180-189

Zheng Lun wore a meaningful smile on his face while Zhou Jin and Zhang Yiwen questioned Jiang Xiu. He asked them, "Was she pretty?"

"Pretty!"

Zhou Jin and Zhang Yiwen spoke in unison with shining eyes.

Was it Cheng Lingran? The trip was so long, and my phone got discharged midway. Maybe she came here to look for me because she couldn't contact me. Jiang Xiu thought.

"She didn't leave her name?"

Zhou Jin and Zhang Yiwen rattled their heads like a children's toy, making an expression full of regret and grief as if they had lost the love of their life.

"Hahahaha…"

Zheng Lun couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Everyone looked at him. He came over with a smile then patted Jiang Xiu's shoulders, "Brat, you're quite skilled. Do you know who it was? It was Ye Rong. That girl didn't say anything on that day but kept asking my wife about you afterward and finally came over to look for you. You're quite dank, brother. The girl came to deliver herself to you."

"Ye Rong?"

Jiang Xiu couldn't remember who it was for a moment then reacted, "Oh, that girl from the nightclub. She came to look for me? I shouldn't have matched her requirements."

"It's difficult to figure out the minds of girls. They will definitely take the bait if you are handsome. Otherwise, why don't you give her a call and set up a date tonight?"

Jiang Xiu shook his head, "I'm exhausted, let's talk about it later."

Saying so, he placed his luggage down then slumped onto the bed. He wasn't exhausted, it was just that he had no intentions to go meet the girl. If he wished to meet anyone, it was Cheng Lingran.

His wife from the previous life!

"Bastard, a beauty is delivering herself to you, and you act like this." Zhou Jin and Zhang Yiwen clenched their teeth, feeling that he didn't understand the suffering of people like them. "Take care not to get struck by thunder."

"Young Master Lun, so you know her, introduce her to us."

"Hey! Young Master Lun…"

Zheng Lun was scared away by those hungry brutes thirsting for love.

The news regarding what happened during this desert exploration trip wasn't suppressed. After all, so many people had died. It had spread inside the entire campus. Professor Xu wasn't held accountable for it, but he was barred from arranging archaeology projects and was allowed to only teach the subject of culture. As for Qian Deshen, he immediately escaped to the U.S. as this incident was quite big.

Another matter had given rise to huge waves and caused the entire Jiang family to go crazy.

Pinghai's Jin family was slaughtered by someone, none had escaped. Those in the Imperial Capital, those in Pinghai and even Jin Xi who was in the hospital were dead.

The Jin family was the banker of Jiang Yishan. Without this money source, their capital in the economy would decline steeply.

"I believe our first priority is to shift the assets of the Jin family first, we can look for the murderer later."

"Second Brother is right."

Old Jiang grabbed his crutches in a fit of fury, "What are you doing here then? Quickly go do it."

He had just said this when Jin Hangpao who had close relations with the Jin family came rushing inside, "It's terrible. Someone's sniping the shares of the Jin family's Golden Brocade Group. They have already purchased 40% of the shares, and the rest is in the market. It has already surpassed 50%. In other words, the Golden Brocade Group is already theirs."

The entire courtyard went silent.

"What did you say?"

Old Jiang asked after a while. It was a public secret that the Jin family was the banker of the Jiang family. Otherwise, Professor Xu wouldn't have known about it.

The Jin family was exterminated while the Golden Brocade Group was taken over. The person who did it simply didn't care about Jiang Yishan, or to say, that person was targeting his Jiang family.

"This doesn't make sense. There hasn't been any feud recently nor did are we fighting with someone."

At his position, Old Jiang played high-level games. Even the slightest wind didn't escape his nose, but this didn't look like a game. It was simple and crude, utterly lacking in skill.

However, Old Jiang had no choice but to admit that was similar to the pain of losing a finger. It was like the opponent had cut off a finger of his instead of injuring all his fingers. Since the Jin family was done for, the Jiang family had no way to get the funds of the Jin family.

In the current era, the GDP was soaring up. Many of the Jiang family's children who were in critical positions depended on the Jin family, using the money to gain achievements and lay down a proper road for their official career. It was the same when Gu Dekang had helped Jiang Xiu's father. In fact, this was the case mostly. Everyone possessed different capitals and thus had different speeds with which they advanced.

Without this huge gold egg, the progress in their careers would inevitably slow down. The most fatal possibility was that the fund source of the Jiang family's businesses could collapse.

Therefore, even someone like Old Jiang got furious.

"Find it out for me! Who dared to act so audaciously?!"

Jiang Hang said, "We've already found out. It's the Amidst Heaven Group. Jiangnan's Wang family is their backing. It's that warlord family with a 200-year-old martial arts inheritance."

The second eldest asked, "Wang family. A martial arts family dared to attack the Jin family and make an enemy out of us?"

Jiang Hang said, "Second Uncle, it looks like you don't know that the Wang family experienced a misfortunate incident. Their founder who was suspected to be a Demigod got killed, and the Wang family suffered heavy casualties due to it. They had to surrender in the end. Someone else controls the Wang family now."

"Hoh? Who is he?"

"They call him respectfully as Mr. Jiang in Jiangnan's underworld, his name is Jiang Luoxia."

"You mean to say that the Jin family's slaughter and the seizing of the Golden Brocade Group were orchestrated by this person?"

Jiang Hang nodded.

"A personal grudge could be explained as the reason as the Jin family is also a martial arts family so it's possible they might not attack our Jiang family."

Old Jiang grunted, "Hmph!"

A pretty woman on the side added in, "Isn't he too ruthless? He slaughtered the entire family. These martial artists are really immoral. The Jin family's disappearance will impact the society very much. Is he not afraid of the repercussions?"

Jiang Luoxia had dealt with the Jin family directly and efficiently, leaving behind no traces at all.

"Send someone to negotiate with him. Make him spit out the Jin family's assets as is."

Old Jiang made a gloomy face, "Little Hang, I'll give this matter to you. Don't make our Jiang family lose face. If you need anything, ask your father or your second uncle."

"Yes, Grandfather!"

Two middle-aged men to the side looked at Jiang Han with an encouraging gaze. He was the third generation of the family and was an outstanding member of the family. Except for two who had already set out on official career before him, he was the most optimal and had a good business talent as well.

Old Jiang's mood calmed down after these people left. Jin family was essential, but it was merely a vassal family in the end. They could just get another.

"How's the situation with that brat?"

Secretary Ye said, "He just returned from an archaeology trip. It looks like a big incident happened during the trip. More than half of the team members died, and even the army got involved into it. They were brought back by a military plane."

"Hmph! His father is worthless, and so is he. To think he chose Archaeology." Old Jiang's expression turned sour, "Handle him as soon as possible. The Nangong family might change their mind after this incident with the Jin family."

Secretary Ye scratched his head, "Alright! I'll do it asap."

He felt somewhat helpless as that brat was the same as his father, a hard bone to chew on.

"What is it? Did something happen?"

Secretary Ye stated helplessly, "It seems like he wants to follow his father…"

"That doesn't matter. He'll have to agree even if he doesn't want to. You know how to handle a youth like him, right? Those in his age group are very interested in girls. I remember that unfilial thing had set down a marriage for him. It might be possible he has feelings for that fiancée of his from Jiang City. Start from there."

Secretary Ye's eyes brightened. He praised Old Jiang in his heart for thinking of such a move. "I heard that girl looks quite pretty and also has good grades. She came to the Imperial Capital then joined the Finance course in the National University."

Secretary Ye always acted prudently. He had also investigated Cheng Lingsu.

He continued, "I'll contact the girl. Humans are all selfish. If we offer her generous conditions, she would definitely agree."

"Do it fast. We must finalize this matter between that brat and the little girl from the Nangong family quickly."

Around the time the Jiang family had lost their banker, news spread around the entire nation's martial arts circle like a hurricane. It even spread to all the martial arts circles of the world.

As an elder of Heaven's Gate, Buzhi Ming played a critical role. He ranked 17th in the Demigod Ranking and was a renowned expert. Such an expert was killed in the desert by a Chinese youth. This news was too shocking.

Jiang Luoxia's strength could've been called into question if say he had killed a Demigod who wasn't on the Demigod Ranking, but this time, he had killed the 17th ranked person on the Demigod Ranking. The name, Jiang Luoxia, had reached every corner of the world.

Let alone Jiang City, it spread to the martial arts circles of Jiangnan, Pinghai, the Imperial Capital, East Asia, Europe, and even the America's circles. His name left a deep impression in them.

Jiang City's, Jiang Luoxia.

Descend, the nine mythical arts, cleanse the heavens, a thousand years of karma, an artless heart yet romantic. - It possessed a faint ethereal feel to it as well as a dominance to it which seemed to look down on all under heaven with disdain.

There was no doubt he was the youngest Demigod of this era, and some even say that it's possible Jiang Luoxia had achieved the third stage of Deification. Only, many of them didn't believe that was the case. Sure enough, Buzhi Ming had reached the 2ndDeification Form, and since Jiang Xiu had defeated him, it was possible that he had reached the 3rd Form, but many people thought Jiang Xiu was still in the 2nd Form as he was quite young.

If Jiang Xiu told them that he had already reached the 63rd Form, they would think he had gone insane.

In they cognition, reaching the 3rd or the 4th Form was already approaching a God very much. There were even rumors that someone could become a God by entering the 4thForm.

…

In Jiangnan, at the Wang family's Ancestral Residence, a voice came from a wooden fish placed there.

Madame Wang didn't say anything after hearing this news while the other children of the Wang family hung their heads down dispiritedly. The wooden fish started trembling after that then ruptured.

Madame Wang sighed, appearing as if she had lost all strength in her body, "I underestimated Jiang Luoxia's skill."

"We've harmed Mr. Buzhi!"

Wang Xueli and the others sat in the shrine hall. None of them said a word. The news was too shocking. The 17th ranked Demigod on the Demigod Ranking who possessed an otherworldly strength got killed by Jiang Xiu.

Moreover, it was done in just 3 moves.

"The Wang family can't get our revenge nor can we get our industries back."

Their final thoughts on taking revenge were thoroughly broken.

Their eyes were filled with despair.

