After Wang Wei left, the atmosphere inside the room became extremely eerie. Guo Chen and the elder from the Hidden Guo family stared intently at Wang Changfeng, hoping he could provide them with an explanation…
Guo Chen was an arrogant man; even Guo Junyu himself had never earned his respect. Yet today, not only had Wang Changfeng initially ignored him, but someone had openly slapped him in the face. Even with the best composure, his mind was now in turmoil.
“Head of the Wang family, don’t you owe me an explanation? If you had no intention of allying with the Hidden Guo family from the beginning, you could have simply said so. But now, does this mean you look down on us Hidden Guo?”
“What exactly do you want me to explain? Is this the extent of Hidden Guo’s sincerity toward an alliance? Can’t you even wait a little while?”
If Wang Wei hadn’t appeared today, perhaps Wang Changfeng would have yielded to the intimidation of the Hidden Guo family and agreed to this so-called alliance. However, now he was even less inclined to accept Guo Chen’s request. Making a pact with a tiger would ultimately be like a lamb walking into the tiger’s den. If the Hidden Wang family accepted Guo family’s proposal, it wouldn’t be an alliance—it would be outright annexation.
Of course, it wasn’t Wang Wei who changed Wang Changfeng’s mind, but rather the previously silent Xiao Yufan…
“Fine, I can wait, but—”
“There’s no need for Young Master Guo to wait any longer. I’ve made my decision!”
“Has Uncle Wang decided to form the alliance? This is truly a great fortune for the Hidden Guo family. With the Hidden Wang family as our ally, our combined strength will surely be greatly enhanced!”
A look of ecstatic joy spread across Guo Chen’s face, and his tone toward Wang Changfeng grew significantly warmer. However, what Wang Changfeng said next immediately darkened his expression.
“What I meant was, we Hidden Wang family appreciate your kindness, but we have no interest in attaching ourselves to the Guo family. We only wish to remain in peace and quiet. I hope you can relay this message to the head of the Hidden Guo family and that he won’t hold this against me.”
Making this decision was undoubtedly difficult. Wang Changfeng knew that rejecting the Hidden Guo family’s overture would undoubtedly create enmity. Given the current strength and intimidation displayed by the Hidden Guo family, they might very well retaliate at any moment.
Yet, thinking about Hidden Guo’s ambitions, his resolve strengthened. Moreover, he couldn’t deny that Wang Wei’s warning had played a significant role. He sensed Wang Wei’s deep resentment toward the Hidden Guo family.
“Xiao Wei, this is the first thing I’ve done for you…”
The moment he thought of the hatred in Wang Wei’s eyes, Wang Changfeng felt a sharp pain in his heart. How could he ever explain the past? Could he really tell Wang Wei that, for the sake of the entire Wang family, he had been forced to abandon his mother and him, choosing another woman instead?
“Is this Head Wang’s final answer? It seems the Hidden Guo family is not held in high regard after all!”
His expression of excitement instantly vanished. Guo Chen clenched his jaw, his eyes growing colder. Having received the answer he least wanted, he no longer felt the need to pretend.
“Think whatever you like. I have more important matters to attend to today, so I’m afraid I can’t entertain Hidden Guo’s guests any longer…”
Wang Changfeng merely scoffed at Guo Chen’s sudden change in attitude. Now that the mask had been torn off, he naturally had no intention of backing down and immediately issued a dismissal.
“Fine, very well. You’ll soon regret this foolish decision of yours!”
Guo Chen was now furious beyond measure. Wang Changfeng had wasted a significant amount of his time and treated him like a fool. How could he possibly swallow this humiliation? Thinking of Hidden Guo’s plans, his expression turned even more sinister.
“I never regret what I’ve done, so threats like this won’t work on me. The Hidden Wang family will definitely attend the Martial Arts Gathering. I’m just afraid the Hidden Guo family won’t be able to swallow us whole!”
Wang Changfeng said mockingly. He had no fondness for Guo Chen’s rage. One could be proud, but one must never mistake pride for capital. In this era of martial arts revival across the vast land of China, what was never in short supply were geniuses.
“Hmph, we’ll see about that. Grandfather, let’s go!”
With a cold snort, Guo Chen had no desire to linger. He only wished to report the Hidden Wang family’s refusal to his father as soon as possible. Among so many hidden clans, few had dared to treat him with such disrespect.
Watching the two leave, Wang Changfeng’s expression grew heavier. He was certain that Guo Chen’s threat was not idle talk. It seemed the Hidden Guo family was indeed prepared to take action forcefully, with such an uncompromising attitude.
Now, many hidden clans had received notices about the Martial Arts Gathering. This was certainly not something the Hidden Guo family alone could orchestrate. There must be a colossal power behind the Hidden Guo family manipulating the entire situation.
Rather than being a competition among clans, the Martial Arts Gathering was more a tool for the Hidden Guo family to assert dominance. Considering the strength of Guo Chen and others from Hidden Guo, it wasn’t hard to see how outstanding their younger generation was.
However, if they didn’t attend the Martial Arts Gathering, not only would the Hidden Wang family lose prestige among the hidden clans, but they might also provoke the wrath of the higher powers behind the gathering. Therefore, even without forming an alliance with the Hidden Guo family, the Hidden Wang family still had to attend.
Yet, thinking of the Hidden Wang family’s younger generation, a bitter, self-mocking smile crept across his lips. Perhaps it was karma. Their lineage had become a single line of succession. Since Wang Wei’s expulsion, he had only one daughter, and his wife had passed away several years ago.
If he wanted to avoid being outmatched, he would have to choose someone from the other branches of the family, which would make the Hidden Wang family head a laughingstock. Most likely, he would be forced to hand over the position of clan head.
And clearly, he had no intention of letting that happen. Thinking of this, his mind returned to Wang Wei. By now, Wang Wei’s strength should be at the middle stage of the Qi Condensation realm. Although not as naturally gifted as those heavenly prodigies, it was still a respectable level.
But thoughts were one thing; Wang Changfeng knew Wang Wei’s temperament all too well. Even if he asked, it would be useless and only make things worse. Besides, he no longer had the face to ask Wang Wei for anything—he already owed him too much.
As he pondered how to deal with the upcoming Martial Arts Gathering, he suddenly heard a commotion from outside. Furrowing his brows slightly, he stepped out to investigate…
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