Jiangning, the Su family.
Su Shanshui had already learned the news of the Han family's fall. Upon hearing it, he closed his eyes and couldn't help but sigh deeply.
To fall before one's ambition is met, makes heroes weep!
"What are Han Chengping and Su Cangshan up to, unable to kill even a mere Chen Jinqiao? They are truly a disgrace to our fathers."
Indeed, it held true that each generation was worse than the last.
Moreover, Su Shanshui also knew that Chen Jinqiao was heading towards the Su family, which was not good news for them. If they couldn't overcome this hurdle, they might collapse before dawn.
It wasn't that no one advised Su Shanshui to flee.
But the world was so vast, where could he escape to? Now, he could only place his hopes on good news arriving from the capital. As long as the battle in the capital was won, then any losses incurred now would be insignificant.
The Han and Su families would even be elevated to the top three families.
Worried, Su Shanshui called Han Sanli in the capital again, asking, "How is the progress in the capital? Have you dealt with Xu Hanchen?"
Han Sanli was in a bad mood, knowing that the Han family had been devastated by Chen Jinqiao. He said in a deep voice, "I am acting now, and the result will be obtained within half an hour at the latest."
"So troublesome?" Su Shanshui frowned.
"Didn't your people already place Xu Hanchen under house arrest? With a single command from you, Xu Hanchen would be riddled with holes."
Han Sanli's tone was grave, "It's easy for you to say. Xu Hanchen's four bodyguards are all top-tier experts. My men might not be a match for those four guards. Moreover, if the matter escalates and Xu Hanchen cannot be taken down quickly, there will surely be complications."
In short.
A thick layer of gloom hung over both of them, their future looking quite bleak.
Su Shanshui took a deep breath, "I can't help you in the capital. Handle matters as you see fit, but you must ensure Xu Hanchen is eliminated tonight."
"I understand," Han Sanli nodded.
Finally.
Su Shanshui said solemnly, "The fate of our two great families rests entirely on your shoulders. I implore you!"
"I will do my utmost!"
Su Shanshui hung up the phone first, looked up at the bright moon, and sighed faintly, "People today do not see the moon of ancient times; the moon today once shone upon ancient people."
About ten minutes later.
A servant hurried to Su Shanshui's back. Su Shanshui, already in a bad mood, became more impatient upon seeing the servant's hurried demeanor. "What is it? Rushing about, have you never seen a big scene before?"
"Patriarch, something has happened!" the servant said.
Su Shanshui snorted, "Chen Jinqiao has arrived, that's all. What's the big deal?"
The servant stammered, "No, Chen Jinqiao hasn't arrived. The major event I'm referring to is that the Third Master has suddenly arrived at the assembly hall to summon everyone from the Su family, claiming that you, Patriarch, need to provide an explanation!"
"What?!"
Su Shanshui spun around sharply, staring intently at the servant, his face contorted into a terrifying grimace. "Say that again, who wants me to provide an explanation?"
"It's... the Third Patriarch..." the servant said, enduring immense pressure.
Su Shanshui's pupils suddenly contracted to the size of pinpricks. He was trembling with rage.
The Third Master the servant mentioned was actually Su Shanshui's third brother, Su Shanxing—also Su Wen's grandfather. Ever since the elder patriarch of the Su family passed away, Su Shanshui, as the legitimate eldest son, had controlled all the important positions in the Su family. Su Shanxing had been gradually marginalized. Over the years, Su Shanshui had assumed Su Shanxing had resigned himself to being a mere noble prince, and thus had not been on guard against his third brother at all.
Now, Su Shanxing had the audacity to demand an explanation from Su Shanshui.
Wasn't this rebellion?
Su Shanshui tried to suppress his anger but found himself unable to. He said coldly, word by word, "Let's go, let's go to the assembly hall and see what this scoundrel is up to."
He hurried to the assembly hall and found Su Shanxing, who was usually amiable, now sitting leisurely in the main seat, meditating with his eyes closed, completely ignoring Su Shanshui. Meanwhile, Su Qing in the assembly hall was loudly scolding Su Wen, who was standing beside Su Shanxing.
Su Qing yelled, "You two get off that seat immediately, it belongs to my grandfather!"