"Right now, Jiang Luoxia doesn't need our Wang family's martial artists, he only has a use for Wang Xuetang and his daughter…" This was the thing which made them feel genuine despair.

They weren't even in a position to be considered essential, and the feeling of being ignored by their foe almost made them cough blood.

"The elders were all dismissed while the children with a talent for martial arts now guard the gates. Everything is decided by that father and daughter."

They felt extremely resentful but had no other choice.

"Let it be. From today onwards, my Wang family with give way to Jiang Luoxia and write off our grievances. We shall migrate to another place. Maybe we can make a new beginning there."

The Wang family members could only clench their teeth and swallow their anger.

…

At the same time, within an ancient castle in a small nation in Europe.

A 1.8 m tall man with blond hair and an appearance as handsome as a prince walked into it. He was one of the elders of Heaven's Gate called Alexander, a Jew.

"It's King Alex! I didn't think he would return this time. Looks like something big has happened." The guard stated quietly. He saw Alexander come over and greeted him respectfully, "Welcome, King Alex."

Many people were already seated at the dining table inside the castle.

There were people with auburn hair, blond hair, brown hair, black hair, and monks as well. These people were the elders of Heaven's Gate in charge of different regions.

Except for the party held every 3 years, they rarely gathered like they had today.

The man at the innermost section of the table wore a tight black robe. A nine-headed python was embroidered on it. Those who couldn't recognize it might think it was a dragon, but it was actually a python. In the Ming Dynasty era, noblemen liked this kind of thing very much.

He stood there with his back facing towards the entrance, his fists clenched tightly behind him. "The reason I've convened everyone here today is to tell you the news that Buzhi Ming is dead…"

He spoke in fluent English.

None of them had spoken till now as they understood the reason for convening this meeting was extremely important, but after they hear this, they couldn't help feel shocked.

"Who did it?"

Someone asked.

"Jiang Luoxia."

"How is this possible? I've never heard of this person. Mr. Buzhi had achieved the 2ndForm of Deification and is stronger than a lot of us sitting him. It would require at least 3-4 Demigods to kill him." A European monk who wore a black hoodie stated. His arm was placed on the table, and his palms were almost transparent, even the bones and the blood vessels were translucent. It looked quite pretty.

"It's a newcomer!"

Another person asked, "How's China's strength?"

"It's unclear!" that man replied, "Many inheritances of China were buried in the river of history, and it's nothing new for someone to find them and become a Demigod. I'm a prime example of that."

"Moreover, it's possible he's at Divine Stage. It was daytime when he attacked yet night had descended on the entire area."

"Divine Stage?!" Someone cried out. The others revealed an expression of disbelief as well.

King Alex laid down the precious glittering cup in his hand, "Even if he hasn't reached the Divine Stage, I fear he isn't that far from it. It's possible he has already achieved the 3rd Form of Deification."

One lady said, "It's impossible for a newcomer to reach the Divine Stage. We can cooperate and kill him if he isn't at the Divine Stage."

The man in the luxurious robe said, "Don't forget that it's China. China is different from before now. If we send many of our men there, the Chinese government won't take it lying down and bring out the Demigods of China. If that happens, it'll be difficult to deal with the matter."

Heaven's Gate was quite strong, and its influence covered all parts of the world. They even controlled several small nations. However, one country was an exception, which was China.

Heaven's Gate had tried to enter it repeatedly, but they were squeezed out of there.

"It's best to kill him when he leaves China."

King Alexander asked him, "Why would he leave China without any reason?"

The man in the luxurious robe replied, "For an expert who aims to become God, the most attractive thing is power. If an object which can increase his power appears abroad, don't you think he would be tempted?"

The lady chucked, "You Chinese are indeed crafty."

…

At the same time, Jiang Xiu was undergoing a tedious inquiry by the university's administration as well as the police. Since so many people had died, though the university could drop the matter, the parents of the students weren't willing and wanted an explanation.

The deaths of the students were due to the bandits, so he had nothing to hide. He said exactly what had happened.

The interrogation continued for 4 hours.

Qiu Yinru, as well as Chen Dewen's inquiry, also ended around the same time he came out. He stayed out of Jiang Xiu's way when he saw him.

Qiu Yinru didn't avoid him, "What did they ask you?"

"I just said what had happened." Jiang Xiu replied.

She said, "Their deaths are unrelated to us." She wasn't forgoing her responsibility, but rather couldn't carelessly undertake some responsibilities as the consequences would be grave.

"Do you want to have a meal together?"

Jiang Xiu was about to reply when his phone began ringing. He took it out and saw that Cheng Lingran was calling him, "Sis!"

"Where are you?"

Cheng Lingran's tone wasn't that well.

"At the Administration Block!"

She said, "Come to the university gates. We shall go have lunch together with Susu in the afternoon…" She paused for a moment, "What happened between you and her? Why did she… Let it be, I'll say it when you come out."

Jiang Xiu felt a bit conflicted when she mentioned Cheng Lingsu and didn't wish to go, but it wouldn't look good to show that so he agreed with her. He turned towards Qiu Yinru, "Someone's looking for me, let's do it next time."

When he reached the university gates, he saw that a group of tall boys had surrounded Cheng Lingran. Jiang Xiu went over there and heard Cheng Lingran speak. "I really have an appointment with someone. Do you believe it now?"

One of the tall men among them said, "Lingran, isn't it just a few more people? Can't we go together? You can say we are friends."

Cheng Lingran shook her head, "I'm sorry. We have matters to attend to."

She pulled Jiang Xiu and got into the car.

"Sis, who are they? Your pursuers?"

Cheng Lingran said to him, "Little Xiu, stop asking about my matters. Answer me first. What happened?" Her tone was quite strict without her usual gentleness.

"What do you mean?"

"Don't act dumb. Tell me. Do you know that Susu got a boyfriend…"

When Jiang Xiu hear this news, he couldn't help but think that Cheng Lingsu did well. During their final meeting before coming to the Imperial Capital, Jiang Xiu warned her to get a boyfriend. She actually did as she was told.

This act was quite vulgar and would destroy her image so Lin Yueling won't like her anymore. Her parents would have nothing to say as well. If Jiang Xiu used this as a reason to break off the engagement, all the blame would fall on her head.

However, it was possible that Cheng Lingsu understood that there was no point in dragging this out. She couldn't be together with Jiang Xiu so she might as well grab this chance.

He believed that Cheng Lingsu was quite a realistic person.

She had done the same in the previous life. She did all she could and plotted to break free from him. Although this would tarnish her reputation, she didn't care about that in her previous life.

Cheng Lingran asked him, "Did you have a fight?"

Jiang Xiu shook his head.

Cheng Lingran looked at him with an extremely harsh gaze, "What happened then? Something must have happened between you, or else Susu wouldn't have gotten into a relationship publicly. She didn't listen to my advice at all."

"Maybe she doesn't like me?" Jiang Xiu said.

"Emotions are quite a complex thing."

Cheng Lingran agreed with that statement. Liking a person was a subjective matter, but Jiang Xiu and her little sister had a good relationship since their childhood. Both the families had already decided that they would husband and wife.

Her mood was quite bad right now. On the one hand, she felt dejected in place of Jiang Xiu. Someone had used such a vile method against Jiang Xiu by hooking up with her little sister, but she wasn't expecting him to say such words. On the other hand, the other side was her own sister, even if she felt angry, she couldn't take it out on her sister.

"I don't agree to this. I won't let you and Susu break up…" She said in a firm tone, "Uncle, Aunt, as well as my parents, would never agree."

Cheng Lingran knew some of the matters. After all, she was already 7 years old when the incident happened.

"If she's happy with the person, isn't it better to let her go?" Jiang Xiu added in.

Cheng Lingran's eyes grew wide in shock, "What are you saying? Little Xiu, how can you even think of something like that? You should be thinking of how to get Susu back right now. Don't worry, both the families stand at your side regarding this matter."

Ehh, no need to do that. You all can stand on her side, okay?

But Jiang Xiu could never say these words out.

"You must show your manliness later! Make that brat understand that you are Susu's real fiancé and make him give up, got it?"

Jiang Xiu forced out a smile.

"Did you hear me?"

"Oh!"

On the way, Jiang Xiu asked Cheng Lingran about her work. She had already begun to adapt and put her intelligence and wisdom to use during these few days. Moreover, with Jiang Xiu as the Big Boss supporting her from behind, she didn't have any worries in the company.

"Phoenix Pavilion, it's a good place."

Jiang Xiu got down the car and looked at the palace-style restaurant in front of him. This wasn't a place anyone could come to. In the previous timeline, he and Cheng Lingran passed through this road several times. It was too expensive to eat here, and even if they could afford it, they wouldn't enter here.

"It looks like the boy's home has good money." Cheng Lingran stated.

Jiang Xiu said, "Indeed."

Pat!

Cheng Lingran patted Jiang Xiu's shoulder, "Little Xiu, don't feel afraid. Leave it all to me. What if he has a little money? We also had it before, didn't we?"

Aren't you the one who's feeling scared?

Both of them went inside the restaurant. Not matter whether it was the weekdays or the weekend, the place was always packed. Waitresses in Chinese-style dresses accompanied them and lead them towards the private room.

When the door was pushed open, two seated people came into view. One of them was Cheng Lingsu who Jiang Xiu hadn't seen in 2 months. She was sitting wherever and tapped the table with her fingers lightly while holding a book in her other hand which she was reading right now.

When she heard the sound of the door opening, she revealed a smile, "It's my sister." However, when she raised her head and saw Jiang Xiu along with Cheng Lingran, astonishment flashed through her eyes. It flashed away in a moment then she regained her usual expression. "You've also come." Her voice was quite flat.

"Please sit down, you two!" The youth beside her spoke out to them. He was 1.8 m tall and was pretty thin with a fair face and high nose. His eyes seemed full of wisdom, and his appearance didn't lose out to Ye Wenchen.

"You are the elder sister, right? I am Song Ronghao, Susu's boyfriend!" He said eloquently with his own pace. One look was enough to determine he was a conservative person.

Cheng Lingran didn't answer him and merely glared at him.

