Chapter 48: Strike the Snake at Its Weakest Point

As soon as these words were spoken, Fang Tai’s expression immediately changed. He was well aware that the Four Great Families had always coveted the opportunity to annex them.

For years, the Qin family and the Four Great Families had maintained a mutual non-interference, neither side wishing to stir up trouble in such matters. After all, if it truly came to that, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Who could have predicted that things would turn out this way in the end?

“This man is still muddle-headed. At times like this, he should stand firm, do everything possible to keep the Qin family together,” Fang Tai muttered. “How could they choose to cooperate with those people?”

Upon hearing Ye Aotian’s words, Fang Tai stomped his foot in frustration—he was deeply disappointed, unable to fathom what Qiu Bisheng and Zhou Huaji were thinking. If their actions were proven true, the entire Qin family might suffer for it.

Lin Li watched Fang Tai’s anxious demeanor and could only pat him on the shoulder.

“That’s why it’s not that I don’t want to warn them,” Lin Li said, “but right now all our attention is on Ye Aotian; we have no time to guard against the Ning family.”

“If we don’t inform those two, we retain the right to deal with Ye Aotian. But if they find out, they might stab us in the back. That would be fatal.”

Lin Li sighed deeply, as if resigned to a most unfortunate outcome. Hearing this, Fang Tai’s expression grew even more grave. He had thought the Qin family was united, but clearly, he had underestimated the situation.

Reflecting on this, Fang Tai looked at Lin Li with renewed seriousness.

“Brother Lin,” he said, “I thought our situation was nothing to worry about, that everything would work out smoothly. I never imagined these people would scheme so much behind our backs. We’ll have to be extra cautious today.”

His resolve was clear. Lin Li knew that Fang Tai was a fierce and capable leader; now that he had made up his mind, Ye Aotian would face considerable trouble.

Ye Aotian appeared strong, but within the Qin family, aside from Qin Guosheng, Fang Tai’s influence on the underworld was profound.

Over the years, the Qin family had gradually washed its hands of the illicit trade. Qin Corporation now operated mainly in pharmaceuticals and several factories.

This time, Ye Aotian’s target was a crucial medicinal warehouse.

The Qin family’s medicines were sold nationwide, renowned for their quality. Every year, they received countless orders—one reason both Ye Aotian and the Ning family sought to attack the Qin family.

Given Ye Aotian’s current position, he would likely have the Leng family enter the pharmaceutical industry as well. Besides his reputation as the War God of the frontier, he was also famed as a peerless physician.

Of these two titles, the latter was easier to monetize.

Now, the Qin family had become an obstacle before Ye Aotian, so he would certainly not allow them to persist.

He would stop at nothing to erase the Qins from this world—that was Ye Aotian’s nature.

During this process, Ye Aotian had also contacted Leng Ningxue, instructing her to document everything for future use.

Yet, for all his calculations, he never suspected that the woman who accompanied him daily had already become an ally of the Qin family.

Nor did he realize that Leng Ningxue was secretly recording many of his actions.

These would later serve as key evidence against Ye Aotian.

Meanwhile, Lin Li had Fang Tai contact numerous experts, deploying them all to the warehouse on the outskirts of Jiangcheng.

These were renowned fighters.

Ye Aotian commanded many formidable men, but if both sides clashed, the outcome would likely be a stalemate.

Of course, if Ye Aotian insisted on fighting to the death, no one could predict how it would end.

“Brother Lin, Ye Aotian is always cautious. Will he really come?” Fang Tai asked, standing with Lin Li in the warehouse.

Their group numbered barely more than a dozen.

Fang Tai had wanted to bring more men, but Lin Li knew that quality mattered more than quantity.

They needn’t worry about Ye Aotian’s minor lackeys; those could be handled easily.

The true concern lay with the martial artists at Ye Aotian’s side, men who had come to repay favors. They would not kill, but as long as Lin Li’s side could seriously injure them, there would be a way out for all.

“Rest assured,” Lin Li replied with a smile, utterly unhurried, “Ye Aotian has prepared for this for so long—he won’t let his efforts go to waste. He will come, and soon.”

Almost as if to confirm Lin Li’s words, not long after he finished speaking, footsteps echoed outside.

A subordinate reported, “We’ve just spotted a large group heading this way, including several powerful martial artists.”

Just as Lin Li had anticipated, Ye Aotian’s first move was to destroy the warehouse.

If the warehouse was destroyed, the Qin family’s business would be interrupted, forcing them to breach contracts. With so many orders, they would not have enough cash flow to cover losses.

In no time, the Qin family would collapse.

Ye Aotian’s plan seemed flawless, but unfortunately for him, he had encountered a tenacious opponent—Lin Li was not easily defeated.

The Qin family was not so easily manipulated.

To avoid exposure, Lin Li had specifically instructed Leng Ningxue not to tell Ning Yurou anything.

Otherwise, given Ning Yurou’s temperament, she would certainly intervene.

“We’ve waited so long, and finally they’re coming. Everyone, be prepared. Since they have no regard for us, we’ll give them a fierce welcome.”

Lin Li smiled and slowly rose to his feet, eager to test his own strength at last.