"You want to threaten me?"
Hearing Shen Lang's words, Kong Wudao sneered and said, "I'm sorry, but ever since I was born, I've never accepted threats."
"Shen Lang, you crippled my brother. I originally planned to deal with you later, but now it seems unnecessary."
With that, Kong Wudao waved his hand, and five men and women in suits behind him stepped forward and surrounded Shen Lang.
The youngest of these five was forty years old, and the oldest was a full seventy.
However, they did not appear to be elderly. Instead, they felt like fierce tigers released from their cages, exuding a terrifying aura.
"Kill him."
Kong Wudao's eyes turned cold, and he said to his five subordinates, "I'll deal with him later."
"Yes—"
These five were the Kong family's honored guests, absolutely loyal to the Kong family. Hearing Kong Wudao's command, they moved without hesitation, preparing to attack Shen Lang.
However, just then, a voice suddenly rang out, interrupting everything.
"Shen Lang, what are you doing here, you brat?"
The voice was deep and powerful, like the roar of a lion, causing everyone to stop and look towards the source of the sound.
Upon looking, they saw an old man, one meter eighty-five tall, burly, with sharp eyes, a full beard, and a murderous aura, walking over with a woman who was one meter seventy-five tall, wearing a white qipao, graceful, and as beautiful as a celestial being.
"Old Song, how have you become like this?"
Seeing the old man, Shen Lang didn't recognize him at first. After looking for a long time, he finally confirmed the other person's identity.
The last time he saw Song Shidao, he was a refined old man. How long had it been? Not only had he grown a lot taller and sprouted a beard, but his killing intent was now more ferocious than a wild beast's.
"Haha, it's a long story. We'll talk about it later."
Song Shidao was in a good mood upon seeing Shen Lang. He gave Shen Lang's chest a heavy punch and said, "You've become a lot stronger since I last saw you. You really are a beast-like fellow, but that's how a man should be built."
He then turned to the noblewoman beside him and said, "Shen Lang, let me introduce you to my sister, whom I've told you about. Her name is Song Qingyi."
"Greetings, Madam."
Shen Lang hadn't expected this noblewoman to be Song Shidao's sister, the one who had searched for her son for nineteen years without giving up. He felt immense admiration and respectfully greeted Song Qingyi.
Song Qingyi was very beautiful, no less than Wang Yuyan. Her beauty was not just in her appearance but also in the maternal radiance emanating from her.
Shen Lang was momentarily stunned, surprised that such a person existed in this world.
"Shen Lang, I've heard about you from my brother. You are a very good young man. I'm happy to meet you."
Song Qingyi was not only beautiful but also had a pleasant voice, as gentle as a soft breeze, making one feel incredibly comfortable.
After speaking, Song Qingyi extended her hand, waiting for Shen Lang to shake it.
Shen Lang was surprised that Song Qingyi would extend her hand first. He was momentarily stunned, but quickly recovered. He confidently extended his hand and shook hers, saying, "It is Shen Lang's honor to know you, Madam."
"Haha, don't be so formal, you two. You'll likely have many more opportunities to meet."
Song Shidao, standing beside them, said to Song Qingyi, "I really like this kid Shen Lang. I want him to join the Martial Guard and cultivate him intensively. You'll have plenty of opportunities to meet then."
He then turned to Shen Lang and added, "My sister makes the best pickled fish in the world. When you have time, have her make it for you."
"Old Song, don't joke. How could I let Madam trouble herself to cook for me?"
Shen Lang deeply respected Song Qingyi, even though it was his first time meeting her. He couldn't bear to let her go to any trouble.
"It's just cooking, nothing too much. Once I'm settled in Nanling, I'll invite you over."
Song Qingyi looked at Shen Lang with great tenderness in her eyes and said, "Shen Lang, I have a son. If he were still alive, he would be about your age now."
"Honestly, I don't know why, but from the moment I saw you, I felt a sense of closeness, a closeness I've never felt before."
"My brother told me you're also an orphan, a child who has lost both parents. I want to recognize you as my godson. How about it?"
"What?"
Hearing Song Qingyi's words, Shen Lang was utterly shocked. He never expected Song Qingyi to propose recognizing him as her godson.
It seemed Song Shidao was right. After losing her son, Song Qingyi had not emerged from her grief for nineteen years, still pining for her son, whose fate was unknown, or perhaps, who had long since passed away.
She was a great mother, and Shen Lang held her in the highest regard.
Seeing the sincerity and longing in Song Qingyi's eyes, Shen Lang didn't want to disappoint her. After a moment of stunned silence, he smiled and said, "Shen Lang is unworthy of such a favor from you, Madam. Henceforth, Shen Lang will treat you as his mother."
"Mom—"
As Shen Lang uttered the word "Mom," he found it came out naturally, as easy as drinking water, without any discomfort.
"Good child."
Hearing Shen Lang's words, Song Qingyi's eyes welled up with tears. She stepped forward and gently hugged Shen Lang, saying, "I never thought I'd have a son again after more than a decade. Heaven has been kind to me."
Afterward, Song Qingyi gently released Shen Lang. She took off a jade pendant carved from fire rain agate, shaped like a crimson dragon, from her neck and hung it around Shen Lang's neck. She smiled and said, "The crimson dragon is the totem of the Shen family. Every Shen family descendant is given a jade pendant carved from fire rain agate by their parents at birth. This pendant belonged to my son, Shen Qiye. After his plane crash, his whereabouts were unknown. This is the only thing found related to him. I've worn it all these years, and today, I give it to you."
"Madam, this is a memento from your son. How can you give it to me?"
Shen Lang was greatly alarmed and immediately tried to take off the crimson dragon jade pendant, but Song Qingyi stopped him.
Song Qingyi smiled and said, "What is given to you is yours. Don't take it off."
"Alright, Madam, I will definitely keep this jade pendant safe for you."
Shen Lang felt the weight of the jade pendant and an inexpressible warmth in his heart.
Seeing Shen Lang wearing the jade pendant with peace of mind, Song Qingyi's face showed the doting smile of a mother. Then, she looked at the four or five Kong family honored guests who had surrounded Shen Lang and said faintly, "Who are you people, and what do you want with my son?"
"You want to harm my son?"
The tenderness in Song Qingyi's eyes suddenly vanished, and she said coldly.
As soon as she spoke, on this hot July day, Qi Tuojiang and Kong Wudao and the others felt a chill run down their spines.