Everyone believed that as long as they didn't fall out with the Ghost King families and preserved their lives, it was a form of protection.
Little did they know, this was a death by a thousand cuts, a slow boiling of a frog.
In the past, Shen Shuzhen hadn't noticed anything wrong until Yan Shouyi burst into Qiantang. His words were what truly awakened her.
She had already lost, lost forty years ago.
But Cui Yu, Zhong Yan, Xu Qian, and the others still had hope!
They shouldn't be implicated by her, nor should they forever live in the failure of forty years ago!
Although Shen Shuzhen was awakened, she still had a shred of hesitation that prevented her from making a decision.
Finally, when Zhou Yuhu attempted to covet Cui Yu's childhood sweetheart Qianqian, and Cui Yu, without hesitation, intended to hand over Yan Shouyi, Shen Shuzhen truly made up her mind.
She could not continue to be wrong!
She didn't want to cultivate everyone into puppets waiting to be slaughtered!
Yan Shouyi was right: all beings suffer; only self-salvation is possible!
Seeing Shen Shuzhen so angry, Ying Jiu and Duan Mu dared not speak up for Cui Yu.
Shen Shuzhen reprimanded, "Xiao Yu, I've spoiled you too much before, but after today's incident, you should grow up! One day in the future, when your great-grandmother dies, who will be able to protect the Qianqian you like? You?"
"You need to understand that if you have no strength yourself, you cannot protect anyone!"
"Therefore, today, no matter what, I will not hand over Yan Shouyi and the others. I want to make you and everyone else understand that we cannot continue to be submissive!"
Cui Yu gritted his teeth, his eyes reddened, but in his heart, he knew his great-grandmother was right.
Just now, facing Zhou Yuhu, he felt genuine fear, filled with a sense of powerlessness.
He had also considered a scenario where Zhou Yuhu threatened him with Qianqian's life to hand over his great-grandmother.
Only now did he understand Shen Shuzhen's profound intentions and no longer rejected or despised Yan Shouyi and the others.
Shen Shuzhen took a few breaths, as if educating Cui Yu, or perhaps as if warning herself.
Soon, she calmed her emotions and, with the support of Ying Jiu and Duan Mu, sat down on a chair.
"Yan Shouyi, thank you."
Yan Shouyi quickly shook his head, "Senior Shen, you are too kind."
"Your grandfather and your father were old acquaintances of mine, so don't call me Senior Shen. Call me Grandma Shen, like them," Shen Shuzhen said. "You shouldn't have doubted me since I didn't hand you over earlier."
Yan Shouyi nodded, his demeanor softening, and adopted the posture of a junior, respectfully calling her Grandma Shen.
Shen Shuzhen sighed, "You must have inherited your father's intelligence. Such a smart person like you must surely know what it means for me to have refused those two Ghost Kings this time."
"Junior understands completely."
"Since that is the case, you and your friends should pack your things and leave Qiantang as soon as possible. A bloody storm is about to erupt here, and if you stay, you will likely be implicated—especially your friend from Mount Mao."
Yan Shouyi and Xu Qian exchanged a look. Xu Qian stepped forward and said, "Grandma Shen, Brother Yan has already told me that this matter started because of him. He will not stand aside and will stay to overthrow the Ghost King families with us."
Upon hearing this, even Ying Jiu and Duan Mu looked at Yan Shouyi with new respect.
In such a dangerous situation, even their own people would likely flee overnight upon hearing the news.
Yet Yan Shouyi, an outsider, had the courage to stay.
This young man was truly extraordinary!
Yan Shouyi said resolutely, "We belong to the same folk sects, rooted among the people. We should unite, help each other, and support each other. If people in the martial world learn that Grandma Shen is in trouble, they will surely rush to Qiantang and offer their help."
"Good!"
Shen Shuzhen slammed her palm on the table. Although she was a woman and advanced in age, her actions were more decisive than any man.
Ying Jiu and Duan Mu were still a bit dazed. Duan Mu asked softly, "Grandma Shen, have you truly decided?"
"I have," Shen Shuzhen nodded sternly.
She knew what this decision would bring to everyone, but she had to make it.
"However, this matter requires careful planning," Shen Shuzhen said. "The five great Ghost King families are powerful and deeply rooted. It will not be easy to bring them down, and they are unlikely to make a rash move in the next few days, so I have ample time to plan."
"Yan Shouyi, since you have promised to overcome difficulties with us, I will not be polite. There is something I need your help with right now."
Yan Shouyi asked with a serious expression, "What is it?"
"Qiantang's five great Ghost King families are the Yu, Wei, Shen, Yao, and Zhou families. They appear harmonious on the surface, but there are already cracks between them. The Shen and Yao families have long been dissatisfied with the Yu family. If we can leverage them, our plan will be twice as effective!"
Shen Shuzhen lacked manpower and was no match for the five great Ghost King families. However, if the Shen and Yao families could be persuaded to help, then the remaining three families, totaling four Ghost Kings, would not be so insurmountable.
Yan Shouyi fully understood Shen Shuzhen's intentions, but he still had three questions in his mind.
"Why is this task for us?"
"The five great Ghost King families know our people like the back of their hands. If our people were to investigate directly, they would certainly become suspicious."
"We are unfamiliar with Qiantang and its people. How should we begin?"
"Although our people cannot come forward directly, they can cooperate with you unconditionally from behind the scenes. If you need any information, you can come to us at any time."
"One last question... does the Shen family among the five great Ghost King families have any relation to Grandma Shen?"
As soon as the last question was uttered, Ying Jiu, Duan Mu, and Cui Yu couldn't help but change their expressions. Even Shen Shuzhen's eyes showed a slight flicker.
Shen Shuzhen said softly, "I am from the Shen family, but I am married out and have no connection with them. Moreover, the Shen family's actions over the years have caused me to sever ties with them long ago, so you can proceed without worrying about me."
With his three questions answered, Yan Shouyi had no further reservations.
He was determined to change the current landscape of Qiantang!
At this moment, Xu Qian stepped forward and said, "Grandma Shen, I have a request!"
"Speak."
"May I accompany Brother Yan?"
Xu Qian had long harbored the desire to change the existing order, but his strength alone was too meager. Yan Shouyi's appearance this time perfectly aligned with his wishes, not only changing Shen Shuzhen's mind but also initiating direct action.
Xu Qian had waited many years for such an action.
Shen Shuzhen thought for a moment and finally nodded:
"Changing Qiantang's situation is also something your master always wanted to do. Moreover, I have already distanced myself from you in front of Yu Jinhong and Zhou Yuhu... Xu Qian, go ahead and do it, together with Yan Shouyi!"
"Thank you, Grandma Shen!"
Xu Qian was overjoyed and exchanged a glance with Yan Shouyi.
Yan Shouyi also welcomed Xu Qian's joining. After all, he was a local of Qiantang, upright, and powerful. His participation would undoubtedly save a lot of trouble.