Chapter 28 Relationships

"Alkaid, my nephew, alone, it will be very difficult for you to inherit the assets that belong to Su Huaifeng. However, our Zhang Family is your solid backing. With our help, what is yours will definitely not be lessened by a single cent,"

Zhang Hong said in haste.

But Alkaid ignored him, packed up his things, and got ready to leave.

Zhang Ya, who was beside him, saw his lack of proper manners and was about to say something, but Zhang Hong stopped her.

Without explaining, Zhang Hong addressed Alkaid, "Even though you are related to Su Huaifeng by blood, you have never lived with the Su Family. With Huaifeng's days numbered, once he is gone, you will be alone and helpless in the Su Family. Why would anyone there take you seriously? But the Zhang Family is different. Your mother is still here; when one of the family is in trouble, we cannot help but offer our support. Therefore, I hope you, Alkaid, my nephew, will think it over carefully. If you come to understand, the doors of the Zhang Family will always be open to you."

After finishing, he left with Zhang Ya and Zhang Rufeng.

This scene left Zhang Ya somewhat puzzled.

Zhang Hong didn't rush to explain. It wasn't until they entered the elevator that he said, "The relationship between your mother and you has been rather strained recently. It will take time to adjust."

"I didn't expect that just one or two years of not managing him would embolden him so much. He used to be quite docile."

Zhang Ya said, frowning.

"Never mind."

Zhang Hong smiled, "A calf doesn't fear a tiger. He may have entered society, but the level he's at, the people he's met, and the scale of the interests he's entangled with have likely been limited to tens or hundreds of thousands—that's not enough to drive someone to do anything too despicable. But hundreds of millions or even tens of billions of interests... That's enough to turn a good person into a devil."

He spoke confidently, "Once he truly sees the tactics of those people in the Su Family, he will realize that only by relying on us can he truly reclaim what belongs to him."

"Huaifeng won't last much longer. If we don't act quickly, we'll end up with nothing but a wasted effort."

Zhang Ya said.

"The Su Family still needs to save face; they can't just divide up Huaifeng's assets cleanly once he dies."

Zhang Hong looked at Zhang Ya, "In the meantime, you should try to warm up your relationship with Su Alkaid. I know his failure disappoints you, but for the sake of those billions, we'll need to give him some face when necessary and cajole him."

...

"Let's go."

Alkaid finished packing his belongings and placed them into his suitcase.

"Wait a moment."

Lin Xiaowei was looking at the Chengying Sword held in Alkaid's hand...

Even though it was wrapped in its scabbard—and the scabbard was so exquisitely crafted it was like a piece of art—Lin Xiaowei, who witnessed Alkaid use this very sword more than once to take lives, still felt a strong sense of foreboding.

"You're going home... why bring a weapon?"

"A weapon?"

Alkaid glanced at the sword he carried, "The Chengying Sword, an ancient sword thousands of years old, worth millions. Is there a problem with me carrying such a valuable collectible?"

"Uh..."

Lin Xiaowei was momentarily at a loss for words.

It was Su Yaoyu who, remembering the conversation she had over the phone with Lin Xiaowei the night before for over an hour, curiously asked, "Alkaid, have you... really achieved success in martial arts? According to Xiaowei, it sounds quite formidable?"

Alkaid glanced at Lin Xiaowei.

Dealing with heavy cases for Yulong International, Xiaowei clearly did not dare to discuss too much with Su Yaoyu.

And despite being convinced that Alkaid was the culprit behind a series of recent serial murders, she could not reveal such a matter to the public unless it was officially determined.

As a result, the content she hinted at was vague.

But Alkaid did not conceal the truth.

"Yes, I have achieved Grandmaster status,"

he stated directly.

Upon hearing this, Lin Xiaowei's face changed.

Even though she had prepared herself based on what Xia Wuyuan and others had inferred about the "killer's" strength, hearing Alkaid personally confess still made her inhale sharply.

As for Caiyun, who was utterly unprepared...

she looked incredulously at Alkaid.

However, her disbelief only lasted a moment before she secretly shook her head.

She knew that it had been just over a year since Alkaid started practicing the Martial Path. In one year...

Even if his talent was extraordinary, reaching martial master would already be considered one in ten thousand; a Grandmaster!?

After just one year of practice, did he even understand what a Grandmaster was?

Did he know the true importance of a Grandmaster?

Meanwhile, Su Yaoyu, who was an outsider, couldn't help but exclaim, "A Grandmaster! I've heard of it, that's a title only someone who has achieved Martial Dao Mastery can own! You truly live up to your name, Alkaid, to obtain such a high-level title in just one year, that's amazing, just fantastic!"

Alkaid looked at her and quickly realized she didn't truly understand the importance of a Grandmaster.

But that was also quite normal.

Not to mention a Grandmaster in the circle of martial artists, ordinary people can hardly comprehend the amount of privilege that even everyday officials wield.

Su Yaoyu wasn't an ordinary person, but her understanding of a Grandmaster, not being part of the Martial Path circle, was limited to an extremely excellent level.

As to how excellent...

