"Old Yang, what a rare visitor you are today?" Qin Feng sat on the sofa, observing Yang Yitian's placid expression while slowly preparing tea. Perhaps only Yang Yitian possessed the stature to warrant a head of state personally brewing him tea.

"I have come today for one purpose only: I want you, Old Qin, to give me an answer!" Yang Yitian stated calmly.

"An answer?" Qin Feng paused his movements, then smiled faintly at him, continuing the meticulous process of brewing the tea. Only after the tea was perfectly prepared, poured for Yang Yitian, and its aroma savored, did he ask, "What answer do you seek?"

"Are you helping that brat for some hidden agenda?"

That single sentence instantly halted Qin Feng, who had been about to take a sip. He frowned slightly, glancing at Yang Yitian before returning to his tea preparation. "Does that boy suspect me of such a thing?"

"Heh, Old Qin, stop playing coy. Just tell me honestly," Yang Yitian's placid demeanor carried a distinctly dangerous edge, at least to Qin Feng, who possessed the abilities of a Wind-aligned supernatural.

"Sigh... You two—grandfather and grandson—you're cut from the same cloth, always so suspicious," Qin Feng sighed, a hint of exasperation in his voice. "Old Yang, have you forgotten that he is the generation we, you, me, and Li Yang have all anticipated the most? Do you truly believe I would act against him?"

"It's not that," Yang Yitian took a sip of tea. "You should be clear about your current status!"

"Sigh, I admit, I have been swayed by personal feelings before."

"Oh? Finally admitting it?" A chilling glint flashed in Yang Yitian's eyes. Despite knowing Qin Feng as an old friend for years, a part of him had never truly believed Qin Feng capable of overstepping. Yet, this direct confession now stirred a murderous intent within him toward Qin Feng.

"Hey, hey, Old Yang. Can you please let me finish speaking first?" Qin Feng felt deeply helpless regarding Yang Yitian, and even more so regarding his duties as a head of state.

The truth was, many matters were beyond his direct decision-making power; there was someone above him. He explained, "Actually, you should understand many things. The one above me has already taken notice of your grandson. We can't just hand him an unrestricted cheat device, can we? Although the one above me also hopes for reform within China's underworld, your grandson's actions have been far too large-scale. He has to account for obstacles and dissuasion coming from all sides."

Indeed, just as Qin Feng stated, it wasn't only the paramount leader in China who was watching. Even figures ranging from founding Marshals to local officials had grown uneasy with the Black God Gang, whether due to the brutal methods employed or the immense impact of their operations. Those consumed by jealousy, viewing noble intent through the lens of petty ambition, had begun to challenge the 'General' of the Black God Gang, necessitating that certain actions be restricted and suppressed.

"I know all of that. I just want one specific answer from you."

"The same answer as before?" Qin Feng asked, confused.

"Yes!" Yang Yitian narrowed his eyes. "Old Qin, you must know about the matter concerning the two great lineage families of China."

"Uh—!" Qin Feng was startled. He hadn't brought up that matter in decades. Its sudden revival only deepened his confusion. "What exactly are you asking about???"

"The Heaven's Vein Clan is now targeting that boy, and it's being overseen by that old devil, Yang Xuan," Yang Yitian said, knitting his brows.

"What? Yang Xuan is targeting him?" Qin Feng's eyes widened instantly, displaying genuine shock.

"Yes. Only the three of us—you, me, and Li Yang—know the truth of that boy's lineage."

"Are you suggesting I leaked the information?"

"That's what I'm suggesting?"

"Damn it!" Qin Feng, despite his position as a high-ranking head of state, swore like a ruffian. "Old Yang, I'll give you the business! We've been brothers for decades! Of all people, you suspect me? And don't you know how off-putting your direct personality can be?"

Yang Yitian's lips twitched, a broad smile spreading across his face. The stone in his heart finally settled, as he could see from Qin Feng's eyes that he was not lying. However, the next moment, his expression turned grave. "Then tell me who leaked this information? I eliminated everyone who knew about this twenty-five years ago. For that boy to be targeted personally by that old man Yang Xuan today, this is no simple matter!"

"How should I know? But Old Yang, honestly, it’s best if you don't make any sudden moves now, or you'll alert the snake and complicate things!"

"Since both you and Li Yang say so, it seems that is the only way."

"Hell, you old scoundrel, you have no shame! You already went to question Li Yang, and now you come here..." Qin Feng looked utterly exasperated, taking a deep breath and regaining the composed demeanor befitting a head of state, looking at Yang Yitian with extreme disdain.

