Xu Ke watched Qian Jun coolly. "If it's none of your business, then why are you here on behalf of Wong Ting, demanding compensation from the Ye Family for the deceased Sun Luo?"

"Don't tell me you're Sun Luo's illegitimate son, here to personally represent your 'daddy Sun' and collect his death compensation?"

Qian Jun's face flushed crimson with rage. "You dare slander me!"

Xu Ke's repeated slander made his chest tighten with fury, so much so that he nearly coughed up blood.

"Then since you aren't his illegitimate son, you will dutifully pay compensation on behalf of Wong Ting," Xu Ke said icily. "Since Wong Ting sent you to collect the dead Sun Luo's money, you can also represent Wong Ting in shouldering his and their responsibility."

At this moment, Yuan Shang spoke up. "Since you're all here, why don't you do as Xu Ke says? Come, take a seat."

Then, he looked at Lin Zhongtian and Peng Hetong. "Elder Lin, Chief Peng, please sit. You're going to be busy for a while longer. Thank you for all your hard work!"

Yuan Shang's smiling expression made Peng Hetong and Lin Zhongtian burn with indignation.

This man is simply despicable!

Ye Chong shot Peng Hetong a meaningful look.

Peng Hetong hastily objected, "Vice Alliance Leader Yuan, I don't oppose you presiding over this matter with justice. But Xu Ke, this accusation is too sudden. The Martial Alliance didn't even have time to notify us…"

If the Ye Family were to be prosecuted without any preparation, they would be at a disadvantage at every turn. Since he had sided with the Ye Family, he naturally had to buy them some time. According to regulations, if Xu Ke wanted to file a complaint, he had to first register the case with the Martial Alliance, which would then issue a formal notice.

But Yuan Shang produced a case registration document. "That won't be necessary. Xu Ke already spoke with me, and the registration process is complete."

"You..."

Lin Zhongtian's and Peng Hetong's eyes nearly bulged from their sockets.

Huang Sheng immediately retorted, "But we haven't been informed about this matter."

According to the rules, the Martial Alliance had to give them time after being notified.

But Yuan Shang just smiled. "The Martial Alliance grants you time, but that's for gathering evidence to refute Xu Ke's claim—namely, that you 'abducted Xu Yi.' However, when Elder Lin just stated that you had premeditated the abduction of Xu Yi, none of you raised any objections. Are you trying to deny the fact now? Do you think the righteous Elder Lin would agree to that?"

Forcibly pushed into the spotlight, Lin Zhongtian's face stiffened as he looked at Xu Ke.

Xu Ke also smiled. "Elder Lin, I hope you will handle this with impartiality."

This made Lin Zhongtian feel utterly suffocated. In all his time in Long Capital, when had he ever suffered the miserable fate of being treated like a puppet on a string? And by Xu Ke, a man he had disdained just the day before yesterday!

At that moment, all eyes were fixed on Lin Zhongtian. As long as he stood his ground, Xu Ke wouldn't be able to prosecute them today.

But under the intense gazes of Ye Yunfeng and the others, Lin Zhongtian stammered, "Well, Vice Alliance Leader Yuan does have a point. Why don't you all sit down first and see what Mister Xu requires."

As soon as the words left his mouth, Xu Ke laughed.

The faces of Huang Zhendong, Ye Yunfeng, Qian Jun, and Kang Chenghua turned utterly livid. As for Li Shichuan and Li Lang, they exchanged a look, seeing only confusion in each other's eyes. They were finding it more and more difficult to guess what Xu Ke was really up to!

* * *

No matter how brazen the Ye and Huang Families were, they wouldn't dare openly defy Lin Zhongtian in the Martial Alliance's presence. Thus, they all sat down across from Xu Ke. The space was suddenly crowded, forcing Ye Chong and Huang Sheng to stand.

"Mister Xu, may I ask how you intend to hold them accountable?" Lin Zhongtian asked, forcing a smile after everyone was seated.

