Chapter 22: The Smoke Fades, Time Is Up

Seeing them rush in and then rush out just as quickly, Chairman Wang and the others were left utterly bewildered!

The young man’s eyes remained calm, as if he were simply observing a group of ants.

Only now did they seem to realize just what a terrifying existence they had provoked!

“I… I’ll hand over my shares.”

At last, an elderly board member in his sixties, unable to withstand the immense pressure, chose to relinquish his shares.

He wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and walked toward the door.

But as he passed Ming Cheng, Ming Cheng reached out and blocked his way!

The board member was startled.

“I’ve already given up my shares. Are you going to break your word?”

Ming Cheng gave a sly grin.

“We won’t break our word, but my young master made two requests. You… have only fulfilled one!”

The board member trembled, glanced at Ling Xiao, gritted his teeth, and finally chose to kneel.

“President Mu, I was momentarily blinded by greed. I beg your forgiveness and hope you’ll be magnanimous enough to spare me!”

Mu Yiren took a deep breath. From utter despair to standing at the pinnacle, it all felt like a dream.

Everything was so unreal, yet it was happening before her eyes.

She glanced at Ling Xiao, her emotions in turmoil.

All of it—Ling Xiao had bestowed it upon her.

“Ling Xiao, what do you think…?”

Ling Xiao smiled faintly.

“I was only here to help. It’s your company. The rest is for you to decide.”

Mu Yiren’s eyes grew complicated. She exhaled slowly and said, “Thank you.”

Then, turning to the board member, she shouted, “Get out!”

“Thank you, President Mu!”

The elderly board member dared not show the slightest displeasure, hurriedly scrambled to his feet, and left.

With the first to take the lead, a second and a third quickly followed. In the blink of an eye, the conference room emptied, leaving only Mu Yiren, a few others, and Wang Ke.

He swallowed nervously, clenched his teeth, and spat, “You… Mu Yiren, how dare you use such underhanded means to force us to give up our shares!”

Mu Yiren sneered coldly. “Compared to how you, Chairman Wang, devour everything in your path, I’ve already shown you mercy!”

“You! Fine, you’re ruthless! Mu Yiren, you’ve won! But mark my words—one day, I’ll take back everything that’s mine! Hmph!”

He stood up, preparing to leave.

But just then, Ming Cheng once again blocked his way.

Wang Ke gritted his teeth and said angrily, “What? You want me to kneel?”

Ming Cheng shook his head.

“No, no. My young master’s cigarette has burned out. You gave up too late!”

With that, Ming Cheng, ignoring Wang Ke’s protests, dragged him to the window and threw him out.

With a scream, this farcical coup finally came to an end!

Secretary Coco, forcing down her fear, couldn’t help but ask, “He already surrendered—why kill him?”

Ming Cheng chuckled darkly. “He dared to set his sights on Miss Mu. Even if he handed over ten billion, he’d still have to die!”

Coco shuddered, and Mu Yiren’s delicate form trembled as she fixed her complicated gaze on Ling Xiao.

Ling Xiao tossed his cigarette to the floor and crushed it underfoot.

“Ming Cheng, you talk too much.”

“Uh… Young Master, I was just joking. Don’t take it seriously.”

“The matter here is settled. Miss Mu, farewell. If fate permits, we’ll meet again.”

With those words, Ling Xiao turned and left the conference room, Ming Cheng hurrying after him.

Mu Yiren bit her lip and quickly chased after them, calling out loudly, “Ling Xiao…is it really you?”

Ling Xiao paused for a second, then turned back. “Miss Mu, what do you mean?”

“I…”

Mu Yiren hesitated, and Ling Xiao’s brows furrowed slightly.

“Sorry, I have other matters to attend to. If there’s nothing else, I’ll be going.”

With that, he paid her no further heed and left.

Leaving Yi Ren Group, getting into the car, Ming Cheng couldn’t help but ask, “Young Master, why didn’t you acknowledge Miss Mu?”

Ling Xiao gazed calmly out at the bustling city.

“Three years ago, because of the Ling family, Uncle Mu and Aunt Mu suffered. For three years, Yi Ren has endured so much she never should have, waiting for me. How could I just meet her so casually? With what face could I do so?”

“When I’ve taken Jiangzhou, I’ll use the whole city as an offering—and propose to her!”

For you, I will gather all the world’s splendor; for you, I will claim power over all beneath the heavens!

…

The car soon arrived at a farmhouse on the outskirts of Jiangzhou.

Though it was three in the afternoon, the place was eerily quiet.

The staff moved with the utmost care, as if terrified of disturbing something.

Ling Xiao’s car pulled up next to an Audi A8.

The car was old and unremarkable—except for its license plate: four zeroes and a one.

Ling Xiao got out, hands behind his back, and strode into the farmhouse.

Inside, three people were already seated: Xiu’er, a dignified old man in his sixties, and a secretary with a powdered face, slicked hair, and glasses.

Seeing Ling Xiao enter, Xiu’er hurried forward and bowed. “Young Master, you’ve finally come!”

Ling Xiao nodded, sat down, and faced the old man across the room.

Neither had spoken, yet the atmosphere was already heavy, the pressure so great that any ordinary person would have struggled to breathe.

One radiated the authority of years in high office;

The other, the supreme arrogance of a young powerhouse.

Neither was willing to yield an inch.

The secretary with the slicked hair adjusted his glasses, snorted, and said, “So you’re Ling Xiao, heir to Ghost Valley? Such arrogance! You kept Senior Sun waiting for so long—do you even have him in your eyes?”

Ling Xiao frowned slightly, but Ming Cheng immediately retorted, “Who do you think you are, you prissy thing? Our young master comes when he pleases! If he doesn’t feel like it, he wouldn’t even bother to look at you!”

“You—you insolent wretch! Do you know who you’re talking to?”

“So what if you’re a sissy? What else are you?”

Ming Cheng refused to back down, nearly driving the secretary to curse aloud.

At this point, Senior Sun finally gestured for calm. “Enough, Xiao Li, stand down.”

“Yes, Senior Sun.”

Xiao Li shot Ming Cheng a vicious glare before withdrawing.

Ming Cheng simply rolled his eyes in utter disdain.

Senior Sun ignored the squabbling servants; his gaze remained fixed on Ling Xiao.

This young man was the reason he had come here today!

“I’ve long heard of Ling Xiao, heir to Ghost Valley—advancing to Dragon Group major in three years, becoming one of the Four Young Masters of the martial world, and renowned far and wide. Seeing you now, I am not disappointed.”

Ling Xiao’s expression was indifferent. “There’s no need for empty pleasantries.”

“Haha… Truly a man of action! Let me be direct, then.”

At these words, Senior Sun’s aura surged—like an ocean, it crashed down with overwhelming force.

“Don’t you think your actions in Jiangzhou have gone too far?”