen remained calm. “Then I’ll stick to running arcades.”
Fifth Master Hou’s expression darkened slightly, and he let out a displeased cough.
Fang Ru caught the signal and pressed on, “Why?”
“Chen Xue Wen, you have real potential. You should aim for something bigger.”
“The slot machine business has a ceiling.”
“Even if you dominate Peaceful City, your annual profit won’t exceed twenty million.”
“But if you build a stronghold here, making billions a year is entirely possible!”
Chen Xue Wen responded coolly, “I understand all that.”
“But having money isn’t enough—you need to stay alive to enjoy it.”
“With just twenty million a year from slot machines, I’ve already had to fight Zhou Jing Hui and Snake for my life.”
“For a hundred-billion industry like this, how many corpses would pile up before someone takes control?”
He turned to Fifth Master Hou. “Fifth Master, I do want to make money, to stand out, but I also know my own weight.”
“If even Fifth Master values this business, how could I possibly have the qualifications to touch it?”
Fifth Master Hou took a deep breath, his eyes narrowing as he studied Chen Xue Wen once more.
The young man’s cool-headed wisdom had once again exceeded his expectations.
Chen Xue Wen cast a deep glance at Fifth Master Hou and spoke calmly, “So many people are in this business here. Why don’t you dare?”
“There are plenty of people around, some of them even weaker than He Fei, whom you already took care of.”
“If they can do it, why can’t you?”
Chen Xue Wen chuckled. “Fifth Master, since you’ve personally come here, it means that many big players in Peaceful City have set their eyes on this place.”
“If I’m not mistaken, this place is about to go through a major upheaval.”
“If I step in now, will I be cannon fodder or the spearhead leading the charge? You must know the answer better than anyone, Fifth Master.”
Hearing this, Fifth Master Hou burst into hearty laughter.
He stood up, walked to Chen Xue Wen’s side, and patted him on the shoulder.
“Good lad, you’re indeed sharper than those fools who only chase after short-term gains!”
“I don’t regret helping you back then!”
Fifth Master Hou took a deep breath and said, “You’re right.”
“This place is about to see a complete shake-up.”
“The small-time players will all be eliminated.”
“I will personally compete for this territory!”
Chen Xue Wen grinned. “With Fifth Master personally stepping in, isn’t this mining zone already as good as yours?”
Fifth Master Hou smiled. “That’s true, but there’s one problem: two old foxes also have their eyes on this place.”
He looked at Chen Xue Wen. “I’m old now. I can’t personally enter the fray.”
“So, I need someone to help me take these two mountains.”
“Chen Xue Wen, back when I helped you, you promised to do something for me.”
“Now, it’s time for you to fulfill that promise.”
Fifth Master Hou pointed at the two mountains. “I need you to secure them for me!”
Chen Xue Wen remained silent for a moment.
In truth, as soon as Fifth Master Hou mentioned these mountains, he had already guessed his intentions.
Faced with an industry worth billions, Chen Xue Wen was naturally tempted.
But he also knew that Fifth Master Hou’s goal was to pull him into the game and use him to seize the two mountains.
So, he pretended to be hesitant, waiting for Fifth Master Hou to make a direct offer.
There was a big difference between stepping in on his own and being invited in by Fifth Master Hou.
At the very least, if Fifth Master Hou personally asked, it meant he was repaying his past favor.
That favor would no longer be something he owed.
Moreover, if Fifth Master Hou invited him, he would have to provide compensation and support, which was the most crucial part.
Chen Xue Wen looked at Fifth Master Hou and said, “I made a promise to Fifth Master, and I always keep my word.”
“However, the two seniors competing with you aren’t people I can simply deal with, are they?”
Fifth Master Hou smirked. “Relax, those old foxes won’t step in personally either. They’re not much better off than me.”
“You’ll only have to deal with their subordinates.”
“I’ll provide you with enough support. Just focus on getting the job done!”
With this assurance, Chen Xue Wen finally felt at ease.
“Since Fifth Master has put it that way, I’ll give it a try.”
“But my brothers still have to eat…”
Chen Xue Wen smiled as he looked at Fifth Master Hou.
Fifth Master Hou laughed heartily. “Don’t worry, I won’t let you and your men suffer!”
“You’ll get ten percent of the profits from these two mountains!”
Chen Xue Wen took a deep breath. The business was worth over a hundred billion—ten percent meant at least ten billion.
If they could really secure it, wouldn’t they be rising to the top in one fell swoop?
Chen Xue Wen said, “Fifth Master, I’ll have my brothers pack up tomorrow and get ready to move into the mountains.”
Fifth Master Hou smiled. “No rush.”
“You just took over the Old Square, and the New Year season is prime time for making money. Wait until after the New Year.”
Then, he gave a mysterious smile. “Oh, by the way, a little advice for you.”
“Your arcade—after the New Year, you might want to sell it off.”
“I’ve received confirmed news: next year, this industry will be strictly regulated.”
“All gambling-related slot machines will be banned.”
“Make the last of your money now, and after the New Year, switch to a new trade.”
Chen Xue Wen’s expression changed slightly. The business he had risked his life to reclaim was already reaching its end?
At that moment, Bin Zi walked over from the back. “Fifth Master, the food is ready.”
Fifth Master Hou laughed and threw an arm around Chen Xue Wen’s shoulder. “Come on, let’s eat first.”
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation