HCB Chapter 2102 A chill runs down my spine, a pillar of the nation!
Chapter 2102 A chill runs down my spine, a pillar of the nation!
Even Ji Qingyue's usually aloof face showed a rare and obvious emotion.
The Ji family has a profound heritage and is detached from worldly affairs, but when faced with the Qin family, a loyal and valiant family rooted in the pillars of the nation, she must also give them the highest regard and respect.
This can no longer be encompassed by the simple concept of aristocratic families.
The Qin family represents one of the most fundamental protective forces of this land.
No matter how evil or crazy the little monk and the little Buddha behind him are, they are like ice and snow meeting the scorching sun in the face of this power!
The fear and unease she had felt due to the little monk's crazy threats had largely dissipated by now.
At the same time, she also raised her opinion of Li Xiangnan even higher.
To receive such full protection from the Qin family, it seems they've mobilized almost all of their core resources.
Li Xiangnan himself must possess extraordinary qualities and value far beyond what ordinary people can imagine!
She secretly resolved that the bond of gratitude and friendship between the Ji and Li families, forged due to illness, must be strengthened even further.
Meanwhile, in the corner, the representatives of the Yanjing aristocratic families, Shangguan Wuji, and others were experiencing a feeling that could only be described as a mixture of extreme highs and lows, ultimately plunging them into an icy abyss.
When Qin Ruobai and the five young officers entered, they were already terrified, realizing that Li Xiangnan had a powerful military background.
When Qin Taihang, the naval colonel, stepped in, they began to feel suffocated, realizing that the background was unfathomable.
When Qin Anling, the middle-aged general with the star on his shoulder, appeared, everyone, from Shangguan Wuji to Ye Ruyan, from Yan Qinghe to Qian Houjin at the very bottom, was struck by lightning. Their minds went blank, and nothing came out!
commander!
That's the commander!
The commander of the field army!
For those of them who have been working in the business world and in so-called aristocratic circles, the meaning of this identity is too heavy and too terrifying!
That can no longer be simply described by the word "power"; it is an important part of the state apparatus and one of the ultimate entities that truly wields both righteousness and violence!
Shangguan Wuji's face was ashen, his lips trembled, and he could no longer see any of the domineering and composed demeanor of the leader of the five families.
He felt icy cold all over, as if cold air was seeping out from between his bones.
He had previously been plotting against the Li family, trying to shift the blame eastward, and trying to save face...
Now it seems that all my scheming and struggles were utterly ridiculous in the face of the absolute power of the Qin family, like ants trying to shake a mountain!
He had no doubt that if Qin Anling were willing, he wouldn't even need to say it himself; just a glance or a hint would be enough to cause unimaginable damage to the Shangguan family's centuries-old foundation, or even cause it to collapse!
He knew that Li Xiangnan's lover was no ordinary person, but according to intelligence, the Qin family's care for Li Xiangnan seemed to be superficial, without much interference!
But now it seems I was completely wrong!
When it comes to the very foundation of the Li family, they will still stand behind Li Xiangnan without hesitation!
What Shangguan Wuji regrets most now is not getting involved in this mess today, but why he provoked Li Xiangnan!
The waters behind this young man are deep enough to drown him a hundred times over!
Ye Ruyan's delicate body was also swaying precariously, and she could only barely stand by holding onto the wall.
Her pretty face was deathly pale, devoid of any color, and even her carefully applied makeup could not conceal the deep-seated fear within her.
She recalled how she had just expressed resentment and regret towards Li Xiangnan, but now all that remained was boundless fear and relief.
I was glad that I didn't do anything more drastic, and I was glad that Du Xingyue and Ji Qingyue suppressed them in time.
The Qin family... this is a true behemoth!
Compared to the Qin family, what is the Ye family?
What are my own little schemes and ambitions anyway?
All she wanted at that moment was to disappear immediately and never appear in front of Li Xiangnan and the Qin family again.
Yan Qinghe closed his eyes immediately, his old face deeply etched with despair.
He knew it was over, completely over.
Not only has the accounting book become a mirage today, but it's also likely that some of the unclean things the family received from the Mu family back then will become their death warrant.
With the Qin family here, and behind them, an unknown "Little Buddha" threatening to settle old scores, do these vested interests have any way out?
He was filled with regret, wishing he could turn back time and never attend this damned full moon celebration!
Marquis Zongwangshan, Wan Jin, Liu Wenyuan, and several other family heads including Prince Chen, Lu, and Han were so frightened that they almost collapsed to the ground, unable to even stand up straight!
As the officers' cold gazes swept over them, they felt like fish stripped naked and placed on a chopping board, at their mercy.
All notions of family prestige and self-interest were cast aside at this moment, leaving only the most primal fear of absolute violence.
Qian Houjin, this erratic and quick-witted nobody, after experiencing a series of rollercoaster-like emotional journeys, has now strangely calmed down, and even felt a surge of almost devout determination.
