Xu Hanchen's gaze was sharp.
At this moment, where was there any trace of his former confusion?
He was clearly the undefeated general of old!
Xu Jinsong trembled all over, overwhelmed with emotion.
Xu Hanchen's return would surely stir up a storm in the capital and even throughout Hua Nation, potentially even delivering a powerful shock to the Qin and Li families!
Crash!
The bloodied soldiers in the backyard saluted Xu Hanchen one by one.
Xu Hanchen returned a standard military salute, his gaze incredibly fierce as he spoke, "Today, I implore you all to lend me your strength!"
"Cleanse the emperor's side, slay the treacherous officials!"
After Xu Hanchen uttered these words, the soldiers, led by Xu Jinsong, shouted in unison, their voices shaking the heavens!
"Cleanse the emperor's side, slay the treacherous officials!"
"Cleanse the emperor's side, slay the treacherous officials!"
"Cleanse the emperor's side, slay the treacherous officials!"
"..."
Xu Yaoyao was deeply moved, staring at her grandfather in a daze.
"Grandpa, you..." she began.
Xu Hanchen looked at his granddaughter, his eyes softening. "I know what you want to ask. Come into my study."
The grandfather and granddaughter entered the study.
Xu Hanchen found a faded military uniform and put it on, the service medals on it gleaming.
Tears welled up in Xu Yaoyao's eyes. "Grandpa, you're finally awake."
Xu Hanchen seemed to have no expression as he spoke with his back to Xu Yaoyao. "As you surmise, I was merely pretending before. Qin Jianguo and Li Buyan conspired to harm me. I had to evade their direct assault, then secretly deploy troops and prepare, waiting for the opportune moment to strike a fatal blow against these two great families!"
"Grandpa, how did you manage it?" Xu Yaoyao asked, confused.
"They had already installed surveillance cameras in the backyard. Every move you made was within their grasp."
Xu Hanchen chuckled coldly. "At first, I couldn't figure out how to contact the outside world. It wasn't until they installed those cameras that I devised a method. Do you remember Lin Zhige? He is now the third-highest-ranking official in the military and has the authority to view surveillance feeds."
Xu Yaoyao, being incredibly intelligent, immediately guessed that while Xu Hanchen was basking in the sun in the backyard each day, he must have been using Morse code to signal Lin Zhige on how to proceed.
"I could have waited longer," Xu Hanchen said.
"But—"
"The Li family couldn't hold back any longer and began to move against Chen Jin Zhao. This is something I absolutely cannot tolerate. If I had delayed by another month, I could have minimized the risks."
Xu Yaoyao suddenly understood.
Xu Hanchen said with a hint of guilt, "Yaoyao, I have failed both you and your parents."
At the time, Xu Hanchen had been unable to prevent the tragedy.
Because if Xu Hanchen had made his move prematurely, he would have lost everything. Thus, Xu Hanchen had endured until now.
He hadn't even consulted Chen Jin Zhao.
Xu Yaoyao's body trembled slightly upon hearing this, then she shook her head. "Grandpa, I know you have your reasons for doing this. You don't need to blame yourself. To do something for this country is the highest honor for our Xu family, for three generations."
"I just want to know, why did they want to kill my parents?" Xu Yaoyao felt bewildered.
Xu Hanchen recounted the story slowly.
Initially, Xu Shaoan had wanted to join the army, but Xu Hanchen had strongly opposed it.
This was because Xu Hanchen's lifelong ambition was to eradicate all aristocratic families; how could he possibly allow the Xu family to become another such entity?
The dragon slayer did not wish to become a dragon!
Even if Xu Shaoan had no such ambitions, Xu Hanchen dared not take the risk.
Otherwise, it would bring a devastating catastrophe to this nation!
Therefore, Xu Shaoan, disheartened, left his home and became a volunteer teacher in a remote mountainous area with his wife.
However, Xu Shaoan did not settle for a quiet life.
Having been influenced by his father since childhood, he often pondered if he could contribute something to the country.
Ultimately, Xu Shaoan secretly assembled a small team dedicated to hunting down the descendants of aristocratic families.
Since the law could not bring these individuals to justice, Xu Shaoan would use the most primitive method to make these beneficiaries disappear from the world!
By the time Xu Hanchen learned of this, it was already too late.
After listening, Xu Yaoyao's mood became exceptionally heavy. After a long silence, she murmured, "Perhaps this was their best outcome. If they had been tried by law, I don't know what consequences it would have led to."
Xu Hanchen nodded.
Since his granddaughter could come to terms with it, he had nothing more to say.
"Grandpa, you should hurry. We need to act swiftly now," Xu Yaoyao said, regaining her composure.
Xu Hanchen nodded. "Lin Zhige has already begun his operation, preparing to encircle the two great families from the air and the ground. Not a single person from either family will escape."
"And the Gouchen Group and Kunlun Research Institute. Their forces have gathered there," Xu Yaoyao said, her face suddenly paling. She looked sharply at Xu Hanchen. "Oh no, Sister Yu had previously sent Brother Jin Zhao's relatives to seek refuge with the Qin family..."
These people would likely become hostages.
Xu Hanchen said calmly, "There's no need to worry. I've already sent people to intercept them halfway."
Xu Yaoyao felt a wave of relief.
Then she had nothing to worry about.
Xu Hanchen wasted no time. After tidying his uniform, he left the study. Xu Yaoyao pondered for a moment before deciding to accompany her grandfather to the headquarters in the western suburbs.
At that time.
Li Family Compound.
Li Tiannan stared intently at Chen Jin Zhao.
"You think you can trick me like this again? Chen Jin Zhao, do you underestimate me too much?" Li Tiannan scoffed.
Chen Jin Zhao appeared relaxed, his tone laced with mockery. "I have come with the resolve to die. Do you believe I can drag you down with me before I perish? Once you are dead, your wife and children will likely face reckoning from Li Tian Ce."
Li Tiannan's pupils contracted again.
This was his greatest concern. Should any accident befall him, his wife and children would be implicated.
Facing someone like Chen Jin Zhao, who had come with the resolve to die, Li Tiannan's imposing aura weakened by a fraction.
He subtly scanned the surrounding snipers, feeling immense pressure, as if they were all aiming at his head.
"Chen Jin Zhao, you've already ruined me," Li Tiannan roared.
Chen Jin Zhao's laughter became more sarcastic. "I am not ruining you, but offering you a path to survival. Born from the brink of death."
Li Tiannan's chest heaved violently as he weighed the truth of Chen Jin Zhao's words.
Should he cooperate with Chen Jin Zhao?
Chen Jin Zhao smiled. "If you dare not, then continue to fight me until one side perishes."
But doing so would cause Li Tiannan to lose this golden opportunity.
Li Tiannan's mind raced.
In fact, Li Tiannan also had his own advisors. His advisors had urged him to advance further in the past, but Li Tiannan had refused at the time.
Upon remembering Li Tian Ce's ruthlessness, Li Tiannan finally made up his mind and said to Chen Jin Zhao, "Alright, I agree."
"Let us join forces and eliminate Li Tian Ce!"