Chapter 1281: Chapter 1281
After Tang Xin’s faction collapsed, the happiest were undoubtedly the Ming Group.
When the Sun Family swept through the West Sea Province, Fu Tianyou led the Ming Group members in a frantic attack on the Dark Group factions and continuously showed goodwill toward the Sun Family, recruiting Sun Zhuangjia to a prominent position in the Ming Group at the first opportunity.
Originally, after removing Tang Xin, the Ming Group already held the advantage. Now, with the addition of Sun Zhuangjia, the Ming Group’s power was at its peak, seemingly unaffected by the Dark Group factions rising to power, and even escalating more.
For a time, the Dark Group forces across the country were simultaneously squeezed and suppressed by the Ming Group, with territories and interests contracting significantly.
Facing this decline, after several Eight-star Martial Masters in the Dark Group were injured by Sun Zhuangjia, Zhou Xiong could only resort to passive defense.
As for the major families within the Dark Group factions, they were even more vulnerable. The first family, the Su Family, directly faced Sun Zhuangjia’s direct intrusion and had no choice but to marry off Su Xiaoxi to maintain their own safety.
The Wu Family, due to the issue with Wu Xiaoyu, had never recovered and focused solely on finding the murderer of Wu Xiaoyu, leaving them no time or energy to cope with the Ming Group factions’ onslaught.
The Lin Family, on the other hand, was busy maintaining the interests of their faction, but facing the Ming Group and Sun Zhuangjia, the Nine-star Martial Master, they were powerless and had no means to confront.
The Long Family, however, took a direct approach, having Hao Jian continuously show goodwill to the family forces of the Ming Group factions, immediately returning all the money and territory won in the martial arts contests, which posed a major problem for their stance.
Half a month later, at the Imperial City’s Royal No. 1 Club, Fu Tianyou, along with Sun Zhuangjia, invited the clan leaders of the four major families of the Ming Group factions to a gathering.
Now, Fu Tianyou was brimming with spring-like vigor, sweeping away the previous decadence oppressed by Tang Xin, not only recovering double all the territory and interests initially seized by Tang Xin but also recruiting Sun Zhuangjia, a Nine-star Martial Master, to overshadow the Ming Group faction, being greatly meritorious.
"Gentlemen, although we lost the martial arts contest this year, we are still the strongest faction in Huaxia."
Fu Tianyou, with a full smile, raised his glass and urged others to drink, "As long as we keep this momentum going, in the martial arts contest three years from now, we will surely regain the right to control the family."
"Hahaha, with Nephew Sun holding down the Ming Group, even if we aren’t the family controlling resource distribution, we can crush those guys from the Dark Group faction just the same."
Fu Tianbao laughed loudly, raised his glass to Sun Zhuangjia, "Nephew Sun, we toast to you with this cup of wine."
Others quickly raised their glasses, showing goodwill towards Sun Zhuangjia.
"No need to be so polite, thank you all for your kindness."
Wearing a suit and with a flat top haircut, Sun Zhuangjia responded with a smile, feeling very proud inside.
Not long ago, the Sun Family was only a Martial Arts Family in Songhai City, always needing to bow to the Su Family. But now, those numerous family power heads who could stand equal to the Su Family needed to curry favor with him. The accomplishment and satisfaction were simply too exhilarating.
After a round of hearty drinking, Fu Tianyou, smiling, said, "Nephew Sun is quite an outstanding figure now. Although the Su Family currently controls resources as the number one family, Nephew Sun being capable of marrying the eldest daughter of the Su Family is absolutely our Ming Group’s glory."
"Exactly, exactly, being able to unite both Ming Group and Dark Group factions, Nephew Sun is the first."
Wan Changfa nodded repeatedly, feeling emotional, "With our support, Nephew Sun, after marrying Su Xiaoxi, will definitely become the ruler of the Su Family. By then, the restrictions the Su Family imposes on us will cease to exist."
"The Su Family, to retain Nephew Sun, will certainly hand over the Su Family for Nephew Sun to manage. By then, we’ll all have to rely on Nephew Sun for guidance."
A bunch of people kept flattering, almost raising Sun Zhuangjia up to the sky.
Sun Zhuangjia thoroughly enjoyed the flattery from these people, and his cultivation as a Nine-star Martial Master also qualified him to bow down and be honored by these people.
After three rounds of drinks, with a red-drunk face, Sun Zhuangjia suddenly slapped the table and cheerfully said, "Since you all speak so highly of me, there is one thing I need to discuss with you."
"Whatever Nephew Sun needs, just let us know, and we will support it with all our might."
Fu Tianyou promptly echoed.
Others nodded in succession.
"I want the Sun Family to enter the Imperial City and become the tenth family in the Imperial City. I ask for everyone’s support."
Sun Zhuangjia put down his wine glass and stated loudly.
Upon hearing this, the group fell silent.
All along, the Imperial City had the situation of the nine major families. Now, the Sun Family wanting to enter the Imperial City means adding another family to share the interests and rights, which greatly affects their own interests.
"What’s the matter? Are you not agreeing?"
Sun Zhuangjia narrowed his eyes, and his tone became cold.
"No, no, how could we disagree."
Fu Tianyou quickly spoke up, giving eye signals to others, reminding them, "Nephew is a powerful Nine-star Martial Master. In the entire Urban Martial Arts world, there are only four Nine-star Martial Masters. With your support, the Sun Family absolutely qualifies to enter the Imperial City."
Upon hearing this, the crowd reacted, realizing that Sun Zhuangjia was indeed a Nine-star Martial Master. This level of strength alone already surpasses many family forces, qualifying sufficiently to enter the Imperial City.
"Agree, agree, we will definitely fully support the Sun Family."
Fu Tianbao and others spoke one after another, although reluctant, they could only nod in agreement.
"Don’t mind, everyone, this is a request from Su Xiaoxi."
Sun Zhuangjia laughed, explaining, "After all, she is the eldest daughter of the number one family in the Imperial City. I, Sun Zhuangjia, if I want to marry her, must at least be her equal. Only by making the Sun Family the tenth family in the Imperial City can I qualify to marry the Imperial City’s number one eldest daughter, right?"
"Right, right, right."
The group nodded repeatedly, though internally feeling disgusted, realizing all along it was Su Xiaoxi’s scheme, clearly to drive a wedge between Sun Zhuangjia and the various families in the Imperial City.
"Good, since there are no objections, starting tomorrow, the Sun Family will officially move to the Imperial City. By then, I ask for much guidance from you uncles and need support in every aspect."
Sun Zhuangjia smiled satisfactorily, raised his glass, and greeted them.
The group promptly echoed as they drank and chatted merrily together.
Although Sun Zhuangjia said it was Su Xiaoxi’s request, he, in fact, also hoped for the Sun Family to progress further. Under his support as a Nine-star Martial Master, the Sun Family could surely become a prominent family in the Imperial City.
Furthermore, with his relationship with the Su Family, they might even integrate both major factions.
If that indeed happens, the Sun Family could likely become the true number one family in the Imperial City, suppressing both the Ming Group and the Dark Group factions simultaneously.
After eating and drinking their fill, Sun Zhuangjia was taken to a resting place, while the heads of the four families in the Ming Group faction gathered for a secret meeting.
"Brother Fu, what’s wrong with your brother? Supporting the Sun Family in moving into the Imperial City is too reckless, right?"
Wan Changfa looked at Fu Tianbao with a face full of dissatisfaction.