"Everyone, since you've agreed to attend this secret discussion, you must have made up your mind."
From a high position, a middle-aged man wearing gold-rimmed glasses and a look of indifference gazed at the two rows of people and spoke gravely.
His name was Du Tianshang, the second uncle of Du Yuemian.
Du Guidao had three children: an eldest son, Du Tianen, who was Du Yuemian's father and the current head of the Du family; a daughter, Du Tianyan; and a younger son, Du Tianshang.
The Du family did not have a rule of "primogeniture inheritance."
To become the family head, there was only one way: to be the strongest in the clan.
Among Du Guidao's three children, Du Tianen possessed the strongest martial arts talent. Following him was his daughter, Du Tianyan, and then Du Tianshang.
Du Tianshang's martial arts talent could not be described as poor, but rather as negligible.
Therefore, knowing this well, Du Tianshang abandoned martial arts cultivation and pursued a career in business instead.
Perhaps all his martial arts talent had been channeled into business, giving him an extremely keen sense for commerce. In just a few years, he had elevated the Du family's business to the number one position in the provincial capital.
It could be said that before the incident, among the three major families in the provincial capital, the Du family's overall strength was superior to the other two.
But fate is unpredictable, and fortunes can change in an instant.
After that upheaval, the Du family's business also began to decline.
After all, without a powerful backing, Du Tianshang's considerable business acumen was of no avail.
Upon hearing Du Tianshang's words, everyone fell into a brief silence.
If they had a choice, why would they have gathered here?
After a moment, someone spoke first.
"The Du family has no other path to retreat now. If we continue to struggle senselessly, we will only end up with ruin and the annihilation of our clan. Therefore..."
At this point, that person stood up, bowed to Du Tianshang, and clasped his hands in supplication: "Therefore, in order to preserve the Du family's legacy, please lead us towards a path of dawn!"
Once someone broke the silence, the rest also stood up, bowed, and clasped their hands:
"Please lead us towards a path of dawn!"
"Please lead us towards a path of dawn!"
...
Seeing this, Du Tianshang waved his hand and declared loudly, "Since you all trust me so much, I will certainly not fail your expectations." He then stood up and solemnly promised, "Our Du family will never be extinguished."
After meticulous deliberation, the others dispersed.
At this moment, besides Du Tianshang, a young man remained in the hall.
This young man was handsome, stood tall, with sharp eyes and sword-like brows, giving him an air of sharpness.
"Dad! Are you sure you want to do this?" Du Gongchen looked at his father, his tone laced with a hint of dissatisfaction.
Du Tianshang looked at his son and shook his head, sighing softly, "You don't understand!"
"I don't understand?"
"Heh!"
Hearing this, Du Gongchen let out a cold laugh. "Yes! I don't understand your great plan! But I am very clear that once the Du family compromises with the Feng family, we members of the Du family will never be able to hold our heads up again!"
For Du Gongchen, it was better to die standing than to live kneeling.
"Gongchen, I've told you, there are things you don't understand!" Du Tianshang had no intention of explaining anything to his son.
"You just need to remember, everything I do is for the Du family!"
After speaking, Du Tianshang turned and left.
In a corner where Du Gongchen could not see, a deep helplessness flickered in his father's eyes.
After Du Tianshang left, Du Gongchen clenched his fists tightly, his eyes filled with anger and unwillingness.
Anger at his father's actions.
Unwillingness at his own powerlessness.
...
"Miss! We've arrived."
Opening the car door, Du Yuemian looked at the familiar building before her, feeling a sense of disorientation.
Even though she had only been away from home for a few days, she felt a sense of having been through a lifetime.
The change in her state of mind brought a hint of enlightenment to Du Yuemian.
"Young Master! Please come in!" Du Yuemian gestured to Ye Ming beside her.
Although they had been joking earlier, at this moment, Du Yuemian had not forgotten her position.
This return trip was to be led by Ye Ming.
"Mhm!"
After Ye Ming stepped through the gate, Du Yuemian followed closely behind.
Ge Qingkong, upon seeing this, knitted his brows slightly. He had observed their conversation and actions from the beginning.
However, he did not ask further.
He was well aware of his own status. He would do what he was supposed to do and observe.
Stepping into the Du family courtyard, one was greeted by a long corridor paved with bluestone. On either side of the corridor stood two rows of luxurious villas.
All the members of the Du family resided within these.
"Let's go! Take me directly to your grandfather!" Ye Ming glanced around the surroundings and then withdrew his gaze.
"Okay!"
Upon hearing this, Du Yuemian's steps became noticeably lighter.
"To see the Old Patriarch?"
Ge Qingkong behind them heard this and was somewhat puzzled and worried.
Given the Old Patriarch's current condition, how could he possibly see an outsider!
"Miss, the Old Patriarch needs to rest now. Perhaps you could visit him tomorrow!" Ge Qingkong finally couldn't help but remind her.
"It's alright, Ye Ming can cure my grandfather," Du Yuemian replied without looking back.
Cure the Old Patriarch!
Upon hearing this, Ge Qingkong was stunned for a moment, and then all his doubts were resolved.
"Damn kid, I thought he was a distinguished gentleman at first. To think he's actually a charlatan and a trickster!" Ge Qingkong was furious. "No wonder the Miss is so polite to him; he must have deceived her with honeyed words, the scoundrel!"
It was known that the Old Patriarch of the Du family had sustained his injuries from a Martial Emperor expert.
Furthermore, they had worsened over two years.
And now, Du Yuemian claimed that the young man she brought back could cure her grandfather.
How could he possibly believe it?
Not only him, but even a random person would not believe that the young man before them could cure him.
Even a supreme Martial God would not dare to make such a boast.
Thinking this, Ge Qingkong quickly stepped forward, his figure flashing as he blocked Ye Ming's path.
He glared at Ye Ming with anger in his eyes. With a wave of his hand, a terrifying aura surged from his body.
All the surrounding greenery began to bend under the pressure of the aura, and the ground started to crack.
Ge Qingkong was actually a Martial宗!
At this moment, the air was filled with a biting killing intent.
He had murderous intent.
In Ge Qingkong's view, Ye Ming's deliberate approach to the Du family must have an ulterior motive.
As a steward of the Du family, how could he stand idly by?
"Speak! What is your purpose in coming to the Du family?"