Protect Our Chief

Chapter 1066: Chapter 69: I Shall Overturn the Heavens! Wang Shouzhe, the Mastermind Behind the Scenes

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Gui Long City.

Zhao Family Mansion.

As Daqian’s only Second-Grade Noble Family at present, the Zhao Family Mansion is extremely large, not only with exquisite materials but also with a grand and majestic architectural layout, fully exhibiting the style of a Noble Family.

Since the beginning of summer, Gui Long City has been under splendid sunshine, but today witnessed a rare thunderstorm.

The azure glazed tiles on the roof, washed by the rain, gleamed more vividly, shimmering luxuriously and majestically.

At dusk, the sky was adorned with brilliant sunset hues.

Bathed in the sunset glow, the entire Zhao Family Mansion seemed coated with a layer of rosy soft light, adding a touch of sentiment.

Deep within the main residence.

In a study room adorned with the plaque "Eternal Ambition", an elderly man in purple robe stood before the bookshelf, browsing through an ancient text.

It was evident that he was very old; the white hair, and wrinkles on his forehead and at the corners of his eyes were particularly conspicuous under the glow of the Fluorescent Stone Spirit Lamp.

Even so, his imposing bearing and vast aura still commanded respect, standing there exuding full authority.

This elder is the present First Ancestor of the Zhao Family, the current Duke Protector of the Nation, Zhao Bingsheng, Ancestor Bingsheng.

In his youth, he was a Great Celestial Pride, sweeping his peers endlessly undefeated and achieving immense glory, even defeated a Great Celestial Pride who attempted to test his sharpness at the Capital City, greatly enhancing the Upper Capital City’s prestige.

But now, he is already sixteen to seventeen hundred years old. This age, even for those in the Divine Power Realm, marks the twilight years, hence he gradually retreated to the background, now rarely involved in affairs.

Nonetheless, as the contemporary Duke Protector of the Nation, even though he has retreated, his prestige remains. Whenever major decisions closely related to the entire family’s future development are encountered, his opinions primarily dominate.

Suddenly.

The study room door was gently knocked on.

The voice of a servant came from outside: "Duke, Ancestor Hongbo and Young Master Kun are outside requesting an audience."

"What is it?"

Duke Zhao Bingsheng put down the ancient text, casually asked.

"Unclear. Ancestor Hongbo didn’t specify, only said it is of utmost importance, requesting the ancestor must meet." The servant replied.

Duke slightly frowned.

He was aware of Zhao Hongbo’s character, as the Grand Elder of the family and the current Chief Minister, Zhao Hongbo’s status within the family is second only to his. After his fall, Zhao Hongbo would be the most powerful Grand Elder within the family, and even the new Duke Protector of the Nation, due to youth and insufficient credentials, might not necessarily surpass him in prestige.

Yet, because of this, he was not particularly close to himself.

Unless it was truly significant, he wouldn’t lower himself to actively seek an audience. In other words, if Zhao Hongbo really came, something big must have happened, not to mention bringing Zhao Zhikun.

With this in mind, he felt somewhat headache yet still said: "Let them in."

Saying this, he turned and seated himself at the desk.

Moments later, Zhao Hongbo, still dressed in his court attire, entered with Zhao Zhikun. Evidently, they came to see him immediately upon returning home, too anxious to change clothes.

Upon entering, Zhao Hongbo turned to close the study door and casually set a restriction.

Without a word, Zhao Zhikun knelt down and directly prostrated before Duke, with a choking voice: "Zhikun pays respects to Ancestor. Requesting the ancestor for help!"

Duke’s head hurt more, rubbing the temples said: "Don’t rush to wail. Speak about the matter. What exactly happened?"

"It’s like this..."

At this point, concealing was meaningless.

Zhao Zhikun knew clearly, at this moment still hiding things to deceive Duke would be courting death, so he explained everything thoroughly, then said: "Elder Kui lost contact several days ago. Today an urgent report from the border stated Meng Yuanbai captured the smuggling ship at the border, all personnel were caught alive. I conclude Elder Kui absolutely ran into trouble, otherwise, the ship couldn’t have reached the border."

"Ancestor, Kun was set up! They had prepared a trap waiting for me. If the ancestor doesn’t intervene, Kun may be finished this time!"

Hearing the first half, Duke’s face already looked grim, upon hearing the latter half, overwhelmed with anger, nearly smashing the table with a slap: "You! You truly are something! Daring to touch smuggling issues, is Zhao Family short of cultivation pills or lacking spiritual food, making you resort to such unscrupulous means?!"

Zhao Zhikun’s face subtly changed from the scolding, only after a while spoke: "Ancestor, this... the smuggling wasn’t by me, I just lent a hand managing..."

Upon hearing this, Duke immediately reacted, face shifted: "Not you, then is it..."

While speaking, he glanced at Zhao Hongbo beside him, seeing him too with pupils constricted, surprise evident in his expression, clearly unaware of the situation prior.

Nonetheless, had Zhao Hongbo known beforehand, with his cunning and experience, it wouldn’t have led to being easily set up like this. The current predicament wouldn’t have worsened this badly.

Duke pointed at Zhao Zhikun, taking a deep breath for a while, barely controlling emotions, grinding teeth said: "You certainly bring prominence to Zhao Family. Has Prince Kang gone mad, daring to touch such matters?"

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