Song Ronghao felt a little embarrassed, but he quickly brought a smile to his face. Cheng Lingran was Susu's elder sister, so he didn't dare to offend her.

"This is…"

"I am Jiang Xiu!" Jiang Xiu replied.

Our Deity Xiu who usually had a high-up attitude acted unusually good this time. He had high expectations that this brother would help him break free from this engagement's fetters.

"Oh! Nice to meet you! Please take a seat!" Though Song Ronghao didn't know who Jiang Xiu was, since he had come with the elder sister, and saw that they seemed quite close, he acted politely as well.

Cheng Lingran glared at Jiang Xiu who took a seat beside her. She felt very vexed at his actions, "Do you understand the situation? This person is trying to snatch your fiancée. He's your enemy. Why are you acting polite to him?"

"Why are you sitting beside me? Go sit beside Susu."

"You are Susu's fiancé!"

Kek. Eldest Lady Cheng was set on making a scene.

She had dropped an atom bomb on the first attack.

Cheng Lingsu bowed her head and continued to read her book. The smile on Song Ronghao's face went rigid, and the gaze with which he looked at Jiang Xiu turned from a friendly one to a hostile one. Eldest Lady Cheng had drawn all the aggro to Jiang Xiu.

"Quickly go over there!"

"It'll get quite crowded over there with three people. Can't I just sit beside you?"

She almost went insane from his answer.

She sent him a gaze full of resentment and ignored him so that he would brace it all alone.

"Susu, is this person really your fiancé?" Song Ronghao asked her.

"Mhm!" Cheng Lingsu turned another page and lightly hummed through her nose. Her line of sight never left the book, but it was evident that her mind wasn't as calm as she was showing as the surface due to her trembling eyelashes.

"Why didn't mention it?"

"What? Are you going to shrink back? Didn't you say you will overcome any number of difficulties or love rivals when you wooed me? How come you are afraid now?"

Her words were filled with disdain yet also didn't lack in enough encouragement.

Song Ronghao understood the situation. It looked like Susu didn't like this Jiang Xiu. This was also fine. Things like arranged marriage were old-school in the current era.

"Waiter, serve the food!"

Cheng Lingran indeed felt very angry. Her pretty brows furrowed in worry when she saw Susu read her book without any concern. She turned towards Song Ronghao, "You should know what to do now that you know Susu has a fiancé."

"Elder Sister, the times have changed. Love is a free choice. I sincerely like Susu, and she also likes me."

"Hah!"

Cheng Lingran almost exploded from the anger. She had never seen such a shameless person. He actually had the face to say these kinds of things in front of the girl's fiancé.

"Susu would never like you!"

"Also, our family doesn't agree too."

Song Ronghao said, "Every girl has the right to choose her boyfriend. An excellent girl like Susu will naturally select an even more outstanding boy."

Deity Xiu didn't like these words. Why are you stepping on this Daddy to elevate yourself to pick up the girl?

Cheng Lingran got even angrier. To her, the most important thing was emotions and not an issue of whether it was realistic, "Are you that excellent?"

"You asked the right question." Song Ronghao smiled.

He threw the Lamborghini car key in his hand to the table. It was quite rare for someone to drive a Lamborghini in the year 2008. "I study Banking together with Susu. However, before I returned to the country, I dabbled in Wall Street in the U.S. for 4-5 years. Keeping aside the fact that the Song family's assets are worth several billion, I alone have amassed 500 million during these years."

"I would like to ask you if you know any more excellent than me among my peers?"

Cheng Lingran was stunned. She had already entered the society and knew how hard it was to make money. If he had indeed made 500 million at such a young age, it was really something.

"That's nothing. Do you know Little Xiu is Jiangnan's provincial topper for the college entrance exam?" Though this paled in comparison to Song Ronghao's achievements, our Eldest Lady Cheng held onto the principle of never giving up. She kept pressing on!

However, Jiang Xiu's following words collapsed our Eldest Lady Cheng's heart entirely, "Brother, you're quite amazing!"

If a gaze could kill a person, Jiang Xiu would have died over a hundred times.

Jiang Xiu acted innocent with regards to her murderous gaze, "I'm speaking the truth. Even if people are good at studying, it won't put food on the table."

On the opposite side, Cheng Lingsu's expression became sadder by the second.

Song Ronghao said, "Jiang Xiu is right. Some people are talented, but a person needs many others elements except for talent to succeed, such as perseverance, luck, foresight and so on. Not everyone can display their talent. Many people in this world are talented but don't get the opportunity to shine."

Cheng Lingran said, "I believe in Little Xiu. He's talented and will surely succeed, and that too achieve extraordinary success."

"That's quite difficult to say."

"Alright. I'll take a step back and assume Jiang Xiu succeeds and achieves a lot, but can he match my Song family's children? Sister Lingran, have you heard about the Song Corporation? It's a huge tycoon in Shanghai with businesses in every field, such as real estate, hotels, insurance, appliances, and also owns a casino in Hong Kong."

Cheng Lingran's eyes grew wide, "Shanghai's Song family?" Isn't that Song Tian's family who is ranked in Forbes? The wealthiest person in Shanghai. So, he's actually from that Song family.

Song Ronghao continued, "The Song family's assets grow by 21% each year, if it were converted into money, it would be equivalent to 10 billion."

This was something.

Making a profit of 10 billion each year was too frightening.

Cheng Lingran was a bit stupefied after hearing this.

The Cheng family operated in Jiangnan, and her father had become renown in Jiang City after struggling for several years. He ranked among the top members of the provincial capital and had only assets totally worth a few billion, while the other side raked in the amount he had made in his entire life in just a year.

Song Ronghao said, "I believe our Song family's growth will only increase with the surge in our nation's economy."

"We will make several times what we laid as a foundation."

Cheng Lingran sent a distressed gaze towards Jiang Xiu and oh boy, this lad already had an utterly dumbstruck expression on his face. She cursed at this thing for failing at the critical moment. She kicked this idiot's leg ruthlessly from under the table.

Song Ronghao kept speaking, "I believe I'm quite suitable for Susu with my family background. Sister Lingran must also wish for your little sister to gain more happiness after marriage, right?"

The meaning of these words was quite vicious and dealt a critical blow.

It Cheng Lingran continued pressing this matter, it would mean she was deliberately trying to ruin her little sister's happiness.

Cheng Lingran clenched her teeth and neared Jiang Xiu's ears, "Counterattack quickly."

"B-But…T-That…"

How could he counter? This was Shanghai's Song family.

Cheng Lingran's stomach churned in anger when she saw how poorly Jiang Xiu was doing. She sent him a vicious gaze as a warning to urge him to quickly counter or else she would inevitably settle scores with him.

Looking at Jiang Xiu's shocked and frightened appearance, Cheng Lingran, who sat opposite them, felt quite aggrieved. Her eyes turned red. If a man didn't fight back when someone was trying to steal his fiancée, it could only mean that this man just didn't care about this fiancée. She closed the book, "Sis!"

"I've already made my decision regarding this matter. I want to be together with Ronghao. No matter whether you agree or whether Uncle Jiang and Aunt Lin agree, I'll persist on this."

"I will not get together with Jiang Xiu."

Though this was Jiang Xiu's own intention, he didn't feel pleased at all when Cheng Lingsu said these words in front of everyone. He even felt a little despondent, after all, he had arduously pursued this girl in his previous life.

He was precisely such a complicated person.

On the other hand, Song Ronghao was jubilant at this outcome. He gazed at Cheng Lingsu's beautiful face with emotions surging in his heart. He felt like he had the entire world with her at his side. He reached out to hold Cheng Lingsu's hand due to feeling emotional, yet she dodged it.

"Alright. Let's have lunch."

Cheng Lingran was left stupefied on the scene. Her little sister had always been more opinionated than her, but she had never seen her act determined. She could feel an extreme resistance from her little sister's heart which she had never felt before.

"Susu…"

The lunch session passed quite dully. No one was in the mood, and no one spoke a word. Cheng Lingran wished to say something but thought no matter what she said now, it would be useless. Jiang Xiu naturally didn't want for a hiccup to pop up when his wish had finally been fulfilled. Cheng Lingsu zoned into reading her book. Only one person had a happy meal, Song Ronghao. Perhaps, this meal was the happiest meal he had ever had in his life.

"Susu, how will explain this to our parents?"

When they had almost finished eating, Cheng Lingran took Susu to the washroom then questioned her.

"I'll call them and explain it to them."

Cheng Lingran was still unwilling to give up. As her little sister was about to leave the washroom, she grabbed her hand, "You and Little Xiu were childhood sweethearts. Don't you understand his feelings for you?"

"Lil' Sis, don't get blinded by money. Even if you are pretty, only a handful of people in this society act sincerely with you. Little Xiu and our family have a history, and we all know his character. It's best for you to get together with him. He would never mistreat you."

Cheng Lingsu said, "Sis, even if you've grown up together with someone since your childhood, it doesn't mean you understand them." I'm not the one who can't see the truth. It's you, my sis. That person isn't the kind of person you think he is.

Cheng Lingran was about to say something, but she got interrupted by Cheng Lingsu, "Sis, don't say anything more. It's fine this way. I'm quite tired."

Cheng Lingran discovered that her little sister's face indeed seemed dispirited and her eyes revealed indescribable grief. The Cheng Lingsu before Cheng Lingran appeared unfamiliar to her, but after seeing her little sister in such a state, she could only nod.

The party came to an end in such a way.

Cheng Lingran and Jiang Xiu returned to the Imperial University while Cheng Lingsu and Song Ronghao returned to the National University, both groups parting their ways. Jiang Xiu said to Cheng Lingran, "This Phoenix Pavilion's food is pretty good. I'll bring you here next time. They have the squirrel-shaped mandarin fish dipped in sweet n sour sauce which you like."

Cheng Lingran said resentfully, "Take care not to choke on a fishbone!"

Jiang Xiu smiled, "Wow. So vicious. Since was dumped, shouldn't you be feeling pity for me and consoling me?"

"This pitiful person has an unbearably hateful aspect to him."

"I don't like how you act."

Jiang Xiu wore a smile like before, "Do you feel like this with anyone else?"

Cheng Lingran shook her head.

Jiang Xiu laughed proudly, "That means you're in love with me, or else why would you treat me this way?"

