Becoming a god by following the natural order and seeking good fortune and avoiding misfortune.

Chapter 67 Unrivaled Fame
The news of the Gao family's demise was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, creating a huge uproar in Changshan County.

In the streets and alleys, in teahouses and taverns, everyone was talking about this earth-shattering event.

Although the Gao family, as a century-old clan, had deep roots and immense power in Changshan County, their domineering and tyrannical behavior had garnered deep resentment among the people. Now that they had suffered this calamity, there were more people secretly rejoicing than sympathizing with them.

"Have you heard? The Gao family, with over three hundred members, was wiped out!"

“Serves them right! Last year, the Gao family demolished my cousin’s shop to expand their mansion, without giving them a single penny in compensation.”

"The government has done a good deed for the people this time."

Amidst the whispers of the common people, the name Chen Sheng was repeatedly mentioned. This commander of the northern city, who had only been in office with Wu Kuang for a few months, had now become the most sought-after and influential figure in Changshan County.

Although most people did not witness the horrific massacre of the Gao family, many passersby saw the scene of Chen Sheng leading his troops to confront the Huang and Yang families in the street.

His tough attitude and domineering style quickly became a hot topic of conversation among the people.

Of course, there was more awe than anything else.

A review of Chen Sheng's actions over the past few months reveals a series of ruthless measures: first, he destroyed the Seven Star Gang; then, he besieged the White Sand Gang; and now, he has uprooted the century-old Gao family. These decisive actions have made him appear to outsiders as a ruthless and decisive figure who brooks no dissent.

With the Gao family's corpses under his nose, Chen Sheng's fame was unparalleled.

The most obvious change is that all forces in Changshan County have become terrified. Those gangs and powerful figures who used to act arrogantly are now all cautious in their words and deeds, for fear of accidentally angering this killing god and bringing about the annihilation of their entire families.

The Huang and Yang families, who were once considered one of the three great families alongside the Gao family, also suffered a great blow to their prestige after this incident. It was clear to everyone that once the Gao family was destroyed, it would be their turn next.

Therefore, upon returning to his residence, Huang Dongchun immediately sent someone to invite Yang Yi to discuss countermeasures. Yang Yi, knowing the urgency of the situation, dared not delay and immediately went to the Huang family.

Although the Huang and Yang families had some discord due to conflicts of interest, they are now in a critical situation where they are as interdependent as lips and teeth. If they do not work together, the Gao family's fate may be their fate tomorrow.

"This Chen Sheng has actually broken through to the Marrow Transformation Realm!" Huang Dongchun couldn't hide his resentment as soon as he opened his mouth.

Only the core members of the Huang family knew how Chen Sheng had broken through—he had clearly stolen their family's treasured Spirit Essence Gu. Whenever Huang Dongchun thought of this, he felt a pang of heartache.

All those precious pets I've raised for so many years have ended up benefiting outsiders.

"If I had known this would happen, I should have taken the risk and eliminated him back then!" Huang Ke was also filled with regret.

He recalled his previous so-called negotiations with Chen Sheng, which now seemed like a clear case of falling for a delaying tactic. Although the Huang family had their own plans at the time, Chen Sheng's current power left them with deep regret.

If they had been willing to pay a price back then, they believed that eliminating Chen Sheng would have been a very good chance.

"Alright, there's no point in saying all this now."

Huang's great-uncle interrupted their complaints in a deep voice, "Instead of being resentful here, we should think about how to deal with the current crisis."

The weathered old man swept his gaze solemnly over everyone present.

There's no going back in this world. After all, who could have imagined that Chen Sheng's cultivation speed would be so astonishing? And who could have imagined that their carefully laid trap would instead bring fame to the enemy?

"Elder Huang, in your opinion, how should we proceed?" Yang Yi asked in a low voice, his tone unusually respectful.

After a moment of contemplation, Huang's great-uncle slowly said, "Right now, we only have two paths to take. One is to bow down to Chen and Wu and follow their lead from now on. Perhaps this will give the family a glimmer of hope."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the solemn faces of the crowd, and continued, "Secondly, we must do everything in our power, at all costs, to eliminate Chen Sheng. Otherwise, with the entire county's military in his hands, he could uproot the Huang and Yang families at any time."

