Swallowing the Stars: The Wind Sword Master.

Chapter 35 Zhai Bifan is arrested

"You answer the phone, I'll go ask someone."

Zhai Bifan left a message and went to the quiet room of the office. He took out his phone and saw a number with the contact name "brother-in-law". He clicked to dial.

After ten seconds of music playing, the call was connected.

"Hey, brother-in-law, what's up?" The voice on the other end of the phone sounded a little lazy.

Zhai Bifan laughed and said, "Can't I contact you if there's nothing wrong?"

"Brother-in-law, just say what's on your mind. You know what's going on here. I'm always either spending money on fun or just spending money. I have time, but you're a very busy person."

Wang Yecheng's tone was somewhat helpless, clearly indicating his dissatisfaction with life. If he were in someone else's situation, they would probably be overjoyed.

The Wang family is one of the nine major families in the underground alliance, but to be called a family, it must naturally have a very large number of members.

Those in the family who are capable cultivate, those who are capable run businesses, and those who are not capable will not work as subordinates for others; most of them are idle and enjoy themselves every day.

Zhai Bifan didn't delay any longer and said directly, "Do you remember what I asked you to arrange last month? Now there's been a bit of an unexpected situation. They say the materials inspector from the Extreme Martial Arts Academy has gone there. What do you think we should do about this?"

"Ultimate Martial Arts Gym!"

Wang Yecheng immediately exclaimed in surprise. As a member of the Wang family, he naturally had a certain network of connections, and some people would give him face, which was why he could leverage the power of the family.

However, how could a mere member of the Wang family with little ability compare to the Limit Martial Arts Academy, even with connections? Not to mention him, even the Wang family, or the underground alliance composed of the nine major families, would have to bow down obediently in front of the Limit Martial Arts Academy.

"Brother-in-law, are you sure you're an inspector from the Extreme Martial Arts Academy?" Wang Yecheng felt a sharp pain in his teeth.

Zhai Bifan also knew the seriousness of the matter. He said in a deep voice, "My supplier said that if I don't go, he will arrest me and treat me as a fugitive. Such domineering attitude and tough stance must belong to the Extreme Martial Arts School."

Wang Yecheng said hesitantly, "Then I'll ask first. If it's really the Limit Martial Arts Academy that gets involved, then brother-in-law, you'd better be prepared. I definitely can't handle it."

"good!"

Zhai Bifan also realized the seriousness of the problem and began to think about finding a scapegoat.

Less than a minute later, his phone rang. He saw it was Wang Yecheng and quickly answered it.

"Brother-in-law, have you found out yet?"

Wang Yecheng said in a terrified voice, "Brother-in-law, we shouldn't keep that company!"

"It wasn't me who asked others, but the family that gave me a warning. The head of the Extreme Martial Arts Academy personally intervened. The people I contacted have already been placed under investigation, and I will also be punished by the family."

Wang Yecheng smiled bitterly. The manager of the Extreme Martial Arts Academy was a big shot. The God of War worshipped by the Wang family was someone they had to serve, but the manager was related to the God of War by blood, and their relationship was based on feelings and loyalty.

Despite his slightly lower official status compared to their clan leader, when it comes to wielding power and exerting influence directly from the upper echelons of the Limitless Martial Arts Academy, he is even more formidable than their clan leader.

"You've really ruined my life. My peaceful days are over. Brother-in-law, you'd better pray for yourself. I advise you to be decisive!"

"Bang!"

The sound of the door being kicked open came from the other end of the phone.

"Damn it, the family's enforcement team is here."

"Beep beep beep..."

The phone was constantly busy, and Zhai Bifan's eyes were filled with fear. He had only been scheming against a small company, yet it had attracted such a big shot.

Zhai Bifan gritted his teeth and made a tough decision to abandon Foxit, a subsidiary of Qihang Group.

This company is the core industry of their group, dealing in highly profitable combat uniforms, and is the money-devouring beast of the Qihang Group.

However, due to the supervision of the Extreme Martial Arts Academy, he had no choice but to find someone to take the blame, and the entire company underwent strict scrutiny.

Based on their past practices, this company is definitely doomed. What can withstand an investigation?

Fortunately, this company is only indirectly controlled. Although it does belong directly to the Flagship Group, and the two companies are superficially subordinate to each other, there is not much legal involvement. It is simply under the control of one of his confidants.

Having arranged everything, Zhai Bifan returned to the chairman's office with unease and a troubled mind.

"Dad? How's the situation? Can we still hold the Shu family hostage? Should we come up with another plan?" Zhai Yanke's heart had grown cold after receiving several phone calls, but as long as Qihang Group didn't run into any problems, he hadn't really lost. He felt that he could find another opportunity.

However, he was met with a slap in the face.

Upon hearing this, Zhai Bifan immediately became angry. How could core industries be given up so easily?

