Of course, Lin Kuang knew of the Chu Family’s patriarch, Chu Zhengpeng. The old man was an important figure who had served on the battlefield. However, his position was never very high, which was why he had only reached his current station. Still, no one dared to underestimate the old master of the Chu Family. Even now, he still wielded considerable power.

"Old Master, we meet again. You’re still as robust as ever." Lin Kuang stood up, bowed slightly, and spoke with a tone of reverence. He always maintained the necessary respect for the older generation, especially for the veterans who had fought and bled to build this nation.

Seeing Lin Kuang, Chu Zhengpeng smiled faintly. "I’m fine. I won’t be dying anytime soon. I’m just not sure if these old bones will survive the day. As the saying goes, the new generation surpasses the old. Lin Kuang, you truly are full of surprises."

Chu Zhengpeng had already learned from Chu Xiong what Lin Kuang had brought with him. Even for a man of his standing, the information was terrifying. If Lin Kuang were to expose this, the Chu Family would undoubtedly be wiped out.

At his words, Lin Kuang stood up and chuckled. "You jest, Old Master. Once certain things are done, one must be prepared for the consequences. You should know that such matters will eventually come to light. After all, walls have ears, and fire can’t be wrapped in paper."

"Indeed," Chu Zhengpeng sighed, a smile playing on his lips. "It’s true. A man’s greed is like a snake trying to swallow an elephant. The pursuit of immediate gain can lead people astray."

"Exactly. That’s why money and power aren’t necessarily good things. If you can’t hold true to your principles, it’s easy to make mistakes. Minor errors can perhaps be corrected, but for major ones, you might never get a second chance." Lin Kuang’s voice was calm, lacking the sharp edge it had during his conversation with Chu Xiong, yet his words were still barbed.

Hearing this, Chu Zhengpeng nodded and sat down opposite Lin Kuang. Chu Xiong, however, remained standing respectfully behind the old master, not having been offered a seat.

"Speak. What do you want the Chu Family to do?" Chu Zhengpeng asked with a smile.

"What do I want you to do? I haven’t quite decided yet," Lin Kuang replied, his own smile unwavering. "However, I imagine the Old Master will share some information with me, correct?"

"Oh? And what is it you wish to know?" Chu Zhengpeng asked.

"Nothing in particular. Just tell me what you know," Lin Kuang said after a moment of thought.

"Very well. The Chu Family has a relationship with the Gao Family. You could call it a partnership, of sorts," Chu Zhengpeng said, looking at Lin Kuang.

Lin Kuang nodded with a smile. "I’m aware of that much."

"Is that so? Then there’s not much more to say. Since you were able to gather so much evidence against our family, you must already know about our connection to the Gao Family. Are you hoping for us to maintain this relationship, and then perhaps do something against them?" Chu Zhengpeng asked, his expression serene. That composure alone was something Chu Xiong could never hope to match.

"Precisely. That is my intention," Lin Kuang confirmed with a nod and a smile. "My demand is quite simple: the Chu Family will work for me. You will secretly maintain your alliance with the Gao Family, and when I need you, you will provide me with the necessary assistance." With that said, Lin Kuang fell silent, watching Chu Zhengpeng intently.

"That is perfectly acceptable. However, Old Master Lin probably doesn’t have much time left. Are you certain that controlling our Chu Family is enough to challenge the Gao Family in their prime?" Chu Zhengpeng asked with a placid smile.

"Of course. The Gao Family’s foundation may be deep, but you should understand the principle that enough ants can kill an elephant. Since I, Lin Kuang, was able to acquire evidence on your Chu Family, I can certainly do the same for others. Naturally, if someone has done nothing wrong, then this so-called evidence is useless, isn’t it?" Lin Kuang said, smiling at Chu Zhengpeng.

Hearing this, a flicker of change crossed Chu Zhengpeng’s calm face, and his gaze grew solemn. If what Lin Kuang says is true, then the Lin Family won’t fall. On the contrary, it will become more prosperous than ever! Of course, this all hinges on Lin Kuang staying alive. The moment he dies, it’s all over. But if he holds this evidence, who would dare move against him? The Chu Family certainly wouldn’t. If Lin Kuang arranged for the evidence to be released upon his death, no one could save our family. This applied not only to the Chu Family but to any family. Even one as prosperous as the Gao Family would be no exception. After all, there was always a line one could not cross!

Looking at Lin Kuang, Chu Zhengpeng felt a sense of helplessness. Unless he wanted the Chu Family to be annihilated, he had no choice but to cooperate with Lin Kuang.

"Lin Kuang, you are even more formidable than I imagined," Chu Zhengpeng finally said, his gaze sharp as it bored into Lin Kuang’s eyes, as if trying to discern something from the pitch-black pupils. "But I’m very curious. Where did you obtain this information? Was it the Wumi Building?"

Lin Kuang’s heart skipped a beat, but his expression remained impassive. "The Wumi Building? That is indeed a mysterious organization," he said with a smile. "However, as far as I know, the Wumi Building doesn’t get involved in these kinds of struggles. That is the very foundation of their ability to exist in this world. Do you really think they would do something like this for my sake?"

Chu Zhengpeng couldn’t help but frown. He knew the Wumi Building’s rules: they never involved themselves in political power struggles, as their neutrality was the bedrock of their survival. Still, with Lin Kuang possessing so much incriminating evidence, he couldn’t help but feel suspicious, which prompted his question. Yet, as he stared into Lin Kuang’s calm, dark eyes, he could see nothing. He had no choice but to abandon the thought.

"Alright. It seems I was overthinking things," Chu Zhengpeng said with a smile. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

"Good. In that case, Old Master Chu, I’ll take my leave," Lin Kuang nodded. "You can keep these documents. I have plenty of copies, after all." With a faint smile, Lin Kuang stood up and turned to leave. His final words were a clear warning: he had more evidence, and if the Chu Family dared to try anything, he wouldn’t hesitate to release it.

And just like that, Lin Kuang strolled brazenly out of the Chu residence.

Watching him go, Chu Xiong’s face turned utterly grim. "Father, I... I can’t accept this!" he snarled through gritted teeth. The thought of his son’s murderer strolling so brazenly into their home—and then leaving just as brazenly—sent Chu Xiong into a blind rage.

"Compose yourself. You are the Family Head. You must think of the entire Chu Family," Chu Zhengpeng said coldly, tapping the desk.