The bad news couldn't be kept hidden. Even with Ying Jiu's tight lips, word quickly spread from the crematorium.
Shen Shuzhen had fallen ill, and the Shen family had made a sudden about-face.
Everyone had their own scales in their hearts. If tonight was a battle doomed to failure, it was better to lie low, bide their time, accumulate strength, and fight again later.
Soon, even Liu Ying and Long Feicheng heard the news and came to find Yan Shouyi.
At this moment, Yan Shouyi was still lost in thought.
"Yan Shouyi, what's the situation?" Liu Ying said as soon as she arrived. "I'm not trying to be disheartening, but if we really can't win this time, we can just let everyone withdraw. We can find another opportunity to retake Qiantang later."
Long Feicheng also added, "Yes, Brother Yan, you must not be afraid to retreat out of fear of failing everyone's expectations. A true man knows when to bend and when to stand tall!"
"You both think I'll charge headfirst into tonight's battle?" Yan Shouyi asked, looking up. "Do you two really think I don't value everyone's lives?"
"That's not what we meant..." Liu Ying said, feeling a bit guilty. "It's just that the things I said to you before, I'm afraid they might have put too much pressure on you, causing you to make a wrong decision."
"Don't worry, I'm very calm."
"It's good that you're calm. Then let's quickly notify everyone to evacuate. It's still not too late to leave now," Liu Ying said, turning to inform everyone.
But to her surprise, Yan Shouyi directly stated, "We will still fight tonight!"
Liu Ying almost lost her footing and blurted out in shock, "Holy hell, didn't you just say you were very calm?"
"Brother Yan, you don't look too calm either..." Long Feicheng said weakly.
"I am very calm. I've calculated it. We can win tonight," Yan Shouyi said calmly.
Long Feicheng swallowed. "Brother Yan, without the Shen family, how can we win? Han San just called too, saying the Yao family seems hesitant."
Yan Shouyi said, "The key to everything lies with the Shen family, so we just need to deal with the Shen family."
"But the Shen family has already betrayed us!" Liu Ying said anxiously. "The Shen family is just cowardly. They probably knew about the Yu family's scheme back then, but they were afraid to oppose them and chose to suffer in silence. This time is probably no different!"
Yan Shouyi glanced at the sky and said, "There's still time. You two stay here and continue with the preparations. I'll go to the Shen family myself!"
"You're going personally?" Long Feicheng and Liu Ying were both stunned.
Yan Shouyi nodded. "I'm confident I can negotiate a deal. Even if it fails, with one phone call from me, you can evacuate immediately. I believe there will still be time."
Liu Ying also calmed down. She thought for a moment and said, "Perhaps it's feasible, but... bring me along."
"You?"
"I'm a storyteller, after all. I understand the Shen family better than you do. Perhaps I can be of some use," Liu Ying strongly recommended herself.
What Liu Ying said was indeed true. Without much thought, Yan Shouyi agreed. The two immediately set off, leaving the remaining matters to Long Feicheng.
When Ying Jiu heard that Yan Shouyi was going to the Shen family for negotiations himself, he was a little worried about Yan Shouyi's safety.
But Yan Shouyi's attitude was one of unwavering resolve.
He and Liu Ying were like envoys heading to a hostile nation for negotiations, with the possibility of not returning at any moment.
Success or failure rested on this endeavor.
Seeing that they couldn't stop them, Ying Jiu could only let them go.
The two got into the very cute BMW Mini and sped down the mountain.
Watching the car disappear, someone whispered, "Isn't Mr. Yan running away early?"
Hearing this, Zhong Yan was so angry that he threw a punch at the guy. "What the hell are you talking about? Mr. Yan isn't that kind of person! Besides, his best brother is still on the mountain. If he's not afraid, why should we be?!"
Others were also a bit worried, but what Zhong Yan said was also true. Long Feicheng, an outsider, hadn't left. Why should they?
This Qiantang was their Qiantang, and the crematorium was their crematorium. They would die here even if they had to, and they would never take half a step back!
...
Half an hour later, the two arrived at the Shen family's residence.
It was the rush hour commute. The planned journey should have taken a full hour, but Liu Ying drove like lightning, weaving through traffic at every opportunity, arriving at their destination in just half an hour. Yan Shouyi was so scared that he tightly gripped the grab handle, his face pale.
The last time he was this scared was in Rongcheng, when Lin Zitong took him for a joyride...
"You, how many red lights did you run on the way? Aren't you afraid of getting points deducted?" Yan Shouyi asked, still shaken.
Liu Ying smiled. "This car belongs to my master."
Yan Shouyi: "..."
Hearing the name Yin Tang, one could imagine him as a steady middle-aged man in his forties or fifties. He didn't expect him to drive such a cute car.
No wonder Liu Ying was so reckless.
However, this was a matter of life and death, so these details couldn't be dwelled upon.
As the two got out of the car, they saw a vast, ancient-style mansion ahead, with a plaque inscribed with "Shen Mansion" hanging above the entrance.
Liu Ying said, "The Shen family didn't compete with the Yu family for Qiantang's West Lake, but instead wisely chose the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal. While the canal isn't as financially prosperous as the West Lake, it's still a rare treasure trove of fortune. The Shen family has made a fortune precisely from the canal."
Yan Shouyi nodded. He had done some research on the way.
Looking at the imposing facade, Liu Ying asked, "How do you plan to negotiate with the Shen family?"
"Directly."
After speaking, Yan Shouyi walked forward and began to knock on the door.
After a moment, a tall, strong servant opened a gap in the side door and looked at the two vigilantly.
"Who are you?"
"My name is Yan Shouyi, and this is Liu Ying. We're here to see your Shen family's ancestors!"
The servant angrily retorted, "Your ancestors!"
Yan Shouyi was taken aback. He then realized that the servant probably didn't know about the Ghost King and thought he was cursing.
So, he adjusted his tone and said again, "I'm here to see your Shen family patriarch first."
"To see our Shen family patriarch, you must announce your name, and have someone recommend you. Our Shen family patriarch isn't someone anyone can see."
The servant didn't give Yan Shouyi a good look. Even though the patriarch was at home, he had no intention of going in to report, thinking he would deliberately make things difficult for Yan Shouyi.
But Yan Shouyi was not someone to be trifled with!
Moreover, time was of the essence, and not a moment could be wasted!
So, he twisted his ankle on the spot, and then with a flying kick, he kicked down the Shen family's main gate!
The servant standing at the side door was dumbfounded.
This main gate weighed at least several tons. An ordinary person couldn't even push it open, yet this kid kicked it down with one foot?!
After kicking down the Shen family's main gate, Yan Shouyi directly crossed the high threshold and shouted towards the Shen family:
"Yan Shouyi, descendant of Lu Ban, and Liu Ying, storyteller, seek an audience with the Shen family's Old Ancestor!"
Liu Ying, standing behind Yan Shouyi, rolled her eyes.
Is this seeking an audience?
Are you sure this isn't the posture of an enemy coming to settle a score?