Duan Chongfeng said hesitantly, "Since you hit him, he could have dealt with you directly. Why would he help you instead?"

"When did that old dog Lin Zhongtian become so spineless?"

As a native of Long Capital, Duan Chongfeng naturally understood Lin Zhongtian better than the people of Tianhai. Even in Long Capital, Lin Zhongtian was an arrogant and domineering man. How could his entire nature change the moment he arrived in Tianhai?

It made no sense!

"Do you two really wish he had come after me?" Xu Ke asked, speechless. Seeing Lin Zhongtian back down seemed to have left them somewhat dissatisfied.

"That's not what we mean," Yuan Shang said, waving his hand. "It's just that something this strange is never simple. What if he has some other scheme?"

Duan Chongfeng chimed in, "Exactly!"

"Actually..." Xu Ke touched his nose and coughed twice. "He surrendered because I poisoned him."

"That's also why the surveillance footage disappeared. He got rid of it himself."

As soon as he said that, both men's eyes widened. "Are you saying you not only beat someone up but also planted poison in the Tianhai Martial Alliance?"

Xu Ke nodded.

Duan Chongfeng and Yuan Shang were instantly silenced. They had thought Lin Zhongtian was arrogant, but they never expected Xu Ke to be even more audacious. Not only did he kidnap Lin Zhongtian's man, but he also poisoned him...

"Still, that guy got what he deserved," Yuan Shang said with a shrug. "A Martial Alliance Elder who dares to resort to kidnapping is a real bastard."

"But he knows quite a few famous doctors in Long Capital. Aren't you afraid he'll find a cure for the poison? If he secretly backed up the surveillance footage, you'd be finished."

If Lin Zhongtian managed to cure the poison, Xu Ke would be in grave danger.

But Xu Ke just smiled with a hint of confidence. "He can't cure this poison."

Yuan Shang was taken aback by his words. Then, he suddenly recalled how Duan Chongfeng had first introduced Xu Ke to him... Thinking of this, a smile spread across Yuan Shang's face as well.

If that's the case, then Lin Zhongtian really can't cure the poison!

No wonder Lin Zhongtian made such an impassioned speech at the Tianhai Martial Alliance.

"I understand now!" Yuan Shang chuckled.

"Vice Alliance Leader Yuan, there's something I'd like you to keep an eye on for me," Xu Ke said, remembering the concerns he had mulled over the previous night.

"What is it?"

"If any unidentified Martial Artists or people from Wong Ting enter Tianhai in the coming days, please inform me right away," Xu Ke said.

"Sure, no problem!" Yuan Shang nodded. He understood why Xu Ke was asking. He was simply worried about a sneak attack.

"Also, the Martial Alliance will be passing judgment on Li Lang soon, and you'll need to be there since you're involved," Yuan Shang said. "Do you have any thoughts on the matter? Are you just going to let Li Lang take the fall and call it a day? Lin Zhongtian was beating his chest, insisting on putting Li Lang away."

This was the main reason he had come to Da Peng Commerce today, as he needed to discuss the matter with Xu Ke. However, Lin Zhongtian's strange behavior had completely derailed his original train of thought and captured his curiosity.

Upon hearing this, Xu Ke replied, "Not at the moment, but Lin Zhongtian and I have a preliminary idea."

"An idea?" Yuan Shang was intrigued. He exchanged a glance with Duan Chongfeng, a look of intense interest appearing on their faces.

「Huang Family」

Huang Sheng sat on the sofa, his face grim. From last night until now, his spirits had been low. Clearly, he was finding it difficult to accept Chang Yi's death.

Beside him, Huang Zhenyang shifted restlessly. "Brother won't say anything later, will he?"

"Don't worry..." Huang Sheng took a deep breath.

In fact, it wasn't just last night's failure that made Huang Sheng uncomfortable, but also Huang Zhendong's inquiry into the matter. Since his conflict with Xu Ke had begun, Huang Zhendong had never gotten involved. His sudden intervention this time clearly meant he was no longer satisfied.

"You're here?" A low, husky voice sounded from the side.

Hearing the voice, Huang Zhenyang shot up as if he'd been scalded. Huang Sheng quietly clenched his fists and rose to his feet as well.

"B-Brother!"

"Dad!"

Behind them, a middle-aged man in a brown suit was approaching. He had a square, resolute face and eyes as deep and still as calm water. "Fourth Brother. Sheng. Sit down. I called you here to discuss something."

"Yes..." Hearing this, Huang Zhenyang grew even more tense, acting nothing like Huang Zhendong's younger brother.

Huang Zhendong sat in the master seat and looked at Huang Zhenyang. "Have you informed Wong Ting about this?"

"I've already notified them," Huang Zhenyang replied hastily. After Huang Qi's death, the task of liaising with Wong Ting had fallen to him.

"What was their response?" Huang Zhendong asked, gently stroking the ring on his other hand.

"They only replied that they were aware of it."

"Good. You may leave now. I have something to discuss with Sheng alone."

"Then I'll take my leave!" As if granted a pardon, Huang Zhenyang scurried away. Since last night, whether dealing with Wong Ting or Huang Zhendong, he had been a bundle of nerves, desperate for any chance to escape.

After Huang Zhenyang left, the atmosphere grew heavy. Although Huang Sheng faced Huang Zhendong, his gaze drifted elsewhere.

Huang Zhendong spoke to him. "Do you know why I called you here?"

"I don't," Huang Sheng said, his unfocused gaze snapping back as he shook his head.

Huang Zhendong said slowly, "Why did you fail last night? Have you reflected on it?"

"I've reflected a little..." Huang Sheng fell silent for a moment. "It was likely a miscalculation based on our intelligence on Xu Ke. I don't know what happened at the Tianhai Martial Alliance that allowed him to take Chang Yi and Sun Luo. I also don't know what exactly occurred at the villa, but I interrogated the men who were stationed there. They said the same black-robed elder who saved Xu Ke last time appeared, and then Li Lang started killing people for some unknown reason... I suspect that elder and Tang Yingchang went to the Martial Alliance to make a move. That must be how Xu Ke managed to take Chang Yi and Sun Luo right from under Lin Zhongtian's nose, right?"

Huang Zhendong listened in silence.

Seeing this, a look of distress crossed Huang Sheng's face. He finally lowered his head. "I was wrong this time. Please punish me, Father."

Huang Zhendong's expression turned grim. "You planned to kidnap Xu Yi, assuming Xu Ke wouldn't dare to act for fear of the Martial Alliance. But a cornered dog will lash out. You should have anticipated that he might fight back."

"We have our own masters at the Innate Great Perfection realm. There's no need to be so hesitant to deploy them, understand?"

Huang Sheng lowered his head even further.

"Never take anything for granted," Huang Zhendong said coolly. "Nothing ever goes exactly as you plan."

"Understood!"

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