Ning Fan returned to Jiangcheng, and in the blink of an eye, five days had passed. During this time, Teng Zhuhai had people investigating the assassination in Jiangcheng while continuously summoning a group of expert martial artists from the Yunteng Family.
Jiangcheng became increasingly oppressive with the arrival of these experts, especially the Shangguan Family. Already feeling somewhat guilty because of the foolish act Shangguan Yunyang had committed, Shangguan Tanglong was particularly afraid that Teng Zhuhai would actually find something.
You must understand, if at this point Teng Zhuhai had evidence to prove that the assassins were indeed Shangguan Yunyang and his people, then that group of experts from the Yunteng Family in Zang City would not just be dealing with Ning Fan. If that were to happen, annihilating the Shangguan Family would merely be a matter of a word from Teng Zhuhai.
The more than twenty experts from the Yunteng Family were mostly at the peak of the True Qi Realm, with many half a step into the Object-Manipulating Realm. They were waiting at the Shangguan Family's residence, ready at Teng Zhuhai's command to rush to Zhonghai to confront Ning Fan.
However, Teng Zhuhai was not in a hurry. He was still waiting. If possible, he would have preferred to clarify the incident from five days ago before sending anyone to Zhonghai, as the matter remained a thorn in his side.
It was bad enough that Ning Fan dared to defy the prestige of the Yunteng Family, but there were also others who dared to use such sinister schemes against them. After the incident, Teng Zhuhai seriously considered that those people were probably hoping to watch a fight from a safe distance. Regardless of whether Teng Huayang ended up dead by Ning Fan's hand or someone else's, it wouldn't change the fact that Teng Huayang's trouble occurred while he was held hostage by Ning Fan.
Fortunately, Teng Huayang was unharmed, but that did not mean Teng Zhuhai wasn't angry. A ball of rage was constantly ready to burst forth in his heart; he was merely enduring for now.
"Where's Shangguan Tanglong? Call him to see me,"
Inside the study, Teng Zhuhai, with his back to the bookshelf, didn't turn his head as he spoke to Teng Nan standing behind him.
After Teng Nan left the study, it wasn't long before he brought Shangguan Tanglong over.
"Have you still not sorted out the matter I asked you to investigate?"
Teng Zhuhai asked coldly, his expression somewhat ugly.
He had already ordered Shangguan Tanglong to quickly clarify what happened five days ago, yet until now, Shangguan Tanglong had not provided him with a satisfactory answer. Who the assassin was remained unknown.
This greatly disappointed Teng Zhuhai. Jiangcheng, after all, was Shangguan Tanglong's territory but still lacked any progress. If it weren't for the Shangguan Family still being somewhat useful to the Yunteng Family, Teng Zhuhai would like to discard the Shangguan Family immediately. The Shangguan Family was a prime example of being adept at failing rather than succeeding.
At this moment, Shangguan Tanglong was completely speechless, standing docilely behind Teng Zhuhai, sweat breaking out on his back.
How could he not detect the disappointment in Teng Zhuhai's voice? But inside, he felt utterly helpless because finding the person to take the blame was truly difficult. He even resented Shangguan Yunyang for digging such a big hole for him.
Despite his numerous cautions at the time, Shangguan Yunyang acted recklessly, insisting on making a move against Ning Fan. As a result, the Shangguan Family had invited serious trouble. If they didn't handle this properly, what awaited them might be the wrath of the Yunteng Family. Even if Ning Fan didn't bother with them, the Yunteng Family might strip the Shangguan Family of at least a tenth of its skin or even erase them from the world.
"Family Head Yunteng..."
Shangguan Tanglong's voice carried a bitter tone as he looked at Teng Zhuhai. His speech trembled, seemingly in great difficulty.
At this moment, Teng Zhuhai turned around and glared at him, interrupting his speech with a wave of his hand, and then said, "I need your men to head to Zhonghai and coordinate with the Yunteng Family to deal with Ning Fan. Do you have any objections?"
The time had almost come to make a move. Teng Zhuhai could no longer hold back. The matter of Ning Fan could not be delayed any longer; it had to be resolved.
The threat Ning Fan posed to the Yunteng Family was simply too great. Teng Zhuhai was determined to eliminate Ning Fan. By speaking now, he intended to have the Shangguan Family serve as their vanguard and make preparations in Zhonghai.
Upon hearing this, Shangguan Tanglong dared not disagree, and nodded repeatedly, "Naturally, it is an honor for our Shangguan Family to serve the Yunteng Family!"
There were simply no conditions to refuse this request. Even if the Yunteng Family asked their Shangguan Family to go to their deaths, they could not hesitate. Otherwise, the Yunteng Family's suspicion towards them would only deepen.
Teng Zhuhai seemed very satisfied with Shangguan Tanglong's attitude, and at this moment even smiled and nodded. However, his smile seemed so sinister and terrifying to Shangguan Tanglong that it sent chills down his spine.
Although Shangguan Tanglong knew that by going to Zhonghai, many from the Shangguan Family would effectively be cannon fodder, they still could not refuse. He felt helpless and a surge of anger simultaneously.
"You may go and prepare."
Teng Zhuhai waved his hand and turned away, no longer paying attention to Shangguan Tanglong.
Shangguan Tanglong let out a silent sigh in his heart and, helpless, eventually left the study.
After leaving the study, Shangguan Tanglong began to ponder seriously. What would their Shangguan Family do next?
The Yunteng Family had grown suspicious of the Shangguan Family. The road ahead was even more difficult, and many of the Shangguan Family's masters had Evil Gu implanted in them. Their lifelines were in the hands of the Yunteng Family, completely controlled by others. At this moment, the Shangguan Family had fallen into a passive situation, devoid of even the choice to resist.
Shangguan Tanglong heaved a heavy sigh. At this moment, his heart was not only worried about the future of the Shangguan Family, but he was also profoundly disappointed in Shangguan Yunyang.
If it wasn't for Shangguan Yunyang's recklessness, they would not have provoked the suspicion of the Yunteng Family. Although there was no evidence currently pointing to Shangguan Yunyang's involvement, the Shangguan Family, unable to identify the real culprit, was still under heavy suspicion by Teng Zhuhai, and the suspicion was significant.
The saying goes, "A failed theft turns to loss." Shangguan Yunyang's scheme had ultimately served Ning Fan. Beside anger, Shangguan Tanglong was filled with helplessness.
The Yunteng Family was ready to make a move on Ning Fan, and their people in Jiangcheng were preparing as well. In the Shangguan Family, Shangguan Tanglong had also gathered the family's experts to set out for Jiangcheng first.
As the night quietly deepened, the sky turned pitch black, and with nightfall, a figure appeared on the streets of Jiangcheng, slowly moving towards the Shangguan Family's residence.
After five days, Ning Fan had returned to Jiangcheng, his gaze firmly fixed in the direction of the Shangguan Family.