Chapter 6: Major Moves

“The live-in son-in-law of the Li family, he even boasted that he’d come to bathe the Tan family in blood in three days!”

Tan Taijun slowly turned the jade ring on his thumb, his voice calm, but his eyes radiated a murderous intent that could chill the marrow.

“Damn it, a worthless parasite living off his wife’s family has the nerve to be this arrogant?”

“He’s going to wipe out the Tan family? Where does he get the courage—from the Li family?”

“I’ll go and destroy the Li family tonight!”

Tan Tailun and the others erupted instantly.

A live-in son-in-law, a disgrace who doesn’t even have a man’s dignity, dared to boast so wildly. He must have drunk too much fake wine—how else could he utter such delusional threats?

“Don’t underestimate him.”

Tan Taijun shook his head and spoke in a deep tone: “According to our fifth brother, his hundred subordinates didn’t last two minutes before that live-in son-in-law crushed them all. Such fighting prowess may not have reached the level of the Eight Generals beneath the Four Warlords, but it can’t be far off!”

On this vast land, the four war departments of the east, south, west, and north each produced a Warlord, each commanding two Generals, collectively known as the Eight Generals of Shenzhou—each a top-tier fighter.

Though Tan Taijun had not witnessed Mo Han’s skills himself, he was certain that Mo Han’s strength was not far from the legendary Eight Generals.

This was why he had summoned his brothers back at once.

“Could it be that our fifth brother is exaggerating?”

“Right, how could a kept man possess such formidable skills?”

Tan Tailun and the others were stunned, exchanging glances in disbelief.

For a moment, the atmosphere in the hall was suffocatingly tense.

It had been many years since the Tan family had felt such oppressive dread.

“Big brother, if Mo Han is truly that terrifying, we need to prepare carefully before facing him!”

At length, Tan Taiguo broke the silence encasing the hall.

Tan Taijun nodded, looking at him, “Fourth brother, from this moment, assemble all of the Tan family’s forces. Every man from our casinos, clubs, and all other venues—gather everyone we can.”

Tan Taiguo hesitated, a trace of alarm in his voice, “Are you going to overwhelm him by sheer numbers, big brother?”

The Tan family had operated in Qian City for decades; their power was vast, and their elite could be summoned by the hundreds, if not more. No matter how formidable that live-in son-in-law was, he couldn’t possibly defeat a thousand men alone.

Tan Taijun shook his head.

Against a true expert, numbers alone guarantee nothing.

The reason for such an ostentatious mobilization was not simply to overwhelm the enemy, but to show off the Tan family’s strength bit by bit, making sure every major power in Qian City understood—they, the Tan family, were the city’s true overlords.

“When big brother gives an order, you obey,” Tan Tailun interjected, frowning.

As head of the Tan family, Tan Taijun commanded absolute loyalty from his brothers.

“Yes, big brother!” Tan Taiguo nodded, then rushed out in haste.

Tan Taijun turned to Tan Tailun, instructing, “Third brother, contact the constabulary. Tell them that three days from now, our family will be settling a private score, and they needn’t interfere.”

“Yes, big brother!” Tan Tailun nodded and was about to leave when Tan Taijun added, “Wait. This is bound to shake the entire city. I doubt the constabulary can keep a lid on it. Better go to the Office of Celestial Surveillance directly. Find Du Qingzong, and tell him I’ll be inviting him for drinks three days from now.”

“Yes!” Tan Tailun nodded again and left the hall.

Watching Tan Tailun depart, Tan Taijun’s gaze landed on the last middle-aged man present.

“Second brother, as fifth brother said, that young man is exceptionally skilled. Ordinary people are no match for him. Go to the ancestral home and invite Third and Fourth Uncle out of retirement. Only they can handle him.”

Tan Taifu rose. “Don’t worry, big brother. I’ll bring Third and Fourth Uncle back.”

Tan Taijun nodded. “Then I’ll leave it to you.”

As Tan Taifu turned to go, a thought struck him. “Big brother, Fuhua has worked hard these years. He’s earned the favor of General Ding Si and been promoted to his personal guard. Now that the family faces danger, it’s time he returned to serve his kin. I’d like to call him back first…”

Tan Taijun regarded him, absently turning his jade ring, his expression unreadable.

After several seconds, a faint smile broke across Tan Taijun’s face. “Yes, he should return. Xiao Rong is now crippled, unfit to inherit the clan. Fuhua is outstanding—I intend to groom him as our future successor.”

Tan Taifu was overjoyed, bowing his head. “Thank you, big brother. I hope Fuhua will not disappoint you!” With that, he hurried from the hall.

As Tan Taifu’s figure disappeared, Tan Taijun remained silent, his face impassive—no one could guess what lay behind those unreadable eyes.

Just then, an old steward entered and addressed Tan Taijun respectfully, “Master, the young master and fifth master are stable, but the doctor says…”

Tan Taijun glanced at him, his tone indifferent. “The doctor says they’ll be crippled for life, isn’t that so?”

The steward nodded mournfully.

Though just a retainer, he’d watched Xiao Rong grow up. To see him end up a cripple, he couldn’t help but feel sorrow.

“That is his fate—he was destined for this. But I will avenge him. I will shatter the enemy’s limbs and, before his very eyes, slaughter his entire family!”

Tan Taijun’s aura grew overwhelming and terrifying, a murderous force that sent chills through the air.

Sensing this, the steward was astonished. “Master, have you broken through to the late Yellow Rank?”

Tan Taijun nodded, his eyes cold and deadly. “The Tan family has been quiet for far too long. The powers in Qian City have almost forgotten us. This is our chance to remind every major force in the city that I, Tan Taijun, am the strongest man in Qian City. Let them witness the true might of our family!”

A sinister gleam flashed in his eyes, and his blood raced hot in his veins.

It had been so long—so long since he’d felt this kind of burning vigor.

This time, the Tan family would make their name resound in Qian City and across the entire western realm of Shenzhou.

He would see the Tan family rise to become a first-class clan in the Western War Zone.

…

As the Tan family feverishly prepared for their fateful confrontation with Mo Han three days hence, the constabulary was thrown into chaos by a surveillance video.