Losing it would be a painful but necessary decision, resulting in a significant reduction in the size of the entire group and involving nearly 10 billion yuan!

Without its core business, Qihang Group, which was once considered a top-tier company in Yangzhou, has been reduced to a second-rate enterprise.

"Snapped!"

A loud, crisp sound.

Zhai Bifan said with exasperation, "Woman, woman, all you know is women! Do you know that the Limit Martial Arts Academy has made a move? Do you know what that means? Our family business is ruined!"

"If you don't have Qihang Group backing you up, you'll have nothing. Go kill monsters in the wilderness! You're nothing, still thinking about competing with others!"

Zhai Yanke was completely stunned by the slap. He was a martial artist now, so the slap didn't hurt much, but he was frightened by his father's words.

Zhai Bifan was also too angry. How could he not be angry when a single act of violence involved a company he had run for more than ten years?

He had been very careful to avoid getting involved with important figures.

It's not easy to use business tactics now. The base city has just been established and the situation has not been stable for long. Those who survived the cataclysm are all very upright. Martial artists are related to the safety of the base city, and most of them cannot tolerate even a speck of dust in their eyes.

Dare to fabricate evidence? Dare to cheat martial artists?

No amount of money can change that! These people are naturally very rigorous in their oversight.

However, there are bad apples everywhere.

The Zhai family meticulously devised a well-thought-out plan: bribing Shu Niandong, enlisting the help of the underground alliance in the inspection process, and using their core company to enhance credibility. Only through this three-way collaboration could they guarantee the foolproof destruction of the company. Even with access to the underground alliance, he wouldn't dare actually sell counterfeit goods; at most, he would just use some business tactics.

But to everyone's surprise, the news reached the ears of Manager Dongfang.

Why would the world's number one and number two strongest martial arts masters establish two massive martial arts schools, comparable to the five great nations?

It's not just because martial artists are special; they use their martial arts to break the law, making them difficult to manage, and they have strong personal will and a love of freedom. Protecting the interests of martial artists requires establishing a special force for management and providing special training for talented individuals.

More importantly, during the base city period, special circumstances were treated specially, with checks and balances on three sides!

At a time of life and death for humanity, we must curb the spread of the worst aspects of human nature and prevent corruption caused by the concentration of power!

Relying on connections is fine; it's a tradition. Familiarity and distance are inherent human habits, even common to all living beings, and are understandable.

In some cases, leniency can be shown, face can be considered, and special privileges can be granted!

However, you absolutely cannot cross the line!

Warriors are able to fight monsters because of their combat suits and weapons. If something goes wrong with these, countless warriors will instantly become more ferocious and monstrous than the monsters!

Just imagine how martial artists kill monsters in the wilderness; they can be incredibly ferocious. If these people were to become enraged, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Naturally, although the Limitless Martial Arts Academy is a martial arts academy, it has a very strong control over many things in the base city! It even surpasses many other forces.

Zhai Yanke was completely confused. "Dad, what happened?"

"Foxit is finished! The Shu family has found the Eastern manager of the Extreme Martial Arts Academy!" Zhai Bifan leaned back on the sofa, feeling utterly helpless.

Even if he didn't actually sell counterfeit goods, what can withstand scrutiny? He used quite a few tricks to steal business before, otherwise, an ordinary person like him wouldn't have been able to build such a large business with the backing of the Wang family.

Now it's all over.

It's just that he still had some rationality and managed to resist his greed and not actually cheat. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to escape no matter what he did, and he wouldn't have lasted until now.

"Foxit Corporation!" Zhai Yanke's pupils suddenly contracted. This company accounted for more than 80% of their profits!

If this company goes under, their group's supply chain will be disrupted, and their market value will plummet. If they lose that batch of combat uniforms as well, they'll even have to pay out of pocket. Ordinary people do business by dealing with scraps; who would dare sell combat uniforms for exorbitant profits? That would truly mean having their entire savings dug up to fill the hole.

"How could the Shu family possibly know such important figures?" Zhai Yanke exclaimed in disbelief. A sudden realization struck him, and he shouted angrily, "It's Ning Ze! Even his father couldn't possibly have gotten close to such a powerful figure! But he's different. The four giants are all very keen on recruiting geniuses; he must have met with the manager!"

Zhai Yanke's eyes turned bloodshot, his heart filled with insane jealousy. Even he had never met such a big shot.

"That kid?" Zhai Bifan's eyes widened, and he quickly figured it out.

The fact that someone could defeat the genius of the Thunder Martial Arts School might indeed alarm the supervisor.

For a moment, he was filled with intense hatred.

He should have thought of it, but he was careless because of habitual thinking.

In his mind, this was a boy who grew up with his own son, and even became a martial artist around the same time.

Previously, he could freely arrange for people to harm the War Squad. Luckily, these people didn't die, but their lives were still in his hands.

Unexpectedly, this insignificant person unknowingly slipped out of his control and even made a mistake in this matter!

