The death of all members of the Ye family in Star City shocked the city, but few knew who was responsible.
After all, the Ye family was the head of the Ten Great Families, and there seemed to be only one person in Star City who dared to challenge their authority.
Returning to his lakeside villa, Ye Longlin began assigning tasks to Niu Tou and Ma Mian.
"I want you to train a batch of death warriors. They must not only be proficient in assassination but also in military strategy and tactics. Create a reserve of talent for assassination and combat exclusively for me."
Although he referred to them as talent reserves, he had no intention of placing this elite force within the Dragon Pavilion. Instead, after they had mastered all assassination techniques, he planned to send them to the front lines for direct combat. Only through the tempering of blood and fire could they be considered true elites.
Niu Tou frowned, "I don't understand. As the sole Five-Star Heavenly King of Great Xia, you possess status and power that no longer require such strength. Why do you still need this force? Aren't you afraid of provoking the Heavenly Hall's wariness?"
As elite assassins from the Chonglou, they were well aware of the Nine Provinces' political landscape.
However, without reaching a certain level, they did not fully comprehend certain matters.
Ma Mian glanced at Niu Tou, "Shut up. This is not something you should be asking."
Niu Tou quickly lowered his head, remaining silent.
Ye Longlin offered no explanation and waved them away.
Yuan Gang, standing by his side, reminded him, "With just one word from you, we can abandon everything we currently possess. You don't need to provoke the Heavenly Hall."
Ye Longlin shook his head, "You, you, you. The Heavenly Hall always seeks balance. This is also why I haven't returned to the capital. Because some people will feel threatened.
This threat, if triggered, could lead to widespread repercussions. Once I acted against the Ye family, countless vested interests in the capital would be involved, and the consequences might be unbearable even for the Heavenly Hall.
Do you know how much money the Ye family has accumulated over the years? Hundreds of billions or trillions? If such a family collapses, it would trigger an economic collapse, potentially leading to a financial crisis. Furthermore, they have many people in important positions within the system.
The consequences of their deaths are something no one can afford. At that point, the Heavenly Hall would be protecting not me, but the Ye family."
This was balance.
But in the end, balance was achieved through scheming.
After listening, Yuan Gang quickly shook his head, "It has nothing to do with me. In any case, you saved my life. Even if you were to retire, I would be content to serve as your steward or, at the very least, your guard."
Ye Longlin remained silent, only sighing. If only things were that simple.
Xuan Niao then came upstairs and reported, "After Niu Tou and Ma Mian surrendered, the S-class fugitives hiding in Star City have all left for the Southern Province. Our people are tracking this group of fugitives and can apprehend them at any time."
This auction had made the fugitives hiding in Star City feel a strong sense of crisis!
With Niu Tou and Ma Mian captured, and knowing they couldn't defeat them, they had no choice but to flee!
"This is an unexpected bonus."
"The Star City incident is concluded. We're heading to the Southern Province."
With Ye Longlin's final decision, over the next week, the chairman of Yuan Zhan Capital changed, and Ye Longlin retreated behind the scenes.
He had initially intended to relinquish the position entirely, but Wang Xiulan and Mu Ye disagreed. They merely shifted Ye Longlin's role to an advisory capacity, ensuring he still received dividends annually.
The acquisition of Meihua Group was also underway. Within that week, the majority of Meihua Group's hundreds of billions in funds flowed into Yuan Zhan Capital, with the remainder going to Juling Group.
As Meihua Group declined, the Star City business community was once again shaken, and the power dynamics shifted once more.
Of course, this had little bearing on Ye Longlin anymore.
"I'm going to the Southern Province with you!"
In the office of Yuan Zhan Capital, Mu Hanqi stated stubbornly. Upon hearing that Ye Longlin was leaving Star City for the Southern Province, she had insisted on going along.
Ye Longlin frowned, "What are you going for? Stay in Star City and manage the company."
Women were troublesome, and he didn't want Mu Hanqi to accompany him.
Besides, he was going to the Southern Province to apprehend people, not to travel.
Mu Hanqi widened her eyes, her gaze flickering. A smile appeared on her lips, "I won't. I'm going. There's nothing left to develop in Star City. I'll go to the Southern Province to scout the market. If we can establish a presence there, the company could be listed within two years. Furthermore, as the Company Secretary, I can, to a certain extent, fully represent the Chairman. So, is there any problem with me going to investigate?"
Ye Longlin was momentarily speechless. Her reasoning was indeed sound and presented a legitimate reason for the company's development, making it difficult for him to refuse.
Seeing his silence, Mu Hanqi smirked cunningly. She leaned close to Ye Longlin and whispered, "Besides, with Mr. Ye's esteemed position, shouldn't he have a lady companion by his side? This humble secretary is willing to make a sacrifice and accompany Mr. Ye. Your secretary never refuses your requests, after all."
Her ear tickled, and a warm breath entered his ear.
Ye Longlin, a novice in romance, blushed instantly. Unsure of what he was thinking, he waved his hand and turned to leave.
Mu Hanqi watched this scene, giggling.
...
Fei Ma Villa.
On the surface, it was the most upscale resort villa in the Southern Province, but in secret, it was a pure martial arts organization.
"I am willing to pay everything, just to kill Ye Longlin!"
Today, the resort villa welcomed a very disheveled individual. This incredibly disheveled person was, in fact, their former major client.
Ye Zhen, an elder of the Ye family.
Can Hong, the owner of Fei Ma Villa, sneered, "Ye Zhen, your Ye family is already destroyed. Instead of seeking help from the Ye family's main lineage, you come begging me. It seems the Ye family is truly in decline!"
Ye Zhen clenched his fists and roared with anger, "This has nothing to do with you. All of the Ye family's wealth is in my hands. I have two hundred billion. I'm offering you a chance to act. If you can kill Ye Longlin, I'll even give you the contemplation diagram of our lineage!"
Upon hearing the words "contemplation diagram," Can Hong narrowed his eyes, a smile appearing on his lips, "Two hundred billion plus a contemplation diagram, acceptable. But I will only act once. Ye Longlin's life or death is of no concern to me."
Ye Zhen shook his head, "Impossible! I want to see Ye Longlin's corpse. Only when it's confirmed that Ye Longlin is truly dead will these things be yours. I'll even belong to you. I'll join Fei Ma Villa!
If I'm not mistaken, you are close to breaking through to Martial Visage. I can give you the contemplation diagram first to help you break through to Martial Visage. I only want Ye Longlin dead!"