Liu Ruyan's tone was detached, her expression frigid. Her beautiful eyes were fixed on the window, and they seemed to flash with a chilling light.

The Martial Association had suffered consecutive losses in Lingjin City. These defeats not only weakened its overall strength but also severely damaged the reputation it had worked so hard to build. Now, many were saying that the seemingly grand and powerful Martial Association was nothing but an empty shell with a hollow reputation. Otherwise, how could a single person have stopped them from gaining even the slightest foothold in Lingjin City?

The sharp decline in registrations naturally caused income to plummet. As a result, the major powers behind the Martial Association were no longer receiving their monthly dividends. Although nothing had been said explicitly, their dissatisfaction was already palpable.

This time, Liu Ruyan was here to restore the Martial Association's name. As long as she could root out their opponent and re-establish the Martial Association's presence in Lingjin City, all the previous negative effects would naturally be erased. Not only that, but the reputation and status of the Martial Association might even climb to a new height.

Chen Ke, standing by, nodded to himself. This woman is as steady as a rock.

Then, Chen Ke smiled and said, "With Miss Ruyan taking action, even if the opponent has extraordinary abilities, you will surely eliminate them this time!"

"By the way, are you also staying at the Yuelan Grand Hotel this time, Miss Ruyan?"

Liu Ruyan glanced at Chen Ke. Her indifferent eyes were like blades of ice, chilling him to the bone and making it feel like pins and needles were pricking his back.

Chen Ke just smiled. "What a coincidence, we're staying at the Yuelan Hotel as well. This way, we can look out for each other."

Liu Ruyan closed her eyes to rest, saying nothing more.

「」

The already gloomy sky was suddenly stirred by a strong wind as the temperature plummeted. The wind howled and the rain scattered. Before long, fluttering snowflakes began to cling to the branches.

With the holiday approaching, the sudden snowstorm, though inconvenient for travel, elevated the festive atmosphere to an entirely new level.

At nine in the morning, Chen Yang left home to visit Old Mr. Qin Gang at the hospital. On the way, he received a call from Yang Hu.

"Boss, I'm setting out now to deliver the coffin to Yuan Tianlong." After taking the Golden Wound Pill and resting for two days, Yang Hu was full of vigor, his voice as resonant as a brass bell.

"Oh!" Chen Yang nodded. Only then did he remember that today was the day of the funeral Yuan Tianlong was holding for his son, Yuan Qingyun.

"You could have just sent someone else for something like this. There's no need for you to go personally," Chen Yang said calmly.

"I was idle anyway, and my injuries are almost healed."

"Fine. In that case, tell Yuan Tianlong he must attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony when the Qin Corporation's pharmaceutical factory is completed," Chen Yang instructed.

Yang Hu agreed, laughing heartily. "Don't worry, Boss. I'll make sure he's brought to heel."

「Meanwhile.」

「Anwu Cemetery.」

The snow was falling even heavier now, but the weather couldn't stop the elite of Lingjin City from attending the funeral. Haoyu Group—what a formidable entity! If one could leave a good impression on Yuan Tianlong, it might earn them some goodwill in future business dealings.

In less than half an hour, no fewer than four to five hundred people had gathered before the hall. Nearly all of them were prominent figures in Lingjin City. A sea of black umbrellas provided shelter from the snow and rain, resembling a vast, dark curtain that added to the oppressive atmosphere.

"Chairman Yuan, my condolences."

"Tianlong, the dead are gone, but life must go on for the living."

"..."

Yuan Tianlong stood at the entrance as the attendees lined up to offer him their condolences.

About half an hour later, Yuan Tianlong stepped aside, lit a cigarette, and asked quietly, "Has anyone from the Qin Corporation arrived?"

"Not yet!" Yuan Tiance, dressed in a black suit, responded with a grim expression.

Yuan Qingshan remarked coldly, "To dare show such disregard for the Haoyu Group... does the insignificant Qin Corporation have a death wish?"

"Is it worth getting angry over people who are about to die?" Yuan Tianlong waved his hand dismissively. He looked up at the gloomy sky, letting snowflakes fall on his face. "That woman, Qin Qiu, may have an ace up her sleeve, but isn't she underestimating me, Yuan Tianlong, far too much?"

"Spread the word immediately. Say that my son Qingyun's funeral hall will not be dismantled just yet. It will be sent, fully intact, to the Qin Corporation. They'll have use for it soon enough." Yuan Tianlong glanced at the time, his face expressionless.

"Alright, I'll have someone handle it right now." Yuan Tiance pulled out his phone and walked aside.

This way, the Qin Corporation's absence wouldn't tarnish the Haoyu Group's reputation. After all, they had been the ones to publicly demand their presence.

Soon, the news made headlines. Those who had been waiting for further developments were immediately captivated.

"Looks like the Qin Corporation didn't show. Tsk, you have to admit, that little company has some nerve, openly ignoring Yuan Tianlong's summons."

"They've got backbone, but the outcome isn't looking good for them!"

"Yuan Tianlong has made his move. Is there any way out for the Qin Corporation?"

"..."

As the crowd murmured amongst themselves, they continued to wait for more explosive news to break.

Losing a son in middle age is one of life's greatest misfortunes. After finishing his cigarette, Yuan Tianlong was overcome with emotion, his eyes filled with deep sorrow. The mournful dirge echoing through the air left him dazed. The tolling of the funeral bell and the sounds of weeping struck at his Divine Spirit again and again, causing an indescribable pain.

Just one week ago, his son had been discussing cultivation with him, confidently claiming he was about to break through to the tenth rank. Now, he lay there, a cold corpse on display for all to see.

Halfway through the funeral, Yuan Tianlong gazed at the portrait of his son in the hall, his eyes turning icy as he promised through gritted teeth, "Rest assured. Everyone connected to this will be sent down to join you in death!"

But then...

BOOM!!

A sudden explosion startled everyone present. They spun around in horror, staring toward the entrance.

They saw a brand-new coffin skidding across the floor until it slammed into the stairs and stopped. It came to rest right in front of Yuan Tianlong.

That single impact had already created numerous cracks in the coffin. The overwhelming stench of cheap paint assailed them, making it clear just how shoddy its construction was.

Yuan Tianlong's eyes narrowed instantly. He spun around, staring at a young man walking toward them, and bellowed, "Who are you?"

A coffin. While Yuan Tianlong and the entire Yuan Family were engulfed in profound grief, someone had sent them a coffin. This was a deliberate act of humiliation, trampling on Yuan Tianlong's dignity right before his eyes.

"You're courting death!" Yuan Qingshan's eyes bulged with rage as he glared at the approaching young man through gritted teeth.

The newcomer was, of course, Yang Hu.

Yang Hu slowly lit a cigarette. After taking a puff, he said nonchalantly, "My Boss's message is that since you extended an invitation, a gift must be delivered, regardless of whether anyone shows up."

"What's wrong? It seems you're not too fond of this gift?"

Yuan Tianlong was seething with murderous intent. He swept his hand forward. "I want him dead!"

WHOOSH!

The middle-aged men behind him, radiating a thick killing intent, surged forward.

SWISH! SWISH!

They moved with the speed of lightning.

However, the faster they rushed forward, the faster they were sent flying back.

BANG! BANG!

With two heavy thuds, the two middle-aged men crashed violently onto the stairs, their bones shattering as blood sprayed from their mouths.

Instantly, everyone present froze as if doused in ice water, completely motionless.

Yang Hu clapped the dust from his hands and added, "My Boss also says your son must be buried in this coffin."

Yuan Tianlong: "..."

Everyone: "..."

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