Chapter 202: Chapter 201: A Life-Saving Grace, Repaid a Hundredfold
Fear.
Unease.
Despair.
All kinds of negative emotions gripped the hearts of the Silver Blood Association members like an invisible hand.
The table had been cleared again, and the Linhai Army brought in a new spread of fine food and drink, but Ting dynasty’s early members had no intention of indulging. They bowed their heads with dark expressions, fantasizing about finding a way to survive this desperate situation.
But the more they thought, the more hopeless they became.
The Silver Blood Association’s three main tactics were nothing more than throwing money, wielding power, and resorting to violence.
Throw money, Lan Yan not only came for money, but even wanted to bleed the Silver Blood Association dry. The Silver Blood Association is intimidating only when facing ordinary people, but against the unfathomable Lan Yan, it turned into a gilded candle.
Wielding power, the Dongyang governor and Xuanzhu County’s governor had criticized him countless times. How would he care about Dongyang officials? "Your Dongyang official prestige is so great, I, Lan Yan, am wrong, and I dare it next time."
Violence...
The Linhai Army was about to flatten Dongyang District, the Silver Blood Association couldn’t even protect itself, let alone resort to violence.
A deep sense of helplessness crawled into their hearts.
It turns out.
Money is not almighty.
Having money doesn’t mean you’re all-powerful.
Now it’s the eve of chaos, Lan Yan said he would kill them, their families probably wouldn’t even dare to grumble, at most they would take out their anger on the Ting and Jing Families.
From this perspective, the Ting Family indeed played a brilliant move. To survive in chaos, money and guns are a must, or else you’re just a lamb to be slaughtered.
"What do you say?"
Quan Xin broke the silence at the table: "Is there any chance Jing Zhengwei could save our lives?"
Luo Zhen bit his finger: "Would he? But why would he save us? Because of our ’friendship’?"
"Just because we are heirs of various family businesses," Lan Jianbo said calmly, "the Linhai Army will eventually leave, if he abandons us now, even if he later becomes the chairman of Silver Blood Association, he will ultimately have to face criticism from various family businesses."
"Luo Zhen, you are the sole heir of the Luo Family’s patriarch, would he manage to swallow this anger of gray hair bids farewell to the black-haired? Quan Xin, though you are not an only son, you have the favor of your uncle, Dongyang Governor Quan Yuan, would Quan Yuan not avenge you?"
"Even you, Ting Second Young Master, don’t think that just because you’re an abandoned child the Ting Family won’t care. When your elder brother takes the position, whether he wants to or not, he definitely has to stand up for you, this is human ethics, also heaven’s reason."
"We can’t deal with the Linhai Army, can’t deal with Lan Yan, but can’t we deal with a Jing Family?"
"When the time comes, even if Jing Zhengwei becomes chairman it’s useless. We will jointly divide the Jing Family, other businesses will not side with him, because with the Jing Family down, everyone at Silver Blood Association can feast."
"If he doesn’t help us, the Jing Family is bound to face eventual destruction."
Lan Jianbo’s words made everyone immediately feel invigorated, however, Qin Leyin let out a cold laugh.
"Your optimism is indeed nice, but you better not forget, Jing Zhengwei isn’t a fool either."
"He is the appointed successor of ’Blackthorn.’"
"His younger brother Jing Zhengwu, father Jing Qingfu, died on the same day he took the position."
"His self-managed Youth Daily has made a name for itself, the elders of the Jing Family are submissive before him."
"And now he has two choices, one is to follow Lan Yan’s wish, kill you all and gain authority within the Silver Blood Association."
"The other is to oppose Lan Yan, save your lives and let you return to take control of the family and continue opposing him."
"What do you think he would choose?"
Luo Zhen’s face turned grim: "Even if he becomes chairman—"
"You would still retaliate against the Jing Family, ha ha, don’t you find your thoughts as childish as a kid saying ’I’ll never let you go’?" Qin Leyin laughed coldly, "even if your family is filled with grievances, as long as Jing Zhengwei represents the Linhai Army for one day, family businesses can only tremble and bow before Jing Zhengwei’s domination!"
"That’s right, I know what you’re thinking, the Linhai Army indeed cannot remain in Dongyang permanently, eventually Jing Zhengwei’s backstage will have to leave."
