Chapter 140: The Martial Arts Challenge Letter

On the day of the meeting, almost all senior management of Qingtang Tianxia, led by Xiao Kaitian, mobilized in full force. Dozens of vehicles arrived at the Haidu Municipal Government building alone.

Not everyone present would participate in the meeting; they were there to stand by at a moment's notice. The project involved so many variables that no one could predict what kind of emergencies might arise once proceedings began. Even the legal team was fully prepared.

When the representative delegation from the Port City government arrived, the three parties exchanged greetings and handshakes before entering the conference room. The moment the doors closed, the employees of Qingtang Tianxia felt a sudden wave of tension.

"Do you think this project will actually be implemented?"

"Nine times out of ten. Xiao's courage and vision are astonishing. Just look at the changes in the company lately."

"The company's benefits are certainly beyond reproach, but it seems we've only been investing so far without turning a profit."

"There should be some profit after Director Chen's film is released, but it won't be enough to cover current expenditures. Where is Xiao getting all this financing? Even venture capitalists wouldn't be able to provide this much money all at once."

The employees felt a deep sense of belonging to the company, and because everyone hoped for the stable development of Qingtang Tianxia, they were all anxious.

In contrast to the nervous employees, Tang Tian, who was presenting the PowerPoint inside the meeting room, was completely in the zone. Having rehearsed her speech hundreds of times in her mind, she fully exerted her personal charm and appeal.

Born with a silver spoon in her mouth, she was the only child of the Tang family, one of the three great Haidu tycoons. From a young age, she was showered with affection, but her father, Tang Jian, raised her with a philosophy that girls should be "raised in wealth"—referring to spiritual, not just material, abundance.

Her ability to stand on equal footing with the brilliant Guo Lei in university proved she was not just a beautiful face, but a woman of true intellect. After graduation, she worked at Fenghua Holdings, and upon meeting Xiao Kaitian, she resolutely joined Qingtang Tianxia as the Director of the Public Relations Department.

During the company’s earlier battles with the entertainment industry, she played a vital role, managing all external media relations and online influence campaigns single-handedly.

Compared to the introverted and delicate Guo Lei, Tang Tian was passionate and uninhibited, exuding an air of youthful confidence. Standing on stage with the microphone, her self-assurance, her expectations for the project, and her vision for the future were effectively conveyed to every listener.

This highlighted Xiao Kaitian's management style of employing people based on their talents, utilizing different types of individuals for different occasions to fully tap into and exert their potential. This was precisely why Qingtang Tianxia maintained such high efficiency and cohesion.

The "Future Century" project had long been under consideration for the high-speed corridor connecting Haidu and Port City. After this detailed presentation, the government officials from both cities were quickly won over, and the three parties reached a consensus on the broad framework.

The remaining details—cooperation specifics, funding, and the allocation of benefits—were left to Xiao Kaitian. With the designs in his hand, the necessary capital, and support from the military behind him, he held the upper hand in every aspect. Combined with his ruthless, predatory personality, he firmly controlled the initiative.

However, he also understood that when dealing with the government, one must assess the situation and know when to stop. Once he obtained what he wanted, he would not hesitate to relinquish the rest.

Today was merely an initial negotiation. Finalizing the details would eventually require the involvement of the legal team, and the construction of the relevant agreements would be a long process.

Ultimately, the three parties declared the framework agreement a success in a positive atmosphere. Everyone had secured their desired interests, and satisfied smiles graced every face.

November arrived in the blink of an eye. Haidu’s winter was unusually dry and cold, with biting sea winds that felt like knife blades against the skin.

Following Xiao Kaitian’s promotional strategy of a two-year rent-free period, tenants began moving into the support facilities of the Future Century industrial park. Some were relatives of employees who had early access to the information; it was only a matter of time before the project took flight.

Meanwhile, the production line equipment commissioned by the military also began to arrive and be installed. As military trucks drove into the high-tech industrial park, almost everyone stood before the office’s glass curtain walls to watch.

With the major matters settled, Xiao Kaitian became idle. He was the type of leader who managed the big picture rather than the minutiae, leaving specific tasks to his subordinates.

The lack of a true "second-in-command" had become a weakness for Qingtang Tianxia. Fortunately, there was a "quasi-second-in-command" in Zhao Qixi. Her precise judgment and decision-making kept most operations flowing smoothly, though she was unpredictable; sometimes, she simply didn't want to work and would sit there blankly all day.

Most people were accustomed to the sight of Bai Kou pushing Zhao Qixi around. The young girl, who always wore glasses and a mask, was shrouded in mystery.

When Xiao Kaitian pushed open his office door, he found Bai Kou sitting by the top-floor window, holding a white porcelain cup, while Zhao Qixi sat in her wheelchair, quietly reading.

With the enhancement of the jade pendant, Zhao Qixi’s body had become much stronger. Xiao Kaitian mused that it was almost time to teach her his cultivation techniques.

The room was filled with a thick floral scent—Bai Kou’s favorite flower tea. Xiao Kaitian sniffed, then calmly lit a cigarette, finally diluting the fragrance.

He sat at his desk and looked at the pile of documents, feeling a bit distressed. The smooth operation of the company meant his workload had increased.

As he flipped through the files, he found an envelope. The paper felt remarkably archaic. Xiao Kaitian raised an eyebrow, pulled it out, and saw the words "Letter of Challenge" written in bold characters on the front.

Xiao Kaitian’s mouth twitched. Was this another corporate challenge? Why again? He wrapped the envelope in his spiritual energy to ensure it was safe, then pulled out the paper inside. It was covered in wild, cursive calligraphy.

"To Xiao Kaitian: We in the martial arts world cultivate the body, the heart, the energy, and the truth. Hearing of your extraordinary techniques, I have traveled from afar to pay my respects. The path is the same, though names have precedence. I invite you to a duel on November 6th on the rooftop of the Haidu Center Building."

It was signed by Xie Yuan, a rogue cultivator of the Yinshan Martial Arts lineage.

Xiao Kaitian looked it over, noting that the date was tomorrow. Confused, he stuffed the letter back and tossed it to Bai Kou. "What is this?"

Bai Kou took it, read it, and immediately understood. "It’s a martial arts challenge letter, specifically targeting you. According to the rules of the martial arts world, you cannot refuse."

"But you aren't part of the martial arts world. Why are they sending this to you? Are these people bored out of their minds, stirring up trouble?"

*Are they insane?* Xiao Kaitian cursed internally. He took the letter back from Bai Kou, tore it up, and tossed it into the trash can. A duel on a 600-meter-high rooftop in the dead of winter? That was madness!