Meanwhile, Shangguan Zhongtang received a call from Qingcheng.
"Are you ready?!"
A robust roar echoed from the spacious villa, followed by a bout of violent coughing.
Shangguan Zhongtang was no longer young. He had just experienced the grief of a parent burying a child, and he had been consumed by worries about Su Yang in recent days. Even the most robust body would sustain some damage after such trials.
"Patriarch, there's a call from Qingcheng," the new butler, Mo Yu, announced, approaching with a mobile phone.
"What call! I asked if preparations were complete?!" Another thunderous roar.
Several days had passed since his last confrontation with Su Yang. It wasn't that Shangguan Zhongtang hadn't pursued Su Yang immediately, but rather that his own forces had suffered heavy losses. He needed to replenish resources, and more importantly, Shangguan Zhongtang was brewing a powerful move.
His encounters with Su Yang had taught him that the young man was not to be trifled with. Even his formidable forces had been evaded by Su Yang. With his current limited capable forces, Shangguan Zhongtang had spent these days seeking assistance from his friends.
Then there was the matter of Shangguan Qianji. Previously, Shangguan Zhongtang had dismissed Shangguan Qianji, considering him merely a son born of a concubine. However, he was surprised when Shangguan Qianji had risked his life to rescue his men. Although the rescue ultimately failed, this act alone revealed Shangguan Qianji's courage. Moreover, no matter how reluctant Shangguan Zhongtang was, Shangguan Yi was dead. He now had only Shangguan Qianji as his child. A son born of a concubine… so be it.
Shangguan Qianji's injuries were severe, and Shangguan Zhongtang had been busy attending to his needs. Now that Shangguan Qianji had passed the critical stage, Shangguan Zhongtang's most urgent task was to kill Su Yang swiftly and avenge Shangguan Yi.
There was also the matter of Shi Wuzun. Shangguan Zhongtang knew Shi Wuzun was surely dead, but until he saw the body, he wouldn't be at ease. He would not abandon the pursuit of Su Yang.
Hearing Shangguan Zhongtang's roar, Mo Yu quickly reported, "Patriarch, preparations are nearly complete. The elite forces dispatched by Commander Murong of Rongcheng will reach Su Yang's location in six hours. Our own elite forces and those who agreed to assist will arrive within a day. Our forces in the capital can also depart within three hours at the latest."
Upon hearing Mo Yu's report, Shangguan Zhongtang's anger subsided somewhat. "Speed it up! I will personally kill that brat Su Yang!"
As Shangguan Zhongtang spoke, the mobile phone in Mo Yu's hand continued to ring incessantly.
"Is this the correct number?" Tang Shanhe had called multiple times without an answer, beginning to doubt the number.
Tang Ye was also unsure if the number was correct. "Isn't this the number you found, Dad?"
"I found it correctly…"
"Who?"
Before Tang Shanhe could finish speaking, an ill-tempered voice answered from the other end of the line. Though it was just a single word, the voice was deep and full of power. As a commander of one of the nine major departments in Longguo, Shangguan Zhongtang wouldn't have reached his position without strength.
Tang Shanhe hastily glanced at his phone. The call, which had been dialing, was now in progress. "Commander Shangguan!"
Shangguan Zhongtang, feeling somewhat calmer now that preparations were nearly complete, sat on the sofa and asked, "Who are you? Why have you been calling me?" If it were just another nuisance call, it would be one thing, but this was Shangguan Zhongtang's internal number. Those without significant influence wouldn't know it. This was why Shangguan Zhongtang had patiently answered.
"Reporting to Commander, I am Tang Shanhe, the patriarch of the Tang family, the foremost of the eight great families in Qingcheng."
"The Tang family of Qingcheng?" Shangguan Zhongtang generally paid no mind to families like the Tangs, but the Tang family was a prominent lineage, and he knew something about them.
"Yes, yes! The Tang family of Qingcheng. My name is Tang Shanhe. Commander, you can just call me Xiao Shan!" Tang Shanhe was overjoyed that Shangguan Zhongtang knew of the Tang family, acting like a sycophant before him.
"Hmm, I don't care who you are. Although you are the head of Qingcheng's influential families, you are not at a level to speak with me like this. Who gave you my internal number?"
Tang Shanhe was taken aback by Shangguan Zhongtang's words and felt flustered. Tang Ye, listening nearby, clearly saw his father's apprehension. It was impossible not to be intimidated by Shangguan Zhongtang's imposing presence. However, since Tang Ye wasn't the one speaking to Shangguan Zhongtang, he didn't react the same way as his father.
"Dad!" Tang Ye whispered to Tang Shanhe, "Talk about Su Yang!"
Tang Shanhe, who had been momentarily stunned, immediately regained his senses upon hearing Tang Ye's words. "Commander! Please set that aside for now. I have an important matter to discuss with you."
Shangguan Zhongtang let out a disdainful snort. "What are you, to discuss matters with me?" Tang Shanhe paid no mind to Shangguan Zhongtang's contempt. The reality was, the Tang family did not possess the capability to converse with Shangguan Zhongtang. However, Tang Shanhe and his family now had a bargaining chip that could allow them to speak with him.
"Commander, what if it's about Su Yang?"
After Tang Shanhe spoke, Shangguan Zhongtang fell silent for a long while. Even through the phone line, Tang Shanhe could sense Shangguan Zhongtang's simmering rage. However, as Shangguan Zhongtang remained silent, Tang Shanhe dared not speak.
After a prolonged pause, Tang Shanhe heard Shangguan Zhongtang's gritted teeth. "You know Su Yang?"
Upon hearing Shangguan Zhongtang's question, Tang Shanhe knew this matter had potential! The patriarchs of the other seven great families were still waiting for Tang Shanhe to provide an explanation. Currently, there was no news from the capital. The only one who could contend with Su Yang was Shangguan Zhongtang. Sensing that Shangguan Zhongtang's words held promise, Tang Shanhe's courage grew.
"Who wouldn't know someone like Su Yang?"
"Hmph!" A roar came from the other end of the line, and Tang Shanhe even heard the sound of something shattering. Shangguan Zhongtang, already angry, was now incandescent with rage. Tang Shanhe, who had been worried if Tang Ye's information was accurate, now had his suspicions confirmed. "What is that Su Yang thing?!"