Xiao Yunlong's expression was calm as he ate breakfast and said, "It's not as serious as you say, Third Uncle. It's just the Lei family of Jiangdong. I'll handle it."
"You'll handle it? With what? This is the provincial capital of Jiangdong, not that tiny Sucheng. If you hadn't caused trouble in Chuan City, our Tang family wouldn't be in such a sorry state because of you!"
Tang Tianbao snorted coldly and continued, "Alright, it's come to this, and I don't want to argue with you anymore. For your deceased mother's sake, our Tang family will clean up your mess one last time, so your Xiao family doesn't go extinct."
"Listen carefully, leave Jiangdong immediately, and get as far away as you can!"
Xiao Yunlong couldn't help but grin upon hearing this. He knew that although his Third Uncle Tang Tianbao put on a stern face, he still cared about him, just expressed it differently.
"Third Uncle, don't worry. After breakfast, I'll come find you. I'm not leaving Jiangdong!" Xiao Yunlong said with a smile.
"You... you troublemaker, just like your father. Stubborn to the core. Just get lost! Haven't you caused us enough trouble..."
Before Tang Tianbao could finish, Xiao Yunlong hung up the phone.
"What's wrong, Yunlong? Did something happen?" Liu Ruyan asked, looking up.
"Nothing much. It's just the Lei family planning revenge. Go to the film set after breakfast, and I'll handle it," Xiao Yunlong waved his hand.
Liu Ruyan nodded and said, "Then you be careful."
After breakfast, the crew's special car arrived. Liu Ruyan got in and drove away.
Xiao Yunlong, along with Jun Bufan and Liang Bendao, drove quickly to the Tang family.
They had been in Jiangdong for two days. During this time, Jun Bufan had met some of his family's friends in Jiangdong, while Liang Bendao had stayed at the villa, only going out a few times with Xiao Yunlong. He had no personal outings.
Liang Bendao always appeared diligent, always offering to drive and maintaining a low profile, appearing to be an impeccable subordinate.
Xiao Yunlong was quite satisfied with this. He had even given him some pointers that morning. Liang Bendao's talent was not bad; at this pace, he should break through to become a true master of Huajin in no time.
However, Xiao Yunlong couldn't be sure of Liang Bendao's true intentions or his ultimate goals based on this alone. After all, the more diligent and perfect someone appeared, the more likely there was something amiss.
But then again, if Liang Bendao remained loyal, Xiao Yunlong wouldn't mind cultivating him. But if he harbored any ill intentions...
"I hope you don't disappoint me, and don't disappoint your father!" Xiao Yunlong sighed inwardly.
Half an hour later, the car stopped at the entrance of the old Tang family villa. Xiao Yunlong walked in.
Although it was still early, the Tang family courtyard was already in chaos, as noisy as a marketplace.
"What did I say? I told you long ago that Xiao Yunlong is a troublemaker. As soon as he arrived in Jiangdong, he provoked the Lei family and even broke the arm of the Lei family's young master, Lei Fengbao. Hasn't this bastard caused us enough trouble?"
Auntie Ni Hongyan stood under the eaves of the hall, cursing loudly. She was clearly directing her words to Old Master Tang Zengshou, who was watering flowers in the courtyard.
However, Tang Zengshou seemed too lazy to bother with his daughter-in-law, continuing to tend to his colorful flowers.
Third Aunt pouted, "We should have kicked this troublemaker out back then, but it's too late now. The Lei family has issued an ultimatum. If we don't hand over the person, the Lei family will attack us. The Lei family is a prominent family in Jiangdong, not someone we can afford to offend!"
"Old Master, say something! This is an emergency. What should we do about this? Should we hand over that bastard Xiao Yunlong or not!"
Seeing that the Old Master still remained silent, Third Aunt finally lost her patience and shouted angrily.
"Yes, old man. Yesterday you insisted on not letting that troublemaker go, and now that he's caused trouble, you're silent?" Auntie Ni Hongyan also shouted.
Old Master Tang Zengshou still didn't speak, only shaking his head and sighing inwardly.
He had learned about what happened at the Taekwondo gym later. Xiao Yunlong had broken Lei Fengbao's arm to protect Tang Zijun's dignity; in other words, Xiao Yunlong was standing up for Tang Zijun.
But Ni Hongyan and the other didn't see this, shifting the blame to Xiao Yunlong without any regard for the facts. This was why Old Master Tang Zengshou sighed in disappointment.
Eldest cousin Tang Bowen remained in his wheelchair, saying nothing. He usually didn't participate in such family arguments. Perhaps after his legs were crippled, he had lost all hope.
As for Tang Zijun and Tang Wenya, they were hiding in the living room, afraid to come out.
