Li Qianfan knew very well that what he was about to do would bring the worst repercussions upon himself and the entire Li family.
But he had no choice!
Even if he had to pay a heavy price afterward, he had to do it.
After all, some people had disregarded his near-death experience in Blackwater Forest, summoned him as if holding a chicken feather as a general's token the moment he returned to the country, and threatened to kill him on the spot when he refused.
With a knife at his throat, why should he care about any damned repercussions?
Kill!
While waiting for Zhaixing to be rescued, Li Qianfan had thought it over repeatedly and found no other solution.
If he were to retaliate against his enemies in the same old way, by following the rules, they would only suffer an equal setback and then fade away.
They wouldn't be crippled, and after recuperating for a while, they would surely return.
Why are human traffickers so persistent and rampant?
Because the price they pay when caught is too light.
Regulations state—
Illegal trading of precious wild animals can result in a prison sentence of up to five years.
But what about buying and selling children?
If no harm is caused to the child, the penalty upon apprehension is only a prison sentence of up to three years!
What if human traffickers were to be given a life sentence at the very least, or were directly killed by their victims without bearing any responsibility?
Then those beasts would have to think twice before committing their crimes.
In Li Qianfan's opinion, the thirteen families were human traffickers.
To avoid wasting his energy on infighting in the future, he had to deal a severe blow to the thirteen families this time (adding the Xu and Yao families, making it fifteen).
Only by hurting them thoroughly would they learn to behave.
Zhaixing's surgery was successful and completed quickly.
The director of this hospital was named Tang, and he happened to have a daughter named Tang Xiaoni.
Upon receiving the call from his beloved daughter, Old Tang, who was having breakfast at home, pushed his bowl aside without a word, grabbed his phone, and rushed out of the house.
This left his wife completely bewildered.
By the time Old Tang arrived at the hospital, all the best surgeons had also hurried to their posts.
As Tang Xiaoni's car sped into the hospital, Old Tang, leading the team, had been waiting at the entrance of the emergency hall for a long time.
After confirming that Zhaixing's injuries were stable and entrusting Tang Xiaoni with her care, Li Qianfan, accompanied by Li Xiufang and others, headed to the International Branch.
After throwing Xu Zhentian down from the eighth floor, Li Qianfan, carrying several wreaths, rushed to the Du family without delay.
Half an hour after their car left—
Two cars screeched to a halt in the parking lot of the International Branch.
Before the cars had even stopped, Su Nanyin had already jumped out.
Looking at Xu Zhentian, who was now covered with a white cloth, Su Nanyin sighed heavily, her brows furrowed into a knot.
She took out her phone, praying, and began to call Li Qianfan for the eighty-eighth time.
Su Nanyin was disappointed for the 88th time.
Li Qianfan's phone remained switched off.
It was clear.
Li Qianfan, no longer concerned with the bigger picture, had turned off his phone after deciding to go on a killing spree.
No one could stop him from doing what he intended to do!
"My dear little ancestor, you're messing around."
As Su Nanyin stamped her feet in anxiety, Su Xin quickly approached and reported in a low voice, "Auntie, Young Master Qianfan left the International Branch half an hour ago after throwing Xu Zhentian down. No one knows where he went."
"To the Du family."
Su Nanyin made a swift decision and turned to get back into the car.
After Su Xin started the car, she asked, "Auntie, do you think Young Master Qianfan might go to the Xu family?"
There was also that possibility.
After all, when Du Wei summoned Li Qianfan, he had said that it was Xu Zhentian's order when his neck was held.
Without Elder Xu's support, or even his direct arrangement, Xu Zhentian would not have dared to do such a thing.
"But the possibility of him going to the Du family is greater. After all, Du Wei's wife, foolishly, came to the International Branch to make a scene. Such foolish behavior would surely ignite the Young Master's murderous intent."
In her haste, Su Nanyin no longer called him a brat, but instead found "little ancestor" rolling off her tongue, becoming more natural.
More fitting.
Anyone who had to deal with someone who didn't want to follow the rules and only wanted to solve problems in the most brutal way would have to treat him as a little ancestor, expressing a mixture of love, hate, and helplessness.
After cursing the Du family a few times.
Su Nanyin frowned, thought for a moment, found a number in her phone book, and dialed.
Ding Xiaolang's phone began to vibrate while she was in the middle of a high-level meeting.
This meeting had only one agenda!
That was to intensify the full-scale attack on all the enterprises of the Shen family in Sijiu through commercial means.
Ignoring their own losses, the only concern was how to inflict maximum damage on the enemy!
Ding Xiaolang's sudden urgent meeting was, of course, due to the news that Li Qianfan had almost been assassinated that morning.
