He rembered that night clearly.
I definitely called Wong Qifu and told her to release the man, Ye Yunfeng recalled, but Xu Ke was the one who refused to back down.
By the ti he saw Song Zhong beat Ye Chen to death with his bare fists, Ye Yunfeng was already consud by the urge to gather his n and storm the Wang Family. If the core mbers of the clan hadn't urged him to be patient, Ye Yunfeng would have set countless ambushes to kill Xu Ke.
But I never expected that before I could even make a move, Xu Ke would be the one to attack first.
And it was an offensive that even Peng Hetong had described as irreversible, with no room for maneuver.
Ye Yunfeng was now filled with deep regret. He deeply regretted not having Ye Chen bring Xu Ke back to the Ye Family for a swift and clean execution. Otherwise, how could things have gotten so complicated?
Besides Ye Yunfeng, who was staring quietly at Xu Ke, Ye Fan was also watching him. The venomous killing intent and repressed fury in Ye Fan's eyes betrayed his innermost feelings. His hatred for Xu Ke was even more direct than his father's. The humiliation Xu Ke had inflicted on him, the constant attacks—every single incident sent Ye Fan into a rage.
If I weren't so outmatched by him, I would have already pounced on the man and viciously torn off a piece of his flesh.
But Xu Ke was perfectly composed, utterly unfazed. Looks can't kill. They could only reveal that Ye Fan was now well and truly at a dead end.
"Don't just stand there at the door. Co in."
Just as the two sides were glaring at each other in silence, Chen Xiong, Yuan Shang, and Peng Hetong erged from an office at the other end of the hall.
Chen Xiong didn't seem to be in high spirits, and a hint of fatigue lined his brow. But to handle this matter, he had still ticulously combed his hair and changed into a formal black suit.
Hearing Chen Xiong's words, Wong Qifu said, "Alright, let's go in."
As she spoke, Ye Yunfeng finally withdrew his gaze.
The group entered the adjudication venue one after another. As they did, Yuan Shang and Xu Ke exchanged a brief glance, offering a simple nod of acknowledgnt. However, this simple exchange did not go unnoticed by the anxious Peng Hetong.
It seems there's no room for reconciliation, he thought with a sinking heart. He had wanted to offer his condolences to the Ye Family, but it was inappropriate to speak with them privately under these circumstances.
Afterward, everyone walked inside.
It was a conference room. The two opposing parties sat on opposite sides, while the Martial Alliance Leader, who was presiding over the case, took the head seat. He was flanked by personnel assisting with the adjudication.
Generally, this room was for Peng Hetong's use alone. After all, the Martial Alliance was not a court. It didn't handle as many cases, and its procedures were more flexible. As a result, Peng Hetong usually presided alone, accompanied by only two recorders from the Law Enforcent Hall.
But today's case involved two major families and, more importantly, an extrely valuable plot of land, which made it necessary for Chen Xiong himself to preside.
"Recorders, check the audio and video equipnt. Rember to take detailed notes," Chen Xiong said calmly after taking his seat.
The two recorders nodded. "Yes, sir."
Then, Chen Xiong rubbed his hands together and began looking at the stack of evidence against the Ye Family that had been handed to him. Yuan Shang had printed it out beforehand so that Chen Xiong wouldn't have to look at an electronic screen.
As Chen Xiong flipped through the docunts, the conference room was silent, save for the soft rustle of pages that seed to grate on Ye Fan's nerves. His expression was grim. He knew what he was about to face, and every mont he spent in this room was pure agony.
As for Xu Ke, Wong Qifu, and Wang Wu, they sat with solemn expressions. Opposite them, Ye Yunfeng had his eyes closed, his thoughts a mystery.
Chen Xiong had already reviewed the organized evidence on his way over, so after a quick skim, he spoke. "Alright, Wong Qifu, what are your demands?"
At his words, all attention focused on Wong Qifu and Xu Ke.
"This evidence was collected and submitted by Xu Ke. He will be speaking on behalf of the Wang Family for the entirety of these proceedings," Wong Qifu said, signaling that Chen Xiong could direct his questions to Xu Ke.
The crowd was stunned. Even Chen Xiong was a little surprised. The implications of her words were profound.
Seeing this, Ye Fan's heart burned with even greater resentnt. In all his ti as the Ye Family Young Clan Patriarch, he had never been allowed to speak on behalf of the family when Ye Yunfeng was present.
How long had this pretty boy Xu Ke even been on the Wang Family's radar? How could he be allowed to represent the Wang Family in such a serious setting as a Martial Alliance hearing?
A lowlife like him… on what grounds?!
Ignoring Ye Fan's resentnt, Xu Ke stood and bowed to Chen Xiong. "First, the land developnt project is to be handed over to the Wang Family."
"Second, the Ye Family's illicit gains are to be confiscated, and we request the Martial Alliance impose the maximum fine in accordance with its regulations."
"Third, the Ye Family must compensate the Wang Family for the full amount of lost profits, plus punitive damages of one to five tis that amount, based on the actual circumstances."
"Fourth, we request that Ye Fan be stripped of his position as the Ye Family Young Clan Patriarch and that an investigation be launched into whether the Ye Family maintains improper relationships with all involved banks."
"Fifth, we request that Clan Leader Ye Yunfeng issue a public apology for undermining the amicable and cooperative relationship between the six great families of the Martial Alliance."
As he finished speaking, everyone in the room went pale with shock. Chen Xiong and Yuan Shang exchanged an involuntary glance. It was the first ti either of them had heard such greedy demands in this setting.
Peng Hetong let out a humorless laugh. Xu Ke's style is the sa as ever—greedy and brainless! Where does he think he is? Does he think this is so press conference where he can spout whatever nonsense he wants?
Ye Yunfeng, who had kept his eyes shut this whole ti, now opened them. He stared at Xu Ke, a flicker of contempt rising in his gaze. The two n in black sunglasses beside him hurriedly jotted down all of Xu Ke's demands.
At that mont, Ye Fan slamd his hands on the table. "Xu Ke! A snake trying to swallow an elephant will only burst! Do you have any idea what you're doing?"
BANG!
The sharp sound echoed through the room.
Xu Ke didn't even spare him a glance. "I'm stating my demands. The adjudication is Alliance Leader Chen's business. It doesn't seem to have anything to do with you, does it?"
"You son of a—"
Ye Fan was about to erupt. He had been under imnse pressure all day, and faced with Xu Ke's outrageous demands, his patience finally snapped.
But Chen Xiong shot him a glare. "Silence."
Ye Fan imdiately deflated.
"Ye Family," Chen Xiong said, turning his gaze to Ye Yunfeng. "Which of these demands are you willing to accept?"
The Martial Alliance prioritized efficiency in its procedures. Unlike ordinary courts that would serve a complaint and give the defendant ti to submit a written defense, the Martial Alliance operated with the swift and decisive style of martial artists. Furthermore, its adjudications, while official, carried a strong elent of diation. Thus, claims and rebuttals were typically presented and argued on the spot.
"Us?" Upon hearing the question, a faint smirk touched Ye Yunfeng's lips as he slowly stated, "We refuse to accept a single one…"
His words fell, and the atmosphere in the room instantly tensed.
No one was surprised by this response. It would have been a miracle if they had agreed.
Chen Xiong's question had been rely a formality. If the Ye Family had agreed to all of Xu Ke's demands from the outset, the rest of the proceedings would be unnecessary, saving Chen Xiong a great deal of trouble.
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