The current Family Head of the Holy Sea Yang Family was a childhood friend of Qin Lie's. They had been mischievous together, studied together, and entered the business world together. In the end, they both assumed the position of Clan Leader for their respective families.

With its deeper foundation, the Yang Family had spent years developing and growing, becoming the most influential top-tier power in the entire Qiyun Road. They were known as the Golden Summit Family. Because they had powerful backers, one could say they dominated that entire, most prosperous region. What fascinated people most was that the Yang Family maintained a massive force of Personal Guards. As to how large it was, no one could say for sure. All in all, the Yang Family's influence across the entire nation was undeniable.

Over the years, Qin Lie's contact with the Yang Family's Head may not have been frequent, but their friendship remained strong.

Qin Zhuo's expression shifted repeatedly as he asked, confused, "Father, what exactly are you afraid of?"

"As the saying goes, 'It's best to prepare for a rainy day.'" Qin Lie caught a few raindrops, rubbing them between his hands. "Such a huge change has occurred on Qiyun Road, yet I was completely unaware of the specifics. What if someone has their sights set on our Qin Family?"

Qin Lie was fraught with worry, his expression grave. "It's better to be overprepared than to leave anything to chance."

"Understood, Father!" Qin Zhuo nodded. Thinking it over, he realized his father's concerns were indeed reasonable.

"By the way, Chu Jiang is here. He says he wants to meet with Qin Qiu first."

Qin Lie raised an eyebrow. "The Chu Jiang who's number one on the Hidden Dragon List?"

"Yes. That man is incredibly arrogant and doesn't seem to hold our Qin Family in high regard."

"Let's go."

「Meanwhile.」

Having just received the news, Qin Qiu was utterly dejected.

"Xiaoqiu, they just want you to meet him, not marry him right now," a girl of about twenty-two or twenty-three, with a cute, chubby face, said comfortingly as she held her arm.

This was Qin Meng, the only friend Qin Qiu had made during all her time in the Qin Family. Qin Meng's grandfather happened to be Qin Gang's closest friend and was the one currently helping arrange for Qin Qiu's reintegration into the family.

"Still, this Chu Jiang is too much! How dare he openly declare that you're nothing but cheap rouge and powder, and claim he's only here to size you up for his brother?" Qin Meng pouted, fuming with anger.

Qin Qiu just gave a soft laugh and shook her head. "It doesn't matter. I won't marry any of them." A faint smile appeared on her face. "If my husband found out, he'd beat that man until he was searching for his teeth on the ground."

She had sworn to herself that she wouldn't cry so easily again.

Nearby, Qin Meng shook her head and sighed. Born into a great family, one's fate was rarely one's own. Some things, perhaps, could only be wished for.

Seeing Qin Meng's expression, how could Qin Qiu not know what she was thinking?

Yes, none of you believe me. But I believe him! He once promised me that for my sake, he would level an entire city. So what if he did? Just you all wait. He will prove himself to everyone. And as for you, Chu Jiang, you're in for it now!

Qin Meng didn't take her words seriously and was about to change the subject to stop her from getting lost in wishful thinking. However, when she saw the confident, resolute, and burning gaze in Qin Qiu's eyes, her own conviction began to waver.

Could this become a self-fulfilling prophecy?

In the main hall of the Qin Family residence stood a man in his early thirties. He wore a gray robe, had an upright posture, and features that could be considered handsome. But his sinister eyes, like those of a venomous snake, gave off a distinctly uncomfortable feeling. This was, of course, Chu Jiang, number one on the Hidden Dragon List.

Qin Qiu already had a terrible impression of him. What did he mean by calling her "cheap rouge and powder" and saying he was sizing her up for his brother? Not only was he arrogant and conceited, but he was also utterly devoid of manners. Consequently, she refused to give him a pleasant expression.

Chu Jiang, however, stared at Qin Qiu with great interest. He scrutinized her from head to toe before finally nodding slightly. "Slightly better than the photos. I suppose she'll barely do for my brother."

"Do you even know how to talk?" Qin Meng wasn't as mild-tempered as Qin Qiu and immediately shot back.

Chu Jiang just shrugged nonchalantly. "I'm only speaking the truth." He continued with supreme confidence, "By the way, although my brother isn't my equal, he is still a young talent ranked in the top five of the Hidden Dragon List. He's currently in seclusion, which is why I've come on his behalf. When I ascend to the Dragon Brilliance List, the number one spot on the Hidden Dragon List will naturally be his."

"I'm not trying to show off," Chu Jiang said, pointing at Qin Qiu. "I'm just telling you that getting to marry my brother is the good fortune of a lifetime."

Qin Qiu crossed her arms and turned her head away, not even bothering to waste a single word on him.

Chen Yang is so much better.

"My, aren't we full of ourselves?" Qin Meng teased. "Calling yourself a young talent? You've got some nerve. Lord Yang isn't even thirty and he's already number one on the Dragon Brilliance List. I don't see him acting as arrogant as you."

"Hmph!" Chu Jiang scoffed. "He's just some old codger who's good at preserving his youthful appearance. Among my peers, I disdain to be compared with anyone."

"Really? I heard he's only twenty-eight."

Chu Jiang was silent. He had heard this rumor too, but he would never admit it.

"He's number one on the Dragon Brilliance List, and you're number one on the Hidden Dragon List. That means you aren't even qualified to get on the Dragon Brilliance List, yet you disdain comparison? Have you no shame?"

Not qualified? Chu Jiang almost coughed up blood. If you put it that way, then he indeed wasn't qualified. But why make that comparison? That was just insulting!

Qin Meng snickered. "If you're really so great, why don't you publicly challenge Lord Yang? Go on, declare to the world that you're invincible among your peers. Of course, if you think it's unfair, you can request that Lord Yang lower his cultivation realm to your level. If you beat him, your name will be known throughout the world."

Chu Jiang's mouth twitched, and his face turned grim. This little brat's tongue is truly venomous. Is she trying to back me into a corner? After all, he was a guest! This was a blatant slap in the face.

He pulled himself together and said haughtily, "If this Lord Yang truly lowers his realm, I would naturally dare to face him in battle."

"Right," Qin Meng said, tilting her head and asking with an earnest expression, "Since you're peers, why is his cultivation realm so high while yours isn't?"

Chu Jiang's mouth twitched again. He couldn't stand it anymore and left in a huff, flicking his sleeves.

"Don't worry, I'll help spread the word that you want to challenge Lord Yang!" Qin Meng shouted after him, clearly enjoying the chaos.

"Hehe..." Qin Meng linked arms with Qin Qiu, her mischievous eyes twinkling. She raised a small fist. "I hope Lord Yang notices and beats him to death. Then, Sister Qiu, you won't have to marry him!"

Qin Qiu rolled her eyes, speechless. I have Chen Yang. I don't need some 'Lord Yang' to stand up for me.

...

As evening approached, Chen Yang finally reeled in his line and prepared to head home.

In the car, Yang Hu passed Chen Yang a cigarette. "Boss, it looks like the Di Family is in trouble."

"What happened?" Chen Yang asked, lighting the cigarette.

"It must be the Cao Family, Cao Kang's family!" Yang Hu quickly summarized the information he had gathered. "It seems the Cao Family is blaming the Di Family for Cao Kang's death."

"Since this trouble started because of me, let's go have a look."

"You got it, Boss!"

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