CLACK!

The cigar Xu Shan had just lit dropped to the floor, its glowing embers instantly burning a large hole in the carpet.

Xu Shan's cheeks twitched. He stared at Chen Yang in utter disbelief, his face a mask of astonishment.

What in the world is this joke?

The usually haughty and unyielding Xu Jing bared his teeth in a sneer. "Do you take us for fools? Even if someone really showed up downstairs, what does that have to do with you?"

The female secretary beside him covered her mouth and chuckled. Like Xu Jing, she hadn't seen the scene below and found the claim hilarious. Besides, mobilizing a force of several hundred men would require a Military General of an incredible rank. This guy wasn't even thirty years old. He'd barely started shaving!

"Trying to bluff us? You're making a fool of yourself!"

Xu Jing was arrogant, but his words were logical and his analysis sound.

Chen Yang calmly took out a cigarette and lit it, his movements unhurried and graceful. He had no intention of responding to Xu Jing's provocations. Yet, in that moment, his silence was terrifying.

Xu Shan grew restless, his gaze flickering between the window and Chen Yang. Finally, he fixed his stare on Chen Yang, trying to read any sign of deceit on his face. But the man was like an unmovable mountain, perfectly composed and unshakeable.

Chen Yang exhaled a plume of smoke, his eyes meeting Xu Shan's directly. "The Qin Corporation bought this land with cold, hard cash. Now you want to just snatch it away. Isn't that taking things too far?"

"Or perhaps you believe you can blot out the sky with one hand?"

Forcing down the chaotic thoughts swirling in his mind, Xu Shan said gravely, "I may not be able to blot out the sky in Lingjin City, but I have connections in many circles. I hope you understand what that means."

"Dad, why are you still wasting your breath on him? Just throw him out!" Xu Jing said coldly.

The words had barely left his lips when the sharp, rhythmic sound of heavy boots echoed from the hallway. A moment later, a middle-aged man in military attire strode in, leading a small squad. Their entrance was as disruptive as a thunderclap.

"Ge-General Liu!" Xu Shan was visibly stunned. He never imagined he would see the head of the Martial Department's Lingjin City garrison in his own office.

With a heart pounding in dread and horror, Xu Shan moved to greet him. Only then did he realize his legs suddenly felt as if they were filled with lead. "General Liu," he said with a fawning smile, "wh-what brings you here?"

"Hmph!" The man, Liu Jinshan, snorted heavily. He walked straight past Xu Shan and stopped before Chen Yang. "Sir," he explained, "we were in the middle of special training. My apologies for the delay."

This wasn't his first meeting with Chen Yang in Lingjin City, so he knew exactly what to say and, more importantly, what not to say.

At those words, a chilling premonition washed over Xu Shan. He knew he was in deep trouble. He had assumed that even if his opponent had connections in the Martial Department, his own influence would be enough to negotiate a solution. But General Liu's attitude…

The female secretary, who was smirking smugly just a moment ago, gasped. She stumbled back several steps, her hands landing on a desk to keep her balance.

Xu Jing's expression finally changed.

Chen Yang smiled at Liu Jinshan. "Sorry to trouble you again."

"It is my duty, sir." Liu Jinshan's expression immediately turned grim, his icy gaze falling on Xu Shan. "What a brazen thief! Do you really think Lingjin City is your personal property? You have the audacity to cause trouble for a senior officer of my department. How bold you are!"

"This..." Xu Shan's face was ashen, his expression fraught with tension. He opened his mouth, but it took him a long moment to stammer out, "I-I'm sure this is all a misunderstanding."

"How about this? I'll book two tables at the Yuelan Grand Hotel for lunch. I wish to offer my sincerest apologies and admit my mistake. I hope we can put this matter behind us."

As the saying goes, you don't hit a man who's smiling. Since the situation seemed potentially manageable, Xu Shan naturally wanted to de-escalate. Surviving this crisis was worth any amount of compensation.

Unexpectedly, Xu Jing grew defiant again, arguing his point. "Apologize for what? Heaven Star Group simply expressed its desire for the land. Since they're unwilling to sell, the contract hasn't been signed, and no one was hurt, what's the issue? We'll just drop our pursuit of the land. Why is an apology necessary?"

All I did was hire some people to pause their construction. There was no real damage. Now I'm backing off, so that should be the end of it, right? Their connections are strong, sure, but what grounds do they have to keep bothering us? In the future, I'll just make sure to steer clear of them.

However, Yang Hu, who was perched on the edge of the desk, let out a snicker.

"What are you laughing at?" Xu Jing frowned.

Yang Hu unhurriedly drew a paratrooper knife, a feral grin spreading across his face. "I'm laughing because you make a surprisingly good point."

Xu Jing stared, confused, but before he could process the words, a flash of white light cut through the air.

SWISH!

THUNK!

The paratrooper knife sank deep into Xu Jing's thigh, pinning his leg to the adjacent wooden table.

"AHHHH!"

Xu Jing's face twisted in agony. Beads of sweat rolled down his forehead as he clutched his gushing wound and howled.

In an instant, Xu Shan and the female secretary were frozen in shock.

"What are you screaming for?" Yang Hu strolled toward Xu Jing with a wicked smile. "I was going to kill you, but I changed my mind. I only crippled your leg. See? I don't need to apologize, because I didn't actually kill you."

"So, kid... is that the same logic?"

Xu Jing was speechless.

Yang Hu yanked the knife free. Xu Jing crumpled to the floor, the searing pain nearly making him pass out.

"Jing!" Seeing his son's bloody thigh, Xu Shan's eyes looked ready to split with rage. He turned to Chen Yang, forcing the words out through clenched teeth. "We have no deep-seated grudge. I hope you'll remember your status and act accordingly!"

His underlying message was clear: he hoped Chen Yang would back off before things went too far.

Chen Yang replied coolly, "When he was insulting me earlier, why didn't I see you trying to stop him?"

Xu Shan had no answer.

"If I'd been a moment later today, what would have happened to Qin Qiu?"

Again, Xu Shan was silent.

"A moment ago, CEO Xu said he doesn't like to waste time. Coincidentally, neither do I." Chen Yang rolled up his sleeves, pulled the handgun from Yang Hu's waistband, and pressed the muzzle against Xu Jing's head. His gaze was like ice.

Xu Jing's screams died in his throat, his expression frozen, his muscles trembling uncontrollably. A suffocating silence fell over the office.

This man's eyes... they're terrifying!

Xu Shan stood rigid, finding it almost impossible to breathe.

"Dad! Dad, save me! Save me!" Xu Jing cried out, every trace of his earlier arrogance gone, replaced by pure terror.

Chen Yang spoke quietly, his voice a low threat. "I once swore an oath. Anyone who dares to bully my wife, I will destroy."

"I don't care if it's the Heavenly King himself. I'd do the same to him."

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