Cooperation

In Liang Yanqiu's understanding, there are only two kinds of Law Technique that can control others. Either, the other person is turned into an obedient puppet, but in this case, the person is no different from being dead; the second kind is to retain a part of the other person's consciousness, but this kind of evil magic either makes the caster outwardly compliant but secretly plotting to turn the tables, or the consciousness is completely corrupted and becomes a kind of existence that they themselves cannot recognize.

However, the "Zheng Qingbo" in front of him showed no signs of being manipulated, and his silver bracelet did not get hot, indicating that it was not an evil spell.

Very strange!

In her understanding, Zheng Qingbo knew that his talent was limited and had long given up on the idea of cultivating to the Golden Core stage on his own. Therefore, for someone with a weak physical body like him, personal protection was the most important thing.

If it weren't for the news brought by the "Sulu Wrapped Coconut Bone String," she would have even suspected that this was a scheme he had orchestrated with the Heavenly Blood Python.

Has Zheng Qingbo really lost like that? Defeated by a former subordinate?

"Alright, you guys chat. I have some official documents to process. Jiacha, come with me to the office. There are some transfer documents; take them to the finance department later."

Although he had witnessed this many times before, Jiacha no less strange than Liang Yanqiu. However, as he turned the prayer beads, all the distracting thoughts in his mind quickly disappeared. He obediently took the documents and followed Boss Zheng into the dark room.

"Alright, sister-in-law, stop standing at the door. Now you can talk about whatever it is. What, didn't your mother tell you the whole story?"

Hu Mang sat with a smile on his face in the armchair that Boss Zheng usually sat in.

Liang Yanqiu took a deep breath. This man, whom she had known quite well yesterday, now seemed completely unfamiliar. Heavenly Blood Python? No, he should be called the Heavenly Python now. The Zheng family's heaven had been swallowed up by him in one fell swoop.

If he manages to avoid dying from overeating halfway through, then Zheng Family Garden will most likely become Hu Household Garden.

Liang Yanqiu finally sat down, her expression becoming serious, displaying a businesslike demeanor that was unseen in her "Mangzai" state.

"I'm very interested in your proposal, but I need to discuss the compensation with you in detail, especially regarding the assets of Zheng Family Garden, including the three Liang Household Garden that Zheng Qingbo took from me back then, as well as the Demon-Body Buddha Prayer Beads, and besides..."

The more Hu Mang listened, the more his eyebrows rose. He realized they were here to rob him, and finally interrupted them without any politeness.

"You can have the Demon-Body Buddha Prayer Beads; after all, they are a treasure of your Liang Household. But the other things were all stolen from you by Zheng Qingbo. What does that have to do with me, Hu? He's right behind the door; you can ask him if he agrees."

Liang Yanqiu wasn't angry at being interrupted. Instead, she patiently said, "You seized Zheng Qingbo's business. The Zheng family won't let this go easily. Moreover, Zheng Qingbo has many enemies in Java. Now that he's lost his momentum, many people will probably come to provoke him. At this critical juncture, our two families should help each other. Besides, isn't this in your best interest?"

Hu Mang raised an eyebrow, somewhat understanding what the other party meant.

Her previous message to the old lady of the Liang Household was to have him and Liang Yanqiu put on a show. The gist of it was that Liang Yanqiu would turn the tables at the last moment, using the Liang Household's ancestral witchcraft to trick Zheng Qingbo. Then, in order to save his life, Zheng Qingbo would not retreat from the advantageous battlefield and would be severely injured by the Liang Household's witchcraft. After that, Boss Zheng could naturally retire behind the scenes and then promote him, the Heavenly Blood Python.

This step-by-step approach makes the transfer of power much smoother and less abrupt, and in particular, it avoids the situation that Hu Mang least wants to see: the tree falls and the monkeys scatter.

However, in Liang Yanqiu's view, the current situation was achieved by the Liang and Hu families working together. Zheng Family Garden, like Liang Household Garden a day ago, was just another dish on the table. Liang Yanqiu's willingness to share the lion's share with Hu Mang, an outsider, was already extremely restrained.

She only wanted to get back what belonged to the Liang Household.

But for Hu Mang, this is the biggest problem.

Your old lady took a stroll in Zheng Family Garden, and I'm going to share some of her spoils with you. Are you trying to scam me?

No matter how fierce Old Madam Liang is, she can't possibly defeat Zheng Qingbo, who is protected by two indigenous shamans, Human-Body Buddha, and Dragon Vein jade.

And your Liang Household's main force hasn't even reached the outskirts of Zheng Family Garden.

In other words, it's the same whether you're there or not.

I was already quite restrained by not following Zheng Qingbo's lead and taking down Liang Household Garden. Cooperating with you to boost Liang Household's prestige is already a self-defeating act for the benefit of others. Why should you want to join the table?

If you really had the ability to kill Zheng Qingbo, why would you be flirting with me all the time?

Then Hu Mang said with a half-smile, "Sister-in-law, I don't know if the old lady explained the situation to you clearly. With Zheng Qingbo's defenses back then, apart from me, there shouldn't be many people in the entire Java that could suppress him. Aren't you overthinking things?"

