NOVEL WEB Chapter 116: Rules Among Families
“There’s been a tragedy. The old patriarch is dead.”
Chaos engulfed the Wang family as Wang Hong received the shocking news, leaving him momentarily dazed.
“How could my father die?”
Wang Hong knew his father had no illness and was in good health. How could he die? Yet, he was certain his family wouldn’t dare make such a grim joke.
“Dad, you must come back immediately. Grandfather is indeed dead. He was poisoned according to the doctor’s examination,” Wang Hong’s son, Wang Fei, urgently told to his father.
“I’m on my way back now.”
At this point, Wang Hong could no longer concern himself with work. His brothers and cousins also made haste towards the family home.
Within less than ten minutes, Wang Hong arrived and immediately confronted the doctor, “What exactly happened to my father? How could he be poisoned? Tell me.”
Wang Hong’s eyes were red with rage and sorrow.
“Brother, a hitman definitely murdered our father.”
The eyes of Wang Hong’s brothers were similarly bloodshot, their grief for the patriarch’s death palpable.
“Find out who the murderer is. I will not let them get away with this.”
The murder of a family member within his own home left Wang Hong casting a chilling gaze at the household’s bodyguards, instilling fear.
The bodyguards were terrified. They realized the moment they learned of the old patriarch’s death that they couldn’t escape their accountability. They were unsure how Wang Hong would handle the situation, but they were well aware that their fate wouldn’t be favorable.
“Big brother, I suspect the Luo family is involved.”
Currently, their fiercest rival was the Luo family, with whom they had an intense feud. It wouldn’t be surprising for the Luo family to orchestrate such an incident.
“I have my suspicions as well.”
Several of Wang Hong’s cousins shared this suspicion. Clearly, the Luo family, which was under pressure from the alliance of the Li and Wang families, stood to gain the most from the Wang family’s crisis, seizing an opportunity to catch their breath.
“We must investigate thoroughly. If it’s connected to the Luo family, they’re finished.”
The killing intent in his eyes was unmistakable. If it was confirmed that the Luo family was involved, Wang Hong would seek vengeance–not just equivalently, but a hundred times over.
“I’ll have someone look into it right away.”
Wang Hong’s brothers temporarily left, and Wang Hong looked at his father’s body, seething with rage.
His father had been the pillar of the Wang family. As long as the elder Mr. Wang was alive, the Wang family remained unshaken.
Truthfully, the younger generations of the Wang family, including Wang Hong, were not particularly remarkable. With Elder Mr. Wang’s death, it was uncertain whether they could maintain the Wang family’s vast empire.
The incident within the Wang family couldn’t be kept secret for long. Soon, the news of Elder Mr. Wang’s poisoning death spread throughout the upper echelons of Magic City, sending shockwaves through the city.
Elder Mr. Wang was a legendary figure. Now, even as the Wang family’s matters were handed down to the younger generation, there were instances when Wang Hong would have sought guidance from Elder Mr. Wang.
With his death, the Wang family’s decline seemed inevitable.
Families in Magic City, slightly less powerful than the four major families, were thrilled at the prospect. The Wang family’s downfall spelled an opportunity for their ascent. It was a classic case of one man’s loss being another’s gain. A decline in the Wang family’s fortunes meant there was an extra slice of the pie up for grabs.
“Chen Luo is indeed impressive,” Luo Mingde remarked with a hint of satisfaction upon receiving the news.
In forming an alliance with the Li family to oppose theirs, he wondered if they would still be keen on meddling.
Luo Mingde was acutely aware of Wang Hong’s abilities. The rest of the Wang family fared even worse in comparison, making the possibility of swallowing the Wang family not just a fantasy.
“Big brother, father wants to see you,” Luo Mingfeng called out to Luo Mingde.
“Is father asking for me because of the old Wang family patriarch’s death?”
Luo Mingde suspected as much and immediately went to see his father.
The Luo family patriarch, Luo Mingde’s father, looked visibly upset. Upon seeing Luo Mingde, he directly asked, “I need to know, was the death of that Wang family elder related to you?”
“It seems I can’t hide anything from you, father. You’ve guessed it already.”
“Who do you think couldn’t guess? Do you think the Wang family couldn’t guess it might be you?” Elder Luo was deeply angered by Luo Mingde’s actions. “Do you understand you’ve broken a major taboo among the major families, breaking longstanding rules?”
His anger stemmed from more than just the act itself. While he too had desired for the Wang patriarch’s death, orchestrating a murder crossed a line. Such acts were forbidden among the elite families. If it became known, it would lead to collective retaliation.
Without rules, if today you hire someone to kill me, and tomorrow I retaliate, wouldn’t that plunge us all into utter chaos?
The unwritten rule among the families was that hiring assassins against each other was strictly forbidden. Such actions were considered a violation of their codes. If investigations failed to uncover evidence, the situation might remain manageable. However, if evidence was found, the responsible party would become the target of collective retribution. Even the Luo family would not be spared from such fallout.
“Father, you’re concerned about this becoming public knowledge, but rest assured, this incident won’t come to light. And even if it somehow does, they won’t be able to trace it back to us,” Luo Mingde was not worried at all.
This scheme was orchestrated through Chen Luo, who had sent the assassin. Hence, any investigation would likely lead back to Chen Luo, not them.
Securing the billion wasn’t without its conditions. Not only did it involve eliminating Elder Wang, but also entailed bearing any subsequent blame if the plot were exposed. Whether Chen Luo was willing to accept this burden was beyond his control.
“Nothing is foolproof. Since the deed is done, continuing to reprimand you is pointless.”
The situation was irreversible, and dwelling on it would not alter the outcomes.
“Remember, this matter must remain absolutely confidential, not to be shared with anyone, not even your brother Mingfeng.”
If this were to leak, it could spell disaster for the Luo family, potentially uniting all families in Magic City against them. Even if the Luo family were to withstand the initial onslaught, their operations would be significantly hampered.
“I understand.”
Elder Luo gave Luo Mingde a penetrating look, “I’m aware that Zixuan’s affair has deeply impacted you, but I hope you can maintain your composure in your decisions.”
He had noticed a drastic change in Luo Mingde’s approach recently. Where once he was cautious and thoughtful, now his actions seemed rash. This shift concerned him, even though he believed in Luo Mingde’s ability to elevate the Luo family to greater heights.
Since Luo Zixuan suffered severe injuries, Luo Mingde’s actions had become impulsive. The plan to assassinate the Wang family elder was particularly risky. Their only hope was that the Wang family would not find any incriminating evidence. While they might suspect the Luo family, without proof, the Luo family could claim innocence.
“How is Zixuan now?” Elder Luo asked, deeply concerned for his favorite grandson, distressed by the ordeal he was enduring.
“Desperately seeking his own end. He’s hardly the son I raised,” Luo Mingde remarked with a cold snort.
Upon awakening to the reality of his amputation and the loss of his right arm, Luo Zixuan had been seeking his own death. His son’s apparent lack of will to live greatly angered Luo Mingde.
“We must find the best doctor for Zixuan and provide him with the highest quality prosthetic limb to minimize the impact on him,” Elder Luo said, taking a deep breath. “And as for Ye Chen, he must die.”
A glint of resolve flashed in Elder Luo’s eyes as he spoke the last words. Regardless of the protection Ye Chen might have from the Li and Wang families, he was determined to see Ye Chen dead.
“I understand. I won’t let Ye Chen live,” Luo Mingde affirmed.
He had already set people to monitor Ye Chen. If not for Ye Chen’s current refuge with the Li family, Luo Mingde would have acted against him through his agents.