"Everyone, it's been a long time, still as spirited as ever."
Ignoring the stunned guests, Zhou Jian stretched and looked at Zhao Shengtian, Qi Tuojiang, and Kong Wudao. A lazy smile bloomed on his face. "My dad used to say I looked like a fake prince even when wearing imperial robes. Now I see it. Compared to your presence, I'm just a nobody."
"Young Master Zhou is too modest. You are the only male heir of the Tenglong family and will inherit it in the future. If you're a nobody, then what are we?"
Qi Tuojiang smiled at Zhou Jian and asked, "You've been very mysterious this past year. We brothers haven't heard from you. What have you been busy with?"
"Not much, really. I was busy researching theft before, but after I kicked that habit, I'm studying medicine now."
Zhou Jian chuckled, "If Young Master Qi has any health issues, I can take a look?"
"Young Master Zhou is joking. I'm in great health. But I am curious about your decision to study medicine. Why did you suddenly decide to become a doctor?" Qi Tuojiang asked with a smile. "Is it for fame as a minister, or fame as a doctor?"
"Haha, the world doesn't lack a profligate son, but it does lack a renowned doctor who can save lives. Being able to save a few people will be my lifelong ambition." Zhou Jian said, "Being a doctor, that's wonderful."
"If you become a doctor, who will inherit the Tenglong family in the future?"
After Zhou Jian finished speaking, Qi Tuojiang looked at him playfully and said, "That's a family business built over two hundred years by several generations of the Zhou family. Are you really not going to manage it?"
"I'd like to not manage it, but I can't." Zhou Jian sighed helplessly. "If I don't manage it, and it falls into the hands of my uncles and cousins, it'll likely be lost."
"They are all incapable wastrels. If the family business is controlled by them, it'll probably be annexed by your five great families within a few years."
"Haha, Young Master Zhou is joking. Our five great families have always preferred cooperation and aren't very interested in annexation."
The true nature of the five great families was to devour others, leaving nothing behind. Yet, even so, Qi Tuojiang and the others wouldn't admit to being predators.
"Young Master Qi, don't try to hide it. The five great families devour without spitting bones, but the Tenglong Zhou family is no saint either. Their two-hundred-year foundation is a testament to great achievements forged in conversation, and countless piles of white bones." Zhou Jian smiled, "Being a devourer is a choice I can't make, but not being devoured is a choice I can make."
"Young Master Zhou is overthinking. Our ancestors have laid the foundation for the family. As long as our generation cooperates, the family can prosper eternally." Qi Tuojiang smiled. "Mutual scheming benefits no one in the end. Let's cooperate more in the future."
"Yes, cooperation, more cooperation."
Upon hearing this, Zhou Jian smiled and said, "Young Master Qi, allow me to introduce someone."
"Oh, who does Young Master Zhou want to introduce?"
Hearing Zhou Jian's words, Qi Tuojiang, Kong Wudao, and Zhao Shengtian all turned their attention to Yang Junlin, assuming Zhou Jian would introduce him. However, to their surprise, Zhou Jian didn't look at Yang Junlin. Instead, he strode towards Shen Lang.
"Everyone, allow me to introduce Shen Lang, my master in medicine, and also my cousin." Zhou Jian said with a smile, pointing at Shen Lang.
"What?"
As soon as these words were spoken, the smiles on the faces of Qi Tuojiang and the other two froze. In an instant, the three of them felt as if they had been struck by lightning, their eyes widening.
Whether it was Qi Tuojiang, Kong Wudao, or Zhao Shengtian, none of them had expected Zhou Jian to have such a relationship with Shen Lang, let alone such a close one.
"Brother, are you also here for the engagement ceremony?" Zhou Jian, unaware of the feud between Shen Lang and Qi Tuojiang, or Shen Lang's purpose for being there, asked with a smile.
"Of course not. I'm here to arrest a criminal." Shen Lang looked at Zhou Jian and smiled, "You and Yang Junlin should be diligently studying with Senior Brother instead of coming here for a meal. I won't hold you accountable for this now, but I'll settle this with you later."
"From now on, this has nothing to do with you. Stand aside and wait." Shen Lang knew it wouldn't be easy to arrest Zhao Shengtian, so he didn't want Zhou Jian to get involved or be put in a difficult position.
"Brother, who is the person you're arresting?" Hearing Shen Lang's words, Zhou Jian asked with curiosity.
"Young Master Zhou, the person he's arresting is me." Zhao Shengtian stepped forward and said to Zhou Jian.
"Oh, it's you?" Zhou Jian was shocked and uttered this.
"Young Master Zhou, we are considered friends. I want to ask, if Shen Lang insists on arresting me, who will you help?" Zhao Shengtian asked with a smile, looking at Zhou Jian.
"That depends on why I'm arresting you." Zhou Jian replied with a smile, "If my cousin framed you with a trumped-up charge and arrested you, I'd turn against him for your sake. But if you've genuinely committed a crime, then I'm afraid, despite our friendship, I can't protect you. I might even step on you a couple of times."
Speaking to this point, Zhou Jian looked at Shen Lang and said, "Brother, what crime has Zhao Shengtian committed? Can you state it publicly? This way, I'll be convinced, and others will have no reason to interfere." Zhou Jian then patted his chest and declared, "As long as Zhao Shengtian has truly committed a crime, I guarantee that anyone who dares to harbor him will be killed on the spot by me."
"Yes, Brother, my stance is the same as Brother Jian's." After Zhou Jian finished speaking, Rong Haodong strode over and said to Shen Lang.
Seeing the stance of these two, Qi Tuojiang and Kong Wudao's expressions turned extremely solemn. As scions of influential families, they were willing to stand with Zhao Shengtian, even if he had indeed committed a crime. However, if standing with him meant making enemies of Rong Haodong and Zhou Jian, it seemed like a bad deal. After all, Rong Haodong's family ruled the northwest, and Zhou Jian's family dominated the south. The combined influence of these two was no longer something the Kong or Qi families could contend with.
"Alright, since you all want to know, I don't mind telling you." Shen Lang knew that Zhou Jian and Rong Haodong were backing him, so he stepped forward and said, "Zhao Shengtian has three major crimes:"
"First, colluding with the notorious international criminal organization, the Killers' Guild."
"Second, establishing a biochemical laboratory on Paradise Island in Nanling."
"Third, capturing innocent girls for biochemical experiments, leading to the deaths of countless girls."
Shen Lang's gaze was like a blade as he looked at everyone present. "Three major crimes. The evidence is conclusive and undeniable. If any of you stand with him, feel free to do so, but I guarantee that no matter how many of you band together, the outcome will be the same."