45: Chapter 45 Subordinate Families

The next day, early morning.

As the first ray of sunlight poured down, Pei Qingyun woke from his slumber. Bathed in the morning light, his mood was exceptionally pleasant.

But at that moment, noise from outside the courtyard broke this hard-won tranquility.

Looking toward the sound, he saw the people of the Pei Family gathered in a circle, occasionally letting out mocking laughter.

"Wang Gang, you have the nerve to come here. Over these past few years, your Wang Family has opposed us at every turn. Now that Wang Yang is dead, you want to come and beg for mercy. How could there be such a good deal in this world? If I were you, I wouldn't come here to humiliate myself."

"That's right, your brother's bones are barely cold, yet you have the face to come knocking. You really are a coward who fears death. If my Pei Family had someone like you, I would beat him to death on the spot."

"Hey, how can you say that about him? He's just seeking a way to survive; what's wrong with that? Being able to come here shows he has commendable courage."

...

Facing the ridicule and reproaches of the Pei Family members, Wang Gang continued to force a smile.

He had prepared himself mentally long before coming to the door. But having actually arrived, he realized he had overestimated himself.

Every word from the Pei Family members was like a bullet hitting his chest, making it impossible for him to breathe.

But no matter how much his heart ached, he did not forget his mission.

He had to see Pei Qingyun.

However, there was one exception on the field who did not join in this trial.

Pei Tianlin stood to the side, watching everything with a cold eye.

Wang Gang's arrival was something he hadn't expected.

He was even somewhat shocked.

But after the shock, he instead began to think more deeply.

As Wang Yang's biological younger brother, if Wang Gang truly just wanted to save his life, there was absolutely no need for him to come to the Pei Family base so openly at this time.

Not to mention the humiliation he would receive from the Pei Family.

If he wasn't careful, losing his life was not impossible.

Moreover, Wang Yang had died at Pei Qingyun's hands; the Pei Family had no reason to let Wang Gang go.

Furthermore, even if he did survive.

Once this matter reached the Wang Family, Wang Gang would surely be condemned by everyone and even face punishment according to Family rules.

After all, this kind of behavior from Wang Gang would not be tolerated in any Family.

While puzzled, it also made Pei Tianlin recall the mission the Old Ancestor had assigned to him.

If it were him, after killing Wang Yang, he would never have sent the body back. Instead, he would have taken advantage of the fact that news of Wang Yang's death hadn't spread yet to eliminate the active forces within the Wang Family base.

As for the Wang Family members within Wuyang County, because of the existence of the Evil Suppression Bureau and the Magistrate's Office, he couldn't act directly.

But he could plan slowly after this operation. A Wang Family without Wang Yang would definitely not last long.

No matter how he looked at it, that was more reasonable.

But the Old Ancestor had chosen a path he couldn't understand.

Could there be some connection between the two?

Thinking of this, he felt it more and more.

Wang Gang's arrival at the Pei Family base was definitely related to the Old Ancestor's plans.

While Pei Tianlin was deep in thought, Pei Qingyun appeared before everyone at some unknown point.

As soon as they saw their Old Ancestor arrive, the originally noisy environment instantly became quiet.

Pei Qingyun first looked at Wang Gang, then at the Pei Family members, seemingly understanding something.

"Wang Gang, come with me." To everyone's complete surprise, Pei Qingyun not only called Wang Gang by name but also let him follow him inside.

In an instant, everyone's eyes showed expressions of disbelief.

Including Wang Gang himself, no one expected that getting an audience with Pei Qingyun would be so easy.

Thus, under everyone's shocked gazes, Wang Gang followed Pei Qingyun all the way into the courtyard.

"Sit down. No need for formalities here." Entering the courtyard, Pei Qingyun casually chose a spot and sat down, then looked toward Wang Gang.

Feeling Pei Qingyun's gaze, a great pressure rose in Wang Gang's heart.

Nevertheless, he still chose a seat relatively close to Pei Qingyun and sat down.

"Speak, what brings you here?" Pei Qingyun picked up a cup of hot tea and took a light sip.

"My Wang Family is willing to become a subsidiary of the Pei Family. I beg the Old Ancestor to save my Wang Family's life." Wang Gang did not answer immediately; he took a deep breath, trying to make his voice as steady as possible.

"This condition does sound quite tempting, but how can I believe you can do it?" A flash of surprise crossed Pei Qingyun's eyes, but his voice turned cold.

"Keep in mind, I killed your brother with my own hands. Don't tell me you don't want to seek revenge for him? Besides, our two families have a long-standing grudge. Why do you think my Pei Family would be willing to accept your Wang Family?"

Hearing Pei Qingyun's successive interrogations, a bit of cold sweat broke out on Wang Gang's forehead. He knew very well that if he didn't answer these two questions well, then everything would be over.

After thinking for a moment, Wang Gang suppressed the tremor in his heart. "If I said I had no thought of revenge at all, perhaps the Old Ancestor would not believe me. But in my heart, I believe all of this was simply my brother's own doing."

"The Old Ancestor might not know, but although we were biological brothers, my father always treated us differently. From childhood to adulthood, whenever my ideas conflicted with my brother's, my father would inevitably favor him. It was precisely because of this favoritism that after my brother inherited the position of Family Head, he became stubborn and dictatorial. Therefore, I don't feel any pity for him meeting this end."

"As for the grudge between our families, in my view, it is far from reaching a life-and-death struggle; it is more a dispute over interests. As long as the Old Ancestor is willing to accept my Wang Family, we are willing to pay any price to resolve the old grievances."

"Any price? What if I want your head?"

Pei Qingyun chuckled.

"As long as it pleases the Old Ancestor, I, Wang Gang, am willing to commit suicide." Wang Gang's expression was firm, with no trace of fear of death in his eyes.

"I'll leave your head for now. But you should also be clear that I cannot believe you based solely on a few words." Pei Qingyun gave Wang Gang a deep look and gently set down the teacup in his hand.

"Old Ancestor, please rest assured. I will let the Old Ancestor see my Wang Family's attitude, but I hope the Old Ancestor can give my Wang Family a chance," Wang Gang said.

"A chance? I can give you one. But you only have three days. Within three days, I must see your Wang Family's attitude. If your Wang Family can satisfy me, what harm is there in saving you?" Pei Qingyun took a sip of tea and said indifferently.

Seeing Pei Qingyun relent, Wang Gang showed a look of joy. He knew very well that this was the Wang Family's only chance.

In the next second, he knelt directly and kowtowed in thanks, saying, "Thank you, Old Ancestor, for giving my Wang Family a chance. I, Wang Gang, will keep this in my heart."

"Alright, if there's nothing else, you go back. Remember, you only have three days." Pei Qingyun glanced at him. He somewhat approved of Wang Gang's adaptable attitude, but only to that extent.

In his past life, this kind of person would be considered a talent.

But in this world, Martial Dao ultimately reigns supreme.