He didn't want to help Xu Ke either. He wanted to argue on Wong Ting's behalf that the kidnapping never happened. But he couldn't, as he was the one who had personally declared the kidnapping a fact. If he tried to forcefully argue his way out of it now, the Long Capital Grand Alliance would surely receive a complaint letter from Xu Ke by tomorrow. The day after that, he would be stripped of his position by the Grand Alliance. And the day after that, he would probably be dead... After all, without his position as a Martial Alliance Elder, Xu Ke certainly wouldn't give him the antidote.

"Very simple," Xu Ke chuckled. "It is common knowledge that the Li Family is controlled by the Ye Family. Li Lang was the mastermind. He sent the threatening messages and personally carried out the abduction. Therefore, the Ye Family and the Li Family bear the primary responsibility and will pay one hundred million in compensation."

"Chang Yi of the Huang Family and Sun Luo were accomplices. They bear fifty percent of the responsibility and must each compensate fifty million. Furthermore, I want the eighty million you two just received from the Ye Family."

"Kang Dehui of the Kang Family was also an accomplice who organized Tianhai University students to deceive Xu Yi. He will compensate fifty million and also hand over the ten million you just received."

At these words, the entire room was stunned, and everyone's expression changed.

Three hundred and forty million.

No one had expected Xu Ke to demand such an astronomical sum right off the bat. This wasn't just extortion; it was daylight robbery!

In the next moment, they erupted in fury, slamming their hands on the table as they shot to their feet.

BANG!

The sound was deafening.

"Xu Ke, demanding three hundred and forty million just like that? Why don't you just go rob a bank?!" Qian Jun could no longer contain himself.

Huang Zhendong couldn't either. "And another thing! Why should you get the death compensation we're entitled to? This isn't robbery, it's extortion!"

They had seen shamelessness before, but never on this level. Three hundred and forty million! Not three yuan and forty cents! Did Xu Ke think they were printing money?

The one with the darkest expression was Ye Yunfeng. He remained silent, his eyes fixed on Xu Ke. If Xu Ke's demands were met, their Ye Family would be the one to bleed the most. It meant that not only would they have to pay one hundred million, but also cover the additional ninety million that had been paid to the Huang Family, the Kang Family, and Wong Ting.

Just five days ago, their family had paid Xu Ke ten years' worth of profits. Now he wanted another one hundred and ninety million? Xu Ke was going too far!

At this moment, the expressions on Li Lang and Li Shichuan were ghastly. They thought they understood! Xu Ke hadn't killed Li Lang and had even given them advice on how to trick the Ye Family into paying for Li Lang's life. It wasn't because Xu Ke genuinely wanted Li Lang to live! It was because only with Li Lang alive could Xu Ke have him feign meritorious service, forcing the Ye Family to pay up—money that would ultimately end up in Xu Ke's pocket. If Li Lang were dead, Xu Ke couldn't get this much. But with Li Lang alive, Xu Ke would get an extra ninety million, and the poisoned Li Lang's life would still be in his hands…

Realizing this, Li Lang's face turned deathly pale as cold sweat beaded on his forehead. So, this was all part of Xu Ke's plan, ever since he fed him the poison two nights ago!

As for Ye Chong and Huang Sheng, they were speechless. They knew Xu Ke would be ruthless, but they never imagined he'd be *this* ruthless!

* * *

Seeing the furiously indignant crowd, Xu Ke sneered, "What are you all getting so worked up about? I've merely stated my demands. I haven't actually taken your money yet."

He then turned to the officials. "Vice Alliance Leader Yuan, Elder Lin, am I a robber simply for stating my demands to the kidnappers? Isn't that a little unfair to me?"

Yuan Shang immediately chimed in, saying gravely, "He's right. Qian Jun, Huang Zhendong, you've gone too far. Apologize to Xu Ke."

Seeing the two of them tag-teaming so flawlessly, Qian Jun and Huang Zhendong were so enraged they nearly had a brain hemorrhage.

Apologize?! It's easy for you to say, Yuan Shang! You're not the one being extorted!

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