Return to the Day When My Pregnant Wife Jumped Off the Building-Chapter 244 This is Reason_1

"You come at me accusing me of letting my servant commit violence without asking for reasons. You call it arrogance."

"Unfamiliar with reason, you complain about my ruthless methods, labeling it conceit."

"I simply expressed a ceremonial respect for your former reputation, yet you think I’m buttering you up, a true sign of egotism."

"You clearly aim to oppress others with martial force, all the while shouting some bullshit about ’acting on behalf of Heaven.’ That is nothing but self-deception."

After laughing, Xiao Ming looked on with contempt, "An old man in his twilight years still so full of pride and vanity, arrogance and self-deception to this extent."

"Old fool, do you even know how to write the word ’shame’?

Let me give you two words: ’Pah!’"

Enraged, Tang Ninghai’s loose sleeves and pant legs started to flutter without any wind as he dropped the pretense of being a sage and cursed in a deep voice, "Insolent brat, today this old man will let you see what it means to court death!"

Xiao Ming couldn’t be bothered to pay him any heed and simply ordered, "Take him down!"

Bang!

It is well-known that the speed of a bullet exceeds the speed of sound.

At the same time as the distant gunshot was heard, Tang Ninghai made a move to dodge by bending over, yet one of his legs, before his very eyes, burst open in a spray of bone and flesh, snapped cleanly in two.

No matter how strong one’s martial skills are, they are still vulnerable to a kitchen knife.

Of course, that’s a joke, but if you replace the kitchen knife with a medium-caliber sniper rifle, it becomes much more accurate.

The moment Xiao Ming had arrived at this courtyard, his mobile phone vibrated twice, signaling that the elite squad had reached their position.

Having been the leader of the organization in his previous life, he knew the action style and procedure of the elite squad like the back of his hand.

To deal with two S-rank masters, aiming to injure but not to kill, the team would be equipped with at least two medium-caliber sniper rifles, with no fewer than twelve special operatives.

For Tang Ninghai to stand so pretentiously on the rooftop, he was an easy target. Despite the snipers being on the distant hillside, disabling him was as easy as pie.

"Ah—!"

Sages are still human, and a broken leg is naturally painful. Plus, Tang Ninghai never really had much of a sage’s manner, so his scream was no more surprising than a slaughtered pig’s.

Fortunately, the old man wasn’t foolish and fell backwards onto the roof tiles, avoiding a plunge to the ground.

Otherwise, his fate might have been more than just being crippled.

Lu Shibing’s expression finally changed as he gripped the armrests of his wheelchair tightly, "Who are you, really?"

Xiao Ming didn’t bother recording him, for Gu Zhimeng had just asked why the old grandfather was shouting.

"Hmm, this old grandfather is a bad egg, so uncle taught him a little lesson," Xiao Ming explained half-truthfully.

Behind him, Gu Tinglan opened her mouth but didn’t dare to make a sound.

Gu Zhimeng, oblivious to her surroundings, twisted her little body coquettishly, "Uncle, I’m so hot, let me down, okay?"

How could that be allowed?

The scene was a veritable 18+, not suitable for a child not even ten years old to witness, lest they be struck by lightning.

In a flash of inspiration, Xiao Ming pretended to be aggrieved, "What, you don’t like being held by uncle? Uncle is so sad, I might cry for you to see!"

Gu Zhimeng immediately panicked, "Uncle, don’t cry, don’t cry. Mengmeng likes being held by you, likes it the most!"

"Then, can uncle hold you a little longer?"

"Yes. Uncle can hold me for as long as he wants."

"Good girl!"

Gently patting the girl’s head, Xiao Ming turned and gave Gu Tinglan an apologetic smile.

No matter how you put it, it is never commendable for an adult to deceive a child.

However, he did not know that his smile had instantly dissipated Gu Tinglan’s fear, replacing it with a full sense of reassurance and security.

In her eyes, no matter how cruel and bloody Xiao Ming’s methods were, a man who could be so patient, attentive, and tender to his daughter could not possibly be a bad person.

Even if we take a step back, what if he is a bad person? To the daughter, he is merely a man who can fill the void of parental love and protection.

This is a rare opportunity for the child; it should not be analyzed with the dust-covered heart of an adult pondering the pros and cons.

Turning his head back, Xiao Ming then said to Lu Shibing, "One last time: I am just an ordinary person who wants to protect children. I have no grudges against the Lu Family, nor am I interested in seeing your Lu Clan ruined."

"Now, call out all those who have insulted Tinglan and daughter. Don’t force me to personally visit your family’s inner court and upset the elderly lady—it wouldn’t be good."

"The disturbance has already occurred."

As the crisp sound of a walking stick against the blue-bricked floor came, an elderly woman with bound feet, dressed in an old-fashioned slanted-lapel robe, slowly walked out from the spirit hall.

It was none other than the mother of Lu Shibing and Lu Shijun, Miao Yue’e.

Assisting her was another elder, appearing even older than Tang Ninghai, but with light steps and restrained brilliance in his eyes, clearly a master of internal martial arts.

Miao Yue’e stopped before the stairs and, seeing the scattered limbs and bloodshed, clasped her prayer beads and muttered a "sinful."

"Young man," she then looked at Xiao Ming, "Do you understand that no matter whether there was past enmity with our family and no matter what the cause, from today onwards, you will be the Lu Family’s sworn enemy!"

"Xiao Ming pays respect to the elderly madam, please forgive my inability to offer full formalities."

Xiao Ming first made a proper bow, then nodded his head and said, "I understand."

"Is it worth it?" Miao Yue’e asked.

Xiao Ming thought for a moment and said, "Gu Tinglan knew coming to the Lu Family would mean enduring humiliation, but to fulfill an elder’s wish, she came nonetheless without hesitation.

Madam, do you believe she had any ulterior motives?

Her scarred body and her daughter’s grievances, are they worth it?"

Upon hearing these words, tears immediately welled up in Gu Tinglan’s eyes. She looked at Xiao Ming’s silhouette with surprise and relief, unblinkingly.

She could never have imagined that this man, whom she had met today and spoken with for less than ten sentences, could understand her so well.

Subconsciously, a ridiculous thought emerged in her mind: how wonderful it would be if this man were her daughter’s father!

Clearly not the type of old person who lives to a ripe old age without sense like Tang Ninghai, Miao Yue’e nodded and sighed, "So, what was truly just a minor family matter has, due to the arrogance of the Lu Family, turned into this predicament."

Xiao Ming’s arrogance had always been selective; you respect me by an inch, I’ll respect you by a yard.

Since the old lady had spoken thus, he bowed again.

"This young man, in a rush to resolve the issue and establish authority, has acted somewhat excessively, indeed disturbing the ancestors—a sin as well.

In fact, whether or not you believe it, I hold great respect for you and the late master, especially after learning of the benevolent deeds you both did, spreading your wealth to help those in the village.

If the late master had not passed away, what this young man would have brought to your door today would only have been significant gifts."

Upon hearing this, Miao Yue’e’s expression did not change much, "It is too late to say anything now, and right or wrong is not important.

The Lu Family’s reputation and dignity cannot be compromised. Even if you are a hero admired by thousands, today’s blood debt must be repaid with blood tomorrow.

That is the principle, and I hope Mr. Xiao will understand."

Xiao Ming smiled, "It’s a righteous obligation, I can understand."

"Very well."

Miao Yue’e nodded, her tone suddenly stern: "Shijun, tell those despicable people who followed you today and insulted Tinglan and daughter to come out—all of them!"