Lin Shou stared at Madam Yang, the corners of his mouth suddenly curling into a cold sneer as his gaze grew much sharper:

"Going to persuade him is fine. However, you’d better put away those little schemes of yours. Don’t even think about struggling. Otherwise, the entire Yang Family will perish because of you."

"Husband, I didn’t...."

At his words, the color drained from Madam Yang’s face.

"Whether you did or not is unimportant. Once that lord takes what he wants from you, I wouldn’t even mind if you kept a few lovers in the manor."

Lin Shou’s expression changed in a flash. One moment he was cold and severe, the next his face had softened considerably.

’By the time they actually take it, will I even still be alive?’

Terrified, Madam Yang quickly explained:

"Rest assured, Husband. No matter what happens, I will always remain faithful. Besides, when I go to see Commander Chen, I’ll take Xueyao with me."

"That would be for the best."

Lin Shou snorted coldly, then lowered his head and resumed writing at his desk.

Forcing a smile, Madam Yang stepped forward to pour him a cup of tea, then bowed and slowly backed out of the study. But her heart was cold with sorrow, for she knew with perfect clarity that she would not live much longer.

.....

At the same time, in a tavern not far from the Gao Mansion, a disguised Gao Yuanfeng, Patriarch of the Gao Clan, watched the endless stream of government soldiers moving in and out of his estate. His vision suddenly went black.

His eyes were filled with fury and disbelief.

He had only been away for a short trip.

’He returns, only to find his home... gone?’

The Gao Clan had several hundred members. Aside from a few who were away from the mansion at the time, not a single person who remained within its walls was spared. Now, the Government Office was even searching the entire city for any surviving members of the Gao Clan.

When he first heard the news outside the city, Gao Yuanfeng’s immediate reaction was disbelief.

After all, the Gao Family was no minor clan. They were one of the three great families of Changshan Mountain, boasting three Marrow Transformation Realm Martial Masters and dozens more at the Foundation Establishment level. How could they be so easily annihilated?

Moreover, Chen Sheng should have died at the Black Snake Water Stronghold.

To eliminate this thorn in their side, the three great families had laid a meticulous trap. They not only colluded with Xu Meng but also had Chuyue Mountain coordinating with them. They had even assigned men to watch Wu Kuang’s every move, confirming he never left the county office during the entire bandit suppression operation.

Gao Yuanfeng simply could not conceive of any way Chen Sheng could have turned the tables. After all, no matter how strong he was, Chen Sheng was ultimately just a Bone Forging Realm Martial Master. ’Could he really defy the heavens?’

Besides, the three great families had long ago agreed to be bound together, to advance and retreat as one.

If any one family suffered oppression from the Government Office, the other two would provide their full support.

However, reality dealt him a heavy blow—the heavens had truly been overturned!

According to the news he had gathered in the city, Chen Sheng had at some unknown time broken through to the Marrow Transformation Realm, and his strength was unfathomable.

His third brother, Gao Yuanhe, and his fourth grand-uncle, had both died at Chen Sheng’s hands.

Rumor had it that Chen Sheng had effortlessly defeated them with crushing force. While that might be an exaggeration, it was still proof of Chen Sheng’s immense power.

Therefore, even though his heart was raging with fury, Gao Yuanfeng could only watch as the government soldiers confiscated his family’s property. He knew very well that if he showed himself, he would surely fall into a trap.

Perhaps Chen Sheng was lying in ambush inside the Gao Mansion right now, waiting for him to walk right into a trap.

’But how can I not avenge the annihilation of my clan?’

Taking one last deep look at the Gao Mansion, Gao Yuanfeng turned resolutely and disappeared into the night.

He was going to the Huang Family to find Huang Dongchun and demand an explanation.

According to his intelligence, when the government soldiers made their move on the Gao Family, the Huang and Yang Families had indeed come to their aid. However, while they faced off against the soldiers, they never actually made a move.

He was going to demand justice and get some answers.

He also understood that if he wanted to deal with Chen Sheng, he would need the support of the Huang and Yang Families.

...

"Gao, it’s truly not that we, the Huang Family, betrayed our pact."

After welcoming Gao Yuanfeng into the main hall, Huang Dongchun quickly explained, "It’s just that Chen Sheng moved too fast. By the time we got the news and rushed over, it was already too late.

"Besides, Wu Kuang was also at the Gao Family residence. They had three Marrow Transformation Realm masters, plus hundreds of soldiers from the Military Preparation Camp. If we had attacked then, it would have been suicide."

"Three Marrow Transformation masters?"

Gao Yuanfeng frowned. "Who was the third one?"

He had only heard that besides Chen Sheng and Wu Kuang, there was another Marrow Transformation Realm master with them, but no one knew their specific identity.

Huang Dongchun looked embarrassed, but still told him the truth about Li Huai Sheng.

Unexpectedly, Gao Yuanfeng flew into a rage upon hearing this and slammed his palm on the table. "What did you say? Why didn’t you say so earlier!"

’If we had known Li Huai Sheng had already surrendered to Chen Sheng, we would have prepared for it.’

