281: Chapter 281: The head can be cut off, the blood can be shed, but the backbone cannot be lost

Chapter 281: Heads Can Roll, Blood Can Flow, But Backbone Must Not Be Lost

"President, since we have become honored guests of the Xuantian Merchant Guild, we shall live and die with the Xuantian Merchant Guild."

A hint of a smile finally appeared on Shang Lingjun’s originally weathered face.

"Good. If the Xuantian Merchant Guild can overcome this crisis, all of your annual stipends will be doubled."

The dozen or so honored guests respectfully said,

"Then we thank the President."

Then, the ten honored guests left.

The remaining more than two hundred people were direct descendants of the Shang Family. After all, after more than a hundred thousand years of development, it was only natural for the Shang Family to have such a foundation.

The hall was eerily quiet; one could even hear everyone’s breathing.

This crisis was the greatest one the Xuantian Merchant Guild had faced since its establishment.

Suddenly, an old man appeared in the hall.

"Greetings, Old Ancestor."

He was the Shang Family Old Ancestor, Shang Batian, a Nine Revolution Great Emperor cultivator and the Shang Family’s strongest expert.

Shang Batian waved his hand.

"Everyone, rise."

"I already know about the Law Enforcement Hall’s intention to destroy our Xuantian Merchant Guild. What are your thoughts?"

Shang Lingjun’s voice was cold.

"Old Ancestor, if the Law Enforcement Hall wants to fight, then we fight. Even if we can’t defeat them, I will make the Law Enforcement Hall lose a tooth."

At this moment, Shang Yunting, the Shang Family’s Second Elder, sneered,

"President, what you said is easy. Do you know the strength of the Azure Dragon Pavilion? Fighting them is like striking a stone with an egg."

"Moreover, I heard that the Law Enforcement Hall is attacking our Xuantian Merchant Guild because their Saint, Ouyang Jin, died in the Northern Region, and the culprit for all of this should be your precious daughter, right?"

Shang Lingjun coldly said,

"Shang Yunting, don’t slander me. You need to provide evidence when you speak."

Shang Yunting sneered,

"Don’t think that what you did was flawless. How could you deceive my Heavenly Eye when you created the illusion of Shang Luojun and Shang Luoyun’s deaths? Don’t forget what I do."

Upon hearing this, Shang Batian coldly said,

"Yun Ting, you truly disappoint me. I originally wanted to give you a chance to redeem yourself, but you remain unrepentant. Seize Shang Yunting for me."

Shang Yunting excitedly said at this moment,

"Old Ancestor, why are you seizing me? What did I do wrong?"

Shang Batian’s eyes turned cold.

"Becoming a dog of the Law Enforcement Hall, do you think I don’t know anything you’ve done? Violating the Shang Family rules and disregarding the Family’s interests—you deserve to die a hundred times over."

At this moment, Shang Yunting burst into laughter.

"Old man, I was originally the most likely to be chosen as the Family Head, but you, you chose that good-for-nothing Shang Lingjun. Why?"

"I’m telling you, I originally only wanted Ouyang Jin to disgust Shang Lingjun, but who knew that Shang Luoyun would actually kill Ouyang Jin."

"However, I remember that the marriage between Ouyang Jin and Shang Luoyun was arranged by you, right? If we’re talking about who harmed the Xuantian Merchant Guild, then the culprit is you, haha."

"But it doesn’t matter. If I can’t get the Shang Family Head position, then let it all be destroyed."

Shang Batian’s face turned grim.

"Take him to the dungeon and let him reflect properly. He is not allowed out without my permission."

"Also, imprison all of Shang Yunting’s direct descendants and associates, and thoroughly investigate if they have colluded with the Law Enforcement Hall."

After Shang Yunting was taken away, Shang Batian looked at Shang Lingjun.

"Lingjun, all of this is my fault. I was truly blinded by greed back then, thinking of sacrificing Shang Luoyun’s happiness to seek benefits for the Family. I apologize to you, and I apologize to Shang Luoyun."

Shang Lingjun thought,

"Forget it. Since things have come to this, there’s no harm in telling the Old Ancestor. Moreover, the Old Ancestor has already admitted his mistake, and he usually dotes on that girl Shang Luoyun very much."

Then Shang Lingjun nodded and said,

"Old Ancestor, yes. A hundred years ago, I spent hundreds of High Grade Spiritual Veins and hundreds of Enlightenment Tea Leaves to seek help from the Tianji Pavilion. Only then did I deduce that there was a glimmer of hope in the Northern Region and obtained two fake death pills, which helped Luojun and Shang Luoyun escape a calamity."

"Old Ancestor, I didn’t mean to hide it from you. It’s just that I didn’t want Shang Luoyun to fall into a tiger’s den."

Meanwhile, the other Shang Family members gasped.

