Chapter 8: Mockery from an Acquaintance!

At the same time, on the tenth floor of the Martial Arts Association building on Jianshe Road in Jiangnan City, President Yue Longjun was playing poker on the sofa. He enjoyed working up a sweat in his office, moving about freely and confidently! Especially tonight, his opponent at the poker table was none other than the wife of his most capable subordinate and right-hand man, Jiang Bujing.

Since his term was about to end and he would be transferred elsewhere, Jiang Bujing had offered his wife to aid Yue’s advancement to the presidency. Naturally, his wife was willing to dedicate herself for her husband's career development.

"Not bad at all. I never imagined Old Jiang was living so well—like a phoenix playing with pearls, moistening the path and soothing the intestines. No man could resist your silver-tongued skills!" Yue Longjun sighed deeply, admiring with satisfaction.

"President Yue, as long as you’re happy, I’m content; as long as you’re comfortable, I feel at ease. If you can resolve my husband’s work issues and speak favorably to the provincial martial arts association leaders, I’ll surely take good care of you!" The woman spoke without lifting her head, still diligently at work, her voice slightly muffled.

"Don’t worry, I’ll handle it," Yue Longjun replied with a smile, though a trace of disdain lingered in his eyes. Sleeping with a subordinate’s wife for free was his greatest pride and pleasure! As for helping with the appointment of the association president? Impossible. Such matters were decided by higher authorities. As the head of a city-level martial arts association, he simply lacked that power. But it didn’t matter—he could always tell Jiang Bujing he had done his best. After all, someone willing to offer his own wife was hardly difficult to manipulate.

“President, bad news! Something terrible has happened!” Suddenly, a staff member burst into the office, his voice urgent and panicked.

“What’s the commotion?” Yue Longjun frowned, pressing down on the woman’s head as she tried to look up, commanding sharply, “Continue!”

The woman resumed her task, while the staff member began, "President, Vice President Jiang has died! He was publicly assassinated at the Lu family wedding ceremony! Even his prized disciple, Hong Tao, was killed along with him!"

“What?!” Jiang Bujing was stunned. Before he could react, the woman, who had been working diligently, suddenly raised her head in shock, too stunned to even wipe the drool at the corner of her mouth. She rushed to the staff member, demanding fiercely, "What did you say?!"

The staff member glanced at her, his face turning pale as he cursed himself for barging in without knocking, inadvertently exposing the illicit affair between the president and the vice president’s wife. Damn, he was doomed.

“Speak up!” Yue Longjun commanded coldly.

The staff member hastily recounted every detail of the events at the Lu family wedding.

"Killed Hong Tao and Jiang Bujing as well?"

"Lu Beilie had a gun but couldn’t subdue him?"

"Damn it, do you think I’m an idiot? None of the martial artists in Jiangnan City could dodge bullets!"

Yue Longjun said coldly.

“President, it’s true; many witnesses saw it,” the staff member insisted.

“If that’s the case, this person’s strength must surpass the Profound Realm! In all of Jiangnan City, except for me, only the fierce generals guarding the military district could possibly contend with him,” Yue Longjun said grimly.

He glanced at the pale, anxious woman beside him and waved the staff member away.

“Leave for now. I need to think,” he said.

The staff member quickly left.

“President Yue, you must avenge my husband! I’ll do anything you ask, indulge any perverse whim, just as long as you avenge him!” The woman looked at Yue Longjun earnestly.

For some reason, looking at her sultry face now, Yue Longjun felt a sudden boredom. He liked married women, not widows!

Still, since someone had killed his vice president, it was a slap in the face for the Martial Arts Association. He could not tolerate it. Severe punishment was imperative.

...

“Wow!” Xiao Mengxue gasped, eyes wide as she gazed at the Shennongfang Building before her.

“Shennongfang is the largest chain pharmacy in the country. Except for some competition from Medicine King Valley, it essentially monopolizes the pharmaceutical industry,” explained Duan Lingxiao.

Since ancient times, essential goods for the common people have typically been monopolized—salt and iron in the past, now medicine, petroleum, tobacco, housing, and so on. Those in power always strictly control industries that generate huge profits.

“Sir, do you need a consultation?” A slender woman wearing a slit cheongsam approached and asked.

