Chapter 156: Journey to the Kingdom of Thai

After a casual stroll through Xishuang's production workshop, Jiang An immediately pinpointed the root of the problem.

This place could easily be hailed as one of the ultimate peaks that commercial spies sought to conquer. The security system was exceptionally tight, though one could not say it was entirely devoid of vulnerabilities. To be frank, an untold number of scouts from major corporations had come and gone over the years, leaving with data they deemed successful to report back to their superiors, convinced they could replicate Xishuang and reap a fortune. Yet, they discovered that even when armed with the exact raw material formulas and production processes, their manufactured goods bore no resemblance to Xishuang whatsoever, falling far short of its caliber.

Eventually, they realized the missing piece: the formula for the final catalyst.

Every single day, once all the procedures had been completed to formulate the Xishuang mother liquid, fully armed personnel from the Yumen headquarters would arrive at the factory precisely on schedule, escorting a small vial of white powder. This powder would then be sprinkled into the reaction pool, which spanned several dozen meters across. Only after undergoing a series of miraculous catalytic reactions would the true Xishuang finally take shape.

What they remained entirely unaware of, however, was that beneath the workshop housing the production equipment lay a complex formation array. By drawing upon the faint spiritual energy lingering in the atmosphere through this array, and combining it with a myriad of other interacting factors, the genuine product could finally be obtained.

The sudden malfunction in Xishuang's production had occurred because a certain section of the formation array had been inadvertently damaged by a factory worker. Never underestimate a seemingly minor link going awry; under the compounding effects of a chain reaction, the ultimate outcome drifted thousands of miles away from the intended target.

Consequently, Jiang An swiftly and quietly repaired the formation array, taking the opportunity to replace a batch of spirit stones, and the problem was instantly resolved.

Anyone else in his position would have long since expanded production, eager to establish factories across the globe and count stacks of money every single day. Yet, up to this point, Xishi Company maintained only two production facilities—one large and one small—which also accommodated the manufacturing of Longevity Pills. Jiang An had no intention of expanding production because it was entirely unnecessary. The current profits were already more than enough for him. Ten billion and one hundred billion made no practical difference, as neither could purchase higher-tier cultivation resources. Thus, even with external orders pouring in like snowflakes, Xishi remained unhurried. One could easily foresee that Xishuang's price would only climb higher in the future, eventually transforming into a mainstream luxury item.

"Xiaoshuang, you're here. How did everything go?"

Just as Jiang An finished sorting everything out, Song Waishuang hurried over.

"All resolved. I directly purged a batch of senior executives who had become corrupt alongside Wei Hongru, and appointed veteran employees from the old company to temporarily manage operations. We will observe the situation for a while; if that doesn't work out, we can have those major prominent families take turns dispatching people to serve as CEO—I imagine they would be more than willing. As for Xiaorong, she is still a bit too young, otherwise she would have made an ideal candidate to oversee the entire picture. I have appointed her with full responsibility over the financial sector," Song Waishuang reported in an orderly fashion.

Jiang An nodded with a smile and said, "I thought you would temporarily return to manage the company yourself for a period."

"My attachment to these worldly things has faded considerably," Song Waishuang replied with a slight shake of her head. "Once wealth reaches a certain threshold, it becomes nothing more than a string of numbers. I am no longer particularly interested in commercial conquest. What I wish to do is follow in your footsteps and make myself grow strong as rapidly as possible."

Jiang An's eyes lit up with approval as he praised, "That's the spirit. Being able to distinguish what truly matters is a wonderful trait. On the path to eternal life, the greatest taboo is a divided mind failing to advance with unwavering courage. Haha, I've finished up here as well, let's head back. From now on, I practically won't be involved in company matters anymore."

"Mhm."

...

"Why have you been smiling the entire time?"

Early the next morning at the Lincheng International Airport, a young man and woman resembling celestial immortals walked side by side. They were none of other than Jiang An and Tong Yi. Throughout the journey, Tong Yi's face had been lit with irrepressible joy. Upon reaching the airport, she even let out a bright laugh and skipped about. Dressed in a short white dress, she looked like a spirited sprite of the flowers, overflowing with vitality.

In response to Jiang An's inquiry, Tong Yi answered naturally, "Doesn't this feel just like we're going on our honeymoon? Going on a trip to Thailand with the person I love most, of course I'm happy!"

With that, she pressed closely against Jiang An, pouting cutely to take selfies, and chimed in from time to time, "Hubby, look here," "Hubby, give me a smile."

At home, she had learned from Song Waishuang to address Jiang An as "Brother An," but now that they were enjoying their own private world, she switched to calling him "Hubby" at every turn, thoroughly enjoying herself.

Already a goddess with jaw-dropping looks, she now swung her pair of gorgeous long legs, continually circling Jiang An to display their affection. Countless men around them were consumed by jealousy, envying Jiang An's incredible fortune, while inwardly sneering in disdain that this punk must simply be a wealthy second-generation heir, or else how could he possibly win such an ethereal beauty as his wife?

