Chapter 421: Well Played, Deception!

421. Chapter 421: Well Played, Deception!

Gao Ling, who had previously been bowing and nodding, suddenly turned tough.

"Hmph."

The leading man had long anticipated this situation, and from his briefcase took out a thin sheet of paper.

At the top were the two characters "Notice".

Below were a few lines of small text, and at the end a conspicuous red seal.

"Look closely, this is the Family Head's order. Do you dare to disobey?"

"Family… the Family Head's order?"

Gao Ling took the notice from the other's hand.

The thin sheet felt as heavy as ten thousand jin at that moment.

He widened his eyes, not missing a single character, reading it once, then again and again.

As for the final seal, he only glanced at it, because no one dares to falsify it; after all, whether such a thing exists can be known by asking someone after leaving.

"Not enough to look at?"

The leading man sneered, "Do you still need to call the young master to confirm? Let me tell you, it's useless; he's already locked in the Forbidden Chamber, and he won't get out before the Family Head's anger subsides."

"W‑what could this be?"

If he hadn't tried to contact anyone before, Gao Ling would never have believed it now, but at this moment he wavered.

The few of them exchanged glances, and someone said, "It's because of a man named Jiang Cheng here."

"Because Jiang Cheng?"

Gao Ling shivered.

"To be honest, that guy is a sly, despicable scoundrel. While he was out with the young master, he knocked the young master out. When the Family Head learned of this, he got angry, thinking the family had been disgraced, so he locked him up and confiscated all his assets. Do you understand now? If you understand, cooperate honestly with us, and both sides will be at ease."

"W‑what? What did you say?"

Gao Ling felt his three views completely overturned.

"What, what? Isn't what I just said clear enough? If you don't believe it, you'll know in a couple of days," the answering man said displeasedly.

If they didn't still have to hand over to Gao Ling, they would have let him pack up and leave long ago.

Gao Ling's lips trembled.

From the expressions of the few people in front of him, it didn't seem like a lie.

He lowered his head again, looking at the notice in his hand.

So, Changlin really was set up by Jiang Cheng? But how could that be? Not to mention Gu Zhanglin—if anyone wanted to deal with Jiang Cheng, it would be a piece of cake; how could he be outwitted?

Moreover, the latter is so cowardly.

In his view, Jiang Cheng is just an honest man who Refines Alchemy, easy to bully.

Usually he talks to Jiang Cheng as "brother," sounding friendly, but it's all an act to let the latter safely become a money‑making machine.

"Looks like you haven't realized yet," a man glanced at him and said, "That kid may be despicable, but he's truly patient enough to fool you all."

"Exactly, even the young master—rumor has spread to many families, and behind the scenes they're all laughing. No wonder the Family Head is so angry."

"I heard the treasure on the young master's body was also taken."

"Shh." The man beside him quickly cut off his companion, looked at Gao Ling, and urged, "Alright, any questions, wait until we get back and inquire slowly. We don't have all day for you; return the notice, okay?"

Gao Ling had no choice but to comply, even now his mind was fuzzy.

They all were deceived by Jiang Cheng? "What about Jiang Cheng himself?"

Thinking of this, he hurriedly asked, unable to tell whether it was humiliation or unwillingness.

"Are you stupid? Of course he ran. The whole clan is now searching for him; the Family Head even issued a bounty. Anyone who reports his whereabouts accurately can claim ten million, and if they capture him alive, they get a hundred million!"

Gao Ling's head buzzed...

"Hahaha, well deceived! Well deceived!"

Gu Zhangjun, hearing the woman's story beside him, excitedly slapped the table and shouted with delight.

"Mother, it now seems that not killing that Jiang kid earlier was the right choice; had we killed him, none of this would have happened."

"Indeed."

The smile on Bai Yan's face could not be hidden.

The fact that she summoned Gu Zhangjun the moment she got the news says it all.

"Gu Zhanglin that kid has been locked in the Forbidden Chamber for reflection; he won't be out for at least a month. Even if he gets out, his chances of competing with us are slim, because everyone knows he was played round and round by a Poor District kid, and the whole clan, including your father, is disappointed in him."

"He was always ambitious but incompetent; he only seemed that way because he had the clan's backing."

Gu Zhangjun wore a face of contempt.

"Jun, you can say that in front of me, but not out there, understand?" Bai Yan advised, "Especially in front of your father."

"Don't worry, Mother, I'm not stupid," Gu Zhangjun hummed.

"Just know it."

Bai Yan smiled faintly, "Actually, this matter isn't as simple as it looks; it's just a deception that tarnished his reputation, not enough to make your father this angry."

"Oh? Mother, why is that?"

Gu Zhangjun's eyes widened.

"Can't say."

Bai Yan laughed and shook her head.

"Ah, Mother."

Gu Zhangjun stepped forward, hugged Bai Yan's right arm like a child clinging, and swayed.

"Mother, others might forgive, but why must you keep this secret from me? If it spreads, people will think I'm not your biological child."

"You little brat, what nonsense are you spouting, asking for a beating?" Bai Yan feigned anger, raised her left hand, making a motion to strike.

"Mother, I'm just joking with you, please tell me? I promise I won't tell anyone, I'll keep my mouth shut." Gu Zhangjun kept begging.

After several minutes of grinding, Bai Yan laughed and cried, saying: "Alright, alright, I'll tell you, but you must absolutely not tell anyone, understand?"

"Don't worry, Mother, I'll keep it locked in my stomach, I won't say it." After saying that, Gu Zhangjun kept urging.

Bai Yan didn't rush to speak; she first used her Spiritual Power to sense the surroundings, confirming no one was eavesdropping, then leaned close to his ear and said a few words.

"What! Gu Zhanglin he..."

"Shh!"

Bai Yan quickly stopped him, "Keep your voice down, are you afraid others won't hear?"

"Mother, did Gu Zhanglin really lose that thing?" Gu Zhangjun was both surprised and delighted.

"Yes, otherwise your father wouldn't have flown into such a rage; when he heard about this, he even had the mind to kill him, but was only stopped on the spot."

Bai Yan said.

Obviously, she could know so many details; among the few people present earlier, there was her insider.

"What a pity, if only a slap back then could have killed him." Gu Zhangjun sighed repeatedly.

"It's not much different either."

Bai Yan smiled and said: "If that thing is found, it's fine; if not, whether he can continue staying in the family is a question, so you becoming Family Head is basically a sure thing; don't be arrogant and complacent, in future act more discreetly, and also, don't tell anyone about what just happened, understand?"

"Mother, you can rest completely assured." Gu Zhangjun promised wholeheartedly. (End of chapter)