Chapter 1376: Yang Ming’s Voice/ The Douglas Family’s Conference
Translator: Exodus Tales Editor: Exodus Tales
Chapter 1507: Yang Ming’s Voice
“I hope that the Lancer Family will not stick up for the Douglas Family… Otherwise, I will become the sinner of our b.u.t.terfly Family.” w.a.n.g Ruoshui said a little sadly as if she regretted her previous reckless behavior.
“Rest a.s.sured, our b.u.t.terfly Family does not want to offend the Lancer Family, but we are also not afraid of them!” w.a.n.g Songshan saw w.a.n.g Ruoshui’s worried look and a sense of pride rose in his heart. He waved his hand and said, “What’s there to be afraid of? At worst, we’ll just be their enemy and fight!”
“Uncle w.a.n.g, I don’t want to demotivate you.” Yang Ming spoke at this time. He felt that he needed to remind w.a.n.g Songshan and w.a.n.g Ruoshui. Although he had nothing good to say about them, it was only because of the b.u.t.terfly Family’s training that he had become a true powerhouse! Yang Ming was not someone who would forget one’s kindness towards him nor was he an ungrateful person. He still had a close relations.h.i.+p with w.a.n.g Songshan, w.a.n.g Ruoshui, and Fang Tian. Hence, Yang Ming needed to give them a heads up before anything happened. “I dare to guarantee that this time, Goode will never just let things go!”
Yang Ming’s words stilled the atmosphere in the hall again. w.a.n.g Songshan frowned silently, and Fang Tian also looked at Yang Ming with a solemn expression. However, w.a.n.g Ruoshui didn’t know Yang Ming’s ability. When she saw a young generation intervening at the family dinner, she got irritated. From the etiquette cultivated by her family ever since she was young, she knew that it was forbidden for the younger generation to intervene when the elders were talking. Of course, there were some exceptions. That was if the younger generation member already had a strength that was either equal or more than that of the elders of the family!
This was a world that wors.h.i.+ped power, and was especially prominent in families that valued power such as the b.u.t.terfly Family! w.a.n.g Songshan naturally acknowledged Yang Ming’s strength; this was a son-in-law whom he couldn’t be more proud of. Whether it was from w.a.n.g Xiaoyan’s mouth or any other channels, he had known that Yang Ming had single-handedly a.s.similated the a.s.sa.s.sin world’s third-ranked family, the Charles Family!
This strength was more than enough to exceed his own. w.a.n.g Songshan knew that he didn’t have the ability for Old Charles to hand over his family to take care of, yet Yang Ming did it. So, Yang Ming’s words naturally carried some weight amongst powerhouses of the same level. w.a.n.g Songshan would only consider the pros and cons of them, and would not rebuke Yang Ming for interfering at this time.
Fang Tian was Yang Ming’s master and had long been a teacher as well as a friend to Yang Ming. This was why there was no concept whatsoever of difference in level in his mind. When Yang Ming discussed things with him usually, it was also casual. This time, he had already given w.a.n.g Songshan enough respect. He had used obscure salutations in his words, so even Fang Tian thought that he had given enough face to w.a.n.g Songshan!
However, w.a.n.g Ruoshui didn’t know all of this. From the moment she saw Yang Ming to now, she had always treated Yang Ming as a junior. As for the words Yang Ming had said to Goode earlier, w.a.n.g Ruoshui thought that it was merely an ego dispute between two children, so she didn’t care. So when w.a.n.g Ruoshui heard Yang Ming’s bold statement, she didn’t even consider if his words had any rationale. Instead, she immediately thought that Yang Ming was impolite and scoffed coldly, “The one with the surname Fang, I see that your disciple is extremely unruly, right? Haven’t you taught him not to interfere casually when the elders are discussing matters?”
Fang Tian’s old face turned red immediately from w.a.n.g Ruoshui’s sarcasm. However, he didn’t think that Yang Ming had said anything wrong. It’s just that the status of being the Miss was deeply engraved into w.a.n.g Ruoshui’s bones.