Cheng Lingran berated, "Don't act shamelessly. What good are you? Looks like you've forgotten what happened just now." Looking at his nitwitted manner, our Eldest Lady Cheng decided to firmly provoke him.

Jiang Xiu, however, still kept smiling, "Even radish and cabbage can love each other. Who knows, maybe you love this mouth of mine!"

Cheng Lingran was defeated under this guy's shamelessness, "How did you become so narcissistic?"

They were waiting for the bus, while the other side left in the Lamborghini. According to reason, they should've dropped off Jiang Xiu and Cheng Lingran at the Imperial University, but the car had only two seats.

Cheng Lingsu remained silent as the car passed through the streets. She saw the crossing ahead of her then said, "Can you drop me off over there?"

"You aren't returning to the university?"

"I want to cool my head for a bit."

Song Ronghao planned to say something but swallowed them back again. He knew Cheng Lingsu could be feeling pressured right now, so he stopped the car.

Cheng Lingsu opened the car down and got down. She didn't even say goodbye to Song Ronghao and crossed over to the sidewalk. For some reason, tears kept falling from her eyes.

She took out her cell phone and called her home, "Dad!"

"Susu, are you living well at the Imperial Capital?"

Cheng Lingsu had used the million she got from Jiang Xiu to buy a decent house so the Cheng couple could have a temporary place to live in, "Dad, I got a boyfriend."

Cheng Hanlin was stupefied, and so was Sun Xiaohong. She rushed to speak, "Susu, what are you doing? You are engaged to Jiang Xiu."

"You can't do it. He's Mr. Jiang."

"Will he allow you to do this?"

"You are playing with fire."

Cheng Lingsu said, "We had lunch with Sis today, he didn't oppose it." In fact, Jiang Xiu was the one who told her to get a boyfriend.

"It still won't do. We owe the Jiang family." Sun Xiaohong replied.

Their later life's happiness depended on the matrimony between her youngest daughter and Jiang Xiu.

"Mom, he's called Song Ronghao. He's from the richest family of Shanghai, the Song family…"

"Aaah?"

Sun Xiaohong's voice immediately turned happy, "Shanghai's Song family? Isn't that Song Tian's family?"

"Yes!"

"If Jiang Xiu isn't going to oppose it, it's fine then…" After hearing it was the Song family, she had thrown away the part about owing the Jiang family part far away from her mind.

"It's decided then!" Tears kept falling from Cheng Lingsu's eyes. She didn't know why.

"Did you tell it to the Jiang Yi and Lin Yueling?" Cheng Hanlin asked her.

"I'll call Aunt Lin now…"

In Cheng Lingsu's memory, Lin Yueling had always been good to her, perhaps even treated her the same as her own daughter. Jiang Xiu had almost killed her family in Ninghai but Lin Yueling had protected them. She felt really ashamed that she would have to say such kind of words to Lin Yueling, but the matter had already reached this stage, and she had no choice left.

She dialed Lin Yueling's number. Lin Yueling's delighted voice came through from the other end. It was evident that she was happy that Cheng Lingsu called her, "Susu, did you call Aunt cause you missed me? Are you adapting well at the Imperial Capital?"

Lin Yueling had after all grown up in the Imperial Capital.

Cheng Lingsu said, "I'm living well. Aunt, I…"

"Hmm?"

Lin Yueling could sense Cheng Lingsu wanted to say something, "Tell me what you want to say. No need to feel embarrassed about it. Why don't you tell me your bank card number? Aunt will send you some pocket money."

Lin Yueling guessed that Lingsu had called because she was short on money. Nowadays, expenses in university were quite high as Susu had always lived quite richly right from her childhood. Lin Yueling didn't feel it inappropriate but instead felt quite happy. Since Susu was asking her for money, it meant she wasn't considering her as a stranger.

"N-No…"

Cheng Lingsu took a deep breath in, "Jiang Xiu and I broke up. I got a boyfriend as well. Jiang Xiu has consented to this too."

"What?"

Lin Yueling was a little taken aback, "Did that damn brat…"

Tears kept falling from Cheng Lingsu's eyes, "I'm sorry, really sorry, Aunt Lin. It isn't Jiang Xiu. I'm the one in the wrong. I like someone else so I can't get together with Jiang Xiu."

She didn't know where these tears were coming from. She felt she was suffering through extreme grief.

"I'm sorry…"

Lin Yueling turned silent for a while on the other side of the call then said, "Aunt doesn't agree to this. Susu, don't blame Aunt but this matter is related to a generation of grievances. If you want us to put this down, you have to marry Little Xiu and become hell-bent on following him."

Lin Yueling was indicating to her that there was a condition to relinquish this hatred and it was that she had to marry Jiang Xiu, become their daughter-in-law, and give birth to a child. Only then would she have repaid the debt. This was also the reason Jiang Xiu had let the Cheng family off at that time. Lin Yueling wasn't going to accept Cheng Lingsu backing out at this moment but she talked to her mildly as she was afraid she would hurt the feelings between them.

"But, Aunt…"

"No buts. The engagement between you and Little Xiu was set in your childhood. Aunt has always viewed you as my future daughter-in-law. What do you want Aunt to do? I can't accept anyone else as my daughter-in-law."

"Aunt…"

Lin Yueling's words stabbed into the softness inside her heart. Her grief-filled heart burst forth with a deluge of emotions and she couldn't help but cry out bitterly in a loud voice.

Lin Yueling asked her, "Susu, don't cry. Tell Aunt what happened."

Lin Yueling had suffered the whims of fate all these years and become like a pearl covered in dust which had lost its brilliance, but she was a daughter of a rich family and had a keen gaze. Especially now that her husband had recovered and son's future full of prospects, she felt completely revived.

Ling Yueling felt something was wrong once she heard that Susu got a new boyfriend in less than a month after she went to study at the Imperial Capital. Their Cheng family was saved under the reason that she would become Jiang Xiu's wife in the future and she would have to consider the consequences to her actions.

"Did Little Xiu force you?"

"He didn't!"

Cheng Lingsu wouldn't dare to do it and neither would Cheng Hanlin. Since it had reached this step, it meant Jiang Xiu had a hand in it. Lin Yueling said, "That damn brat, does he think he's amazing because people call him 'Mr. Jiang'? Does he not understand he must not abandon his wife who will accompany him through the vicissitudes of life?"

"Aunt, I…"

"Jiang Xiu doesn't like me so wouldn't it end up bad if it's forced?"

Lin Yueling said, "It's fine as long as it happens. I went through bitter hardships to raise him and does he think he can't allow me this one wish? If I have to hold back, I might as well do it for a lifetime."

Cheng Lingsu had realized for the first time that her future mother-in-law had such a willful side to her.

"B-But… He isn't the same as before, he is Mr. Jiang now… Aunt, I'm the one in the wrong. I let you down. Can you end my engagement with Jiang Xiu?"

"Aunt, I have never asked you for anything ever since I was child. This is the first time I'm requesting you."

Lin Yueling planned to say something but her words got stuck in her throat. She recalled the scene of the little Cheng Lingsu feeding her congee, "Susu…"

"It's like that, Aunt. I'm hanging the call."

Lin Yueling couldn't wake up to reality for a moment after listening to the beep sounds on the other end of the call. After a few moments, she called Jiang Xiu.

"Stinky brat, did you make Susu angry?"

Jiang Xiu felt that her tone was quite high, "I didn't. Why?"

"You aren't going to confess it?"

Jiang Xiu said, "I'm also helpless. She found a boyfriend who's more handsome and well-off than your son, a child of Shanghai's Song family.

"Mother, since she has a better option, why don't you let her go?"

Jiang Xiu was totally oblivious that Lin Yueling was fuming with fury on the other end of the call. Her anger erupted once he finished speaking, "Jiang Xiu, you are really something now. You've become quite sinister and ruthless befitting the name of Mr. Jiang. Do you think Mother doesn't know Susu and the Cheng family is? Would she even dare to contact another boy without your approval?"

"If I have guessed it right, you forced her to get a boyfriend, right?"

Jiang Xiu asked, "Mother, how can you say such words to your son?"

"Shut up!"

Jiang Xiu words lacked in confidence, "I really didn't do it…"

"Take Susu back for me."

"Mother, can't you leave it alone? Her heart isn't set on me and she also has a boyfriend. What's the use in taking her back?"

"Are you going to do it or not?"

"Hello… Mother? W-What? I can't hear you…" Deity Xiu used the shameless move of having 'bad signal' then turned off his phone.

"Stinky brat!"

Lin Yueling was really angry. She called him again but Jiang Xiu had already turned off his phone. She paced around house for a while. The more she thought about it, the stranger the matter felt. She felt that Jiang Xiu had directed this and Susu had matched accordingly, "Conscienceless little brat. Don't forget your little life was saved by Susu. You want to throw her aside now that you have become successful?"

She didn't know that Cheng Lingsu had acted quite heartless towards Jiang Xiu in a previous life.

"This can't happen. No way it can happen."

Jiang Yi came inside at this moment. He was beaming with a glow and seemed as if he had gone through an arduous day. He saw his wife pacing around in the house, "What happened?"

Lin Yueling told him the entire story.

"We can't let Little Xiu do this. I won't allow my son to do this. I'm planning to visit the Imperial Capital."

Jiang Yi was startled, "You're going to return?"

"What else can I do? Do I sit still as Little Xiu and Susu break up?" She went in pack her luggage after saying this, "Don't forget. Our son is still at the Imperial Capital. He still has two engagements stuck on him. Can you imagine the consequences if he breaks his engagement with Susu?"

Jiang Yi's expression changed immediately, "Right! I almost forgot this."

"It seems like you'll indeed have to return to the capital."

Lin Yueling came outside with her leather suitcase. She was enraged, "That brat, he's causing a lot of trouble. How is Susu not suitable for him? Looks like he has forgotten I raised him up by running a fruit stall. How dare he avoid her now?"

Jiang Yi also paced around the house in worry, "Although he's a bit skilled in studies and also has the underworld of Jiangnan selling him face, these are all rootless things. If he keeps acting so rash, it would lead to doom."

