The martial artist community was in shock.

The Star Shining Society had stepped in, dealt with Jin Xing, and put a stop to his reckless rampage in Thunder City.

However, everyone understood the implications of Jin Xing’s death. How could the president of the Tianhai Association simply let this go? He had only ever taken a single disciple in his entire life, and now that disciple was gone.

The man would undoubtedly come seeking revenge and would inevitably clash with the Star Shining Society. When that happened, Thunder City would likely plunge into chaos once more.

This was merely the beginning, the lighting of a fuse. Jin Xing and his men were just the vanguard, sent to Thunder City to scout the area. Unfortunately for them, no one had expected them to meet their end here.

What followed would be the main event, the part that truly mattered.

Everyone waited quietly, holding their breath for the situation to develop.

The news of Jin Xing’s death spread.

「Sea City, Tianhai Association!」

Within a vast estate, a roar like that of a savage beast echoed out.

"My disciple! My only disciple! He actually died in Thunder City!"

"Whoever dared to kill him, I want the entire Star Shining Society to be buried with him!"

...

「Somewhere in Thunder City.」

Gu Lingshan was frowning, his expression grim.

Useless trash. That Jin Xing is utter trash! I was counting on him to take down Yang Qi! At the very least, he should have inflicted heavy losses on the Star Shining Society! But he ended up dying first? What a complete and utter waste!

After the Southern Territory National Medicine Conference ended, Gu Lingshan hadn’t left. He had delegated the task of hiring experts to Gu Baiyun.

Although Gu Baiyi had only gotten what he deserved by crippling himself, the Gu Family placed all the blame on Yang Qi, believing it was all his fault.

Gu Baiyi’s medical skills had been learned from Penglai Immortal Island. The Gu Family was planning to invite Gu Baiyi’s master to come and take revenge. However, those masters were all exceedingly arrogant and generally unwilling to meddle in affairs outside the island, so it was uncertain if they could even be persuaded to come.

For this reason, Gu Lingshan planned to remain in Thunder City and wait for an opportunity. When Jin Xing first arrived, Gu Lingshan had even met with him privately to propose a collaboration but was rejected. The man was so arrogant, thinking himself invincible, yet he ended up losing his life in Thunder City.

This incident made Gu Lingshan even more cautious. He didn’t want to act rashly and risk his own life. However, he wouldn’t just wait idly by; he had other methods.

If I can’t crush Yang Qi head-on, I’ll use business tactics to destroy the Qifei Group! Isn’t that his father’s company? I refuse to believe he’ll be unaffected! Besides, I must get my hands on the Beauty Pill!

Gu Lingshan toyed with a lighter as he mulled over his plan. "Go, inform the owners of Thunder City’s pharmaceutical companies. Tell them that the Gu Family of the Su Mansion wishes to see them, and have them all come here to meet me!"

"As you command!"

A few bodyguards still flanked Gu Lingshan, all of them highly skilled. The Gu Family clearly placed great importance on this heir.

Soon, within the Gu Family’s private residence in Thunder City, a stream of well-known business owners began to arrive.

Gu Lingshan was still injured. Every time he moved, a heart-rending pain would surge through him, making him hate Yang Qi even more intensely. This hatred extended to the Qifei Group as well.

He sat there, his icy eyes glinting with a wolf-like ferocity. The business owners below him were all trembling with fear, for they all knew that the Su Mansion’s Gu Family was not to be provoked.

These people were all connected to the Qifei Group in some way; they were either material suppliers, transport companies, distributors, or equipment manufacturers. They weren’t fools; they knew exactly why Gu Lingshan had summoned them.

"Everyone here is intelligent, so I’ll cut to the chase," Gu Lingshan said, looking up as he toyed with a fruit knife, his voice cold. "There is only one path before you that leads to a bright future.

"That is to cooperate with our Su Mansion’s Gu Family, sever all ties with the Qifei Group, and cease doing business with them! You will all have opportunities to prosper in the Southern Territory’s market. My Gu Family will give you the greatest possible support!

"Although this will cost you something in breach-of-contract fees, you will earn far more in the future!

"The Qifei Group is doomed. My Gu Family has already decided its fate. Therefore, if you choose to work with them, you are making an enemy of the Su Mansion’s Gu Family. You know very well what that will ultimately mean."

Everyone’s expression changed drastically upon hearing this. The Su Mansion’s Gu Family was being far too tyrannical, forcing them to abandon their partnership with the Qifei Group. The profits from the Beauty Pill were enormous, the market vast; abandoning it would mean a colossal loss.

But if they refused to cooperate, they would certainly be targeted by the Gu Family. Hiding out in Jingnan Prefecture might be the least of their worries; they could very well lose their lives.

This was completely forcing them into opposition with the Qifei Group. The Qifei Group had treated them very well, even offering them a greater share of the profits from the Beauty Pill. They were deeply reluctant to betray them like this.

A nervous murmur spread through the room. "Isn’t the Gu Family being a bit too overbearing?" "That’s right! It’s not up to the Su Mansion’s Gu Family to dictate who we cooperate with! How is this any different from robbery?" "Are you trying to monopolize all the profits from the Beauty Pill for yourselves?"

"SILENCE!" a bodyguard beside Gu Lingshan roared.

Everyone jumped in fright.

Gu Lingshan said coldly, "I’ve already told you, we, the Su Mansion’s Gu Family, are going to destroy the Qifei Group. In the future, you will still get your share of the Beauty Pill’s profits!

"But I despise fence-sitters. Therefore, you have only one choice: either you choose us, or you choose the Qifei Group. There is no other option."

Threats. Coercion. Tyranny. They gave the crowd no chance to choose. The Su Mansion’s Gu Family had always been this domineering. They acted this way in their own Su Mansion, and now they were doing the same in Jingnan Prefecture.

Gu Lingshan continued, "I know you think I’m being overbearing, but this is the status of the Su Mansion’s Gu Family! In the entire Southern Territory, when it comes to the pharmaceutical industry, no one can compare to us. You should be clear about that! We are fully capable of crushing the Qifei Group through commercial means! Do not doubt our ability!

"The Qifei Group may have achieved some success, but compared to our Gu Family, they still have a long way to go.

"You should understand this. It’s a choice between two options, and I believe everyone here is intelligent enough to make the right one."

Everyone drew in a sharp breath. They were all well aware of the power wielded by the Su Mansion’s Gu Family.

Choosing the Gu Family and betraying the Qifei Group might mean losing some profit, but at least their companies wouldn’t be destroyed, and they wouldn’t lose their lives. In fact, they would even gain the Gu Family’s support.

However, if they chose the Qifei Group, they would gain nothing but a good reputation. Not only could their companies go bankrupt, but they themselves might be killed.

In truth, everyone already knew what they had to choose.