Yuelan Hotel, Suite 888.

"Hmph!" A middle-aged man of no impressive stature, but with a palpable fierceness about him, leisurely lit a cigar and cast a disdainful glance at Zhang Zhaoyang. "I must say, Zhang Zhaoyang, you're supposed to be a big shot on Qiyun Road. How did you end up suffering such a defeat in Lingjin City?"

"The most valuable asset your Juling Group has is its distribution channels! And you just handed them over on a platter?"

"Being a coward yourself is one thing, but why would you give away the distribution channels without my consent?"

This man was none other than the chairman of the Shuofang Group, Xiong Yaotian.

Through the swirling smoke, he squinted, staring coldly at Zhang Zhaoyang. "Don't you realize your pathetic actions indirectly drag me down too?"

"You can hide away here in Lingjin City, but do you have any idea what people are saying about me back on Qiyun Road?"

"A coward..." Xiong Yaotian laughed, the sound dripping with frustrated bitterness. "Me, Xiong Yaotian, being called a coward... Heh..."

"I never would have imagined this in my wildest dreams!"

Zhang Zhaoyang erupted in anger, pointing a finger at Xiong Yaotian. "How I conduct my affairs is none of your damn business, Xiong Yaotian! As for the distribution channels, I cut ties with you over them years ago. You were the one who kept telling everyone you had a stake in them."

"Weren't you just using that as an excuse to drum up business for yourself?" Zhang Zhaoyang's face was a mask of mockery. "Xiong Yaotian, cut the act. Aren't you just after the Qin Corporation's medical formula? Using my name is one thing, but then you have the nerve to yell at me? Do you really think I'm afraid of you?"

Being berated so unexpectedly made Zhang Zhaoyang, who was already suppressing a great deal of frustration, finally snap. He had initially intended to persuade the man gently and even reveal Chen Yang's true identity so Xiong Yaotian would know to back off.

But now! I couldn't care less what happens to you!

He even hoped Chen Yang would show up in a rage and squeeze the life out of that damn piece of trash, Xiong Yaotian.

"Oh, so Manager Zhang does have a temper! Or is it just for show in front of me? I hear you act like a spineless coward in front of the Qin Corporation." Xiong Yaotian wasn't angry. He held a cigar in one hand and a glass of red wine in the other, a mocking half-smile on his face as he teased him.

Zhang Zhaoyang retorted, "I don't consider myself a coward. I gave away the distribution channels willingly. That's just how the world works. Until you become so powerful you can blot out the sky with a single hand, you will always meet your match."

"HA HA!" Xiong Yaotian burst into laughter, as if he had just heard the funniest joke in the world. "To hear you tell it, this little Qin Corporation is someone you, Zhang Zhaoyang, can't afford to provoke?"

"But I heard that you chickened out right after Qin Qiu's worthless husband killed Du Dingshan. Just one of your underlings was slain, and you were so frightened you didn't even have the courage to resist. You still say you're not a coward?" Xiong Yaotian stared at Zhang Zhaoyang, his face full of disdain and ridicule.

"I don't want to argue with you," Zhang Zhaoyang said, picking up a glass of wine and swirling it gently. "Since you've already threatened him, given his nature, he'll most likely come looking for you soon. You'd better be prepared."

"Prepare for what? What do I need to prepare for?" Xiong Yaotian scoffed dismissively. "Like I said, if he dares to come, I dare to take care of him!"

"My only fear is that the good-for-nothing is all talk and won't dare to show up!"

CLACK.

Just as he finished speaking, Xiong Yaotian pulled out a handgun and slapped it on the table. This sort of thing was still quite prevalent among the wealthy and powerful.

So, this guy is planning to take matters into his own hands? Zhang Zhaoyang was taken aback.

Xiong Yaotian toyed with the handgun and patted Zhang Zhaoyang's shoulder, grinning with bared teeth. "Manager Zhang, I'll avenge you. But once I get those distribution channels back, I won't be returning them to you."

"You understand that, right?"

Zhang Zhaoyang brushed his hand away and sneered inwardly, a small smile playing on his lips. "If you can take them back, it'll be a testament to your ability."

"We'll see."

Xiong Yaotian glanced at the time, and the corner of his mouth curled into a vicious smirk. In truth, he had come to Lingjin City specifically for the distribution channels. As for that medical formula... He had received news that several multinational pharmaceutical giants were about to arrive in the city. He knew his own limitations; the upcoming battle for the medical formula was far beyond his league. Even if he managed to snatch the formula from the Qin Corporation first, he would ultimately become mere cannon fodder.

Just as he was lost in his self-aggrandizing fantasies...

BANG!

With a sudden explosive noise, the door burst inward, shattering into pieces. The two men in the room jumped in fright.

He's here?

Xiong Yaotian clenched his pistol and spun around, only to see a tall, powerfully built young man standing in the doorway.

"Are you Chen Yang?" Xiong Yaotian challenged, raising the gun and pointing it at the young man. "Get on your knees, now!"

"Well, look at you, playing with guns," Yang Hu chuckled. "Isn't this a classic case of an amateur showing off in front of a pro?"

"What's one gun? I have several at home," Xiong Yaotian said, leaning against the wall with an air of smug pride.

"Comparing guns?" Yang Hu grinned wolfishly and waved his right hand.

THUD. THUD. THUD.

A squad of men marched neatly into the room.

Xiong Yaotian: "..."

The color drained from his face at a visible rate. His pupils constricted, and his limbs began to tremble violently.

What... what is happening??? I was looking for Chen Yang, so why did a fully-equipped squad show up?

He whipped his head around to look at Zhang Zhaoyang.

Zhang Zhaoyang just shrugged. "I warned you, but you insisted on calling me a coward. Now let's see who the real coward is, Xiong Yaotian!"

This was the first time he had ever witnessed such a scene. As terrifying as it was, he also found it incredibly satisfying.

Weren't you so high and mighty? Go on, keep acting tough!

Xiong Yaotian: "..."

Yang Hu walked toward Xiong Yaotian at a leisurely pace. He leaned in close and asked seriously, "What was that you told me to do just now? I didn't quite hear you. Could you repeat it?"

CLATTER.

The pistol slipped from Xiong Yaotian's trembling hand and fell to the floor. He shook uncontrollably, his teeth chattering.

Yang Hu picked up the gun, ejected the magazine, and stuffed the pistol back into Xiong Yaotian's hand.

"Hold it tight. Where's all that bravado from a moment ago, huh?"

Yang Hu slowly drew a paratrooper knife and asked with mock earnestness, "I hear you were asking for a lesson. Is that so?"

Xiong Yaotian: "..."

...

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