Liang Yanqiu remained calm, instead speaking gently, "You seem to underestimate my grandmother's abilities. Besides, Mangzai, since you've agreed to my conditions, I can clean up the mess at Zheng Family Garden for you. My grandmother can suppress those witchcraft and ghosts for you. Even that savage tribe—my family has connections there. The 'Sulu Wrapped Coconut Bone String' is a sacred object of that tribe, and I can help you resolve that issue..."

Hu Mang let out a sigh of relief. This sister-in-law really didn't treat him like an outsider. Not only did she protect the Liang Household Garden, but she also wanted to come and take charge of the Zheng Family Garden. And as for the so-called subjugation of the barbarian tribes, was it for Liang Yanqiu or for me?

Hu Mang finally understood why Zheng Qingbo separated from this woman back then. You see, back then, Zheng Qingbo wasn't even called "Boss Zheng" yet, and he couldn't tolerate it... Why should I? I didn't even sleep with you!!

So Hu Mang, with a forced smile, picked up Zheng Qingbo's usual teacup.

"I'm sorry, sister-in-law, I have quite a few troubles on my end. Let's talk about some things later."

Liang Yanqiu was stunned. Her sharp and composed expression froze instantly. Her lips parted slightly, but no sound came out. The usual calm aura on her face suddenly collapsed. Then, a few seconds later, her expression changed from disbelief to anger. She then forcibly suppressed her anger, her face turning red and white several times before she took a deep breath.

"Hu Mang, I hope you will seriously consider my decision. Getting rid of Zheng Qingbo doesn't mean you can secure the Zheng family's rule. It's very likely that you'll incite a whole bunch of Zheng Qingbo to emerge."

After speaking, Liang Yanqiu stood up, her back ramrod straight, and walked away with a suppressed anger; her back was strong, and every step she took revealed the resentment of being offended.

From Hu Mang's perspective, all one could see was her rounded silhouette, which stretched the skirt fabric into a full and neat curve.

To be honest, just looking at her appearance, she's a real beauty.

And it's grown from Mangzai into Hu Mang, which is a good sign.

Then, Hu Mang saw a smiling, sinister old face.

The old face, illuminated by the candlelight, stared at him strangely.

Hu Mang chuckled dryly, "Just taking a look around. Old Madam Liang Household, aren't you coming along?"

The old lady of the Liang Household silently shook her head, then suddenly took out something and handed it over—a small bone knife.

Foreign Granny Offal Knife?

Then, a hoarse and unpleasant Mnemonic suddenly appeared in Hu Mang's mind.

"Is this spell really that effective?"

Hu Mang turned his head in surprise, but the figure of the old lady of the Liang Household, no, it should be said that her ghostly figure had already disappeared.

"Indeed, having an elder in the family is like having a treasure," Hu Mang muttered to himself as he walked to the door.

Soon, under the gaze of the Yin-Yang Eyes, two ghostly infants with large heads and small bodies crawled out of the seemingly empty doorway, with eerie expressions, and crawled towards the Hu Mang.

"You two become fierce again as soon as the old lady is gone," Hu Mang shook his head, grabbed the demon-suppressing spear with his hand, and with two "bangs" like bowling balls, the two ghost infants were sent flying into the black night sky. It is unknown when they will return, but they will definitely crawl back.

Don't be fooled by how easily he dealt with them; it's because he has the Yin-Yang Eyes, and he's tested it— Golden Core Divine Sense can't reach them.

In other words, the Golden Core cannot "see" them.

Java is a place where news is hard to keep secret. Just one day later, all kinds of vehicles, both living and dead, human and demon, were parked outside Zheng Family Garden.

This wasn't a visit from allies; it was Zheng Qingbo's children coming to show their filial piety—men and women, old and young, even a baby in their arms.

On the highest viewing pavilion in Zheng Family Garden, Hu Mang turned his head in confusion to look at Jiacha and asked:

How many children does our Boss Zheng, actually have?

"13 sons, 18 daughters, and two more expectant mothers."

"They're really good at producing offspring," Hu Mang exclaimed sincerely. "It would be so much better to have such talent in Heavenly Gate."

Jiacha bowed and said, "Should we take some preventative measures? Zheng Qingbo has gradually handed over some of the Zheng family's businesses to his trusted children."

Hu Mang thought for a moment and said, "Later, have Zheng Qingbo bring these women to worship Buddha. If they are capable, let them worship for a few more days. Also, find two local monks to perform rituals. If we're going to fake an injury, we should make it look convincing."

"Understood."

"As for those Zheng family descendants, let's not touch them for now. Let's fish out some fish and enforce the law. I want to see who would collude with outsiders to plot against my Zheng family's foundation."

"Yes."

Jiacha smiled, thinking to himself, "You're the biggest outsider."

Hu Mang watched for a while longer when suddenly a scream came from the front yard, followed by a commotion.

Hu Mang sighed:

"We had already sent out a group of people to prevent those little devils from eating people everywhere, but now that there are more people, those little devils have become fierce again."

"You arrange the people, I'll deal with the ghosts."

Jiacha nodded and hurried away.