Chapter 14

If Zhang Xianyang's earlier acquisition of the garment factory could still be called a child playing house on a whim, then Zhang Linmo's actions made it impossible for people to watch with a relaxed attitude. Coupled with the recent wild rumors that the Old Zhang Family had accepted the city's redevelopment plan for the Old District, the underworld was thrown into turmoil. Everyone was guessing whether the Old Zhang Family, which had dominated the Old District for nearly a century, wanted to go legit. And if they truly intended to go legit, how would everyone divide up the power left behind?

The undercurrents among the other forces in the Old District did not affect the Old Zhang Family's plans. The Zhangs continued carrying out the plan they had made over a month ago in an orderly fashion. In particular, physical training and genetic modification had reached their most crucial stage. After a full month of uninterrupted transformation by the No. 1 Nutrient Solution, the men of the Old Zhang Family had undergone a complete rebirth. The most obvious external change was that everyone had generally grown to over 1.85 meters tall, their bodies looking sleeker and more powerful than before. Meanwhile, the older Zhang Linmo brothers had suddenly become more than ten years younger after their genetic modifications, showing signs of rejuvenation.

To conceal these sudden changes, the Zhang brothers all reduced the number of times they went out. Fortunately, the Zhang Muyang brothers were now in their final year of high school. All Zhang Linmo had to do was notify the school that they were studying at home in preparation for the college entrance exams. Zhang Qingyang, who was already in college, was even easier to handle. The Old District had always been closed-off and self-contained, never asking about affairs beyond its borders. Zhang Qingyang casually wrote a request to intern and sent it back to school, then stayed peacefully at Zhang Family Villa to continue practicing his boxing manual.

The miserable Zhang Linmo brothers, meanwhile, had no choice but to let the butler work his "magic" on their appearances before daring to go out. That made Zhang Xianyang the most normal person in the Old Zhang Family. This unfortunate kid, forced by the Brain AI to enter a virtual environment every night for physical training, was not yet strong enough to undergo genetic modification. He was still short and fair-skinned. Yet standing among a group of grown men over 1.8 meters tall, Zhang Xianyang felt as though Mount Tai were pressing down on him.

Days slipped by amid an atmosphere that seemed ordinary on the surface but grew increasingly tense beneath it. On this day, Zhang Xianyang accepted Sun Wanshan's invitation to inspect the garment factory. The specially modified black Mercedes-Benz drove steadily along a sparsely populated highway. Zhang Xianyang sat in the spacious, comfortable back seat, holding a copy of Materials Science of Metals and a copy of Metallographic Atlas of Metallic Materials, comparing them as he read. His consciousness idly chatted with the Photon Brain in his mind.

Suddenly, Zhang Han, who was driving, said in a low voice, "Young Master, it looks like someone is following us."

Zhang Xianyang's arm holding the books paused slightly. He turned and casually glanced back. Five black Hongqi sedans were driving ten meters behind their car at an unhurried pace. Zhang Xianyang said offhandedly, "Could it be a coincidence?"

Zhang Han replied, "Probably not. Those cars got onto the highway from the previous intersection. It looks like they deliberately came after us. And the way they're driving doesn't seem coincidental either."

As they spoke, two heavy trucks suddenly appeared ahead on the highway. They sped in front of the Mercedes-Benz and stopped sideways across the road. Caught off guard, Zhang Han immediately slammed on the brakes. The two sedans behind them then leisurely accelerated, catching up and stopping behind them. Zhang Han shrugged and chuckled. "Looks like someone's tired of living. They actually dare throw their weight around on the tiger's head."

Zhang Xianyang chuckled, casually pulled two shoulder-fired rocket launchers from beneath the seat, and tossed them to Zhang Han and Li Zhuang in front. "In that case, teach them a lesson."

After a pause, he added uneasily, "For world peace, try not to kill anyone."

Then Zhang Xianyang took out his phone and called his father.

Author's note: Meow, someone's bullying us right in our faces. Is little Zhang the Third going to puff up his fur now?