Li Qianfan had spent a lot of time in her arms as a baby before he was eight.
How could Ding Xiaolang not know what kind of person he was?
After the incident.
If Li Qianfan had only crippled Du Wei, Ding Xiaolang wouldn't have acted.
But Li Qianfan not only killed Du Wei on the spot but also killed all four accompanying individuals!
This was enough to prove that Li Qianfan was going to deal with the thirteen families without any reservations.
Ding Xiaolang would not assist him in killing people in the most brutal way.
She would only strike the Shen family, the head of the thirteen prominent families, in the most vicious way, using her most proficient methods.
As Ding Xiaolang issued one order after another, Hongye Information, with a market value exceeding a trillion, launched indiscriminate attacks on all the enterprises of the Shen family in Sijiu.
The Shen family in Sijiu was in a state of panic.
Months ago, due to the Tiandong Gold Shop incident, the Shen family had already suffered significant losses.
It was only because the Shen family's descendants were trapped in Blackwater Forest that the Li family and their associated consortium temporarily halted their attack (uniting against a common enemy).
The Shen family had finally gained a respite.
But why was it happening again now!?
"Hello, this is Ding Xiaolang."
Ding Xiaolang, whose lips were dry from talking too much, answered the phone.
A mellow female voice came from the other end of the line: "Xiaolang, I'm Su Nanyin."
Su Nanyin used the simplest terms to ask Ding Xiaolang to personally intervene and stop Li Qianfan at the Xu family's residence.
According to Su Nanyin's guess, the only people in Sijiu who could stop Li Qianfan's rampage were herself, Ding Xiaolang, and the Great Elder of Li Family Village.
However, Su Nanyin had already learned that Li Family Village had not only sent anyone to stop Li Qianfan but had also dispatched their flag-bearer to support Li Qianfan in solving the problem in the least technical way.
Therefore, she had no choice but to call Ding Xiaolang, and they would go to the Du and Xu families separately.
"Okay, I'll go to the Xu family right away."
Knowing that Li Qianfan's actions were not good, Ding Xiaolang readily agreed and then chuckled bitterly, "Guanyin, actually, even if I go, I probably won't be able to stop that Qianfan brat. He's determined to kill this time. Even my own unruly children (her three children are currently home on vacation), upon learning that Qianfan brat was almost in danger, got furious and wanted to help him. Fortunately, I strictly forbade them from leaving the house."
Su Nanyin replied, "Even if we can't stop him, we have to try. I have a thousand ways to make the troublesome thirteen families pay the most painful price. And Wujiang is also taking action. We absolutely cannot let that little ancestor have his way."
Alas.
The thirteen families and the Xu family had truly stirred up a hornet's nest this time.
Ding Xiaolang sighed, then sprang up and hurried out.
The old residence of the Du family in Sijiu.
Even from a distance, the heart-wrenching cries of women could be heard.
Du Wei's wife, along with their two young children, knelt at the entrance of the main hall, pleading with the core members holding an emergency meeting inside to use all their power to apprehend Li Qianfan and bring him to justice as quickly as possible!
Inside the main hall.
Du Wei's elder brother, Du Xiang, with bloodshot eyes, looked at Elder Du, who was seated in the center, and said in a hoarse voice, "Uncle, if our Du family doesn't strike that little beast with the most fatal blow as quickly as possible! He killed Du Wei on the street today, and tomorrow he will be able to kill any one of us present with impunity!"
Du Xiang's words were accurate.
After all, when Li Qianfan brutally killed Du Wei, who was on official duty, on the street, he showed no hesitation.
Du Wei's elder son, Du Liang, the next patriarch, also stated with a firm tone, "Father, what Du Xiang said is correct. Our Du family cannot be slaughtered like lambs."
Elder Du, whose brows were knitted into a frown, raised his head to ask after hearing his eldest son's words, "Du Wei died tragically, of course, we will not let this matter rest, and we will not let that little beast go. The question is, what should we do now?"
Elder Du immediately replied, "Contact the Shen family and others. Du Wei's death today signifies that the irrational little beast has officially declared war on our thirteen families. If they do not provide us with assistance, then the little beast who killed our Du family today could kill the Shen, Miao, and Feng families tomorrow. I believe the other patriarchs will understand this and certainly use Du Wei's tragic death as an opportunity to strike the little beast a heavy blow."
Elder Xu nodded.
However, a discordant voice sounded within the main hall.
It was Du Feng, Elder Du's youngest son: "Father, elder brother, everyone, I have a different opinion."
With a rustling sound.
Everyone, including Elder Du, turned to look at him.
Du Feng, in his early thirties, stood up and slowly said, "Admittedly, the act of Li Qianfan killing Du Wei on the street will surely shock the country once it's exposed. However, we must not forget three facts."
