"Don’t worry, Boss. I’ll do my best to handle this," Ye Feng said.

"Meet with the Lei Tingjun," Yang Qi added after a moment’s thought. "With their help, things will be much easier."

By this time, Yang Taining and his men were already dead. Yang Taining’s death had been the most horrific; he was literally eaten by a Gu Insect, dying amidst his screams.

Suddenly, Yang Taining’s phone began to ring. Curious, Yang Qi picked it up. A voice immediately came from the other end. "Yang Taining, how are things going? Is that trash from the Star Shining Society dead yet?"

"Yang Taining is dead," Yang Qi chuckled, snapping a photo and sending it over.

"Bastard! Who the hell are you, daring to touch my people? I’ll make sure you die without a burial place!" the voice on the other end roared after a long silence.

"The Star Shining Society," Yang Qi said calmly.

CLATTER! It sounded like the phone had hit the floor on the other end before being crushed underfoot.

Yang Qi sneered and turned to Ye Feng. "Find this Jin Xing first. We can’t let him leave Thunder City alive."

"Yes!"

The group set off for Thunder City, but not before Yang Qi burned all the bodies on-site to prevent an epidemic.

「Elsewhere」

Jin Xing was starting to panic. Yang Taining and his men had actually been dealt with. Even though he still had three top experts by his side, he felt uneasy. This was someone else’s territory, after all; he had to be cautious. So, he took his people and left the Chen residence, finding temporary shelter in a house in the suburbs of Thunder City.

I have no intention of going back. How could I return without completing my task? For now, I’ll just protect myself and let others handle things. Only after going into hiding did he feel a sliver of relief.

He picked up his phone and called Chen Guoyuan. "I have a task for you. Go find Li Qingyan from the Qifei Group and tell her I want to discuss a business deal."

Jin Xing had researched Li Qingyan before coming. She wasn’t from the main line of the Qifei Group but had joined later. It would be excellent if he could win her over. He was different from Gu Lingshan. While Gu Lingshan was captivated by Li Qingyan’s beauty, Jin Xing wanted her cooperation to take down the Qifei Group. Jin Xing was a firm believer that wealth could sway any heart; as long as the price was right, he was sure she would compromise.

"Young Master Jin, you’ve seen how terrifying the Star Shining Society is. Acting against the Qifei Group now might not be wise," Chen Guoyuan said. He had also seen the photo, and the sight had completely chilled his earlier excitement. Yang Taining’s death had been horrific, and he had no desire to share that fate.

"You have no choice!" Jin Xing said coldly. "I only need to send one person to annihilate your Chen Family. Besides, you’re just inviting Li Qingyan, not going into battle. What are you afraid of? Let me tell you, my master will be arriving in Thunder City soon. Then, I won’t have to hide anymore. As long as you handle this task well, you won’t have to live in fear.

"My master wants the entire Jingnan Prefecture, not just Thunder City. Do you understand?"

Gritting his teeth, Chen Guoyuan finally made his decision. In truth, I have no other choice. My relationship with the Star Shining Society is terrible. Right now, helping Jin Xing is my only path to survival.

"Alright, Young Master Jin, I’ll invite Li Qingyan for you. But where should she meet you?" Chen Guoyuan asked.

"Bring her to your house first. I’ll send someone to fetch her from there," Jin Xing said. The man had become extremely cautious, not even trusting Chen Guoyuan.

"No problem. But Young Master Jin," Chen Guoyuan said after a moment’s thought, "that Li Qingyan is very arrogant. She might not accept your invitation, you know?"

Jin Xing’s voice turned icy. "Have you been the Family Head all these years for nothing? Let me be clear. I have only one requirement: get that woman to come see me. Use any means necessary. Do you understand?"

"Understood, Young Master Jin!"

Chen Guoyuan cursed inwardly. That damn bastard, he’s pushing all the difficult problems onto me. If a simple invitation doesn’t work, am I supposed to use force? While there’s no solid news linking the Qifei Group to the Star Shining Society, how could they have become so successful in Thunder City without their backing? But what can I do? Angry or not, I still have to go!

"Call the Young Master over!"

Chen Guoyuan decided to send his son. If something goes wrong, it’s better for my son to die than for me.

Unaware of his father’s cunning thoughts, Chen Xingye saw this only as a chance to earn merit and thought of nothing else. "Don’t worry, Dad! I’ll definitely help Young Master Jin bring that woman over!" he declared before leaving.

Watching his enthusiastic son leave, Chen Guoyuan shook his head. So foolish. Incurably naive. This trip could very well be a death sentence, yet he’s so eager.

「Qifei Group」

With the expansion of the Star Shining Society, the Qifei Group had received a great deal of covert assistance. Now, they had even developed a new, epoch-making drug—the Beauty Pill—which further enhanced the company’s influence. Furthermore, Yang Qi had represented the Qifei Group at the Southern Territory National Medicine Conference and won first place, granting the company a wealth of medical resources throughout the eight prefectures of the Southern Territory. As a result, work was incredibly busy, leaving Li Qingyan completely frazzled.

Fortunately, Yao Qing, Yang Qi’s former university class monitor, had been a great help since joining the Qifei Group. Already exceptionally capable, she had quickly become Li Qingyan’s right-hand woman.

The two of them were discussing work when the secretary came in to announce a visitor.

"Who is it?" Li Qingyan asked.

"The Chen Family’s young master, Chen Xingye," the secretary replied.

"The Chen Family? Master Chen Guo’s family, right? Alright, let him in," Li Qingyan said after a moment’s thought.

Unaware of the issues with the Star Shining Society, she didn’t know about the conflict between Chen Guo and the Chen Family Head, Chen Guoyuan. Assuming he was an ally, she allowed him in. Little did she know, she had just invited trouble.

Chen Xingye walked in, completely ignoring the ’No Smoking’ sign. He lit a cigarette and looked down on Li Qingyan. "You must be Li Qingyan. Our master invites you to dinner. Be at the Chen Family residence today at six P.M. sharp." His tone was that of someone giving an order.

As if having Jin Xing as his backer gave him the right to look down on everyone, Chen Xingye’s arrogance swelled. He was already a prideful young master from a prominent family, but now, with powerful support, he felt he was above all.

Listening to him, Li Qingyan frowned. "I let you in out of respect for Master Chen Guo, but you, young man, seem to have no manners."

"Who the hell cares about Chen Guo? He cut ties with the Chen Family long ago. Just remember: be at our residence at six P.M. sharp. Otherwise, you’ll face the consequences."

With that, Chen Xingye turned to leave.

In my view, no one would dare refuse my invitation now... except for those people from the Star Shining Society.