Chapter 169 Demoted All the Way Down!

"Bastard, how dare you betray me?"

Peng Haidong never dreamed in his wildest dreams that the trusted aide he had cultivated for years would turn around and kill him.

He immediately struggled to rise, but the other man grabbed the hilt of the knife and drove it deeper, causing his whole body to tremble while blood gushed wildly from his mouth and nose.

"Wang Xiaolong, you have some nerve! How dare you commit murder in broad daylight?"

At that moment, Pei Huaide shouted in a harsh, booming voice.

Fei Fei could no longer sit still and was just about to give an order when Wang Xiaolong decided to go all the way and shoved the dagger in entirely!

"Splat!"

Peng Haidong vomited blood once more, his eyes bulging wide.

After struggling for a few moments, his limbs went limp, and he died on the spot!

"He was going to kill Mr. Ye; I was merely acting in self-defense. What crime have I committed?"

Wang Xiaolong stood up, wiped the dagger clean, bowed respectfully to Ye Wushang, and said, "Mr. Ye, everything has been taken care of."

Their previous agreement: kill Peng Haidong and take his place.

Ye Wushang had not demanded future service, but if he truly helped him ascend to power, Wang Xiaolong would undoubtedly pledge absolute allegiance to him from then on.

"This is lawlessness! Daring to commit violence in broad daylight! Men..."

Fei Fei was shaking with rage.

Just as he was about to give the command, a stern voice suddenly rang out, "Director Fei, who on earth are you yelling at?"

"The man was simply acting in self-defense, and everyone is a witness. Do you intend to defy the public will?"

"We, the citizens, certainly won't stand for it!"

As the words faded, several hundred men came running swiftly from outside.

Led by Jiang Hongwei, flanked by Zhang Heifa and Bi Haihai, a massive sea of Black Dragon Gang subordinates surged forward with fierce momentum, surrounding the area in the blink of an eye!

Every single one of them brandished blades and axes with grim expressions, ensuring that anyone who dared to make a reckless move would meet a disastrous end!

"Y-You..."

Fei Fei was terrified, rendered utterly speechless.

Seeing the delicate situation, an officer stepped forward and whispered, "Director Fei, a wise man submits to circumstances. Let's not fight them."

"Peng Haidong truly struck first, and his death is his own doing. At most, it's excessive self-defense."

"Besides, the Black Dragon Gang is here in full force. If a real riot breaks out with this many people, we'll be in deep trouble."

That made sense.

Fei Fei nodded. Although he had accepted favors from Pei Huaide, the current situation was crystal clear; opposing them now would be no different than lifting a rock to drop on his own feet.

He waved his hand, and the officers withdrew their firearms, dispersing.

"Put them all away."

"If they don't move, we don't move."

"But if they make a move, we will simply be forced to defend ourselves."

Seeing this, Jiang Hongwei exchanged a signal, and his subordinates lowered their weapons.

At the same time, he walked up respectfully and said, "Mr. Ye, we are late; please forgive us for startling you."

"President Jiang is too polite. As long as you made it, I was worried you wouldn't come at all," Ye Wushang smiled and said.

Zhang Heifa chuckled, "What is Mr. Ye saying? To work for you, my Black Dragon Gang would gladly go through fire and water without hesitation."

"Indeed, Mr. Ye. Not only did you do a massive favor for the Black Dragon Gang, but you also resolved the feud between Zhang Heifa and me. You are the great benefactor of our gang..."

"And my War Dragon Gate as well."

Wang Xiaolong chimed in with a smile, "With Peng Haidong eliminated, my War Dragon Gate has finally returned to peace."

"President Jiang, I give you my word that we will never oppose the Black Dragon Gang again. We shall be brothers, as close as family!"

"Good!"

The men exchanged smiles.

Over on the other side, Pei Huaide's face burned red with humiliation, wishing he could dig a hole and crawl into it.

When he arrived today, holding absolute victory in his palm, the intricate web of plots he had laid was more than enough to crush the An and Lan families—and that good-for-nothing piece of trash shouldn't have been able to escape alive either!

Yet who could have foreseen that while virtue rises one foot, the devil rises ten?

This worthless piece of trash was practically his nemesis, not only shattering his schemes but also killing Peng Haidong!

And yet, he could do nothing to stop him.

"Young Master Bei, this..."

"Slap!"

Bei Chaonan struck Pei Huaide across the face, sending him tumbling to the ground. "Useless idiot!"

"You couldn't even handle a small task like this and still expected to latch onto the Bei family? Keep dreaming!"

"I have matters to attend to. Handle this mess yourself!"

Bei Chaonan loathed Ye Wushang, but he also knew that the enemy was strong while he was weak. With so many citizens supporting the other side and a live internet broadcast running simultaneously, he felt as though a fishbone was stuck in his throat, forcing him to back down temporarily and rethink his plans later.

"Safe travels, Young Master Bei," Ye Wushang chuckled lightly.

An Lan and Su Xiaoding let out cold scoffs, murmuring continuously under their breath.

