Snowflakes danced in the air as a business vehicle entered the territory of Lingjin City.

The news that had detonated in Lingjin City, along with Zhong Yuan's interview, had already reached Chen Yang and Yang Hu.

Yang Hu sneered, "We've seen our fair share of shameless people, but this is the first time we've encountered someone who plays the robber while pretending to serve the public interest."

Qin Corporation is rich but ruthless, so he's going to give the public a satisfactory price? Ha... You could figure out with your ass that someone capable of this would never share profits with the public. It's like going to great lengths to snatch something, only to give it away for free instead of exchanging it for maximum profit. Is that even possible?!

"If he wants to make a move on Qin Corporation, he needs a suitable reason to make it look just. The reason he found not only slanders Qin Corporation but also rallies public support. It's killing two birds with one stone," Chen Yang said with a shake of his head and a smile. "I have to say, this Zhong Yuan is quite cunning. Even if he ultimately fails, he'll still have won over the public, while our Qin Corporation will be a painted-black pigeon, no different from a crow. Even if we manage to stay in Lingjin City, we'll be like rats in the street that everyone wants to beat."

"PAH!" Yang Hu spat fiercely, mocking, "I despise such a despicable, shameless scoundrel from the bottom of my heart! If you're that jealous, just come and try to take it. Resorting to such underhanded tactics is just disgusting."

"Let's forget about him. Tell me about his father," Chen Yang said with a wave of his hand.

Yang Hu passed his cell phone to Chen Yang. The screen displayed detailed information about Zhong Qian. He laughed and said, "This Zhong Qian started out on the frontlines. After being promoted to the Sixth Rank, he probably felt he couldn't rise any further and took advantage of a management vacancy in logistics to advance to the Seventh Rank. In the years that followed, he spent his time schmoozing at various dinners and functions, finally getting promoted to Eighth Rank Military General five years ago!"

Yang Hu's lip curled in a sneer. "And just recently, he's been pulling strings again, trying to transfer from logistics back to the frontlines. But the funny thing is, the team you used to lead collectively opposed his return. They even signed a joint petition against it. If someone hadn't suppressed it behind the scenes, the whole affair probably would have reached the Elders' Court."

Leaving everything else aside, the man's character is simply rotten.

Yang Hu chuckled, half in amusement, half in disbelief. "The Martial Department has been around for so many years, this must be a first, right? What a disgrace! It really proves the old saying: like father, like son."

Chen Yang stared out the window. In the distance, a visible plume of smoke rose through the snow and wind—the result of the thriving incense burning at Hanling Temple.

"In our Martial Department, whether you're a Martial Guard or a Military General, it's considered an honor to fight and kill enemies on the frontlines. People like him are truly rare," Chen Yang said indifferently.

A person like that is a liability.

Soon, the business vehicle drove up to Hanling Temple. After parking, Yang Hu asked, "Boss, should we go drag him out now?"

"We'll just wait for him to come out. It wouldn't be right to cause a scene inside," Chen Yang said softly, his gaze fixed on the surging crowd outside.

Even if he didn't believe in these things, one still had to show some basic respect.

"Alright!" Yang Hu acknowledged, handing a cigarette to Chen Yang before lighting one for himself.

「Outside the vehicle.」

A large crowd had gathered at the main gate of Hanling Temple. Although Zhong Yuan hadn't cleared the area, these people didn't follow him inside, planning instead to enter after he left.

Besides, there were a few burly men in suits guarding the entrance. How embarrassing would it be to walk up and get turned away?

「About ten minutes later.」

Zhong Yuan emerged. A faint smile never left his face as he took a few steps forward and addressed the crowd, "I have prayed for blessings for Lingjin City and for all the people of the world. I hope that in the new year, all your wishes come true."

"Once I obtain the formula and begin production, I will ensure the greatest benefits are passed on to you all, making the medicine affordable for everyone to buy and use!"

A thunderous round of applause erupted from the large crowd.

"Young Master Zhong Yuan, we support you! Vile capitalists like Qin Corporation must be taken down!"

"Young Master Zhong, you're the pride of Lingjin City! We're proud of you!"

"We've got your back!"

Amidst the applause, cheer after cheer rose and fell, pushing the atmosphere to a climax. Zhong Yuan savored the moment, his smile growing ever wider. But inwardly, he sneered at the people before him. A bunch of brainless idiots! After I take over Qin Corporation, the price of that medicine will increase at least tenfold. Otherwise, why would I be going through all this trouble? Yet these people are here singing my praises. If they aren't fools, what are they?

Zhong Yuan shook his head secretly. A patch of leeks, destined only to be harvested by others. How pitiful and pathetic.

Just as he was about to leave, a questioning voice suddenly came from the back of the crowd.

"Young Master Zhong, I wonder how you plan on pricing this medicine?"

Everyone frowned and turned around in unison. The speaker was none other than Yang Hu. With a cigarette dangling from his lips, he stood half a step behind Chen Yang, a playful smirk on his face as he stared at Zhong Yuan.

"Hey? I-Isn't that Chen Yang?"

"It really is him! I can't believe he got here so fast."

"You damned piece of trash, get on your knees!"

Many in the crowd recognized Chen Yang instantly and began pointing, while some of the more hot-tempered ones started shouting insults.

"So, you're Chen Yang?" Zhong Yuan sized him up from head to toe, speaking with a newfound interest. "After a thorough cost analysis, I will naturally set the most reasonable price."

"For example—"

"Skip the examples," Chen Yang said flatly, cutting him off. "What belongs to Qin Corporation is not for you to dictate."

Zhong Yuan's brow furrowed, and his face darkened with clear displeasure.

How dare he speak to me in that tone? Heh... he's simply courting death.

"If you're jealous of this prescription, you could have just asked me for it directly. There was no need for all these theatrics," Chen Yang said. He snuffed out his cigarette, flicked the butt away, and delivered his next line with shocking audacity, "Call your dad. Tell him I'm only giving him half an hour."

Zhong Yuan was rendered speechless.

The entire crowd fell silent.

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