The next morning, as dawn broke, Western Emperor Ji Jian Yong led his main force to attack the Su family.
A mighty procession, drawing crowds of onlookers.
"Where are they going?"
"Do you even need to ask? Of course, they're going to the Su family to wipe them out! Now that all the Su family employees have fled, leaving only some high-level executives, after today, the Su family will cease to exist!"
"Alas—a grand household of Mist City, to think it would end this way."
"What can be done? Who told the Su family to offend Master Fan?"
In the eyes of the passersby, the Su family was already sentenced to death, with no possibility of survival, even if they were facing the weakest of the Four Great Emperors.
Along the way, Western Emperor Ji Jian Yong was thoroughly enjoying himself.
He deliberately slowed his pace, walking leisurely, unhurried, solely to savor the cheers of the crowd, to hear them discuss how the Su family would be annihilated!
Such sounds made him feel extremely comfortable, extremely gratified.
Finally, around nine in the morning, the main force arrived at the Su family compound.
Su Wan Ran, along with the Su family's high-ranking officials, came to the main entrance, facing Ji Jian Yong's army head-on, neither side willing to yield an inch.
This scene was not unprecedented.
When Northern Emperor Xiao Chang Shan had come last time, it was also a grand spectacle, but Xiao Chang Shan had left on his own. Today, Ji Jian Yong's fate remained unknown.
Swish, swish, swish.
The gunmen promptly raised their machine guns, aiming them at Su Wan Ran and the others.
As soon as Ji Jian Yong gave the order, they would open fire.
Everyone knew that Ji Jian Yong would not be as indecisive as Xiao Chang Shan. He had been very decisive in destroying the Wu family last night, so his approach to destroying the Su family today would likely be similar.
Ji Jian Yong sneered, "From today onwards, the Su family of Mist City will cease to exist! All men, receive my command..."
Just as Ji Jian Yong was about to give the order for the gunmen to fire, a voice, both familiar and extremely terrifying to him, rang out.
"Slow!!!"
With just a single word, the gunmen on the scene became agitated, for they all recognized the owner of this voice – it was none other than the former Western Emperor, Ji Jian Yong's own elder brother, Ji Jian Gang, who had fallen off a cliff three years ago!
Huh?
Ji Jian Yong was startled and looked up.
He would have been more surprised if he hadn't looked.
He saw that the people of the Su family parted to reveal a passage, and then, a tall man, covered in scars, walked out step by step. The moment the man removed his cloak, the entire army was stunned.
It was indeed Ji Jian Gang!
Instantly, the soldiers became excited, shouting loudly, "Western Emperor, Western Emperor, Western Emperor!"
In the hearts of the soldiers, there was and only one person who could bear the title of Western Emperor, and that was Ji Jian Gang! The words 'Western Emperor' echoed in the air, lingering for a long time.
Ji Jian Yong's face turned ashen. Although he was currently the Western Emperor, the soldiers did not acknowledge him; instead, they cheered for another man.
It was an utter disgrace!
However, Ji Jian Yong dared not show it. After all, the man standing before him was his own brother, and also the former Western Emperor. If handled carelessly, it could lead to a mutiny.
Clearly, the Su family had invited Ji Jian Gang to confront Ji Jian Yong!
"Su family, your methods are ruthless," Ji Jian Yong gritted his teeth and said in a low voice.
Taking a deep breath.
Ji Jian Yong immediately put on a smile, looking at Ji Jian Gang, and said, "Brother, it's you. You're alive? That's wonderful! Your little brother is so happy!"
Happy?
Heh!
For three years, Ji Jian Yong had harbored a constant desire to kill Ji Jian Gang, dispatching wave after wave of assassins. Now, he had the audacity to say he was 'happy'? The sheer shamelessness was beyond belief.
Ji Jian Gang ignored Ji Jian Yong's words, his gaze fixed coldly on his brother. His eyes were as frigid as the winter frost, piercingly cold.
After a long pause.
Seeing no reaction from his brother, Ji Jian Yong coughed awkwardly twice and said, "Brother, you returned to Mist City alive, why didn't you come to see me? And why are you standing with the Su family? You know, the Su family are enemies of Master Fan, and Master Fan has already ordered their extermination. Brother, how can you stand with these scoundrels? Come to my side quickly, you absolutely cannot defy Master Fan's decree."
He was using Fan Wen Tao to pressure Ji Jian Gang, as Ji Jian Gang had once been a soldier under Fan Wen Tao.
However, he had overlooked one thing.
The Ji Jian Gang standing before him was no longer the Ji Jian Gang of three years ago!
"Decree?" Ji Jian Gang said disdainfully, "That old bastard Fan Wen Tao, does he think he's the emperor? Decrees, pfft, what is he?"
This statement caused an uproar.
Firstly, people couldn't believe that someone in Mist City would dare to openly insult Fan Wen Tao. What immense courage!
Secondly, everyone knew that Ji Jian Gang had been Fan Wen Tao's subordinate, loyal to him. How could he suddenly switch allegiances, join the Su family, and oppose Fan Wen Tao?
Upon hearing this, the soldiers were also stunned. They had not expected the returned Ji Jian Gang to have such a changed attitude.
Ji Jian Yong, however, was delighted.
Regardless, these soldiers still harbored some fear of Fan Wen Tao, and they should not resist him.
