<h4>Chapter 1434: Chapter 1742: Ling Family of Beijing (Part 2)</h4>


    Looking at Ling Chen’s troubled expression, Ling Kun spoke up, "This matter is indeed a bit troublesome. With the resources the Ling Family currently controls, it’s hard to help you. Actually, you can’t me others for your situation now. If you had been ruthless from the start and taken advantage of Su He’s situation to destroy the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion, today’s issues wouldn’t have urred."


    Ling Chen rubbed his nose and said with a bitter smile, "Dad, I’m not a executioner; I couldn’t bring myself to kill so many people. Forget it! Since you all have no solution, I’ll keep looking on my own; maybe there’s another way."


    At this moment, Ling Kun, who had been silent, said, "Even though this matter is troublesome, it’s notpletely impossible to handle. However, I’m not very confident right now, so telling you wouldn’t help. For now, handle it yourself, and the Ling Family will do its best to support you."


    "Alright, thanks in advance."


    "We’re family, no need to thank me." At this, Ling Kun changed the topic and said, "I heard you were seriously injured a while back and were hospitalized for two weeks?"


    "Dad, you know about that?" Ling Chen was a bit surprised; he hadn’t mentioned anything because he didn’t want to worry his parents.


    "Nonsense! The Ling Family may not be what it once was, but our information is still reliable. With such a big incident happening in East Sea City, how could we not know? But you, you dared to keep this from us. If I hadn’t known you were fine, I would have gone to East Sea City long ago."


    Ling Chen smiled sheepishly, "I was just trying to avoid worrying you."


    Ling Kun scolded him, "I’m your father; it’s my duty to worry about you. Remember, if you dare to hide things from us again, see how I’ll deal with you."


    "Oh, right!" As he spoke, Ling Chen suddenly remembered something and asked, "How is Ling Jun doing now?"


    Ling Jun used to be a high-ranking member of the northern Ling Family. After the north and south became one family, Ling Jun wanted to follow Ling Chen and the others, but Ling Chen didn’t want to associate with someone like Ling Kun. After Ling Kun took charge of the Ling Family, a portion of the wealth was allocated to Ling Jun to let him develop on his own. Regardless, Ling Jun is a master on the Heavenly List, so Ling Chen was quite concerned about his whereabouts.


    "Ling Jun took arge sum of money, bought a big house in a pleasant environment, and hired over a dozen servants to take care of him. Recently, I’ve heard he found himself a young wife in her twenties," Ling Tao sighed and said, "He’s no different from those people, only knowing enjoyment; splitting from him was the right choice back then."


    Ling Chen curiously asked, "How much property did you divide for him?"


    "Quite a lot, over a billion in funds, plus shares in some industries. Even if he does nothing, the pure profits alone bring him eighty or ny million a year, enough for a luxurious life."


    After hearing what Ling Kun said, Ling Chen asked, "Dad, how many people are in the Ling Family now? I haven’t seen many since I came in; isn’t it too quiet?"


    "There are a total of 142 people in the Ling Family now. You haven’t seen them because they don’t live here."


    "That many?" Ling Chen was taken aback. He thought that after the northern and southern Ling Families ended their conflict, there would only be a few dozen left, but there were over a hundred! He had underestimated the scale of the Ling Family.


    Ling Tao exined, "Our Ling Family’s power is divided into two factions, one literary and one martial. Like your father and me, we mainly focus on enhancing the martial capabilities of the Ling Family. Another faction is responsible formerce, providing us with a steady stream of funds. So, the real loss was on our side; other Ling Family members are spread across the country, running variouspanies. Including their children, the number has exceeded a hundred."


    With this, Ling Tao nced at Ling Kun and continued, "Your return this time is just right; in a day or two, all the members of the Ling Family areing back."


    "Coming back for what?"


    "To attend the ceremony, of course. Your dad may have seeded as the Family Head, but we haven’t officially held a ceremony yet. Every Ling Family member must witness it to formally acknowledge his position. I bet some people will cause trouble then."


    Ling Chen asked in confusion, "Uncle Ling, why would anyone cause trouble for Dad?"


    "I just mentioned that the Ling Family is divided into two factions: the Wen Sect, responsible for providing funds and handling nothing else, and the Martial Sect, responsible for fighting the southern Ling Family. Both factions have cooperated to bring the Ling Family to where it is today. However, deep down, there’s always been a barrier regarding the division of credit. Some believe the Wen Sect, in charge of business, has made a great contribution; why is the Ling Family’s top brass all from the Martial Sect? This has caused difort among the Wen Sect members. But at the time, facing external enemies was the priority, so even if some were displeased, no one stirred up trouble. Now, with the Ling Family unified, someone is bound to stand up and fight for the Wen Sect’s interests."


    "So that’s how it is." After Ling Tao’s exnation, Ling Chen finally understood the reason.


    "Uncle Ling, even if the Wen Sect has objections, I doubt they’d dare offend you guys. After all, the Ling Family’s martial strength is in your hands. Poweres from the barrel of a gun, and whoever has the bigger fist calls the shots, unless the Wen Sect wants to learn the hard way."


    "I hope so. No matter what, we’re all family, and we don’t want any unpleasantness."


    After a while, Ling Gengqiu, apanied by Yang Qingling, returned to the living room. After some casual chatting, Yang Qingling got up to prepare the meal. Although there were quite a few servants in the Ling Family, it was rare for Ling Gengqiu to be around, so Yang Qingling naturally wanted to showcase her culinary skills.


    After the meal, Ling Chen nced at the time and, thinking of the matters at Falcon Company, said, "Dad, I’ll head back first. Let me know about the Ling Family gathering in a couple of days, and I’ll definitelye to attend."


    After speaking, Ling Chen added to Ling Gengqiu, "Old Ancestor, stay with the Ling Family for the next few days and have a good chat with Dad and the others. How does that sound?"


    "No problem, it’s the same wherever I am, as long as there’s food and drink."


    If there were women, that would be even better! Ling Chen silently added a thought for Ling Gengqiu.


    Leaving the Ling Family, Ling Chen mentioned something to the driver, and the car immediately drove onto the highway. About forty minutester, Ling Chen arrived at the Beijing military districtpound.


    Getting out of the car, Ling Chen carried the gifts he just bought at the mall and walked directly to thepound. After identity verification at the security post, Ling Chen was granted entry.