"This brat Shen Lang dares to swagger into Longdu, practically disregarding the Zhao family."
The white-haired elder roared, then slammed his palm heavily onto the table before him. The table instantly shattered into pieces, debris flying everywhere.
Zhao Ding Tian, the patriarch of the Zhao family, one of the five major families in Longdu, possessed a violent temper and a vindictive nature. He was a true madman.
The reason for Zhao Ding Tian's hatred towards Shen Lang was that Shen Lang had personally sent Zhao Ding Tian's most beloved grandson to hell.
That's right, colluding with the Sha Dao Hui, establishing a biochemical laboratory, and then capturing innocent girls for experimentation. Now that he was in the hands of the Bu Liang Ren, Zhao Ding Tian had already descended into hell. Even with the Zhao family's immense power, rescuing Zhao Sheng Tian was virtually hopeless.
Zhao Sheng Tian was the successor groomed by Zhao Ding Tian himself. But now, due to Shen Lang, he had met such a fate. Therefore, Zhao Ding Tian's hatred for Shen Lang was unimaginable. He had originally planned to lead his men to Nan Ling to slay Shen Lang. He never expected Shen Lang to boldly arrive in Longdu, which enraged Zhao Ding Tian to the point his eyes turned red.
"Old man, please calm your anger."
Seeing Zhao Ding Tian in a furious rage, a noble lady beside him quickly stepped forward to comfort him, saying, "Although Shen Lang is arrogant, he has the capital for his arrogance. He dared to kill the number one expert in Yang Country, which proves his strength. If you want to avenge Sheng Tian, I think it's best to reconsider."
The noble lady speaking was named Zhao Qing Di. She was Zhao Ding Tian's niece, but she also held another identity: the wife of the Kong family patriarch, and the mother of Kong Wu Dao.
Zhao Qing Di telling Zhao Ding Tian the news of Shen Lang's arrival in Longdu was clearly not to help her nephew avenge himself, but rather to incite Zhao Ding Tian's wrath, and then use the Zhao family's power to deal with Shen Lang.
"Deep-seated hatred. Without the enemy's death, this anger cannot be extinguished."
Zhao Ding Tian glanced at Zhao Qing Di, exhaled a breath of stale air, and said, "Qing Di, thank you for bringing me this news. You truly are a member of our Zhao family, always prioritizing the honor of the Zhao family. You may leave now."
"Yes, old man. I will take my leave then. If you need anything, please do not hesitate to ask."
Zhao Qing Di smiled slightly, then turned and left, leaving Zhao Ding Tian, who was filled with rage, and other Zhao family members in the living room.
"A married daughter is like spilled water. Although this girl still has the surname Zhao, she is essentially a Kong family member. She actually wants the Zhao family and Shen Lang to fight to the death, and then profit from it. Her schemes are very deep."
After Zhao Qing Di's back disappeared from view, Zhao Ding Tian exhaled a breath of stale air, the rage in his eyes diminishing somewhat. He said to the other Zhao family members.
"The Kong family is greedy and selfish. Women who marry into the Kong family will eventually become like them. This is not surprising."
As Zhao Ding Tian finished speaking, a middle-aged man slowly spoke, "Zhao Qing Di was able to give birth to a son like Kong Wu Dao. Her very bones are already Kong family. If she truly had feelings for the Zhao family, that would be strange."
The middle-aged man speaking was none other than Zhao Hua Shan, who had previously clashed with Shen Lang, and he was also Zhao Ding Tian's third son.
Zhao Ding Tian had three sons: Zhao Heng Shan, Zhao Kun Lun, and Zhao Hua Shan.
These three sons each had their strengths and were in different fields, but each was an exceptional talent. Zhao Ding Tian once said that his greatest pride was not in leading the Zhao family, but in having three outstanding sons.
"Third son, do you think we should listen to Zhao Qing Di's advice?"
Zhao Ding Tian looked at his youngest son and smiled, asking.
"We can listen, but not completely."
Zhao Hua Shan replied, "Although Shen Lang sent Zhao Sheng Tian to hell, the crimes of Zhao Sheng Tian colluding with the Sha Dao Hui to establish a biochemical laboratory and conduct biological experiments have been confirmed. If we retaliate, it will appear as though we are acting out of spite."
"However, Sheng Tian was the hope of the Zhao family. His destruction cannot go unavenged."
As Zhao Hua Shan spoke, he saw Zhao Ding Tian's brows furrowing, knowing the old man was losing his patience. He then quickened his pace, saying, "My suggestion is that we can avenge this, but we can do so in a more subtle way."
"Doesn't the Kong family want to borrow a knife to kill? We can do the same, using someone else's knife to kill Shen Lang."
"If Shen Lang dies by someone else's hand, it will not only protect our Zhao family's reputation but also allow us to avoid retaliation from Song Sha Dao."
Although Zhao Hua Shan was Song Sha Dao's superior, he knew that Song Sha Dao was actually a vicious wolf. Even though he hadn't bitten yet, once provoked, he would likely be the fiercest biter.
Furthermore, Zhao Hua Shan harbored some apprehension towards the leader of the Wu Shen Meng. He sensed that the other party seemed to be protecting Shen Lang.
"Oh… whose knife do you wish to borrow?"
Upon hearing Zhao Hua Shan's words, Zhao Ding Tian's brows slightly relaxed, and he asked.
"The Sha Dao Hui."
Zhao Hua Shan smiled and said, "Mei Lin was the Sha Dao Hui master's favorite son, but he died at Shen Lang's hands. Seven Seas Dragon King was the Sha Dao Hui master's sworn brother, and he also died at Shen Lang's hands. Even the Sha Dao Hui's young master, Suo Luo, is currently imprisoned in the Nan Ling Wu Wei Shu because of Shen Lang."
"It can be said that if there is anyone the Sha Dao Hui hates the most right now, it is undoubtedly Shen Lang. It would be a great waste not to use the Sha Dao Hui as a knife to kill Shen Lang."
"The Sha Dao Hui? That is indeed a sharp blade."
Hearing Zhao Hua Shan's words, Zhao Ding Tian pondered and said, "This blade is indeed suitable for killing Shen Lang, but isn't it a bit of a waste to use such a blade to kill a mere Shen Lang?"
"What does the old man mean?"
Hearing Zhao Ding Tian's words, Zhao Hua Shan smiled slightly and asked.
"I dislike the number five. I dislike it to an extreme degree. I wish that one day the number five becomes three, or even one. Do you understand?"
Zhao Ding Tian looked at Zhao Hua Shan, his eyes cold and frightening, and said.
"Old man's intentions, of course I understand. In fact, this is also our goal."
Zhao Hua Shan looked at Zhao Ding Tian and smiled, saying, "I also dislike the number five very much."
"Good, since you have decided, then proceed. I support you."
Zhao Ding Tian looked at Zhao Hua Shan with great satisfaction and said, "At necessary moments, you can mobilize the Yan Yun Eighteen Riders to act."
"Thank you for the old man's trust. I will not disappoint you."
Zhao Hua Shan was filled with excitement upon hearing this.
While the two were plotting, a colossal ship departed from Europe. An elder in black, leading twelve individuals, began their westward journey.
"A century of solitude, a single sword from the west."
"Shen Tian Jun, Song Sha Dao, Tang Wu Di. This time, I will slay you all."
The elder gazed in the direction of Dragon Country. His powerful killing intent caused the otherwise turbulent sea to calm down.