Chapter 12: Scheming

"You're all betraying me!!!!" Liu Yunhai roared despairingly, his eyes full of anger and unwillingness.

"You're the traitor!!!!" Liu Quan replied coldly, then immediately ordered that Liu Yunhai be restrained.

In the end, Liu Yunhai was abandoned by all his kin, executed by Liu Quan's own hand, and the Liu family's internal strife was quelled.

"Thank you, Zhang Jun." Liu Quan looked at him gratefully, a light of trust in his eyes. "Without you, we might have sunk deeper into the mire."

Zhang Jun smiled faintly, secretly pleased. He knew his position in the Liu family had become secure, and he had become an honored guest of the family.

Liu Quan's trust in him allowed him to occupy an advantageous position in the Jiangbei situation.

However, the situation in Jiangbei shifted rapidly—the Fang family fell, the Liu family suffered internal strife, and the news of "Zhang Jun's death" spread quickly across Jiangbei, causing all factions to stir restlessly, with undercurrents surging.

"What I need to do next is to find out who the patron is." Zhang Jun murmured to himself, his eyes flashing with determined light. He knew the real challenge had just begun.

After learning of the Fang family's downfall and the news of "Zhang Jun's death," the various forces in Jiangbei reacted differently. Some clapped in glee, some secretly wary, while many merely watched— the wind had shifted, and everyone was calculating how to profit from it.

Wang Family Manor, all was solemn and still.

"The Fang family has fallen, the Liu family is in turmoil, the moment has arrived." Wang Detian, the person in charge of the Wang family, sat in the grand tutor's chair, rubbing the jade thumb ring on his hand.

The middle-aged man standing beside Wang Detian bowed slightly: "Family Head, the lad named Zhang Jun is dead, the Fang father and son also perished, and the Liu family now stands isolated and helpless."

"Pass my order: immediately dispatch the Shadow Guard to Jiangbei; they must obtain the Liu family heirloom within three days." Wang Detian's eyes flashed coldly, "After decades of planning, the outcome will finally be decided."

"Yes, Family Head."

"Remember, leave no trace, unseen by gods or ghosts."

After the middle-aged man withdrew, Wang Detian rose and walked to the window, gazing into the distance. Under the moonlight, the Wang Family Manor appeared especially stern. Wang Detian lightly tapped the windowsill, pondering something.

Inside the Liu Family Manor, the atmosphere was tense.

Liu Quan summoned the family's core members for a meeting to discuss countermeasures. Zhang Jun, as an honored guest, also participated.

"Everyone, we've rooted out the insider, but the danger is not over." Liu Quan looked around, "Based on the clues provided by Mr. Zhang, the patron behind the scenes is very likely the Wang family of Jiangbei."

The crowd murmured, some astonished, some worried.

"The Wang family? That's the reclusive great clan of Jiangbei!"

"No wonder the Fang family and Black Tiger Hall acted so arrogantly!"

"What should we do?" "Don't panic, there's always a way!"

Liu Quan raised his hand to signal silence: "The Wang family is powerful; we cannot confront them head-on, but we also cannot sit and wait for destruction."

Zhang Jun lifted his teacup, took a light sip: "Elder Liu, why not turn their scheme against them?"

Everyone turned their gaze toward Zhang Jun.

Zhang Jun set down his teacup: "Since the Wang family covets the Liu family heirloom, why not use the treasure to lure the snake? Spread the word that the Liu family, needing funds, is preparing to auction the heirloom."

"This..." Liu Quan frowned.

"Rest assured, the genuine article will naturally not be handed over. We only need to fake it to lure them in." Zhang Jun added, "The Wang family will surely send people; then we can follow the vine to uncover their details."

After a moment's thought, Liu Quan nodded slowly: "Brilliant plan! But we must prepare thoroughly, lest we backfire."

After the meeting, Zhang Jun stayed behind for a private talk with Liu Quan.

"Elder Liu, what exactly makes your family heirloom so special that the Wang family would go to such lengths?"

Liu Quan sighed, rose, walked to the bookshelf, and took out an antiquated brocade box.

"This heirloom appears to be merely a jade pendant, but it actually contains the secret left by my Liu family ancestors." Liu Quan carefully opened the brocade box, revealing a blue-white jade pendant.

The pendant is translucent and lustrous, engraved with strange patterns that faintly glow with an eerie light under the lamp.

"These patterns are actually a map." Liu Quan pointed to the lines on the pendant, "Legend says it points to a location where a staggering secret treasure is hidden."

Zhang Jun gazed at the pendant, lost in thought.

"Our Liu family has guarded this secret for generations, never passing it on. I never expected the Wang family to still discover it."

"Don't worry, I'm here." Zhang Jun patted Liu Quan's shoulder.

The next day, a rumor suddenly spread through Jiangbei city: the Liu family would hold a private auction in three days, with the heirloom "Azure Yang Jade" as the climax item.

As soon as the news broke, it caused an uproar in Jiangbei's upper circles. All factions sprang into action, secretly gathering information.

Zhang Jun then quietly left the Liu family, infiltrating the city's major hotels and teahouses to observe covertly. He noticed that several unfamiliar faces had appeared in Jiangbei, their bearing extraordinary—clearly not ordinary people.

"They came fast indeed." Zhang Jun thought to himself.

He locked onto a target—a middle-aged man in a gray suit, with a stern countenance. This man had checked into Jiangbei's most upscale Crown Hotel, his movements mysterious, frequently communicating with the outside world.

Zhang Jun covertly entered the Crown Hotel, installed eavesdropping equipment, and soon heard a shocking conversation.

"The Family Head has ordered that we must obtain the Azure Yang Jade at any cost." The middle-aged man said.

"Understood. At the auction, we will act according to the plan." Another voice replied.

"Remember, the Liu family may have precautions. If necessary, we can resort to extreme measures."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Jun immediately returned to the Liu family and informed Liu Quan of the situation.

"Surely it's the Wang family!" Liu Quan clenched his fists, "It seems they can't wait any longer."

"This suits me just fine." Zhang Jun smiled, "Since they want the Azure Yang Jade, let them come and take it."

After Liu Quan and Zhang Jun consulted, they decided to speed up preparations for the auction while covertly laying defensive measures. A trap aimed at the Wang family was quietly taking shape.

On the eve of the auction, Zhang Jun stood alone in the pavilion of the Liu family garden, gazing at the star-filled sky.

Moonlight fell, bathing him and casting a slender shadow. The shifting tides of Jiangbei seemed to accelerate with his arrival. He had intended to relieve the Liu family's predicament, but instead found himself inadvertently drawn into a greater vortex.

Was it coincidence, or was it fated by some unseen force?

Zhang Jun shook his head, dispelling those thoughts. Regardless, tomorrow's auction will be a true contest. The Wang family's forces are already in place, and the Liu family's trap has been set.

The pieces are already set; we only await tomorrow to unveil the first move of this game.

"Wang family..." Zhang Jun whispered, "Let me see your hand."

Footsteps sounded in the distance; Zhang Jun turned, facing the figure emerging from the darkness.