C8 Lin Xiaoyue Was Humiliated!

Qin Dongfang, acting last, fluidly extended three fingers like drifting clouds and flowing water. The trio from Donkey Kong, who had launched a hasty assault, were promptly sent hurtling backward in unison.

"Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!" The dull thumps of four heavy bodies hitting the ground echoed almost simultaneously. The faces of the four men, who had crashed to the floor, were instantly etched with pain and despair.

The four Donkey Kongs, long-time rulers of C City's underground, had never imagined that the unremarkable-looking man before them could lay them all out flat in under five seconds.

They had assumed that by joining forces, even a Fourth Grade martial artist would inevitably meet his demise.

Little did they know, their opponent's strength was far more formidable than that of a Fourth Grade Martial Cultivator.

They had tangled with a fearsome entity they should never have crossed!

In an instant, not only were they defeated, but their martial prowess was also obliterated, reducing them to nothing more than broken men.

Bingfeng emerged into the hall.

Qin Dongfang, seated on the couch, looked up and spoke with composure, "I've stripped these four of their martial cultivation. The rest is up to you."

The Dark Department's operatives arrived swiftly. Bingfeng, as an agent of the Dark Department, naturally had her methods for handling such matters.

Roughly ten minutes later, Bingfeng returned to Qin Dongfang's side, presenting a file with deference. "Chief, this file details the litany of crimes committed by Donkey Kong over the years, with the latest entries implicating both you and Director Lin."

Upon hearing this, Qin Dongfang's brow furrowed as he accepted the dossier. His frown deepened with every page he turned.

These four had not only accepted bribes from Xia Xianfeng to move against him but had also colluded with Dark Paradise operatives to target Lin Xiaoyue.

"Damn it!"

Watching Qin Dongfang's anger manifest as he slammed the documents onto the coffee table, Bingfeng promptly responded, "We've covertly tracked down those from Dark Paradise linked to Donkey Kong."

Qin Dongfang looked up firmly. "Anyone who dares to enter Dark Paradise within A Country shall be executed, no questions asked."

Bingfeng sensed the lethal resolve in his tone and responded with equal gravity, "Understood! I'll see to it immediately."

"Hold on!" Qin Dongfang called out just as she turned to leave.

Bingfeng halted at once.

"Bingfeng, you haven't disclosed my real identity to Xiao Yue, have you?"

She replied with solemn assurance, "The role of the Ultimate Lord is a matter of utmost secrecy. I wouldn't dare to divulge it."

Qin Dongfang nodded, satisfied with her discretion.

Those from Dark Paradise operate from the shadows; any leak of his identity could spook them. Indeed, the less known about his identity, the better.

Glancing at the documents on the coffee table, Qin Dongfang continued, "The money they collected from Xia Xianfeng—return it to Lee Erxi and have him monitor Xia Xianfeng for me. He's clever; he'll know what to do."

"And another thing, stop addressing me as Ultimate Lord. 'Qin' will suffice."

At his words, Bingfeng's frame quivered slightly.

Could she really... actually call him 'brother'? Such a privilege was likely beyond even the reach of the Dark Department's leader.

Her heart raced with excitement, yet she maintained her composure. She gazed at Qin Dongfang, his face stern, and ventured a timid question, "Is that truly acceptable?"

Qin Dongfang couldn't help but chuckle at her wariness. "Do I look like a monster to you? Why so fearful? Or do you think calling me Ultimate Lord in front of Xiao Yue makes any sense?"

With sudden clarity, Bingfeng corrected herself, "Understood, Qin."

"Get me the locations of those Dark Paradise operatives; I'll handle them. You head to the Lee family and take care of the tasks I've assigned."

Relieved by Qin Dongfang's directive, Bingfeng breathed easier. They were ill-equipped to handle the Dark Paradise individuals linked to the Fourth Donkey Kong.

As dusk enveloped the city, a restless night loomed, with sleep eluding many.

Tomorrow marks the day of South Group's much-anticipated investment banquet.

Lin Xiaoyue, having just navigated her group through a crisis, barely had a moment's rest before she was busy gathering materials for the next day's event.

The night flew by in a blur.

After a morning of preparations, Lin Xiaoyue, accompanied by Ye Xiaoyun, hurried to the opulent Feast Hotel.

Today was not only the day of South Group's investment banquet but also the deadline for the ultimatum set by her family.

As noon approached with no sign of Qin Dongfang, Lin Xiaoyue's anxiety mounted. "Xiaoyun, do you think something's happened to Qin Dongfang? I haven't seen him since he chased off Young Master Xia yesterday."

Ye Xiaoyun, weary and sporting dark circles, glanced at Lin Xiaoyue, too exhausted to muster a proper retort. "Who knows where he's disappeared to? For all we know, he might have fled C City out of fear."

Ye Xiaoyun's speculation stirred a pang of guilt in Lin Xiaoyue. "This is all my fault. If not for me, he wouldn't be in this mess. Maybe you could try reaching out to him?"

Her suggestion was met with immediate resistance from Ye Xiaoyun. "Director Lin, this is on him. He's the one who wanted to play the hero and got himself into this trouble. You can't take the blame for that. Plus, he's not on the company's payroll; I don't have his contact details."

Lin Xiaoyue's frown deepened as her concern grew. "The event is about to start, and if he doesn't show up, how will we get in?"

Unbeknownst to her, she had come to see Qin Dongfang as her last lifeline.

Ye Xiaoyun scoffed at the thought. "I've said it before; he's all talk. What stature does the South Group hold, and what's his? If you, the esteemed CEO of Lin's Group, can't get into the event, what chance does an unemployed drifter have?"

Challenged by Ye Xiaoyun's words, Lin Xiaoyue paused to think, then made a decisive call. "No matter. We'll head to the Feast Hotel and wait there."

Unable to sway her, Ye Xiaoyun relented.

Feast Hotel.

Though the afternoon was still young, the time for South Group's banquet was drawing near.

The business elite of C City had already arrived, clutching their coveted invitations.

This marked the first time the South Group's C City branch had proactively hosted a banquet for local business figures—a significant event that demanded their attention.

They watched as attendees were permitted entry into the hotel only after presenting their invitations.

Nearby, Lin Xiaoyue fidgeted nervously, casting occasional glances toward the hotel entrance.

"Hey! Isn't that Director Lin, the glamorous president of Lin's Group? What are you doing outside? Aren't you going in?"

Someone's shout suddenly captured the attention of those lined up at the door, waiting to hand in their invitations.

"Look at that! It's the stunning Director Lin. But I've heard that Lin's Group didn't even receive an invite to the South Group's banquet!"

Someone quipped, eyeing Ye Xiaoyun, who stood by Lin Xiaoyue's side clutching a stack of documents, "Looks like Director Lin is still fretting over Lin's Group's troubles. What happened? Did the last event you hosted fall through, so now you're here to bask in the South Group's limelight?"

Laughter erupted at this remark.

"Hahaha... The South Group sure knows how to throw a party! They've even got C City's beautiful CEO here to greet us."

Witnessing the mockery directed at Lin Xiaoyue, Ye Xiaoyun couldn't hold back. She stepped up and retorted, "All of you hold respectable positions in C City's business community. Shouldn't you be embarrassed to make such uncouth remarks?"

But her intervention only emboldened them.

"An assistant dares to speak to us? Being chosen as a greeter by the South Group is an honor for you!"

"Exactly. As a greeter, you should know your place! Stand there, welcome us, and save the chatter. If Director Zhang of the South Group is pleased, who knows? He might just invest in one of your projects."

"Come on, give me a warm welcome! If you manage to cheer me up, I might just consider partnering with you..."