The Fan family's gates were tightly shut.
All guests were turned away for the day, and the surrounding area was heavily guarded, making it impossible for anyone to get in.
In the reception room, a large round table sat with six men.
At the head of the table was Fan Wentao, the patriarch of the Fan family. Seated around the table were the other five men, the Five Directional Emperors, Fan Wentao's most trusted generals!
The Eastern Emperor – Zhang Ying; the Western Emperor – Ji Jianyong; the Southern Emperor – Xie Zhong; the Northern Emperor – Xiao Changshan.
And the strongest, the Central Emperor – Jiang Shen.
Normally, the appearance of any one of the Five Directional Emperors was enough to stir up trouble in a region.
Even in Fog City, a newly emergent first-tier city, any single Emperor had the power to annihilate a family! Now, with the Five Directional Emperors united, it could be said that any family other than the Fan family would be instantly wiped out.
Some did not understand.
The Eastern Emperor Zhang Ying asked, "Old Master Fan, you've summoned the five of us just to deal with a mere Su family? Isn't that overkill? Any one of us could easily destroy the Su family, why do we need all five of us to join forces?"
But as soon as he finished speaking, someone next to him laughed.
The Northern Emperor Xiao Changshan said, "Old Zhang, you're quite mistaken on that. The Su family's strength is far greater than you imagine. I heard that one of our Emperors was publicly humiliated by the Su family, drinking until he vomited blood, hahahaha."
This remark was clearly mocking Xie Zhong.
Xie Zhong and Xiao Changshan already had the worst relationship, the two of them, one from the south and one from the north, never seeing eye to eye.
They often fought amongst themselves, hindering each other, when they first followed Fan Wentao. Even now, as they each controlled their own territories, they couldn't stand the sight of each other.
Seizing the opportunity to thoroughly humiliate Xie Zhong, how could Xiao Changshan let it pass?
The others at the table laughed.
Xie Zhong's face was extremely grim.
As one of the Emperors, he was actually manipulated by a live-in son-in-law. Moreover, if Lu Ming hadn't spared him, Xie Zhong might have died on the street today.
It was an absolute disgrace!
Most importantly, the main forces of the other four Emperors had arrived in Fog City, yet only Xie Zhong's contingent was being blocked.
Not a single one could get through! It was a complete laughingstock.
Xie Zhong also didn't understand why the Fog City authorities were so hard on him alone. Others had brought their main forces too, so why weren't they stopped?
It was very strange.
Not finished yet, Xiao Changshan continued to sneer, "Xie Zhong, you rushed to Fog City in a hurry, hoping to get the first merit, but instead of gaining merit, you embarrassed yourself and disgraced Old Master Fan. How dare you sit here and eat? If I were you, I would have found a secluded spot and hanged myself, that's how laughable it is."
These words were truly harsh.
Xie Zhong's face turned pale, and his blood surged. Coupled with the injuries from vomiting blood that had not fully recovered, he couldn't hold back and once again spat out a large mouthful of blood.
Xiao Changshan burst into laughter, "Oh, you can't take it? Xie Zhong, you're useless."
Fan Wentao shot a cold glance at Xiao Changshan, "Alright, say a little less."
Xiao Changshan then obediently shut his mouth.
Fan Wentao continued, "Xiao Changshan's words, though unpleasant, hold truth. Xie Zhong, I summoned you to support our Fan family, but look at you, you went and disgraced yourself. You don't deserve to spit blood for nothing."
Xie Zhong lowered his head and said, "I will heed Old Fan's teachings. In the future, I will do my utmost to exterminate the Su family, to avenge today's humiliation!"
Exterminate?
Xiao Changshan chuckled, "Easy for you to say. Everyone knows that your main forces have been blocked by the Fog City authorities, and not a single person has been allowed in. Now you're a lone wolf, with what are you going to exterminate the Su family?"
Saying this.
He cupped his hands towards Fan Wentao.
"Old Fan, leave the task of exterminating the Su family to me, Xiao Changshan! I guarantee to complete the mission perfectly!"
By saying this, he not only wanted to prove himself superior to Xie Zhong, but also to cut off Xie Zhong's possibility of revenge, ensuring this scar would remain forever in Xie Zhong's heart.
From now on, Xiao Changshan could mock Xie Zhong with this every time they met.
The thought alone made him feel good.
Fan Wentao nodded, "Since you've volunteered, I can't refuse. Xiao Changshan, the task of exterminating the Su family is yours. But remember, don't rush, take your time. Torture the Su family bit by bit. When the Su family is severely weakened, I, along with you Five Emperors, will strike together with overwhelming force to annihilate the Su family! A cannon against a mosquito, I want to create a deterrent effect!"
The Five Directional Emperors simultaneously replied, "Yes, Master!"
They continued to drink and eat.
Xiao Changshan ate very happily during this meal, while Xie Zhong couldn't even swallow a bite of food, wishing he could dig a hole and disappear.
Around nine in the evening, the banquet concluded.
The Five Directional Emperors bade farewell to Fan Wentao one by one and left the Fan family.
Xiao Changshan got into his private car and drove towards his detached villa.
The journey was smooth and unimpeded.
Upon returning home.
Xiao Changshan pushed the door open, unbuttoning his shirt as he spoke, "Quickly, get me some beer. I drank too much, I need some beer to sober up."
He continued walking inside.
After only a few steps, he saw a middle-aged man sitting on the sofa in the villa's living room, broad-shouldered and with sharp features.
Who?
Xiao Changshan instantly became nervous.
The man turned to look at Xiao Changshan and smiled, saying, "Uncle Xiao, it's me."
Xiao Changshan frowned. Most of his relatives were already dead. In this world, there should be no one who could call him 'Uncle'.
Looking closer, Xiao Changshan recognized the person before him.
This man was a prominent figure under the Dragon Warlord, a Five-Star General – Dragon King!!! He was also the son of Xiao Changshan's old village friend. For a time, Dragon King had served in the military with Xiao Changshan.
However, because Dragon King's strength was formidable and his career advanced rapidly, eventually becoming a Five-Star General; while Xiao Changshan retired and followed Fan Wentao.
The two gradually lost contact.
The gap in their status was too vast. Xiao Changshan had thought he would never have the chance to meet again in this lifetime.
Who would have thought that Dragon King would personally visit his home today!
Surprise and joy mingled.
Xiao Changshan happily ran over, excitedly saying, "Ah, you little brat, when did you get here? You didn't let me know in advance!"
Dragon King laughed heartily, "I've been here for a while. Because you were at the Fan family banquet, I sat at your house for a bit and waited for you to return."
"Ah, you should have said so earlier." Xiao Changshan quickly asked the housekeeper to bring a fruit platter, "If I had known you were coming, I would have returned earlier. But after so many years without seeing each other, why have you suddenly decided to visit me?"
Dragon King's expression suddenly turned somber.
He slightly raised his head and looked at Xiao Changshan, saying, "Uncle Xiao, I came to see you tonight purely out of selfish reasons. I'm here to see you for no other reason than to save your life!"