Chapter Sixty-Eight: The Ticking Time Bomb

“Nonsense! You’re nothing but a rabid dog, biting anyone you see. Say one more word and I’ll cut out your tongue.” Bian Kang was furious. The recording clearly showed that Chen Feiyang was the mastermind, with the others as accomplices. Now, suddenly, Chen Feiyang was changing his story, blaming the general manager’s son as the mastermind, and turning his own nephew—who hadn’t even been mentioned in the recording—into the scheming advisor. This completely altered the nature of the incident. If this version were accepted, the club itself would be the real culprit behind the scenes. If that happened, the prestige of the King brand would be utterly destroyed, and neither he, the executives, nor the Wang family would ever forgive it.

“Hong Chen, as long as you promise to let me go, the Hongcheng Group is willing to shelter the Chen family. I can hand over the evidence—I have not only recordings but also videos. It’s not just this time; in the past, Mo Xiaosong, Kang Cong, and several others—I’ve kept evidence of all their dealings.” From Bian Kang’s eyes, Chen Feiyang sensed a lethal intent. He knew there was no way out, so he gritted his teeth and decided to gamble, shifting his hopes onto Hong Chen.

He was willing to confess in the recording because earlier that afternoon, his father had called, telling him that Hongcheng Group had approached him, intending to use this incident to pressure the Wang family. If Chen Feiyang cooperated, he would still face personal punishment, but the Chen family would be spared. Otherwise, their fate would be utter ruin.

Chen Feiyang was not only clever, but highly intelligent. He was well aware that Hongcheng Group had the power to destroy his family, as did the Wang family behind the King Club. Weighing the pros and cons, after much struggle, he decided to shoulder the blame himself. The Chen family would be spared, and only he would suffer.

But the scene just moments ago, when Li Yi’s limbs had been broken and Lu Ke’er blinded before everyone’s eyes, sent a chill through his soul. He simply could not convince himself to spend the rest of his life bedridden, nor could he accept a life without light. In the end, he changed his mind and chose a desperate gamble to save himself.

“Take him!” Hong Chen had not yet agreed, but Bian Kang gave the order. Immediately, a man behind him stepped forward toward Chen Feiyang. Hu Yidong frowned, about to speak, but Bian Kang cut him off: “Hu Yidong, this man set up a trap in the King Club to harm our guests. I’m representing the King Club to punish him. Do you object?”

As he spoke, the man was just five meters from Chen Feiyang, quickening his pace, reaching for his neck. Hu Yidong, distracted by Bian Kang, did not give a timely command, and his men did not act on their own.

Just as Chen Feiyang was about to fall into their hands, a breeze swept through. Qiu appeared silently, a swift hand chop stopping the attacker’s palm, forcing him back several steps.

Bian Kang’s expression darkened instantly. The evidence Chen Feiyang spoke of implicated Mo Xiaosong, Kang Cong, and others. Whether true or false, Bian Kang couldn’t afford the risk. Chen Feiyang was like a ticking bomb; once detonated, not only would the King brand be shattered, he himself would be left ruined, perhaps even dead.

“I must keep this ticking bomb under my control.” As this resolve flashed through Bian Kang’s mind and he was about to give another order, the crowd parted in the northwest, making way for a man of imposing stature and cold demeanor, accompanied by six or seven others, entering the leisure area. Upon seeing him, Bian Kang straightened, called out respectfully, “Second Master.”

The newcomer was Wang Chenghu, second in the Wang family, overseeing their entertainment enterprises.

Immediately, he addressed the young man behind Wang Chenghu: “Young Master.”

The Young Master was the sole heir of the Wang family patriarch, Wang Shaokun.

Wang Chenghu nodded to Bian Kang, his gaze sweeping the room. He smiled, his voice booming: “Everyone, I’ve heard much about what’s happened here tonight. The details are yet to be decided, but on behalf of the King Club, I guarantee three things. First, anyone found violating club rules will be punished according to the severity of their actions, and the results will be made public to all members. Second, if any club staff are involved, the King Club will not show leniency, and will impose stricter penalties, again made public. Third, regardless of the ultimate truth, tonight’s events have disturbed your enjoyment, so for all members, tonight’s expenses are on the house.”

With that, he clasped his hands to the crowd.

Everyone exchanged glances, their faces indifferent, some even showing faint mockery. No one was fooled. Wang Chenghu’s three guarantees—the first two were merely strategic retreats, words to placate the public, shifting everything into the shadows. Only the third was tangible, but at best, it amounted to a single night’s free bill, maybe fifty thousand per member, totaling at most a few hundred thousand.

Those who could become members here, even with the lowest-tier cards, cared little about a free night.

Still, though people felt Wang Chenghu was being arrogant, no one challenged him openly. Instead, a small group cheered, and there was scattered applause.

This showed that Wang Chenghu, as the Wang family’s second son, carried significant weight in the eyes of the crowd—or rather, exerted considerable psychological pressure.

“Bian Kang, take all involved to the conference room. You must personally investigate and clarify the matter,” Wang Chenghu instructed Bian Kang.

Bian Kang was about to comply when Hu Yidong spoke up: “Mr. Wang, the truth is clear. Isn’t the King Club going to give an explanation?”

Wang Chenghu glanced at him: “You’re not qualified to speak with me.” With that, he urged Bian Kang, “Take them to the conference room.”

“Wang Chenghu, the facts are on our side. You can’t take them away. You don’t have the final say here!” A deep voice rang out as three men strode into the leisure area, the leader unmistakably Gao Tianxiong, with Er Hu and Ah Le behind him.

Wang Chenghu showed no surprise at Gao Tianxiong’s arrival. Watching him approach, he said coolly, “So it’s you, Mr. Gao. Hongcheng Group is truly something—an ordinary employee’s family faces trouble, and the top leadership sends everyone.”

Gao Tianxiong didn’t waste words: “The facts are already clear, save for the final loose ends, which will be addressed here tonight. The King Club must provide an explanation in public.”

Wang Chenghu narrowed his eyes. “So Mr. Gao is saying I don’t even have the right to take people to the conference room and handle things?”

Gao Tianxiong shook his head. “This must be settled publicly.” He turned to Chen Feiyang: “As for your request, on behalf of Hongcheng Group, I agree to protect your family from harm. As for your personal punishment, that’s between you and Hong Chen. I can only discuss it with him and try to lessen it. Whether you accept or not is up to you.”

As soon as Gao Tianxiong finished, Hong Chen added, “Chen Feiyang, let me remind you: if you refuse, the only path open for you and your family is ruin. The dirt you have on the King Club is a ticking bomb for the Wang family. Do you think they’ll let you go?”

Chen Feiyang trembled, his face drained of color. He opened his mouth, but before he could speak, Wang Shaokun suddenly ordered, “Uncle Chen, make this mad dog stop barking.”

Behind him, a middle-aged man in his forties moved without expression, swiftly approaching Chen Feiyang, murder flickering in his eyes. He wouldn’t kill Chen Feiyang in public, but he’d certainly ensure he never spoke another word.