What were these three facts?
Elder Du and the others looked at Du Feng.
Du Feng said sternly, "One. The siege of Blackwater Forest has not only been broken but also allowed for a pincer movement against external enemies. The main executor, or rather, the one who can counter-attack and fight on the front lines, has a direct relationship with Li Qianfan."
"Hmph!"
Du Xiang snorted, "Even if the Li family is fighting bloody battles against foreign enemies overseas, does that justify Li family members wantonly killing Du Wei domestically?"
"Listen to me first."
Du Feng frowned slightly, "Two. In fact, we all know that whether Li Qianfan wiped out the thirty-five members of the thirteen families or not. The International Branch had no right to summon Li Qianfan without the approval of the relevant units and individuals in the Eastern Land."
The Du family, after all, had sensible people.
Unfortunately—
As soon as Du Feng stated the second point, he was met with dissatisfied rebuttals from many, including Du Xiang: "The thirty-five members of the thirteen families died overseas, which in itself is an international case. The action of the International Special Services summoning the little beast without the approval of domestic units or individuals, even if it's against the rules, is not off-topic!"
"The key is the third point!"
Du Feng's face flushed slightly from being contradicted by so many people, and he said loudly, "Don't always focus on Du Wei's death. Instead, consider why Li Qianfan would be so ruthless towards Du Wei!"
The expressions on Du Xiang and the others' faces changed.
No one spoke, only the woman and children outside the door continued to cry.
"That's because Du Wei lost his mind and drew his gun to ambush Li Qianfan."
Du Feng slowly surveyed everyone present, "May I ask you all, if Du Wei had truly shot and killed Li Qianfan at that moment, what would be the fate of our Du family?"
Indeed.
If Du Wei had killed Li Qianfan with a shot, how would the Li family treat the Du family?
Reminded by Du Feng, the core members of the Du family looked at each other, and no one spoke.
After waiting for a while, Du Feng said, "If Li Qianfan had been killed by Du Wei, it is highly probable that the Du family in Sijiu would have been exterminated by the Li family."
Hiss—
Many people gasped and shivered.
The core members of the Du family were only shocked and enraged by Du Wei's tragic death on the street, but they hadn't considered what the Li family's reaction would be if Du Wei had killed Li Qianfan!
"You are only shocked and furious at Du Wei's tragic death, but you have forgotten who Li Qianfan is the legitimate eldest grandson of, whose only son he is, and what role he plays in Li Family Village."
Seeing that the core members of the Du family were regaining their sanity, Du Feng seized the opportunity, "Li Qianfan is the legitimate eldest grandson of Yang Xiao, raised by him personally. He is also the only son of the God of War Li Wujiang, and his sole hope! If he were killed by Du Wei on the spot, regardless of his identity as the young master of Longxu and the village chief of Li Family Village, Yang Xiao and Li Wujiang would absolutely slaughter the entire Du family. In this world, there is no creature more terrifying than a woman who has lost her only son."
Many people in the Du family had grim expressions.
And no one spoke casually anymore.
Elder Du looked at his youngest son and asked, "Then what is your suggestion?"
Du Feng bowed and said clearly, "You, yourself, should go to a certain hospital to visit the girl who might still be undergoing rescue after taking a bullet for Li Qianfan. And you should personally offer your most sincere apologies to Li Qianfan. If necessary, you can even offer an enterprise as compensation from the Du family to seek Li Qianfan's forgiveness."
What?
Elder Du's expression changed drastically.
Du Liang, Du Xiang, and others widened their eyes and shouted in unison, "Du Feng! Has your brain been flooded? That little beast clearly murdered our Du family's core disciple! Not only are you not allowing our Du family to seek revenge, but you are also instigating the old man to personally apologize to that little beast! Are you surnamed Du or Li!?"
"Du Feng—"
Long Yun, Du Wei's wife, who was kneeling and crying at the door, suddenly shrieked, scrambled up, and lunged in.
She lunged in front of Du Feng, raised her right hand towards his face, and clawed down fiercely, "Du Wei died tragically, and you, as a member of the Du family, not only fail to consider avenging him! But you also want to apologize to the murderer! You are pushing us, the orphaned and widowed, to our deaths!"
Rip.
Du Feng, unable to dodge in time, immediately had several long bloody scratches on his face.
"Fourth Sister-in-law—"
Du Feng hastily retreated, in a state of utter disarray.
Long Yun's eyes were now bloodshot, her face contorted, and she raised her hand again, crying, "Du Feng, you must be surnamed Li!"
Du Feng raised his hand and blocked Long Yun's second "Dragon Claw" attack.
"Enough!"
Elder Du, seated in the center, slammed his hand heavily on the table.
