Back at the Tianfu Villa, Lu Fan let Lin Ke go in alone, while he himself went outside the villa, his expression turning indifferent.
"My lord, the matter has been handled," Han Yunhai said. "When the time comes, they will have no escape, and we can catch them all!"
"Well done!" Lu Fan nodded. "When the time comes to act, you only need to guard the perimeter. I alone will be enough!"
"This..." Han Yunhai frowned. "Wouldn't that be too dangerous for you, my lord?"
"The people of the Azure Dragon Sect are ultimately just ordinary people!" Lu Fan waved his hand. "Just listen to me."
Han Yunhai nodded solemnly, not daring to disobey Lu Fan's wishes.
In these seven days, Lu Fan had made all the arrangements. The Qin family's patriarch's birthday was approaching, and the other four hidden families would surely appear. Lu Fan was determined to investigate the events of eighteen years ago thoroughly.
Meanwhile, at the Qin family mansion, the Qin family elder frowned. "Why haven't I seen Qin Hai these past few days?"
"Reporting to the patriarch, Old Master Qin has gone out and has not yet returned!" a man said, cupping his fist. "Perhaps he went to prepare a birthday gift for the family."
"That would be for the best!" The Qin family patriarch smiled.
He had been dwelling on the events of eighteen years ago. Not long ago, he had learned of the Lu family's remaining scion. If he could present this scion as a birthday gift on his birthday, it would be the best outcome.
When the auspicious hour arrived, within the Qin family's gates, numerous guests came to offer their birthday wishes, bringing extremely precious gifts.
The entire Qin family was adorned with lanterns and colorful decorations, appearing peaceful. A hundred-meter red carpet led to the main hall, where a large character for "寿" (longevity) was written in the center.
All those who came to offer birthday wishes were prominent figures from Jiangnan, or martial arts experts, none of them ordinary individuals.
Amidst the crowd, Yang Ding Tian, following a middle-aged man, spoke with extreme seriousness. "Boss Zhao, this is my Yang family's heirloom, and my only hope! If I truly give it as a birthday gift, will I receive the Qin family's protection?"
"Rest assured, your heirloom is extraordinary. Old Master Qin will surely take a liking to you after seeing it. Then, for your Yang family to recover, it will be a mere word from him!" Boss Zhao said directly. "As for that Mr. Lu, Old Master Qin can make him vanish with a single word!"
"If that is the case, then this old man thanks you!" Yang Ding Tian said excitedly. Lu Fan had caused his family's ruin, and he had long harbored deep hatred. Now, this last chance, he would not let it slip away easily. Su Dan Novel Network.
"If we can rely on the Qin family, why would my Yang family not prosper?" Yang Jia Qi said proudly. "At that time, we will make him repay us a hundredfold!"
"Do not mention these matters for now. After the birthday celebration, I will bring them up," Boss Zhao said. "As for whether you can impress Old Master Qin, that will depend on the Yang family's fortune."
"If it weren't for your help, Brother Zhao, my Yang family would likely never have a chance to rise again!" Yang Ding Tian cupped his fist. "Boss Zhao has bestowed a great favor upon my Yang family."
"I am merely doing my best," Boss Zhao said with a sinister smile. "However, after this matter is settled, Old Master Yang must fulfill his promise and betroth Miss Yang to me."
"That is only natural," Yang Ding Tian quickly nodded.
"What?" Yang Jia Qi was suddenly startled. "Grandfather, what are you saying?"
"You shut your mouth!" Yang Ding Tian slapped her. "You have no say here. Listen to my arrangements for everything!"
Yang Jia Qi's eyes were red, and she felt like crying but had no tears.
When they reached a corner, Yang Ding Tian quickly comforted her. "Boss Zhao is wealthy and influential. Following him will not be a disadvantage. If he hadn't introduced us, our Yang family would have no chance of turning things around!"
"But he is short and fat, and his daughter is as old as I am," Yang Jia Qi said repeatedly. "I disagree. I am your granddaughter, after all. How can you demean me like this, Grandfather?"
"You ungrateful wretch! I asked you to marry him back then, but you tore up the marriage contract!" Yang Ding Tian cursed. "Now that the Yang family is ruined because of you, you must agree to this matter whether you want to or not!"
Yang Jia Qi looked regretful. No matter how incompetent Lu Fan was, he was far better than Boss Zhao. Moreover, Lu Fan now controlled Taikang Pharmaceutical, and even the Azure Dragon Sect treated him with respect. In Qingzhou, he could already do as he pleased.
Meanwhile, in the main hall of the Qin family, the distinguished guests were seated. As for others, they could only stand outside the main hall, their status clearly demarcated.
Even Boss Zhao could only stand outside the main hall, having no qualification to enter.
Guests continued to arrive to offer birthday wishes, and the scene became quite grand.
Among the arriving crowd, a father and daughter were conversing.
"Dad, how come I've never heard of such a prominent family in Qingzhou!" Bai Xue said. "We have no prior connection with them, yet we still have to personally come to offer birthday wishes!"
"You don't know, but the Qin family is a hidden family, and they are incredibly wealthy," Bai Tian Cheng said. "Let alone Qingzhou, even the big figures in Jiangnan have to be humble. Although we are here to offer birthday wishes, we can't even enter the main hall!"
"This is too exaggerated!" Bai Xue looked astonished. "We are here to offer birthday wishes, so isn't this too disrespectful?"
"To enter the main hall, one needs a precious qualification," Bai Tian Cheng said directly. "We are merely uninvited guests, trying to make ourselves known!"
Bai Xue looked astonished. A family that could be so powerful was indeed quite frightening.
On the other side of the crowd, Boss Zhao kept looking at Yang Jia Qi with a sinister gaze, as if he wanted to devour her alive.
Yang Jia Qi's face was pale, and she felt a strong aversion. Unfortunately, the Yang family was powerless. If Boss Zhao really wanted to deal with him, it would likely be sooner rather than later. Thinking of this, he felt a wave of nausea.
"The Liu family of Jiangdong comes to offer birthday wishes!"
"The Ye family of Jiangbei comes to offer birthday wishes!"
"The Wang family of Hainan comes to offer birthday wishes!"
...
Sounds echoed one after another. Behind each resounding voice was a vast family. Only powerful families had the confidence to directly enter the Qin family's main hall.
The Qin family patriarch sat in the center of the main hall, his face filled with satisfaction. The Qin family, after years of韬光养晦 (hiding one's strength and biding one's time), had reached its peak. As the patriarch of the Qin family, he was naturally pleased.
"Old Master Qin is getting younger and younger!"
"Indeed! Old Master Qin is truly strong and vigorous!"
Complimentary remarks echoed within the main hall. Everyone wore smiles of flattery. This was the Qin family, a hidden family that any power would want to curry favor with.
"The Lu family of Jiangnan comes to offer birthday wishes!"
A loud announcement rang out, and the Qin patriarch, who had been smiling broadly, suddenly changed his expression.
The Lu family of Jiangnan, that name had been erased eighteen years ago. Why did it appear at his birthday banquet now?
Boom...
A deafening sound echoed. At the very front of the main hall, a large red coffin was placed neatly outside the hall, directly facing the main gate.