"Spending hundreds of High Grade Spiritual Veins and hundreds of Enlightenment Tea Leaves, that’s no small amount of resources!"

"Yes, but since it was to help the Young Miss, it was worth it."

"Right, as long as the Young Master and Young Misses can escape this calamity, then our Shang Family still has hope of rising again, and it can be considered leaving a spark for the Shang Family."

Shang Batian looked at Shang Lingjun.

"Lingjun, can I see them?"

Because he knew that if he didn’t see them now, he wouldn’t have another chance.

At this moment, he held a determination to die.

Shang Lingjun nodded, then took out the Qianji Disk and connected it.

At this moment, Shang Luojun, far away in the Northern Region, was waiting for news from Shang Luoyun when he suddenly felt the Qianji Disk vibrate. He quickly entered it.

After opening it, he found that all the Family members were looking at him, each with a smile on their face.

However, after seeing this, Shang Luojun had a bad premonition.

After all, only his father knew about his feigned death, but now it was essentially out in the open, and the Old Ancestor was also present.

Shang Lingjun worriedly said,

"Luojun, how did Ouyang Jin die?"

Shang Luojun’s expression instantly turned ugly.

"Father, Old Ancestor, you all know about it? Has the Law Enforcement Hall made a move against the Xuantian Merchant Guild?"

At this moment, Shang Lingjun suddenly asked,

"Luojun, where is Shang Luoyun? Why isn’t she by your side?"

Shang Luojun stammered at this moment,

"Father, Shang Luoyun found a husband in the Northern Region. She should be meeting his parents right now."

Shang Lingjun was stunned upon hearing this, then said,

"My daughter is a princess of the Xuantian Merchant Guild. Who is worthy of marrying my daughter?"

Shang Luojun smiled and said,

"Father, don’t say that. Someone really is worthy. Shang Luoyun’s husband is extraordinary."

Then Shang Luojun gave a detailed account of how Ouyang Jin and the Law Enforcement Hall’s Ninth Ancestor had died.

After listening, Shang Lingjun and Shang Batian fell into a daze, then revealed expressions of wild joy.

"Luojun, you said Shang Luoyun found a husband whose Family is even more formidable than our Xuantian Merchant Guild?"

Shang Luojun smiled and said,

"Father, Old Ancestor, it’s more than just formidable. A single Dao Protector of the Qin Family Head’s maid can instantly kill the Ninth Ancestor. Do you think that’s formidable or not?"

Shang Lingjun smiled and said,

"Luojun, if your sister can find such a good husband, then the Old Ancestor and I are content. Take care of yourselves from now on."

After saying that, Shang Lingjun unilaterally ended the call.

Shang Lingjun smiled and said,

"I never thought Shang Luoyun could find such a good husband. I am content."

Shang Batian shook his head.

"Lingjun, your approach is correct, but the nine Old Ancestors of the Law Enforcement Hall are each more terrifying than the last, especially their Grand Elder. No one knows how strong they are. Even the Qin Family you mentioned, if they encounter the Law Enforcement Hall’s Grand Elder, it would be like striking a stone with an egg. So, don’t place your hopes on the Qin Family."

"After all, a Family from the Northern Region, no matter how powerful, cannot possibly contend with the Law Enforcement Hall."

Then he said to everyone,

"All disciples of the Shang Family, when the great battle erupts later, you must not reveal Luojun and Shang Luoyun’s whereabouts. Otherwise, our Shang Family will truly lose its Legacy. If anyone dares to reveal information, they will be dealt with according to Family rules."

"Everyone prepare for battle! Our Shang Family’s heads can roll, blood can flow, but our backbone must not be lost!"

Then all the Shang Family disciples shouted,

"Fight!"

"Fight!"

"Fight!"

At this moment, Shang Luojun sensed something amiss, as if his Family members were bidding him a final farewell. He then hurriedly sent a message to Shang Luoyun.

"Shang Luoyun, the Family is facing a life-and-death crisis. Return quickly."

At this moment, Shang Luoyun was being led by Qin Fen, touring the Qin Family Immortal Academy.

Upon receiving the message, her face instantly turned pale.

Qin Fen said,

"Shang Luoyun, what happened? Why do you look so bad?"

Before Shang Luoyun could reply,

Qin Feng’s voice appeared in Qin Fen’s ear.

"Qin Fen, get ready. Follow me to the Shang Family now to propose marriage."

Qin Rou

PS: Thanks to Tianxuan from Aokouguo, Shandawang who has meat to eat, Hongchen Jie, Chen Zaiwang, Jin Jian who loves to eat stir-fried pork with water bamboo, Tang Yuannan, Shenmu Chuyun who is reluctant to leave, the heroine loves me, I am the male lead, Zhong Wenli from Qingzhou City, and others for their gifts. Thank you all for supporting this struggling author, and thank you for urging me to update.