“I’m just reminding them in good faith.” Yang Ming didn’t get angry as well; he only spoke calmly, “If Senior w.a.n.g Ruoshui is so unconcerned and arrogant, then it is not impossible for the b.u.t.terfly Family to be destroyed…”
“Who are you to say these things?” w.a.n.g Ruoshui’s expression changed rapidly with Yang Ming’s reproach. She pointed at Yang Ming angrily, “What would a kid know? Do you think that this is some storm of jealousy between impulsive young people like you? The falling out between two big families is based on the premise of both parties’ interests. If there were no interests, who would simply make an enemy?”
Yang Ming shook his head. If it weren’t for the nature of his relations.h.i.+p with the b.u.t.terfly Family, he wouldn’t be bothered enough to care about such a complicated matter. He sighed and said, “Senior w.a.n.g Ruoshui, you’re right! Many storms of jealousy arise between impulsive young people! I think that Goode is this kind of person. I’m familiar with the resolution and hatred shown in his eyes just before he left. The various enemies that I’ve met before had all done things hot-headedly.”
The term ‘femme fatale’ was not wrong at all. How many sane young talents had gone crazy over a beautiful woman? w.a.n.g Zhitao, Sui Guangqi, Zou Ruoguang, Ouyang Family’s second young master, etc were all representatives of such cases. Singapore’s Li Family was also an example.
“Even if Goode wants revenge, will the Douglas Family follow his crazy demands? Will the Lancer Family behind them also accompany them in their game?” Unknowingly, w.a.n.g Ruoshui had regarded Yang Ming as an equal character with whom she could communicate with. She had also let go of her despise towards him being a junior! After all, regardless if she were to admit it or not, Yang Ming’s words were reasonable!
“Perhaps the Douglas Family will not accompany his craziness. However, there’s no guarantee for the Lancer Family.” Yang Ming pointed out the key point bluntly.
“What!” w.a.n.g Ruoshui was stunned, “Impossible. If the Douglas Family wouldn’t care about this, why would the Lancer Family care? It’s not logical at all!”
Yang Ming sneered, This woman has such a bad grasp of the human heart. She doesn’t even understand such simple logic! However, he was still patient on the surface as he explained, “The bigger the family, the more conceited they are. In their eyes, no one can ever touch their beards. Especially in the case of Goode. He said that he is the favorite grandson of Thomas Lancer, the current patriarch of the Lancer Family! This old man favors his grandchildren more than his children. Goode was so angry this time. Based on my predictions, I think that there’s a high chance that Thomas will stick up for him! If my guess isn’t wrong, Goode’s warnings aren’t empty talk! Instead, there is certainty in his heart! Goode knows that he can convince Thomas to stick up for him.”
“Don’t you think that coming to this conclusion by relying merely on a series of speculations as well as Goode’s words that were said just to preserve his integrity is too arbitrary?” Regardless of how reasonable Yang Ming’s words were, there was still a hint of optimism in w.a.n.g Ruoshui’s heart. She was the one who injured Goode. She didn’t want to be the one who brought trouble to the b.u.t.terfly Family.
It was because of this that w.a.n.g Ruoshui strongly denied Yang Ming’s words. She was running away. She did not dare to face Yang Ming’s words. She believed optimistically that there was no way that the Lancer Family would fall out with the b.u.t.terfly Family because of Goode’s matter this time.
If Yang Ming knew that w.a.n.g Ruoshui was w.a.n.g Xiaoyan’s aunt, he would notice that these two people were complete opposites! w.a.n.g Xiaoyan was much smarter than w.a.n.g Ruoshui, and she was also a little more responsible
w.a.n.g Ruoshui’s character was too sentimental; she was always self-centered. If an accident beyond her control were to happen, she would always choose to run away.
Before, w.a.n.g Ruoshui also chose to run away after Fang Tian backed off from the engagement! If it were w.a.n.g Xiaoyan, she wouldn’t run away even if Yang Ming had gotten married.
They were two extremes. One fought tirelessly with her family for her destiny, while the other had chosen to run away whenever she could.
“If it was just a warning, I definitely wouldn’t say this.” Yang Ming glanced at w.a.n.g Ruoshui and shook his head helplessly, “When Goode said his piece, he added a five-day deadline deliberately! Most people would usually say ‘you wait’ or ‘this isn’t over’ when they give their warning. No one would give a five-day limit deliberately! But Goode did. He even swore to change his surname if he didn’t show the b.u.t.terfly Family who’s boss! Who would say such boastful words if they weren’t certain? If nothing were to happen within five days, wouldn’t he become a joke in other people’s eyes?”
