"Look, it's almost dark. The Martial Association's message has been out for so long, yet that mysterious master still hasn't shown up! It seems this so-called expert has really chickened out this time."

"It's to be expected! Just look at the formation the Martial Association has assembled. Who would dare to confront them directly?"

"The most crucial part is that the Helmsman of our Lingjin City branch is the Association President's own nephew! To put it bluntly, even if our Helmsman stood right in front of him and let him attack, he probably wouldn't dare to make a move!"

"The rise of the Martial Association is an unstoppable trend!"

Inside the Martial Association's main hall, the crowd buzzed with discussion. They had already concluded that their opponent wouldn't dare to appear in the face of the Martial Association's public challenge. Otherwise, why hadn't they shown up by now, with night about to fall?

At the same time, some people had received permission from the Martial Association to start a livestream from the hall. In addition to mobile cameras, a stationary camera with a wide-angle lens was fixed on the main entrance, capturing the entire hall. Despite the lack of activity, the number of viewers had already surpassed one hundred thousand.

「On the second floor of the Martial Association.」

Besides the office area, a large hall was hosting a banquet. The guests were not dignitaries or wealthy business magnates, but every single person who had signed up to join. This was an unprecedented move. However, such an initiative would clearly increase the new members' sense of belonging and cohesion. This detail alone spoke to Guo Zifan's remarkable abilities.

At that moment, inside a massive office, Ma Shichang and the other high-ranking officials of the Martial Association were all present, laughing and chatting in a harmonious atmosphere.

"Elder Ma, now that the Martial Association has a firm foothold in Lingjin City, I suppose it's time to acquire that formula from the Qin Family, right?" a short, pudgy middle-aged man in his forties asked. He raised his cup toward Ma Shichang, his beady eyes narrowing into thin slits as he smiled.

"Gu Peng, what do you mean, 'the Martial Association has a firm foothold in Lingjin City'?" Ma Shichang, dressed in a white robe that gave him a somewhat transcendent air, narrowed his eyes and spoke coolly. "Listening to you, are you suggesting Lingjin City has thorns or something that would prevent us from standing firm?"

The Martial Association lost so many high-level members in Lingjin City, so of course it has thorns! What gives you the right to be so arrogant? Gu Peng sneered inwardly.

Outwardly, however, his words were as sweet as honey. With an obsequious smile, he said, "My apologies, my apologies. It was a slip of the tongue. I apologize." As he spoke, he even lifted a hand and lightly slapped his own cheek to show his contrition.

"Our Association President was previously in seclusion, and we were naturally focused on ensuring his safety, which is how that piece of trash managed to slip through the cracks!" Ma Shichang declared proudly. "But now, the Association President has successfully broken through to the thirteenth tier, Thousand-Faced Yama. With our hands free, how could we possibly allow that trash to continue hopping around?

"Even if he cowers in hiding and doesn't dare show his face, the Martial Association will find him, even if we have to tear this city apart! We'll kill him and hang him from the city gates for all to see!"

"Yes, yes, of course. The Martial Association's authority allows no challenge," Gu Peng agreed readily before changing the subject. "My main purpose in coming today was to discuss the future distribution of that anti-cancer drug."

"As long as the Martial Association gives me the distribution rights, I can offer a sixty-forty split! Sixty for you, forty for me."

Ma Shichang lifted his teacup and said faintly, "Gu Peng, are you so certain the Martial Association can obtain that formula?"

"Of course!" Gu Peng thumped his chest. "Although those multinational pharmaceutical giants have been eyeing it greedily and are already on their way to Lingjin City, who on this land can contend with the Martial Association? Besides, with Elder Ma leading the team this time, who could possibly stir up any trouble?"

"Haha..." Ma Shichang laughed heartily, clearly pleased by Gu Peng's flattery.

"Mr. Gu, once the formula is in our hands, the Martial Association will naturally look for a distribution partner," Ma Shichang said meaningfully, cradling his teacup. "But you must surely know that you aren't the only one who has approached me about a partnership recently."

"I understand!" Gu Peng certainly knew what he meant. He took out a previously prepared check and discreetly slipped it into Ma Shichang's hand. "This is one hundred million," he said in a low, smiling voice. "I hope Elder Ma won't refuse this small token."

Ma Shichang's eyes brightened, impressed by Gu Peng's generosity.

After pocketing the check, Ma Shichang smiled. "I've always heard that Mr. Gu's distribution business is the best in the industry. Given that, the Martial Association has no reason to refuse a partnership with you. Tell you what, if you trust the Martial Association, you can come by tomorrow and sign the contract in advance."

Gu Peng was overjoyed and nodded repeatedly. "I naturally trust the Martial Association. I'll bring the contract tomorrow."

In reality, his company was comparable in scale to Zhang Zhaoyang's Juling Group. Logically, he could have joined the fray for the formula himself. But Gu Peng was naturally cautious and rarely played by the rules. After weighing his options, he had chosen to cooperate with the Martial Association. This way, he was in a foolproof position, able to advance or retreat as needed. In the long run, it was a masterstroke.

Just then, the office door was pushed open, and two young men walked in slowly.

Everyone turned their heads to look, frowning at the two unfamiliar faces.

"Who are you?" a Martial Association Steward asked in a stern voice as he walked toward them.

"Your Martial Association branch opened so quietly we only found out today. We came specially to deliver a generous gift."

The newcomers were none other than Chen Yang and the recently arrived Yang Hu.

Yang Hu grinned. "The gift is a little late, but I hope no one minds."

As soon as he finished speaking, Yang Hu swung his right hand, tossing the object he was holding forward.

Everyone was startled, and their expressions instantly turned grim. Presenting a corpse as a gift? This was a clear provocation!

Wait... why did that corpse look so familiar?

BUZZ!

A violent twitch shot through the eyelids of nearly every Martial Association member present. Inside them, it felt as if a depth charge had detonated, churning up monstrous waves.

"M-Mr. Guo?!"

"It really is Mr. Guo!"

"You scum! You're courting death!"

A few breaths later, the room erupted into chaos. Eyes blazing with fury, they glared daggers at Chen Yang and Yang Hu.

Chen Yang met their gazes and took a few steps further into the room. He smiled. "What's the matter? It seems none of you are satisfied with the gift I've brought."

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