Zheng Tianpeng appeared benevolent and kind, like a good-natured old man, but his words were quite persuasive.
Not only was Wang Xuedao stirred with enthusiasm, but Wang Fei was also swayed.
"Grandfather, Grandpa Zheng, while that may be true, we still need to devise a foolproof plan. Ideally, one that can eliminate Li Ziqing and that Chen Xiao in one fell swoop, leaving them no chance to retaliate."
Wang Fei knew how formidable Chen Xiao was. In his eyes, Master Gandao was like a deity.
And Chen Xiao was someone who had made Gandao flee in disarray. Although it wasn't Gandao's full form, it was enough to illustrate the point.
"Naturally!"
After hearing Wang Fei's words, Zheng Tianpeng nodded and said, "Otherwise, why do you think your grandfather called us here? By the way, have the others arrived yet?"
Wang Xuedao had not only summoned Zheng Tianpeng but had also notified the other three families among the Five Great Families.
Speak of the devil, and they shall appear. As they were speaking, two more elders walked in from outside.
One of the elders was frail and thin, like a candle in its last moments.
The other was burly and broad, with a straight back, walking with decisive strides. His facial contours were as if carved, with deep lines but distinct edges.
"Grandpa Zhao, Grandpa Song!"
Wang Fei respectfully greeted the two.
These two were Zhao Yuanjie and Song Kaijiang.
The frail, candle-like elder was Zhao Yuanjie.
The other, with the straight back, was Song Kaijiang, Song Anran's grandfather!
The two elders looked at Wang Fei with confusion, wondering who this young man was and why he was being so polite to them.
Their attitude towards Wang Fei was more distant than towards Zheng Tianpeng, as Zheng Tianpeng had met Wang Fei, who was using the alias 'Tang Fei,' before.
These two, however, had never met him.
"Old Zhao, Old Song, this is Xiao Fei."
Zheng Tianpeng helped with the introduction.
"Xiao Fei... I see, I see!"
The two elders instantly understood the reason and nodded repeatedly.
"Old Zhao, Old Song, you two have arrived. Now only Old Li is left. Let's wait a moment longer; Old Li should be here soon."
Everyone took their seats and continued the previous discussion.
"This brat is truly detestable. He completely disregards our Five Great Families."
Zhao Yuanjie was filled with indignation.
He had already received the news of Zhao Hongming's death and was deeply saddened. Coupled with Chen Xiao having previously killed Zhao Hongyuan, this was an irreconcilable hatred.
"I've spoken with the Chief several times. I don't know what kind of spell that brat cast on him, but the Chief is reluctant to intervene!"
The Zhao family's strength lay primarily in the political arena, leaning towards soft power.
They were not adept at direct confrontation, which was why he hadn't sought revenge against Chen Xiao earlier.
But now, it was different. Chen Xiao had come to the Imperial City, and the Five Great Families had joined forces again. They would ensure that brat had no place to be buried!
"The Chief won't intervene? Old Song, what's the situation on your end?"
Wang Xuedao asked Song Kaijiang.
Song Kaijiang sighed and slapped his thigh: "I, Song Kaijiang, have lived a life of military service, alas..."
"Enough, Old Song, you don't need to say more. I understand!"
Wang Xuedao quickly waved his hand to interrupt Song Kaijiang's reminiscing. When this old fellow started recalling his military career, there was no end to it.
Now was not the time to listen to his past exploits.
Zheng Tianpeng said with a smile, "It seems that official channels can no longer pose any resistance to that brat."
The reason he smiled was not out of happiness, but because his expression was always like that.
"I heard the Chief visited the Northern Territory some time ago, and that brat surnamed Chen was also there... Perhaps they reached some consensus."
Song Kaijiang said helplessly.
In truth, his feelings towards Chen Xiao were the most complex. His most beloved grandson had died at Chen Xiao's hands, so he naturally hated Chen Xiao to the bone.
However, on the other hand, Song Anbang was killed because he had strayed onto a crooked path.
Paper could not wrap fire; the truth would eventually be revealed. Even if Chen Xiao hadn't killed him, someone else would have.
On the other hand, Song Kaijiang's most promising granddaughter, Song Anran, was rumored to have a rather ambiguous relationship with Chen Xiao...
"It's a pity this brat is not sensible. If he were more sensible, would things have escalated to this point?"
Song Kaijiang mused inwardly.
The Five Great Families were united.
The Song family's position among the Five Great Families was already somewhat weaker, so his attitude towards Chen Xiao was not important. What mattered was the attitude of the Five Great Families as a whole towards Chen Xiao.
And their current attitude was one of mortal enmity!
The Song and Zhao families could basically offer no assistance in dealing with Chen Xiao.
Wang Fei was not surprised by this, as he understood that when a person's strength reached a certain level, unless they infringed upon national interests, the state would not suppress such individuals but would instead try to win them over.
Therefore, Wang Fei had never counted on these two families. His greatest hope was actually placed on the Li family.
This was because the Li family was backed by the Imperial City's Embroidered Uniform Guard, a group of exceptionally powerful martial artists, and the Li family could invite them to help.
The only uncertainty now was what caliber of martial artists the Li family could enlist.
And this was the crux of the matter.
Wang Fei looked around, eagerly awaiting the arrival of the Li family patriarch, Li Tianxiang, but that old fellow had yet to appear.
"Old Wang, the situation is so critical, can't we invite people from the Overlord Sect to help?"
Zhao Yuanjie asked tentatively.
"We can't count on the Overlord Gang."
Wang Xuedao shook his head with a wry smile. "Today, Master Gandao's primordial spirit left his body, and he fought with that brat surnamed Chen. The result..."
The outcome was self-evident, and Zhao Yuanjie didn't need to ask.
"I didn't expect that brat surnamed Chen to be so powerful, actually making it impossible for Master Gandao to deal with him."
Song Kaijiang shook his head and sighed. He had witnessed Master Gandao's abilities before; they were truly divine!
Yet, even such a person couldn't do anything to Chen Xiao. How strong must Chen Xiao be?
Song Kaijiang's evaluation of Chen Xiao changed again. This brat was indeed arrogant, but he also had the capital to be arrogant.
Wang Fei explained, "The one who was defeated by Chen Xiao today was only Master Gandao's primordial spirit. If Master Gandao himself had appeared today, that brat would already be a corpse."
"I see, I see, that makes sense."
Zhao Yuanjie said, feigning understanding.
In reality, he didn't understand primordial spirits or true forms at all. He was just habitually offering flattery.
"It seems in the end, we still have to rely on Old Li!"
Song Kaijiang glanced at the time. "What time is it? Why isn't Old Li here yet? Could that old fellow be scared?"