"But, do you think, Jing Zhengwei would let your family businesses survive until the day the Linhai Army leaves?"
Chilled to the bone, Quan Xin shook his head at once: "He couldn’t—"
"Why not?" Qin Leyin interrupted him: "Strike first, avoid disaster later, does Jing Zhengwei not understand this principle? You shouldn’t just think about the threats you pose to the Jing Family, but also consider the covetousness the Jing Family holds towards yours."
"If Jing Zhengwei happens to become chairman of the Silver Blood Association and using the Linhai Army’s deterrence, finds ways to drain our family businesses dry, making the Jing Family sole dominance, would he not completely control Silver Blood, becoming Dongyang’s biggest business winner?"
"On one hand, he saved you, letting you return and continue opposing the Jing Family; on the other hand, he kills you, wiping out Silver Blood’s younger generation, handing over proof to Lan Yan, and returning without qualms to act against the ten business families, gambling on a profit of ten thousand percent!"
"If it were you, what would you choose?"
"You were just racking your brains earlier to jot down conditions to win over Lan Yan for such an opportunity, weren’t you?"
"Or might you be thinking Jing Zhengwei is a kind-hearted good person? No way, right, no way?"
Qin Leyin’s words thoroughly crushed the last flicker of hope in everyone’s hearts.
Placed in that position, if they were Jing Zhengwei, they’re unlikely to save others.
That’s the ’friendship’ of the Silver Blood Association.
As if intending to vent his inner fears, Qin Leyin sneered again: "If you’re hoping for Jing Zhengwei to save you, you might as well expect yourself to suddenly have a conscience awakening, realizing you are actually a scum who’s lived too long, and can die in peace."
The factory fell into silence.
Suddenly, footsteps of steel-bottomed boots echoed.
Like the footsteps of death, gradually approaching them.
Still the old familiar face of Silver Guyue, he smiled, making a ’gesture’ of invitation: "Everyone, General Lan invites you. However, as you’ve been sitting for so long, you might not be accustomed to walking, come, help them out."
Each young man had two soldiers attending them, each soldier pinching an arm. Calling it ’helping,’ it was more like ’escorting.’
Realizing doom was imminent, yet not even the most quick-tempered Luo Zhen dared to resist, could only struggle feebly with softened knees.
"Let, let go of me, I can walk by myself!"
"Wait, wait, so soon? I’m Quan Xin, the Dongyang governor Quan Yuan is my uncle!"
"I want to see Lan Yan, I want to see Lan Yan!"
Between life and death, there is great fear, and it’s normal for the Silver Blood people to show their ugliness.
However, Qin Le Yin seemed to have mentally prepared himself, silently letting two soldiers escort him, following Yin Gu Yue quickly out of the factory.
It was already dark outside, the temporary military camp lit up with lamps, the Silver Blood Association’s group was brought to a large open area within the camp, which was filled with rows of steadfast soldiers, striking fear in the hearts of the Silver Blood Association members.
Is this for a military flag ceremony in front of the army?
We are at least envoys of the Silver Blood Association, can we not even get a dignified death?
But soon, they saw two familiar faces!
Lan Yan and Jing Zhengwei!
They stood at the front of the army, quietly waiting for the arrival of the Silver Blood Association members. Jing Zhengwei’s face was gloomy, seemingly unhappy.
When Ting Chaozao and others were brought in front of Jing Zhengwei, the soldiers holding them released their grip. They looked at Lan Yan and Jing Zhengwei, and then at the soldiers beside them, understanding in their hearts: "Young Master Jing..."
"Have you eaten your fill?" Le Yu suddenly asked.
"No." Ting Chaozao shook his head.
"Well, nothing can be done. Let’s go." Le Yu turned to Lan Yan and cupped his fists: "Thanks to the General’s trust, I will not disappoint the General’s expectations."
"Safe travels." Lan Yan said with a smile.
With that, Le Yu quickly left, followed silently by hundreds of soldiers stationed on the flat ground, heading out of the camp.
The Silver Blood members looked at each other, then Lan Yan asked with a smile, "Do you all plan to stay here as guests?"
