"Lie Cheng, you and your father are currently on opposing sides. Seeking him out might not be appropriate now," Jiang Chen softly reminded.
Zhou Liecheng paused for a mont, then nodded in realization. "You’re right. I... I’ll go look for Grandpa instead, and have Grandpa get in touch with Dad!"
"Alright, you go ahead. We’ll take a rest for now," Jiang Chen nodded, once again patting Zhou Liecheng’s shoulder.
Zhou Liecheng forced a smile. "I’m really fine. You all rest, and I’ll call you when dinner’s ready!"
"Alright!" Jiang Chen responded with a nod.
Zhou Liecheng bowed to Pu Liang and the others, then turned and headed toward the area where the Zhou family mbers resided.
"The poor kid is really in a tough spot!"
Yue Shaoting sighed softly as he watched the disheartened figure of Zhou Liecheng.
Jiang Chen gazed at Zhou Liecheng’s retreating back and spoke calmly, "That’s why we must eliminate the three major organizations. If we don’t, I’m afraid there will be countless people like Liecheng suffering."
"Yes, the three organizations must not be allowed to exist!" Pu Liang said, his eyes filled with hatred.
"Let’s take a rest for now. Everyone should recuperate over the next two days, then be ready at any mont once the day arrives!" Jiang Chen said softly.
The group nodded collectively and dispersed, heading back to their respective villas.
Over the next day, Jiang Chen had Zhou Liecheng show him around the Zhou family estate. By that day, all subordinate families and mbers of the worship group had arrived in the Zhou family compound.
Jiang Chen appeared to be idly exploring the estate but had quietly inspected every corner of the Zhou family territory. Finally, he regretfully inford Zhou Liecheng that the interrogation results from Spirit You were, unfortunately, accurate.
That evening, Jiang Chen called together the Huangluo Clan, Yue Family, Zhou Liecheng, and Zhou Dingguo to his villa.
"Elder Zhou, we know about the Zhou family’s situation now. Liecheng should have shared the individual details with you, right?" Jiang Chen directed his gaze toward Zhou Dingguo.
Zhou Dingguo nodded faintly. Compared to their first eting, the elderly man now seed as though he had aged decades overnight, exuding an air of profound despondency.
The news Zhou Liecheng brought had clearly dealt him a trendous blow!
"Elder Zhou, I hope you can regain your strength!"
Not knowing how else to comfort him, Jiang Chen spoke words of encouragent instead.
"Head of the Jiang Family, I’m fine," Zhou Dingguo replied softly, turning to Pu Liang and Yue Shaoting. "Uncles, please share tomorrow’s plan."
Pu Liang and Yue Shaoting both froze montarily before turning their eyes to Jiang Chen.
Zhou Dingguo paused briefly and then recalled the events during Yue Shaoting’s birthday celebration. He imdiately understood and turned apologetically to Jiang Chen, saying, "Head of the Jiang Family, my apologies!"
"It’s alright,"
Jiang Chen shook his head slightly. His expression grew solemn as he spoke in a low tone, "Strong individuals from the Saint Realm have already arrived. The outco of battles between those in the Saint Realm is beyond our ability to predict, so let focus on what we can do."
After a brief pause, Jiang Chen swept his gaze across everyone present and spoke resolutely, "We can’t fully assess the strength of those who’ve consud the Gene Potion until they act. Hence, before they fully reveal their capabilities, we must take every opportunity to eliminate their active forces."
"Before they erupt?!" Zhou Dingguo furrowed his brow slightly.
Jiang Chen nodded heavily. "Yes, before they erupt! Let outline my requirents. First, as observers, Elder Zhou, I hope we’ll be positioned amidst the subordinate families and worship group. In other words, this positioning would place all subordinate families and the worship group within our maximum attack range."
"This... can be arranged. I’ll take care of it," Zhou Dingguo thought for a mont before giving a light nod.
"Second, when Zhou Family’s Great Elder appears, I’ll find the right mont for the seniors of the Saint Realm to act. For this timing to work, we need everyone’s positioning to ensure the subordinate families and the worship group fall within our effective attack range."
Jiang Chen continued, "Of course, with our limited numbers, this will require Elder Zhou’s help. You need to identify a few strong individuals within the Zhou family to cooperate with us. Their objective will be... attacking the worship group. Let us handle the subordinate families!"
"Alright!" Zhou Dingguo gritted his teeth and nodded.
Compared to the subordinate families, Zhou family mbers did indeed find it easier to target the worship group!
"Alright, third..."
...
In the blink of an eye, it was July 16th!
The day of Zhou Family’s ancestral ritual!
The Zhou family estate had beco lively early on. The Zhou family mbers were fully engaged in preparing for the ceremony, as were the subordinate families and worship group. Only Jiang Chen’s group, along with the Huangluo Clan and Yue Family—two reclusive families—remained in a state of anticipation.
Knock knock knock!
A series of knocks echoed, prompting Yan Hu to rise and open the door.
"Mr. Jiang, everything is ready. We can head to the back mountain now," Zhou Liecheng said as he entered the room, his expression complex.
Jiang Chen got up, walked to Zhou Liecheng’s side, and gently patted his shoulder. "Liecheng, try to take it easier," he said softly.
"Alright,"
Zhou Liecheng gave a faint nod and turned to lead the way.
Zhou family’s back mountain.
At the foot of the mountain, nearly five hundred people had already gathered. These were mbers of the Zhou family’s worship group and subordinate families, all there awaiting the comncent of the ancestral ritual.
Jiang Chen and his group, under the guidance of a worship group mber arranged by Zhou Liecheng, arrived at the site. Zhou Liecheng needed to join the Zhou family entourage.
"They’re here!"
"The Family Head’s here!"
"The Elder and the Eldest Young Master are here too!"
"I heard the Eldest Young Master is planning to confront the Family Head today!"
"Looks like there’ll be drama to watch!"
A commotion erupted within the gathered crowd as a procession erged from the villa at the mountain’s base and made its way over.
Leading the group was Zhou Dingguo, with Zhou Wanrong following half a step behind him. Despite his status as an Elder, Zhou Jiang had temporarily relinquished his position, making Zhou Dingguo the acting Family Head and nominally the highest decision-maker in the family.
Behind the two walked Zhou Jiang and Zhou Liecheng, followed by Zhou family mbers divided into two distinctly separate factions.
"Looks like the Zhou family father and son really plan to settle things today!"
"Indeed! I wonder who will ultimately claim the position of Family Head!"
"That likely depends on which side the Second Elder supports. It’s said the Elder openly stated he won’t get involved in their competition, but the Second Elder has maintained an ambiguous stance, neither declaring his support nor claiming neutrality!"
The arriving procession imdiately sparked discussions among the various subordinate families.
"Mr. Jiang, the Liu Family," Leng Ming approached Jiang Chen and gestured toward the side, prompting Jiang Chen to look over.
At the foot of the mountain were four distinct areas. The worship group and Jiang Chen’s entourage occupied the two central zones, while the subordinate families stood to their right and the acquiring Liu Family occupied the left of the worship group.
"We’re heading up the mountain, aren’t we?" Jiang Chen asked softly.
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