Chapter 76: The War Club

“Boss, I really think you need to go to this one.” Lan Tianxin hesitated for a moment, then placed an invitation in front of Zhu Lan.

Zhu Lan picked it up and frowned after a quick glance. “Do you think it’s necessary for me?”

Lan Tianxin nodded. “Boss, this could be a huge advantage for us.”

The invitation was for a banquet hosted by the Sheng Tang Group, focusing on matters related to third-level distributors. The first batch of gene optimization serum had already rolled off the production line, but Sheng Tang Group’s weak position meant they had received less than eighty thousand units—a number so small that, spread across the country, it would barely make a ripple.

“All right, I’ll consider it,” Zhu Lan said, thinking it over without giving a definite refusal. Now was the time for Zhu Lan to step into the public eye.

He could do so openly now, as the bounty on the black market had been withdrawn.

It was easy to imagine: though the gene optimization serum had been released for less than a day, some people must have already flown samples to certain laboratories. After research, they would inevitably discover that the gene optimization serum couldn’t be reverse-engineered. The gene lock alone was enough to block everyone’s efforts.

No one knew the formula for the gene optimization serum, and with Fantasy Technology’s might, finding such a formula was nearly impossible.

Red Queen’s statistics showed that in the two weeks leading up to the distributor rights conference, Fantasy Technology’s internal network had been attacked millions of times, and after the bounty appeared, attacks reached a peak of a hundred thousand times a day. Any other company would have been compromised, but unfortunately for the attackers, they faced an intelligent defense system. Not even Red Queen needed to intervene; even Quirky’s guarded network was nearly impregnable unless someone used supercomputers to launch an assault. But that was out of the question—no nation would risk deploying its supercomputers. If their efforts failed and a counterattack followed, the data inside those supercomputers would be exposed, as vulnerable as a woman stripped bare, entirely at the mercy of others.

Setting aside the supercomputers’ inherent value, they also housed countless secret national projects, making it nearly impossible to deploy them for external operations. China, the UK, France, the US, Russia, Japan—each of these countries stored at least some nuclear simulation data on their supercomputers. If that fell into the wrong hands, it would be tantamount to handing over their simulated nuclear weapon data.

Since the gene optimization serum’s formula couldn’t be obtained, the bounty was naturally withdrawn. Zhu Lan’s own bounty, perhaps due to pressure from China, was removed from the black market on the third day after the distributor rights conference.

This was a crushing blow to mercenaries worldwide; at least two thousand had died in pursuit of these two bounties. Who knew how many more had been captured? Globally, it was a significant setback. Now, even if new bounties appeared, no one dared take them. The joint crackdown by the Chinese military, National Security Bureau, and Fantasy Technology had been thorough, striking right to the bone. With bounties exceeding a hundred million, many mercenaries and thieves had been drawn in—many died, many were caught, and now no one dared to target Fantasy Technology.

Because of this, Zhu Lan could now move about without worry. Within China’s borders, a single phone call would summon military support at any time. And here, in the South China Sea, the navy’s blockade meant that reinforcements could reach Zhu Lan in no time, unless he left Chinese territory.

The Chang’an Grand Hotel, one of the few luxury hotels under Sheng Tang Group, boasted six-and-a-half-star accommodations. Though it couldn’t rival the seven-star palaces built by Middle Eastern billionaires, few hotels in all of Asia could match its opulence.

Even an ordinary room here cost over four thousand a night; as for the presidential suite, don’t even think about it for less than a million a night.

The Chang’an Grand Hotel stood on the beach by the city’s port, surrounded by coconut groves and stretches of private sand. No commercial enterprises lay nearby—only exclusive clubs. This area was the most mysterious and luxurious in the province, rivaled by only a handful of places in the entire southern district. Those who entered were either powerful beyond compare or fabulously wealthy. Ordinary people? Forget about it.

When Zhu Lan arrived, many guests had already assembled.

As he walked into the lobby, no one recognized him. In elite circles, Zhu Lan was a stranger.

“You came?” Tang Xuejian, having been informed by her staff, greeted Zhu Lan the moment he entered.

“No matter what, I had to show you some respect,” Zhu Lan replied.

Tang Xuejian shot him a look. “Come, let me introduce you to my grandfather.”

Zhu Lan nodded and followed her.

With Tang Xuejian personally welcoming him, many guests glanced at Zhu Lan in surprise. But his unfamiliar appearance left them guessing about his identity.

“Grandfather, Zhu Lan is here,” Tang Xuejian announced to Tang Xiaokun.

Tang Xiaokun’s eyes lit up. “Zhu Lan, welcome! Xuejian has told me about you many times.”

“You flatter me, Elder Tang,” Zhu Lan said, gently shaking his hand.

Zhu Lan knew Tang Xiaokun well—a sly old fox who had deceived countless people. Few in the business world relished facing him; he was too cunning, always unpredictable. Thanks to his leadership, Sheng Tang Group had flourished into what it was today.

“I almost thought you weren’t coming,” Tang Xiaokun said.

“How could I not? From any perspective, I had to show my support, Elder Tang.”

“You’re thoughtful. You young people chat; we’ll have tea together when there’s time.” Although he had much to discuss with Zhu Lan, Tang Xiaokun understood that today was not the day. Today was Sheng Tang Group’s secondary distributor selection, drawing top enterprises from across the country. Many required Sheng Tang’s careful attention, and with Zhu Lan’s and Tang Xuejian’s status, Tang Xiaokun wasn’t worried about future opportunities.