At least in her perception, a Grandmaster did not compare to the powerful generations of the Su Family who could practically command the wind and rain in Tian Nan.

Moreover...

Whether she completely believed his words was still debatable.

He couldn't possibly press her head down and reiterate over and over, "I'm truly a powerful Grandmaster."

"Let's go, meet the helmsman of the Su Family."

Alkaid said.

Su Yaoyu nodded, "With your return, Grandfather will certainly be very happy, his favorite thing is the Su family's prosperity."

"Su Alkaid..."

Lin Xiaowei opened her mouth, wanting to say something.

But after a moment, she felt it wasn't appropriate.

What right or place did she have to meddle in Su Alkaid's affairs?

However, the situation in the Su Family was somewhat complicated, and she was afraid that if Su Alkaid went back, it might lead to trouble.

With this thought, she changed her wording, "I would also like to visit the Su Family, may I have the honor?"

"Of course."

Su Yaoyu smiled and said, "Elder Mr. Lin and Grandfather had a deep relationship back in the day, and there has been frequent contact even in recent years. Xiaowei, if you're willing to visit, we'll certainly be very welcoming."

She was worried her brother would be bored going home alone.

The Lin Family...

Although it couldn't compare to the Su Family, Elder Mr. Lin doted on his granddaughter Lin Xiaowei, and in this way, her weight was not much less than the legitimate children of the Ye Family or the Zhang Family.

Her participation as a friend alongside Alkaid could somewhat strengthen his position.

...

The Tian Nan Su Family.

Within the entire Tian Nan Province, this family definitely belonged to the top echelons of prestigious families.

Especially the Bu Zhou Group, developed single-handedly by Elder Mr. Su, was one of the leading conglomerates within Tian Nan Territory.

Even though the development pace had slowed down after reaching the pinnacle of Tian Nan, when looking across Tian Nan, the competitors were still limited to a few companies managed by Noble Families and invested in by the Royal Family.

With annual revenue exceeding one hundred billion, the net profit was also over twenty billion.

Even though there were other shareholders in Bu Zhou Group, nearly half of the profit would fall into the Su Family's hands.

Holding such a golden goose that provided tens of billions every year, the might and influence of the Su Family in Tian Nan could easily be imagined.

At this moment, in a business van on its way to the capital of Tian Nan.

Caiyun was responsible for driving.

Su Yaoyu, Lin Xiaowei, and Alkaid were all inside.

The one currently speaking was Su Yaoyu.

"Aside from several brothers and sisters, Grandfather has three sons and two daughters. Among them, sitting on the board of directors are only Father and Second Uncle, who has been groomed by Grandfather as the future successor..."

Su Yaoyu was introducing the situation of the Su Family.

Among the three sons of the Su Family, Su Huaifeng, although he was the eldest, couldn't be propped up.

Not to mention his wayward youth spent amongst women, he even contracted a serious illness.

He managed to secure his position on the board simply because he was lucky to invest in "Xingyu Center," which later became the headquarters of Bu Zhou Group.

In such a situation, Su Chiming, Su Huaifeng's father, naturally would not place his bets on him any longer.

Furthermore, the second son Su Huaigu had shown exceptional business talent from a young age, and over time, Su Chiming shifted his focus to grooming him instead.

Currently, those most covetous of Su Huaifeng's assets were Su Huaigu and the youngest aunt, Su Huaiyue.

After giving a brief introduction, Su Yaoyu seemed to remember something and cautioned, "Alkaid, be careful with Second Uncle. Although he seems easy to talk to, but..."

She halted mid-sentence, feeling it was inappropriate to speak ill of an elder behind their back and finally shook her head, "In any case, just be cautious and don't agree to anything lightly."

"Although I shouldn't interfere in the internal affairs of the Su Family, but... would Elder Mr. Su really allow the other sons to split the assets of the eldest son? How is this different from family infighting?"

Lin Xiaowei, worried about Alkaid stirring up trouble, couldn't help but ask.

"The details are quite complicated."

Su Yaoyu said, "Bu Zhou Group has nine directors, four of whom are from the Su Family... Grandfather has been the Chairman for ten consecutive years. In theory, Bu Zhou Group is solid, but recently there have been some hindrances to its development, causing dissatisfaction among several shareholders, which reflects on the other non-Su directors..."

She took a deep breath, "If our Su Family can still hold four directorships, relying on our relationships with two other directors, there wouldn't be much of an issue. But if my father were to step down and the director role isn't taken over by someone from our Su Family..."

She didn't continue.

But Lin Xiaowei understood what she meant.

If this matter wasn't handled well, it could affect the Su Family's absolute control over Bu Zhou Group.

No wonder so far, Su Alkaid, the "only" male descendant of Su Huaifeng's lineage, hadn't seen much contact from other members.

Apart from direct relatives like Su Yaoyu, there probably weren't many people who would be glad to see Alkaid return to the Su Family to divide assets and influence the successor's board position.

However, Alkaid himself didn't care about the opinions of the Su Family members.

His visit to the Su Family was merely to demand a reasonable explanation.

If they were reasonable, he would discuss matters reasonably.

If not...

He wouldn't mind dealing with them in an unreasonable way.