At the same time, their estimation of Ye Wushang rose to an entirely unprecedented height!

He had looks.

He had strategy.

Crucially, he had so many people backing him up.

A man like this was practically flawless; who could possibly rival him?

"Lanlan, you are truly blessed."

Su Xiaoding nudged An Lan and teased, "Finding such an exceptional man—I am green with envy."

"Unlike me, who was blind before and ended up with a coward like Qi Tianfang. It's shameful just thinking about it."

"Xiaoding, stop talking nonsense."

An Lan's pretty face flushed crimson as she pressed her lips together and said, "Wushang and I are merely friends, not what you're making it sound like..."

"Still calling him a friend after he risked his life? If this Ye Wushang doesn't make things official with you soon, I'll be the first to not let him off!"

Toward the end, she intentionally raised her volume.

Heard by Lan Ruoxue nearby, it tasted exceptionally bitter.

Was it sorrow, envy, or perhaps jealousy?

One had to remember that this very Ye Wushang was once her ex-husband.

After living together day and night for three years, why hadn't she ever noticed he possessed so many shining qualities?

"Hmph, what's so great about him? Look at that smug expression," Lan Ruoshuang muttered, looking down on Ye Wushang from the bottom of her heart.

Zhao Xiue chimed in and nodded, "Exactly, just a good-for-nothing. What could he possibly..."

"Ruoshuang, Mom, stop talking!"

The more they mocked him, the more it felt like needles piercing her own heart.

She was unwilling to believe it.

Yet the facts lay right before her eyes.

Every single crisis today had been more difficult than the last, veritable hell-difficulty scenarios.

And yet, he had easily resolved every single one. For the first time, an inexplicable sense of regret washed over her.

"Next, it's President Pei's turn."

At that moment, after the pleasantries concluded, Ye Wushang slowly walked up to Pei Huaide, who was slumped on the ground, and smiled. "President Pei, will you speak first, or shall I?"

"Speak?" Pei Huaide frowned.

Pei Qinghu barked, "You piece of trash, what do you think you're doing?"

"I'm warning you, my dad is the next head of the Pei family! If you dare to pull any stunts—"

"Get lost!"

Before he could finish, Grandpa Tu strode over and threw him roughly onto the ground.

Zhang Heifa and Bi Haihai immediately stepped forward, pinning him down firmly.

"Son!"

Seeing this, Pei Huaide panicked and tried to rush to his rescue, but Ye Wushang blocked his path.

Gazing at the young man's calm yet smiling-tiger ferocity, Pei Huaide swallowed his humiliation and said solemnly, "You produced the medicine, and its quality meets the standards. I have nothing to say."

"Whatever development the An and Lan families pursue from now on, I won't interfere. I have nothing left to discuss with you."

"As for Peng Haidong, we were merely acquaintances. His death is well-deserved, and I have no objections."

"I've already come to this, what more do you want from me..."

"Naturally, to honor your promise."

Ye Wushang interrupted, putting his hands behind his back, glancing at the signed contracts on the table, and mocking, "Didn't you just ask these citizens to sign contracts and purchase medicines from the Pei family? The citizens are all right here, waiting for you to deliver."

Pei Huaide froze.

Before he could speak, Zhang Yanhong interjected, "I joined the Pei family merely to act as an insider for Mr. Ye. I neither manufactured nor researched any medicine."

"As far as I know, the Pei family's core business isn't pharmaceuticals either. I'm afraid they can't produce it on short notice!"

"You!"

Pei Huaide clenched his fists, glared fiercely at Zhang Yanhong, and turned to Ye Wushang. "Ye Wushang, don't push your luck!"

"You may have won today, but you won't win forever."

"My Pei family is a first-rate family, and I am the future head. If you insist on acting recklessly, I will—"

"In the future?"

"I'm afraid you won't have a future."

Ye Wushang shook his head, turned to Huang Yuanxiang, and said respectfully, "President Huang, you are the president of the Family Association."

"Logically speaking, the Pei family falls under your jurisdiction."

"Please tell everyone: promising medicine yet having none to sell—what kind of punishment does the Family Association dictate for such an offense?"

Huang Yuanxiang caught the hint instantly. Having regained his confidence, he puffed out his chest and announced in a booming voice, "That constitutes commercial fraud. The Pei family shall be expelled from the Family Association, and their family rank shall be demoted!"

"Considering the societal impact and property losses from this incident, they shall be stripped of everything. The Pei family's status as a first-rate family is hereby revoked, and they are downgraded to an ordinary, unrated family!"

"What?!"

Pei Huaide was horrified, glaring at Huang Yuanxiang. "Huang Yuanxiang, don't think I don't know that you and this piece of trash are in bed together."

"If you dare to frame me using this opportunity—"

"You still dare to threaten me?"

Huang Yuanxiang glared fiercely, shouting, "According to the association regulations, showing disrespect to the president in public is an additional crime!"

"All of their family assets shall be confiscated, and they shall be placed on the blacklist."

"No matter where the Pei family goes in the future, they will never be accepted by any family again. They shall live out their lives as common commoners!"