The Jin family's move against the Chu family was swift. Three hours after Jin Zaixing's departure, Chu Mengyao received another batch of notices to terminate cooperation from various channel merchants.
The Chu family's businesses across various industries, all under the Jin family's control, fell into stagnation.
Chu Mengyao sat at her desk, and soon, the bank also called. The Chu family's corporate bank accounts were frozen.
"The only account that can currently be used is the one from the auction of Ye Bufan's Marrow Cleansing Pills." Although they had over forty billion yuan, enough to cover the Chu family's business expenses, it wouldn't last long.
"You don't seem very worried," Huangfu Yujia observed Chu Mengyao.
Chu Mengyao smiled faintly and said, "Ye Bufan possesses an inexplicable aura that inspires trust. I met him by chance, and subconsciously, it was out of that very trust."
Huangfu Yujia nodded, feeling a deep envy for the trust between Ye Bufan and Chu Mengyao.
"Knock, knock, knock—"
At this moment, the receptionist entered.
"CEO Chu, Doctor Zhu has arrived."
Upon hearing this, Chu Mengyao immediately perked up and asked the receptionist to invite Doctor Zhu in.
Zhu Zizhen walked into the office. Upon seeing Chu Mengyao, he clasped his fists in greeting and, without preamble, stated his purpose.
"These are our current Marrow Cleansing Pills," Zhu Zizhen said. "Master sent me to give them to you, saying you'll know what to do."
Chu Mengyao accepted the Marrow Cleansing Pills. Of the nine Ye Bufan refined the second time, seven remained. With the addition of Zhu Zizhen's three, there were now a total of ten Marrow Cleansing Pills.
Seeing the ten Marrow Cleansing Pills, Huangfu Yujia's eyes suddenly lit up. The twelve pills at Jin Fang were already a considerable amount, but who would have thought there were ten more here.
Zhu Zizhen didn't linger. After handing over the pills, he left.
Chu Mengyao pondered for a moment, then finally shifted her gaze to Huangfu Yujia.
"Why are you looking at me?" Huangfu Yujia asked, confused.
"Keep the Marrow Cleansing Pills with you," Chu Mengyao said.
"What?" Huangfu Yujia found it hard to believe her ears. "Aren't you afraid I'll abscond with them? These are pills worth tens of billions."
"Since Ye Bufan chose to trust you, I will also unconditionally trust you," Chu Mengyao replied. "I believe he wouldn't place someone uncertain by my side."
"If the Marrow Cleansing Pills are with me, it would be the least safe," Chu Mengyao added.
Huangfu Yujia's heart was filled with emotion. Ye Bufan and Chu Mengyao had placed their complete trust in her, and she was determined not to let them down.
Half an hour later, the Chu family suddenly convened a press conference.
Accompanied by Huangfu Yujia, Chu Mengyao announced to the public that the Chu family possessed the capability to produce Marrow Cleansing Pills and that there were currently ten such pills in their possession.
This news swept across the nation with overwhelming force. The reporters present bombarded her with questions, and finally, Chu Mengyao produced a black, unremarkable Marrow Cleansing Pill.
"As everyone knows, our Chu family has a cooperation with the esteemed Doctor Zhu Zizhen. Our collaboration is centered around these Marrow Cleansing Pills," Chu Mengyao stated.
The press conference was being broadcast live. The moment this news broke, major noble families, and even the top families in the capital, were thrown into a state of unrest.
Jin Sihuan stood before the television, his fists clenched tightly.
"Miss Chu, since they are Marrow Cleansing Pills, who can prove their authenticity?" a reporter asked Chu Mengyao.
"I can prove it."
Ji Feiyang's voice resonated at the press conference. He walked to Chu Mengyao's side and addressed the reporters: "After the Chu family's cooperation with Doctor Zhu, they also established a partnership with the military. Now, I can confidently tell you that the Chu family's Marrow Cleansing Pills are genuine. Reporter, as a representative of the military, can I confirm this for you?"
"Yes," the reporter, blushing slightly, sat down.
"Miss Chu, I've heard that since last night, your Chu family's business partners have ceased their cooperation. Are you holding this press conference today to try and 'pull the rug out from under them'?" another reporter inquired.
Chu Mengyao smiled and replied, "I believe those partners simply had a moment of poor judgment and will resume their cooperation with me."
"Miss Chu, regarding the production capacity of the Marrow Cleansing Pills, how many can your Chu Corporation currently produce?" a reporter asked.
"One month, three to five pills. That's the maximum. It's unlikely to increase for a long time," Chu Mengyao answered.
This statement effectively put an end to any speculation about the pills being produced in large quantities. Simultaneously, it would serve as a bargaining chip for Chu Mengyao in negotiations with the various families.
After the press conference, Ye Bufan began setting up formations outside the Chu family's villa, along with personal defensive jade talismans.
In the capital, at the Weichi family.
Weichi Yannian watched the Chu family's press conference, his excitement surging. He immediately summoned his butler, preparing to depart for Jinhe.
"Master, going to Jinhe again?" the butler asked, bewildered as to why Weichi Yannian was returning to Jinhe so soon after his recent visit.
Concurrently, other families in the capital also began to make their moves.
Instantly, flight tickets to Jinhe from across the country were snapped up. Some even chartered entire planes, all to reach their destination a step faster than their rivals.
Three to five pills per month. If they could be the first to negotiate cooperation with the Chu family, they might gain control over the Marrow Cleansing Pills.
For the capital's families, the Marrow Cleansing Pills could help their Great Martial Venerables and Martial Saints enhance their strength, which was a symbol of power for their families.
At this juncture, everyone yearned for some connection with the Chu family.
Ji Feiyang, in particular, was overjoyed. When Ye Bufan called him, he had almost felt as if it were a dream.
The Chu family's cooperation with the military had always been nominal. However, Ye Bufan proposed providing Ji Feiyang with nine Marrow Cleansing Pills, in addition to one pill from the Chu family's monthly production for the military.
Without hesitation, Ji Feiyang readily agreed. From then on, the Chu family gained an additional layer of military protection, while the military's strength would also be significantly boosted. It was a win-win situation.
With these matters handled, the Chu family had no remaining concerns.
Meanwhile, Jin Sihuan, upon hearing about the Chu family's announcement, flew into a rage. He had gone to great lengths to sever the Chu family's financial lifeline, only for Chu Mengyao to employ a brilliant countermeasure. The suppliers, disregarding Jin family's demands, eagerly rushed back to beg Chu Mengyao for renewed cooperation.
"Has Master Yu arrived?" Jin Sihuan asked, his face grim.
"He has," a middle-aged man standing beside Jin Sihuan replied.
"Excellent!" Jin Sihuan's eyes filled with killing intent. "Assemble all the Great Martial Venerables. Cooperate with Master Yu to kill Ye Bufan, capture Zhu Zizhen, and seize ownership of the Marrow Cleansing Pills!"