CHAPTER 211: CHAPTER 197: AWE-INSPIRING IN ZHONGJING

The main hall of the Yuan Family has been passed down for two thousand years, ancient and heavy, filled with a sense of history.

Even the tables and chairs have developed a patina from extended use.

The dragon head armrest on the patriarch’s chair is particularly polished and glossy. Yuan Ansheng often likes to sit on the main seat and stroke the dragon head armrest when he has nothing to do.

Whenever he does this, he always feels especially satisfied.

Now, however, Yuan Ansheng feels a chill all over. He thinks he might be the first person to die on the family’s main seat.

The hall, due to secrecy requirements, has guards positioned outside. Even if he were to call out, it would take some time for the people outside to come in.

With Blood Shadow’s skills, even if he had a hundred lives, they would all be taken.

Yuan Ansheng forced himself to calm down, "Are you Blood Shadow?"

"It’s me."

Blood Shadow was elusive and obscure, his figure indistinct, yet he somehow managed to convey a smiling expression.

Yuan Ansheng couldn’t see the smile, but he could feel the other person smiling, calming his mood significantly.

After pondering for a moment, he asked, "What do you want?"

"I want to help you."

Blood Shadow continued to convey a smile, and his tone carried a reassuring sincerity.

Blood Shadow said, "We can even be friends."

Yuan Ansheng remained silent; befriending the one who killed his father contradicted his values.

But right now, he lacked the courage to refuse.

Gao Xuan couldn’t help but smile again; Yuan Ansheng was indeed clever. Despite his reluctance and anger, he remained silent. This was a very restrained attitude.

For a noble youth, this kind of restraint was rare.

"Your father’s matter was official business, not personal vendetta."

Gao Xuan explained, "Just as we don’t need to hate a sword. Although the sword brings death."

Such words obviously didn’t persuade Yuan Ansheng, but the situation was stronger than the person; he certainly didn’t want to die.

Thus, he wisely nodded slightly to show his agreement.

Gao Xuan didn’t bother to dwell on this topic; there was no need to actually become friends with Yuan Ansheng.

Gao Xuan said, "Those people are actually hindering your ascension. As a friend, I must help you."

He asked, "Tell me, who do you want to kill? Or should we kill them all?"

"Huh?"

Yuan Ansheng was extremely surprised. Blood Shadow actually wanted to help him kill people? What was Blood Shadow planning?

Gao Xuan sincerely said, "Don’t worry, no matter who you want to kill, it’s no problem. Good friend, I’ll give you a ten percent discount."

Yuan Ansheng felt hesitant, afraid Blood Shadow was baiting him. He also thought it wasn’t right to use lethal means to kill Yuanzuguang.

"Friend, I have a word of advice: One who accomplishes great things cannot be soft-hearted."

Gao Xuan said, "The path to success must be paved with blood and bones. If you don’t want to compete, I can help take care of you with one sword. No more pain and troubles."

Yuan Ansheng understood. Damn, he only had two options: either he dies or Yuanzuguang dies. The choice was obvious.

He hurriedly said, "Friend, please help me kill Yuanzuguang."

"Is just one enough?"

Gao Xuan asked with concern, "I see they are all very dissatisfied with you, as a friend, I am very unhappy."

"That’s enough, that’s enough."

Yuan Ansheng said with a bitter smile, "Killing too many would have the opposite effect."

"Okay."

Gao Xuan nodded, "As you say."

Blood Shadow flashed and disappeared into thin air.

Yuan Ansheng let out a long breath, reaching up to wipe the cold sweat from his forehead; just a few words earlier had drenched his back in sweat.

Blood Shadow put enormous pressure on him. Life and death were entirely in the other’s hands, he had no chance at all.

Yuan Ansheng was also puzzled, the hall here inhibited Source Power, and Spiritual Power, yet how did the other party get in?

Was Blood Shadow a person, or something else?

A few words and Yuan Ansheng couldn’t see through Blood Shadow, which made him even more awestruck.

No wonder Blood Shadow could roam unchallenged in Mingjing, he truly had unfathomable methods.

As Yuan Ansheng was contemplating, a blood-red shadow flashed before his eyes; Blood Shadow reappeared in front of him.

Yuan Ansheng was so frightened he jolted, almost urinating on the spot.

Blood Shadow made an OK gesture, "All done."

"What?"

Yuan Ansheng felt a bit dazed, but quickly realized it. He asked in extreme surprise, "Yuanzuguang is dead?"

"Not even leaving behind a body, completely dead."

Gao Xuan said, "He was a Tenth-level Swordsman, so I’ll only charge ten billion. Since we are good friends, nine billion will do."

