Jiang Luohan Was Disappointed

That sentence was spoken lightly, yet it carried a ruthless coldness that treated human lives like weeds.

In the past, the Zhang Family had needed to rely on Zhang Yu's secret channels to replenish their supplies, so even though they knew his bloodline was impure, they had pinched their noses and accepted him.

But now, Zhang Yuanfeng was already a Grandmaster, while his granddaughter Zhang Lingyun had even entered the Eastern Azure Holy Land. The Zhang Family had soared to prominence and no longer needed to worry about resources.

That "bastard" Zhang Yu had completely lost his value as a tool. Instead, he had become a stain the Zhang Family was unwilling to mention.

"Your son understands."

Zhang Jiuling nodded heavily, a trace of viciousness flashing in his eyes.

He had never felt any father-son affection toward Zhang Yu—only exploitation and disgust.

Now that his father had given the order, he naturally could not have been more willing.

However, he still had one lingering concern. In a low voice, he said, "I'm only afraid of Sheng Yuntang and the Eastern Sheng Kingdom..."

"Don't worry."

Zhang Yuanfeng let out a cold laugh.

"Three years ago, nearly all the core members of the Eastern Sheng Kingdom's royal family died in that earth-shaking upheaval. Even if Sheng Yuntang survived, it is barely managing to protect itself. How could it have the energy to care about that bastard?

"You knew about this. Otherwise, three years ago, you wouldn't have stood by and watched that little bastard nearly be tormented to death at the estate.

"He only survived because he was lucky. Later, he demonstrated his usefulness to the Zhang Family, and that was the only reason he barely made it to this day."

It turned out that the Zhang Family's higher-ups had known everything all along.

When Zhang Yu had first been born, the Zhang Family had feared the might of the Eastern Sheng Kingdom, so they had not dared to dispose of him on their own.

After all, the Eastern Sheng Kingdom was a terrifying nation with beings above the level of Great Grandmasters.

Three years ago, when they learned that the Eastern Sheng Kingdom's royal family had suffered a catastrophe, the Zhang Family had immediately adopted a laissez-faire attitude toward Zhang Yu, an "outsider." They had even tacitly allowed Qin Xuehua and the others to drive him to the estate to fend for himself.

Later, however, Zhang Yu had somehow once again displayed an astonishing ability to "make money," becoming a blood bank for the Northern Frontier. Only then had the Zhang Family reluctantly allowed him to live, continuing to work like an ox and a horse.

But now, this "ox" had not only lost its value as a tool—it was naturally time to slaughter it once its work was done.

"Father is absolutely right."

A cruel smile appeared on Zhang Jiuling's face.

"For this bastard to have survived until today is already the Zhang Family showing him mercy.

"Now that he has caused trouble and cut off the Northern Frontier's supplies, his crimes are even worse.

"Once we return to the Capital City, we can settle the old and new accounts together."

At that moment, the father and son were spirited and brimming with ambition.

They seemed to have already seen the glorious future in which the Zhang Family, led by them, would replace the Xiao clan and rule over the Wei Kingdom.

And Zhang Yu—the "bastard" and "cash machine" in their eyes—would be cleared away like trash after completing his historic mission.

Capital City, Marquis Yong'an's Estate.

Qin Xuehua, Zhang Heng, Zhang Wanning, Zhang Qingyue, and the others sat gathered together, each wearing a worse expression than the last.

"Mother, we can't delay any longer."

Zhang Heng's face was pale, and his voice was hoarse.

"These past few days, I've already poured more than a hundred thousand taels into repairing the Alchemy Workshop.

"But that Earth Fire Formation is like a bottomless pit. The more we repair it, the worse it gets. It simply can't be filled.

"If this continues, the entire Marquis Estate will be dragged under."

"Heng'er is right."

Qin Xuehua wearily rubbed her brow, her eyes full of blood vessels. "We have to cut off an arm to survive. Close Dingsheng Workshop..."

"Close it?"

Zhang Wanning cried out in alarm. Although she had been mentally prepared for this, hearing the decision still pained her heart.

That was the Marquis Estate's most profitable business.

"What else can we do if we don't close it?"

Qin Xuehua gave a bitter laugh, her smile more miserable than a cry.

"For the penalties on those orders, we've already mortgaged every shop and farmstead we could, and even... this Marquis Estate itself, just to barely gather enough to pay them off.

"If we keep throwing money into the bottomless pit that is Dingsheng Workshop, our entire family will end up sleeping on the streets."

Zhang Qingyue sighed and said softly, "Fourth Sister, Mother is right.

"Without Dingsheng Workshop, we still have the freight stations and the Divine Weapon Workshop. Those businesses still bring in more than a hundred thousand taels in profit each month—enough for us to maintain a respectable life."

"That's right!"

Qin Xuehua forced herself to rally, patting the back of Zhang Heng's hand as she comforted him.

"Heng'er, don't lose heart.

"You are the future heir of the Marquis Estate. What is this little setback?

"Even without the Alchemy Room, we can still live well.

"We absolutely cannot let that wretched Zhang Yu laugh at us."

"That's right. We absolutely can't let him laugh at us."

Zhang Wanning immediately chimed in, gritting her teeth.

"Does he think we won't be able to survive without Dingsheng Workshop?

"Dream on!

"We'll live better than ever just to spite that ungrateful wretch."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Heng took a deep breath.

"Mother, Sister, rest assured.

"I, Zhang Heng, will never be defeated by this little difficulty.

"Without Dingsheng Workshop, I can still hold up the Marquis Estate.

"I will definitely surpass Zhang Yu and make him understand who the true pillar of the Marquis Estate is."

"Good. That's my good son, Qin Xuehua."

Qin Xuehua smiled comfortingly, her eyes full of affection and encouragement.

Just then, a burst of hurried footsteps approached, and Jiang Luohan hurried into the front hall.

She had taken special care with her appearance today. Her water-blue dress accentuated her graceful figure and stunning beauty.

"Auntie, Xiao Heng, how did it go?

"Zhang Yu... agreed to help?"

The moment Jiang Luohan entered, she asked impatiently, her gaze fixed tightly on Zhang Heng.

Zhang Heng's face stiffened. The false confidence he had just built up instantly collapsed by half, and he awkwardly turned his head away.