Hearing these words, none of them dared to linger and hurriedly followed Le Yu, intending to ask questions once they were safe.
The group reached the camp gate, where Yin Gu Yue halted in front of them, sighed at Le Yu:
"Young Master Jing, oh Young Master Jing, you made me lose a bet."
"Doesn’t that mean you owe me a favor?" Le Yu replied.
"Yes, yes... Oh wait?" Yin Yue scratched his head: "You made me lose, shouldn’t it be you who owes me?"
Le Yu shook his head: "You used me in a bet without my knowledge, so it should be you who owes me, right?"
Yin Gu Yue clicked his tongue: "That seems right... but I don’t want to owe anyone..."
"Then I’ll give you a chance to repay the favor." Le Yu asked, "When we first came in, I noticed you were particularly focused on Chen Chenchen, did you realize his identity from the start?"
"Well~" Yin Gu Yue smiled holding his sword: "Do you remember the second practice method of the Hidden Sword Technique that General Lan mentioned earlier?"
"I remember."
"Do you think someone like General Lan would have a Hidden Sword Technique inheritance?"
Yin Gu Yue smiled: "As an assassin, one can naturally tell who is an assassin, it’s a basic skill in our profession."
"He actually saw through it too, he just had great confidence in his Extreme Divine Weapon, and in his own skills."
"Coincidentally, I thought the same."
"Our kind of people, we always have such an understanding."
"By the way," Yin Gu Yue reluctantly took out the Veil of Strife and handed it to Le Yu: "Hey, why don’t you ask the leader of the Assassin Organization if this item can be bought..."
Le Yu took the veil and asked with a smile: "You can afford it?"
"Well, I’ll first deceive the item’s binding method, and then find a way to default on the payment." Yin Gu Yue said casually: "Everything must be tried, just in case."
After bidding farewell to Yin Gu Yue, Le Yu joined the convoy outside, and by this time Ting Chaozao and others could no longer hold back, stepping forward to ask: "Young Master Jing, why is the Linhai Army following us?"
Along with the group from the Silver Blood Association, there were also hundreds of fully armed elite soldiers of the Linhai Army.
Looking at the formation, this army seemed to be accompanying them back to Xuanzhu County.
"You will soon know how much the Silver Blood Association has to pay to save your lives."
Le Yu shook his head: "I must be crazy to save your lives from Lan Yan’s hands. Sigh..."
Upon hearing this, Quan Xin and others were both moved and surprised, feeling guilty, but Le Yu waved his hand: "Forget it, Lan Yan is extremely shrewd, he never intended to kill you, he just used your lives as a bargaining chip to demand more resources. Whoever he chooses will undoubtedly have to make a painful decision for the lives of all—"
"You can’t say that, not everyone has a broad mindset like you, Young Master Jing." Qin Le Yin cupped his hands and said: "The great kindness and virtue of Young Master Jing, Qin will remember it forever, the Qin Family will definitely repay Young Master Jing’s kindness!"
"The Lan Family will not forget Young Master Jing’s life-saving grace either."
"Nor will the Luo Family!"
"The Quan Family too!"
Ting Chaozao cupped his hands and said: "I am no longer qualified to represent the Ting Family, but if Young Master Jing commands, Ting Chaozao will definitely answer the call."
"No need to say more," Le Yu said: "Let’s all get on the carriage and rest, we need to rush back to Xuanzhu County overnight."
Everyone then realized they were already drenched in sweat, the waiting for death had been an unbearable torment for them, they couldn’t wait to return to a familiar place to rest, and after thanking him continuously, they left one by one.
Qin Le Yin stayed until the end, and Le Yu walked to his side, whispering: "Thank you."
"It was a small effort." Qin Le Yin smiled: "Besides, I wasn’t lying. I was quite surprised that you chose to keep us alive."
"Of course, I wouldn’t let you all die here."
Le Yu looked towards the Silver Blood inheritors who were boarding the carriages, a smile of someone with a plan unfolding in his eyes.
Dying here would be too much of a waste.
You will become my blade, the blade to cut away the Silver Blood Association’s flesh.
Or even, the blade to assassinate the Silver Blood Association.
This life-saving grace, it must be repaid a hundredfold.