“I’ll let you get back to your duties, Elder Tang.”

As Tang Xiaokun walked away, Zhu Lan joked to Tang Xuejian, “Your grandfather’s presence is overwhelming.”

Tang Xuejian smiled, lips pressed together. “Come on! Let me introduce you to my circle. You’re already someone we look up to!”

“Don’t tease me, or I’ll get proud.”

“Oh, get lost!” Tang Xuejian rolled her eyes and led Zhu Lan through the hall to a private room.

“Everyone, let me introduce a mysterious guest!”

“Xuejian? A mysterious guest? Don’t kid us. Who could that possibly be?”

When Zhu Lan stepped forward, many frowned, racking their brains for anyone among the nation’s elite who matched his face, but none could place him.

“Xuejian, who is he?”

“Hello, everyone. My name is Zhu Lan,” he said without hesitation, greeting them directly. No matter what, he had to honor Tang Xuejian’s invitation.

“Zhu Lan? That sounds familiar…”

“Idiot, he’s the boss of Fantasy Technology.”

“What? Fantasy Technology?”

Many looked at Tang Xuejian in disbelief, seeking confirmation.

Tang Xuejian nodded slightly. “This is Mr. Zhu Lan, founder of Fantasy Technology. Surprised?”

Surprised? More like astonished.

Who could have imagined that the elusive owner of Fantasy Technology would appear here in person? It was a complete shock.

“Have a seat,” Tang Xuejian said, pulling Zhu Lan down beside her. The room held over twenty people, men of striking good looks and women of peerless beauty.

“Zhu Lan, let me introduce myself. I’m from Changren Group. I think there’s a good chance we could work together.”

“I’m from Changchun Real Estate.”

“I’m from Xiaohe Pharmaceuticals.”

Everyone rushed to introduce themselves.

“All right, Zhu Lan isn’t going anywhere,” Tang Xuejian interrupted, feeling she had to put a stop to this. She seemed to command some respect, and most fell silent.

“Zhu Lan, how about a little gesture?” someone said.

Zhu Lan hesitated, then shook his head.

Tang Xuejian smiled helplessly. “Actually, we’d all love to do some business with Fantasy Technology. You know how hot the bio side is—everyone’s eager for a chance.”

Zhu Lan nodded in agreement. “That’s great. In fact, I have a project I’d like to propose, if any of you are interested in joining.”

“What project?” someone blurted out anxiously. With the gene optimization serum, Fantasy Technology had become famous overnight, selling only seven distributor rights but reaping over thirty billion in profits. Who wouldn’t be tempted? Now, with Zhu Lan offering a new project, missing out would be a real loss.

Tang Xuejian was also startled, as she’d only asked casually, never expecting Zhu Lan would actually have something in mind.

Zhu Lan nodded. “Do you remember Fantasy Technology’s robot research?”

“Robots? That’s a money pit!” Several frowned. The robotics field was notorious for devouring investments without end.

Zhu Lan shook his head. “Not robots—something else.”

“What project?” As long as it wasn’t robots, anything else was up for discussion.

Tang Xuejian looked at Zhu Lan with curiosity.

“I have the technology to manufacture scale models of fighter jets. I want to set up a club.”

“Fighter jets?” Some didn’t quite understand.

“It’s like a gun club, but instead of firearms, my club would feature planes, tanks, and even battleships.”

At this, everyone was stunned.

It was truly astonishing.

“Zhu Lan, are you feverish?” Tang Xuejian asked, looking at him in disbelief.

“Of course not. I’ve already sought approval from the military; it’s entirely feasible. All that’s needed is a huge seaside site for the club. Fantasy Technology can produce the planes, tanks, and warships—so long as they aren’t too advanced, they’ll be fully functional, just scaled down.”

“Fully functional?” By now, many understood what Zhu Lan was proposing. Essentially, it was high-end military toys—something that, outside of national war simulations, didn’t exist for private use. It was an untapped field, and once established, it would surely be profitable. Who, rich or ordinary, wouldn’t pay for the chance to operate a real plane or tank?

Zhu Lan nodded. “Exactly. I’m not talking about those electric-powered models on the market. Even though they’d be at one-fifth scale, they’d be built as true replicas, burning real aviation fuel.”

“Will they have weapons?” a chubby man asked, eyes gleaming—clearly a military enthusiast.

Zhu Lan nodded. “Of course. I said fully functional: tanks with shells, planes with missiles, warships with anti-air missiles, submarines with torpedoes—even aircraft carriers. The only difference is the scale. Performance and structural strength would be about on par with a car—not quite the real thing, but still a thrilling experience.”

“Really? If this works, I’m in!”

“Wait, let me clarify a few things first.”

Zhu Lan didn’t immediately agree, raising his hand to stop the eager responses.

“This club would be based entirely on simulated warfare, with everything built to real specifications. The planes, tanks, and warships would require a dedicated manufacturing facility, and an enormous site to operate them. The wireless control systems are extremely expensive—this is a huge investment. I estimate it’ll require at least fourteen billion yuan. I can put up six billion myself, with Fantasy Technology taking sixty percent. The rest is open to you.”

(To be continued.)