I Don't Agree to the Terms

"Someone's trying to sabotage again?"

Xiao Yongsheng lifted his head, rings akin to tree rings surfacing in his pupils.

"Which little mouse keeps sabotaging my plans?" Frustration welled up in Xiao Yongsheng's heart. Since several days ago, he had discovered fluctuations in his sacrificial rituals, which occasionally ended in failure. He had been constantly amending and adjusting them for success.

This gave him the illusion that his adversary was aware of his actions, and he could predict the adversary's movements as well—two people who knew each other's secrets locked in confrontation.

"We must find a way to locate the other party. Otherwise, if we drag on, I won't be able to hold up."

Xiao Yongsheng refused to entangle any further with his opponent. If this continued, he would surely be the one to perish, and his cancer was growing more severe.

"So I must strike first and eliminate the opponent preemptively."

As long as this person, who had been intent on destroying his sacrificial rituals, was dead, then any plotting would be in vain.

As for how to deal with the adversary, it was simple—that was through Yunxing City's officials. After all, he had invested so much money, ten billion was in the hands of the officials. If they didn't handle it, who would?

"Chairman Xiao, there's been an incident." Assistant Li hurried over.

"You've come at just the right time. I have something for you to do." Xiao Yongsheng was just about to call for Assistant Li, it was unexpected yet opportune.

"What would you have me do?" Assistant Li didn't interrupt or start with his own news.

"Notify the City Lord and the others. I have something to discuss with them and need them here as soon as possible," Xiao Yongsheng said, seizing the moment.

"Yes, Chairman Xiao." After Assistant Li responded, he then spoke up, "Young Master Xiao has been missing for seven days now, along with Su Man. According to our investigation, both of them left the airport upon arriving at Yunxing City and vanished after taking a taxi. It's possible... they've been harmed."

Assistant Li spoke the word "harmed" cautiously, all the while closely monitoring Xiao Yongsheng's reaction, worried the loss of his son in his old age would be too much for him to bear.

Yet Xiao Yongsheng's expression remained calm.

"What about the taxi? Have you found it?" Xiao Yongsheng seemed to not care about Xiao Yunting's fate at all.

"No, it had fake plates," Assistant Li quickly replied.

The reason it was unlikely to be a kidnapping was simple—kidnap demands would have been made within seven days. And it probably wasn't out of revenge either, for in that case, body parts would likely have been sent by now.

So, it was more probable that they were killed.

"So, you're saying that there are no leads whatsoever to this point?" Xiao Yongsheng asked another question.

"That's correct. However, the magistrate's office has already dedicated a lot of resources to searching for Young Master Xiao, and our people have scattered to join the effort," Assistant Li quickly added.

"Understood. Let's put this matter aside for now. The business of that rebellious son can wait. First, take care of the task I've assigned to you," Xiao Yongsheng showed complete disregard for Xiao Yunting.

If this had been before his illness, he would have raged. But now, he only wanted immortality, not to lose his life over a son who caused more trouble than he was worth.

Assistant Li's expression briefly flickered when he heard this, but he quickly suppressed any reaction.

"I will contact the City Lord immediately!" Assistant Li dared not object, having noticed that since Xiao Yongsheng's return, his personality had grown increasingly bizarre and gloomy, casting an indescribable chill that seemed to emanate even with the man's weakening body. Yet those eyes seemed as though they could devour life itself.

After contacting the high ranks of Yunxing City, both the City Lord and the City Guard Commander quickly arrived.

"Chairman Xiao, rest assured. Regarding your son's matter, we're conducting a thorough search and will ensure justice is served and the Young Master's safety is safeguarded," the City Lord said upon entering, assuming Xiao Yongsheng's urgency to meet him was due to his son's plight. After all, Xiao family had only this heir and his concern was understandable.

"The City Lord has arrived. Please, take a seat." Xiao Yongsheng also rose to greet him, but as he got up, his body wavered and he fell back into his chair.

"Oh my, Chairman Xiao, please don't rush. Take care." The City Lord was quick to react, hastening to Xiao Yongsheng's aid.

"My health is failing," Xiao Yongsheng said after stabilizing himself, and continued, "The matter of my wayward son doesn't merit troubling the City Lord with a full-scale operation. Your presence and that of the Commander has been requested for another matter of importance."

This statement puzzled everyone. The son is not important? Than what is, with your failing health, lucky to last the year? If you were to suddenly pass, who would inherit your vast estate?

"Please speak, Chairman Xiao," the City Lord said, his expression serious, unable to fathom what Xiao Yongsheng was planning.

"Cough, this morning, I received a threatening letter, unrelated to my stubborn son but rather concerning Yunxing City." With this, Xiao Yongsheng took out the letter and handed it over to the City Lord.

After the City Lord read it, his brow furrowed deeply and he passed it to the City Guard Commander.

The City Guard Commander, after reading, erupted in anger, "This is outrageous, completely audacious! I have never witnessed such brazenness!"

The letter was a blatant challenge, threatening to disrupt Yunxing City's major construction project.

The remaining people also read the letter, resulting in a variety of reactions, none of them positive.