Chapter 9: When the Elite Bow Their Heads

As Lin Feng stepped out of the northern suburbs casino, the midday sun pierced through the sky, causing him to squint slightly. In his right hand, he carried a black suitcase, its weight insignificant compared to the burden of the truth it contained. The contents of the documents inside only deepened the killing intent in his heart—Shadow Consortium's collusion with Lin Zhengxiong and Zhao Wanshan was far more extensive than he had imagined. The brutal battle in the eastern suburbs last night and the intelligence he had gathered today had brought him even closer to the truth.

Settling into the driver's seat of his car, Lin Feng pulled out his phone and dialed the number of his subordinate, the bespectacled man. His voice was steady, carrying a cold authority. "Bring Lin Zhengxiong and Zhao Wanshan to the Chamber of Commerce building. I want them to kneel before the public."

"Yes, Master Feng!" The bespectacled man answered without hesitation.

Lin Feng ended the call and started the engine, his car roaring as he sped towards the city center.

Meanwhile, at the Chamber of Commerce building, the press conference had just concluded. Li Tianhao's public announcement had already sent shockwaves throughout Jiangcheng, shaking the entire business world to its core. But Lin Feng knew that the timing was perfect—he had to strike while the iron was hot, ensuring that his enemies crumbled completely.

Outside the grand entrance of the Chamber of Commerce, reporters were still lingering, reluctant to leave after the dramatic press conference. Lin Feng's car came to a smooth halt by the curb. Without hesitation, he pushed open the door and stepped out. His attire was simple and unassuming, nothing like the extravagant suits favored by the wealthy elite. The moment he approached the entrance, a security guard instinctively moved to block his path, but just one cold, piercing glance from Lin Feng was enough to send the man stumbling backward in fear.

With steady steps, he strode into the grand lobby.

Inside, Lin Xue'er and the bespectacled man were already waiting for him. Between them, two disheveled men knelt on the ground—Lin Zhengxiong and Zhao Wanshan. Their faces were bruised and swollen, fear evident in their bloodshot eyes. It was clear that last night's lesson had utterly broken their spirits.

"Brother!" Lin Xue'er rushed forward, worry evident in her voice. "Are you okay?"

Lin Feng patted her head reassuringly. "I'm fine. Just watch the show."

He then turned his cold gaze towards Lin Zhengxiong, his voice devoid of warmth. "Lin Zhengxiong, do you still remember what you did to me three years ago?"

Lin Zhengxiong trembled, his head hanging low as his voice quivered. "Lin Feng, I was wrong! I was forced—Shadow Consortium gave me no choice. They said if I didn't obey, they would wipe out my entire family..." His voice was filled with desperation, but before he could finish his plea, Lin Feng's foot lashed out, landing squarely on his knee.

A sickening crack echoed through the lobby as Lin Zhengxiong collapsed, letting out a scream of agony.

"Forced?" Lin Feng sneered, his voice dripping with mockery. "Where was this cowardice when you burned down my family home?"

He then turned to Zhao Wanshan, whose body was already shaking uncontrollably. "And you, Zhao Wanshan? You orchestrated Liu Wan'er's betrayal, stole my family's assets—do you have anything to say for yourself?"

Zhao Wanshan was too weak to even hold himself up, his body slumped against the cold marble floor. Tears of fear streamed down his face. "Lin Feng, I was blind! I'll give you Zhao Corporation! Just spare me!" His voice cracked with terror, a stark contrast to his once-arrogant demeanor.

"Spare you?" Lin Feng let out a humorless chuckle. "Too late."

He lifted a hand, gesturing to the bespectacled man. Without delay, the subordinate and his men grabbed the two pitiful men, dragging them to the center of the lobby.

"Xue'er," Lin Feng called out.

Lin Xue'er looked at him, hesitating only briefly before nodding in understanding. She turned and walked out of the lobby. Moments later, a flood of reporters burst in, cameras flashing wildly as they rushed to capture the scene.

Lin Feng stood tall, gazing down at the kneeling figures of Lin Zhengxiong and Zhao Wanshan. His expression was calm, but his words carried an unmistakable weight.

"Go ahead and take your pictures," he said nonchalantly. "After today, Jiangcheng will bear only one name—Lin."

The journalists were momentarily stunned before the room exploded with frenzied camera shutters.

A bold reporter stepped forward, raising his voice above the commotion. "Mr. Lin, why are these two men kneeling before you?"

Lin Feng's lips curled into a cold smirk. "Because they owe me a debt. A debt from three years ago, and today, they pay it back in full."

His voice wasn't loud, yet it silenced the entire hall.

Lin Zhengxiong's head remained bowed, his body trembling too much to speak.

But suddenly, Zhao Wanshan, his desperation outweighing his terror, lifted his head, his lips trembling as he stammered, "Lin Feng! I know a secret about the Shadow Consortium! Let me live, and I'll tell you!"

Lin Feng's eyes narrowed slightly. "Speak."

Zhao Wanshan swallowed hard, sweat beading on his forehead. "Their leader is called 'Black Shadow.' No one has ever seen his true face, but he has a representative in Jiangcheng! He's hiding in Longteng Tower!"

"Longteng Tower?" Lin Feng murmured, his fingers instinctively curling into a fist.

That skyscraper was one of Jiangcheng's most iconic buildings, owned by a complex web of powerful figures. If Shadow Consortium's influence ran that deep, then his battle was far from over.

A cold smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "Take them away. I'll deal with Longteng Tower tomorrow."

The bespectacled man nodded, and within seconds, Lin Zhengxiong and Zhao Wanshan were dragged away.

The reporters erupted in discussions, their minds racing with the implications of what had just transpired.

Lin Feng turned to Lin Xue'er. "Let's go. Back to the office."

She nodded, falling into step beside him as they left the building.

Just as Lin Feng stepped out into the bright afternoon, his phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out and answered.

"Master Feng," his subordinate's voice reported, "Lin Corporation's stocks have been fully acquired. Zhao Corporation has officially declared bankruptcy. They're finished."

Lin Feng ended the call without another word.

He lifted his gaze towards the distant Longteng Tower, its glass exterior gleaming under the sun.

His revenge was only just beginning.