Chapter 126: Those Who Offend Me Shall Perish!

Zhang Da sat in the lead Mercedes-Benz, a confident smile spread across his face. He was certain that this time he would capture Ling Shui and secure a major contribution for Director Xu. Once Director Xu controlled Ling Shui, the performance of the H City branch would soar, and when that happened, Director Xu would surely be heavily rewarded by the family and promoted. As his trusted lieutenant, Zhang Da would inevitably rise with him and reap immense benefits. With these thoughts in mind, he could hardly wait to reach the Ma Corporation building.

Half an hour later, the five black Mercedes SUVs pulled up in front of a hotel opposite the Ma Corporation building. After checking in, Zhang Da left ten experts at the hotel, taking only two grand completion-stage inner-energy martial artists and one psychic with him to the building.

Courtesy first, force later.

By visiting the building during the day with these three experts, he intended to negotiate properly. If he could resolve things "peacefully" without resorting to violence, that would be ideal. As Sun Tzu’s Art of War stated: The highest excellence is to break the enemy's resistance without fighting. However, if the Ma family executives refused to drink the toast and insisted on the forfeit, repeating their previous refusal, then tonight would be their end—the day the Ma family would be wiped out.

A black Mercedes slowly drove into the Ma Corporation building and parked in the lot. Zhang Da led his three experts into the lobby and approached the receptionist. "I am a representative from the Xu Corporation's Jiangnan Division, H City Branch. I need to see your President Ma. Please inform him."

The receptionist immediately called the president's office. She soon received a reply and said to Zhang Da, "Sir, I am sorry, but our President Ma says he will not see you. He has nothing to talk about with you. Please leave."

Zhang Da’s face twisted into a strange smirk. He muttered to himself, "He won't see me? Heh, Ma Tian will regret this!"

Behind him, the three experts clenched their fists upon hearing that Ma Tian refused to even meet them. A thick, chilling killing intent radiated from them, causing the surrounding temperature to plummet. The female receptionists were terrified, their faces turning pale.

"Let's go," Zhang Da suddenly commanded. He turned and walked out, followed closely by the three experts. The receptionists finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Not long after, Ma Tian emerged from his office to oversee the day’s sales of Ling Shui. Grandmaster Chen had called him last night, ordering that the supply price of Ling Shui be raised from 100,000 to 200,000 per bottle. Although Ma Tian knew Ling Shui was a bestseller, highly sought after by the wealthy and martial artists alike, he was still worried that the sudden price hike might meet resistance from the distributors.

However, Ma Tian’s worries were entirely groundless. Two hours later, he returned from the third-floor sales hall with a faint, involuntary smile on his face. When he announced the price adjustment, there was no chaotic scene; the distributors merely offered a few mild complaints. He had successfully raised the price to 200,000 per bottle. With this, the turnover for Ma's Ling Shui would double, bringing in at least an extra six billion annually. The thought alone was exhilarating. Ma Tian immediately pulled out his phone and dialed Grandmaster Chen.

In the secret chamber at Ling Mountain, Chen Xian was still focused on alchemy. He answered the call and heard the news. He was not surprised; since Ling Shui was a unique product with no competitors, raising the price would certainly face no difficulties. After hanging up, Chen Xian continued refining the Spirit Gathering Powder. By now, he had finished two batches, totaling twenty pills. These were all of high quality—peak-grade elixirs. It had to be said that Chen Xian’s alchemy skills were absolutely supreme on Earth. The remaining lingzhi and ginseng were enough for at least twelve more batches, or 120 pills. He calculated that by refining and absorbing all 140-plus pills, he would surely gain a significant amount of spiritual energy. The Danyang Cauldron hovered before him, rotating slowly. Nine flames burned at its base, continuously absorbing the surrounding spiritual energy to heat the cauldron.

Time is like a thief; it slips away quietly when one is not paying attention. In the blink of an eye, the day passed, and night descended upon the earth, bringing darkness and crime along with it.

At this moment, a group of people crossed through the night, striding toward the Ma Corporation building. Leading them was Zhang Da, slicked-back hair and clad in a sharp suit, followed by thirteen menacing figures. This was the busiest time for the Ma Corporation; core members often worked until after 10:00 PM before heading home. The multi-story building was ablaze with lights.

"Stop right there!" The security guards at the entrance saw the group of murderous men approaching and shouted, signaling their colleagues for backup.

One of the menacing figures looked at the two guards. They found his eyes emitting an inexplicable radiance, and then, after a wave of dizziness, they knew nothing more, collapsing limply to the ground. They had been instantly incapacitated. The surrounding security guards were shocked and immediately triggered the alarm, with a large number of them rushing toward the entrance.

In the conference room, Ma Tian, Ma He, and the other core executives stopped their meeting as the alarm blared. Ma Tian said in a deep voice, "What’s going on? Why did the alarm go off?"

"Report to President Ma, it’s a disaster! A group of experts has stormed the first floor, and they’ve already incapacitated our guards at the entrance!" a staff member reported immediately.

Ma Tian ordered, "Pull up the real-time surveillance of the lobby immediately." The staff member complied, switching the screen from the meeting agenda to the lobby feed. Ma Tian saw Zhang Da and the thirteen experts emitting a terrifying aura. The hundred security guards below were no match for them; he estimated they would all be taken down in ten minutes at most.

"Ten of these Xu Corporation people are grand completion-stage inner-energy martial artists, no weaker than us. The other three strange ones must be powerful psychics," Ma Tian said to Ma He. "What should we do?"

Ma He did not hesitate. "Notify Grandmaster Chen immediately. We cannot handle these people."

Ma Tian nodded and called Chen Xian.

In the secret chamber at Ling Mountain, Chen Xian picked up the phone. "What is it?"

"Grandmaster Chen, it’s a disaster! The Xu Corporation has brought thirteen experts to attack our building. We cannot hold them off!"

Hearing the report, a terrifying killing intent flared in Chen Xian’s eyes. "Do not panic. I am sending people over immediately. Hmph, if the Xu Corporation dares to provoke me, I will ensure they never return!"

Chen Xian hung up, closed his eyes, and began chanting silently. At that moment, Tong Yin, who had been meditating outside the courtyard, stood up abruptly.