"Boom!"

Just then, the door to the chairman's office was suddenly kicked open.

Three young men in uniforms walked in, their eyes sweeping over the middle-aged man. "Who is Zhai Bifan?"

"That's me." Zhai Bifan tried to remain calm. He had everything arranged beforehand; he didn't need the company, but he himself was safe. "What do you want from me?"

"I am Ji Zixian, the materials inspector of the Extreme Martial Arts Academy. Foxit Corporation, which you indirectly control, has encountered a major material safety and quality problem. I am here on behalf of the academy to summon you..."

"take away!"

At a command, two inspectors came over and handcuffed Zhai Bifan.

"You have a good eye on the company," Zhai Bifan calmly told Zhai Yanke.

The three inspectors ignored it and simply took the person away.

Watching his father being taken away, Zhai Yanke remained silent. It was good that a big shot like Manager Dongfang would follow the rules; the worst thing was for him to just take someone away without any reason.

"what!"

With a frustrated roar, Zhai Yanke grabbed the ashtray next to him and smashed it on the ground with a bang. He then picked up the documents on the table and threw them hard on the ground.

Just then, the office door suddenly opened.

Zhai Yanke was startled, thinking it was someone from the Extreme Martial Arts Academy again. After recognizing who it was, he breathed a sigh of relief and shouted angrily, "You bastard! What are you doing here?!"

The chubby general manager at the door was also terrified and could only stammer as he replied in a low voice, "Chairman Zhai, the final payment from Foxit Company hasn't been settled yet. Now the company is frozen, and our group has no money. But Lihua Company is also demanding the final payment for another project..."

"roll!"

"Why are you rushing me?"

"Let them wait!"

Zhai Yanke roared in fury.

"yes!"

"yes!"

The chubby general manager left hesitantly, his expression changing as he sneered, thinking to himself, "He yelled at me! Qihang Group is finished! If he doesn't pay me my salary, I'll resign next month. Lant Group even tried to recruit me before, should I go?"

……

Another day has passed.

After receiving the notification, Ning Ze went to the Shu family to propose marriage!

Before even getting out of the car, I could see a beautiful girl waiting at the entrance of the villa area from afar.

Actually, his family has a car, but Ning Hua doesn't like to drive it, and neither does Ning Ze.

It's just a car; even a sports car isn't anything special.

Driving in the city is slower than running, and parking is less convenient than taking a taxi. Li Wan only uses it for grocery shopping.

If it really came down to it, Ning Ze wanted a fighter jet; that's what a man should play with. Sports cars are just big toys in the base city; you can't even leave the base city.

The car was parked at the entrance of the villa area.

Ning Ze opened the door and got out of the car. The driver also quickly got out, opened the trunk, and took out the gifts inside.

Seeing Shu Yi's constant scrutiny of his body and genitals, Ning Ze asked with some confusion, "What's wrong?"

He glanced down at the sky-blue shirt woven from silk, then at the pure white casual trousers made from fish membrane, and at the white casual leather shoes on his feet. On his wrist was a martial arts combat watch. This outfit was quite formal, with nothing that was impolite.

Shu Yi tidied his clothes with great satisfaction, praising, "You look really handsome today!"

Ning Ze spread his hands, somewhat helplessly, and said, "Does it look good? Maybe it's just new? This outfit isn't as comfortable as the training clothes. It doesn't feel as safe as the combat uniform either."

"Sir, your things."

The driver enthusiastically jogged over carrying a bunch of gifts. Looking down, he saw Changbai ginseng and Moutai, Qiluo turmeric skincare gift sets, and some other unfamiliar items—none of which he could afford.

"OK, thanks."

Ning Ze reached out and took the items, asking, "The medicinal wine I bought for the old man can replenish his qi and blood and slow down the decline in his strength. There's the tea your dad likes, and a 2001 'Little Tyrant' learning machine—it's an antique; the salesperson said people of that age would like it. Auntie's are top-tier skincare products from the base city. My two younger brothers are about the same age; these are training items for the students. That auntie also just bought a few things. Is that enough? If not, I'll go buy some more?"

The driver secretly swallowed. He didn't know anything else, but he and his son had seen the things the martial artist used. A set of nourishing products was worth ten million Chinese yuan!

"That's enough. Grandpa and my younger brother can take them."

"This is important business, we can't be impolite, let's go."

Shu Yi happily linked arms with him, skipping and hopping as she walked.

The driver stared at them with envy in his eyes; the number of passengers he had picked up today was enough for him to brag about for a year!

The two entered the villa, and as soon as they opened the living room door, Ning Ze saw the middle-aged man sitting on the sofa. He greeted him politely, "Uncle."

Shu Heng turned around and saw Ning Ze. His happy smile gradually froze, and he frowned tightly, saying impatiently, "What are you doing here again?"

(End of this chapter)