Rebirth Immortal-Chapter 52 -

Zhao Ming had been preparing for this moment for weeks. Every decision, every move he had made was aimed at one thing: maintaining control of the Zhao family. The situation was delicate, and the growing unrest within the family was something he couldn't ignore. Zhao Tian, his uncle, had been a thorn in his side for as long as he could remember. Now, Zhao Tian was no longer hiding in the shadows—he was making his play, gathering allies and plotting against Zhao Ming with the help of the Yan family.

It was clear to Zhao Ming that this was no ordinary challenge. His uncle's connections were vast, and the Yan family was a powerful force. If Zhao Tian succeeded in securing their support, it could mean the end of Zhao Ming's reign over the family. But Zhao Ming wasn't about to let that happen without a fight.

"Ye Chen," Zhao Ming said, his voice low and determined, "we need to take action. If Zhao Tian has truly allied with the Yan family, we can't afford to hesitate."

Ye Chen looked at him, his expression unreadable. "You know what needs to be done. We'll stop him before he can strike."

Zhao Ming nodded. Ye Chen was right. They had to act swiftly, decisively. Zhao Tian was calculating, but Zhao Ming had learned a lot from his uncle's manipulations over the years. He knew that the key to winning this battle wasn't just in power—it was in perception. The Zhao family was already divided, and if he could turn the tides of public opinion, he would have the upper hand.

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"Gather the elders," Zhao Ming ordered, his voice firm. "We need to meet with them as soon as possible. We'll show them the truth about Zhao Tian's plans."

Meanwhile, Zhao Tian sat in a lavishly decorated room deep within the Zhao family's ancestral estate, a smirk on his face as he waited for his final move to unfold. His meeting with Yan Xian had been fruitful, but now the real work began. He knew that Ye Chen and Zhao Ming would respond—there was no way they would let him gain an upper hand without a fight. But Zhao Tian wasn't worried. He had more than just the Yan family behind him. He had a network of loyalists who were ready to act when the time was right.

Zhao Tian's plan was simple: destabilize Zhao Ming's support, create chaos within the family, and make it clear to the elders that Zhao Ming was unfit to lead. It didn't matter how many resources Zhao Ming had at his disposal. If he lost the trust of the family, he would fall.

As Zhao Tian sat back in his chair, his mind raced with strategies. He had already sent word to some of Zhao Ming's closest allies, offering them a way out. In return for their loyalty, they would be rewarded when Zhao Tian took control. It was a game of survival, and Zhao Tian knew how to play it better than anyone.

He was interrupted by a soft knock at the door. His most trusted aide, Sun Wei, entered the room, a scroll in his hand.

"Master, the elders have agreed to meet with you," Sun Wei said, his voice low. "But they have also requested a meeting with Zhao Ming. They want to hear both sides."

Zhao Tian's eyes narrowed. "So they think they can play both sides, do they? Fine. Let them think they have a choice."

He stood up, his movements slow and deliberate. "Prepare my things. I'll go to the meeting. Let's see how well Zhao Ming can defend himself."

Zhao Ming arrived at the meeting with the elders, his heart pounding in his chest. He had spent hours preparing, making sure every detail was in place. This was his chance to show the elders that Zhao Tian was a threat to the Zhao family's future. If he could convince them that Zhao Tian was nothing more than a power-hungry schemer, they would rally behind him. He couldn't afford to lose their support.

When Zhao Ming entered the grand hall, the elders were already seated, their faces stern and unreadable. At the far end of the room, Zhao Tian sat with a calm expression, as though nothing were at stake. Zhao Ming's eyes flicked over to him, and for a moment, their gazes locked. Zhao Ming's blood boiled, but he forced himself to remain composed.

"Zhao Ming, Ye Chen," one of the elders, an elderly man named Zhang Wei, spoke up, his voice carrying the weight of authority. "We have called this meeting to hear your side of the story. Zhao Tian has made serious accusations against you. He claims that you are unfit to lead the Zhao family, and that your alliance with Ye Chen will only bring ruin."

Zhao Ming took a deep breath before speaking. "Elder Zhang, the accusations Zhao Tian makes are nothing more than lies. He seeks to destabilize the Zhao family for his own gain. He has made deals with external forces, like the Yan family, to strengthen his position. But his actions are driven by greed and ambition, not by loyalty to the Zhao family."

He paused for effect, making sure the weight of his words settled in the room. "I have always worked for the good of the family. I have always sought to lead us to greater prosperity, not to undermine our foundation."

Zhao Tian's lips curled into a smirk. "Is that so, Zhao Ming? Tell the elders, then, why it is that you have surrounded yourself with foreign influences, with people who have no real stake in the Zhao family's future? You claim to work for the family, but your actions speak otherwise. How can we trust you when you are clearly in bed with people who have their own agendas?"

Zhao Ming's eyes flicked toward Ye Chen, who stood silently at his side. He knew what Zhao Tian was trying to do—he was attempting to sow doubt in the minds of the elders. But Zhao Ming had prepared for this. He turned back to the elders, his voice steady.

"Ye Chen is not an outsider. He has proven his loyalty time and time again. His knowledge and expertise have brought us closer to success, not further away from it. We have worked together for the betterment of the Zhao family, and I will not let my uncle's treachery tear us apart."

Zhao Tian's smirk faded as the elders murmured among themselves. Zhao Ming could see the seeds of doubt starting to sprout in their minds. But it wasn't enough yet. He needed to do more.

"Zhao Tian has always been one to put his own interests above the family's. He's shown time and time again that he will do whatever it takes to gain power, even if it means sacrificing the family's legacy," Zhao Ming continued. "I implore you, elders, to look at the facts. Zhao Tian has made deals with people outside our family for his own gain. He seeks to divide us, to weaken us, and ultimately, to take control of the Zhao family for himself."

The room fell silent as the elders exchanged glances. Zhao Ming could see that they were beginning to waver. But the final blow came when he revealed the letter he had discovered earlier—a letter from one of Zhao Tian's allies, confirming his plans to betray the family.

"This letter," Zhao Ming said, holding it up for all to see, "proves beyond a doubt that Zhao Tian has been plotting against us from the very beginning. He's been working behind our backs, spreading lies and stirring up trouble to ensure that he is the one who takes control of the family."

The elders looked at the letter, their faces growing pale. Zhao Tian's expression twisted with anger as the truth came to light. He had underestimated Zhao Ming's resolve, and now, his plan was falling apart.

In the end, the elders made their decision. Zhao Tian's actions were deemed unacceptable, and his attempts to undermine Zhao Ming's leadership were seen as nothing more than a desperate grab for power. The support that Zhao Tian had once enjoyed within the family was shattered, and the Yan family, too, began to distance themselves from him. Without the backing of the Zhao family or the Yan family, Zhao Tian was left with nothing.

Zhao Ming stood tall, his gaze unwavering as he faced his uncle. "You've lost, Zhao Tian. The Zhao family will never fall into your hands."

Zhao Tian, defeated and humiliated, glared at Zhao Ming, but there was nothing left for him to do. The battle was over.