Gao Xuan pointed a finger at Yuan Ansheng’s chest, "Communication number left for you, remember to transfer the money."

"If you need anything, just contact me. I’ll be there whenever needed."

Gao Xuan waved his hand, "Good friend, goodbye."

After Blood Shadow disappeared again, Yuan Ansheng hesitated but remained seated. After a few minutes, and with no sign of Blood Shadow reappearing, he let out a long breath.

Upon removing his clothes, he saw a row of complex bloody characters on his chest, likely a Dark Web communication number.

Yuan Ansheng sighed with a complicated expression, fastened his shirt, and slowly walked out of the hall.

That night, Yuan Ansheng transferred ten billion to Blood Shadow.

For a Noble Family, this was an enormous sum. But for Yuan Ansheng, it wasn’t a big deal.

Yuan Ansheng also knew, by transferring this money, he was now linked to Blood Shadow. If the matter ever came to light, he could never explain it away.

But he had no other choice!

Yuan Zu Zheng, Yuanzuguang, these two were top masters of the Yuan Family. Moreover, both had extensive combat experience, surrounded by numerous masters for protection.

Yet, these two masters were utterly powerless before Blood Shadow. Such a Blood Shadow was terrifying.

Yuan Ansheng was well aware, if he didn’t cooperate, Blood Shadow would eliminate him immediately.

The enormous influence of the Yuan Family still requires someone to be in charge. If Blood Shadow kills a few more patriarchs consecutively, surely no one would dare oppose him again.

Without a doubt, Blood Shadow stood up for Wei Yue.

Thus, Yuan Ansheng also thought it through, once taking over the position of patriarch, he would need to calm the internal strife, focusing on the deaths of his father and second uncle.

In any case, it was impossible to find Blood Shadow, which made this pursuit a satisfactory explanation to outsiders.

As for Yuan Hao, he could only die in vain.

The world is so cruel. Although Yuan Ansheng was very angry, he could only accept this outcome after calming down.

He comforted himself: One should not go against themselves, dead sons cannot be revived, and revenge holds little meaning. The best approach is to have more children...

The next day, all the elders and high-level members of the Yuan Family gathered at the old residence.

The few elders who strongly opposed Yuan Ansheng’s succession yesterday, remained silent.

Yuanzuguang went missing, a dreadfully ominous sign. They knew Yuan Ansheng was behind it but had no evidence.

Moreover, without Yuanzuguang leading, they found it difficult to block Yuan Ansheng’s ascension.

As a result, Yuan Ansheng smoothly inherited the position of patriarch and became the chairman of the family corporation, holding the great power of the Yuan Family.

Yuan Ansheng announced that the current priority was to find the assassin of Yuan Zu Zheng!

No one disagreed with this.

Yuan Zu Zheng as the patriarch of the Yuan Family cannot die just like that. But who would kill Yuan Zu Zheng?

No one could link this matter to Blood Shadow, or to Wei Yue.

The two sides had no conflicts of interest, why would Blood Shadow act?

If one were to follow the principle of suspecting those who benefited the most, Yuan Ansheng was undoubtedly the primary suspect.

However, Yuan Ansheng was always cautious, it seemed unlikely he would directly murder his father.

The hearts of the Yuan Family were not really united, and there weren’t many who truly wanted to avenge Yuan Zu Zheng.

Simply for the sake of maintaining the Yuan Family’s honor, they had to show sufficient toughness.

As for Yuan Hao, that was Yuan Ansheng’s personal affair.

If a father wasn’t anxious, no one dared to meddle. The affair with Gao Xuan killing Yuan Hao at the competition blew over quietly.

However, such matters can’t be hidden from those with keen insight.

The nobles of Zhongjing City learned that Wei Yue was truly influential. He even persuaded Yuan Ansheng, pressing down on this earth-shattering matter just like that.

This event deeply shocked the Yan Family.

Yan Deyuan felt some resentment, but now had no temper at all.

Yan Deyuan and others knew Blood Shadow’s skills and vaguely guessed the truth about the deaths of Yuan Zu Zheng and Yuanzuguang brothers.

The more they knew, the more fearful Yan Deyuan became.

A family like the Yuan Family, ranking within the top three in Zhongjing, was subdued by Blood Shadow. He decided it was best to fall in line ob sequiously.

In private discussions with his daughter and son, Yan Deyuan believed Wei Yue had no reason to stand up for Gao Xuan. Nor need to clash with the Yuan Family.

Wei Yue’s actions were purely a show of force under the guise of opportunity.

Admittedly, such a direct and blatant display of force left an indelible impression on everyone.

As rumors spread throughout the Noble Families in Zhongjing, one thing was clear: Don’t mess with Wei Yue.