Furthermore, Ji Jian Gang's insult to Fan Wen Tao provided Ji Jian Yong with a perfect excuse to kill Ji Jian Gang on the spot!
Hmph.
Ji Jian Yong let out a cold snort.
He pointed at Ji Jian Gang and said, "Brother, watch your tone! Is Master Fan someone you can insult so casually?"
Ji Jian Gang sneered, "What's a few insults? I plan to beat him up too! Do you still remember what happened three years ago?"
Three years ago, it was Ji Jian Yong and Fan Wen Tao who had colluded to get rid of Ji Jian Gang, seizing his military power.
Bringing up the past made Ji Jian Yong a little flustered.
But he quickly regained his composure.
Taking a deep breath.
Ji Jian Yong said, "Brother, don't be incited by others. Come to my side quickly. We brothers can reunite and forge a career together!"
"Pah!" Ji Jian Gang immediately cursed, "Still pretending? You ungrateful wretch. Three years ago, you and that old dog Fan Wen Tao colluded to betray me, had me bitten by a venomous snake, and pushed me off a cliff. Fortunately, fate spared me, and I survived. Today, I will join the Su family to resist that old dog Fan Wen Tao! And you, Ji Jian Yong, I want your life too!"
Having spent three years in hiding, Ji Jian Gang harbored an intense hatred for Ji Jian Yong.
Even between brothers, the hatred had reached such a point that there was nothing more to be said. Ji Jian Yong had gone too far.
Ji Jian Yong narrowed his eyes, stared at Ji Jian Gang, and asked in a deep voice, "Ji Jian Gang, are you determined to fight against me, the Western Emperor, to the bitter end? Are you determined to resist Master Fan?"
Western Emperor?
Heh!
You call yourself that?!
Ji Jian Gang raised his head and said arrogantly, "Even if I die today, I will fight you scoundrels to the end!"
With these words spoken, there was essentially no room for retreat.
Hearing such pronouncements, Ji Jian Yong was overjoyed; in his eyes, Ji Jian Gang daring to speak like this was tantamount to courting death!
Ji Jian Yong raised a hand and addressed the soldiers, "Did you all hear that? Ji Jian Gang, this damn traitor, actually wants to team up with outsiders to deal with Master Fan! How can someone say such heretical things! What more is there to say about such a scoundrel? Guards! Open fire immediately and shoot this traitor dead on the spot!"
Ruthless.
He wanted to have Ji Jian Gang shot dead on the spot.
It was not surprising, after all, this thought had been in his mind for three years, and he had longed to shoot Ji Jian Gang day and night.
However.
The soldiers merely held their guns, but none of them opened fire.
"Huh? What are you all standing around for?" Ji Jian Yong was extremely displeased and reprimanded, "Have you all forgotten who the Western Emperor is?"
In Ji Jian Yong's view, he was the Western Emperor, and the soldiers had to obey his commands!
But reality delivered him a harsh lesson.
Ji Jian Gang sneered, "The title of Western Emperor, can someone like you, who betrays trust and sells out for personal gain, possibly deserve it?"
With a wave of his hand.
All the soldiers simultaneously turned their guns, the black muzzles pointed at Ji Jian Yong, making his face turn pale with fright.
"You, what are you doing? Are you rebelling?" Ji Jian Yong shouted in panic.
Ji Jian Gang smiled, "From beginning to end, there has been only one Western Emperor, and that is me, Ji Jian Gang! These soldiers are my soldiers, not your soldiers, Ji Jian Yong, nor are they Fan Wen Tao's soldiers!"
These words were met with enthusiastic cheers from the soldiers.
The soldiers raised their arms and shouted, "Welcome back, Western Emperor, welcome back, Western Emperor, welcome back, Western Emperor."
From the soldiers' attitude alone, it was clear that the only one they had ever supported was Ji Jian Gang.
It's over.
It's completely over.
Ji Jian Yong glared at the crowd angrily and cursed, "You ungrateful traitors, have you all forgotten that it was Master Fan who led you to carve out your territory?"
A soldier immediately retorted, "Nonsense! It was the Western Emperor who led us to carve out our territory!"
Speechless.
Nothing more to say.
Wiping away tears he couldn't shed.
Ji Jian Yong pointed at the soldiers, his hands beginning to tremble, unsure of what to say.
At this moment.
Ji Jian Gang walked over and took a gun from a nearby soldier.
He chambered a round.
Ji Jian Gang pressed the muzzle against Ji Jian Yong's temple.
Ji Jian Yong immediately soiled himself and fell to his knees with a thud, begging, "Brother, Brother, don't shoot. No matter what, we are still brothers from the same mother. Blood is thicker than water. No matter what I've done wrong, I'm still your brother. You can't kill me! Brother, I beg you, give your brother a chance to redeem himself. I will definitely change my ways and be a good person."
He knows he was wrong?
Heh!
He didn't know he was wrong; he was simply terrified by the gun! Such a person would never repent; given the chance, they would rebel again!
This brother could not be allowed to live.
Ji Jian Gang said coldly, "Precisely because you are my brother, I know your temperament and nature like the back of my hand. You are incapable of knowing your mistakes. Ji Jian Yong, rest in peace!"
Bang!!!
A gunshot echoed, the bullet piercing Ji Jian Yong's head. With a clang, his body fell to the ground.
He died on the spot.