<h4>Chapter 1438: Chapter 1746: Ling Family Grand Gathering (Part 3)</h4>


    "You finally came, kid." Ling Gengqiu jumped up from the sofa, his face showing displeasure as he said, "If I had known it was this dull here, I should have gone with you." At that moment, Ling Gengqiu noticed Nanrong Wanqing beside Ling Chen, his eyes suddenly lit up, and he hurried forward, "You’re Wanqing, right? Come, sit down. Ling Chen, what are you doing standing there? Go make some tea."


    Ling Chen smiled wryly and said, "Brother, where’s my dad and the others? Haven’t seen them."


    "They went to entertain the guests and left me here alone. You’re kind of a host for the Ling Family too, why didn’t you go to the front hall?"


    "Forget it, that kind of asion doesn’t suit me. Being here is better."


    The three chatted for a while and then saw Yang Qinglinging in from outside.


    "Mom, aren’t you supposed to be out there with dad entertaining guests? Why are you back?" Ling Chen stood up and asked.


    "Don’t mention it." Yang Qingling said, frustrated, "I’d rather be alone than put up with that atmosphere."


    "Frustrated? Mom, what’s going on? Is there really anyone who dares to disrespect you?"


    "It’s those Wen Sect people, each more arrogant than thest, acting as if we’re inferior to them, not even bothering to look at us properly, and speaking so sarcastically. Your dad has no choice; I reckon he’s even more frustrated than I am."


    "Mrs. Yang, take it easy; have a seat first, I’ll make you a cup of tea." Nanrong Wanqing helped Yang Qingling sit on the sofa, then brewed a cup of hot tea and ced it in Yang Qingling’s hand.


    Looking at the gentle Nanrong Wanqing, Yang Qingling smiled and said, "It’s fine, as long as I see you, all my annoyance disappears." Then Yang Qingling turned to Ling Chen and said, "You shouldn’t just sit here all the time; go to the front and help your dad a bit, so he doesn’t get overwhelmed."


    Ling Chen nodded and said, "Alright, I’ll head over now."


    Leaving the vi, Ling Chen went straight to the Ling Family’s front hall. As he was about to enter, he saw Ling Tao standing alone by the wall, holding a cigarette, looking solemn.


    "Uncle Ling." Ling Chen quickly approached and asked, "Why are you here alone?"


    "You’re here!" Ling Tao dropped the cigarette butt and sighed, "Ling Chen, today’s gathering might not be so simple."


    "What do you mean?"


    "I just talked to some key figures of the Wen Sect in the Ling Family, hoping they would support your father as the Family Head, but their attitudes were ambiguous, not giving a direct answer. Besides, based on what I’ve learned, the Wen Sect held a secret meeting in Beijingst night, discussing something that might be rted to today’s gathering."


    "A secret meeting?" Ling Chen furrowed his brow and said, "Could it be they really want to cause trouble?"


    "Judging by their current attitudes, it seems more than just causing trouble. If I’m not mistaken, they might be vying for the Family Head position." Ling Tao’s tone carried a trace of worry, "The peace in the Ling Family didn’te easily; I hope internal conflicts won’t lead to division again."


    "Seems simple enough." Ling Chen said nonchntly, "If they dare to create chaos, then let them taste our methods."


    Ling Tao smiled bitterly, "If only it were that simple; the Wen Sect controls eighty percent of the Ling Family’s industries. Without their support, the Ling Family would be a small family at best. If that’s the case, we wouldn’t need to revitalize the Ling Family in the first ce."


    "Uncle Ling, even a small family can grow into a big family; it just takes time, no need to rush. Besides, the ancestors didn’t require you to develop the Ling Family on such arge scale, so there’s no need to put too much pressure on yourselves."


    "That’s not the case; during the northern and southern Ling Family conflicts, the Wen Sect indeed yed a substantial role, providing significant funds allowing the northern Ling Family to continue developing. However, though the Wen Sect contributed, it was the Martial Sect fighting on the front lines. We Martial Sect started with over a hundred people, and now there’s less than ten, suffering the greatest loss. Ling Chen, don’t you think the Family Head’s position should belong to our Martial Sect?"


    "Indeed, the Martial Sect made the most sacrifices."


    "But, the Wen Sect believes during the conflict, the Martial Sect leading was expected. However, now that the Ling Family has regained peace, the Martial Sect no longer has a role to y and the responsibility of developing and expanding the Ling Family should fall to their Wen Sect. I admit, their argument isn’t without reason. However, if the Wen Sect genuinely wants to contribute to the Ling Family, there’s no need to be fixated on the Family Head position. Their actions are purely a move to expand their ambition. In all, the Family Head position must be in our hands. Otherwise, our Martial Sect will eventually be oppressed by the Wen Sect, and when that happens, where can we find a foothold in the Ling Family?"


    Ling Tao’s tone was firm.


    Ling Chen smiled slightly, "Uncle Ling, it’s good you think this way; don’t worry too much about other matters. Let’s see what the Wen Sect people say; if they insist on vying for the Family Head position, then we don’t need to be courteous."


    "You n to take action against them?"


    "Those who follow me will prosper, those who oppose me will perish; I’m curious to see how tough the Wen Sect people’s bones are. Uncle Ling, let’s go and see how dad is doing."


    With that, the two walked straight into the hall.


    At this moment, Ling Kun stood alone at the entrance, greeting the Ling Family members arriving at the gathering. However, the Wen Sect members were all cold, responding to Ling Kun’s greetings with perfunctory words. In the spacious front hall, the Wen Sect gathered in groups, chatting quietly. As the Family Head, Ling Kun was left aside, looking quite awkward.


    "Dad." Ling Chen strode into the front hall, greeting Ling Kun.


    Hearing Ling Chen addressing Ling Kun, several people turned their eyes towards him, sizing up Ling Chen. If Ling Kun bes the Ling Family Patriarch, Ling Chen’s status would rise with it, so everyone was paying close attention.


    "You finally came, kid."


    Ling Chen nced around the hall and smiled, saying, "How’s it going, not feeling too great, are you?"


    "Don’t mention it; if it wasn’t for the future of the Ling Family, I would’ve been having tea at the back already. I thought the Wen Sect people would at least pretend and be polite, but who knew they wouldn’t give us any face, not even acknowledging us." Talking about this, Ling Kun was clearly aggravated.


    "Dad, I just spoke with Uncle Ling. Actually, this matter isn’t difficult to solve; just be a bit more assertive."


    "Assertive?" Ling Kun shook his head and said, "You make it sound easy; the Ling Family’s financial lifeline is in their hands; what do I have to be assertive with?"