“There is payoff for every investment.” Li Zhengxiang smiled. Investments carry risk, but the greater the risk, the higher the potential return. Given Li Feng’s situation, even if he could not become the family heir, he was still a powerhouse of his generation. Supporting Li Feng meant he would not lose out, regardless of whether Li Feng succeeded as heir.
Moreover, behind Li Feng stood Li Chuanwei. As Li Chuanwei’s fourth brother, Li Zhengxiang knew his eldest brother very well. Back during the competition for family inheritance, even several of them united could not defeat Li Chuanwei.
Now, after Li Chuanwei had controlled the family for twenty years, the power in his hands was far beyond what it had been then. With his support for Li Feng, Li Feng’s starting point was already higher than Li Wu’s. Add to that Li Feng’s own formidable strength and Li Chuanwei’s backing. How could Li Wu possibly be Li Feng’s match?
Li Feng smiled and said, “Fourth Uncle, if you genuinely help me, I will ensure you get what you want. However…”
“However what?” Li Zhengxiang asked quickly.
“However, I have a plan that requires Fourth Uncle’s cooperation…” Li Feng extended his divine sense. After confirming no one else was around and no listening devices were present, he slowly explained his plan.
“What? You want to…” Li Zhengxiang looked at Li Feng in shock. He had never imagined Li Feng’s ambition was so great. To think of such a thing at this time. Was it confidence? Or arrogance?
“Better safe than sorry. Strike first to gain the advantage.” Li Feng smiled meaningfully and said, “Originally, accomplishing this would have been very difficult. But now that Fourth Uncle has appeared, with your help, it becomes much easier.”
Li Feng knew how risky his plan was. He was uncertain whether Li Zhengxiang truly intended to support him in contending for the family inheritance or was merely using the material he had given to gain his trust before joining Li Xiangyang and Li Wu to scheme against him. But every matter carried risk. Li Feng trusted only his own judgment and his own eyes.
He understood that if the plan succeeded, it would greatly benefit him, both in Tianhai City and when he later returned to Yanjing in force. Even if today Li Zhengxiang was only pretending to ally for Li Xiangyang’s side, it would not matter much. In the entire plan, Li Zhengxiang’s role was only one part.
A flash of shock passed through Li Zhengxiang’s eyes. He knew Li Feng’s strength, but this was the first time he had glimpsed his calculation. He even felt that the person sitting before him was not a young man in his twenties but a cunning old fox.
“Li Feng, your plan is good, but it still has a few shortcomings.” A sharp glint flashed in Li Zhengxiang’s eyes as he voiced his thoughts.
“Fourth Uncle is indeed Fourth Uncle. This nephew admires you.” A gleam flashed in Li Feng’s eyes as he looked deeply at Li Zhengxiang. “Fourth Uncle, just carry out this matter according to the plan. If it succeeds, we will gain unexpected benefits.”
“Rest assured. I know what to do.” Li Zhengxiang nodded and said, “In a moment, when I return, I will have my people cease suppressing Fengyuan Group.”
“No, Fourth Uncle. Whatever the council of elders wants you to do, continue doing it. Our relationship must not be known to anyone.” Li Feng gently shook his head.
“You mean to…”
“Yes. Exactly as Fourth Uncle thinks. However, this will require Fourth Uncle to endure some grievance for a while. I hope Fourth Uncle does not mind.” Li Feng did not want anyone to know about his connection with Li Zhengxiang at this stage. If Li Zhengxiang truly intended to support him in contending for inheritance, he would become an important piece in the future. If not, the impact could be minimised.
In Li Feng’s view, whether Li Zhengxiang was sincere or pretending now, in the future he would no longer have a choice.
Of course, Li Feng had considered using the Divine Control Technique on him. But Li Zhengxiang was, after all, his elder and had approached him today with an appearance of support. Using the technique on him now would be something Li Feng’s conscience could not accept.
Moreover, before his divine sense broke through, he could only control one more person with the Divine Control Technique. He would rather use that slot on an expert than waste it on Li Zhengxiang.
As for the future, if Li Zhengxiang proved unwise, it would not be Li Feng’s fault.
“Heh heh.”
Li Zhengxiang smiled, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes. He naturally understood Li Feng’s meaning. It was too obvious. But only someone like Li Feng would have such boldness. If it were Li Wu, he would probably rush to publicise the news to suppress his rivals.
All along, Li Zhengxiang had thought Li Chuanwei was a schemer. But compared to Li Feng now, he realised Li Feng was even more cunning.
“Li Feng, if you have time, I suggest you make a trip to the northwest.” Li Zhengxiang said.
“The northwest?” Li Feng was taken aback, his gaze flickering as he looked at Li Zhengxiang.
“Yes. It has been a while since you last visited your father-in-law, has it not? When you have time, go see him. Your father-in-law is no ordinary person. If you can truly gain his help, you might receive unexpected benefits.” Li Zhengxiang said meaningfully.