Chapter 14

Wang Zhaoyi, sitting inside a black Hongqi sedan, watched helplessly as the window of the black Mercedes-Benz ahead rolled down. The black steel bodies of two shoulder-fired rocket launchers slowly extended from the windows, their barrels aimed at his car and the bodyguard vehicles behind him. Wang Zhaoyi would bet that the launchers were loaded. The people inside were probably deciding whether to merely blow up the cars as a warning or send both vehicles and people flying into the sky to express their dissatisfaction.

He let out a relaxed whistle and shook his head, unable to describe what he was feeling. As expected of a Zhang Family descendant who had dominated the Old District for years. Even Zhang Family's Third Young Master, known for being gentle and soft-tempered, acted with such reckless tyranny.

What was there to be so smug about? He just had a good father.

Wang Zhaoyi clicked his tongue, opened the door, and got out. With his arms spread wide, he walked steadily toward the Mercedes-Benz under the threat of the rocket launchers. He reached out and knocked on the equally black bulletproof window, saying comfortably, "Don't be nervous. I only wanted to say a few words to the Third Young Master."

Zhang Xianyang lowered the window and smiled at Wang Zhaoyi outside. "Wang the Eldest certainly has a special way of asking for a conversation. If I hadn't always been somewhat prepared, you might have caught me completely off guard."

Wang Zhaoyi rested a hand on the window and bent down with a smile. "Although my actions may have been abrupt, I simply didn't want to cause a misunderstanding with the Old Zhang Family."

"Are you sure what you're doing now isn't meant to deepen that misunderstanding?" Zhang Xianyang raised a brow and crossed his arms without the slightest courtesy. "I've never asked much about underworld affairs. But that doesn't mean any stray cat or dog can bully me. Daring to stir up trouble on the Grand Duke of Jupiter's head—are you in such a hurry to join your dead father below?"

Wang Zhaoyi's face instantly darkened, and the look he gave Zhang Xianyang sharpened like a blade. Unfortunately, looks alone could never kill. Zhang Xianyang chuckled and continued, "Why are you staring at me like that, Wang the Eldest? I'm timid. You're scaring me. And once I get scared, I might do something I can't control."

As he spoke, he pointed at the rocket launchers in front.

Wang Zhaoyi gave a vicious smile and lowered his voice. "I never paid much attention before, but today I realized the Third Young Master is even prettier than my sister-in-law. Such a pretty face would be heartbreaking if it ended up with a scar like the boss's. Why don't the two of us get a little closer—"

Before Wang Zhaoyi could finish, an icy gun barrel pressed against his head. From the corner of his eye, Wang Zhaoyi saw Zhang Xianyang's fair, well-proportioned arm steadily holding the gun. His jade-like skin formed a striking contrast against the black weapon. Wang Zhaoyi whistled in admiration and shook his head with a smile. "I really didn't expect the Third Young Master to carry one of these even at school. Should I say the Zhang Family has grown more timid?"

"I've never been particularly brave. Did Wang the Eldest only find that out today?" Zhang Xianyang raised a brow, his gaze sweeping over the Wang Family bodyguards, who had also set up a shabby rocket launcher on the ground. Its rough green casing was the kind used in the earliest models, its tube mottled and faded with age. It was also a model from decades ago, one that looked like the military had eliminated it at least twenty years ago. Zhang Xianyang shook his head disdainfully. "Is Wang the Eldest planning to hold a museum exhibition? There isn't even the slightest sense of innovation. Luckily this isn't a movie, or I could sue you for plagiarism."

"How would rough men like us know anything about plagiarism?" Wang Zhaoyi said as he slowly pushed his gun-pointed head through the window, leaning close to Zhang Xianyang's ear with a smile. "I only want to learn from the Zhang Family, who have ruled the Old District for so many years."

"Unfortunately, you tried to draw a tiger and ended up looking like a dog." Zhang Xianyang shrugged without concern and continued his attack. "Even imitating Handan's walk is already beneath you. A show of force without any confidence behind it only makes you a laughingstock. I had Zhang Han and the others set up rocket launchers because I dare to fire them. Do you?"

Zhang Xianyang looked at Wang Zhaoyi's slightly changed expression and sneered. "With a century of inheritance, the Old Zhang Family can at least be called an established clan. The foundation of an established clan is not something people like you can imitate just by hacking down a few men and grabbing a few plots of land."

