Chapter 156

　　In Ouyang Wudi’s bedroom, Yun Hongsheng paid his respects as a junior. Seeing Old Master Ouyang lying on the bed, seemingly seriously ill, he couldn’t help but sigh.

　　The feud between the Ouyang family and the Yun family originated from Ouyang Wudi and his father’s generation.

　　Seeing that Grandpa Ouyang was also nearing the end of his life, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of loneliness.

　　The older generation is finally leaving, leaving behind us young people. I’m afraid the situation will become increasingly difficult to control in the future.

　　After all, Old Master Ouyang Wudi was sensible and thoughtful. Even though the two families had a feud, it was unlikely to erupt into a major storm.

　　But once he’s gone, no matter who takes over as head of the Ouyang family, no one can have the same strategic vision as Ouyang Wudi.

　　Having led the Yun family for several years, Yun Hongsheng knew the temperaments of the young people in the Ouyang family all too well.

　　If a major conflict were to break out between the two families in the future, they wouldn’t have many reservations, and the Yun family would likely face a lot more trouble.

　　Especially given the current situation, he couldn’t help but sigh.

　　From the moment he entered, the butler served him tea, and Ouyang Wudi kept staring at him.

　　The old fox was still an old fox after all. A glint of shrewdness flashed in his eyes, but he pretended to cough twice and said in a weak voice, “Young man from the Yun family, I never thought that after so many years, you would be the first to step into the Ouyang family’s gate.”

　　Yun Hongsheng gave a bitter smile, cupped his hands in greeting to Ouyang Wudi, and said, “In the end, it’s a grudge from the previous generation. In today’s society, there are no permanent friends, only permanent interests. The Ouyang family and the Yun family have been fighting for so long, which is not a good thing for either of them.”

　　Ouyang Wudi coughed three times, clutching his chest. The butler hurriedly stepped forward, but Ouyang Wudi waved him off.

　　He glanced at Yun Hongsheng and said indifferently, “If the Ouyang family really wanted to fight with your Yun family, the name Yun would have disappeared from Linhai City long ago.”

　　Ouyang Wudi showed no mercy.

　　Yun Hongsheng sighed softly to himself, knowing that Ouyang Wudi was telling the truth.

　　Ultimately, the Ouyang family did not completely drive the Yun family to their doom; they left them with plenty of room to maneuver.

　　Otherwise, if what he said were true, the Yun family would have ceased to exist long ago.

　　”Patriarch Ouyang, have you forgotten? It’s not that you don’t want to really make a move, it’s because the Ding family is watching you like hawks from behind.”

　　Yun Hongsheng, however, showed no mercy.

　　He was right. If the two families really clashed, even if the Yun family couldn’t win, the Ouyang family would still suffer a significant loss.

　　This is exactly the opportunity that the Ding family, ranked first in Linhai City, has been hoping for.

　　Ouyang Wudi smiled faintly, his opinion of the young man rising slightly.

　　It seems that Yun Hongsheng, who is rumored to have a bad temper, is not as irritable as the legends suggest.

　　He knew the crux of the problem: the seven major families in Linhai City were in a delicate relationship. Even the Sikong family, which ranked last, would not dare to make a move if they were to fight to the death.

　　Because several other families were watching them closely, they would pounce like mad crocodiles at the first opportunity, tearing the weaker party to shreds.

　　Linhai City has limited resources, so over the years, the seven major families have cooperated to varying degrees.

　　Sometimes, they would even join forces to defend against invasions from other families.

　　Therefore, amidst all these ups and downs, the interests of the seven families have long been closely intertwined.

　　However, the mysterious deaths of Ouyang Yu and Yun Bo have made all seven major families smell a conspiracy. Moreover, each family seems to be the murderer.

　　The Ouyang family, on the other hand, immediately focused their suspicions on the Ding family. Currently, only the Ding family has the power to orchestrate such a scheme.

　　After a moment of silence, Yun Hongsheng spoke up, “Grandpa, could you help me analyze this matter? Which family was behind it? Or is there an outside family involved?”

　　Ouyang Wudi coughed lightly, clutching his chest. How could he not want to know who the culprit was?

　　Even though he had been involved with the Ouyang family for so many years, he still couldn’t see through the real culprit behind this incident.

　　There were no warnings, no clues, and it happened so suddenly that there was no time to react.

　　But he preferred to believe that this incident was premeditated and meticulously planned.

　　The successor groomed by the Ouyang family was mysteriously murdered, and the successor groomed by the Yun family was murdered. So, who will be next?

　　Both remained silent. Yun Hongsheng, however, was not as composed as Ouyang Wudi. He sighed and asked, “The Ding family?”

　　Ouyang Wudi simply chuckled softly and didn’t say anything.

　　Yun Hongsheng was only guessing. Seeing Ouyang Wudi’s attitude, he was a little anxious, but there was nothing he could do.

　　It’s just speculation, without any evidence. How can their own family face the behemoth that is the Ding family?

　　Ouyang Wudi pondered for a moment and said, “Young man from the Yun family, I cannot give you an answer to this matter, because I am also seeking an answer. In fact, we cannot doubt any family. Any rash action will bring disaster to the family.”

　　Ouyang Wudi’s words surprised Yun Hongsheng. He hadn’t expected that Old Master Ouyang would say so much, seemingly without providing an answer, yet he had already gained a lot of insight from him.

　　Seeing the complex changes in Yun Hongsheng’s expression, Ouyang Wudi sighed. How could he not want to know who the culprit was?

　　If he finds out, I’m afraid all his anger will turn into a sharp sword and pierce the murderer’s chest.

　　Even if the murderer might be from the Ding family?

　　But as he said before, he cannot doubt anyone without any evidence.

　　Even if there are doubts, they are only kept in mind.

　　This is a sensitive period, and a single action could very well trigger a conflict within the family.

　　Thinking back to the Lu family many years ago, and the Lin family that has already fallen, wasn’t it all a misjudgment by the head of the family back then?

　　In this situation, both families should calm down.

　　Knowing that the conversation couldn’t continue—because Ouyang Wudi had left it at that—and that any gains would be left to Yun Hongsheng, he exchanged a few more words with Ouyang Wudi before taking his leave.

　　Just as he was about to reach the door, Ouyang Wudi called out to him softly, saying, “Young man of the Yun family, if you need help, the Ouyang family will lend you a hand.”

　　Yun Hongsheng turned around and looked at Ouyang Wudi with a shocked expression. Seeing Ouyang Wudi’s calm demeanor, his heart trembled violently. Finally, he nodded and said, “Thank you, sir.”

　　Ouyang Wudi waved his hand, indicating that he could leave.

　　If necessary, would the Ouyang family lend a hand to the Yun family? Isn’t that a sign of sincerity? Yun Hongsheng felt a mix of emotions—complexity, shock, and a sense of foreboding.