Hearing Tong Yi's reply, Jiang An chuckled and allowed her to do as she pleased. At least for a considerable time to come, he could not offer Tong Yi a conventional worldly status, so he let her call him whatever she liked. Treating this trip to Thailand as a honeymoon was fine too; there was no need to suppress her nature.

*Pop!*

Tong Yi suddenly planted a fierce kiss on Jiang An's cheek, leaving a perfect bright red imprint directly on his skin. She then flashed a mischievous smile and said, "Hubby, you look really handsome when you smile. That's your reward; young men shouldn't always wear such a cold expression."

Slightly embarrassed, Jiang An wiped the lipstick mark off his face, finding himself utterly helpless against this youthfully invincible girl.

An hour later, aboard the airplane, Jiang An sat completely motionless while Miss Tong, having worn herself out from playing, leaned against Jiang An's shoulder and fell into a sweet sleep. A faint trace of a smile lingered on the corners of her lips, suggesting she harbored boundless anticipation for this journey.

*My enemies, I have given you so much time to prepare. Have you gotten everything ready? I truly hope you won't disappoint me.* — Jiang An turned his gaze past the cabin window toward the horizon, deep in thought.

Bangkok, alternatively known as the "City of Angels," is the capital and largest city of Thailand, as well as the largest metropolis on the Indochina Peninsula. It is also a globally renowned tourist destination and a city of Buddhism.

When Jiang An and Tong Yi emerged from the Bangkok airport, it was already afternoon. Golden sunlight bathed every visible sight: neatly arranged buildings, magnificent and glittering Buddhist temples, lush tropical greenery, and locals dressed in vibrant casual shirts. Accompanied by a diverse array of foreigners and the somewhat exotic tones of the Thai language, the initial impression delivered an alternative cultural shock—passionate yet languid. The city had opened its arms wide to welcome them.

"Thailand, I've arrived! Bangkok, I've arrived!"

Tong Yi had recovered two hundred percent of her energy. She suddenly leaped onto Jiang An's back, casting aside all regard for her image as she shouted at the top of her lungs, "Piggyback me, Hubby! We're going to the Grand Palace, to the Snake Farm! No wait, we should go to the red-light night market first to see the ladyboys—I want to touch a ladyboy's big boobs too!"

She was truly a twenty-year-old child at heart, yet one could never stay angry with her; she simply made you want to join in on her madness. With a wry smile, Jiang An carried her lightweight frame on his back and walked up to a distinctive Bangkok tuk-tuk.

"Let me handle this, let me handle this! Haven't I studied foreign languages for all these years precisely for this moment?"

Tong Yi hopped down from Jiang An's back on her own accord, brought her palms together in front of her chest, nodded respectfully, and spoke in Thai: "*Sawatdee krap...*" *(Note: phonetic play on Thai greeting)*

Her serene demeanor was breathtakingly lovely. The middle-aged Thai driver with his sun-kissed wheat complexion was stunned for a moment before snapping back to reality, returning the greeting: "*Sawatdee ka*, Miss, you are the most beautiful girl I have ever laid eyes on."

Tong Yi covered her face with a giggle, then pulled Jiang An forward to introduce him, "Then let me show you the most beautiful woman's husband—is he the most handsome man?"

The driver's lips twitched into a smile as he replied, "Naturally the most handsome man. The two of you make a perfect match."

Highly pleased with the compliment, Tong Yi pulled Jiang An into the vehicle and declared loudly, "We'll take your ride! Off to the red-light district, I want to see a ladyboy show!"

Throughout it all, Jiang An let Tong Yi call the shots. He was not in any particular rush this time.

Having revealed himself for quite a while now, lingering in Lincheng for two extra days, he figured that Depeng and his accomplices must have already received the intelligence and were now surely aware of his arrival in Thailand. Jiang An intended to accompany Tong Yi for a day of leisurely fun before heading down to southern Thailand to pick a fight on Depeng's home turf. The reason for doing this was to grant his enemies ample time to gather their forces so he could wipe them out in a single sweep! That way, he would spare himself the trouble of hunting them down one by one. As for the possibility of capsizing in the gutter—*heh heh*—before condensing his Longevity Hatred Dharmic Body, Jiang An would naturally have exercised some caution, but now that the cultivation of the Dharmic Body was complete, his confidence was absolute. His enemies were nothing more than a pack of mobsters.

Just as Jiang An anticipated, the moment he set foot on Bangkok soil, Depeng—a figure of considerable influence in Thailand—received the news. Without delay, Depeng frantically began orchestrating formidable countermeasures and contacting various allies to weave an inescapable net, determined to ensure Jiang An never returned alive.

Yet Jiang An remained completely unconcerned. He hadn't even bothered to deploy any intelligence agents in Thailand. At that very moment, hand in hand with Tong Yi, he was strolling through Bangkok's most bustling red-light district—Patpong Alley—soaking in the decadent neon lights and the allure of a transient life.