Fan Family, the garden.
Fan Wentao sat in a lounge chair, draped in thick clothing, and looked at the moon in the sky with a heavy heart.
He had just received news that Eastern Emperor Zhang Ying had led his troops away from Wudu; the reason for this was entirely because the Su family had found a remarkable lobbyist – Abbess Hui Jing!
This old nun, who had never been willing to descend the mountain, had been so easily persuaded by the Su family that she was now kindly speaking up for them.
With Abbess Hui Jing's involvement, Zhang Ying had no choice but to retreat.
Thus, three out of the five Great Emperors had been neutralized. Regardless of the reason, the Eastern, Southern, and Northern Great Emperors could no longer deal with the Su family.
They had initially thought it would be an easy victory, but in the end, they couldn't win at all! Instead, the Fan family had become a laughingstock.
*Crack, crack.*
Fan Wentao clenched his fists tightly, his bones creaking.
At this moment, Western Emperor Ji Jianyong walked over and said with utmost loyalty, "Old Fan, you've heard the news, haven't you? That bastard Zhang Ying is a traitor, colluding with the Su family! He has now left Wudu with his men and is openly opposing us! Old Fan, it seems necessary to rectify the situation and curb Zhang Ying's arrogance! Otherwise, he'll think Old Fan is past his prime and can't do anything to him."
Fan Wentao remained quite calm.
Zhang Ying's unauthorized departure would, of course, warrant punishment, but now was not the time.
Zhang Ying's strength was considerable. To punish him, they would need to be free to act and gather greater force; however, with three of the five Great Emperors neutralized and the Su family still to be dealt with, they had no spare capacity to deal with Zhang Ying.
The immediate priority was to handle the Su family.
However, before dealing with the Su family, they could appropriately warn the Wu family, lest the two families grow too close!
Fan Wentao said, "As far as I know, the Su family only thought of approaching Hui Jing because they took the Wu family's advice. Ji Jianyong, you go to the Wu family and give them a warning. Tell them to behave themselves. Otherwise, after dealing with the Su family, we'll deal with them!"
Ji Jianyong nodded, "Yes, alright, I understand. This matter is on me."
He turned and left, leading his men towards the Wu family.
...
An hour later.
Wu Family Compound.
Wu Qizhong, the head of the Wu family, was having dinner with his family. During the meal, he reminded his sons, daughters, grandsons, and granddaughters that Wudu was currently chaotic and they should not wander around unnecessarily.
Wu Qizhong pointed at Wu Hao and said, "The Su and Fan families are having a serious conflict. Hao'er, you should stop going to the Su family from now on. Absolutely do not get involved in the conflict between these two families! One wrong step could bring disaster to the Wu family."
Wu Hao nodded, "I understand, Grandpa. I won't anymore."
Wu Qizhong was a very timid and fearful person. He had not dared to achieve anything in his youth, and now that he was older, he was even more cautious.
This had caused the Wu family to become the weakest of the three major families.
Moreover, the Wu family's strength was declining year by year, and many rising families were already showing signs of surpassing them.
The members of the Wu family were all dissatisfied with the old man, but as the head of the family, sitting in the patriarch's position, they had to obey him; they couldn't do anything about it.
To put it bluntly, many in the Wu family wished for Wu Qizhong's early demise so that a capable and responsible member of the younger generation could succeed him as patriarch!
Alas.
Wu Qizhong was not only timid but also afraid of death. Because he feared death, he took excellent care of his health and paid great attention to his well-being.
This had resulted in Wu Qizhong being in very good health. Despite his advanced age, he had more energy than many young people.
None of his three sons or two daughters were as healthy as Wu Qizhong.
It was highly likely that his children would pass away before him, with the elderly burying the young!
In such circumstances, how could they possibly wait for Wu Qizhong to retire?
So, there was no choice. The Wu family harbored their hatred in their hearts but were helpless, watching as their family gradually declined and was overtaken by other families.
As the family was eating, Wu Lingxuan specifically served her grandfather a large piece of meat.
Wu Qizhong said with great joy, "Lingxuan is so good, always taking care of Grandpa. Lingxuan is very famous in Wudu now and is very capable. When Grandpa passes away, the position of patriarch will undoubtedly belong to Lingxuan."
Wu Lingxuan blushed and said, "I dare not, I dare not."
In fact, it was a consensus throughout the Wu family, from top to bottom, to have Wu Lingxuan as the matriarch. In terms of character and ability, Wu Lingxuan was second to none.
In Wudu, Wu Lingxuan was also known as the "Living Bodhisattva."
The only problem now was Wu Qizhong. He was too healthy, too robust. If this continued, by the time Wu Lingxuan took over as matriarch, the Wu family might have already become a second-rate family!
At that point, even with Wu Lingxuan's extraordinary abilities, she might not be able to make any significant waves.
As everyone was eating.
Suddenly, the courtyard gate was kicked open, and a large group of soldiers barged in, each holding a gun, their presence menacing.
Huh?
What was going on?
Before the Wu family members could react, they were surrounded by the soldiers.
Following that, Western Emperor Ji Jianyong strode into the courtyard and loudly demanded, "Wu family patriarch Wu Qizhong, come here!"
Wu Qizhong quickly put down his chopsticks and hurried to Ji Jianyong, asking with a fawning smile, "Emperor Ji, what wind has brought you here?"
Ji Jianyong glanced at the old man, and without a word, he raised his hand and slapped him.
*Slap!!!*
The old man's vision went starry, and he spun around three times.
The Wu family members were enraged and started shouting, but the soldiers raised their guns, scaring them into submission.
Wu Qizhong, being the most timid and fearful, saw this situation and, far from being angry, even smiled and said, "Well hit, well hit! I just don't know, why did Emperor Ji hit me?"
To be reduced to such a state was truly pathetic.
Ji Jianyong snorted coldly and said, "Why did I hit you? Don't you have any idea? You old fool, I ask you, why did you provide information to the Su family and oppose Old Fan?"
Ah?
Ji Jianyong was startled and waved his hands repeatedly, "No, no, our Wu family would never dare to meddle in the Fan family's affairs. There must be some misunderstanding."
"Misunderstanding my foot! Eastern Emperor Zhang Ying has already left Wudu because of your Wu family's meddling!" Ji Jianyong placed a hand on Wu Qizhong's shoulder and said coldly, "What, is your Wu family planning to join forces with the Su family to oppose Old Fan?"
Upon hearing this, Ji Jianyong's face turned ashen with fear, and he collapsed onto the ground with a thud.
After regaining some composure, he repeatedly waved his hands and said, "No, I dare not! Emperor Ji, your subordinate dare not!"