Lin Yueling said, "At that time, we shouldn't have been soft hearted and let him go to the Imperial Capital. If he had stayed in Jiangnan, the divide between our families would've gotten better."

"Right now, the topmost priority is to ensure Susu's engagement with him isn't broken off."

Jiang Yi immediately called his secretary, made him book a ticket then delivered his wife down. The car waiting downstairs was a Volkswagen. As the Secretary of Annan, he had a special car with a special number arranged for him. However, in the end Anan was a poor, tiny county-level city. The total GDP of the city was far lesser than a district.

"Otherwise, shall I come along with you?"

Lin Yueling shook her head, "He won't listen. I will bring him back to Jiangnan. There's no need for him to continue studying at the Capital."

Jiang Xiu got down the bus along with Cheng Lingran. He recalled the group of boys who were waiting for Cheng Lingran at the entrance, "Sis, who were the people we met here before? Your pursuers?"

"It's not as if your Sis is ugly so can't I have people pursuing me?"

What ugly? She was the 2nd prettiest girl on the campus. The reason why she was 2ndisn't that she lost to the other party regarding appearance but rather because her family couldn't compare to the other side's.

How can a girl like that not have pursuers? Only, this matter was indeed strange. Cheng Lingran had studied in university for 3 years yet hadn't made a boyfriend ever. Moreover, she always handled things like this properly and never got tangled with anyone nor did any bad rumors spread outside. In this respect, it was clear that Cheng Lingran was quite good at dealing with matters relating to emotions.

"They aren't any good. If you want to look for a boyfriend, he should at least be at my level, right?"

Cheng Lingran facepalmed her forehead, "There you go again with your narcissism."

"Enough fooling around with you. It's almost time now, so I'm going to the attend the classes. As for you… reflect properly and write a million characters long self-critique for me, or else, see how I will deal with you…"

…

It was close to October now. The weather had already become cooler now and the occasional chilling wind blowing inside from outside was caused one to shiver. In front of the Amidst Heaven Building's French window, Wang Xintong prepared a steaming-hot cup of coffee and gave it to him, "A person called Jiang Han called, saying he wants to meet me."

"Jiang Hang?"

Jiang Xiu's expression turned colder. He naturally knew who this Jiang Hang was. When he had gone to the Jiang family in his previous life, this cousin had humiliated him the most.

Wang Xintong continued, "We might be in trouble. Pinghai's Jin family is related to the Jiang family and is possibly its banker. We've offended Old Jiang by targeting the Jin family's assets."

Her voice was filled with worry.

Jiang Xiu hadn't told her that his target wasn't the Jin family but instead the Jiang family. He was afraid that it would scare Wang Xintong and make her feel terrified, so he didn't tell her.

"Why does he want to meet you?"

"It might be to get the Golden Brocade Group back."

"Quite savage!"

"We got the Golden Brocade Group through the stock market. Who does Jiang Hang think he is? Does he think we will offer it up if he uses the Jiang family's name? What is his Jiang family? The Emperor's family?"

Wang Xintong lightly knit her brows, "Jiang family is a colossal existence. We don't need to provoke such a powerful enemy to obtain money."

A vicious light flashed through Jiang Xiu's eyes, "He shouldn't hope to even get a cent."

Wang Xintong trembled. This meant that they would drop all pretenses and make a foe out of the Jiang family. Though she believed this wasn't a wise move, she was prepared to stand at Jiang Xiu's side unconditionally, "Alright. I'll do as you say."

Jiang Xiu handed a document to Wang Xintong, "I've taken in an army in the desert. There's an oil deposit at the place they are guarding. These is the data on the intermediary. Buy the equipment and technology required to extract oil along with this person."

Wang Xintong felt as if she was receiving an imperial edict. She felt a chill pass through her body, "What did you say? You have an army in the desert? You even want to extract oil? This… You aren't kidding with me, right?"

She quickly laid down the coffee and took the document.

The conspicuous national emblem was printed on top of it.

"This is…"

Billows surged through Wang Xintong's heart at this moment. You actually got the authorization. Oh my god, oil is always extracted by the country, and there has never been an exception. Just how did you achieve this?

Jiang Xiu played it down, "I was at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse day before yesterday. The Big Boss has already agreed to it."

Wang Xintong felt a warm current surge up to her head, feeling goosebumps all over. This information was too astonishing.

"You can let your father deal with this matter. You will deal with the Jiang family!"

Wang Xintong nodded excitedly, "Okay!" Her gaze towards Jiang Xiu turned into a fanatical one then gradually into a seductive one as she leaned towards him, "I learned a new dance."

"Oh?"

A smile rose up on Jiang Xiu's face.

The French window's curtain suddenly dropped down, and the entire office turned dusky. The faint, warm lighting fell on her body as her shadow danced like a charming fox. Each and every movement was filled with the intent to capture one's soul.

Wang Xintong had an almost perfect figure, a slim and flexible body. She could easily master all kinds of dance movements.

She threw off her shoes then tiptoed on her fair feet; the pink fingernails of her toes glittering under the dim light, blooming out like petals of a flower.

She exerted a little strength and leaped up, causing her bosom to wobble up high in the darkness. Her movements were akin to a noble swan as she crouched down suddenly after that and sat down on the floor, folding her knees closer while her legs remained perfectly straight. Her body leaned forward as she supported herself on the office table, with her beautiful buttocks facing Jiang Xiu…

"Xiu!"

Wang Xintong vented the fanaticism in her heart unknown to anyone through this dance.

Sweat from her forehead slid along her cheeks and dropped on the floor…

Only then did she drop dead tired on the floor. Happiness arising from some kind of joy dyed all her face, her bright pupils losing focus as the fatigue soaked into her body.

Ring-Ring! The cell phone on the office table began to ring.

"Damn it!"

Wang Xintong pouted while cursing and got up to answer the cell. It was a call from the receptionist, "Hmm, there's a problem with the land we were planning to acquire? Oh. Got it."

She took deep breaths while picking up the scattered office wear from the floor and entered the bathroom attached to the office. Soon after, the sounds of water showering came through from inside.

"We had already reached a consensus about three plots, but the other side suddenly changed their mind. If I guessed it correctly, the Jiang family must have used its influence. This must be a warning from Jiang Hang to me."

"This Young Master Jiang acts quite fast."

After roughly 10 minutes, Wang Xintong came out in an orderly dress. Her hair was damp from the shower, and she was drying it with a towel. Her skin seemed exceptionally fair due to the movements she had performed just now and thus covered with an alluring blush.

"Do you want to have dinner with me?"

Wang Xintong had just asked this when the phone began ringing again. She heard a charming voice from the other side, "How is it, Lady Wang? Do you have time tonight? We can eat dinner together."

It was Jiang Hang. His voice was full of confidence. He believed that Wang Xintong absolutely wouldn't refuse him.

"Right. Remember to call your master as well, that Jiang City's Jiang Luoxia who has over half of Jiangnan under his feet. If he doesn't come, don't think your Amidst Heaven can expand in the Imperial Capital."

Wang Xintong said, "I'm sorry but I don't have time tonight. Also, don't call my private number again. If you need anything, first call my receptionist to make an appointment."

She hung the call after saying this.

Jiang Hang was muddled after hearing the beep sound on the other end. Rage filled his mind when he got refused again. He had already acted by suppressing the plots which Amidst Heaven was planning to acquire and believed he had got hold of a weak point. Since they knew the Jiang family's fierceness, he thought they would inevitably concede, but the result was out of his expectations. Wang Xintong treated him like a jumping clown and let him keep hopping.

"Bitch!"

As the ambassador of the Jiang family's 3rd generation children in the business world, he had never got refused like this.

…

Jiang Xiu smiled faintly, "Your taunting skills haven't weakened at all."

Wang Xintong recalled the scene when she had met Jiang Xiu at the Qian River. She couldn't help but laugh when she remembered that yet she immediately acted coquettishly again, "I have always been successful in every endeavor. God knows why I ran into a star of extinction like you and got eaten by you."

"Only, Jiang family won't give up at this point. Since this method didn't work, they'll use another."

Jiang Xiu smiled in response to her words, "Let them do it. We have plenty of time."

"So what if all the projects in the Imperial Capital are stalled."

Jiang Xiu's ambitions never laid in money. No matter how much money or influence they had, he just needed to point at them to kill them. In his heart, he only wishes to cultivate.

Speaking of cultivation, Jiang Xiu felt very astonished these past two days.

It wasn't that the result of cultivation wasn't good, but instead, it was excellent. He had formed another 4 Divine Regalia in just two days and already reached 67 Divine Regalia.

He believed it was due to the two Longevity Stones, but he found this wasn't the reason. He could faintly feel a trace of spiritual energy in the air. Though it was minuscule, it existed.

Jiang Xiu was in the Imperial Capital, which was a flourishing metropolis. The quality of air here would be lesser. If he had felt this trace of spiritual energy deep in the mountains, it would've made sense, but he felt it was quite absurd to discover spiritual energy at the Imperial Capital. He could faintly sense that something had changed ever since he left the ancient city and this feeling became truer by the day.

The Fire God's curse which had baselessly disappeared meant that the curse was broken. The monsters which had appeared weren't from Earth as well. Something had indeed happened.

The most distinctive feeling which Jiang Xiu got were from the three Godhood Halos in his body. The Heavenly Dao Religion's and Li Mi's Godhood Halos as well as the Evil God's faith Godhood Halo. They had become stronger without any artificial stimuli. Moreover, as these three Godhood Halos grew, he could faintly grasp how to use them.

Especially the Heavenly Dao Religion's Godhood Halo. It had transformed from a pale gold color to a pale green color, from a formless and useless thing to something which now indistinctly formed a connection with the mysteries of the world. For some reason, it gave Jiang Xiu a fantastic feeling as if he was becoming one with the world.

This was the different method from Immortal Cultivation. One can pry into Heaven at the later stages of Immortal Cultivation and comprehend the mysteries of the world. After that, the cultivator could gain the power to influence the world with each gesture. This Godhood Halo conformed with the world also contained some kind of Heavenly Law in it.

Right now, the three Godhood Halos in his body had changed into three colors. Li Mi's had become a pale white color, the Heavenly Dao Religion's had become a pale green one, and the other one was a black Godhood Halo. The three Godhood Halos took the shape of a tiny spinning design made of flames.