Long Yun, who was about to go mad at Du Feng, also collapsed to the ground due to his authority and began to cry again, "Uncle, you must uphold justice for Du Wei. After all, it was your intention for him to summon that little beast. His death was for the Du family!"
Indeed, I asked him to cooperate with the Xu family to summon that little beast.
But I never told him to draw his gun on that little beast.
To put it bluntly, he brought it upon himself!
Hmph—
Elder Du, resentful of Long Yun's blame, could only say slowly, "The little beast killed my clansman, this matter is definitely not over."
Du Feng, seeing that Elder Du, who had been persuaded by him, was quickly changing his mind due to Long Yun's crying, was greatly alarmed.
He quickly shouted, "Father! We absolutely cannot provoke him again when Li Qianfan's woman has just been severely injured by Du Wei! You must rush to the hospital as quickly as possible."
Just as he finished speaking, Du Xiang interrupted him with a furious roar, "Shut up!"
Du Feng, however, did not look at him, but stared urgently at Elder Du.
He hoped that Elder Du would heed his advice.
Elder Du looked up at him and said calmly, "Du Feng, you may excuse yourself from this meeting for now."
Du Feng was shocked, "Father! You."
"You excuse yourself for now."
Elder Du interrupted him again, and said with a resounding voice, "No matter what, Du Wei cannot have died in vain. That little beast must pay the most painful price for it. Even if he is Yang Xiao's legitimate eldest grandson, Li Wujiang's only son, the future Dragon Lord of Longxu, and the village chief of Li Family Village. But this is in the Eastern Land! Anyone who dares to kill wantonly on the street must pay the most painful price! If our Du family tolerates this, how will we have the face to walk in the sun in the future?"
Alas.
Du Feng stood stunned for a long time, sighed to the sky, turned, and hurried out.
Behind him, Du Xiang's voice was heard, "A traitor."
Du Feng's steps paused, but then he lowered his head and quickened his pace.
Without this traitor—
The core members of the Du family reached a consensus in the shortest possible time.
They would divide into three groups.
One.
Elder Du would go to find Elder Xu and others, and together they would seek pressure from Director Zhao to demand justice for Du Wei.
Two.
Du Liang would go to find the heirs of the thirteen families, and they would jointly discuss how to use Du Wei's death to create a storm across the country.
Three.
Long Yun, with the women of the family, would go to the hospital where Li Qianfan was rescuing Zhaixing, hold up white banners inscribed with red ink: "Li Qianfan, return my husband's life!", and escalate public opinion to the maximum.
"I don't believe that if we work together, that cruel little beast can withstand such immense pressure. Even if we can't kill him this time, we will make him pay the most painful price."
Elder Du said hatefully, and with a wave of his hand, he declared, "Alright, separate actions!"
"Yes!"
The core members of the Du family in the main hall responded in unison.
Du Liang, leading several key members of the Du family, was the first to hurry out, preparing to find the heirs of other families.
"I really didn't expect that the respectable Du Feng would be such a traitor."
As a Du family disciple walked to the entrance of the old residence, he muttered with disdain.
Despite Du Feng being Elder Du's youngest son, with a dignified appearance and considerable ability.
He was the least favored in the Du family.
This might be related to his mother, who came from a nightclub.
More than thirty years ago, Elder Du, in his prime, met Du Feng's mother in a nightclub due to business reasons.
Later, when he was born, it was a source of embarrassment for the Du family.
Du Liang's mother, who was Elder Du's wife, secretly played a trick and caused an accident for that woman.
But after the woman's death, Elder Du's wife brought Du Feng into the house and raised him as her "own son," which greatly pleased Elder Du.
In any case, Du Feng's origins were humble.
This was also why Du Wei's wife, Long Yun, dared to curse him and scratch his face.
If it were Du Liang, even with a hundred more lifetimes of courage, Long Yun would not dare to act out.
Du Liang, hearing the muttering from behind, said nothing.
He just curled his lips disdainfully and walked out of the courtyard gate.
Outside the courtyard gate—
Suddenly, several cars sped by and screeched to a halt at the entrance of the Du family's old residence.
The car doors opened, and several men with fierce expressions jumped out of the cars and approached the rear trunk of the vehicles.
Du Liang and others subconsciously looked over.
In the trunks of the three cars, more than ten wreaths were stacked.
"Who are these people delivering wreaths for? Could it be Du Wei's colleagues who heard of his tragic death and sent wreaths? Ridiculous! This is the Du family's old residence, and Du Wei doesn't live here!"
Just as Du Liang instinctively thought this, he saw a young man step out of the middle car.
Upon seeing this young man—
Du Liang's expression changed, and he exclaimed, "Li Qianfan!?"