Chapter 1, The Dictator

How could this happen? The photograph in Liu Zhang's hand fell to the ground, and he looked at Liu Hong, the brother he had always regarded as an enemy, with a pleading gaze from the hospital bed

Looking at the roaring brother in front of him, Liu Hong remained expressionless. "Is it synthetic? You can consult an expert. I tell you this only because I am about to die. I do not wish for my father's hard work to ultimately be destroyed by your hands"

Starting from the age of fourteen when he entered the underground boxing arena, Liu Hong participated in a total of 195 matches, during which 67 individuals were directly killed. It was only after he saved enough money to complete his university education that he left the underground boxing scene, becoming one of the few fighters to emerge unscathed.

"What will you do to her?" Liu Zhang trembled as he raised his head, looking at his always cold brother.

Losing is equivalent to death; this is the life motto that Liu Hong learned in the underground boxing arena. Therefore, he puts forth his utmost effort in everything he does, always considering himself the ultimate winner, and this applies to his business endeavors as well.

I called you here merely to let you know the truth, not to imply that you can decide anything. You may leave now. Liu Hong said indifferently, looking at his brother who had collapsed to the ground in despair, his eyes devoid of life.

The door was suddenly opened, and a young nurse walked in, carrying a tray with various medications, her face adorned with a smile. "It's time for your medication." Most of the young nurses generally liked Liu Hong; in addition to his handsome appearance, the cold aura that created a sense of distance made these young girls' hearts race.

In the United States, Liu Hong's life was quite difficult. Although his father sent him enough money each month to ensure he had food and clothing, he could hardly access this money due to the interference of his stepmother. The person who accompanied him had also disappeared early on, leaving him with no one to rely on but himself. Liu Hong did not tell his father about any of this because he felt that his father would not believe him, but would instead trust the seemingly gentle and virtuous woman. He did not want to lose the last bit of his father's affection, even though that affection was merely the living expenses he could not receive each month.

Leaning against the soft pillow, Liu Hong picked up a slightly yellowed, thread-bound edition of "Records of the Three Kingdoms" and began to read. This was a gift from his grandfather, an intellectual from a bygone era. Along with this edition of "Records of the Three Kingdoms," there were also some rare ancient books. Until he turned eight and started school, he had been studying the cultural classics of the past under his grandfather's guidance. Although it was quite tedious, it was the only joy of his childhood

The nurse quietly stepped out, and at the moment she closed the door, she took another glance at the young man who had always remained calm and composed, with a stern expression.

"She is your mother, not mine. I want to give my father justice." Liu Hong glanced at his brother, whose eyes were filled with pleading, but remained unmoved. "Sheng Bo, take him back to the company and have Lawyer Fang convene a board meeting. The company will belong to him from now on." After saying this, Liu Hong did not look at his brother any longer; he simply leaned back on the bed and quietly closed his eyes.

For a history major, saving a failing enterprise is hardly their responsibility; however, Liu Hong accomplished this feat. The ruthlessness and coldness honed in the underground boxing arena enabled him to implement a hardline policy within the company. All the idle relatives and personnel were expelled, and he reformed the company according to his own will, transforming the near-bankrupt firm into a company solely under his control. He then began to pursue external mergers and expansions.

Liu Zhang detected the sarcasm in his brother's words, but he could not accept any of it. How could his mother conspire with another man to kill their father? "It’s not like that; you’re lying to me. These photos are fabricated."

"There is no strongest martial art, only the strongest person." This was the first thing Liu Hong's master said to him when teaching martial arts. The master, being overly arrogant, ended up becoming disabled in a particularly brutal chaotic fight. From that point on, he completely abandoned sectarian biases. In teaching his disciple Liu Hong, in addition to the internal martial arts passed down from his own school, he also imparted the most formidable and lethal techniques from various Chinese martial arts schools and other combat arts from around the world to this exceptionally gifted disciple.

The next day, the police who received the report from Liu Zhang arrived at the hospital, but what they found in the ward was only the deceased Liu Hong. On that handsome yet cold face, a hint of mockery could be faintly discerned, though no one knew to whom it was directed—perhaps it was aimed at his brother, perhaps at himself, or maybe at everyone.