They had originally planned to keep the incident at the Taekwondo gym a secret from their family. So, after returning home last night, they acted as if nothing had happened.
They had hoped that the Lei family would directly cause trouble for Xiao Yunlong and eventually kill or cripple him. That way, he wouldn't compete with them for the family fortune anymore.
However, Tang Zijun and the other had never expected that the Lei family would send people to the Tang family early this morning to issue an ultimatum, demanding that the Tang family hand over Tang Zijun and Xiao Yunlong to the Lei Bao Martial Arts Hall, or the Lei family would take action against the Tang family.
Third Uncle Tang Tianbao had been making phone calls all morning. After hanging up, he said, "Dad, I just contacted a few friends. I wanted to ask them to mediate, but as soon as they heard we offended the Lei family, none of them dared to help."
"Our roots in Jiangdong are too shallow. I think if all else fails, you'll have to swallow your pride and ask Fourth Sister's family to step in."
Old Master Tang Zengshou finally finished watering the flowers and said, "No need. We don't need to get involved in this."
"We don't need to get involved? Dad, do you mean we're no longer going to care about that brat Xiao Yunlong's life or death, and just let him fend for himself?" Third Uncle Tang Tianbao asked in surprise.
Before the Old Master could speak, Auntie said, "Yes, Old Master, you're absolutely right this time. This matter isn't ours to handle, and we can't do anything about it. Let that brat Xiao Yunlong fend for himself!"
Third Aunt clamored, "But the Lei family has already issued an ultimatum. They not only want us to hand over that troublemaker Xiao Yunlong, but they also want us to hand over Zijun. Let's be clear, we can let that brat Xiao Yunlong fend for himself, but Zijun, we absolutely cannot hand over!"
Old Master Tang heard this and looked at his two daughters-in-law, shaking his head in profound disappointment.
Third Uncle Tang Tianbao said, "Father, if it's really necessary, you should call Xiao Yunlong and tell him to leave Jiangdong quickly. He only listens to you!"
"I said it's not necessary. We'll talk about everything when Yunlong arrives!" Old Master Tang said, putting down the watering can and walking towards the rattan chair with his hands behind his back.
Just then, Xiao Yunlong walked in.
"You brat, didn't I tell you to leave Jiangdong immediately? Why are you still here? Are you really not afraid of death, or do you think the Lei family won't dare to kill you?" Tang Tianbao said sternly upon seeing Xiao Yunlong.
Xiao Yunlong chuckled, "If I leave, what will happen to you all? I told you, I caused this trouble, and I will resolve it."
"Well said, I didn't expect you troublemaker to have some conscience. Since that's the case, you go to the Lei Bao Martial Arts Hall yourself, and tell the Lei family that you'll bear this matter alone and not involve our Zijun," Third Aunt said coldly.
"That goes without saying," Xiao Yunlong shook his head and smiled, then said, "Third Uncle, you know where the Lei Bao Martial Arts Hall is, right? Lead the way."
Third Uncle Tang Tianbao was stunned, instinctively thinking he had misheard. He asked, "Xiao Yunlong, are you really going to the Lei Bao Martial Arts Hall?"
"Of course. Didn't I say I'll settle this? A mere Lei family, I don't take them seriously!" Xiao Yunlong said with his usual expression.
Eldest cousin stared at Xiao Yunlong with surprise, as if trying to see through him.
Among those present, only Old Master Tang remained calm. After all, he was the only one in the entire Tang family who knew Xiao Yunlong's true identity.
He wasn't worried about his grandson at all. Compared to the King of Zhenbei of Longguo, a mere Jiangdong Lei family was like an ant on the ground.
"Tianbao, you go with Yunlong," Tang Zengshou said at this moment.
"No, if Tianbao goes, how can the Lei family let him off easily!" Third Aunt shook her head.
Auntie Ni Hongyan said, "But if Third Brother doesn't go, what if this brat Xiao Yunlong deceives us and runs away midway?"
"That's true. In that case, Tianbao, you only escort him to the entrance. Once you confirm Xiao Yunlong has gone in, you leave quickly, understand? As long as the Lei family sees Xiao Yunlong showing up, their anger will probably subside by half, and then they probably won't do anything to Zijun," Third Aunt said matter-of-factly.
"Alright, I'll go!" Third Uncle Tang Tianbao nodded after thinking.
"Then let's go!" Xiao Yunlong said, turning and walking away.
He had originally thought the Lei family had sent people to cause trouble for the Tang family, which was why he rushed over. If he had known, he would have gone directly to the Lei Bao Martial Arts Hall.
Third Uncle Tang Tianbao thought for a moment and asked, "Dad, should I bring all the family bodyguards..."
"No, just you and Yunlong," Tang Zengshou said with a slight smile.
