Chapter 7: Enemies on Both Sides

"Oh?" Watching Cai Wei's agitated reaction, Ye Cheng saw right through the man. "It's been years since we last met, and I never thought you'd become the kind of person who fawns over wealth and power." Ye Cheng shook his head.

He had once thought well of his former roommates. If the chance arose, he might even have led them into the path of martial arts, perhaps even the way of immortality. But now, it seemed there was no need.

"I..." Cai Wei was momentarily speechless, his gaze evasive.

Seeing his lackey humiliated, Ouyang Duan’s fury only grew. He could not tolerate a worthless beggar flaunting himself—especially one who had disgusted him for years. How dare he!

"Fawning over the powerful? Ha! Well said!" Ouyang Duan sneered. "Let me remind you, Cai Wei, this so-called genius who used to be under your thumb is now the Art Director of Jiangsheng Corporation, earning fifty thousand a month. And you? You can’t even scrounge up five yuan in a day, can you?"

Having suffered repeated insults, Ye Cheng’s heart turned murderous. Insects were hardly worth his attention, but Ouyang Duan was like a loathsome fly buzzing around his ear. And the best way to deal with a fly was to swat it dead.

Yet, for old times' sake, Ye Cheng decided to give Cai Wei one last chance. "Cai Wei, I'll ask you one final time: will you keep following this shortsighted fool, or will you come with me?"

Cai Wei’s eyes widened. He never expected Ye Cheng to speak so boldly at a time like this. Yes, they’d been friends once, but back then Ye Cheng was a top student, repeatedly winning national awards—a rising star anyone would want to befriend. But now? Ye Cheng was a beggar who dared look down on a businessman like Ouyang Duan, stubbornly refusing to yield? There was no reason to fall out with a wealthy heir like Ouyang Duan for the sake of a pauper. That would be suicide.

"Ye Cheng, you’re truly foolish. Opposing Jiangsheng Corporation will lead to nothing good. You’d best apologize to Mr. Ouyang right now!"

Ye Cheng lost all interest in Cai Wei after that response. Killing someone in broad daylight was unwise; this wasn’t some secluded alley behind the Drunken Moon Bar.

After a moment’s thought, Ye Cheng casually extended his right hand. A glint of golden light shot toward Ouyang Duan’s chest and vanished instantly.

"What was that?!" Ouyang Duan was startled and alarmed. Given his status, being harmed by a nobody would be a tremendous loss.

"Consider this a lesson: not everyone is for you to provoke." Ye Cheng’s face was cold as he tossed out these words and turned to leave. This time, no one tried to stop him.

He had used the simplest form of immortal arts on Ouyang Duan—shortening his lifespan by thirty years. For Ouyang Duan, that meant he now had three decades less to live.

After Ye Cheng left, Ouyang Duan snapped out of his shock and, in a fit of rage, slapped Cai Wei across the face. Cai Wei dared not show any reaction, silently enduring the young master’s wrath.

"Outrageous! That piece of trash dares lecture me!" Ouyang Duan fumed. "Cai Wei, don’t we have a college reunion this Sunday?"

Cai Wei nodded hurriedly. "Yes, it’s this Sunday, in a private room at Tianlun Grand Hotel. I’ve arranged everything."

"Excellent. Later, get me Ye Cheng’s current phone number. Then have Chen Xiaoyun inform him I’ve returned."

"Yes, young master!"

Watching the obsequious Cai Wei, Ouyang Duan’s lips curled into a sinister smile. "I remember Ye Cheng has a sister, doesn’t he? I saw her at the Drunken Moon Bar."

"Right... he does have a sister, I think her name is Ye Mengxue?"

With confirmation, Ouyang Duan’s smile deepened. "Get me her contact information and home address. I’ll prepare a big surprise for our old classmate."

"Ye Cheng, no one ignores me, Ouyang Duan. I’ll wait for the day you beg me on your knees."

Ye Cheng checked into a hotel at random. Drawing on old memories, he logged onto an internal medical website.

"A prescription guaranteed to cure cancer, leukemia, and all terminal illnesses. Interested parties, contact me directly."

After posting the message, Ye Cheng shut his laptop. To him, these so-called incurable diseases were nothing. Even the most mediocre pill he could refine would cure them. Putting the information online was simply a way to make some quick money—after all, in this world, life was impossible without funds. He still needed money for basic living expenses.

Next, there was his sister to consider.

Ye Cheng walked to the window. He hadn't stopped his sister from leaving because she was still too hostile toward him. Better to give her time to adjust.

But that man in the trench coat...

Ye Cheng narrowed his eyes, took out his phone, and called Zhao Wuji.

"Boss, I’m here!"

"Help me investigate someone—the man who just took my sister away. That shouldn’t be hard for you, right?"

"No problem. Leave it to this old man!"

For Zhao Wuji, this was the perfect chance to prove his worth to Ye Cheng, and he wasn't about to miss it.

Having settled everything, Ye Cheng lay on the bed and closed his eyes in satisfaction.

Mom, Dad, wait for me.

Your son will be home soon!

...

Midnight. Chairman’s office, Linjiang Group.

"What?!"

The usually imposing chairman, Wang Long, now sat collapsed and hollow-eyed on the floor.

"Dead... he’s dead?"

"Who dared to kill my son?!"

Wang Long threw his head back and screamed, especially when he saw his son’s body before him.

His son, Wang Yongsheng, had always been groomed as the heir to the corporation. From a young age, he was sent abroad at great expense, returning less than half a year ago. Now, his neck had been snapped—eyes wide open in terror, as if he’d glimpsed something unspeakably dreadful in his final moments.

"Uncle, according to Zhao Wuji, the killer is a reclusive master, looks to be in his twenties, identity unknown. Also... most of Yongsheng’s bodyguards died on the spot. Over thirty men—dead or gravely wounded. None have regained consciousness."

Standing before Wang Long was a young man who bore some resemblance to Wang Yongsheng.

"In his twenties? A master in his twenties? Absolute nonsense!" Wang Long was on the verge of collapse, unable to accept his son’s murder.

"Wang Gang, investigate! Find out immediately! I want that bastard to pay for my son’s death!"

"Yes, sir," Wang Gang bowed in obedience.

"And summon the men from Dragon and Tiger Hall to handle this matter. I want to see who dares provoke me—who dares provoke Linjiang Group!"