After being barked at by an exasperated Xiang Dongqing, Qi Dengxian gave an indifferent shrug and fell silent.

Shang Jun swept a cold glance over him. Is this guy worried the Tiger Gate Group isn’t putting enough pressure on us? Spouting nonsense at a time like this!

“Go, invite Mr. Chen out.” Wang Hu said calmly.

A moment later, a man emerged. He looked to be in his late twenties, about 1.8 meters tall, with bulging temples and eyes as sharp as a hawk’s. His hands were thick and powerful, the callouses on his knuckles ground flat.

One look was enough to tell he was an expert.

Wang Bao grinned at Qi Dengxian. “Qi, this is Mr. Chen Yongnian, the disciple of our Dragon Gate Guest Elder. If you’ve got the guts, come up and try him!”

Xiang Dongqing couldn’t help but feel a flicker of surprise when she saw Chen Yongnian. This man radiated an intense, suffocating pressure.

Xiao Lei, who had been standing with his arms crossed, finally dropped his hands. His expression turned solemn.

Shang Jun also focused his mind. Clearly, Chen Yongnian’s appearance had brought him considerable stress as well.

Shang Jun was a veteran of the Black Dragon Army. He had been a top-tier combatant even within the special forces, possessing no small amount of skill. It was precisely because of this that he held the position of Minister of Security for the Xiang Group.

He possessed a keen instinct for danger, and the moment Chen Yongnian appeared, he felt a chilling aura.

Qi Dengxian took a look, then lost interest.

“I thought they’d found a real master. This is it?” He curled his lip slightly and muttered to himself.

Back in Ghost Capital Prison, his old man had dragged international monsters to spar with him. His skills had long since been tempered to perfection.

Noticing Qi Dengxian’s expression, the others responded with looks of pure disdain.

He’s clearly scared. Chen Yongnian’s presence is too overwhelming for him to keep up that arrogant talk from before. Xiang Dongqing’s keen observation skills led her to a silent sigh.

Xiao Lei is likely no match for this Chen Yongnian… and as for this trash Qi, his fear is only natural, Shang Jun thought.

Wang Bao sneered, baring his teeth. “What happened to all that arrogance? Why can’t you even squeeze out a fart now that Mr. Chen is here?”

Wang Hu chuckled. “Dongqing, it seems your employees are only good at talking big. When it counts, they turn into spineless cowards.”

Chen Yongnian glanced at Qi Dengxian, then gave Wang Hu a thin smile. “President Wang, there’s no need for such words.”

“I am, after all, a disciple meticulously cultivated by my master. I have inherited his true legacy. My kung fu is not something ordinary people can hope to reach.”

“It’s only natural that he is suppressed by my aura. You needn’t boast about it.”

Wang Hu laughed loudly. “Mr. Chen truly possesses the grace of a grandmaster!”

Qi Dengxian let out a scoff and shook his head. “I thought you could find someone who might actually entertain me. But this level? It’s disappointing.”

The room fell silent for a heartbeat after those words, followed by an explosion of laughter from the Tiger Gate Group’s side.

“A dead duck with a tough beak—that’s exactly what this is!” Wang Bao said, doubling over with laughter. “I don’t know what kind of madness gripped Xiang Dongqing to hire you!”

“I say the Xiang Group should just hand over that land. With employees like this, forget about making a profit—you’ll be lucky to keep the lights on!”

Xiang Dongqing’s face darkened. She said coldly, “Qi Dengxian, if you dare utter another word, you can get the hell out of my company!”

Qi Dengxian shrugged and said no more.

“Useless trash. Even your boss can’t stand you anymore!”

“I’ll tell you the truth: if the Xiang Group wins today, you might leave in one piece. If they don’t, you aren’t going anywhere.”

“I’ll break your mouth before you ever set foot out of this restaurant!”

Wang Bao was incredibly arrogant. Since Chen Yongnian’s arrival, he looked as though he already had Qi Dengxian’s life in the palm of his hand.

