Chapter 15

"Bankruptcy?" The brothers Cheng Zitong and Cheng Zihao were both somewhat dazed.

"Father, has it come to this?" Cheng Zitong asked.

Cheng Zihao, more urgently, said, "Father, when the virtual glasses came out years ago, it had a significant impact on many internet companies. Our Tiger Shark Group became even stronger after being impacted. This time, the virtual world won't bring us down. We can also penetrate the virtual world."

"There's no chance," Cheng Liwei, with a haggard face, gently shook his head. "This time is different from the last time with the virtual glasses. Last time, the technology came out first, and then it was licensed to multiple companies... There was a long transition period, and we were prepared."

"But this time, it's the Blue Star Alliance directly distributing virtual helmets. The virtual world is directly open to everyone, completely impacting the previous internet market."

"In the past month, the group's stock prices have been falling, and after the press conference, they plummeted. Although it's temporarily suspended from trading, once the suspension is lifted, it will plummet again, and the market value will fall below one trillion." Cheng Liwei said calmly, "Multiple banks have already frozen the family trust assets and are demanding early repayment."

"Will the market value fall below one trillion?" Cheng Zitong and Cheng Zihao both knew the situation was dire.

"The family trust's 8.2% stake in the group is now worth less than one hundred billion. Are we insolvent?" Cheng Zitong asked, "Father, what about the family trust's other investments?"

"The family is rooted in the internet industry, and the family trust has invested heavily in the internet industry. This impact will reduce most valuations to 20-30% of their original value, and some will go bankrupt outright," Cheng Liwei said. "The family trust originally had assets of 900 billion and liabilities of 300 billion, which was very safe. But now, these assets... are probably worth less than 200 billion."

"Such a huge difference?" Cheng Zihao was even more dazed.

His good life depended on the family trust and the Tiger Shark Group controlled by the family.

"There's no way to stop it. The emergence of the virtual world is beyond human control," Cheng Liwei shook his head and laughed. "It's laughable that I didn't get any wind of such a big event. Clearly, the Blue Star Alliance didn't care about the life and death of internet companies."

"The Tiger Shark Group won't die, after all, the balance sheet is very good," Cheng Zitong said. "But our family's 8.2% stake will likely be taken over by the banks soon."

"Don't worry, your assets are completely isolated from the family trust," Cheng Liwei looked at his two sons. "As the trustee of the family trust, I need to bear the consequences. But you two won't be affected. You two should live a low-profile life in the future. After all, the Cheng family without the Tiger Shark Group is already very ordinary."

Cheng Zitong and Cheng Zihao were both silent.

"Is it all gone? All gone?" Cheng Zihao's body trembled slightly as he looked at his father. "Father, over the years, you've given my brother about 5 billion, but only 2 billion to me. That's unfair."

"Second son, this is all according to the rules of the family trust," Cheng Zitong said.

"Father, this is unfair," Cheng Zihao looked at his father.

"Unfair?"

Cheng Liwei looked at him. "First, your brother is older than you. The family trust starts distributing the first cash payment when you turn 22. Since you are younger, you receive less. Who can you blame? Second, the stronger your investment management skills, the more the family trust will add. Your investment skills are not as good as your brother's. Who can you blame? Third, the big hole you created was filled by me, costing several billion and a lot of favors. How have I wronged you?"

"But I have nothing left!" Cheng Zihao looked at his father.

"I'm already bankrupt, what more do you want?" Cheng Liwei pointed to the door. "Get out!"

Cheng Zihao looked at his father with red eyes.

"Get out!" Cheng Liwei pointed to the door.

Cheng Zihao turned and left, leaving Cheng Liwei and his eldest son Cheng Zitong in the office.

"Father, the second son is just panicking," Cheng Zitong said softly. "Over the years, you've given him 2 billion, but his investment skills are poor, so he probably doesn't have much left. Knowing that everything is gone, he's panicking."

"Remember this."

Cheng Liwei looked at his eldest son Cheng Zitong. "From today on, don't give your second brother a single cent!"

Cheng Zitong was slightly stunned: "What if he starves on the street?"

"Let him starve!" Cheng Liwei said coldly. "Our Cheng family is not the same as before. We can't afford to lose anymore!"

"Yes, I understand," Cheng Zitong replied.

...

In Cheng Zihao's office.

"Bang, bang, bang." Cheng Zihao wildly smashed everything in the office that could be smashed.

"Old man, you're really ruthless!" Cheng Zihao gritted his teeth and then lightly touched his watch, saying through clenched teeth, "Now, immediately, get to my office!"

