84: Chapter 84 Madam, let's have a deeper discussion.

"Tomorrow is the Shen Family gathering. As long as Shen Wen performs the three kneelings and nine kowtows in front of everyone in the Shen Family and formally acknowledges me as his foster father."

"Only then will it be justified for me to step in and reclaim the family assets that belong to my foster son."

This was the plan hatched by Chu Yuan and The Monk Jiesha; to have the Protagonist, who had already dealt with his biological father, acknowledge a new father in front of everyone.

Once Chu Yuan arranged for his people to take control of all the important positions within the Shen Family, this cheap son would no longer matter.

If this cheap son were to die, it would seem reasonable for the father to manage the family assets on his behalf.

"This..." Qi Xinyue was still hesitating and worrying about something.

Shen Wen, however, had no such reservations and agreed immediately.

In any case, he had already acknowledged Jiesha, his biological father, as his foster father; doing so now was merely a formality, so what was the difficulty?

Furthermore, this guy was elusive and possessed unfathomable strength.

If he could be utilized to seize the position of Head of the Shen Family, he would be a very useful tool.

Once he had the entire Shen Family in his grasp, if the old guy was obedient, he would continue to support him.

If he was disobedient, he could just find some excuse to kick him out.

In Shen Wen's eyes, although Jiesha was his biological father, he had not the slightest affection for The Monk, nor any father-son bond.

If it weren't for the fact that they were father and son, he would have definitely sent The Monk on his way as well when he killed Shen Congwu.

Both mother and son agreed, and The Monk Jiesha smiled triumphantly: "Good son, hurry up and kneel down, kowtow to your old man, and call me Dad."

"Didn't I already kowtow and call you that last time? Why do I have to do it again?" Shen Wen looked displeased.

"Last time was last time. This time is to let you practice in advance. If you mess up tomorrow, wouldn't that be a laughingstock?"

The Monk Jiesha kept a straight face, looking very serious.

"Shen Wen, just do as your father asks." Qi Xinyue also sided with The Monk Jiesha.

"Father is above, please accept this bow from your son, Shen Wen."

Facing the pressure from his "parents," Shen Wen unwillingly knelt down and called him Dad once again.

"Look at that expression on your face, looking so unwilling. If you don't want to, forget it, The Monk won't help you anymore."

"No!" Qi Xinyue grabbed The Monk Jiesha's hand, pleading with a look on her face.

Then she turned her gaze to Shen Wen: "Shen Wen, what are you still waiting for? Don't make your father angry again."

"Father is above, please accept this bow from your son, Shen Wen."

"Your attitude isn't sincere enough, continue!"

"Did you not eat? Your voice is so small."

"When you see your father, you must smile, continue practicing."

After practicing a dozen times in a row, The Monk Jiesha finally nodded with satisfaction.

"Good son, finally, the practice is a success."

"Don't worry, with your dad here, I guarantee that you will comfortably ascend to the position of Head of the Shen Family."

The Monk Jiesha wrapped his arm around Qi Xinyue's slender waist, while patting Shen Wen on the shoulder with his other hand.

Was this cozy scene the taste of home?

Shen Wen observed the lecherous expression on The Monk Jiesha's face.

Now that he had to humble himself, and Shen Wen still needed The Monk Jiesha to uphold justice for him, he dared not say anything and even had to force a smile.

"Father, Mother, you have worked hard all day. I will not disturb you two any further."

After saying this, Shen Wen left obediently.

The next morning. The entire Shen Family was bustling with activity.

Second Uncle Shen Congwen, Shen Lang, as well as dozens of branches of the Shen Family, and hundreds of people had all gathered here.

Besides arranging the funeral for Shen Congwu, the most important part was deciding the position of Head of the Shen Family.

In this capital city, the Shen Family was illustrious and could be ranked among the top ten; their financial power and influence were not to be underestimated.

Whoever secured the position of Head of the Shen Family would truly hold supreme power.

Second Uncle Shen Congwen and the others were also sharpening their knives, determined to seize the position of Head of the Family.

The Shen Family meeting hall.

Shen Wen's Second Uncle Shen Congwen, cousin Shen Lang, cousin Shen Yi, and Shen Cheng and Shen Kuo from the Shen Family branches—the five people with the most strength and the most likely to become Head of the Shen Family—were seated in order.

Below them were the dozens of other forces within the Shen Family.

As the wife of the previous Head of the Shen Family, Shen Congwu, Qi Xinyue occupied the main seat until a new Head of the Family was selected.

Second Uncle Shen Congwen and the others didn't take the mother and son, Qi Xinyue and Shen Wen, seriously at all.

Shen Wen had no foundation in the Shen Family and a terrible reputation; Second Uncle Shen Congwen and the others had even secretly discussed kicking this most useless piece of trash out first.

Seeing that the time was right, Second Uncle Shen Congwen was the first to stand up.

"Today's Shen Family gathering is for a few matters."

"My elder brother, Shen Congwu, Head of the Shen Family, was assassinated by an assassin. This is a provocation against our Shen Family, and even more so, a disgrace to our Shen Family."

"We must exhaust all our efforts to capture the killer and grind his bones to dust to appease my elder brother's spirit in heaven."

The Shen Family members present were filled with righteous indignation, wishing they could skin the killer alive and grind his bones to dust right then and there.

As for the truth behind this, perhaps only they themselves knew.

When the atmosphere was right, Second Uncle Shen Congwen waved his hand to stop everyone.

"As the saying goes, a family cannot go a day without a head. My elder brother is gone, and there are still many things to do in the Shen Family. We need to select someone with seniority, virtue, and talent to serve as the Head of the Family and take on the burden of the Shen Family."

"I, Second Uncle Shen Congwen, will state here first: whoever becomes the Head of the Shen Family must treat my sister-in-law and her son, the widow and orphan, well. If anyone dares to slight them, don't blame me for being impolite."

Second Uncle Shen Congwen appeared to be fighting for certain benefits for Shen Wen, but in reality, with that one sentence, he had cast Shen Wen out of the list of contenders for Head of the Family.

Shen Lang and the others revealed meaningful smiles and nodded in agreement.

In any case, it was just lip service, and it allowed them to gain a reputation and demonstrate magnanimity; there was no reason for anyone to disagree.

As long as they could become the Head of the Family, how to treat the widow and orphan would be their own business.

With the minor matters settled, next came the most important thing: the competition for the Head of the Family.

Second Uncle Shen Congwen, Shen Lang, and the others began to get serious.

Like the Eight Immortals crossing the sea, each showed their special talents, using all their might to seize the throne.

The sound of arguing rose in waves, one after another, never ceasing.