He looked at the imposing Qin family soldiers, at them standing naturally beside Li Xiangnan, and at the composure with which Li Xiangnan and Qin Anling conversed calmly…
The last trace of hesitation and hope in Qian Houjin's heart vanished completely.
At this moment, he stopped thinking about any risks or pros and cons!
All he knew was that the decision he made today to side with Li Xiangnan was the most correct, wisest, and most worthwhile decision of his life, one he was willing to risk everything for!
Li Xiangnan not only has powerful figures like Du Xingyue protecting him and ancient families like the Ji family backing him up, but also pillars of the nation standing behind him!
It's a real Great Wall of Steel!
With someone like that by your side, what is there to be afraid of?
Little Buddha?
The Great Buddha?
Empress Dowager?
In front of the field army commander, that's nothing!
It's all bullshit!
Qian Houjin lowered his head, no longer looking at those important figures, and secretly made a vow in his heart.
From this day forward, I, Qian Houjin, will be Dr. Li's man in life and in death!
Anyone who dares to make me betray Doctor Li again, I'll fight them to the death!
If Dr. Li is willing, I can go to the neighborhood office and police station tomorrow to change my Qian family name.
My surname is also Li!
From now on, you can call me Li Houjin!
Hey, I have to say, it's catchy and sounds really good!
And this moment.
In the center of the courtyard, the little monk stood there all alone. All his previous evil, arrogance, and fearlessness had vanished without a trace, like a sandcastle blown away by a strong wind.
The bone bead in his hand had already fallen out, and although he picked it up, he could no longer move it.
The string of human bone beads that sent chills down one's spine now appeared laughable and fragile in his hands.
Qin Anling's silent gaze felt like an immense weight, making it hard for him to breathe and causing his soul to tremble!
That wasn't just simple pressure; it was a higher level of existence that could ruthlessly disregard the natural restraint that a being born in the shadows and traversing the treacherous path possessed!
He felt as if all his pretense had been stripped away in front of the other person, leaving only his most humble and wretched essence.
His tactic of threatening suicide to take everyone down with him appears so naive and powerless in the face of the true power of the state that holds the power of life and death.
He felt the cold, sharp gazes of the soldiers around him, devoid of any emotion, only pure scrutiny and...
An assessment similar to that of dangerous materials!
He knew that as soon as the old general gave the order, he would be subdued instantly, or even killed on the spot!
As for his so-called posthumous ignition, these professional soldiers probably believe there are countless ways to counter or prevent it.
Despair, like an icy tide, overwhelmed the young monk's heart.
His once innocent yet sinister face was now deathly pale and filled with uncontrollable terror.
He didn't even dare to look Qin Anling in the eye anymore, his gaze darting away, his body slightly hunched over, as if he wanted to hide himself.
Qin Anling's gaze finally shifted from the little monk and slowly swept across the entire room.
Wherever his gaze fell, no one dared to meet his eyes; they all lowered their heads.
Finally, his gaze fell on the string of white bone beads on the ground, which the little monk had picked up and clutched tightly in his hand, yet which he still couldn't conceal.
The old general's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly, a flash of undisguised disgust and a chilling killing intent as sharp as the Siberian cold front crossed his eyes.
This kind of thing shouldn't be shown in the light of day, much less used to threaten his family!
He didn't say anything directly to the young monk, and even felt that scolding him was unnecessary.
He merely turned his head slightly, his gaze shifting to the young man standing beside Qin Ruobai, the one who had remained silent, yet resembled a ferocious beast suppressing endless rage and violence—Qin Huaihe.
Qin Huaihe, also a regimental commander in a unit of the Tianfu Military Region, and Qin Ruobai's older brother, had just been rotated off the battlefield in the south, and the smell of gunpowder and blood on his body had not yet dissipated.
He was training at his post when he received the news. Upon hearing that someone dared to cause trouble at his niece's full-month celebration, he immediately flew into a rage and led dozens of his most elite soldiers back in a car.
He remained silent, staring intently at the young monk with his wolf-like eyes, as if pondering where to strike to vent his anger.
Upon receiving a barely perceptible nod from his uncle Qin Anling, Qin Huaihe's tense body suddenly moved!
He suddenly took a step forward!
"Boom!"
This step felt like it wasn't just stepping on the bluestone pavement, but rather stepping into everyone's heart!
The force was so great that it caused the cups and saucers on several nearby tables to tremble slightly.
He raised his head, his face, sharp and rugged, sculpted by the scorching sun and sandstorms of southern Xinjiang, was expressionless.
There were no angry roars, no ferocious threats, only a pure, cold killing intent, seemingly emanating from a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood, solidified as a tangible force, firmly locking onto the little monk.
Qin Huaihe spoke, his voice not particularly loud, but with a metallic quality, each word seeming to be squeezed out from between his teeth, or like a cold bullet being chambered, clearly, slowly, and heavily striking the silent courtyard:
"It was you who said that just now—"
He paused, his gaze sharp as a knife, as if he wanted to tear the little monk to pieces.
"Are you going to burn all of us?"