The situation had developed to a point where both Han Lang and Gou Feng were caught in a mutual, unacknowledged state of worry.
In response, both parties had begun to meticulously plan around this issue.
Han Lang was primarily concerned that the Gou family and Jin Chunfeng might still have hidden trump cards that could threaten his family and friends.
Therefore, he was urgently pushing forward the construction of the Lingyue Mountain Villa complex, aiming to complete the deployment of the two major formations within the villa complex as quickly as possible.
Gou Feng, on the other hand, was deeply worried that Han Lang might retaliate against the Gou family due to their repeated targeting of the Han family. He was thus desperately seeking to meet Tang Haoran and Old Master Cao through Wang Shan, hoping they would intercede on his behalf and resolve this feud.
As it happened, Gou Feng was now in a great hurry to visit the Wang family.
The moment he entered, Gou Feng, with tears streaming down his face, knelt before Wang Shan with a "thump."
"Brother Wang, save me!"
Wang Shan, not understanding the situation, quickly stepped forward to help Gou Feng up, repeatedly asking, "Brother Gou, what are you doing? Please get up, get up! If you have something to say, just say it. Why the grand gesture!"
Gou Feng stood up, wiping his tears. "Brother Wang, this time you must save my Gou family! Do you remember the Han family I mentioned to you last time, the one that is affiliated with the Cao family?"
"I remember!" Wang Shan nodded blankly. "Didn't you say later that he had also hitched himself to the Tang family, which led to your previous competitive defeat?"
Gou Feng said with a troubled expression, "It's fortunate I failed! Otherwise, the rift would have been even wider! That eldest young master of the Han family, he... he is..."
Gou Feng suddenly stopped midway through his sentence, piquing Wang Shan's curiosity.
"What is it?"
Gou Feng collected his thoughts and solemnly asked again, "Brother Wang! Do you know about the existence of cultivators?"
Wang Shan chuckled, replying meaningfully, "Well... I've heard whispers! But what does that have to do with the Han family you mentioned?"
"It has a lot to do with it!" Gou Feng excitedly grabbed Wang Shan's arm. "The eldest young master of the Han family, his true identity is a cultivator! Even Brother Xiao Chang under Master Jin is no match for him!"
Upon hearing this, Wang Shan not only appeared unexpectedly calm but also seemed indifferent.
"I did hear Jin Chunfeng mention Xiao Chang's death in passing, but I also heard that the killer who killed Xiao Chang was apparently injured in the struggle! This suggests his strength isn't all that impressive!"
Gou Feng was now in a state of utter panic and did not bother to ponder the deeper meaning of Wang Shan's words. He simply replied anxiously, "Even if his strength isn't that great, he's still not someone a mere mortal like me can contend with. If he wants to retaliate against my Gou family, how could I possibly resist?"
"Hmph!" Wang Shan smiled contemptuously. "Then tell me, what do you want me to do to help you?"
Gou Feng swallowed deeply, then said, "Before, I thought the Han family was merely affiliated with the Cao and Tang families, but judging by the current situation, things might not be that simple. I want to ask Brother Wang to step forward and act as a go-between, to curry favor with the Tang and Cao families. They have good relations with the Han family, so they can intercede on behalf of my Gou family!"
Wang Shan was greatly astonished by these words. "You mean you want to back down?"
Gou Feng said helplessly, "I have no choice but to back down! A cultivator, such an existence, is not something my Gou family can afford to provoke!"
Wang Shan frowned and thought for a moment, then a hint of slyness flashed in his eyes. He replied with feigned difficulty, "Is that so? Then wouldn't my Wang family owe a huge favor to the Tang and Cao families? I need to consider this carefully..."
Seeing Wang Shan hesitate, Gou Feng could no longer sit still and immediately pleaded again, "Brother Wang! I beg you, if you don't help me with this, my Gou family will have no way out but death! I promise you, as long as you help me through this crisis, my Gou family will follow your lead from now on. If you tell me to go east, I will never go west!"
Upon hearing this, Wang Shan finally showed a satisfied smile. "Ah Feng, you're being too serious! We've known each other for so many years, how could I refuse such a small matter? Alright, I'll put my old face on the line. I'll contact Tang Haoran and Old Cao later. Are you satisfied now?"
Hearing that Wang Shan was willing to help, Gou Feng's face lit up with joy, and he thanked him repeatedly. "Thank you, Brother Wang, thank you, Brother Wang! I, Gou Feng, will definitely go through fire and water for the Wang family from now on, without hesitation!"
"Hey, words are not enough!"
Gou Feng was a little stunned. "This... do we need to draw up some kind of written agreement?"
Wang Shan laughed heartily and patted Gou Feng's shoulder. "Why so nervous? I was just joking with you! Haha..."
Gou Feng also gave an awkward laugh. "Heh... hehe..."
The next day,
At the Tang family villa.
Old Master Cao sat opposite Tang Haoran with a displeased expression. He complained indignantly, "Old fellow, we both know in our hearts that Brother Han's feud with the Gou family has been going on for a long time. If Brother Han hadn't repeatedly refused our help, I would have found a way to take down the Gou family long ago! Now, we have to meet him behind Brother Han's back. Your actions are inappropriate!"
Tang Haoran also had a helpless look on his face. "I'm helpless too! Wang Shan was very earnest, and we have to give him some face. Besides, I haven't promised him anything. Let's just see what they want to do!"
Old Master Cao was not buying it and turned his head away stubbornly like a child, not wanting to pay any attention to Tang Haoran.
Just then, Old Liu politely led Wang Shan and Gou Feng in.
"Oh my, Brother Tang, Brother Cao, long time no see!"
Tang Haoran, as the host, quickly stood up to shake hands with the two. However, Old Master Cao remained unmoved, as if he hadn't seen them, sitting there motionless.
Wang Shan and Gou Feng looked displeased but did not show it. It was only under Tang Haoran's warm welcome that they both took their seats.
"Patriarch Tang, Old Master Cao, my Gou family has nothing outstanding to offer. These few bottles of aged wine are my small token of appreciation. I hope you two will not dislike them!"
Old Master Cao glanced at the wine Gou Feng pushed over and snorted disdainfully. "Patriarch Gou, if you have something to say, just say it directly! I'm an old man, and when I stay in one place for too long, I tend to get drowsy. I'm not like you young people!"
Gou Feng felt a bit awkward hearing this. He was already in his fifties, and Old Master Cao's use of the term "young people" was clearly a jab at him.
But today, he was the one asking for a favor, so he had to humble himself when necessary.
Seeing this, Wang Shan quickly stepped forward to smooth things over.
"Yes, yes, Brother Cao is right. We are here today mainly to ask you two to act as mediators. I believe you know that my Brother Gou has some past grievances with the Han family. As Brother Cao said, we are no longer young, and we are tired of the squabbles in the business world. So we want to ask you two to mediate between the Gou family and the Han family. Harmony is precious in all things! Hehe..."
Wang Shan said with a smile, but to his surprise, Old Master Cao gave him no face at all.
"Hmph! Is it really just the squabbles in the business world? Doesn't Gou Feng know in his heart what unscrupulous things he has done?"