"Really not needed?" Tang Tianbao asked.
"Really not needed!" Tang Zengshou still had a smile on his face.
Tang Tianbao said nothing further and, steeling himself, followed.
Then, the four of them drove to the Lei Bao Martial Arts Hall.
Third Aunt let out a long sigh of relief, "That's good. Xiao Yunlong has voluntarily gone to the Lei Bao Martial Arts Hall, which should pacify the Lei family's anger. Now Zijun and the others are safe."
"I hope so. This kid is too much of a troublemaker. I just hope this doesn't implicate our Tang family, as we can't afford any more turmoil," Auntie Ni Hongyan said, turning and walking back into the house.
Third Aunt also went into the hall to comfort her two frightened children.
Old Master Tang shook his head and sighed inwardly, his face filled with disappointment.
Eldest cousin Tang Bowen, however, suddenly asked, "Grandpa, do you know something about Xiao Yunlong?"
Old Master Tang was taken aback and asked, "Bowen, why do you ask?"
Tang Bowen said word by word, "With your wisdom, Grandpa, you would never let Xiao Yunlong go to his death. Yet you strongly supported him going to the Lei Bao Martial Arts Hall. This can only mean that you are certain Xiao Yunlong will be in no danger on this trip. But our Tang family is simply incapable of resisting the prominent Lei family, so there can only be one explanation."
"This Xiao Yunlong is no longer simple. Grandpa, you definitely know something, right?"
As he spoke, Tang Bowen, sitting in his wheelchair, looked up at his grandfather without blinking.
Tang Zengshou stood there for a long time, not answering directly. Instead, he suddenly said with regret, "Bowen, among our Tang family's younger generation of three generations, you are the smartest. With your aptitude, you could have achieved great things. It's a pity that you are now..."
A flicker of pain flashed in Tang Bowen's eyes. He gritted his teeth and asked, "Grandpa, you haven't answered my question yet!"
Tang Zengshou sighed long and deep, "My grandson, five years can change a person or allow them to transform. Do you remember that eighteen years ago, a friend of mine who was skilled in divination and fortune-telling visited our home? Yunlong was also here then. Grandpa asked that master to calculate your destinies."
Tang Bowen stared intently at his grandfather, waiting for him to continue.
Tang Zengshou went on, "That fortune teller shook his head after looking at both of you. But when he finally looked at Yunlong, the master only said four words."
"What four words?" Tang Bowen immediately asked.
"Noble beyond measure!" Tang Zengshou uttered the four words calmly.
Tang Bowen was stunned, clenching his fists tightly, unable to speak.
Tang Zengshou sighed leisurely, "Originally, Grandpa didn't believe it. But now that I think about it, my old friend truly was a master of divination..."
Tang Bowen gritted his teeth, "Grandpa, is my destiny really so insignificant? Am I truly destined to be in a wheelchair for the rest of my life?"
Tang Zengshou looked at his eldest grandson with a face full of regret and said, "My grandson, do you know what the master finally told me?"
"What did he say?" Tang Bowen immediately asked again.
"He said that a person's destiny is not fixed. If an ordinary person can seize opportunities, for example, with the support and assistance of noble people, their destiny can gradually transform!" Tang Zengshou said.
Tang Bowen slowly looked up at the rising sun and said heavily, "I understand, Grandpa. I know what to do next."
Tang Zengshou nodded with satisfaction, reached out and patted his grandson's shoulder, then walked towards the rattan chair.
Although the grandfather and grandson seemed to say nothing, and others were confused by their conversation, they both understood everything.
Meanwhile, Xiao Yunlong and his group drove through three streets and arrived at the Lei Bao Martial Arts Hall.
The Lei Bao Martial Arts Hall was converted from an old welfare home. Although it was still in the old western district, it was quite large. After renovation, it looked quite presentable.
Many cars were parked at the martial arts hall. Looking through the iron gate, one could see many thugs dressed in black gathered in the courtyard.
Several key figures of the Lei family were sitting in the martial arts hall's main hall, including Lei Fengbao.
"Dad, I think the Tang family isn't going to hand over the person. What are we waiting for? Let's take all our men and attack the Tang family!" Lei Fengbao roared through gritted teeth.
A burly middle-aged man with a mustache sat in the main seat of the hall. He was Lei Fengbao's father, Lei Zekai, and the current head of the Lei family.
"No rush. Our Lei family has always operated in the martial arts world. Since we made a promise for ten o'clock, it will be ten o'clock. But don't worry, Baozi. If the Tang family dares not to hand over the person, I will bloody the Tang family today and avenge you!" Lei Zekai snorted coldly.
Just then, a guard at the gate hurried in and said, "Family Head, they've arrived. That kid has arrived."