Though Jiang Xiu was curious, he didn't meddle in and let them develop arbitrarily.

The curtain of night gradually descended down, and the Imperial Capital was full of neon lights under the night scene. Viewing this majestic scene from the top of a high-rise building no doubt emphasized this city's splendor.

…

In a residence somewhere, Secretary Ye entered the courtyard and poured a cup of wine for Elder Jiang, bringing along a plate of fried peanuts with him to eat there, "Elder, as you guessed, the couple indeed came back. However, only Lin Yueling alone came here. I just got the news from the airport."

Elder Jiang grunted, "She must have come to take that brat away? The Lin family's people are always selfish. She doesn't even give thought to her son's future prospects. Does she want her son to end up like her as well?"

Secretary Ye asked, "Shall we stop her from entering?"

Elder Jiang muttered to himself, "There's no need for that. It's good that she has come. Go see her and tell her that only ruin awaits those who aren't a part of my Jiang family."

Secretary Ye felt a shiver pass through him. He recalled the incident which had happened a decade ago. Jiang Yi had gone to jail and was ruined completely. He wondered whether the same would happen to Jiang Xiu as well.

He believed Lin Yueling would definitely surrender this time. The previous experience had hurt her too much and almost destroyed her entire life so she wouldn't want her son to walk the same path.

"I'll go immediately!"

…

An airplane slowly descended at the Imperial Capital's airport during the night. Lin Yueling felt everything had become unfamiliar as she left the airport. Compared to a decade ago, this place had gone through a major transformation. This city where she had grown up right from her childhood had now become strange and gave a distant feel to her.

"Stinky brat!" She abandoned all the distracting thoughts and only had that shameless brat in her mind. "It's still switched off. You're just forcing me to drop in at your university now."

She saw a taxi come over and waved her hand then got into it, "Driver, to the Imperial University!"

Jiang Xiu was totally oblivious that the Empress had already arrived at the Imperial Capital. He was currently having dinner on a cruise liner sailing on the Guihai Lake while gazing at the twinkling dots at a distance. Wang Xintong was sitting together with him and a foreign man donned in a swallow-tailed tux was playing the violin.

This was the best restaurant with a scene view in the Imperial Capital. Wang Xintong had come here twice before, but she never enjoyed the place. For her, the mood was important than eating food, and this depended on the person accompanying her for dinner.

"Thank you!"

The chef served fresh beef on the side. Wang Xintong had studied abroad, so she had adapted to Western-style pretty well. As for this Jiang Xiu, this guy had never left the country. He always held contempt for foreign food, and if it weren't for Wang Xintong choosing this place, he wouldn't have had any interest in eating Western-style good. He embraced the wind as it blew across the deck and listened to the romantic violin music, "Try this steak…"

Wang Xintong sliced a piece of beef from her plate and brought it towards Jiang Xiu's mouth. Jiang Xiu gazed at her coldly and didn't open her mouth. His eyes even revealed a vicious gleam, "Don't eat it if you don't want to. Is there a need to stare so viciously at me?"

Each time she felt she could grow closer to Jiang Xiu, he would coldly push her away, just like now.

She delivered the beef to her own mouth helplessly. Ever since that humiliating dance she had performed after being sent to Jiang Xiu's room on that night, she felt she had become lost in the wickedness of the man before her. She didn't have any hopes to get something from him when she discovered that he already had someone in his heart. And just like how Jiang Xiu tormented himself, she too became addicted to tormenting herself. As they say, people are influenced by their surroundings.

"It looks like your fiancée got a boyfriend."

Jiang Xiu placed a slice into his mouth and chewed it twice before pausing, "How do you know this? Did you have a hand in this matter?"

Wang Xintong smiled, "I merely made Song Ronghao appear in front of Cheng Lingsu, that's all."

Jiang Xiu's eyes went cold as a killing intent leaked from him.

"What are you getting angry for? Isn't this what you wanted?"

Jiang Xiu lowered his voice, "If we weren't in public, I would have surely choked you to death."

Wang Xintong recalled the day when she had caught a glimpse of the sinful love for Cheng Lingran which he had hidden in the depths of his heart. He had become furious like a lion whose tail was stepped on. This man could do anything. She felt a cold chill pass through her yet also felt excited and looked forward to what he would do. She even doubted whether she had become masochistic.

"It looks like I made the right choice to have the dinner here."

"I feel like I've barely managed to escape with my life!"

Jiang Xiu felt a little angry. This woman keeps acting more and more impudently in front of me. I'll have to look for an opportunity to teach her a lesson.

Wang Xintong didn't know what the Old Devil Jiang was thinking about right now. She smiled at him, "Actually, I had an ever more brazen idea. Do you want to hear it?"

"What is it?"

"To kill Cheng Lingsu."

At this moment, Jiang Xiu felt all the hairs on his body rise up. He didn't know what he was feeling, but he couldn't control himself as the deluge of emotions overcame him.

Wang Xintong picked up the glass filled with red wine on the table and took a sip, "The Cheng family has two daughters, and it owes your Jiang family, so they have to compensate. Isn't there another one if this one died? There's a 60% probability of the other one compensating for it. If this were done, it would become 100%."

Whoosh!

Wang Xintong felt as if she had become light. Jiang Xiu had already grabbed her neck and dashed towards the railing, making her hand outside with a single hand. She exerted all her strength to pry free from his hand grasping her throat. Her eyes grew wide in fear.

The Jiang Xiu before her had ice-cold eyes void of any emotions.

"Tell me, do you believe I will kill you and throw you into the lake?"

Wang Xintong waddled her legs as hard as she could, resulting in her red high-heel shoes falling into the lake. She was shocked. Didn't you say you wouldn't do it in public?

Only then did she notice from the corner of her eyes that everyone seemed to have frozen in time.

"Don't think you can ask for help!"

Wang Xintong blinked her eyes in a flurry to covey that she understood.

"Hmph!"

The violin's sound became audible again, and Wang Xintong discovered that she had already returned to her original seat right now. The surrounding people were still eating dinner while chatting and everything seemed to have recovered to the previous state. Jiang Xiu's cold gaze swept across her, causing her to bow down and cut the beef. If it weren't for the burning sensation on her neck as well as the cold feeling of the floor at her feet, she would've doubted whether she had hallucinated just now.

Phew!

She exhaled deeply. Her body was drenched in cold sweat from the fear and face pale. She couldn't comprehend how she had provoked him.

There was no doubt that Jiang Xiu liked Cheng Lingran. Humans were all selfish, and Wang Xintong didn't believe he didn't wish to have Cheng Lingran, but she couldn't figure out why he got so angry.

This lass had forgotten what she had experienced just now and challenged Jiang Xiu's underline yet again. She lowered her voice, "Are you afraid she doesn't like you?"

Jiang Xiu's movements stopped.

Wang Xintong gazed at his marble-like perfectly chiseled face brazenly. His gaze was akin to a deep pool.

She waited for his answer.

However, what replied her was a cold, emotionless voice, "Do you really want to die? If you want, I can do it for you!"

"Who doesn't want to live in such a world full of sensual pleasures? I'm no exception." Her gaze full of anticipation dimmed down. She raised the cup filled with red wine, "A man would wish that the woman he loves lives a good life. He would place her glory higher than his and view her happiness as his own."

"You want her to be happy, right?"

Jiang Xiu didn't say anything. The violinist played a beautiful serenade befitting the night's cold, making it seem as if petals were flying in the wind. It was romantic yet sad.

Wang Xintong looked at Jiang Xiu and couldn't help but reach out to caress his grim, marble-like face, yet her hand was swatted away by him, "Don't use your narrow mindset to read this Deity."

She got pushed away by him yet again.

She saw Jiang Xiu's expression change all of a sudden. His hand stretched towards her head then suddenly pressed it down towards the steak. Wang Xintong was enraged as her face neared the steak. Bastard. Demon. So repulsive. You actually abuse me like this.She imagined the shameful appearance of her pretty face soaked in beef juices.

However, in the end, not even the tip of her nose had touched the steak. It was at this time she heard a bang sound beside her ears along with the plate rupturing beside her.

This is… a bullet?

Jiang Xiu wasn't punishing her just now but was instead saving her. If he hadn't lowered her head, her brains would have blown out.

Before she even had the time to react, the bullet had passed through her chair then through the table and shot into the floor, issuing a whooshing bullet echo.

"Aaaaaahhhhh…"

The guests on the cruise began to scream and scamper.

"Fuck!"

A shadow holding a sniper rifle cursed at a lighthouse far away. This certain kill-shot had actually missed due to that man. He couldn't believe someone could react so quickly. He had clearly seen through the scope that Jiang Xiu had moved after he had fired the shot.

Since the first shot had missed, he immediately shot another, followed by a third shot… but all had missed!

The entire deck was a mess already with everyone trying to escape the crowd. He simply couldn't take a successful shot at the target with such a chaotic situation.

The best hitmen killed their target in a single hit.

His rifle was a new-gen product of science and was made in Germany with a range of 1200 m. It was impossible to judge his location with such a distance between the target and him.

Therefore, he wasn't worried at all.

He began to calmly disassemble the gun and place it in his box then got down the lighthouse leisurely.

…

"Someone wants to kill me?"

Jiang Xiu said, "Looks like you've not only angered but also the others as well." His eyes slowly turned pitch-black as he gazed towards the lake and finally locked onto the lighthouse.

"Wait here. I'll be back soon."

The man picked up a rope from the lighthouse and tied it to the handle of the gun carrier. He then threw the carrier into the water. It didn't sink inside as it was a waterproof gun carrier. He jumped onto the speedboat and made his escape.

He took out his phone, "Boss, I missed. Right…" Suddenly, his eyes grew wide in disbelief. He shook his head sideways, "H-How is this possible?!"

A man walked over towards him from a distance at a leisurely pace.

Oh, fuck!

This is the middle of the lake!

Is this man walking on water?!

"Hello? Are you there?"

He didn't dare answer and subconsciously laid the phone down. That man appeared quite slow, but he had already reached in front of the speedboat in a few moments.