"Bowing your head isn't necessarily a bad thing."

Yang Yi responded cautiously: "I'm afraid Chen and Wu won't give us that chance. They used such ruthless methods to wipe out the Gao family. It's probably not just a matter of making an example of them. They may want to wipe us out in one fell swoop and dominate Changshan."

After the Gao family's downfall, Yang Yi had already begun to waver, realizing that the tide could not be turned against them. Even though Chen and Wu were not as strong as them before, they had still managed to humiliate them. Several of his plans had also failed.

Now that the two of them control the military power of the entire county, they already have a significant advantage.

To resist it is tantamount to suicide.

After all, the continuation of the family is of paramount importance. When things are beyond our control, bowing down and yielding is the right thing to do.

The main problem now is, are they willing to back down, and are the other party willing to accept it?
"Brother Yang, at this point, do you still harbor any illusions?"

Seeing that Yang Yi seemed to be backing down, Huang Dongchun immediately warned, "One step back is a step back. Besides, we haven't been reduced to the point where we have to bow down!"

He surveyed the crowd, his tone resolute: "Unless your Yang family is willing to become vassals of Chen and Wu, we absolutely cannot back down. This is a life-or-death struggle!"

"Does the Huang family already have a solution?" Yang Yi asked curiously upon hearing this.

Huang Dongchun exchanged a glance with his great-uncle and lowered his voice, saying, "As far as we know, although the Gao family was wiped out, the patriarch Gao Yuanfeng survived. Imagine how Brother Gao would react if he knew that his family had been destroyed?"

He paused, then added meaningfully, "Moreover, there is another member of the Gao family who is currently cultivating at the Upper Sect in the prefectural city."

"You mean Gao Yuanzhao?"

Yang Yi pondered for a moment, "But as far as I know, Gao Yuanzhao hasn't had close ties with the Gao family in recent years. Is he really going to come back to avenge the Gao family?"

The three families are deeply intertwined, and there are few secrets between them.

Not only the Gao family, but also the Huang and Yang families have some connections in the prefectural city. One of the Huang family's eldest daughters married into a family in the prefectural city more than 20 years ago, and the Yang family was similar. However, the family they married into had declined, which is why the Yang family was able to establish a relationship with Magistrate Lin Shou through marriage.

In comparison, neither the Huang nor Yang families had as strong a background as the Gao family. This is why the Gao family was able to rise to prominence in recent years. Before that, the Gao family was not qualified to stand alongside the Huang and Yang families.

"In any case, Gao Yuanzhao is a member of the Gao family, and it is impossible for him to be indifferent to the extermination of his family."

Huang Ke interjected, "Besides, Lin Shou won't sit idly by and let Chen and Wu grow stronger. If the three of us join forces, we might not be inferior to Chen and Wu."

Upon hearing this, Yang Yi immediately understood the Huang family's plan—they wanted to use the marriage alliance between the Yang family and Lin Shou to create a three-way alliance to jointly oppose Chen and Wu.

But what puzzled Yang Yi was why the Huang family harbored such resentment towards Chen Sheng.

They were willing to go to any lengths to become enemies with Chen Sheng and Wu Kuang.

However, on the surface, Yang Yi solemnly stated: "Brother Huang is right. In that case, I will send someone to the magistrate's residence to discuss the matter of joining forces."

However, deep down, Yang Yi had other plans.

He clearly remembered that there was still a marriage alliance between Chen Sheng and the Yang family that had not yet been finalized. If this could be facilitated, the Yang family might be able to remain invincible in this power reshuffle.

Risking the entire family is a foolish move.

"One more thing."

Huang's great-uncle suddenly reminded him, "Use the combined strength of the Huang and Yang families to find Gao Yuanfeng as soon as possible, lest he rush into the county town and walk right into a trap. If he dies at the hands of the government, we will lose a useful weapon."

At this moment, Gao Yuanfeng, having lost his family as his support, has become a pawn to be sacrificed in their eyes.

"What Elder Huang said is absolutely right."

Yang Yi nodded slightly, but a complex and alert look flashed in his eyes.

(End of this chapter)