Thus, after merely living together for three years, Liu Hong was sent to the United States by his father. For Liu Hong's stepmother, this eldest son of her husband was the greatest obstacle to her son's future inheritance of the family fortune. She did not wish for him to continue living by her husband's side

The United States, in the eyes of most people, may symbolize freedom and beauty; however, in reality, this nation that venerates wealth is more brutal than any other country. To survive, one must adapt to the harsh laws of society

He is your mother's first love. Four years ago, he reconnected with your mother. You also have a half-brother, who is nearly three years old this year. Liu Hong's words pierced sharply into the heart of the previously ignorant brother.

"My father's car accident was the result of someone deliberately tampering with the vehicle. When I returned that year, I had someone investigate, but we could never find out who did it." Liu Hong's emotionless voice sounded particularly cold in the hospital room. "Perhaps it's because they see that I am not far from death, which is why they are so reckless in their clandestine meetings, and I caught them red-handed."

"Sheng Bo, give those photos to him." Liu Hong did not respond, but instead looked at the elder behind his brother, who shared his bloodline, and nodded.

"I will not do anything for trash. After you die, I will have no connection with the company whatsoever." Looking at Liu Hong, whose lips twitched slightly, Sheng Bo spoke to *Tu* *Shu*, then he took Liu Zhang and left the hospital room. He had never imagined that Liu Hong, who was proficient in internal martial arts, would actually suffer from such a terminal illness as leukemia.

On that day, Liu Hong's stepmother and her lover were successively murdered

In the white hospital room, the sunlight is bright, and several bouquets of lilies are arranged in a vase. A faint fragrance permeates the air, while Liu Hong lies on the hospital bed, his face pale

Thank you. Liu Hong took the cup of water, maintaining his usual indifference. Although he appeared polite, he was difficult to approach.

A cold voice emerged, and Liu Hong spoke as if he were discussing something unrelated to himself, "However, before that, there are some matters I must take care of"

However, there are times when certain events are simply unpredictable. Just as he graduated, his father was involved in a car accident. Before passing away, he sent someone to bring him back from the United States to take over the family business. Thus, he inherited the seemingly large company that his father left him, which was, in reality, riddled with problems.

Opening the file bag, Liu Zhang looked at the affectionate photo of his mother with another man, his face displaying an expression of disbelief. The man in the photo was someone he knew all too well; he was the chairman of the rival company.

Afterward, Liu Hong became a student in the History Department at Yale University. His life, which revolved around the library, classrooms, and dormitories, made him appear like a devout Puritan. He never considered returning to inherit his father's vast estate. Perhaps this monotonous existence, reminiscent of his childhood when his grandfather urged him to read those ancient texts, was the tranquility he longed for.

The passage of nine years transformed Liu Hong from a quiet youth into a cold-hearted young man. In order to survive, the talent that had been hidden within him was awakened by the harsh realities of life. In the second year after his arrival in the United States, a martial artist who had become disabled in the underground boxing arena became his mentor, leading him out of the alleys of Chinatown and away from the endless cycle of washing dishes.

What exactly do you want to do? Liu Zhang looked at Liu Hong, who was lying on the hospital bed with a pale face, and spoke with a slight tremor in his voice. He knew that his mother had not been very settled in the company recently

Looking at the pushed-open hospital door, Liu Hong set down the "Records of the Three Kingdoms," his gaze sharpening. The young man entering was his half-brother. "I am about to die; the company is yours."

The tall elder, known as Sheng Bo, lifted Liu Zhang from the ground and, before he could shout, struck him on the back of the neck with a single palm.

Liu Hong's mother died during childbirth, and for this reason, his father never liked him much. After his birth, he was sent to be raised by his maternal grandfather under the pretext of being busy with business. When his grandfather passed away and he returned to his father's side, who had since remarried, the bond between father and son had become extremely distant. Although Liu Hong, only ten years old at the time, longed for his father's affection, the years spent with his grandfather had made him much more reserved compared to children of the same age. In his father's eyes, who already disliked him, this demeanor appeared as reclusiveness and difficulty in approaching.