Chapter 22: The Turning Point

Everyone present, including the elderly man who had fainted, knew exactly who Lin Dong was. Lin Ziwei had just coerced these villages into abandoning their previous sources of elixirs, and now such an incident had occurred. It was likely that Er Long and his companions would undergo a significant change in attitude as a result.

…

The journey passed in silence.

Late at night, inside the room.

Wang Chao, Huang Ming, and Fatty had all gathered at Zhang Ze’s place.

“Now that this has happened, you’re not still planning to go through with it, are you?” Huang Ming was the first to arrive and asked directly.

Zhang Ze instinctively glanced at Wang Chao, who showed no reaction. He spoke softly, “Wait a moment, Baldy and the others will be here soon.”

At that moment, Wang Chao broke his silence.

“This incident is an opportunity for us, at least on the surface.”

A loud snore came from Fatty, who had already fallen asleep on Zhang Ze’s bed, though the discussion had just begun.

“Damn it…” Huang Ming kicked Fatty, only to be stopped by Wang Chao.

Wang Chao added, “Although the surrounding villages of Chen Family Village now hate the Lin Family to the extreme, it’s still unrealistic to expect them to openly oppose the elixir company.”

“You’re right,” Wang Chao finished, and Baldy and Li Tian arrived right behind him.

“If you think today’s events will prompt Er Long and his group to lead the charge for your elixirs…” Wang Chao began, and Li Tian continued, “In my opinion, that’s still unlikely.”

Hearing this, Zhang Ze understood the current situation.

“Am I to abandon my grand blueprint as a middleman before it even begins?” He muttered to himself, his expression somewhat grave. “So, where do you think the final spark lies?”

Baldy pondered Zhang Ze’s question in silence. Li Tian, unable to hold back, spoke up, “Break through from Chen the Blind.”

“Chen the Blind’s influence in the surrounding villages comes second only to Er Long,” Li Tian explained, and Baldy added, “More importantly, Chen the Blind is far more decisive than Er Long and his group!”

In Zhang Ze’s mind, the fire at Chen Family Village should have been enough to ignite Er Long and his companions’ courage. Yet, hearing Baldy’s words left him thoughtful and silent.

Wang Chao nodded subtly at Baldy.

…

The next morning.

Zhang Ze and his companions departed without notifying Er Long. It was clear that after the Chen Family Village incident, Er Long and his group must be overwhelmed with affairs.

Moreover, Zhang Ze had waited all night without receiving any word from Er Long, which already indicated their stance.

“Brother Wang, what do you mean by this…” Zhang Ze asked Wang Chao quietly in the car.

Having worked with Wang Chao for a long time, Huang Ming knew Wang Chao must already have thoughts on the matter, and he listened closely while driving.

Wang Chao paused for a moment, then spoke, “Have you thought it through?”

“Are you certain you want to intervene in the elixir market now?”

Without needing Zhang Ze to reply, Wang Chao could see the answer in his expression.

“With Lin Dong causing this incident, we have an opportunity, but the real turning point lies with another party.”

…

Mengyang County Detective Division.

Back courtyard.

A sharp slap rang out, and Lin Dong’s cheek instantly turned red.

Staring in disbelief, Lin Dong looked at his sister with wide eyes.

“You hit me?”

“Even our parents wouldn’t lay a hand on me—what gives you the right?”

All the grievances Lin Dong had bottled up erupted in th