Hu Wenhai?
Li Feng looked puzzled. In his eyes, Hu Wenhai was merely a soldier. The Hu family was not even a first-rate family. What help could he offer? After all, when it came to military matters, no one understood them better than he did. Given his current situation, Hu Wenhai’s assistance would be less valuable than that of a martial artist above the seventh level of the acquired realm.
“Li Feng, I do not know much about the Hu family either. But I must tell you this. Back when you married Hu Yuanyuan, the entire family was shaken. Countless people opposed your marriage to her. Li Xiangyang even hoped Li Wu would marry Hu Yuanyuan instead. Think about it. If the Hu family were ordinary, would Li Xiangyang and the others have reacted that way?” Li Zhengxiang said.
Li Feng was stunned. Li Zhengxiang’s words were something he had not considered. Could there be something special about the Hu family and Hu Wenhai?
As he thought about it, Li Feng involuntarily recalled the dragon jade on Hu Yuanyuan’s body. His heart tightened.
A quarter of an hour later, Li Feng left the private room.
Li Zhengxiang watched Li Feng depart, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes. He picked up his phone and dialled a number.
In Tianhai City, the basement of a certain bar.
Ever since returning from Binhe Road last night, Blood Shadow had been sitting with a gloomy expression.
“Lord Blood Shadow.”
A man in black entered the basement, approached Blood Shadow, and said gravely, “Lord Blood Shadow, Li Feng, Hu Yuanyuan, Zhong Shuhui, and the others. None of them died. They only suffered minor injuries.”
“None died?” Blood Shadow’s eyes shot out a terrifying glare. He stared coldly at the man in black and said, “So you’re saying that bomb had no effect at all?”
“Yes.” The man in black answered with his head lowered.
“Damn it.”
Blood Shadow slammed the coffee table fiercely and roared in fury, “They were lucky. Next time, I will definitely kill them.”
“Lord Blood Shadow, Hu Yuanyuan and the others are currently in the hospital. Should we strike there?” A cold light flashed in the man in black’s eyes as he said gravely, “After failing last night, Li Feng and his group will never expect us to act now. We might succeed in one fatal blow.”
“No.”
Blood Shadow shook his head. “This time, we will use a different method.”
The man in black looked at Blood Shadow in confusion.
“This time, I will target Li Feng’s Fengyuan Group.” Blood Shadow said in a sinister tone.
“Fengyuan Group?” The man in black was startled.
“Yes, exactly Fengyuan Group.” A cold glint flashed in Blood Shadow’s eyes. Fengyuan Group was Li Feng’s company. According to his investigation, not only had Li Feng put Hu Yuanyuan in charge of it, but he also had ambiguous relationships with several subordinates there. Killing them would surely cause Li Feng pain and despair.
“Lord Blood Shadow, Fengyuan Group is a legitimate company. Targeting it might…” The man in black’s expression changed. Targeting Fengyuan Group was entirely different from targeting Li Feng and those close to him. This was Tianhai City, in China. Did Blood Shadow intend to lead his men in a massacre there?
Although the Chinese government had not reacted strongly last night, if Blood Shadow led people to storm Fengyuan Group and slaughter indiscriminately, the government would certainly not remain indifferent. Otherwise, where would its face be?
The man in black felt Blood Shadow had gone somewhat mad. To kill one Li Feng, was all this trouble necessary?
“What is there to fear?” A trace of madness flashed in Blood Shadow’s eyes as he said coldly, “As long as we leave immediately after killing, with the Chinese government’s reaction speed, they probably will not even respond in time.”
“Does Lord Blood Shadow intend to act personally?” The man in black asked gravely. If Blood Shadow acted himself, he could infiltrate Fengyuan Group undetected and kill.
“Me? I am only responsible for killing Li Feng. The others do not require my hand.” Blood Shadow sneered.
“But, Lord Blood Shadow, I currently have almost no men left.” The man in black said.
“Rest assured. I have already requested reinforcements. However, before acting, I need you to prepare some things for me.” Blood Shadow said gravely.
“Lord Blood Shadow, just give your orders.” The man in black said promptly.
Blood Shadow took out a sheet of paper and tossed it to the man in black. “The things I need you to prepare are listed here.”
The man in black glanced at it, and his expression changed.
“What? Is there a problem?” Blood Shadow’s face darkened.
“Lord Blood Shadow, rest assured. In three days, I will definitely have these things ready.” The man in black said quickly.
“Very good. When the time comes, you will be directly responsible for the operation at Fengyuan Group.” Blood Shadow nodded in satisfaction.
“Yes, yes.” Cold sweat broke out on the man in black. He thought of Han Yuxia. He remembered vividly how she had died last night. Was it his turn now? But he dared not oppose Blood Shadow’s orders and could only agree before leaving the basement.
Blood Shadow’s sinister voice rang out, “Li Feng, this time, let us see how you ruin my plan.”