。。。。。。。。。。。。。。

"Three minutes left. Give the order, prepare immediately," Fatty Lin said to the Black God Guards behind him, checking the time on his phone.

"Yes!"

"Sigh, I actually have some admiration for Nangong San and those few others. To pass their family trials and become clan leaders in such a short time!" Ye Xiaohou seemed aware of a special rule within those ancient families: one must pass the test of the elders to inherit the position of Clan Leader.

"Admiration is for yourself. Brother Yi always told me, admire only your greatest enemy," Fatty Lin repeated the words, though he didn't fully grasp their meaning.

"Admire one's greatest enemy?" Ye Xiaohou seemed to grasp a fraction of the meaning upon hearing it. "It seems... Boss is truly unreachable!"

"He always has been. Sigh, though I've followed him since childhood, I've never truly understood him. My grandfather once said that Brother Yi is an inexhaustible treasure, baffling to comprehend!" Fatty Lin shook his head slightly, staring ahead as if Yang Yi was drifting further away from him.

"Three minutes remaining!"

Ximen Ling glanced at his watch, then looked at Nangong San and Tang Shen, who sat silently on the sofa. "Do we fight to the death, or do we listen to..."

"Who are those people outside?" Nangong San suddenly asked.

"I don't know!" Ximen Ling replied flatly.

"Brother Nangong, could it be that you..." Tang Shen seemed to sense Nangong San's thoughts and inquired.

"Let's go. We have completely failed this time. Whether we surrender or not is merely fleeting dust," Nangong San offered a smile filled with sorrow. "I just want to know who these people are that command our surrender!"

A man lives for dignity, and even knowing the outsiders were the Black God Gang, Nangong San seemed determined to push the point, needing to know precisely who had surrounded him—or more directly, which faction of the Black God Gang.

"Report, Dragon General!" A Black God Guard approached Fatty Lin.

"Speak!"

"There are three people inside who say they will surrender, but they demand an audience with the planner of this evening's operation!"

"The planner?" Fatty Lin frowned, glancing at Ye Xiaohou before smiling himself. "Fourth Brother, what do you think people live for?"

"I don't know, and I don't want to know. Because too many people in this world have water in their heads," Ye Xiaohou shook his head, clearly reluctant to discuss the topic.

In truth, what people lived for in this world, besides desire, was only more desire. Desire encompassed everything: lust, power, status, wealth, and so on. Some people were just terminally brain-dead, claiming today they live for dignity and tomorrow for a woman. That's why Ye Xiaohou was so unwilling to engage.

"Let's go. It's time to formally meet them."

"En!"

Fatty Lin and Ye Xiaohou walked toward the villa. As they reached the entrance, they saw Nangong San and his group, and their expressions instantly froze, replaced by looks of profound dejection.

"Unbelievable, truly unbelievable!" Nangong San said with deep melancholy.

"No need for 'unbelievable.' Today, you didn't lose to us; you lost to the entire Black God Gang. Therefore, your dignity remains intact, and you've preserved your lives. You should be satisfied," Fatty Lin said with a strange smile.

"Heh, what do you want now? Speak!" Nangong San's smile was more unsettling than tears, yet he felt relief that Fatty Lin and the others weren't adding insult to injury; otherwise, these three proud individuals might have fought to the death.

Qi! "My Dragon Lord has decreed that the Nangong, Ximen, and Tang families are forever barred from setting foot in Shanghai!" Fatty Lin glanced at him, then continued, "You understand the rest of the consequences without me needing to say more!"

Shu! "Alright, I understand. However, there is one question I wish to ask, if you would be so kind as to inform us? It might at least allow us to accept our fate willingly." Nangong San glanced at the burly men dressed in black, a dagger sheathed at their waists, holding submachine guns.

Ye Xiaohou seemed to anticipate what he wanted to ask. "Relax, this time there will be no humiliation like last time. We are all members of the second echelon within the Black God Gang!"

"What are they called? I knew your Black God Gang was formidable, but could it be that all these people are...?"

"In our world, the Dragon Lord only ever gives us one maxim: there is nothing impossible in this world. These men are the 'Black God Guards,' the Dragon Lord's personal bodyguards. Are you convinced now?"

"Personal bodyguards? Black God Guards?" The three of them visibly stiffened upon hearing this.

Fatty Lin sensed that the point had been made and immediately waved his hand. "Take them away!"

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