Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather

Chapter 276: Chapter 267: Punishment Deserved!

Ning Dongsheng temporarily stepped back, the expression on Lan Buqi’s face turned ugly.

He did not expect Ning Dongsheng to be so ineffectual, to be pushed back by Yang Zhenshan so quickly.

What surprised him even more was how assertive Yang Zhenshan was, not giving any face to Ning Dongsheng at all.

This was not in line with his plan; he originally intended to ask Ning Dongsheng to intervene, to let Yang Zhenshan know the strength and power of the Lan family, to make Yang Zhenshan wary, and then invite Yang Zhenshan to sit down and talk properly!

It was acceptable to make concessions and even to give up some benefits, but he didn’t want Yang Zhenshan to belittle the Lan family or to ride roughshod over them.

His ideal outcome was to have an equal, amicable relationship with Yang Zhenshan, and it would be best to form a cooperative relationship.

He had been confident about such a result before, but now he was somewhat worried.

Watching the carriage pull away, Yang Zhenshan’s gaze fell on the officials in front of him.

These officials felt to Yang Zhenshan as though they were shrouded in the shadows of twilight.

One by one, they appeared subservient, lacking any vitality; they seemed to have lost hope and had completely fallen into degeneracy, without a trace of fighting spirit or ambition.

Yang Zhenshan had anticipated this.

The position of the Tenglong Guard Commander had been vacant for over a decade, and these officials of Tenglong Guard had been here for as many years.

The oldest among them was over sixty, and the youngest was close to fifty.

It’s fair to say they were in a state of retirement, completely neglecting the affairs of Tenglong Guard, only burying their heads in pleasures.

Of course, the Lan family played a part in this.

The Lan family had turned them into puppets.

Perhaps before they came to Tenglong Guard, they were officials with ideals and ambitions, but over the many years, their ideals and ambitions had been worn down.

Simply put, these people had been completely ruined.

No wonder Zhou Mao allowed him to bring so many people.

Without bringing more people, he wouldn’t even be able to hold up the façade of Tenglong Guard.

”Which one of you is Lan Buqi from the Lan family?” Yang Zhenshan suddenly spoke.

Lan Buqi’s expression flickered, and he stepped forward, saying, ”This old man Lan Buqi greets the General!”

Yang Zhenshan fixed his gaze on him, ”I’ve heard that the Lan family’s mansion occupies half of Guard City. I was wondering if the General might have the chance to witness it for himself!”

Lan Buqi’s heart twitched; this statement seemed a bit unpleasant to hear.

The Lan family’s mansion occupying half the city!

His mind was racing, but he still said, ”It would be an honor for our Lan family to be graced by the General’s presence!”

”Humble abode! Heh heh!” Yang Zhenshan let out a light laugh, spurred his horse forward, ”Let’s go!”

With that, he didn’t wait for Lan Buqi to lead the way or care about what others were doing, and directly rode into the city.

Lan Buqi hesitated for a moment, gave a meaningful glance to Lan Buzheng beside him, and quickly followed.

The others also scrambled to follow, while Lan Buzheng, after entering the city, took a shortcut through the alleys back to the Lan family mansion first.

Meanwhile, shouts of reproof arose at the city gate!

”Make way!”

”Make way!”

Wu Chongzhe directly led his men to drive away the soldiers at the gate, taking control of the city gate.

Clip-clop, clip-clop...

Song Dashan, Xie Yuan, and Yang Minghao each led a troop towards the other three city gates.

Seeing this, Lan Buqi’s face grew even more sullen, but he still followed beside Yang Zhenshan, leading the way to the Lan family mansion.

Although he didn’t know what Yang Zhenshan intended to do, he felt that he must not panic now, for panic would only make things worse.

In a short while, the area before the city gate quieted down; all the officials had gone with Yang Zhenshan to the Lan family mansion, and the Yang family’s convoy just stopped outside the city gate.

Ning Dongsheng looked at the fierce and formidable soldiers, his brows furrowed tightly.

He was angry that Yang Zhenshan did not give him any respect, and Yang Zhenshan’s actions gave him a bad premonition.

He was now somewhat regretting getting involved in this matter.

But things having come this far, he seemed to have no other choice.

After hesitating for a moment, he decided to go to the Lan family first; perhaps things had not reached their worst state.

The Lan family mansion was truly grand, especially within Guard City, surrounded by some relatively dilapidated houses, the only exception was the majestic Lan family mansion.

Of course, when Yang Zhenshan saw the Lan family’s mansion, he could no longer hide the admiration in his eyes.

What a splendid and magnificent Lan family mansion!

Standing outside the door, just over the walls several yards high, he could see the pavilions and terraces within the mansion, and the glittering glazed red tiles.

When he had first arrived in An Yuan City, seeing the precious furnishings in the backyard of the garrison office, he thought the deceased Cao Han was extravagant.

But compared to the Lan family, Cao Han’s luxuries were nothing.

Such a grand mansion, such exquisite pavilions and terraces, such a regal courtyard.

”Indeed worthy of its reputation, befitting of a mansion that occupies half the city!” Yang Zhenshan said with a light chuckle.

With a creak, at this moment, the middle gate of the Lan family swung wide open, and a throng of people poured out, with Lan Buzheng leading dozens of well-dressed Martial Artists to welcome them: ”We warmly welcome the arrival of the Commander!”

A chorus of Martial Artists shouted in unison, their voices resonating with mighty force.

Yang Zhenshan’s eyebrows rose slightly, was this a show of power?

It seemed quite impressive!

After all, the Lan family had a century-long legacy, naturally its foundation was profound.

