「The next day.」

The tumult from the Martial Association's evening banquet, after fermenting overnight, had spread through every street and alley of Lingjin City. Even Ye Nantian's disciples were trembling with fear, bowing their heads in submission.

Tsk, tsk. It was hard to imagine just who that person could be.

Inevitably, people connected all the recent major incidents. On the surface, they might not seem related, but upon closer inspection, they all seemed to involve the Martial Association. After all, a Three-Bag Elder and a Six-Bag Elder from the Association had both recently died in Lingjin City. This suggested that a powerful figure was deliberately targeting the Martial Association, even wantonly slaughtering its members.

Shortly after breakfast, the news of Han Shaobai's body floating in the Lingjin River swept through the city like a tempest.

"Even Han Shaobai is dead! This is going to be a major incident!"

"Without a doubt, a formidable figure has come to Lingjin City and turned it into a slaughterhouse."

"I don't know who this big shot is, but I'd love to witness his magnificence."

Lingjin City, which had been calm for many years, was now being battered by tumultuous waves from this news. Everyone knew that the mysterious figure's confrontation with the Martial Association was far from over; in fact, it had only just officially begun.

For the common folk, it was merely a show—a chance to sit back and watch the titans clash. But for the prominent and powerful families of Lingjin City, it felt like a storm was on the horizon. For the great families with some insider knowledge, it was a veritable tempest. A tempest, of course, also meant opportunity. Whether one could seize this chance depended entirely on which side they chose to back. Soaring to new heights or crumbling to pieces—it would all be decided in a single moment.

「At the same time.」

In Cangyun City, a thousand miles from Lingjin City.

The usually boisterous Martial Association Headquarters was now somewhat subdued. Every member wore an expression of anger and resentment. The consecutive killings of high-ranking members were unprecedented! The Association had never been so brazenly trampled upon!

At that moment, in the main hall.

SMACK!

Upon hearing the news of Han Shaobai's death, Ye Nantian slammed his palm on the side table. The solid wood table instantly exploded into dust.

"Shaobai, it was your master who caused your death!" Ye Nantian's face was grim, his teeth clenched in profound guilt. "I'll go to Lingjin City myself and drag that piece of trash out!" he declared resolutely.

"That's not advisable!"

The man sitting in the head seat was an elderly man, his back so severely hunched it looked as if he were carrying a tortoise shell. His gaunt face featured two deeply sunken eye sockets, giving him an unsettling appearance. This was Pan Wenhai. As the most senior Nine-Bag Elder, Pan Wenhai held an exceedingly exalted status within the Martial Association. Whenever the Association President and Vice-President were absent, he was the one who managed the Association's overall affairs.

Pan Wenhai waved his hand. "Currently, the Association President is communicating with several top-tier powerhouses regarding his new title. Meanwhile, the Vice-President is in seclusion, attempting to break through to the twelfth rank. This is a critical time that cannot afford any mishaps and requires your protection."

"But…" Ye Nantian looked unwilling. Right now, he wanted nothing more than to butcher that man and personally avenge his disciple!

"Nantian, you should know what the priorities are!" Pan Wenhai said gravely. "As for revenge, you needn't worry. I will send someone to handle it and to establish our Lingjin City branch."

"By the way, has your Chief Disciple returned? If you really can't swallow this grievance, let him go along as well. Once they catch that trash, he can be the one to finish the job!"

Ye Nantian's expression eased slightly. He nodded and said, "I'll notify him immediately."

"Alright. Compared to the matters concerning the Association President and Vice-President, this is ultimately a minor issue. The urgent priority is to ensure the Vice-President's seclusion goes smoothly so he can successfully break through to the twelfth rank!

"As for the Association President's title, rumor has it that it's likely to be 'Prince.'"

Prince!

In other words, second only to one and above all others. It was an undeniably domineering title.

Suddenly, everyone in the hall began to smile. Even Ye Nantian's lips curled into a broad, satisfied grin. Once this title was officially announced, who in this land would dare to offend the Martial Association? Who wouldn't show the utmost respect upon meeting a member? Furthermore, more people would flock to join the Martial Association, bringing in another massive sum in registration fees.

By then, the Martial Association would undoubtedly become the most powerful force in the land. They could even go head-to-head with the Martial Department.

「Qin Corporation, Sales Department.」

"Did the sun rise in the west today? The Boss actually didn't come to work?" Hou Qiang muttered in bewilderment, a group of colleagues gathered around him.

After all, Zhou Yufei was the epitome of a model employee. In over a year, she had never missed a single day of work.

Hmm? Chen Yang subconsciously glanced at Zhou Yufei's office. It was indeed empty. Could she be feeling under the weather?

As Chen Yang was wondering, Qin Qiu pushed the door open and walked in.

"President!"

"Good morning, President!"

Everyone greeted her before quickly dispersing.

"Honey, what brings you here?" Chen Yang scurried over, grinning from ear to ear.

Qin Qiu shot him a stern look and scolded him in a low voice, "How many times have I told you not to shout things like that at the office!"

"Of course, President," Chen Yang immediately corrected himself.

Qin Qiu rolled her eyes and said, "The new pharmaceutical plant construction is progressing rapidly. Go to the Huarui Group and sign the contract. Have them send someone to liaise with our engineering department as soon as possible so we can get the equipment installed promptly."

"Yes, President!" Chen Yang couldn't stay serious for more than three seconds. He quickly broke into a playful grin. "Honey, this could have been settled with a phone call. You came all the way down here—admit it, did you miss me?"

"Don't flatter yourself!" Qin Qiu glanced at Chen Yang and said coolly, "I came down because Zhou Yufei wasn't answering her phone."

Chen Yang frowned. "She didn't come in today? Didn't she request leave from you?"

"No. Perhaps she had some urgent business," Qin Qiu speculated, then reminded him, "Make sure you get that contract signed today."

"You got it."

With that, Chen Yang and Qin Qiu left the sales department together.

On his way to the Huarui Group, Chen Yang dialed Zhou Yufei's number again. As expected, no one answered.

He furrowed his brow. What's going on with her? I'll check on her after signing the contract.

Having made up his mind, Chen Yang hurried to the Huarui Group.

「Huarui Group, President's Office.」

Chen Yang sat facing Zheng Xiaoman.

Holding a teacup in one hand, Zheng Xiaoman flipped through the equipment procurement list Chen Yang had handed her with the other, her brows occasionally furrowing.

Chen Yang stared blankly at her, unable to stop himself from asking, "President Zheng, is there a problem?"

"No problem, it's just that several items are temporarily out of stock," Zheng Xiaoman said, putting down the list. She seriously pointed out each one to Chen Yang. "These, and these, will require a three-month wait before they're available."

Chen Yang was stunned. The items she indicated were all primary production equipment. Without them, they couldn't begin operations at all. Wait three months? The entire Qin Corporation would be dragged under. The monthly interest payments on their loans alone were an astronomical figure.

"President Zheng, how could this be?" Chen Yang asked, aghast.

Zheng Xiaoman replied nonchalantly, "There are several orders ahead of yours. Everyone has to wait their turn, don't you think?"

"Then… can you let me cut in line?"

Zheng Xiaoman shook her head earnestly. "I'm afraid not. I, for one, have never had a habit of letting people cut in line. I've always been a person of principle."

She smiled. "Just like you, Mr. Chen. You're a man of principle, too, aren't you? Since we're both principled people, how could you ask me to break my own principles?"

Chen Yang was speechless.

This is blatant abuse of power for personal revenge. She's deliberately trying to get back at me.

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