Zhou Haoyu burst into wild laughter.
"Yes."
The bodyguard in black spoke in a low voice.
All affairs of the Zhou family were managed by Zhou Haoyu, and this bodyguard in black was responsible for assassination missions, specializing in killing high-ranking personnel within rival families.
"Tomorrow, summon that woman, sever this brat's head, and send it to the Zhou family ancestral hall to commemorate my deceased second uncle," Zhou Haoyu said slowly.
"Your command."
The bodyguard in black acknowledged the order.
"Also, for the next few days, monitor everyone in the Zhou family closely, including Zhou Ming. Don't let him slip away. Make sure to find him," Zhou Haoyu added.
"Yes." The bodyguard in black replied and then turned to leave.
"Hmph, you won't get away!" Zhou Haoyu sneered, a cold glint in his eyes.
The next morning.
"Hey, Zhou Yan, you unfilial son, how dare you steal my jade pendant? Hand it over quickly, or I'll break your legs."
"Damn it, how could I run into this crazy old man."
Zhou Yan trembled, gritting his teeth, his eyes filled with hatred.
He never expected that it would be Zhou Ding he encountered.
This madman usually didn't pay attention to family matters, so how did he suddenly appear and even know about his stealing the jade pendant.
This was troublesome.
This jade pendant was definitely an extremely valuable item. If it fell into Zhou Ding's hands, it would surely cause great trouble.
"Old man, you've misunderstood. I don't know anything about the jade pendant you're talking about," Zhou Yan quickly explained.
"Stop playing dumb with me. I've already sent people to investigate. That jade pendant has a 'Zhou' character on it. It must be you who stole it. Don't argue."
Zhou Ding roared.
"Old man, you've misunderstood. It's really not me. How could I possibly steal something?" Zhou Yan said with a wronged expression, his face full of grievance.
"I don't have time to talk to you. Hand over the jade pendant immediately, or don't blame me for taking it myself," Zhou Ding said coldly.
This jade pendant was too important to him; it concerned the rise and fall of the Zhou family.
"Old man, please listen to my explanation. I didn't take that jade pendant at all. It was stolen by a thief."
Zhou Yan broke out in a cold sweat, explaining frantically.
He dared not lie.
After all, he had indeed stolen the jade pendant. If Zhou Ding found out, he would probably kill him on the spot.
...
At this moment, at the Zhou family ancestral home.
In a quiet garden, two people sat opposite each other.
"Dad, don't worry. We've made all the arrangements. That Zhou Yan is doomed."
Zhou Wenbin's face was grim, his eyes flashing with ferocity.
Beside the tea table in front of him, a deck of playing cards was laid out.
"Wenbin, I've always been satisfied with your work," Zhou Ding nodded, speaking with approval.
Then, he frowned, "However, that bastard Zhou Yan, although an illegitimate son, is still blood of the Zhou family. You must do it cleanly and decisively. Don't leave any loose ends."
If the bloodline of the Zhou family's legitimate line fell into the wrong hands and was discovered by Zhou family enemies, the consequences would be extraordinary.
"Heh heh, father, please rest assured. Last night, I dispatched four Hua Jin Grandmasters, stationed at every corner of the Zhou family. Any disturbance will not escape their senses," Zhou Wenbin said sinisterly.
"Good. Well done. This way, that little beast, no matter how powerful, will not be able to escape," Zhou Ding nodded slightly, looking quite pleased.
Zhou Wenbin was his eldest son, with extraordinary talent. He began cultivating at the age of five and reached Hua Jin at seven.
As for the four Hua Jin Grandmasters he mentioned, they were all experts he had secretly trained, each possessing extraordinary strength.
"By the way, I don't know how that little beast got involved with the Qin family. Now, who in Yunzhou City dares to provoke him? You should try to avoid any conflict with him for the time being,"
Zhou Ding continued to instruct.
"Dad, don't worry, I won't provoke him,"
Zhou Wenbin vowed.
Zhou Yan was just a good-for-nothing. He had no skills other than leeching off others. Zhou Wenbin didn't take him seriously at all.
What he truly feared was the mysterious Young Master Qin.
Zhou Yan was an illegitimate son of the Qin family.
He suspected that the Qin family might drive him out of the Zhou family to win Zhou Yan over.
This was something he could not accept.
"Right, Dad, do you think Zhou Hao has a chance to become a Xiantian martial artist this year?" Zhou Wenbin suddenly asked.
Xiantian martial artist.
They were martial arts powerhouses, possessing the power to move mountains and fill seas, to overturn rivers and overturn seas. Ordinary people had never witnessed such might.
Therefore, Zhou Wenbin asked out of curiosity.
His son, Zhou Hao, at the young age of nineteen, had already reached the peak of the Body Tempering realm, not far from becoming a Xiantian martial artist.
"Hmph, that good-for-nothing is dull-witted. Even if he worked hard for ten years, he wouldn't make any progress,"
As soon as this matter was mentioned, Zhou Ding snorted coldly, his expression filled with contempt, as if he were looking at a pile of garbage.
"Heh heh, that's true. How could Zhou Hao, that wimp, be worthy of being my son, Zhou Wenbin?" Zhou Wenbin grinned, sneering disdainfully.
"Alright, I'm going into seclusion. For the next few months, you'd best stay in your room and not go anywhere," Zhou Ding said, standing up and heading upstairs.
"Yes, old man." Zhou Wenbin replied respectfully.
Only after Zhou Ding left did a sinister smile appear on the corner of his mouth.
"Zhou Hao, after you fail, I'll come for you."
Zhou Wenbin's gaze turned cold, and he muttered to himself.
He had never considered Zhou Hao a threat.
Once Zhou Hao failed, all the wealth of the Zhou family would naturally fall into his son Zhou Xin's hands.
This was his goal.
And on the other side.
Zhou Yan walked along the road.
He had almost been unable to resist speaking out his suspicions just now.
"Sigh, this Zhou Wenbin is truly despicable and shameless. My brother is truly unlucky to have such a brother," Zhou Yan sighed.
In his previous life, he had heard about the shady dealings Zhou Wenbin was involved in behind the scenes.
He had even participated in a kidnapping case.
At that time, he was merely a collateral descendant of the Zhou family.
On that occasion, he had almost been killed by Zhou Wenbin, and it was Qin Heng who saved him and told him that the Zhou family was a mire, not worth being entangled in. Only by jumping out of this mire could there be hope for a prosperous future.
Zhou Yan's memory was vivid. He had kept every word Qin Heng spoke in his heart.
"I want to become stronger!"
Zhou Yan clenched his fist, his gaze firm.
...
Zhou Yan arrived near the Demonic Beast Forest and stopped in a patch of bushes.
He looked up at the Demonic Beast Forest, his eyes flashing with a strange light, his heart pounding, and his breathing quickening.
This Demonic Beast Forest contained immense treasures.
In his previous life, Zhou Yan had entered the depths of the Demonic Beast Forest many times to explore, obtaining countless precious herbs and numerous rare materials.