Tiangong Hall.
Everyone present tonight, except for the ten individuals who had been swapped, were gathered here for dinner.
"Old Liao, Old Shen, what do you think about the next steps? Are we just going to obediently transfer the money to the Giant Whale Chamber of Commerce? Who knows if that old schemer is impersonating an imperial decree and planning to abscond with the funds," Tang Tianhao said, frowning. He voiced his thoughts on the matter completely. After all, the issue had reached this point, and if any discussions were to be had, it had to be tonight; tomorrow would be too late.
"Think about it, the thirty of us companies combined can at least pool five hundred billion. Do you know what that concept means? Five hundred billion! Who wouldn't be envious? Have none of you suspected this matter? If you say no, I absolutely won't believe you, because after our company withdraws such a massive amount of capital, it's questionable whether we can even hold on. More importantly, they're making us mortgage our companies. What do you say?"
Shen Qingfeng rubbed his temples. "Our company is a technology firm; a lot of things are in development. Funding is always an issue. Currently, we only have two hundred billion in our accounts, and five billion of that is research and development funds. Forcing us to pay now is pushing us to the brink. I also feel like running away."
Liao Chengguang downed the wine in front of him and said with a wry smile, "What else can we do if we don't pay? You've all seen the fate of those who didn't. The methods of disposing of bodies and evidence were beyond imagination. A small bottle of liquid was enough to make a living person disappear without a trace. If we don't pay, we'll simply cease to exist."
Upon hearing his words, a group of people looked at each other, their eyes filled with helplessness.
Yes, what they feared was the chairman, his unfathomable power, and that mysterious liquid, all of which sent chills down their spines. If they defied his will, death awaited them. Who would have thought that even at their social standing, their lives were still in someone else's hands? This made them feel utterly powerless.
If they had any other choice, they would never have joined this damned chamber of commerce. Who could have possibly known that this chamber of commerce was so terrifying?
"So, there's only one path before us, and that is to pay. To avert disaster with money."
"If we don't pay, according to the methods of the organization behind the Giant Whale Chamber of Commerce, by the next dinner, we won't even know if the person in front of us is the real person or their impersonator. What's most terrifying, haven't you noticed? The people they impersonate are identical to the originals in every detail, in their speech and actions! Without long-term imitation, without integrating the other person's life into oneself, it's impossible to achieve this. This implies one thing: we have been under surveillance all along. If we weren't being monitored, how could they prove that the impersonators are identical to the originals?"
This...
Everyone present fell silent. No one had the appetite to eat. The exquisite and delicious dishes, they couldn't swallow a single bite. The thought of such an outcome made their hearts grow cold.
Yes, today they could confirm that everyone was their true selves. But what about next time? Today, they killed someone in front of them, disposed of the body, and then their impostors appeared. Next time, they wouldn't let them know. Next time, who knew how many people were impostors? Could they still have a good meal?
"Forget it, I accept my fate. I guess I can't escape their clutches. I'll give up. There's nothing we can do about this. After all, we are quite helpless. What else can we do?"
Some chose to give up, resigning themselves to fate. At least by following their demands, they wouldn't die, and their companies would still exist. It seemed they didn't want them to collapse either, as they had been left with the most basic operating funds.
At this moment, the door was pushed open, and Xuan Niao walked in, saying in a calm tone, "General Manager Shen, General Manager Liao, your sons have offended my master. I hope you two will go and see."
...
"Your Excellency, let's stop here. After all, you still have to live in Chang'an in the future. Offending us is not a good thing," Shen Qingfeng said after a moment of thought, his words carrying a hint of threat.
Ye Longlin let out a scoff. With one hand forming a tiger's claw, martial energy flowed from his fingertips towards Shen Qingfeng's neck. Shen Qingfeng was uncontrollably pulled towards Ye Longlin. This peculiar force caused Shen Qingfeng's eyes to widen. Only by being within it could one truly understand what kind of power it was! He couldn't comprehend it at all!
"You... Who exactly are you!!" Shen Qingfeng stared, and soon he felt an intense sense of suffocation, his breathing becoming labored, his face turning ashen from the inability to breathe.
"Boom!"
Ye Longlin threw him out as well. Although he was causing trouble, it wasn't to the extent of killing them. A beating would suffice. Shen Qingfeng also crashed into the television and then onto Liao Yu, using him as a cushion.
"Grandpa, you should all go back first. I'll handle the matters here," Ye Longlin turned and smiled gently.
Anyone with discerning eyes present could tell that Ye Longlin was deliberately causing trouble. Although they didn't know why, they didn't ask. Even though the Xia family was a scholarly one, their ability to judge people was not inferior.
"Alright, you be back soon." Xia Mingzhong nodded slightly and took the lead in leaving, followed by everyone else, leaving only Mu Ye behind.
"I say, Father-in-law, why aren't you leaving yet?" Ye Longlin said with a smile, tossing him a cigarette.
Mu Ye grinned. "I haven't seen your sarcastic side yet. I want to see it, hahahaha." Mu Ye feared nothing. He was the head of the Murong family, one of the Ten Elder Families. Even if he smashed this hotel, he believed Liao's Heavy Industries wouldn't dare to utter a single word of protest. Compared to a group, the Murong family's strength was clearly superior.
"Tomorrow, get everything done quickly. The Giant Whale Chamber of Commerce will likely be contending with us for all the funds of Chang'an Bank."
Mu Ye nodded but wasn't particularly concerned. "It doesn't matter. If your name, Ye Longlin, is spread throughout the capital, the other Ten Elder Families will obediently send money. You are Ye Longlin."
Ye Longlin rolled his eyes and said irritably, "I keep the principle of not taking a single needle or thread from the masses in mind."
Mu Ye said indignantly, "Haven't you taken enough from my Murong family?"