Chapter 600: Three Generations in the Ancestral Hall

Shencheng City.

Qi Clan Ancestral Hall.

The exterior of the old ancestral hall doesn’t appear too lavish, apart from its relatively large area.

But stepping inside, it’s indeed quite splendid.

The tiles were polished to a shine, as if even a scratch would be considered desecration.

Before the ancestral spirit tablets, three rows of people stood.

The first row was all elderly people with gray hair.

The second row was almost sixty or seventy years old.

Only the few in the third row looked in their thirties and forties.

The three rows of people bowed with respect, after a brief understanding.

The two leading elders, leaning on canes, said solemnly:

"Young ones, follow us two elders outside. Ah Kai, Ah Li, Ah Xing, you three discuss among yourselves."

After the two elders led the younger members outside, three representatives of the second generation of the Qi family sat at the same table.

Being a large family, the Qi family naturally had more people than that.

However, the leaders of the first, second, and third generations were all present in the ancestral hall today.

After sipping the tea slightly, two of them looked at Qi Li, who was in the center.

"Second Brother, the plan should be ready for execution now, right?" asked Old San, Qi Xing, as he raised his teacup and looked at Qi Li in the center.

Qi Li was the head among the second generation of the Qi family.

His business was the most extensive in the entire Qi family.

Compared to Qi Wei’s father Qi Kai, he was slightly more successful.

Just after hearing it, Qi Kai spoke first before Qi Li could say a word:

"The momentum of Dragon Cauldron is too large now, and the news about the land in Lu’an is about to be exposed. We can’t delay any longer."

Qi Li raised his previously lowered eyelids and stared at his eldest brother:

"Eldest Brother, haven’t you talked to Xiaowei?"

Mentioning his daughter, Qi Kai’s face turned somewhat unsightly:

"A married daughter is like spilled water, I..."

"Are you saying she would rather trust that Chen Xiao than her second uncle, third uncle, and eldest brother and second brother?"

Qi Kai lowered his head: "I can’t help it, the relationship between their sibling trio has been too poor these years. It’s also my fault; if I had handed over the company’s rights to them later, maybe there wouldn’t be any trouble now."

Old San, Qi Xing, flashed a look of disdain in his eyes but quickly hid it.

Old Second, Qi Li, sighed: "Since Xiaowei has made up her mind, it means she really is determined. As our niece, according to the rules, we shouldn’t be envious of Li Hai."

"But we can’t let good things go to outsiders, and Dragon Cauldron is harboring malicious intentions. So, in order to protect the Qi family’s hard work, if the younger ones make mistakes, we as elders need to promptly correct them."

Qi Kai rubbed his temples with some trouble: "The clan leader is the second uncle, we’re supposed to follow your lead this generation, so you make the final decision."

Qi Li nodded: "Alright, since Eldest Brother said so, I’d like to meet the one from that case, what’s his name? Jin Peng?"

"Yes, Jin Peng, been waiting outside the ancestral hall."

"Good, people from outside shouldn’t come in, have him wait in my study."

Upon hearing this, Qi Kai got up to inform Jin Peng.

As soon as he left, Old San Qi Xing said coldly: "Second brother, kindness doesn’t manage troops, and goodness is not suited for commerce. Elder brother’s getting more confused as he grows older. If I hadn’t introduced Jin Peng to him, he would probably let things go and enjoy his later years."

"The elder brother’s getting older, understandable. Plus, always remember we are one family, blood brothers; only when everyone is well is the Qi family well, understand?"

Qi Li’s tone turned heavier, but Qi Xing shrugged indifferently.

Soon, Qi Li got up and left the ancestral hall.

But as he walked to the entrance, looking at the plaque of "Qi Clan Ancestral Hall," a deep sense of worry appeared in his eyes.

But soon, that worry turned into determination, as if he’d made up his mind to protect something at all costs!

In no time, Qi Li returned home, where Qi Kai and Jin Peng were sitting together.

Seeing Qi Li arrive, Jin Peng, the expert from abroad, immediately stood up and offered his hand:

"President Qi, hello!"

"Hello, Professor Jin, didn’t expect you to be younger than I imagined!" Qi Li responded very politely.

But Jin Peng quickly waved his hand: "In front of you, I dare not call myself a professor, and as for forensic science, detective work, at best I was just a minor constable back in the day!"

Qi Li was well aware, hence his somewhat dismissive tone when discussing Jin Peng’s identity with Qi Kai earlier.

Yet, when Jin Peng said it himself, Qi Li meaningfully replied:

"In every profession, there are masters, Professor Jin has been somewhat modest about his profession."

"Haha, when President Qi says so, it’s out of respect for me!"

Qi Li chuckled indifferently. After sitting down, he didn’t want to waste time but directly asked:

"Professor Jin, what exactly is it that you have?"

Jin Peng smiled: "Does President Qi know how Dragon Cauldron suddenly surged into the forefront of Shencheng’s enterprises so quickly?"

"That’s simple, that young fellow named Chen Xiao adeptly uses public opinion, wins people over, and then deceives the officials."

"Yes, but the reason he accomplished all these is because of his exceptional investigative skills and tackling the Yang Lake Phantom Case, a case even I hesitated to investigate back then, allowing Dragon Cauldron to soar."

Qi Li nodded.

However, he wasn’t particularly interested in it: "Don’t bother saying all this, without the Guo Family as a foundation, without Dragon Cauldron’s identity backing him, he’s just a small-time investigator whom I could crush easier than an ant."

"So, Professor Jin, get to the point."

Jin Peng paused at Qi Li’s words, his eyes showing a trace of astonishment.

He surprisingly felt slightly looked down upon.

But without ruminating much, he spoke directly: "To beat the snake, strike the vital spot; to capture the thief, catch the king. Dragon Cauldron’s advantage lies in Chen Xiao’s reputation, and the official trust in Dragon Cauldron stems from, one, the Guo Family’s longstanding positive national investments, and two, Chen Xiao’s skill in winning hearts."

"However, truthfully, Dragon Cauldron is quite fragile; as soon as Chen Xiao has negative news, their advantage evaporates. To achieve such an effect, you must target his specialty."

"The case, right?" Qi Li returned sharply.

Jin Peng nodded: "Exactly, he’s currently investigating a missing girl case. As per my suggestion, Mr. Qi Kai has instructed his businesses to exaggerate the case, and its notoriety is steadily rising."

Qi Li nodded, but at this moment, he turned to Jin Peng: "So, you’re saying you can make Chen Xiao’s reputation collapse through this case?"

"Precisely! Because I am the sole witness of that missing case! And, I personally witnessed that girl being buried within the area of Yang Lake!"

The originally calm Qi Li showed surprise upon hearing this.

But his amazement lasted only two seconds before he coldly laughed: "It seems heaven has eyes. My Qi family contributed so much to Shencheng, and now a competitor appears, having unknowingly planted a critical bomb years ago!"

"Good, good! Professor Jin truly is a brilliant detective!"