"Yang Qi, do you think I made a mistake by refusing Jin Xing’s invitation?"

Although the mass poisoning incident was resolved, Li Qingyan still felt extremely guilty. It was a relief that no one had died, but if someone had, she truly wouldn’t have known how to face herself.

"You knew they harbored ill intentions, so why would you even consider going? You shouldn’t put such a heavy burden on yourself. The fault isn’t yours; it’s theirs," Yang Qi said, gently patting Li Qingyan on the shoulder. "Just focus on the company’s operations. I’ll handle this. I assure you it won’t happen again."

"Okay!" Li Qingyan took a deep breath and went to reassure the employees.

After this incident, the employees were naturally scared. Li Qingyan wouldn’t force them to continue working; if anyone was too frightened and wanted to leave, she would see them off with a generous compensation package. After all, this incident arose because of the Qifei Group and had nothing to do with the employees themselves. To her surprise, however, even the employees who had nearly been put into a vegetative state showed no signs of wanting to leave.

"Our enemies want us to run, but we won’t. We believe in the Star Shining Society, and we believe in our boss," the employees declared, their confidence not unfounded. The fact that an incident like this could be resolved, and so quickly, showed them just how powerful the Qifei Group truly was.

"You must accept the compensation," Li Qingyan insisted. "At the very least, give us a chance to apologize."

"Alright, we won’t refuse that!"

The seven employees who had nearly been poisoned into a vegetative state accepted the compensation. In front of the media, they clarified the situation, stating that someone was trying to destroy the Qifei Group and that they would fight this person to the end. This was the simple, heartfelt loyalty of ordinary people. The Qifei Group treated them well, and they wanted to repay that kindness with true loyalty. This was all the more reason for Yang Qi to handle this matter properly.

「Meanwhile, at Jin Xing’s residence.」

"Don’t worry, Mr. Jin," the Gu Technique user laughed. "By tomorrow, that Li Qingyan will come crawling to apologize to you! I’m sure the Qifei Group is in complete chaos right now."

Jin Xing sneered. "This Li Qingyan... I originally wanted to give her a bright future and make her my partner. But since she refuses, I’ll let her learn the consequences of spurning a toast only to drink a forfeit. I’ll make sure she is utterly ruined and disgraced!"

He proudly turned on the television, eager to see news broadcasts of the Qifei Group in a state of panic. However, the report he saw almost made him spit up blood in fury.

"Our Qifei Group will not bow to any villain," Li Qingyan declared emphatically on the screen. "And I don’t care who you are, but you’d better remember this: you will not have a good end for bullying the employees of the Qifei Group."

The entire Qifei Group was more united than ever, showing no signs of panic whatsoever.

The Gu Technique user was left in an extremely awkward position. "Impossible! My Gu Insects are still alive! Are these people brain-dead? Seven of them were nearly turned into vegetables, yet they still support the Qifei Group so fiercely?" he roared.

"Enough!" Jin Xing said coldly. "I’m losing my patience. Call Chen Guoyuan and have him mobilize all the Martial Artists in Thunder City, especially those we’ve conquered. Tell them that whoever captures Li Qingyan alive and brings her to the Chen Family today gets half of Thunder City’s market to manage."

The Gu Technique user nodded and called Chen Guoyuan.

Upon hearing the order, Chen Guoyuan grew anxious. That market is supposed to be mine in the future! How can I let it be given to someone else? No, absolutely not!

But he dared not disobey Jin Xing’s orders, so he issued the announcement in Jin Xing’s name. The proclamation was posted as a Jianghu Order on Jianghu Net, a website only Martial Artists followed.

When they saw the bounty, the Martial Artists grew excited. These were fighters who sought to make a living with their fists, looking down on the work and lives of ordinary people. Now, their opportunity had arrived. As long as they captured Li Qingyan alive, they could gain control of half the market in Thunder City. This was a promise from Mr. Jin himself, so there couldn’t be a problem.

Moreover, the bounty had a deposit of one billion. If Jin Xing failed to deliver on his promise after the task was completed, the one billion would go to the person who finished the mission. Getting one billion was a pretty sweet deal. Even among Martial Artists, there were clear differences in strength. Most would never earn ten million in their lifetime, much less a hundred million, let alone a billion.

Great rewards bring forth brave men!

These people immediately began to take action.

Of course, there were those who knew their own limits. Li Qingyan is the general manager of the Qifei Group. How could she possibly be an easy target?

But with over ten thousand Martial Artists joining the hunt, each one was frantic to be the one to bring Li Qingyan to Jin Xing.

While Li Qingyan was still at work, Black Widow noticed unfamiliar figures lurking near the Qifei Group’s office building. These people seemed to be doing nothing, but she knew they were watching the building. It was as if Li Qingyan was being watched by countless eyes, with no way to escape unless all these Martial Artists were eliminated. Otherwise, she could only wait to be captured.

Black Widow frowned. I don’t know how many of them there are, but I have a bad feeling about this. This is going to be dangerous.

Chen Guoyuan had initially wanted to join in, but he eventually gave up out of fear. His son was already injured, and if he got into trouble as well, the Chen Family would be finished. Besides, I’ve always suspected that the Qifei Group has the backing of the Star Shining Society and that Yang Qingshan is its secret boss.

However, as Chen Guoyuan looked at the black dots on the digital map that completely surrounded the office building, he couldn’t help but feel a pang of envy. If these people actually succeed, won’t my dream be shattered? Or will I have to share this cake with others? But it was useless to be anxious. The Gu Technique user was watching him from the side, and he didn’t dare make a single rash move.

Jin Xing sat in front of the television, watching and waiting for news, with the bald man and the long-haired Swordsman standing silently by his side. Lately, he had been utterly humiliated. First, his plan to annihilate the Jingnan Royal Mansion was blocked by the Lei Tingjun. Then, his attempt to wipe out the Star Shining Society’s leadership backfired, with all sixteen of his most capable men being killed. After that, his scheme to use Li Qingyan to bring down the Qifei Group also fell through. And now, Li Qingyan had the audacity to defy him. Jin Xing desperately needed an outlet for his frustration.

Li Qingyan, Li Qingyan... even if it’s just for my pride, I’ll make you kneel before me. How dare you reject me so many times and then declare war on me in the media! You’re truly courting death!

「Night fell.」

At eight in the evening, Li Qingyan finished her work for the day, once again the last person to leave the company. In the pitch-dark night, only the streetlights flickered, casting long shadows as indistinct figures continuously drew closer.