Return to the City: The Strongest King
Chapter 852 - 853 Conditions

Chapter 852: Chapter 853 Conditions

This time, aside from Xu Hao and Shen Ning, there were also seven other masters. Among these seven, four were from the Su Family and three from the Sun family. The strongest was ranked fifth among the Su Family Guards, and the rest were also ranked within the top twenty. The three from the Sun family were all among the top ten, but not within the top five.

From the very beginning, Song Xiaodong and the Patriarch of the Sun Family had a strategy in mind: having strength in quality, not quantity, wanting to avoid a massive, chaotic brawl.

Although these people were few in number, their overall strength was much stronger than the group brought by the Cao Family.

The four Family Guards of the Cao Family, though strong, paled in comparison to others, especially the people sent by the Zhao Family, who were particularly lacking in strength.

In a place like Minghe, if there were truly capable people, they naturally would side with the Su and the Sun families. Despite the Zhao Family’s significant economic strength and accomplishments in the officialdom, their own Family Guards were their Achilles’ heel. With the Su and Sun families overshadowing them, it was really difficult for them to recruit skilled fighters, let alone those truly loyal to them.

Therefore, the Family Guards of the Zhao Family really lacked genuine masters.

As the people of the Cao Family swarmed in, seeing so many of them, Su Qingmiao felt nervous but dared not show any weakness. With hands clasped behind his back, he shouted, "Grab that old bastard for me."

The people by his side charged forward.

The entire hall immediately descended into chaos.

However, it did not take long for Cao Yunliang’s expression to turn ugly. Although his side had the advantage in numbers, aside from the four Family Guards, the rest were easily defeated, and in just a short while, more than a dozen had been knocked down.

Su Qingmiao grew increasingly confident, knowing for sure that he had this victory in hand. His heart swelled with pride. It was the first time the Su Family had engaged in such a conflict with another family, and he had directly taken on the role of the Vanguard Officer. Although he was not the one who engaged physically, he knew that the credit would surely fall on him, and his status within the Su Family would surely rise dramatically.

Just a few months ago, he was only a useless and idle scion of the Su Family, and now he had become an important figure. This sense of accomplishment was beyond words.

He felt immensely grateful to Song Xiaodong. Without Song Xiaodong’s recognition, he wouldn’t have had such an opportunity.

In less than ten minutes, the people of the Cao Family were mostly lying on the ground, leaving only those four Family Guards struggling desperately.

The adversaries of Xu Hao and Shen Ning were roughly equal in skill, but their morale had completely faltered.

Although also masters, their real combat experience was too scant, lacking particularly in the battle-hardened, life-risking encounters, an area where Xu Hao and Shen Ning had far too much experience.

Killing and sparring are entirely different realms. Moves meant only for practice lose much of their power when intended to kill. It meant they had the intent to fight, but not to kill.

In this respect, Xu Hao and Shen Ning were simply too strong, especially with their reflexes honed in life-and-death situations. Initially excited to meet worthy opponents and eager to test their recent improvements,

but as the surrounding battle subsided, they no longer dallied. Their offensive surged, swiftly overpowering their opponents.

"Thump, thump!" Within a few moves, Xu Hao and Shen Ning had already flattened their adversaries on the ground.

Hearing the agonized screams of these masters, Cao Yunliang slumped into a chair, unable to believe that so many of his skilled men were so easily defeated.

Su Qingmiao sneered, saying, "Old man, just come along quietly. I want to see how much you’re worth in the eyes of the Cao Family people."

Su Qingmiao merely took Cao Yunliang and the four Family Guards of the Cao Family, disregarding the others.

"Family Head! I have not failed in my mission!" Su Qingmiao returned to the Su Family villa, eagerly claiming credit and adding that phrase.

Song Xiaodong smiled and said, "Well done, there will certainly be a reward."

Su Qingmiao loudly said, "Thank you, Family Head; serving the Su Family, serving the Family Head, is Little Six’s honor."

Important figures of the Su Family were present, seeing Su Qingmiao achieving great success, many envied him. Song Xiaodong was known for his generous rewards, which were surely to be substantial.

Moreover, everyone realized that if the Su Family truly absorbed the Zhao Family and drove away the Cao Family, their power would greatly increase, and Su Xiaoliu would definitely have many opportunities to gain influence.

While everyone was initially hesitant about the conflict with the Cao Family, now many were pondering whether they too should seek out responsibilities and earn some merit.

Song Xiaodong looked at Cao Yunliang and others brought back by Xu Hao, saying, "You’ve got quite the nerve, ignoring my warning and still daring to stay here."

At this moment, Cao Yunliang gritted his teeth and said, "So what? You wouldn’t dare kill me, would you?"

"Killing you isn’t necessary. We live in a society governed by law; how could I possibly kill you? But I can make you live like a dog. Take him away," Song Xiaodong waved his hand, dismissing further talk.

At this moment, Song Xiaodong’s phone rang; it was a call from Cao Fengqing.

Song Xiaodong directly answered the call and switched on the speakerphone, letting everyone listen in.

"Patriarch Song, you’re quite ruthless," came Cao Fengqing’s gritted-teeth voice from the other end.

Song Xiaodong indifferently said, "Since you ignored my warning, don’t blame me for acting. I’ll give you a chance now: leave Minghe immediately and transfer all the Minghe properties to the Su Family, and I will release your people."

"What if I refuse?"

Song Xiaodong coolly said, "You can refuse, and I won’t mind wasting some food to support them for a lifetime. Oh, and perhaps after a while, your four masters will obediently serve the Su Family."

"You are shameless!" Cao Fengqing shouted.

"When you thought of going against me, you should have considered the possibility of failure. I’m giving you twenty hours to decide. After that, even if you offer twice the terms, I won’t negotiate with you anymore. I, Song Xiaodong, am a man of my word," said Song Xiaodong and immediately hung up, no longer wasting words with Cao Fengqing.

People of the Su Family looked at Song Xiaodong, their faces full of admiration, and their eyes sparkled with excitement. The Cao Family’s assets in Minghe might not be extensive, but with values in the range of billions, who could resist being tempted if they could take it all?