Chapter 1508: The Douglas Family’s Conference
“This—” w.a.n.g Ruoshui’s face became extremely ugly. She couldn’t deny that she had started to agree with Yang Ming’s words. Goode indeed didn’t have to add a five-day limit. If it was a mere threat, the clause of five days would have been completely superfluous! If one were to leave right after giving a warning, there would still be room to act even if they took five days, ten days, or a year to maneuver! Yet Goode added a time limit, leaving himself no room to back down. It could only mean that Goode was confident in convincing Thomas to stick up for him!
“Ruoshui, Yang Ming’s words make sense!” At this time, w.a.n.g Songshan waved his hand to stop w.a.n.g Ruoshui from continuing. He had taken in all of Yang Ming’s words. The detailed a.n.a.lysis had made w.a.n.g Songshan be covered in sweat! If this matter turned out like what Yang Ming said, the b.u.t.terfly Family would really be in trouble. “In our b.u.t.terfly Family, only the powerhouses can discuss these matters. Yang Ming’s performance has reached the level to speak equally with us!”
This was the first time that Yang Ming spoke among the b.u.t.terfly Family’s elders. Yet it was clear that there was no objection. With Yang Ming’s series of a.n.a.lysis, he had been acknowledged and accepted by w.a.n.g Songshan! Even w.a.n.g Ruoshui had taken back her previous arrogance at this point.
w.a.n.g Songshan’s words had finally let w.a.n.g Ruoshui recognize the current situation. She sighed sadly, “Brother, this time, I have offended the Lancer Family. Will they refuse to cooperate with our b.u.t.terfly Family?”
This was also what w.a.n.g Songshan was most worried about! After all, the firearms sold by the Lancer Family were limited in supply. It was already hard enough to obtain them. This was a seller’s market, not a buyer’s market! If the Lancer Family were to cut off their business relations with the b.u.t.terfly Family, they would not have any drawbacks. On the contrary, the b.u.t.terfly Family would suffer from a huge loss!
It would still be a sale regardless of whom the Lancer Family sold to. They didn’t have to sell their firearms to the b.u.t.terfly Family. However, the b.u.t.terfly Family could only obtain these top firearms from the Lancer Family. No other channels could replace them.
So, if this really were the case, the b.u.t.terfly Family would likely fall from second place in the a.s.sa.s.sin world to fifth place and below.
“Ruoshui, let’s stop berating ourselves.” w.a.n.g Songshan smiled forcefully, “If the Lancer Family really wants to sever their cooperative relations with us, it is useless for us to discuss it here. We’ll think of a way when things actually happen! If we could establish a channel with the Lancer Family, we can also establish other channels!”
Although w.a.n.g Songshan said so, everyone present understood that this kind of channel wasn’t one that could be established easily. In the past, w.a.n.g Songshan had to put in a huge effort to secure the Lancer Family’s line and build this cooperative relations.h.i.+p.
“There is always a solution to a problem!” Fang Tian felt a little heartache seeing that w.a.n.g Ruoshui was hurting. This was a time when w.a.n.g Ruoshui was the most fragile. Although a huge problem approached, Fang Tian was not afraid of the Lancer Family. If he could regain w.a.n.g Ruoshui’s heart, Fang Tian wouldn’t mind talking about love first, “In regards to firearms, I still have some channels. Although they can’t be said to be a large-scale supplier, they can still act as a temporary replacement to deal with the shortage before you guys find a new supplier.”
“Is that true? That’s good… That’s good…” After listening to Fang Tian’s words, w.a.n.g Ruoshui’s eyes flashed with joy. Unexpectedly, she wasn’t sarcastic toward Fang Tian anymore.
“We’ll have to trouble you then, old friend!” However, w.a.n.g Songshan’s expression was not great. He knew that Fang Tian’s sources could replace temporarily, but not for life.
In these years, w.a.n.g Songshan had not just pinned his hopes on the Lancer Family as he knew very well that it was an extremely dangerous thing to have the family’s lifeline controlled by others. Therefore, he had also been looking constantly for other relations.h.i.+ps in hopes to find another firearms supplier.