“No, I’d like to purchase some medicinal herbs,” Duan Lingxiao replied.

“Right this way, please,” she said, leading him to a counter.

“Doctor Li, this gentleman wants to buy medicinal herbs. Please prepare them for him,” the woman said to a middle-aged doctor seated inside.

“Sure,” the doctor responded without looking up. “What herbs do you need?”

“Phantom Beauty Grass, Century Lingzhi, Four-Leaf Fruit, Old Vine Root, Dried Tangerine Peel, Old Pearl from Clams...” Duan Lingxiao listed over thirty precious herbs in one breath.

“So many rare herbs?” Doctor Li was momentarily stunned, looking up. These herbs were expensive, with a total value exceeding ten million yuan. Such a big client was a prized catch, promising handsome commissions. His wrinkled face immediately broke into a broad smile.

“Sir, please wait a moment while I prepare your order,” Doctor Li said warmly. He wasn’t worried about Duan Lingxiao’s ability to pay. The last person who pretended to be wealthy here without money was now detained in the police custody center.

“Yo!” A scornful voice rang out.

“Isn’t that Xiao Mengxue, our class beauty?” said a flamboyant woman dressed in Korean brand clothes, carrying an LV bag. Clinging to her right arm was a greasy middle-aged man. Her surgically enhanced breasts jiggled alarmingly, threatening to burst free. Her outfit was scandalously short, barely covering her hips, often revealing more than intended, with her underwear clearly visible since she wasn’t wearing safety shorts.

“Yu Mengmeng? Long time no see,” Xiao Mengxue turned her head, her expression immediately uneasy. She tightened her face mask.

“Long time indeed. What brings you to Shennongfang? The herbs here aren’t cheap!” Yu Mengmeng sized up Xiao Mengxue, then glanced at Duan Lingxiao beside her. Hmm, two paupers.

That was Yu Mengmeng’s first impression. Xiao Mengxue looked shabby and worn, and Duan Lingxiao hadn’t had time to buy new clothes after dragging her to the Lu family wedding. His own attire was no better, having spent prison days training and studying, emerging with a simple, unadorned look. To Yu Mengmeng, these traits screamed poverty and ruin.

“We’re just looking around,” Xiao Mengxue whispered.

She knew Duan Lingxiao had just been released and was definitely short on cash. Before prison, although Duan Lingxiao was a champion marquis, he had spent nearly all his income rewarding subordinates and supporting military development. Honest and upright, he was practically penniless.

“Heh, can’t afford it, huh? I can smell the stench of poverty from two miles away,” Yu Mengmeng sneered.

“Darling, look, this is our high school’s beauty queen. I heard her face was ruined by acid—so scary!” Yu Mengmeng jabbed the oily man beside her, speaking mockingly.

“Really? What a shame. The figure’s not bad, but it’s a pity she has to hide her face,” the man leered at Xiao Mengxue.

“Hmph, you’ve got high standards, wanting to go for a woman like that! Isn’t your life comfortable enough with me?” Yu Mengmeng pouted, licking her lips coquettishly.

“You’re great. I bought several sets of white and black silk stockings. Wear them tonight, and remember to be sexy.” The man slapped Yu Mengmeng’s shapely rear with practiced familiarity. She moaned softly, eyes full of seduction.

Yu Mengmeng then cast a provocative glance back at Xiao Mengxue.

Biting her lip in humiliation, Xiao Mengxue lowered her head. Her disfigurement felt like a sharp thorn piercing her heart.

“Xiao Mengxue, did you hear that? My husband likes your figure. How about this: if you spend tonight with him, I’ll cover your expenses here at Shennongfang. Deal?” Yu Mengmeng taunted, seeing Xiao Mengxue’s anxious and tight budgeted expression.

“Yu Mengmeng, you’re so vile!” Xiao Mengxue’s face darkened.

“Vile? Xiao Mengxue, do you still think you’re the white swan you once were? Look at the man beside you—he’s an advanced model of hard work and thrift! Wearing street stall clothes, with quality worse than my maid’s. And you think he’s a catch? What a joke!” Yu Mengmeng boasted, pointing at Duan Lingxiao.

“But then again, you’re an ugly monster; how could you expect a quality man?” she sneered further.

“Unlike me—my husband gives me two hundred thousand yuan pocket money every monthI'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that request.