Wang Shan's expression was flustered, and he panted heavily as he stumbled back home from outside.
Upon entering the house, he first gulped down several glasses of water, then slumped onto the sofa, his eyes vacant and unfocused, staring blankly ahead.
After a long while,
He suddenly snapped awake, fumbling frantically through his clothes to find the phone specifically used to contact the Zhao family.
He dialed the number,
And soon, a familiar male voice answered.
"Hello!"
Wang Shan, as if finding his anchor, exclaimed with joy and hurried to speak.
"Ah, Mr. Zhao! It's so good to hear your voice! Haha..."
Hearing Wang Shan's overly solicitous and feigned ignorance, Mr. Zhao felt a surge of annoyance. He replied impatiently.
"Go on! Has something new cropped up again?"
Wang Shan offered an awkward smile.
His original intention was merely to leverage the situation of being systematically defeated by the combined forces of the three major families in business, thereby securing assistance from the Zhao family while also compensating for the loss of his supernatural base.
Therefore, he naturally wouldn't openly discuss the issue of supernatural beings with the Zhao family.
"Heh heh... well... the problem is the same old one. The three major families are ganging up on me, and on top of that, the opposing cultivators are maliciously suppressing me. I'm really struggling to hold on. So, Mr. Zhao, do you think the Zhao family could find a way to provide me with a little more assistance?"
Mr. Zhao seemed somewhat troubled. After a moment's thought, he finally offered a helpless consolation. "I'm afraid I can't spare the resources at the moment. Try to hold on for a while longer. Once this period passes, I'll definitely provide you with support immediately!"
Although Wang Shan had been acting under the Zhao family's direction for many years, he understood perfectly well Mr. Zhao's evasive words.
Thus, he immediately responded with a hint of displeasure. "No, Mr. Zhao! When you say 'a while longer,' how long exactly? If you mean three to five days, that's one thing, but if it's ten days, half a month, or even longer, I won't be able to stop anything, even if I rack my brains!"
Mr. Zhao naturally detected the dissatisfaction in Wang Shan's tone.
However, at this crucial juncture, the Zhao family was in a critical period of competition with the Tang family, and they genuinely lacked the means to support Wang Shan.
So, he could only continue to placate him. "It's hard to say precisely. But as long as you can persevere through this difficult period, I can guarantee that in the future, Le City will be exclusively yours, Wang family!"
Although Le City was small, Wang Shan, as the spokesperson for one of the four major families, was well aware of such high-level platitudes and empty promises.
However,
The Zhao family was powerful, and Wang Shan was merely a subordinate. At this moment, even though he saw through it, he couldn't expose it directly.
He could only suppress his emotions and reply politely, "Mr. Zhao, I understand everything you've said! But... my current situation is truly unsustainable for even a moment. Regardless, please think of a way and spare some support for me amidst your busy schedule, won't you?"
Mr. Zhao was somewhat speechless and also perplexed.
Wang Shan usually obeyed the Zhao family's orders and decisions without question, so why was he being so obstinate today, even after all the pleasantries?
With these thoughts, Mr. Zhao's temper flared.
He paused for a moment, then replied with a hint of emotion.
"I don't mind telling you! The Zhao family is facing immense pressure from all sides. If we don't overcome this crisis, we absolutely cannot provide you with any support! If you truly feel you can no longer sustain yourself, then I can only regretfully inform you that the Zhao family may have to abandon the Le City market!"
Wang Shan was dumbfounded upon hearing these words.
Although he knew that with the Zhao family's strength, Le City was a trivial place, and abandoning it was inconsequential.
However, for Wang Shan, it represented decades of his hard-earned efforts!
Moreover,
If the Zhao family truly abandoned Le City, wouldn't his Wang family also be cast aside as discarded pawns?
How could he possibly accept this!
He incredulously retorted, "Mr. Zhao, tell me the truth, have you long harbored the intention of abandoning Le City?"
Mr. Zhao paused slightly, but still replied truthfully, "Yes! The cost of two cultivators, one at the early Foundation Establishment stage and another at the late Foundation Establishment stage, has made the Le City market exceed our budget. Therefore, even if the Zhao family's current situation were not precarious, our support for Le City would still be debatable!"
"Heh," Wang Shan chuckled self-mockingly and questioned with despair, "What about me? What about my Wang family? After years of working tirelessly for your Zhao family, are we ultimately to be discarded as your pawns?"
Hearing these words, Mr. Zhao's anger also ignited.
"What? Are you questioning the Zhao family's decision?"
Although Wang Shan was filled with resentment, he dared not provoke the authority of the Zhao family. He merely gritted his teeth and replied meaningfully.
"I wouldn't dare! However, I hope Mr. Zhao can understand! As the saying goes, 'Heaven and earth will destroy anyone who does not look out for himself.' The Zhao family is powerful, and abandoning a small place like Le City is inconsequential. However, for my Wang family, Le City is our unshakeable foundation! If it comes to a fight to the death, I will do my utmost to fight a desperate battle!"
"You..."
Mr. Zhao was infuriated by Wang Shan's words.
While Wang Shan's words appeared submissive on the surface, they were laced with implicit threats.
Yet, at this moment, even if Mr. Zhao wanted to berate Wang Shan, he didn't know how to begin.
After a long silence,
Mr. Zhao finally sighed deeply, adjusted his emotions, and said kindly.
"Alright, alright! There's no need for angry words! Abandoning Le City is almost a done deal! However, we are still capable of protecting you! How about this, I'll make time to personally visit the Tang family in Le City and try to mediate for you. With me intervening, the Le City Tang family will surely show some respect. At that time..."
Wang Shan was also surprised by this.
Although he was displeased with the Zhao family's decision to abandon Le City, Mr. Zhao's status was such that he was willing to personally intervene to protect him.
Wasn't this somewhat of an honor?
"But... if that's the case, how will we meet the Tang family's conditions?"
Mr. Zhao dismissed the concern with a wave of his hand. "Our Zhao family withdraws from Le City, and your Wang family also withdraws from the ranks of Le City's prominent families, becoming simple wealthy merchants from now on. With such conditions, what reason would the Tang family have to refuse?"
Wang Shan felt a sense of reluctance upon hearing this. He wanted to say more, but hesitated, ultimately replying indifferently.
"If that is the case, then so be it!"
Hearing Wang Shan's agreement, Mr. Zhao immediately followed up.
"Very well! Then it's settled! I'll come over as soon as possible in the next couple of days. Wait patiently for my news!"
With that, he hung up the phone!