’This entire plan might have failed because of him.’

"Gao, please, calm down..."

Huang Dongchun hurriedly tried to placate him. "The matter of Li Huai Sheng is... a source of shame for the Huang Family. The man is a traitor. He defected to Chen Sheng and even stole our family’s most precious treasure. It’s a disgrace we could hardly speak of. Besides, Li Huai Sheng’s actual power is mediocre; only his Poison Skills are noteworthy. We didn’t think he could cause any real trouble, so we..."

"Fools!" Gao Yuanfeng’s rage was uncontrollable.

Huang Dongchun’s face soured, but he had no retort. The Gao Family had, after all, suffered the greatest loss. Hundreds of lives were lost and decades of accumulated wealth and power were destroyed overnight. It was only natural for Gao Yuanfeng to be filled with resentment.

Huang Ke, standing to the side, quickly changed the subject. "Gao, now is not the time to be assigning blame. Our priority is dealing with Chen Sheng. He already controls the military, and his power is growing. We must guard against him."

Gao Yuanfeng snorted coldly. "That is something for your Huang and Yang Families to worry about."

The Gao Family was already destroyed, so he naturally no longer needed to worry about how to contain Chen Sheng.

"Don’t you want to avenge your clan’s annihilation, Gao?"

Huang Ke and Huang Dongchun exchanged a look and asked with a frown.

"Fine! In that case, let’s go all the way."

Gao Yuanfeng’s tone was ironclad. "Your Huang Family has three Marrow Transformation masters, the Yang Family has two. Add me to the count, and the six of us will join forces to storm the Military Preparation Camp and slaughter Chen Sheng. You’ll be rid of your problem for good, and I’ll have my blood vengeance!"

"Well..."

Huang Dongchun looked troubled. This was not the outcome the Huang Family wanted.

Gao Yuanfeng had nothing left to lose, but with hundreds of lives in the Huang Family, how could they dare take such a risk? The Huang Family’s true intention was to use a borrowed blade—to manipulate Gao Yuanfeng into dealing with Chen Sheng for them.

"Gao, it’s not that we’re unwilling to make a move."

Huang Ke quickly explained, "This is an extremely difficult proposition. You know what Yang Yi is like; he would never agree to something that risks his entire family. Furthermore, the Military Preparation Camp is heavily fortified and defended by hundreds of soldiers. Even if we managed to storm it, we wouldn’t gain any advantage."

"So, you want me to act alone?"

Gao Yuanfeng sneered. "Chen Sheng’s power is now unfathomable. Do you think I’m confident I can take him on alone? If your two families think you can use me to do your dirty work, you’ve gravely miscalculated. The only way to eliminate this threat is for all of us to gamble everything and crush him completely!"

’As if I can’t see what the Huang and Yang Families are plotting.’

"Storming the Military Preparation Camp is indeed not feasible."

The Huang Family’s grand-uncle strode in slowly from outside, his voice deep. "If the Gao Family wants revenge, it now seems the only option is to ask that backer of yours in the Prefecture City for help."

"So, the Huang Family intends to stay out of it?" Gao Yuanfeng’s expression darkened.

The Huang Family was no longer hiding its intentions.

"It is not a matter of staying out of it. The family’s safety is paramount, and we cannot afford such a risk."

The Huang Family’s grand-uncle said slowly, "I am sure you can understand, Yuanfeng. If you were in the Huang Family’s position, you would likely make the same choice. However, I can promise you this: once Chen Sheng is dead, the Huang Family will give its full support to help the Gao Family rise from the ashes."

The atmosphere grew tense. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Gao Yuanfeng took a deep breath and suddenly said, "I admit, I would do the same. However, I came here today hoping the Huang Family might lend me something. With this item in my possession, I promise you won’t need to lift a finger. I will deal with Chen Sheng alone."

"What is it?" Huang Dongchun was startled, not expecting Gao Yuanfeng’s attitude to change so quickly.

"A piece of Black Jade Healing Ointment."

The three members of the Huang Family were all stunned upon hearing this.

They were stunned for two reasons. First, the Black Jade Healing Ointment was exceedingly rare; the Huang Family had only managed to acquire three pieces in several decades. Second, the ointment was used exclusively for mending damaged meridians. ’Could Gao Yuanfeng’s meridians be injured?’

"Give it to me, and you won’t have to get involved in dealing with Chen Sheng."

Gao Yuanfeng said with great gravity, "Just remember your promise today—to give your full support to help the Gao Family rise again in the future."

"Grand-uncle..." Huang Dongchun looked at the old man.

The old man pondered for a moment, then nodded. "Very well."

Gao Yuanfeng’s expression did not change, but he secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

In fact, his main purpose in coming here today was for the Huang Family’s Black Jade Healing Ointment.

As for asking the Huang Family to assassinate Chen Sheng at all costs, he knew in his heart that it was impossible right now—the Huang Family would never risk their entire clan.

Next, he would go to the Yang Family and use the same method to demand another of their treasures. With that, he would be confident enough to persuade the Demon Monk to make a move.

Only then could he be absolutely certain of success.