However, the results disappointed him as this kind of thing couldn’t be found easily. The few large firearms suppliers all had their fixed buyers. They already lacked supplies and had no time to take w.a.n.g Songshan into consideration at all.
On the other hand, the small firearm suppliers couldn’t provide those top-level firearms at all. It was still possible to buy some ordinary firearms, but the b.u.t.terfly Family would sooner or later become a second-cla.s.s a.s.sa.s.sin family in that case.
An originally prosperous family dinner had turned dull and ended hastily with Goode’s sudden intrusion. w.a.n.g Ruoshui’s initial t.i.t-for-tat confrontation with Yang Ming had now ended. Even her former hostility toward Yang Ming had been reduced greatly.
After Yang Ming’s showcase of wisdom was recognized by w.a.n.g Songshan, w.a.n.g Ruoshui no longer troubled Yang Ming. After all, the family’s current top priority was to discuss ways to face Goode’s revenge!
w.a.n.g Songshan, w.a.n.g Ruoshui, and Fang Tian all went to the study room after dinner. They didn’t call Yang Ming, and he was also too lazy to join in. He had already said what he had to say. There was no point in going anyway.
Previously, w.a.n.g Songshan had regarded Yang Ming as someone who could speak in the b.u.t.terfly Family, but perhaps he still hadn’t adapted to it in his mind. He had left out the junior Yang Ming subconsciously.
Regarding this, Yang Ming didn’t have much opinion. He went to his room directly.
Ello Town, within the Douglas Family.
Yang Ming’s guess was not wrong at all. Goode did not have any intention of letting the matter go. Now, his face was no longer bleeding, and his wounds had all been treated. However, the ferocious scars coupled the bandages had made him even more appalling!
The current master of the Douglas Family, Elt Douglas, was sitting in the middle of the family’s conference room with a face full of anger. As he looked at his wounded son, he thought of crus.h.i.+ng w.a.n.g Ruoshui into pieces.
Yet he also knew that w.a.n.g Ruoshui was the younger sister of the b.u.t.terfly Family’s master, w.a.n.g Songshan; she was not some commoner! In Ello Town, Elt would have long brought his men and charged over if it were anybody else who dared to beat Goode up to this extent. That person might have already become a corpse at this time!
However, the opposition he was facing at this moment was the b.u.t.terfly Family that had a supreme existence in Ello Town. Regardless of how angry Elt was, he wouldn’t dare to act lightly. Of course, even if he fought against the b.u.t.terfly Family with all his might, he still didn’t have a chance of winning!
It was a pity that although he was the master, he still couldn’t do as he wished and ignore the family’s interests. There were still several respected elders in the family who wouldn’t possibly agree to fight against the b.u.t.terfly Family just to stick up for Goode.
“What does everyone think?” Elt turned his attention to the several elders of the family. “Goode was beaten to this extent. It seems that the b.u.t.terfly Family no longer takes our Douglas Family seriously!”
“Master Elt, don’t get me wrong.” An elder in a gray suit responded calmly. “Goode also had his faults in this matter. He barged into the b.u.t.terfly Family’s b.u.t.terfly Castle and said some unpleasant things during w.a.n.g Songshan’s mealtime. Anyone would be mad! So, I think this is actually a good lesson for Young Master Goode. It could kill off his pride and let him understand that we must always think before we act.”
Elt’s face changed. The elder in the gray suit was obviously saying that Goode didn’t think before he acts. Yet he also couldn’t refute. After all, the gray-suited elder’s words were all true. Although Elt knew that this guy was saying this intentionally, there was nothing he could do.
The gray-suited elder was Elt’s uncle. Currently, his grandson was considered as outstanding within the family, yet because of the family rules, he could only be regarded as the second heir. The first heir was still Elt’s son, Goode!
Therefore, this elder would definitely not let go of any chance to strike down Goode. Hence once he opened his mouth, it became Goode’s fault. Even if the Douglas Family wanted to stick up for him, it was no longer possible.
However, because the gray-suit elder had a special status in the family, even the master Elt couldn’t refute his words. He could only endure his inner rage as he said to Goode, “Goode, Uncle Changster is right. Don’t be so reckless in the future!”