Chapter 22: The Gathering Storm

The warmth of a cozy bed is a sanctuary in winter, but it is also the grave where young dreams are buried. Liu Chengfeng had no need to wrestle with these thoughts. For him, there were billions in assets at home waiting for him to inherit and manage—dreams could take a back seat. Now, with soft arms wrapped around him, this was the happiest moment. Yet, today, peace was not in his fate.

The phone had already rung three times.

Annoyed, Liu Chengfeng shoved the alluring woman beside him, picked up his phone, and answered with irritation, “What is it, what is it! Has someone died at home? Why are you rushing me so early in the morning?”

“Master, please don’t be angry, something has happened!” A timid voice came from the other end.

“What happened? Speak.” Liu Chengfeng yawned.

“Just a short while ago this morning, someone jumped from our group’s rooftop and killed himself. The man is dead, and your beloved car was smashed to pieces. Most importantly, the jumper was Grim Face!”

“What!” Liu Chengfeng sat up with a jolt, “Who jumped? Say it again?”

“Grim Face!”

He could hardly believe it and asked, “By the way, why are you calling me? Where’s Wang Ying?”

“Master, we just found Wang Ying’s body…”

Liu Chengfeng could no longer hear what was being said. A chill swept over him, and he instinctively pulled the quilt tighter around himself. What on earth was happening? Yesterday, he had Wang Ying contact Grim Face to kidnap Jiang An, but now Wang Ying was dead and Grim Face had jumped from their own territory. Grim Face, whose motto was ‘every man for himself’—he, of all people, had committed suicide?! Who could explain this chaos?

Raised with elite education, Liu Chengfeng, though a bit of a wastrel, was no fool. Instinct told him things were far from simple. Right now, he was merely managing the company’s business, but the old man at home was keeping a close eye on him. If things weren’t handled properly, he’d surely suffer the consequences.

More importantly, he instinctively didn’t want his father to call back his deeply shrewd elder sister—his greatest threat to inheriting the family business!

“There are two things you need to do now. First, feed the media well. Tomorrow, I don’t want to see any news in the papers about Grim Face or Wind Harmony Group! Second, investigate what happened last night! I’ll be there soon.”

Liu Chengfeng issued his orders calmly, then dressed and washed with meticulous composure, believing everything was still under control.

…

Secret chamber in the Green Sea Grand Hotel.

Jiang An sat high above, while Dao Mo and his four subordinates reported their findings.

“Your Highness, based on yesterday’s negotiations, among the seven prominent families—excluding the Qi family—the Gu and Sun families have agreed to stand aside. As for the cooperation with Qing Yuan Ye, discussions are ongoing but seem promising; meanwhile, the Qiu and Zhu families are looking for an opportunity to make a move, given their longstanding disputes with the Li and Liu families,” strategist Fan Jun reported unhurriedly.

“Hmm. Old Dao, what’s the situation with Black Jiao Society and United Harmony Gang?” Jiang An asked.

Dao Mo bowed, his face gleaming with excitement. “Rest assured, Your Highness. Yesterday I personally visited them. Bai and Madam Feng could not withstand the prestige of a grandmaster; both have pledged allegiance. From now on, the city’s underworld belongs to Divine Blade Sect alone! Oh, and to show their sincerity, they handed over these items—I think you’ll lik