This was too terrifying.

"Who sent you?" Jiang Xiu asked him.

He looked at Jiang Xiu with utter shock then gulped down. This youth was the same youth who was having dinner with Wang Xintong. The man whose movements were faster than a bullet.

"Are you a human or a demon?"

Jiang Xiu told him, "Even if you don't tell me, I know it's Jiang Hang."

He got on top of the boat while saying this.

Only then did the other side react and punch towards Jiang Xiu. China had strict control over firearms, and the police would blockade the entire area after a murder using a gun. He had concealed the sniper rifle in the water so he could run away easily and didn't have a gun on him. Thus, he could only combat Jiang Xiu.

But…

"AAARRRGGHH!"

A mournful scream spread across the lake's surface. The arm with which he had punched towards Jiang Xiu was broken.

"ARRRRGGH!"

His other arm was broken as well.

"ARRRGGHHH!"

The same was done to his legs.

In a blink, all his limbs were broken by Jiang Xiu. He was paralyzed on the speedboat, wailing towards the sky while trembling.

"Where is Jiang Hang?"

He quivered, "I don't know. We only make contact through the cell phone. He sends money to me, and I deal with the matter, so there's no need for us to meet… I'm telling the truth… really…"

"Will you testify in court?"

The other side turned silent.

"If you aren't willing, I'll dump you in the lake. Your limbs are broken right now. If you are able to survive, I'll release you."

"NOOOO!" He screamed in alarm. How could anyone whose limbs were broken survive in water? Even just a tiny moment gave him extreme pain. He would no doubt die if he were thrown into the water. "I'm willing to testify in court."

Jiang Xiu smiled at him, "I really want to see whether your Jiang family will save Jiang Xiu when he goes to jail for ordering an assassination."

The police had quickly appeared at the scene due to the shooting.

The authorities felt their blood run cold when they saw the assassin's state. The person who did this to him was too ruthless, but this was something this man deserved, so they didn't feel any pity.

The assassin admitted that he was hired to assassinate the target. The police recovered the sniper rifle from the water, and the case was evident as it still had the assassin's fingerprints.

Jiang Hang was still in his villa right now. He was pacing all around in worry. The assassin's call ended mid-way and was switched off when he called the number again. He didn't know the circumstances right now.

Ding-Dong!

The doorbell echoed at this time. The servant went to open the door and quickly came running back after a while, "Mr. Jiang, there are two policemen here to meet you."

"The police?"

Jiang Hang's expression changed. It seemed like the matter had blown up, but he smiled coldly. It didn't matter even if it had blown up as these policemen wouldn't dare to move against him, "Make them wait downstairs for me!"

Just as he said this, the two policemen came inside with grim expressions on their face. One of them was a 30-year-old youth. He took out the arrest order, "Jiang Hang, you are suspected of ordering an assassination on the Amidst Heaven Group's Director, Lady Wang Xintong. You are requested to accept arrest according to the law."

Jiang Hang didn't have the slightest amount of worry on his face, "Do you know who I am?"

"To think you've come to grab me at my home. You must be tired of living, right?"

The officer said, "Don't show off to us. No matter who you are, with this arrest order, we will grab you even if you were the Emperor himself. Shackle him for me."

The youth went forward.

"You dare?!"

The youth pressed Jiang Hang to the floor and handcuffed him.

Jiang Hang struggled yet he didn't panic at all, he was only angry, "You'll face the consequences for arresting me." However, in the end, he didn't yell out the line 'My father is Li Gang.'

After coming down, he saw there were two fully armed officers outside. If he had tried to escape, they would have captured him with force. However, there were many media vans on the side.

When Jiang Hang was brought outside, countless reporters dashed towards him with cameras. The scene was full of flashes from them.

"Mr. Jiang Hang, what problem did you have with Amidst Heaven Group's Lady Wang Xintong? Why did you try to get her assassinated?"

"Do you do things like this frequently?"

"How much does it cost to order an assassination?"

This news had quickly reached the Jiang family.

"Absolutely disgraceful!"

Jiang Hang's father, Jiang Chang slapped the table like an angry lion. His stare was very frightening right now.

Liu Mei'e who sat on the side said, "Jiang Chang, quickly bring our son out. What face will our Jiang family have left if such shameful news spreads out?"

Another 40-year-old man who was there said, "Sis, things aren't that simple. Nowadays, the news media is too developed, and there's the internet as well. This matter will spread like a hurricane. You also know many people in this society hate the rich and influential circles. They are looking forward to seeing Little Hang suffer."

This man was the youngest brother of Liu Mei'e, Liu Renzhuo.

"All the media channels are fighting over to report this incident. The police have no choice but to act due to the pressure."

"What should we do then?" Liu Mei'e asked.

Jiang Chang's eyes twitched, "They used the media to force the police to grab my son. Jiang Luoxia and Amidst Heaven Group, do you really want to become my Jiang family's enemy?"

"You're quite arrogant!"

"I'll make them suffer 100-times more than what they have done to Jiang Hang."

Liu Renzhuo said, "Brother-in-law, the top priority right now is to make the police department release Little Hang. The longer he stays inside, the more it'll harm the Jiang family's reputation. If this matter reaches Elder's ears, we'll all suffer. You know very well how sensitive the Elder is about the face of the family."

As the assassin had confessed publicly and the evidence was clear, there was no way to hide this matter. The police were forced due to the pressure from the victim as well as the mass media and couldn't act recklessly.

Jiang Chang said, "To end this trouble, we must strike at its core. Make a call to the Wang family." A ministerial-level member calling an insignificant businesswoman was simply unimaginable and could be regarded as showing high esteem to the other party.

"Brother-in-law, we don't need to act politely towards those clowns. We should use political maneuvers to suppress them."

"It's quite dangerous right now. It wouldn't do good to reveal ourselves."

Liu Renzhuo called Wang Xintong's number but it was switched off, so he called Wang Xintong's secretary. Liu Renzhuo was the owner of a state enterprise, and his position wasn't lesser than a sub-provincial level post, yet he was actually calling some unknown secretary. He was already feeling quite sullen and what's worse was that he had run into a stupid secretary.

"Director Wang has already got off work, and she doesn't accept calls during rest time. If you have anything to say, please tell me. If it's inconvenient to say it to me, I can book an appointment for you. Let me check Director Wang's schedule. Tomorrow isn't possible, day after tomorrow is also packed… Eh, I'm sorry Mr. Liu, if you want to book an appointment, you'll have to book one next week. How does 10 AM on Monday sound to you? If you're fine with that, I'll make the appointment."

The veins on Liu Renzhuo's forehead popped out as he listened to the beautiful and cordial voice of the secretary on the opposite side, "Do you know who I am?"

"Yes. Liu Renzhuo, Director Liu."

"Do you think you can bear the consequences of delaying this matter? Quickly call Wang Xintong and say Jiang Hang's unc… father, Minister Jiang, is looking for her…"

The secretary was scared, "Understood. I'll call her immediately!"

After some time, the secretary called back again and spoke with a childish voice, "Director Liu, Director Wang is really busy so she said it's fine to meet next Monday. If possible, ask Minister Jiang to meet her at her office."

Bitch!

Liu Renzhuo almost smashed the phone in anger. Wang Xintong, who do you think you are? You dare to make Minister Jiang wait? You don't know what you are messing with.

Jiang Chang had clearly heard everything on the side. He was trembling all over in anger. Even the governors of each province's border regions faced difficulties when they wanted to enter the capital as they had to pass through him and this little girl was acting so impudently with him.

"Brother-in-law, this Wang Xintong is really unreasonable."

Jiang Chang said coldly, "Stop all her businesses in the Imperial Capital." He believed that a small-time businesswoman wouldn't dare to act recklessly once he held the other side's lifeline in his grasp.

On that evening, all the projects and businesses of the Amidst Heaven Group were closed down forcefully.

However, what's unexpected was that Wang Xintong still hadn't called.

By this time, 4 hours had already passed.

Jiang Chang and the others became restless. It was late into the night, but the lights were still bright in the Jiang family's courtyard. There were initially three people, but many more had gathered now. They were all from Jiang Chang's faction and included over a dozen people, but the mood didn't let anyone relax and instead made them feel depressed.

The longer Jiang Hang stayed inside, the worse it was for them.

"What should we do?"

Jiang Chang stood on the balcony with one hand on his waist and smoked a cigarette with the other. He knew the chances of the other side calling today was quite low.

The businesses of Amidst Heaven Group at the Imperial Capital weren't Jiang Luoxia and Wang Xintong's core sections. Accurate to say, they were only a small part. After all, their group had just settled in the Imperial Capital for half-a-year. Even if their business were frozen, it wouldn't hurt them much as Jiang Luoxia's true foundation was at Jiangnan.

"Minister Jiang, it's already 3 AM. Please go rest, we will keep watch here."

Jiang Chang shook his head, "Everyone can return, nothing will happen today."

His words were right. Wang Xintong hadn't called at all. They did all they could to placate the media and weren't able to make the police department release Jiang Hang.

It continued till 7 AM in the morning.

Jiang Chang called the Jiangnan border region's Gu Dezhi. He planned to strike at Jiang Luoxia's foundation and make him understand the Jiang family's power. "Brother Dezhi!"

Gu Dezhi was still a bit sleepy, "Minister Jiang, why have you called me so early in the morning? Is it something urgent?"

Jiang Chang said, "I need Brother Dezhi to help me with something. There's a big problem with Jiang Luoxia's operations. I need you to close down the industries under his name at Jiangnan."

"By Jiang Luoxia, do you mean Mr. Jiang?"

"Yes!"

Though Gu Dezhi was very afraid of the Jiang family, Mr. Jiang was his benefactor and had close ties with his Gu family as well as a Demigod. Currently, it was right to say that the Gu family and Jiang Luoxia were the administrative power and underworld power of Jiangnan, the same as partners who helped each other.

"Minister Jiang, Jiang Luoxia has too many industries in Jiangnan. Let's not even consider all of them, just closing down one or two of them would influence Jiangnan too much. I can't take this risk. Please forgive me for being unable to help you, Minister Jiang."

