"I know what I'm saying, of course I know what I'm saying."
"You..."
"Don't rush, let me ask you, do you think I'm capable?" Su Yang interrupted Shangguan Qianji.
Shangguan Qianji fell silent.
Was Su Yang capable?
In the eyes of many, Su Yang was just a nobody who appeared out of nowhere. No one took him seriously.
They all thought he was just a nouveau riche. Shangguan Qianji had thought the same before.
But in reality?
Su Yang was not only wealthy, but also extremely intelligent.
The people under him were all exceptional.
Although their numbers weren't large, their quality was outstanding.
If Shangguan Qianji had been asked before if Su Yang was capable, he would have dismissed him entirely.
But now...
Su Yang had annihilated the Shangguan family's primary force, with Shangguan Qianji's help.
Furthermore, Su Yang had dared to kill Shangguan Yi, leaving Shangguan Zhongtang helpless. This was also a testament to Su Yang's capabilities.
He pursed his lips and said, "Capable..."
A gentle laugh came from the other end of the phone. "If I'm capable, then what's the point of playing games? You'll only have a future if you follow me."
After another moment of silence, Shangguan Qianji said, "Su Yang, I admit you're capable, but aren't you being too arrogant?"
Hearing this, Su Yang raised an eyebrow. "You think I'm being arrogant right now?"
"I..."
"No matter what you think, you should have investigated me from the beginning. I, Su Yang, started from nothing and reached my current position."
"Ah, no, not position. I don't care about positions like Deputy Director of the Security Bureau. I mean, social status, perhaps. You should know how high I've climbed. Cooperating with me will only benefit you. I will help you smoothly ascend to the position of Military Lord, as long as you are my person from now on."
Hearing Su Yang's words, Shangguan Qianji pondered.
He was truly hesitant. If he agreed to Su Yang now, he would essentially become Su Yang's subordinate.
"I know what you're thinking," Su Yang chuckled. "You're thinking if you'll become my dog. I can tell you clearly, that won't be the case. You will be my subordinate. When I don't need you, you'll be the esteemed Military Lord. When I do need you, you'll just help me with all your might."
Su Yang chuckled again. "Brother Shangguan, I'm the only one who can bring down Shangguan Zhongtang right now. If you wait, how many more years will it take? Given Shangguan Zhongtang's health, you'll have to wait decades to succeed him. Can you tolerate Shangguan Zhongtang showing off in front of you for so many more years?"
Shangguan Zhongtang was bad enough, but when Su Yang mentioned this, Shangguan Qianji's anger surged.
"No."
He gritted his teeth and forced out the word.
From childhood, Shangguan Qianji knew that Shangguan Zhongtang disliked him and constantly made things difficult for him. Although he was never starved, he was never given any dignity.
Shangguan Qianji's mother suffered the same fate. Shangguan Zhongtang wanted to have affairs but didn't want to admit it. After Shangguan Qianji was born, he constantly spoke ill of Shangguan Qianji's mother. Unable to bear the humiliation, Shangguan Qianji's mother committed suicide. Shangguan Zhongtang didn't even show up at her funeral. For Shangguan Zhongtang, Shangguan Qianji's mother was merely an outlet for his desires. And Shangguan Qianji was just an accident, someone who shouldn't have been born.
From beginning to end, Shangguan Qianji had never received any attention from Shangguan Zhongtang. He harbored no affection for him.
Now, Shangguan Qianji only wished for Shangguan Zhongtang's swift demise. He couldn't stand it for another second.
Gritting his teeth, Shangguan Qianji said, "Fine, but I hope you won't go too far in the future."
Su Yang smiled faintly. "Whether it's too far or not, you have no choice. Don't you know about repaying kindness?"
After speaking, Su Yang shifted into a comfortable lying position and gazed at the calm sea before him. "Alright, now tell me, what's your bargaining chip?"
Su Yang's tone was casual, and Shangguan Qianji felt that Su Yang wasn't really listening. But Shangguan Qianji wondered if it was just his imagination. After all, Su Yang wasn't in a good situation right now.
"Shangguan Zhongtang is personally coming to apprehend you. He's also enlisted the help of other Military Lords. Furthermore, the eight great families of Qingcheng, whom you've offended, are also assisting him. They should reach your location in a few hours. You'd best run now."
"It's about what I guessed," Su Yang said calmly.
Shangguan Qianji was taken aback. "What?"
"I said, it's about what I guessed."
"You... you guessed all of this?"
Su Yang chuckled. "Is that hard to guess? I killed Shangguan Zhongtang's child, so he definitely won't let me go and will personally take action. As for the eight great families of Qingcheng, they won't let this slide either. They'll either seek help from forces in the capital or join Shangguan Zhongtang, who is also coming to deal with me."
Shangguan Qianji was stunned. He never expected Su Yang to have anticipated all of this.
"Didn't expect that?" Su Yang asked, as Shangguan Qianji remained silent.
Shangguan Qianji swallowed. "Su Yang... you truly are no ordinary person."
"Hahahaha, you're only realizing that now?" Su Yang laughed heartily.
Shangguan Qianji didn't have the mood to laugh with him. He cleared his throat and said, "However, the force sent to eliminate you this time is unparalleled. And with Shangguan Zhongtang personally involved, you really shouldn't be so arrogant."
"I'm not being arrogant."
"...Shangguan Zhongtang's objective is to kill you. You probably don't have many forces left to use, do you?"
"What? Do you want to help me?"
After a moment of silence, Shangguan Qianji said, "It was my fault last time, I shouldn't have just watched. Although I did help you in the end. The Shangguan family's forces have distinct characteristics, and I would be discovered if I used them. However... this time, I sincerely want to cooperate with you. I have a legion that I've personally trained. I'll send them to aid you. This is my greatest sincerity."
Hearing Shangguan Qianji's words, Su Yang's eyes lit up. He indeed needed forces to assist him at this moment. Regardless of their strength, any help would alleviate some of his pressure. The Dragon Blood Legion had all been dispatched to protect Shi Wuzun, leaving Su Yang with very few available personnel. Although Su Yang was confident, an extra layer of strength meant an extra layer of security.