Forced to Marry a Female Billionaire CEO

Chapter 272: The Past


Moreover, although the matter with Peng Hetong was now crystal clear, making Yuan Shang's immediate punishment impeccable according to the regulations, it was still unusual. In the past, Yuan Shang had always been extremely cautious when announcing punishments, especially for someone above the rank of hall chief.

How could he possibly announce it on the spot like this? Unless…

Hua Xingxue couldn't help but glance at Xu Ke, his heart pounding in shock. Could the usually impartial Yuan Shang have rushed the punishment because of Wong Qifu's fiancé? He immediately dismissed the possibility. Even Wong Qifu herself doesn't have that much clout here. Then it has to be… Hua Xingxue's pupils shrank. Xu Ke?

"Vice Alliance Leader Yuan, isn't this too hasty? How can there be no investigation?" Peng Hetong immediately protested.

As the Law Enforcement Hall Chief, he could have manipulated the process if proper procedures were followed.

Hearing this, Yuan Shang sneered, "If you think my punishment is unfair, you don't need to go through your Law Enforcement Hall's investigation. Just file an appeal directly."

"Remember to pull the surveillance footage and submit the complete video."

"I also recorded a video from the side just now. I can give you a copy if you need it."

Peng Hetong was left utterly speechless. There was no room left to maneuver.

Peng Jiashu stepped forward anxiously. "Vice Alliance Leader Yuan—"

"Shut your damn mouth!"

Peng Hetong slapped him hard across the face.

SMACK!

The sound of the slap was thunderous. Peng Jiashu was knocked to the ground, seeing stars.

"Get inside with me!" Peng Hetong barked furiously, then turned and walked into the building.

Seeing this, Peng Jiashu could only scramble to his feet and follow him inside with his head bowed. He had actually wanted to throw a few threatening words at Xu Ke. However, Yuan Shang's nearly two-meter, imposing stature and formidable cultivation made Peng Jiashu instinctively shut his mouth.

"Uncle Hua, take the rest of the day off. I'll find someone to cover your shift," Yuan Shang said, no longer engaging with Peng Hetong as he turned to Hua Xingxue.

"Then I'll have to trouble you, Vice Alliance Leader Yuan," Hua Xingxue said.

"It's no problem. You can go now," Yuan Shang nodded.

Hua Xingxue then cast another glance at Xu Ke. "Mister Xu, thank you."

"I should be the one saying that," Xu Ke replied with a smile.

Hua Xingxue nodded and turned to leave the martial arts gym. He wasn't injured, so his steps were steady as he walked away. However, as he left, one question still lingered in his mind.

Who exactly *is* Xu Ke?

"Mister Xu, shall we go inside?"

After seeing to Hua Xingxue, Yuan Shang led Xu Ke into the building. The last time Xu Ke had visited, he had gone directly underground; this time, he went straight upstairs. They took the elevator directly to the seventh floor, where Yuan Shang's office was located.

「Inside the office.」

"My apologies for being late, Mister Xu," Yuan Shang said as soon as they sat down.

"It's no problem. On the contrary, I should be the one apologizing for making you come all the way back to Tianhai over a small matter," Xu Ke said, shaking his head.

"It was no trouble for me. Alliance Leader Chen is holding down the fort in the provincial capital. When Boss Duan told me you had important business with the Martial Alliance, I decided to take the opportunity to return to Tianhai for a break."

"I just didn't expect you to run into such a frustrating mess with Peng Hetong the moment you arrived," Yuan Shang sighed.

Xu Ke smiled. "It's fine. They can't affect me."

The day before, Duan Chongfeng had learned that Xu Ke was going to the Tianhai Martial Alliance to report the Ye Family. He was worried that the Law Enforcement Hall, which was close to the Ye Family, might try to obstruct him, so he immediately called Yuan Shang back.

During the call, Duan Chongfeng laid everything out for Yuan Shang. He explained that Xu Ke intended to submit evidence against the Ye Family and, fearing the Law Enforcement Hall would cause trouble, asked Yuan Shang, who oversaw the hall, to return and handle it.

With issues concerning the business rivalries of the Six Great Families on the line, Yuan Shang couldn't sit still and set out immediately.

This was also why Xu Ke hadn't needed Wong Qifu to accompany him. Since he planned to hand the evidence directly to Yuan Shang, her presence was unnecessary.

"That's good to hear." Seeing Xu Ke's response, Yuan Shang smiled, though a hint of regret touched his face. "If I had stepped in just a little later, I would've had more grounds to strip Peng Hetong of his position."

"Unfortunately, for the minor mistake he made, this is the only punishment I can give."

Peng Jiashu was the one causing trouble from start to finish. Peng Hetong only gave Hua Xingxue a half-hearted shove, which wasn't much to go on. However, Yuan Shang was worried that waiting for Peng Hetong to make a bigger mistake would only disgust Xu Ke further. In the end, he decided not to wait.

"This is enough. After all, he is the Law Enforcement Hall Chief," Xu Ke said with a smile.

"Some chief he is…" Yuan Shang scoffed. "He's nothing but the Ye Family's dog."

"The Ye Family's dog? Then how did he become the Law Enforcement Hall Chief?" Xu Ke asked, taken aback.

How could a neutral organization like the Martial Alliance allow someone so close to the Ye Family to attain such a position?

Yuan Shang gave a succinct explanation. "It's a bit complicated, but being close to one of the families is actually quite normal."

"The timing of him becoming the Chief was quite coincidental."

"Before Uncle Hua's cultivation was crippled, he was in charge of the Law Enforcement Hall. Later, he was injured in the line of duty and lost all his power."

Xu Ke was stunned. Hua Xingxue used to be the Law Enforcement Hall Chief?

"Uncle Hua was injured in the line of duty. No one actually wanted him to step down, since the Law Enforcement Hall Chief doesn't necessarily need great strength."

"But he was unwilling to occupy the position as a cripple, so he resigned to make way for a more worthy person. He recommended the then-loyal Peng Hetong to take his place."

"It was fine at first, but he changed."

"Not only did he become increasingly snobbish, but he began to look down on Uncle Hua, the very man who recommended him."

Xu Ke frowned. This Peng Hetong is a real bastard!

Yuan Shang shook his head. "Now that his term is nearing its end, he's already looking for his next move, and Peng Jiashu isn't exactly promising material."

"So, when the Ye Family was the first to extend an olive branch, his choice was predictable."

"I see," Xu Ke said, understanding dawning on him.

"Enough about him. Let's discuss the Ye Family," Yuan Shang said, cheerfully changing the subject.

He had made things perfectly clear, so there was no need to explain further.

Xu Ke nodded. Although a curious part of him still wanted to know how Hua Xingxue had his cultivation crippled, his own business was the priority. So, he immediately took out a USB drive. "This is the evidence I wish to submit."

"This is it?" Yuan Shang reached out and took the drive, his gaze sharpening.

Peng Jiashu touched his face, staring with venomous eyes at his swollen cheek in the mirror.

He was furious. "Xu Ke, you brought this humiliation upon me…"

"I'll kill you!" he roared savagely, slamming his fist into the bathroom wall.

BANG!

The next moment, Peng Hetong's voice came from outside the door. "Are you insane? Stop making a damn racket and get the hell out here!"

Peng Jiashu's body trembled, and his voice dropped. "Yes…"

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.


Use arrow keys (or A / D) to PREV/NEXT chapter