Even though Ji Changlong was a peak expert, his mobility had greatly declined after being ambushed and fatally wounded.
Even if his internal energy protected his heart, it was merely a means to slow the loss of his life.
It could not prevent Ji Changlong's death.
With no hope left in his heart, Ji Changlong roared in grief and anger. The thousand-year foundation of the Ji family was now utterly destroyed in his hands.
The successor he had placed his hopes on had been a fake, sent by the Zhao family.
And his true successor had been reduced to ashes and scattered into the sea by the Zhao family.
Coupled with the complete annihilation of the Ji family, Ji Changlong was completely disheartened.
Everything was gone.
Ji Changlong, who had lost the will to live, was still a peak expert, and the four Grandmasters of the Zhao family could not contend with him.
For a moment, Ji Changlong sent the four clan elders into a desperate retreat.
However, the four clan elders did not engage in a direct fight. A peak expert who had lost the will to live would try to drag them down with him. The four were not foolish.
"The Ji family is ruined in your hands, you truly are a failure."
"Hehehe... In the end, it is my Zhao family that laughs last."
"Drag him along, he will die on his own."
"Mhm."
The four clan elders, like kite flyers, led Ji Changlong on, but Ji Changlong's target was not them.
Ji Changlong wanted to take someone down with him, and that would naturally be Zhao Yunhai, the highest-ranking person present.
Seeing the old man's gaze turn towards him, Zhao Yunhai's figure suddenly moved past the four clan elders and rushed towards him.
"Old man, even the gates of hell can't stop you."
Zhao Yunhai's figure transformed into a black shadow and appeared directly before Ji Changlong. His Dragon Claw hand pierced directly through his chest.
A heart, stabbed by a dagger, was directly gouged out by Zhao Yunhai.
Ji Changlong never imagined that the Zhao Yunhai he thought was the weakest would be the strongest among them.
Ji Changlong, now without a heart, was kicked to the ground by Zhao Yunhai and killed by the finishing blows of the four clan elders.
"Preserve this heart well. It is the last source of the Ji family's bloodline, and the heart holds great significance."
Zhao Yunhai handed the heart to Si Jinyan, who quickly called his team members to find a box to put it in.
"This thing won't preserve for long. It needs specialized equipment for freezing."
Si Jinyan carefully transferred the heart to his team members, giving them a cautious reminder.
Zhao Yunhai used the wet wipes given by Ada to wipe the fresh blood from his hands, but he couldn't seem to get rid of it.
"It seems the blood on my hands is indelible."
Zhao Yunhai turned to look at the young monk Wu Chen, a self-deprecating smile on his lips.
"Amitabha, this humble monk will chant the Ksitigarbha Sutra here for seven days and seven nights, hoping to liberate the souls of the Ji family."
The young monk Wu Chen, filled with Buddhist light, sat down on the spot. As he struck the wooden fish, he began to chant Buddhist scriptures, his prayer beads moving one by one in his hand.
"The young monk is still young. I'll stay and keep him company."
Wang Fan pouted, covering his nose with a slight disgust at the smell.
The stench of blood here was too heavy, but out of loyalty, he chose to stay and accompany the young monk.
"Si Jinyan, leave a small team here to protect Wu Chen."
"Do not spare any other members of the Ji family. The area outside has already been sealed. You must eliminate all remaining Ji family members within an hour."
"Command Gabulles: Spare not a single person from the Ji family. He shall present himself with his head."
Qianmian Gui then took a Ji family genealogy book from his embrace and presented it with both hands. "Young Master Yun, this is the genealogy of all living members of the Ji family."
Zhao Yunhai took the genealogy book without even looking at it and threw it to Ada. "Let Gabulles handle it."
"Yes." Ada, of course, would not hand the genealogy book directly to Gabulles, but would ensure he had a backup.
The guards at the Ji family's ancestral grounds, without a leader, were like scattered sand, easily defeated one by one.
The Ji family was indeed formidable. Gabulles still lost dozens of men before finally annihilating all of the Ji family's armed resistance.
Within an hour, not a single living person remained of the Ji family.
Gabulles appeared before Zhao Yunhai and said obsequiously, "Young Master Yun, as per your instructions, I have dealt with all the Ji family members."
"The names on the Ji family genealogy must be verified one by one. Do not miss a single person."
"Especially any illegitimate children of the Ji family. I don't want to see any of them appear before me one day, or I'll send their heads to you."
Zhao Yunhai's tone was deep, as if he was warning him.
"Young Master Yun, rest assured. The Lord said that not a single one from the Ji family escaped."
Gabulles guaranteed it.
"For what happens next, destroy this place."
Zhao Yunhai looked at the Ji family's ancestral grounds, which resembled a sea of blood, and walked out with his shoes stained with Ji family blood.
The Ji family's affairs were completely resolved. From now on, there would be no more Ji family.
The Ji family's ancestral grounds were located in the suburbs. The ranches and other facilities here belonged to the Ji family, a good location.
Zhao Yunhai returned to his residence and took a shower. He received a video call from Yang Hui.
"What's wrong, little Hui Hui? Missing me?"
Zhao Yunhai, having just rinsed the foam from his hair, flicked the water away and teased Yang Hui, who was sitting in the living room on the screen.
"I don't miss you at all. I just want to know if everything went smoothly over there?"
Yang Hui's words couldn't hide her longing for him.
For a young couple who had just gotten together and were separated by such a distance, it was natural to feel reluctant.
"Everything went smoothly. If you miss me, you can say it directly, no need to beat around the bush."
Zhao Yunhai rinsed his entire body, speaking comfortably.
Yang Hui hesitated for a moment, then continued, "It's good that it went smoothly. Auntie has been teaching me to knit sweaters recently. Winter is approaching, and I want to knit a sweater for you, is that okay?"
Zhao Yunhai put on his bathrobe, held his phone, and placed it on the bedside table. "Why wouldn't it be okay? I won't stop you from doing what you want."
"Have you learned any bad habits, like learning from my mom and playing mahjong?" Zhao Yunhai grinned mischievously.
"Of course not. I can't learn mahjong. Auntie always laughs at me."
Yang Hui displayed a girlish shyness, speaking in a bashful manner.
Zhao Yunhai looked at her and burst into laughter. This woman really knew how to cheer him up.
"Alright, alright. Please tell my dad for me that I won't be coming back for now. There's still a very important matter here in the United States."
"It concerns the eternal prosperity of my Zhao family."
"That's all for now. I'm hanging up. Call me anytime if you miss me."
Zhao Yunhai hung up the phone and lay on the bed, letting out a comfortable sigh.
The Ji family's matter was settled. His staying in the United States was to meet with the protagonist, Li Fan.
Unfortunately, he was too cunning and managed to evade him.
As expected, if the protagonist was that easy to deal with, he wouldn't be the protagonist.
He used to hope for a challenge from the protagonist, but now he wished the protagonist would be like those before him.
Humans are indeed contradictory creatures.