Half an hour later, Shen Lang and his group sat at a table in the Tang family ancestral hall with Tang Wudi, where a lavish meal had already been prepared.
Outside, Tang Jiutian's family was being tortured by Tang Wudi, yet inside, Tang Wudi appeared calm and collected. He raised his wine glass towards Shen Lang and the others, saying, "Shen Lang, I toast you this cup to thank you for clearing up a lot of trouble for me."
With that, Tang Wudi drained his wine in one gulp.
Seeing this, Shen Lang smiled and asked, "Uncle Tang, where did you get this body?" Shen Lang had seen Tang Wudi's original appearance, so he felt unaccustomed to the Tang Wudi before him and inquired.
"I modified it myself. It's quite similar to a normal person's body," Tang Wudi replied to Shen Lang. "After Paradise Island, I thought I wouldn't have the chance to see you again. I didn't expect us to meet in Shu. It seems we are indeed destined."
"It's not destiny, but rather a twist of fate," Shen Lang said with a smile. "If Tang Jiutian and his ilk hadn't kidnapped my woman, I wouldn't have come to Shu, nor would I have met you. However, I truly didn't expect you to be Tang Jiutian's elder brother and to have taken control of the Tang Sect immediately upon your return. It seems my grievances with the Tang Sect can finally be put to an end." Shen Lang didn't care who his enemies were, but he was certainly pleased to have fewer of them, as having fewer enemies meant having more paths open.
"Rest assured, from today onwards, your grievances with the Tang Sect are settled. No one from the Tang Sect will move against you again," Tang Wudi, clad in grey and appearing gentle and refined, smiled at Shen Lang. "You are Shen Tianjun's son and Song Shadao's nephew, making you my nephew as well. If you encounter any trouble in the future, feel free to reach out to your Uncle Tang. Sometimes, your Uncle Tang is more useful than your father and your uncle."
"Haha, then thank you in advance, Uncle Tang." Shen Lang raised his wine glass and said, "Little nephew toasts you this cup, congratulating Uncle Tang on avenging your past wrongs and taking charge of the Tang Sect."
"Good, I accept your toast," Tang Wudi replied. "My nickname is 'The Great Demon God' because I am unpredictable and can be like a god or a devil in my actions. However, I am quite fond of my juniors." He then asked, "Shen Lang, when are you returning to Nanling?"
Shen Lang replied, "We plan to return to Nanling today."
"Alright, do me a favor," Tang Wudi said. "You must have heard what Tang Jiutian said earlier. I have a daughter in Nanling. I hope you can help me find her when you return to Nanling. Please help me with this as much as you can."
"Uncle Tang, rest assured, I will do my utmost," Shen Lang promised Tang Wudi.
"Good. In that case, I thank you," Tang Wudi said. "The Tang Sect still has many issues to resolve. Once all problems are sorted out, I will personally go to Nanling to find her, and we can have drinks together then."
"No problem. I will be waiting for your esteemed arrival in Nanling then," Shen Lang replied. As Shen Lang spoke, heart-wrenching screams could be heard from outside again. Shen Lang noticed Ye Shishi's face had turned a bit pale, clearly startled. He then said to Tang Wudi, "Uncle Tang, if you intend to kill Tang Jiutian's family outside, please grant them a quick death. This method of slow torture is harmful to heavenly harmony and virtue."
"Very well… for your sake, I will grant them a swift end." Tang Wudi was not one to easily grant favors, but Shen Lang was the son of an old friend. Therefore, he did not refuse Shen Lang's request. He then instructed a Tang Sect disciple in the distance, "Pass down the order. All of Tang Jiutian's family members are to be beheaded instead of being subjected to slow torture. Grant them a swift death."
"Yes!" Tang Wudi's command was quickly relayed, and the sounds of blades striking were heard, followed by the complete cessation of screams.
"Uncle Tang, thank you for granting this favor. We will take our leave." Shen Lang knew Ye Shishi disliked bloodshed. He clasped his fists to Tang Wudi, bid farewell, and then left the Tang Sect with Ye Shishi and Dugu Jian.
Two hours later, Shen Lang and his entourage boarded a plane back to Nanling, thus concluding their trip to Shu.
"How did it fail again?" While Shen Lang and his group were flying back to Nanling, in a private hospital in Nanling, Wang Yuyan, dressed in white, sat by the window in a hospital room. On the sickbed lay a man and a woman, Bai Niao and Wu Ya. Seeing the two who were not lightly injured, a flicker of displeasure crossed Wang Yuyan's eyes as she said faintly.
"Miss, this time we have no defense. We are willing to accept punishment." Hearing Wang Yuyan's words, Bai Niao and Wu Ya were terrified and immediately jumped out of bed, their faces ashen.
"Bai Niao, Wu Ya, you have disappointed me," Wang Yuyan sighed, looking at the two. "You had two chances to make Ye Shishi disappear, but due to your incompetence, the mission has failed repeatedly. It will be even more difficult to make Ye Shishi disappear in the future." She continued, "I will not punish you, but I don't wish to see you again. From now on, you will be responsible for company matters. Other tasks will be handled by Wa Wa." With that, Wang Yuyan stood up and strode out of the room. Watching Wang Yuyan's retreating figure, Bai Niao and Wu Ya looked extremely crestfallen.
After leaving the room, Wang Yuyan's cold expression quickly turned into a smiling one, as if nothing had happened. Half an hour later, Wang Yuyan returned home. After taking out her phone and making a call, she began to cook.
Meanwhile, on the plane, Shen Lang had fallen into a deep sleep. Ye Shishi walked to the seat behind Dugu Jian and sat down, saying, "Bai Niao and Wu Ya targeted me again this time, but they didn't manage to break into Tongtian Pavilion."
"I know!" Dugu Jian replied. "Ever since you were captured, everything has been under my control. However, they are indeed persistent pests. They smell trouble and come sniffing around. It seems they are indeed targeting you." He continued, a cold glint flashing in his eyes, "Do you need me to kill them?"
"No need. They are just pawns. Killing them will be futile. If they die, others will take their place. Instead of scooping water to quench a fire, it's better to remove the firewood from under the pot," Ye Shishi said with a smile. "Perhaps it's time to confront her."
"You already know who is directing them from behind the scenes?" Dugu Jian asked in shock upon hearing Ye Shishi's words.
"I suspected it last time, but I wasn't so certain then. Now I am sure," Ye Shishi replied. "Many people thought she was a blank slate, and even I was deceived by her for a long time. Now it seems she is the one who has been hiding the deepest. Gu Qinghan's unannounced departure must also be related to her. It's time for her true colors to be revealed."