The Tianlong Family had ruled from the shadows for centuries, its influence stretching across the business world, politics, and even the underworld. But for the first time in decades, a formal meeting was being held—a banquet that would gather every key figure in the family.
And at the center of it all was Su Chen.
His rise to power had been meteoric, and though he had saved the family from decline, not everyone welcomed him with open arms.
Many within the family resented his dominance.
Many feared what his high-profile actions would bring.
And tonight, in the grand banquet hall of the Tianlong Estate, they would finally confront him.
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The Grand Banquet Begins
The banquet hall was breathtaking.
A massive chandelier sparkled from the ceiling, illuminating rows of exquisite tables lined with gold-trimmed plates and the finest wines. The scent of exotic dishes filled the air as attendants moved gracefully, serving the finest delicacies.
Hundreds of Tianlong family members were present, each dressed in their most luxurious attire, exuding an aura of wealth and power.
But despite the elegance, the atmosphere was tense.
Su Chen, dressed in a tailored black suit, sat at the head of the banquet, his expression calm but unreadable. At his side was Ye Meng, her stunning presence drawing envious gazes from both men and women alike.
To Su Chen's left sat Wang Jun, his ever-reliable strategist, silently observing the room.
Across the hall, dozens of elderly family members whispered among themselves, casting glances at Su Chen.
One of them, Tianlong Jian, an elder who had once held great power in the family, narrowed his eyes. "The Tianlong Family has always thrived in the shadows. But this Su Chen… he's too high-profile. He's bringing unnecessary attention to us."
Beside him, Tianlong Wei, another influential elder, nodded in agreement. "We've ruled from behind the curtain for centuries. If he continues like this, the entire world will turn its eyes on us. That is not how we operate."
Their whispers grew louder as more people joined the murmurs of dissent.
But not everyone agreed.
A young woman, Tianlong Xue, a rising business mogul within the family, spoke up. "Without Su Chen, we wouldn't even have a family left to discuss. The Shen Family, the Yan Consortium… he crushed them when none of us could. And you still want to question his leadership?"
Her words silenced some, but others were still unconvinced.
The stage was set for confrontation.
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The First Challenge
The banquet had just begun when a voice rang out, cutting through the chatter.
"Su Chen."
It was Tianlong Jian. The elder stood up, his sharp gaze fixed on Su Chen. "You have done much for the Tianlong Family, but there is something that must be addressed."
The entire banquet hall fell silent.
Su Chen took a sip of his wine before lazily looking up. "Oh? What is it?"
Tianlong Jian's voice was stern. "Your methods are too reckless. You've made too many enemies. The Shen Family's destruction, the Yan Consortium's collapse—you may have won battles, but you've drawn too much attention to us."
A murmur of agreement spread across the hall.
Tianlong Jian continued, "The Tianlong Family has always been a silent empire, controlling things from the shadows. Your high-profile actions are jeopardizing everything we've built. If this continues, we will all suffer the consequences."
Several elders nodded, their gazes critical.
But Su Chen?
He simply chuckled.
His laughter echoed in the banquet hall, sending chills down the spines of those present.
Then, he leaned forward slightly, his gaze sharp as a blade. "Do you really think hiding in the shadows makes you untouchable?"
Tianlong Jian frowned. "It has kept us powerful for centuries."
Su Chen smirked. "And in those centuries, you've grown weak."
The words hit like a hammer.
Gasps filled the room, and many clenched their fists in anger.
Su Chen continued, "You ruled from the shadows because that was the safest option back then. But times have changed. The enemies we face now are far greater than corrupt politicians or rival businesses. The gods themselves will descend soon, and you're still worried about keeping a low profile?"
Silence.
No one expected that.
The talk of gods and awakenings had been dismissed as myth and superstition by many, but Su Chen had seen the truth. And those who doubted him… would perish in their ignorance.
Tianlong Jian's expression darkened. "You expect us to believe in fairy tales?"
Su Chen's gaze turned ice-cold.
"Believe it or not, it won't change what's coming."
His voice carried absolute authority, and the pressure he emitted made many in the room subconsciously tremble.
---
The Second Challenge
Before the tension could settle, another figure stood up.
This time, it was Tianlong Wei, the second elder. Unlike Jian, he was more tactical in his approach.
"Let's assume what you say is true," Tianlong Wei said, his tone measured. "Even so, there is another issue. You are controlling everything alone. The Tianlong Family is vast, and yet, you make all decisions without consulting us."
More nods of agreement.
Su Chen sighed. "So that's what this is really about."
Tianlong Wei continued, "A true leader knows how to delegate power. If you truly want to lead the Tianlong Family, you must let others share in the responsibility."
At that moment, Su Chen realized.
This wasn't just about his methods—it was about power.
The elders feared that he was centralizing everything under himself, leaving them with no authority.
Su Chen chuckled. "You want a seat at the table? Fine."
He placed his glass down. "Then let's see if you're qualified."
Tianlong Wei narrowed his eyes. "What do you mean?"
Su Chen leaned forward. "If you want a say in how I run things, prove that you can keep up. Business, politics, war—it doesn't matter. Pick your battlefield. If you win, I'll share power."
A bold challenge.
The room was stunned.
Tianlong Wei frowned. "You want us to… compete?"
Su Chen's smirk deepened. "That's right. The weak don't get a say in how things are run. If you want power, earn it."
The banquet hall descended into chaos.
Some were infuriated by Su Chen's arrogance.
Others admired his sheer dominance.
And others… felt fear.
Because in that moment, it became clear.
Su Chen wasn't just claiming leadership of the Tianlong Family.
He was challenging them all.
---
Chapter Summary & Key Takeaways
The Tianlong Family finally holds a formal meeting.
Many elders resent Su Chen's high-profile actions.
Su Chen rejects their old ways, declaring that times have changed.
The elders accuse him of centralizing power.
Su Chen challenges them—if they want influence, they must prove their strength.
---
Next Chapter Preview: The Elders' Counterattack
The banquet ends in chaos, but the elders refuse to back down.
They begin making secret moves behind the scenes.
But what they don't realize… is that Su Chen already anticipated this.
And soon, the true battle for control will begin.