Rebirth Immortal-Chapter 51 -

Zhao Tian's plan began to unfold with meticulous precision. He had always been a man of cunning, and in these desperate times, his sharp mind was his greatest weapon. He knew that direct confrontation with Zhao Ming and Ye Chen was a losing battle, so he turned to a strategy of deception and subterfuge. His first step was to target those closest to Zhao Ming and Ye Chen—people who held valuable secrets and could be swayed with the right offer.

He sent word to several of Zhao Ming's old allies, men who had once been loyal to his cause but had been swayed by Zhao Ming's rise. These individuals, while not as powerful as the core members of Zhao Ming's inner circle, held important positions within the Zhao family and could prove useful in Zhao Tian's plot. If he could turn even a few of them against Zhao Ming, the ripple effect would destabilize the entire foundation of Zhao Ming's support.

Zhao Tian carefully crafted his messages, knowing that the key to success was to exploit their fear and greed. The Zhao family was built on a delicate web of alliances, and a single thread pulled in the wrong direction could unravel everything. He whispered doubts in their ears, reminding them of the times when Zhao Ming had taken advantage of their loyalty and discarded them when they were no longer useful.

"Zhao Ming is weak," he told one of his former allies, a man named Hu Wei, a trusted official within the family. "He may be in power now, but how long do you think that will last? The elders are already questioning his leadership. Do you really believe that Ye Chen, a mere outsider, will allow Zhao Ming to keep his position?"

Hu Wei hesitated, but Zhao Tian's words had already begun to take root in his mind. He had seen the cracks in Zhao Ming's leadership, and the allure of regaining his influence within the family was too tempting to ignore. Zhao Tian had offered him a way out—an opportunity to reclaim his status and secure a future for himself.

"You're right," Hu Wei finally admitted, his voice low. "I've seen the way Zhao Ming treats those who helped him. He'll discard us once he's no longer in need. What do you propose?"

Zhao Tian's lips curled into a smile. "We work together. We expose Zhao Ming's weaknesses to the elders and use his alliance with Ye Chen against him. They won't see us coming."

While Zhao Tian worked in the shadows, Zhao Ming and Ye Chen were moving forward with their own plans. They had already begun to tighten their grip on the Zhao family, moving to consolidate their power and weaken any remaining support for Zhao Tian. But the deeper they dug, the more they realized how far Zhao Tian had gone to ensure his survival.

"I don't like this," Ye Chen said one evening, his tone darker than usual. "Zhao Tian is not just retreating. He's planning something. We've underestimated him for too long."

Zhao Ming frowned, his hand tightening around the cup he was holding. "He's always been a snake. I should have known he wouldn't just give up." He leaned forward, his eyes sharp. "We need to act quickly. If he's working behind the scenes, then we can't afford to waste any time."

Ye Chen nodded, his expression grim. "I'll start looking into his movements. We can't let him gain any more ground."

The next few days were filled with intense surveillance and investigation. Zhao Ming and Ye Chen mobilized their people, seeking out any sign of Zhao Tian's activities. They questioned Zhao Tian's former allies and began to track down those who had once been in his inner circle. But every lead they followed seemed to slip through their fingers like sand.

It wasn't until Zhao Ming received a message from one of his spies within the Zhao family that he began to understand the true extent of Zhao Tian's reach. The spy had reported that Zhao Tian had been quietly meeting with several disgruntled members of the family, individuals who had been overlooked or sidelined by Zhao Ming's rise to power. They were the kind of people who harbored grudges, and Zhao Tian had been feeding on their bitterness.

"They're trying to turn the elders against us," Zhao Ming muttered as he read through the spy's report. "He's poisoning their minds, making them doubt our leadership."

Ye Chen's jaw clenched. "We knew this was coming. But now it's a race to see who can convince the elders first. If we lose their support, we lose everything."

The weight of the situation settled over them like a heavy fog. If Zhao Tian could turn the elders against them, the family would fracture beyond repair. The once-unified Zhao family would splinter, and Zhao Tian would be free to take back control.

"We need to act fast," Ye Chen said. "We can't wait for him to make the first move. Let's go to the elders. We'll meet with them and show them the truth about Zhao Tian's betrayal."

Zhao Ming nodded. "We'll gather the evidence. We'll expose him for what he is."

Zhao Tian, however, was not about to sit idly by. He had already laid the groundwork, and now he was ready to strike. His meeting with Hu Wei had been only the first step in a series of covert actions designed to destabilize Zhao Ming's position. He had sent subtle hints to the elders, planting seeds of doubt about Zhao Ming's ability to lead. The message was simple: Zhao Ming was too inexperienced, too unworthy to be the head of the Zhao family.

But Zhao Tian's true weapon was the Yan family. He knew that if he could rekindle his relationship with the Yan family, he would have the backing he needed to challenge Zhao Ming. The Yan family was wealthy, influential, and ruthless—an alliance with them would be the perfect counter to Zhao Ming's growing power.

Late one night, Zhao Tian received a visitor—Yan Xian, the patriarch of the Yan family. Yan Xian was a man of few words, but his presence commanded respect. He had been silent on the matter of Zhao Tian's downfall, watching from the sidelines as the Zhao family tore itself apart. But now, he had come to make his move.

"I've heard of your troubles, Zhao Tian," Yan Xian said, his voice cold. "It seems your position is no longer as secure as it once was. But you've come to the right place."

Zhao Tian's eyes gleamed. "I need your help. The Yan family is the only force that can help me take back control of the Zhao family. With your support, we can destroy Zhao Ming and Ye Chen."

Yan Xian studied him for a long moment. "And why should I help you? Your downfall is your own making. I've seen how you've betrayed your own family. Why should I risk my own reputation for you?"

Zhao Tian's voice was smooth, persuasive. "Because, Yan Xian, we both know that Zhao Ming is a threat to you as well. If he gains full control of the Zhao family, he'll come after you next. You'll be left with nothing."

Yan Xian's gaze hardened. "And what do you propose? What's in it for me?"

Zhao Tian leaned forward. "I can offer you a seat at the table. I can ensure that the Yan family becomes a powerful ally within the Zhao family. Together, we can rule."

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There was a long silence as Yan Xian considered the proposal. Finally, he spoke.

"Very well. I'll help you, Zhao Tian. But remember—this is a dangerous game. If you fail, there will be no second chances."

Zhao Tian smiled, a cold and calculating smile. "I won't fail. I'll make sure of it."

The alliance was formed. But as Zhao Tian made his plans, he knew one thing for certain: this battle would not end easily. The Zhao family was about to be torn apart, and the price of victory would be higher than anyone could imagine.