Jiang Chang said, "Brother Dezhi, there's no need to tell me the obvious things. This man has publicly made an enemy of my Jiang family. The Jiang family will definitely make him pay the price. If Brother Dezhi helps us with this matter, the Jiang family will surely help you in return, or else you too will become my Jiang family's enemy."

"Minister Jiang, are you threatening me?"

"No, I'm just reminding you."

"Then let me make it clear to you as well. Mr. Jiang's industries won't stop. Moreover, the Jiangnan province will support them with all it can." Gu Dezhi said this then hung the call. His attitude was steadfast.

Jiang Chang felt his belly fill with anger when he heard the beep sound on the other end of the call. He paced around in the room several times in a fit of fury and didn't say anything for a while.

Liu Mei'e pushed the door and walked in, "Jiang Chang, how is it? Little Hang has already stayed at the police department for a night."

Jiang Chang shook his head. The border region of Jiangnan had refused his Jiang family and decided to support Jiang Luoxia. He hadn't expected this to happen. This entire mess was out of predictions. "Since this way didn't work, we can only go through the judicial means. However, this matter isn't something trivial, so I can't decide recklessly. I fear we will have to ask the Elder."

"Won't his impression of Little Hang lower if the Elder knows this?"

"It's already hard to hide to this matter."

…

All the channels on the TV were showing the news about a third generation child of a family hiring a hitman.

Jiang Xiu hadn't returned to the university and slept at Wang Xintong's place, so he had escaped Lin Yueling unknowingly. Wang Xintong went to the kitchen to make noodles for him personally while she made arranged a western meal for herself which consisted of bread, ham and fried eggs.

"I got a call from Secretary Gu just now. He called you, but your phone was switched off. It looks like Jiang Chang called him this morning and requested to close down all our businesses in Jiangnan, but was instead turned down by Secretary Gu."

Jiang Xiu nodded.

"Are the noodles tasty? Wang Xintong asked.

"A bit better than my mother's."

"I don't dare to compare myself with Aunt. How do you think they will act next? Will Jiang Chang mess with the judicial system and force the verdict that Jiang Hang's innocent?"

Jiang Xiu laid down the chopsticks, "It's quite a messy situation right now. Jiang Chang has to take care not to get mixed up in it so he wouldn't do such a thing. It'll all depend on whether Elder Jiang will save him or not."

He recalled that rainy night from his memory. His mother had knelt before that tightly shut door.

There was conclusive evidence implicating Jiang Hang so if it were declared that he was innocent, due to his special identity, anyone could figure out that the Jiang family was acting behind-the-scenes. No matter who from the Jiang family meddled into this, the entire Jiang family and Elder Jiang would bear the consequences. Therefore, Jiang Chang had to tell this matter to the Elder.

During noon, all the television stations as well as the mainstream internet broadcasts removed all the videos relating to this matter from their rankings and stopped reporting as well.

"See!" Wang Xintong was seated on the poolside chair. Her left hand supported her chin while her right hand wrote in a diary, "It was completely suppressed."

Jiang Xiu's expression tuned as gloomy as water, "You risk public condemnation to save a murderer but you watched with folded arms when someone had gone to jail. Good. Very good."

Wang Xintong said, "If I'm not mistaken, that bastard will swagger out of the police department soon. I really feel unreconciled."

Jiang Xiu threw the fish feed in his hand into the pool and patted his hands.

"Since the law can't do anything to you!"

"This Deity will punish you!"

Jiang Hang walked out of the police department's doorway, feeling slightly fatigued. He hadn't received any kind of 'entertainment' last night and merely spent the night inside foolishly, but this was a huge disgrace to a young master like him, and all of this had happened due to that damned woman and Jiang Luoxia.

"Young Master Hang!"

To avoid arousing suspicion, they had sent his company's Deputy Director, Chen Dalu, to receive him.

"Where's my parents and uncle?"

Chen Dalu said, "Young Master Hang, this matter was too big and the media had reported it quite viciously. They had to disturb the Elder to bring Young Master out. Minister Jiang, the Lady as well as Director Liu didn't come so as to avoid arousing suspicion. They are waiting for the Young Master at home."

Jiang Hang furrowed his brows, "They asked my grandfather?"

"Yes!"

Jiang Hang felt very gloomy as he sat inside the car. He knew this meant that he had lost a lot of points in front of the Elder. There were many children in the Jiang family but the resources were limited. Whoever Elder Jiang favored would rise to the top and whoever he didn't meet to eye with, would stay at the lower end. Once sentence from the Elder was enough to decide their future prospects.

"It's all due to that bitch!"

Jiang Hang punched the seat in a fit of fury. It was a good chance for him to show his skill yet it was all ruined now, making him a worthless person.

"Give me the phone!"

He called Wang Xintong's number.

Wang Xintong's expression changed the moment she saw the number, "Jiang Hang!"

"You came out?"

Jiang Hang's heavy voice came through from the other end, "Lady Wang, I spent an entire night in the police department thanks to you. I'll definitely come back to collect this debt. You had good luck last time but you won't have such good luck every time."

"This matter isn't finished!"

Bang!

A sound came from the car. Chen Dalu quickly stopped the car and came out to inspect the car. At this moment, Jiang Hang saw a youth come beside the car and open the door. He immediately realized something was wrong but that youth had already pulled him outside. His body felt light as he got pulled out.

"Save me!"

Chen Dalu turned back to see and saw that the car door was open. There was no one inside the car and no tracks of Jiang Hang. The entire street was empty.

It was as if he had disappeared.

"Young Master Jiang? Young Master…"

Jiang Hang got thrown on the ground by the youth as if he were trash. He looked at youth and deduced that this person was a martial artist so he couldn't match him in terms of strength, "W-Who are you? You actually dared to kidnap me."

He hadn't met Jiang Hang in this life, but Jiang Xiu was very familiar with this face, "Who am I? Weren't you the one who kept asking to meet me?"

"Just who the hell are you?"

"Jiang City's Jiang Luoxia!"

"It's you!" Jiang Hang was shocked. He hadn't expected that Jiangnan's Mr. Jiang was actually someone so young. He thought it would be someone around 40-50 years old.

"W-What are you planning to do with me?"

A cold light flashed through Jiang Xiu's eyes, "What do you think? Wang Xintong works for me and you sent someone to assassinate her. What do you think I want to do?"

Jiang Hang had a bad premonition and turned around to escape but fell down after a single step. He felt his legs twist in a weird angle. Some power had broken his legs.

"ARRRGGGHHHHH!!"

Jiang Hang screamed in pain. He saw that his legs had twisted till they reached above his things. Anyone would feel their hairs stand if they saw something like this.

"MY LEGS!!!"

He gave out a heart-wrenching scream.

"D-Don't come over…"

He grabbed a wooden stick from the ground and brandished it. Jiang Xiu caught his arms and crushed it, making him scream mournfully again within the alley. Both his arms were broken as well.

"ARRRGGHHHH…"

Jiang Hang fell to the ground, completely paralyzed, twitching all over in fear while sobbing. He made a great effort to raise his head but his complexion turned ruddy and felt pain all over his facial muscles. Sweat kept dripping from his head and finally, he lost consciousness due to the pain.

Jiang Xiu threw his inside the car and drove to the Jiang family.

"So, this place was the Jiang family!"

He saw that gate as well as that big banyan near it which had left a profound impression in his memory when he was 5 years old. The entrance was wide open right now. I should have known that Mother would have come to the Jiang family back then as the Lin family wouldn't have acted to save Father.

The speeding car had alarmed a lot of them inside, making them come out. It was Jiang Chang and the others. Jiang Xiu opened the car door and threw Jiang Hang out form the car. Due to the car's inertia, he landed on the ground and rolled several times as if he were trash.

Who is it? They actually dare to cause trouble at the Jiang family's door? Thought Jiang Chang.

He was full of fury, but when he saw the person on the ground, he felt as if his brains had blown out. The person lying on the ground was none other than his son who had come out from the police department.

"It's Little Hang!"

Jiang Hang's limbs were so twisted that he was almost unrecognizable. He was currently unconscious and it was unknown whether he was dead or alive.

"Little Hang!"

Liu Mei'e screamed mournfully and scampered towards him.

"Jiang… Hang…"

The others couldn't bear to see him. Even if Jiang Hang survived somehow, he would end up a cripple.

Jiang Chang's heart sunk as he lost power in his legs, kneeling beside his son with his lips trembling. Tears formed at his eyes silently. He only had one son.

"Who? Who did such a vicious thing?"

Everyone knew it could be none other than Jiangnan's Jiang Luoxia. Jiang Hang had sent an assassin after Wang Xintong, so Jiang Luoxia had turned Jiang Hang into a cripple. An eye for an eye, blood paid with blood.

"C-Call the doctor!"

People rushed into the courtyard after hearing the noise.

"What happened?"

Everyone was shocked after seeing Jiang Hang who laid on the ground.

The news reached the inner courtyard quite fast. Elder Jiang's eyes grew wide open as he slammed his crutches onto the ground with force, making the tile split into two.

"Audacious!"

He roared in anger.

"He dared to cripple a descendant of my Jiang family?!"

Curses and weeping filled the entire Jiang family. This glorious house was currently enveloped in anger and grief, becoming so miserable. The Jiang family had never had to experience such pain.

Elder Jiang's anger was akin to a furious lion's anger.

"I don't care what method you use or what price you have to pay, Jiang Luoxia must pay this blood debt."

Jiang Hang was taken to the hospital. The doctor had diagnosed that his limbs had suffered a fracture in several locations and his spine was injured. There was hope for his life but it would require 10 operations to fix those fractures. No one would able to endure this kind of torment so the doctor proposed to amputation. The gravest case was the left leg.

He was already delivered into the operating room as it would difficult to preserve his life if they kept arguing.

Many from the Jiang family as well as several specialists had gathered outside the operating room. Experts kept coming and going as they consulted together to formulate a plan to treat Jiang Hang.

But they couldn't arrive at an ideal solution.

"In the end, amputation is the only choice, huh?"

"Even if it isn't done, he would be a cripple."

Elder Jiang felt his heart bleed when he heard this. His mouth kept twitching till he lost control, "Immediately freeze all of Jiang Luoxia's industries and notify the police to arrest him!!!"