Su Wen said calmly, "Su Qing, mind your tone. As far as I know, your father has been apprehended by Chen Jinqiao for illegal activities, and his whereabouts are unknown. You, the son of a criminal, have no right to stand before my grandfather and bellow. You'd best shut up!"
"You..."
Su Qing trembled with rage.
Just now, after learning of Su Hao's death, he thought he would legitimately become the sole heir of the Su family. He never expected that Su Wen, his former lackey who used to follow him around, would leap ahead and completely dominate him!
Who could tolerate this?
"Usurping power and position, your actions will disappoint the late patriarch. I hope you will not bring about your own ruin!" Su Qing gritted his teeth and said again.
This time.
Su Wen did not scold him.
Su Qing was about to say something more when Su Shanshui's cold voice suddenly came from behind, "What are you yelling about? Are you afraid no one can hear how loud your voice is?"
As the words fell.
Su Shanshui walked up to Su Shanxing, squinted at his third brother, and said coldly, "Shanxing, how many years have you been planning for this day? You never gave up on this plan from beginning to end, did you?"
Su Shanxing slowly opened his eyes and looked up at Su Shanshui standing before him.
Their gazes met in mid-air.
Su Shanshui was secretly astonished, for he saw eyes that were extremely deep and full of wisdom, which also made him lament how well Su Shanxing had disguised himself all along, causing him to forget Su Shanxing's threat.
"Big brother, you have gone astray. I cannot stand idly by while the Su family heads towards destruction under your leadership, so I hope you will surrender yourself to the Public Security Bureau," Su Shanxing said calmly, which made Su Shanshui laugh out loud. Su Shanshui retorted, "What law have I broken? I don't know!"
As the saying goes, those who steal a hook are punished, while those who steal a country are lords.
Su Shanshui was unwilling to admit defeat, believing there was still room for maneuver.
As long as Han Sanli could kill Xu Hanchen, Chen Jinqiao would not be able to stir up any significant trouble; he could be suppressed with a wave of his hand.
Su Shanxing shook his head and sighed, "Big brother, your obsession is too deep. The Su family was not meant to be like this. No matter how much you deny it, you cannot change the negative image the Su family has in the hearts of the people of Jiangnan. Here, I hope big brother will cease now and refrain from further evil deeds that harm the populace."
Su Shanshui was almost choked to death by anger.
He pointed at Su Shanxing and cursed, "You traitor! Do you really think you are the master of the Su family now? Your current actions are merely a monkey wearing a crown, the behavior of a clown. The Su family is still firmly under my control. With a single word from me, I can make you get off this chair."
Su Shanxing no longer responded.
Su Shanshui immediately shouted for people to drag Su Shanxing away, saying, "Whoever makes the first move, I will reward them with wealth and glory."
As the words fell.
The expected fervent scene did not occur. Instead, it was dead silent.
Su Qing also hurriedly ordered people to act, but no one was willing to listen to the futile roars of this pair, remaining motionless in their positions, let alone lay a hand on Su Shanxing.
Seeing this, Su Shanshui was greatly alarmed. After a brief moment of thought, he looked at Su Shanxing in horror. "You, when did you start bribing the entire Su family? Why have I never known about such a big matter? Your actions are simply digging up our Su family's century-old foundation. The Su family will be destroyed by your hands sooner or later."
"It is merely rectifying chaos. What wrong have I done?" Su Shanxing retorted.
"Hahaha!"
Su Shanshui threw his head back and laughed, his expression filled with sorrow. "Well said, 'rectifying chaos.' I stand here, and I want to see how you intend to rectify it!"
Seeing his elder brother's frantic demeanor, Su Shanxing said with great disappointment, "A person unworthy of their position should step down. Today, I will use your head, elder brother, to continue the Su family's legacy for another hundred years."
"Guards!"
"Control the criminal Su Shanshui and hand him over to Chen Jinqiao for disposal when he arrives at the Su family."
As the words fell.
Su Shanshui roared at Su Shanxing, spewing all sorts of unpleasant words, but the Su family servants obediently stepped forward, restrained Su Shanshui, and forced him to kneel on the ground.
This scene, witnessed by many Su family disciples, deeply shocked them.
At the same time.
The roar of engines could be heard from outside the Su family gardens. Chen Jinqiao, leading Yang Qinuhu and others, arrived at the Su family.