Chapter 500: Chapter 496: Blacklist

"So that’s how it is!"

Ling Chen nodded to himself. Just a few days ago, he was evaluating Ling Gengqiu as a winner in life, having toyed with so many women throughout his days. Unexpectedly, he turned out to be his own ancestor, a transformation that was truly bewildering.

"What happened afterwards?"

"When Ling Gengqiu was alive, due to his indiscretions, he brought great shame to the Ling Family and caused a lot of trouble, which severely impacted them. Consequently, the Ling Family took a dim view of his descendants. Imagine, a child who’s lost his parents and is all alone, growing up in such an environment, surrounded by cold eyes and subjected to people’s scorn daily. If you were in his shoes, how long do you think you could endure? Therefore, it wasn’t easy for our lineage... your lineage... to survive."

After a pause, the man in the suit continued: "Although the Ling Family has a martial arts heritage, as times progressed, the martial arts tradition gradually declined, and the Ling Family decided to abandon martial arts in favor of business. Fortunately, with their vast family fortune and rich heritage, it took them less than fifty years to build a business empire, becoming the wealthiest in the south, at the pinnacle of their power."

"No wonder I didn’t see any members of the Ling Family at the Heavenly Mechanism Great Ceremony this time."

"No, you’re wrong. It’s not that they don’t participate, but that they disdain to do so. Even though the Ling Family has shifted from martial arts to business, they haven’t completely forsaken martial arts. Also, the Heavenly Mechanism Great Ceremony is just a grand event for the masters on the Dragon and Tiger List."

Hearing this, Ling Chen was taken aback. The implication was clear—the Ling Family didn’t participate in the Heavenly Mechanism Great Ceremony because they had already surpassed the Dragon and Tiger List in strength.

Could it be... the Ling Family’s power has reached the Earthly List?

"Knowing this much about the Ling Family is enough for you. I advise you, don’t think about tracing your ancestry or seeking affinity with the Ling Family. The relationship between the Ling Family and your father deteriorated over a decade ago. Between you and them, there’s only enmity, not kinship. Do you hear me?"

"Enmity?" Ling Chen asked, puzzled. "What enmity?"

"That you don’t need to know, nor do you need to intervene. Your father will take care of it himself. In short, don’t provoke the Ling Family; they’re not a force you can shake. The Hongyu Group is at best a huge enterprise dominating East Sea City, but the Ling Family owns the entire south. The difference between them is like night and day. To the Ling Family, the Nanrong Family is nothing. Besides, there’s another matter."

"What’s that?"

"It’s about the God Organization. You’ve dealt with the God Organization for so many years and should be well aware of their strength. However, I need to remind you that if you think the God Organization’s strongest forces are overseas, then you are sorely mistaken. Many years ago, the God Organization began to infiltrate Huaxia, developing covertly. Around the world, their power in Huaxia is the strongest. Over the years, they have deceived you, making you believe that the God Organization’s influence hasn’t fully penetrated Huaxia, thus relaxing your guard and shifting your focus abroad. In fact, all these are smokescreens set by the God Organization to facilitate their growth and expansion within Huaxia."

Ling Chen frowned and said, "Since you know so much about the God Organization, how much do you know about their leadership?"

"He’s from Huaxia. That’s all I can tell you for now; there are some things I haven’t fully investigated, so I can’t make arbitrary conclusions. The main reason I came to see you is to remind you that you’ve been listed on the God Organization’s blacklist, and they perceive you as a target that must be eliminated."

"Me?" Ling Chen was stunned and asked, "Why?"

The man in the suit replied, "Because you’re too high-profile in your actions, having confronted the God Organization head-on several times, causing them significant losses. Besides that, there’s another crucial reason—Mr. Yun, also known as Nanrong Yuan, Nanrong Wanqing’s father."

"What does he have to do with this?"

The man in the suit sneered, "Do you really think the God Organization is oblivious to Nanrong Yuan’s identity? That’s just Nanrong Yuan being too clever by half, thinking he could deceive the agents of the God Organization. There’s no absolute trust within the God Organization; everyone is scheming against each other. At least a dozen people around Nanrong Yuan are spies planted by the God Organization, constantly monitoring his every move. All his secrets are well known to the God Organization."

"Then, if the God Organization is aware of Nanrong Yuan’s intentions, why do they let him be?"

"Like I said, the God Organization is good at creating smokescreens to blind everyone, including Nanrong Yuan, who is one such significant distraction. Initially, the God Organization intended to keep Nanrong Yuan around, but then they discovered that the power he was secretly building up had become uncontrollable. From what I understand, the new technology Nanrong Yuan has mastered poses a serious threat to the God Organization, which is why they are determined to eliminate him, despite the cost. In fact, all the power and efforts Nanrong Yuan has accumulated will end up benefiting the God Organization. Once Nanrong Yuan is dead, they will easily take over those forces."

After a moment of silence, the man in the suit continued, "I’m not sure what new technology Nanrong Yuan has mastered, but the God Organization places great importance on it. You’ve had contact with Nanrong Yuan, and given your connection to Nanrong Wanqing, the God Organization believes it’s highly likely that Nanrong Yuan would have shared that new technology with you."

"So, that’s why they put me on the blacklist?"

"Exactly."

Injustice, what an injustice!

Ling Chen sighed inwardly. Nanrong Yuan hadn’t mentioned any new technology to him; he’d only said... the key!

That’s right!

Ling Chen suddenly realized. When Nanrong Yuan was injured, he had said something to him.

Nanrong Wanqing is the key!

At the time, he had been at a loss, unable to grasp the meaning of these words. Now thinking about it, there might be a connection between the two.

Could it be... the new technology Nanrong Yuan mastered is in the hands of Nanrong Wanqing?

As he pondered, the man in the suit at the pavilion slowly stood up, his back facing Ling Chen, and said, "I’ve said all that needs to be said. Take care of yourself. Here’s a phone with a number saved in it; if you need any information, you can call this number, and the person on the other end will try to help you."

Seeing the man was about to leave, Ling Chen hurriedly called out to him, asking, "You know my father; can you tell me his contact information?"

"There’s no need for that. When your father wants to see you, he’ll come looking for you. Until then, just focus on keeping yourself alive. Oh, and... your father told me to pass along this message: he finds his future daughter-in-law quite satisfactory. However, as the saying goes, ’When flowers bloom, they should be picked at once; don’t wait until there are no flowers and just empty branches to break.’ The descendants of Ling Gengqiu, each one is a philanderer; hardly any of them has been faithful from start to finish, including your father. So, don’t worry too much about what others think, just go with the flow. Ling Gengqiu used to say, a true man should drink the strongest liquor, enjoy the company of the finest women—that’s the only way to live a life without regrets. You might as well learn a thing or two from him."