223: Chapter 222 I Want to Become Stronger

There was a two-second silence on the other end of the line. "Shen Family? Which Shen Family? The Holy City's Shen Family? Is it that business-running one?"

"The one that seems to have a few Level 9 martial artists holding down the fort?"

"Yes, yes, yes, that's the one. Their influence isn't huge, but it's not small either."

"Oh... that Shen Family. I seem to have some memory of them. I dealt with them once twenty years ago; they were alright, not too strong."

The corner of Zeng Aniu's mouth twitched. "They're not too strong, but they're just strong enough to kill your son?"

Wang Dashan thought for a moment, then said, "Send some people to protect my son."

"If they actually dare to touch my son, help me take out the Shen Family."

"I won't make the trip over; it's a bit far, and I can't be bothered to move."

Zeng Aniu was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter. "Alright, Old Dragon! It's been so many years, and you're still as straightforward as ever!"

"However... I heard the Shen Family is also planning to send people to your place to cause trouble for you?"

The other end of the line went quiet for two seconds. "That's crossing the line, isn't it? My son caused the trouble, so why are they coming after the father? Does this mean they want to wipe out my whole family?"

Zeng Aniu laughed out loud. "That seems to be the implication."

Wang Dashan sighed. "These days, you can't even take a peaceful vacation. If only my son hadn't awakened, he could have rested for a few more years."

"Now, I'm afraid there isn't much time left to rest."

Zeng Aniu leaned back in his chair and propped his legs up on the desk. "Your son is already Level 5 now; you should be secretly happy."

"What?" Wang Dashan's voice rose sharply. "Already Level 5 so quickly?"

"Hahaha... Good, good, good! Truly worthy of being my son!"

Zeng Aniu waited until he was done laughing before continuing. "I heard the Shen Family has already started investigating your son."

"Although they have no evidence, their stance is very clear... Better to kill the wrong person than to let one slip through. I'm afraid your son is in trouble."

Wang Dashan was silent for a while longer, his tone turning slightly cold. "Keep an eye on my son for me."

"If the Shen Family doesn't play by the rules, help me erase them from the Holy City."

"Erase them? That might be difficult. After all, this is the Holy City. Even though the Shen Family isn't top-tier, other factions are watching. The Night Watchers, Miracle Company, and the people from the Holy Court. I'm afraid they won't just sit by and watch."

"Don't worry, just do it. If they dare to intervene, I'll personally make a trip over and have a chat with them. Besides, isn't Rat also in the Holy City? You can ask him for help when the time comes."

Zeng Aniu was stunned for a moment, then laughed. "That Rat has been living a retired life lately; he doesn't even care much about the The Slaughterhouse business anymore."

"He spends all day soaking in tea houses, drinking tea and playing chess, just like an old man. Do you think this guy might be an undercover agent sent by another faction?"

Wang Dashan chuckled. "It doesn't matter if he's an undercover agent or not, as long as he's strong enough and obedient enough."

Zeng Aniu nodded. "Alright, as long as you know what you're doing."

"Oh, right. There's a kid named Shen Tie in my establishment. He's a good guy and admires you quite a bit. He wants to meet you and, incidentally, treat you to a meal."

Wang Dashan's voice held a hint of confusion. "Shen Tie? Is that the kid you mentioned last time, the one you picked up from the Mist Forest?"

"That's him."

"Alright. Since he wants to see me, I'll find him for a meal next time I go to the Holy City."

"Alright then, I'm hanging up now."

"Done."

After hanging up the phone, Wang Dashan placed it on the table and muttered to himself, "Shen Tie? Treating me to a meal? Is he trying to suck up to me?"

On the other side, after hanging up, Zeng Aniu stood up, walked to the door, and called out, "Shen Tie! Come here for a second..."

A moment later, Shen Tie ran over from the end of the hallway, his face still stained with a bit of monster blood, clearly having just come out of the inner workshop.

"Boss Niu, did you call me?"

Zeng Aniu looked at him and patted his shoulder. "You're in for a treat, kid."

"I've already contacted that dragon, and he said he'll come to the Holy City when he's free."

Shen Tie's eyes widened suddenly. "Really, Boss Niu? Are you telling the truth? That dragon... is willing to come to the Holy City?"

Zeng Aniu nodded. "Really. He said it himself."

"I can only help you this much; the rest is up to you."

Shen Tie smiled.

It was the happiest Zeng Aniu had ever seen him smile. "Thank you, Boss Niu! Thank you, Boss Niu!"

Zeng Aniu waved his hand. "Alright, no need to thank me. Go back to work. I'll notify you when he arrives."

Shen Tie turned and ran off, his steps so light it was like he was a different person. Was his life's goal finally about to be achieved? He was so happy...

After hanging up the phone, Wang Dashan leaned back in his chair, as if thinking about something interesting.

After a few seconds, he picked up the phone, scrolled through his contacts, found a number saved as "Little Rat," and pressed the dial button.

It rang a few times, and the other side picked up.

Qiao Bo's voice carried a hint of wariness and a touch of impatience at being disturbed.

"Hello? Wang Dashan? What made you think of calling me?"

Wang Dashan's voice carried a sense of triumph. "Little Rat, I heard your daughter is only Level 4? Not good enough."

"Let me tell you, my son is already Level 5."

"Didn't you look down on my son before? How about that? Now my son is a level higher than your daughter, huh?"

The other end of the line was silent for two seconds.

Wang Dashan could imagine Qiao Bo's expression right now...

Qiao Bo frowned, the corner of his mouth twitching slightly.

Then, with a "click," the phone hung up. Staring at the black screen, he muttered to himself, "Damn it, he showed off again."

That old bastard Wang Dashan loved to show off twenty years ago, and twenty years later, he's still the same.

But what he said was a fact...

Just as Qiao Bo hung up the phone, the study door was pushed open.

Qiao Shuwan walked in, wearing a clean school uniform, her hair tied in a high ponytail, her expression as cold as usual.

But Qiao Bo noticed her gaze—it was the look of someone who had decided on something.

"Dad, I want to undergo training. The dangerous kind of training."

Qiao Bo put down the phone, looked at his daughter, and was silent for a moment. "Why the sudden thought?"

Qiao Shuwan did not avoid his gaze.

"I want to become stronger..."

"Because Wang Lin said that without danger, how can one become strong? I don't want to be worse than Wang Lin."

"He is already Level 5, and I am still Level 4. If this continues, the gap between him and me will only grow larger."

Qiao Bo leaned back in his chair, looking at his daughter.

He knew Qiao Shuwan's temperament: stubborn, competitive, and never willing to admit defeat.

She and Wang Lin had a betrothal, and she used to look down on Wang Lin, but that was in the past.

Now Qiao Shuwan had changed—not that she had started to like Wang Lin, but she didn't want to be left behind by him.

Qiao Bo tapped his fingers on the desktop twice.

"Do you know what dangerous training means? It means... you could die."

"I know."