The blood slowly seeping from the foreheads of those dozen gunmen sent a chilling shock through everyone's hearts.
Qian Biao's eyes were also filled with horror. From the moment Yang Chen had forced him to the ground to when he stood back up, barely a second or two had passed.
He hadn't seen anything—only heard the gunshots. When he rose, Yang Chen was still standing in the same spot, while the gunmen who had fired lay dead, their eyes wide with disbelief.
"What the hell just happened?"
Confusion mingled with shock in Qian Biao's gaze.
Only Ma Chao remained unfazed, as if this were entirely expected.
Yang Chen, untouched by even a speck of dust, gazed at the scene with faint amusement before stepping forward.
*Thud. Thud. Thud.*
His footsteps fell like the tolling of a death knell, each one hammering against the hearts of the Yang family.
Yang Liu, standing beside Yang Xiangming, watched as Yang Chen approached step by step. Her legs gave out, and she collapsed to the ground, a dark stain spreading beneath her as the pungent smell of urine filled the air.
Yang Chen didn't even glance at her. He stopped in front of Yang Xiangming, his lips curling into a mocking smile. "Patriarch Yang, I called you short-sighted and ignorant. Now, do you think that assessment fits?"
*Thump!*
Yang Xiangming's legs had long since turned to jelly. Yang Chen's words shattered whatever remained of his composure. He dropped heavily to his knees, kowtowing frantically. "Mr. Yang, you're absolutely right! I was blind! Please, for the sake of us sharing the same surname, spare my family!"
"From the moment Yang Wei coveted my wife, the Yang family should have been wiped out. Yet I gave you a chance—if you had remained loyal, I could have made the Yangs kings of Zhou City. That would've only been the beginning."
Yang Chen's voice was calm, almost conversational. "But instead, you chose betrayal. You even tried to kill me. If you were in my place, would you spare the Yang family?"
"Mr. Yang, I was wrong! I'll never dare again! From now on, you are the Yang family's heaven! We will serve you forever!"
Terror had hollowed out Yang Xiangming's soul. He kowtowed desperately, regret and fear twisting his gut.
After witnessing Yang Chen's power, he didn't doubt a single word.
Now he finally understood why Qian Biao had said the Yangs had provoked someone they could never afford to offend. That someone was Yang Chen!
The rest of the Yang family, seeing their patriarch prostrate himself, immediately followed suit, groveling and begging for mercy.
Just then, a car pulled up outside. Several figures hurried out.
When they entered the Yang residence, they were met with an unbelievable sight—the entire Yang family on their knees, begging at the feet of a young man.
And nearby, a dozen gunmen lay dead, their eyes frozen in horror.
"Chairman, as you instructed, we've completed the assessment of the Yang family's assets. Here's the transfer agreement. Once Yang Xiangming signs, everything will belong to you."
A middle-aged man stood respectfully behind Yang Chen, reporting in a deferential tone.
This man was none other than Luo Bin, who had turned himself in just days earlier.
Yang Chen nodded. "Have Patriarch Yang sign it."
Luo Bin stepped forward, placing a document in front of Yang Xiangming. "This is the acquisition proposal drafted by the senior expert team after evaluating the Yang family's current state. Review it. If there are no issues, sign."
At this point, Yang Xiangming had no room to refuse.
As he scanned the document, realization dawned—the查封 of Chenghe Group, the Yang family's warehouses and factories, all of it had been Yang Chen's doing. He'd backed the Yangs into a corner to acquire them at the lowest possible cost.
"Mr. Yang, I beg you—"
Yang Xiangming started to plead again, but Yang Chen cut him off. "Yang Xiangming, mistakes demand consequences. I could have taken everything from you without paying a cent. But I didn't."
Yang Xiangming shuddered. Remembering what had just transpired, he didn't dare voice even a whisper of dissent. Grabbing a pen, he scrawled his signature across the document.
No matter how bitter the pill, he couldn't defy Yang Chen now.
"From this day forth, the Yang family ceases to exist in Zhou City."
Yang Chen glanced up at the golden plaque above the gate, emblazoned with the characters "Yang Clan." With a casual flick of his hand—
*Crash!*
The plaque tore free, smashing to the ground in pieces.
Not a single member of the Yang family dared to speak. They could only tremble as they watched Yang Chen leave.
Luo Bin's heart raced. A top-tier family in Zhou City, wiped out just like that. The chairman's power was truly terrifying.
Once they were outside, Yang Chen turned to Luo Bin. "Release the news of the Yang family's downfall immediately. Whether they live or die will depend on fate."
Luo Bin hurriedly nodded. "Yes, sir!"
Pulling out his phone, he began arranging for the media to break the story.
Behind them, Qian Biao—who had been silently following—felt his heart clench.
Over the years, the Yang family had expanded aggressively. With Qian Biao's strength backing him, Yang Xiangming had acted with impunity, offending countless powerful figures in Zhou City, even the elite families.
Now that the news of their downfall was out, the Yangs would face retribution from all sides. But that was no longer his concern.
"Chairman, Zhou City's top news outlet has already pushed the story of the Yang family's collapse. More details will follow soon."
Luo Bin handed his phone to Yang Chen, who gave it only a cursory glance before issuing another order. "Stay in Zhou City for now. Consolidate the Yang family's assets and train a local manager as quickly as possible. Once things here are settled, I have a more important task for you."
Luo Bin's eyes lit up with joy. When Yang Chen had first told him to stay, he'd feared he was being sidelined. Now he realized—he was being groomed for greater things.
"Chairman, I won't let you down!" Luo Bin said excitedly.
"It's time to head back."
Yang Chen checked his watch. If they left now, he'd make it just in time to pick up Xiao Xiao from school.
Ma Chao took the wheel, while Qian Biao sat stiffly in the passenger seat, his mind a whirlwind of fear.
He'd been ready to die earlier. But then Yang Chen had appeared, commanding him to follow. He hadn't dared refuse.
Yang Chen remained silent throughout the journey, eyes closed as if meditating.
Only when they reached Lantian Kindergarten did he stir. "Take him to your place for now. Bring him to Yancheng Group tomorrow."
"Yes, sir!"
Ma Chao acknowledged the order and led the trembling Qian Biao away.
---
**Yang Family Residence, Zhou City**
The moment Yang Chen left, the Yang family's old steward rushed in, panic-stricken. "Patriarch! Bad news! Zhou City's top news outlet just announced the Yang family's downfall!"
"What?!"
Yang Xiangming, who had just been preparing to gather their belongings and flee, paled.
"Everyone, stop packing! Take only the most valuable items!"
Yang Xiangming barked the order. He knew exactly how many enemies the Yangs had made in Zhou City. Now that the news was out, hordes would be descending upon them.
Under his command, the Yang family moved swiftly. In under five minutes, everyone had gathered only jewelry, cash, and bank cards, ready to escape.
"Split up by household! Leave Zhou City in different directions! Regroup at the Feng family's in Jinhe City! Go now!" Yang Xiangming commanded.
"Patriarch Yang, leaving so soon? We still have accounts to settle."
A mocking voice rang out the moment Yang Xiangming finished speaking. Familiar faces began flooding into the Yang residence.