Ten minutes later, a middle-aged man with wet hair arrived at the office, saying, "Boss, I was in the virtual world, but I came as quickly as possible after getting your message."

"Tell me, how much money is left in my investment company?" Cheng Zihao asked.

"There's still about 120 million in cash," the middle-aged man immediately said. "The rest are various investments."

"How much are those investments worth?" Cheng Zihao asked.

"Many are angel investments, which can't be exited in the short term," the middle-aged man said. "Some internet industry investments may be lost, as the impact of the virtual world is too great."

"What I want to know is, if we liquidate what we can, how much money can we get?" Cheng Zihao asked.

"About one billion," the middle-aged man thought for a moment and said, "barely."

"I invested five billion, and this is all that's left?" Cheng Zihao couldn't accept it.

"The internet industry is in a terrible state now," the middle-aged man said helplessly. "We also have three companies with many employees, and monthly expenses are about 20 million. Our cash can only last about six months."

"Only six months?" Cheng Zihao muttered, his lips turning white.

"Fortunately, the big hole from last time was filled by the chairman, so the company is stable for now," the middle-aged man added. "When filling the hole, the chairman said you're not allowed to borrow money from outside anymore."

"Don't mention him."

Cheng Zihao sat in his chair, holding his head. "Get out, I need to think."

"Yes, boss," the middle-aged man obediently left.

"Only six months of cash? No family trust?" Cheng Zihao's eyes were bloodshot, and he unconsciously grabbed his hair. "What to do, what to do?"

******

In the virtual world.

Xu Jingming guessed the Cheng family would be in a bad situation, but he didn't have the heart to pay attention. He was currently in the 'Training Ground' of his personal space, experiencing the training function of the 'Training Ground.'

In the Training Ground, a green valley.

Three bandits attacked from three directions, surrounding Xu Jingming.

Xu Jingming held a long spear, calmly waiting.

When the bandits approached to within ten feet, Xu Jingming immediately rushed to the right, facing the knife-wielding bandit on the right.

"Kill." The knife-wielding bandit grinned and pounced.

"Thud."

Xu Jingming's spear moved like a venomous snake, piercing the knife-wielding bandit's neck and retracting.

The knife-wielding bandit's neck was pierced, and he dissipated. The remaining two bandits, undaunted, pounced even more fiercely.

Xu Jingming merely stepped back, and the spear tip struck twice, hitting the heart and forehead of the two bandits, who then dissipated.

"The basic combat strength of 800 for the training partner is indeed weak, suitable only for familiarizing oneself with spear techniques," Xu Jingming felt no difficulty at all.

Controlling distance and reaction time made his spear techniques like art, easily defeating the virtual training partners in the Training Ground.

Buzz!

"Hmm?" Xu Jingming lightly tapped and saw a burly middle-aged man looking over from the other side of the Training Ground. The burly man had tiger-like eyes, exuding a terrifying aura.

"Master?" Xu Jingming was somewhat uncertain.

"Hahaha, surprised to see me younger?" Liu Hai laughed heartily.

"Congratulations, Master. Over the years, the global martial arts community has speculated that if you had participated in the World Martial Arts Competition at 30, you would have been the greatest champion. Now, with human evolution, you can fulfill everyone's speculation." Xu Jingming also looked forward.

Liu Hai was a legendary figure globally.

At 45, he was considered old in the martial arts world, with a much worse condition than in his twenties. Master Liu Hai participated in five consecutive World Martial Arts Competitions starting at 45, always placing in the top three, and even winning the world championship in the last one.

How strong was he at his peak? This has always been a subject of speculation.

"The past is not worth mentioning," Liu Hai smiled. "Jingming, there are only about 20,000 registered professional martial artists globally after 30 years of professional martial arts competitions. Now, they are competing with 7 billion people! In the virtual world, they won't get injured, won't be tired, can choose any training partner, and can engage in life-and-death battles. Their growth rate will be at least ten times faster than our training in the real world."

"For one or two months, we professional martial artists still have an advantage."

"Six months! Just six months... and we professional martial artists will be completely overwhelmed." Liu Hai looked at Xu Jingming. "But this is the best era for us martial artists! Never before have there been so many martial artists."

"Yes," Xu Jingming nodded. How often has cold weapon combat been so prosperous globally?

"We already have a good foundation. Seize the opportunity, and we can soar to new heights!" Liu Hai looked at Xu Jingming. "Jingming, don't waste this era."

"Understood," Xu Jingming was also filled with enthusiasm, wanting to make a name for himself in this era.

"By the way, have you been ranked yet? Have you reached the Divine level?" Liu Hai asked.