At a glance, these Martial Artists seemed extraordinary; presumably, they were all Postnatal Martial Artists.

Postnatal Martial Artists – even though the Yang family now had quite a number of them, one should not think that Postnatal Martial Artists were worthless.

”Master Yang, please!” Lan Buqi stepped up beside Yang Zhenshan and made a welcoming gesture with a bow.

He felt he had lowered his stance quite enough, and Yang Zhenshan should be satisfied.

However, Yang Zhenshan merely glanced at him, then raised his hand and waved towards the Lan family, ”Take them down!”

Everyone was startled, all doubting whether they had heard wrong.

Even Lan Buqi was shocked as he raised his head, looking at Yang Zhenshan with a puzzled gaze.

But Yang Zhenshan didn’t need to reply, as Lan Buqi quickly understood Yang Zhenshan’s intent.

Following Yang Zhenshan’s order, the soldiers behind him swarmed forward.

Wu Chongzhe took the lead, tearing open his throat to yell: ”Those who dare to resist will be killed without mercy!”

”Master Yang, what does this mean?”

Lan Buqi, now understanding the situation, hurriedly shouted at Yang Zhenshan.

”What does this mean? The Lan family has encroached on military farmland, oppressed the soldiers, become arrogant with their martial power, and disregarded the court’s laws; their crimes should be punished with death!”

Yang Zhenshan looked at him coldly while drawing a Short Spear from behind.

Whoosh! The Short Spear flew out.

Standing at the door to welcome guests, Lan Buzheng was still in a daze when the Short Spear landed on his thigh.

With a piercing sound, the fierce Short Spear penetrated his thigh, and the immense force smashed him directly onto the stone steps in front of the majestic gate.

”Kill!”

Wu Chongzhe, without a second word, brandished his long saber and charged forward to slash at people.

The soldiers behind him instantly turned into merciless gods of death, encompassed by horrifying murderous auras, and began reaping heads one after another.

”You!”

The sudden turn of events completely panicked Lan Buqi.

”Bastard, what the hell are you doing!”

Lan Buqun, who had always been by Lan Buqi’s side, saw this scene and immediately flew into a rage, charging towards Yang Zhenshan without a second thought.

He had not brought a weapon to receive Yang Zhenshan today, but that did not hinder his attempt to kill him.

His burly body moved, and with his fists the size of cooking pots swinging, he hurled a ferocious punch enveloped in a fierce wind, aiming right at Yang Zhenshan.

However, the moment he leaped forward, a long spear pierced through his abdomen.

Pfff.

Blood splattered.

Ssshhhhhhh~~

Red Cloud disdainfully took a step back, but it was useless; blood still splashed over its big head, mane, and back.

Spilling over Yang Zhenshan’s body, face, and beard.

Yet the look in Yang Zhenshan’s eyes didn’t change, still fixed on Lan Buqi.

The strength of the three Lan brothers was formidable.

Lan Buqi possessed the cultivation of the Postnatal Eighth Layer, while Lan Buqun and Lan Buzheng were both at the Postnatal Seventh Layer.

It was precisely because of the brothers’ might that the Lan family had risen to power and could intimidate the entire Tenglong Guard.

Unfortunately for them, they encountered Yang Zhenshan, who had also broken through to the Postnatal Eighth Layer.

A month ago, Yang Zhenshan’s cultivation finally made a breakthrough to the Postnatal Eighth Layer with further improvements – his strength was now incomparable to the past.

The Postnatal Seventh Layer had no chance of resisting him at all.

Lan Buqi, feeling the warm blood on his face and seeing his brother hanging on the spear, had his pupils suddenly constrict.

”Eldest brother, why are you just standing there? Kill him!” Lan Buqun, even though he was impaled by a long spear, still shouted fiercely.

Yang Zhenshan flicked the long spear, flinging him away.

”Kill this general? Haha~~”

”Don’t you know that this general just returned from the battlefield not long ago?”

”The souls that died under this general’s spear, if not ten thousand, then at least eight thousand – with just you lot thinking to kill me?”

Yang Zhenshan spoke at an unhurried pace, while Wu Chongzhe had already led the soldiers into the Lan residence.

The sounds of killing and screaming continuously came from within the Lan family home.

The surrounding officers of the Tenglong Guard were utterly shocked, each trembling with fear.

No one had anticipated that Yang Zhenshan would launch a massacre so suddenly!

With no room for negotiation, he had drawn the butcher’s knife upon arriving in the Tenglong Guard!

This was beyond everyone’s expectations.

”Master Yang!” Finally, Lan Buqi came to his senses.

He had not been flabbergasted just now, but rather petrified.

Because Yang Zhenshan had been staring at him all this time, those eyes brimming with chilliness seemed to have frozen him, preventing him from daring to make any unnecessary movements.

Murderous intent, tangible as if it could penetrate one’s soul!

Lan Buqi’s voice trembled, ”Master Yang~~”

He wanted to say something, but he didn’t know what to say.

In the end, he actually knelt down with a thump, ”I beg Master Yang for mercy!”

His kneeling stupefied everyone around.

Especially the officers of the Tenglong Guard.

The Family Head of the Lan family, who usually disdained them, was now kneeling like this?

He knelt way too quickly!

And Ning Dongsheng, who was watching from behind, was even more astonished.

He had arrived a little later when Wu Chongzhe and the soldiers had already stormed into the Lan residence.

It wasn’t Lan Buqi’s kneeling that shocked him, but rather the blood-soaked scene.

As an Imperial Censor, when had he ever witnessed such a bloody spectacle?