**Chapter 270: Is This Surely Not Revenge?**

**Chapter 270: Is This Surely Not Revenge?**

For the renovation project, Zhao Ling handed full authority to Niu Gao. With the Yu Clan's manpower and expertise, Zhao Ling only needed to provide the gold soul coins for funding.

Thus, the four affiliated sects of the Haotian Sect were successfully brought under Zhao Ling's control.

Zhao Ling couldn't help but feel he owed much of this success to Tang Yuehua. Without her assistance, subduing the four sects would not have been so straightforward.

As a token of his gratitude, Zhao Ling decided to "favor" Tang Yuehua for a few days. However, this left her feeling conflicted, as she often found herself thinking, "If I had known this would happen, I wouldn't have said so much. Now my husband has been 'favoring' me for days. Is this really a thank-you gift, or is it revenge?"

After securing the loyalty of the four sects, Zhao Ling fulfilled his promise to A Xiu, sending her the 5,000 gold soul coins he had pledged. Instead of delivering the payment in person, Zhao Ling used a hummingbird prop to send her a black card containing the money.

When A Xiu received the payment, she was overjoyed, her smile reaching from ear to ear. Five thousand gold soul coins — enough to secure a lifetime of comfort and luxury — felt like an extraordinary fortune to her.

But Zhao Ling quickly tempered her happiness with a stern warning. He coldly reminded her that the plan she had participated in must never be revealed to anyone. If she dared to disclose it, she would be putting her life in grave danger.

Knowing the reputation of the Demon-Suppressing Douluo, A Xiu understood the gravity of the warning. Crushing her would be as effortless for him as stepping on an ant. Terrified, she swore to the heavens that she would take the secret to her grave.

Satisfied with her oath, Zhao Ling didn't press further. However, as a precaution, he reduced the size of the hummingbird prop, hid it in her hair, and used it to monitor her activities for several years.

Initially, Zhao Ling assumed A Xiu's greed for money would lead her to abandon Tang Hao after receiving the reward. He expected her to slip away quietly, leaving Tang Hao heartbroken.

To his surprise, A Xiu stayed with Tang Hao, eventually marrying him. Their bond deepened over time, and after ten months, she gave birth to a baby boy.

Tragically, her role as a "tool" seemed to have reached its end. A Xiu suffered a difficult labor and passed away shortly after giving birth. Tang Hao was devastated by her death, naming the boy Tang San.

Zhao Ling couldn't help but feel a strange sense of inevitability. Despite his interference, Tang San still came into existence. Was it fate, or was there some unseen force ensuring the world's original trajectory?

Regardless, Zhao Ling wasn't concerned. With his current power, even the arrival of Tang San posed no threat to him. He chuckled to himself.

One day, Zhao Ling was sitting at a stone table, enjoying premium black tea that Qian Renxue had brought from the Tiandou Palace.

Just then, Tang Wutong, Wang Qiuer, Meng Hongchen, Zhang Lexuan, and Jiang Nannan, who had just returned from teaching at Lan Ba Academy, walked in.

Seeing Zhao Ling sipping tea, Tang Wutong immediately rushed toward him, intending to throw herself into his arms. However, Jiang Nannan was quicker, teleporting directly into Zhao Ling's lap and planting a playful kiss on his lips.

"Honey, we're back!" she exclaimed.

Tang Wutong pouted in annoyance. "Nannan, must you always teleport onto my husband's lap first?"

Jiang Nannan smirked triumphantly. "Well, Sister Xiaowu and Aunt Rou'er both have teleportation abilities. I can't let anyone else beat me to it!"

Zhang Lexuan approached calmly and addressed Jiang Nannan in a flat tone. "Nannan, please move. It's my turn to kiss our husband."

Jiang Nannan obediently got up, but before Zhang Lexuan could sit down, Meng Hongchen darted forward and took the spot, throwing herself into Zhao Ling's arms.

Tang Wutong and Zhang Lexuan's faces darkened. "Sister Hong'er, do you want to be beaten?"

Meng Hongchen hastily gave Zhao Ling a quick peck on the lips and then retreated, fearing retribution.

Tang Wutong, determined not to miss her chance, grabbed Wang Qiuer and declared, "Qiuer, let's give our husband a kiss together."

Wang Qiuer, unfazed, joined Tang Wutong. Both women sat on one of Zhao Ling's legs and gave him a simultaneous, affectionate kiss.

Zhang Lexuan, feeling left out, crossed her arms in frustration. "Are you serious? I'm the last again? Husband, Xuan'er needs comfort!"

She then climbed into Zhao Ling's lap, acting coquettishly until he kissed her several times, finally easing her irritation.

Zhao Ling, relieved by the brief peace, tightened his arms around Zhang Lexuan and asked Tang Wutong, "Tong'er, why haven't your mother and grandmother returned yet?"

Tang Wutong shrugged. "You made them academy executives, didn't you? It's enrollment season. They're probably busy with new students."

"Oh? Are there many new students enrolling?" Zhao Ling asked casually.

His question was met with exasperated looks from the girls. Tang Wutong glared at him. "Honey, you're not asking about the number of students — you're wondering if there are any beautiful female students, aren't you?"

Caught off guard, Zhao Ling shook his head vehemently. "No! I wasn't thinking that at all!"

Zhang Lexuan, covering his mouth playfully, teased, "Husband, don't bother denying it. We all know how ruthless you are when it comes to women."

The other girls nodded in agreement, their laughter filling the room as Zhao Ling sat there, helpless against their teasing.

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*(End of this chapter)*