92: Fighting for a million gold

Zhong Mingyi was exceptionally intelligent. He suggested to Yang Yi that in this time of crisis, they could extend an olive branch to other factions, inviting them to assist the Yang family, and to absorb all those who were enemies of the Zhang Family.

Yang Yi waved his hand and let Yang Ming and Zhong Mingyi handle these matters entirely. He played the role of a hands-off manager, neither caring nor asking about anything.

With the cooperation of Yang Ming and Zhong Mingyi, various factions gathered at the Yang family.

Yang Ming and Zhong Mingyi did not waste words. They got straight to the point, asking the factions present to help the Yang family jointly annihilate the Zhang Family. They also listed the various crimes committed by the Zhang Family over the years, loudly proclaiming that destroying the Zhang Family was acting on behalf of the Dao.

The representatives of the various factions gave ambiguous answers, neither refusing nor agreeing.

"Please rest assured, two little brothers."

"If the Zhang Family goes too far, we will certainly step in to help."

"However, what the Zhang Family has done so far has not exceeded my tolerance."

"Therefore, we still need to observe quietly for a while."

"Your Yang family is so strong, why would you need our help?"

"Surely you already have a way to deal with the Zhang Family."

Just as everyone was talking loudly, a Yang family disciple hurried in to report that people from the Zhang Family had arrived.

One faction leader couldn't help asking, "Who is leading them?"

"It is the Zhang Family Head."

Everyone was shocked. Although they had heard rumors, they didn't expect that this Zhang Family Head would actually come. He really couldn't sit still anymore. Everyone looked at each other, seemingly communicating something.

Yang Ming and Zhong Mingyi led the group to the gate. Upon arriving at the entrance, they saw that nearly a hundred people from the Zhang Family had come. The person leading them was none other than the Zhang Family Head. His face was gloomy, his eyes slightly red, and his body was filled with Evil Qi. His gaze fell coldly upon the group behind Yang Ming, his face bearing a trace of malice.

"I didn't expect to see so many old friends at the Yang family."

"Are you here as guests of the Yang family, or do you want to become a sharp sword for the Yang family?"

One of them cupped his hands and smiled, "We heard that it was quite lively here, so we came together to take a look. We have no other intentions. We hope the Family Head will not overthink it."

"Then you should watch carefully to see what happens to those who offend my Zhang Family."

The Zhang Family Head swept his cold gaze over everyone present and asked coldly, "Where is the Yang Family Head?"

Yang Ming cupped his hands to the side and smiled faintly, "My Family Head is resting. Hearing that the Zhang Family had come, he sent us here to welcome you. I wonder if you have brought the gift?"

"What gift?" The Zhang Family Head looked baffled.

Yang Ming's expression suddenly changed, clearly displeased. "Did the people who survived not tell you? If you come to the Yang family again, bring ten thousand taels of gold. It seems you people of the Zhang Family were only focused on fleeing for your lives and forgot the important matters."

Zhang Zitian and Zhang Yanchen's faces flushed red. They had already told the people of the Zhang Family about this, but no one paid any attention. Who knew that Yang Ming would bring this matter up?

"Ten thousand taels of gold, is your Yang family that short of money? Even if you are short of money, you shouldn't be asking my Zhang Family for it. We are enemies, not friends. Why would we give you ten thousand taels of gold?"

Yang Ming sneered, "Are the two outstanding young people of your Zhang Family not worth ten thousand taels of gold? Is it not because our Yang family showed mercy that they were able to return safely? Does your Zhang Family not intend to repay this debt of gratitude? You have come to provoke our Yang family time and again, and our Yang family has always treated you with courtesy. What decent things has your Zhang Family ever done?"

"What if I don't give it?" the Zhang Family Head asked.

Yang Ming laughed, "If you don't give it, then don't. However, the Family Head said, if there is no ten thousand taels of gold, we will no longer engage in battle with you people of the Zhang Family. Hahaha."

The Zhang Family Head laughed loudly, "Can you make the decision on this matter?"

Yang Ming took a step forward, showing no fear, his eyes glinting with a cold light. "Since the Family Head has said so, we have our own way of dealing with it. Moreover, so many people are watching here. Everyone, judge for yourselves: should the Zhang Family produce ten thousand gold? As a form of compensation to our Yang family, or perhaps as a gift given to our Yang family? Some time ago, they caused a ruckus at the Hall of Seeking Talents, destroying the entire hall. They broke into our Yang family and destroyed many of our buildings. Should they not pay for these losses?"

"If they don't pay, then everyone can stop gathering here. You won't see any excitement today. Our Yang family will absolutely not fight with the Zhang Family again. According to the Family Head's wishes, we will pack up everything and retreat immediately. If you want to watch, I won't stop you, but you will only see one group chasing and another group running."

Everyone inwardly cursed Yang Ming for being shameless. They had come to watch the two sides fight fiercely. Now that Yang Ming said he would rather run than fight, hadn't they waited for so long for nothing? Especially the representatives of the various factions, who hoped even more that both sides would fight to the death. How could they let them leave unscathed?

Many people started to jeer, telling the Zhang Family not to be so stingy. Ten thousand taels of gold was nothing to them, so what was the harm in giving it? Besides, what Yang Ming said made sense. When Zhang Zitian and Zhang Yanchen were released, it counted as the Zhang Family owing a favor. A favor owed must always be repaid. Ten thousand taels of gold to repay the favor of two lives was worth it.

The Zhang Family Head did not want to get too entangled with this group of people. With a cold face, he said, "If you can invite your Family Head out, I am willing to bestow ten thousand taels of gold upon you."

Yang Ming did not dwell on the wording. He asked Zhong Mingyi to go and ask if Yang Yi would come out. The Zhang Family Head had already appeared; it was time for him to show his face as well.

A moment later, Zhong Mingyi's voice rang out across the sky, "The Yang Family Head, my foster father, is here."

Hearing Zhong Mingyi's shout, many people frowned and cursed Zhong Mingyi for being shameless. It would have been one thing to say the Yang Family Head had arrived, but adding "foster father" after that was truly shameless.

Under the gaze of everyone, Yang Yi walked out slowly. Many people were seeing Yang Yi for the first time, including the representatives of various factions visiting the Yang family. A buzz of discussion broke out in the crowd.

Yang Yi's appearance couldn't be called exceptionally handsome, but he wasn't plain either. He looked like a young man. There was no trace of energy fluctuation on his body, and he seemed unremarkable, blending into the crowd like an ordinary person. Yet, it was this very ordinary body that, in less than a year, had allowed the declining Yang family to rise up and be able to contend with the massive Zhang Family.

"This is the Yang Family Head? This is my first time seeing him."

"Oh my, I like him so much." A girl swooned.