As Zhang Xianyang spoke, he snapped his fingers. Zhang Han, who had long been poised to act, immediately fired at the last Hongqi sedan. A thunderous boom rang out, and a small mushroom cloud rose above the highway. Like the firecrackers everyone scrambled to set off during Lunar New Year as children, shattered parts exploded in every direction. The Wang Family bodyguards standing on the road were caught unprepared. Some were struck by flying debris and immediately cried out in pain. Fortunately, no one died.

His ears rang with a loud buzz. Zhang Xianyang dug at one ear, looking regretfully at the black Hongqi that had become a burning wreck. "I told you long ago that I'm timid and value my life. Otherwise, I really would have had Zhang Han fire directly at that broken rocket launcher you dug up from who knows where. Let's see how you'd keep showing off then."

Wang Zhaoyi's face darkened so much it seemed water might drip from it. Zhang Xianyang's gaze passed through the window and landed on the Wang Family bodyguards, who looked lost after the explosion. He shook his head and chuckled. "With standards like these, you dare point guns in front of the Old Zhang Family? Looks like there's nothing left for us to say. Tell your men to move the trucks. We're in a hurry."

With that, Zhang Xianyang rolled up the window.

Wang Zhaoyi stood outside without saying a word, staring expressionlessly at Zhang Xianyang inside the Mercedes-Benz. Before coming here, he had expected Zhang Family's Third Young Master to resist fiercely, but he had not taken it too seriously. He was only a teenager, an innocent and weak little brat protected by his family. He lacked the bloodiness of the older generation who had fought for territory with blades. These so-called underworld "princelings" were no different from young masters born into rich families. Scare them a little, and they would cry in humiliation. Some would even wet themselves and kneel to beg for mercy. Wang Zhaoyi felt he had seen plenty of such spineless men. Yet he had never expected the Zhang Family's Third Young Master, rumored to be mild and soft-tempered, to be so difficult to handle... Or was Wang Zhaoyi simply too easy to deal with?

Seeing Wang Zhaoyi remain motionless outside, Zhang Xianyang frowned irritably and rolled down the window. "I called my father seven minutes ago, but obviously not to have him come pick me up. Guess where my father and his brothers are right now?"

Wang Zhaoyi's expression changed drastically.

Zhang Xianyang shook his head helplessly. "How can someone in the underworld lack even that much awareness? I know Wang Qi has always valued you, but now that you've rebelled against your superiors, do you think that old bastard Wang Qi would dare risk public condemnation to plead for you?"

Wang Zhaoyi's expression immediately turned hesitant.

Zhang Xianyang casually spun the gun in his hand and lectured, "The Old District belongs to the Zhang Family. The Old District has rules and values righteousness. Our underworld has stood strong for a hundred years. Do you think our old founding families are relics? We think you're far too green. Don't think watching two Young and Dangerous movies and knowing how to hold a knife means you can make a name for yourself in the underworld. If you want to speak with me, even after ranking by seniority for a hundred years, it still wouldn't be your turn."

"Back then, when your father dared rebel, my second uncle could have him slowly sliced alive in Righteousness Hall. You should be grateful that the Old Zhang Family of the Old District has no rule of punishing entire families, and that old undead Wang Qi fought hard to protect you. That's why you've been allowed to jump around for all these years. But if you insist on seeking death now, believe me, my eldest cousin would be more than happy to drag you into Righteousness Hall. He was worrying just yesterday about not having anyone to practice on."

As Zhang Xianyang spoke, he looked at the Wang Family bodyguards still standing stupidly beside the rocket launcher and smiled. "I said you wouldn't dare fire at me, but you could at least shoot once at the empty ground beside us. That way, your trip wouldn't have been for nothing. Leaving it sitting there so miserably now—what, are you walking your bird?"

With that, Zhang Xianyang shook his head in amusement. Without waiting for Wang Zhaoyi to react, he directly ordered Zhang Han to drive. Looking at the two trucks still blocking the road like a wall, Zhang Han cursed and stepped on the gas, ramming the two trucks aside.