Wang Hu gestured toward Xiang Dongqing. “Dongqing, please. Let your security department exchange pointers with Mr. Chen!”

Wang Bao added, “Qi, weren’t you acting tough just now? Come on, step up and try!”

Qi Dengxian scoffed. Seeing the hostile look in Xiang Dongqing’s eyes, he didn’t bother to reply.

Shang Jun whispered, “Xiao Lei, go up and test his skills!”

Xiao Lei nodded and walked directly to Chen Yongnian. He cupped his fists and said, “Mr. Chen, please advise! My name is—”

“I have no interest in the name of a defeated opponent. Stop right there!” Chen Yongnian interrupted him arrogantly before he could finish.

“You—” Xiao Lei was instantly enraged.

He was considered a top expert within the Xiang Group. Being humiliated by Chen Yongnian in front of his boss made his blood boil.

Without another word, Xiao Lei lunged forward. He opened with Muay Thai’s most famous move: the Iron Shield High Knee!

Muay Thai focuses on using the joints as weapons. Xiao Lei raised both arms like a great shield to protect his upper body, while his knee surged upward like a locomotive, smashing toward Chen Yongnian’s chest.

“His kung fu is inferior to begin with, and now he’s let a single sentence disturb his mind. There’s no point in watching!” Qi Dengxian didn’t even look up as he spoke.

Shang Jun’s brow twitched violently. “Can you just shut up?!”

Xiang Dongqing also said in a deep voice, “Deputy Minister Qi, watch your mouth! I’m starting to wonder if you work for the Tiger Gate Group or the Xiang Group!”

The little secretary added, “Deputy Minister Qi, please be quiet. Xiao Lei is very strong, he’s one of the top experts in our company.”

In that instant, Chen Yongnian spread his feet. As Xiao Lei’s knee closed in, he shifted his left leg with ease.

Swish!

Chen Yongnian’s body spun like a top, gliding past Xiao Lei to his right side.

Xiao Lei hurriedly straightened one arm, swinging it in a vicious arc aimed at Chen Yongnian’s temple.

But Chen Yongnian’s footing remained firm. He crouched to dodge the whip-hand, then pressed his fingers together like a blade and jabbed hard into Xiao Lei’s ribs!

Kacha!

A crisp snap rang out. Xiao Lei let out a miserable cry as his body flipped sideways, crashing to the floor. Blood sprayed from his mouth.

“Excellent!”

The Tiger Gate Group’s side erupted in applause and cheers.

Chen Yongnian gave a faint wave of his hand. “Not even worth mentioning.”

The skin on Shang Jun’s eyelids twitched. This Chen Yongnian was a master of internal martial arts, specifically the Eight Trigrams Palm. His footwork was so refined he had evaded the attack effortlessly to strike at the weakest point of the ribs.

Facing such skill, Shang Jun wasn’t confident in a victory. His palms were suddenly slick with sweat.

“This is what happens when you hold nothing back.” Qi Dengxian noted, shaking his head slightly.

Xiao Lei had been provoked by a single sentence. He had attacked recklessly, his judgment clouded by rage. That locomotive-like strike had carried too much momentum, leaving him wide open for Chen Yongnian to seize the flaw.

When experts clash, they test each other first. Unless the gap in strength is astronomical, who opens with a total-commitment strike?

Xiang Dongqing’s expression sank. She looked at Shang Jun and asked, “Minister Shang, are you confident?”

“I can try!” Shang Jun nodded. He couldn’t retreat now.

Qi Dengxian shook his head. “Minister Shang is no match for him. President Xiang, you’d better swap him for someone else.”

NOTES

Iron Shield High Knee (鐵盾高膝): A Muay Thai technique where the shins and forearms form a “shield” while the knee delivers a finishing blow.

Eight Trigrams Palm (八卦掌): A Neijia (internal) martial art famous for its circular footwork and palm strikes.

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