There was no way the Shi family would show them mercy now.
Just like how the Chen family was hellbent on crushing them previously.
Competition in the world of business was a merciless ordeal.
But there was also one possibility. If someone could plea for the Chen family, they might just be able to survive.
After much consideration, the only person who could do them this favor effectively was Lin Jin.
But the Chen family and Lin Jin were on terrible terms prior to this, so why would Lin Jin speak up for them?
Chen Wenlin was still trying to figure things out. He wanted to lay all the possible options on the table. Moreover, Chen Wenlin was a cunning man. He had been too anxious before, but now that he had calmed down, he figured that he wouldn’t need Lin Jin to speak up at all. Chen Wenlin just had to act humble and beg Lin Jin. Knowing the man’s non-confrontational personality, the man might not chase him out, at least not immediately. From there, Chen Wenlin would exaggerate things to give off a false impression so that the Shi family wouldn’t drive them to destruction.
Although it was just his wishful thinking, Chen Wenlin knew that this was his only option now.
Of course, it would be great if he could get Lin Jin’s forgiveness. Chen Wenlin was willing to try anything right now. Even if he had to force his daughter to become that man’s concubine, Chen Wenlin wouldn’t even bat an eyelid.
No matter how he saw it, Lin Jin was his last straw of hope.
Chen Wenlin was exhausted. With a wave of his hand, he signaled for everyone to retreat from the room so he could rest. He would pay Lin Jin a visit tomorrow.
Even if he had to wait for three days and nights, he would wait until he received Lin Jin’s forgiveness.
However, the next day, the head of the Chen family’s housekeepers came in with a peculiar expression. As he delivered Chen Wenlin’s meal, he wore a conflicted expression, as if he wanted to say something but something else was telling him not to.
Chen Wenlin noticed this and asked him what it was about.
The housekeeper stammered. After Chen Wenlin barked at him, the housekeeper finally told him about the rumors that were beginning to spread outside.
It was about Chen Yuanyuan and Chen Cheng’s scandalous affair.
It had spread around Maple City like wildfire.
Even if he kept his mouth shut, Chen Wenlin would eventually find out about it anyway.
In this world, marriage between cousins on the maternal side was possible but it was still taboo for paternal cousins bearing the same surname to have a relationship. It was abnormal, bizarre almost. Although it does happen in certain families, such situations were rare and would usually be kept a secret. It was an embarrassing matter after all.
When Chen Wenlin heard this, his first reaction was to deny it. It was just a malicious rumor designed to humiliate his Chen family.
But for the sake of it, Chen Wenlin still summoned Chen Yuanyuan to clarify the truth of the matter.
To his dismay, Chen Yuanyuan who wasn’t mentally as strong as a house of cards actually admitted to it after being questioned a few times. When Chen Wenlin heard her answer, he only felt the world spin before blacking out.
After suffering two huge blows in two consecutive days, Chen Wenlin couldn’t take it anymore. He fell ill and was now bed-bound.
To have their patriarch fall ill at such a crucial time was one disaster on top of another. However, the Chen family’s image was inevitably destroyed now. Those with even a little intelligence knew that this was the end for the Chen family.
***
West State, Mount Burnt Tail.
This place didn’t belong to any country as it was known to many as dangerous territory. None of the inhabitants here were ordinary folks. They were either fugitives charged with murder or wicked individuals with notorious reputations.
In the ruins of an ancient city located within Mount Burnt Tail.
This ruin was said to be more than five hundred years old. The pavilions in the city had mostly collapsed, but some remained, turning this place into a gathering spot for villainous experts.
Those who had no idea might assume this place to be a bustling city with so many people and pet beasts walking around. But those who knew would definitely steer clear from this place if they didn’t have any business here.
“The humans of the world are mostly divided into good and bad. But what is good? And what is bad?” Within the city, a person who looked like a scholar was giving a lecture. Around him were all villains but they seemed to be enjoying his talk.
That scholar looked like a decent man. He held a folded fan in one hand and laying on the wooden table beside him was a large white cat.
That was probably the scholar’s pet beast.
The scholar continued, “Some say that a person’s virtue is written on his face. But I’d like to ask everyone here a question. Do I look like a good person? Or a bad person?”
The moment he posed the question, a burly man in the audience said, “Who doesn’t know that you’re the Evil Scholar? You’re obviously a bad person, am I right, everyone?”
Someone echoed after this man.
Evil Scholar chuckled before responding, “Wrong!”
“How am I wrong?” The burly man wasn’t convinced. “Last year, you killed the entire Wang family, a total of seventy-eight people in Tianmen City. If that isn’t evil, then this world has no bad people. Hey, maybe I’m a good person too.”
After he said that, the man burst out laughing.
“That’s right, I did kill the Wang family in Tianmen City, but that’s because they were too immoral. Not only did they seize control of the area, but they were violently oppressing the locals there. So to the people who have been harmed by them, I’m not a bad person, but a wonderful good guy,” Evil Scholar said earnestly.
“Bah!” The burly man spat. “A bad person is a bad person. I kill because it’s a hobby but you scholars talk too much! With all that good and bad business, why care so much?”
Evil Scholar shook his head. “Zhang Guangxiong, you call yourself a bad person but that’s not actually true. Several days ago, you brutally massacred an entire caravan because they were trafficking young children. It wouldn’t be too outrageous to say that they rightfully deserved death. According to ‘Daojun’ back in the day, you’re a hero, not a villain.”
“That’s just nonsense.” the burly man scoffed. But he didn’t seem the least bit angry and was pleased instead.
After all, Evil Scholar was obviously praising him. He wasn’t that big of an idiot. At least he could tell compliments apart from insults.
“It’s a pity that Daojun was a figure from more than five hundred years ago. I admire him so much and scorn the fact that we weren’t born in the same era. Otherwise, it would have been such an honor to see and follow him around,” Evil Scholar lamented.
Just then, a black crow flew over. Evil Scholar frowned at the sight of this animal.
His white cat immediately got up and chased after the black crow.
A man walked over from a distance.
When the villains saw this person, they all piped down.
Villains were also placed in a hierarchy and this newcomer was obviously a notorious figure from the very top of the pyramid.
“Scholar, get me something to eat.” Black Crow came over and kicked a man who was sitting on a stone bench over before sitting down.
The man who was kicked found another spot to sit in, not daring to utter a word.
“Black Crow, I heard from Old Poison that you’ve struck gold lately.” Evil Scholar was clearly well-acquainted with Black Crow. He instructed someone to bring over some delicious grilled chicken from the oven.
Without a word, Black Crow began eating.
He would usually talk after having food in his system.
This was Black Crow’s character. He was the antithesis of the talkative scholar. And yet, both of them were friends and very good ones at that.
Once he was full, Black Crown said, “I can’t be bothered to answer if anyone else was asking, but if it’s you, I’ll tell you. I did strike gold and probably in a few more days, Black Falcon will evolve into Rank 5.”
Everyone gasped.
Why was Black Crow that powerful you may ask?
It’s because his pet beast, the black falcon, was Rank 4. He had the power to wipe out a small country so it was only natural that these folks were shocked to hear that his black falcon would evolve yet again into Rank 5.
If that were true, Black Crow’s name among the villainous experts ranking might just soar to greater heights, making him the most powerful within their community.
