Chapter 85: The Conspiracy Unfolds

“Heh heh! Rest assured, Zhao Gaofeng, cooperating with our Hundred Venoms Sect will certainly bring you no loss.” As soon as Zhao Gaofeng sent his message, a harsh voice came from the other side.

Zhao Gaofeng frowned slightly and said, “Let’s be clear—I want the location of the Zhao family residence.”

“Of course. Only when you control the Zhao family’s authority can you join forces with our Hundred Venoms Sect and gradually swallow the power of South State City.” The voice continued.

“Remember your promise,” Zhao Gaofeng said coldly.

“Is it time to close the net now?” the voice asked.

“Send your people,” Zhao Gaofeng replied. Upon hearing this, the voice let out a wild laugh, and then the communication ended.

Zhao Gaofeng clenched his hand and destroyed the sound-transmitting talisman. At this moment, he felt a mix of excitement and anxiety.

He took a deep breath to steady his nerves, then strode toward the banquet in the council hall.

When Zhao Gaofeng arrived, he saw that everyone had refrained from eating, waiting for him.

“My apologies, everyone. I had some matters to attend to and kept you waiting,” he said, proceeding to the main table, where the principal members of the Zhao family sat.

“Second brother, I heard you apologized to our little sister and Yuming last night. What was that about?” asked Zhao Tu, the eldest, somewhat puzzled.

Zhao Gaofeng replied, “The situation is this: last night, our fifth brother came home and happened to meet our little sister and Yuming. When he learned that I had confined them, he was furious and came to confront me.”

He paused briefly before continuing, “Fifth brother told me that our little sister and the others did not possess any martial arts manuals, and he shared his own speculations. This made me realize how wrong I was. To confine them without distinguishing right from wrong was a grave mistake. So today’s banquet is especially to apologize to them.”

Old Master Zhao Xu listened and nodded slightly, saying, “Gaofeng, your awakening brings me great comfort.”

Zhao Gaofeng replied earnestly, “I have indeed acted rashly in the past. In the future, I will consider carefully before doing anything.”

Having said this, he stood up, raised his wine cup toward Liu Yuming and Zhao Jing, and said, “Little sister, Yuming, I hope you won’t hold my previous rashness against me. I offer you my apology.” He drained his cup in one gulp.

Liu Yuming and Zhao Jing also rose and said, “Since second brother has realized his mistake, we won’t dwell on it any longer. Let’s not mention it again.” With these words, they too emptied their cups.

Seeing reconciliation, Zhao Xu stroked his beard and smiled. “That’s how it should be. A family ought to be harmonious.”

Zhao Tu, Zhao Heng, and the others nodded in agreement. The atmosphere became relaxed and lively.

As everyone exchanged toasts, laughter filled the hall, and the banquet was halfway through.

At this point, Zhao Gaofeng looked at Zhao Xu and suddenly asked, “Father, when you stepped down last year, why did you pass the position of family head to eldest brother? Haven’t I done as much for the Zhao family as he has?”

Zhao Xu sighed gently. “Son, I didn’t expect you were still troubled by this matter.”

Zhao Gaofeng’s expression grew agitated. “In terms of martial cultivation, intelligence, and contributions to the Zhao family, I surpass eldest brother in every way, yet you still gave him the family headship. How am I supposed to accept that?”

Zhao Tu, feeling a bit saddened, said, “I never imagined you cared so much about the family head’s position, second brother. Why didn’t you tell me? If I’d known your feelings, I would have had father reconsider his decision.”

“Hah! Have father change his mind? Is that even possible? He never reverses his decisions,” Zhao Gaofeng replied, laughing bitterly, his voice thick with anger.

Zhao Xu frowned as he looked at Zhao Gaofeng. “It’s precisely because you act impulsively and disregard consequences. I feared the Zhao family would be ruined in your hands, so I passed the position to your eldest brother. I see you still haven’t changed this fault.”

“Whatever eldest brother does is right. No matter how well I do, it’s wrong. It’s always been this way since childhood—growing up didn’t change it. I’ve long since seen through it, but I refuse to resign myself. That’s why I worked so hard to fulfill every task you gave me, hoping to change your opinion, only to find that nothing ever changed.” As Zhao Gaofeng spoke, sorrow spread across his face.

“Second brother, why did you never tell me any of this?” Zhao Tu looked at his brother, feeling sadness stir within him.

“Let it go. The past is the past. At least, soon I’ll be able to change this fate.” Zhao Gaofeng exhaled and his face returned to normal.

Zhao Tu was stunned. “Second brother, what do you mean?”

Zhao Xu’s expression soured. “What scheme are you plotting now? Don’t let a moment’s impulse lead you to disaster.”

“Haha!” Zhao Gaofeng suddenly laughed. “Whatever I do is wrong in your eyes. Since that’s the case, what does it matter what I do?”

At this point, Zhao Tu and Zhao Xu sensed that Zhao Gaofeng was behaving strangely.

“Second uncle is indeed up to something. This banquet must be a trap meant to catch everyone here in one net,” Liu Feng thought, certain his father’s suspicions from yesterday were correct.

Liu Yuming nodded. “I didn’t expect he harbored so much resentment toward the Zhao family. Even if nothing happens today, he’ll surely make a move against the family in the future.”

“Zhao Gaofeng, why bother explaining so much to them? They have no means of resistance now, anyway.” As everyone was puzzled by Zhao Gaofeng’s odd behavior, a sharp voice suddenly rang out from outside the council hall.

Everyone was startled and looked toward the door.

Outside, nine people approached. They wore black robes embroidered with centipedes, scorpions, spiders, and toads—deadly poisonous creatures that sent a chill through all who saw them.

The speaker was a man in his forties, short and thin, with a sallow, withered face, yet his eyes shone with a piercing light, their depths harboring a sinister gleam.

Zhao Xu, seeing their attire, was shocked. “You are from the Hundred Venoms Sect.”

The thin, middle-aged man laughed heartily. “Old Master Zhao, you have sharp eyes. I am Sun Xin, Third Elder of the Hundred Venoms Sect.”

Zhao Xu’s expression darkened. “Our Zhao family bears no grudge against your sect. Why do you come here to provoke us?”

“I invited them,” Zhao Gaofeng said, his face now twisted with emotion.