Living In Another World With A Farm Chapter 8556: Summoning_1

Tang Zhengchun glared at the subordinate before him, his expression one of pure fury. As the patriarch of the Tang family, he had been regarded as a prodigy since his youth, ultimately assuming control of the clan while still in his thirties. During that era, the Tang family was under constant pressure from the Yu family. It was solely through his relentless maneuvering and tactical brilliance that he managed to overcome the situation, eventually uniting with other elders to eradicate the Yu family entirely. From that point on, the Tang family's status skyrocketed. Now at 170 years of age, he retained the appearance of a middle-aged man in his prime.

He carried himself with an air of dignity and moral rectitude. However, anyone foolish enough to be deceived by that virtuous facade would soon find themselves at death's door. This was precisely the same mask Tang Zhengchun had worn while plotting against the Yu clan. Under his leadership, the Tang family had reached an unprecedented level of prosperity.

The individual standing before him was an unremarkable middle-aged man, appearing to be in his thirties with nothing particularly striking about his features. Perhaps the only outlier was the way his eyes darted about, combined with a portly frame that gave him the aura of a crafty merchant. Other than that, he was completely ordinary.

Currently, the fatty was drenched in sweat, his head bowed, not daring to shift even an inch. Tang Zhengchun stared him down, his voice cold and heavy: "Speak. Where is the intelligence I demanded? Zhengfeng has been missing for ten days. His life plate shattered five days ago, yet you appear completely unaffected. What have you been doing?"

The fat man broke into an even heavier sweat, murmuring, "I beg your forgiveness, Patriarch. It is my own incompetence. We have confirmed only that the Second Master returned to his residence as per his usual routine that day and was never seen again. His chambers are untouched; there are no signs of a struggle, no evidence of intruders, nor any indication of sorcery or poison. We are truly at a loss. I have mobilized every disciple at our disposal, but no leads have surfaced. Please, show mercy, Patriarch!"

Tang Zhengchun’s rage remained unabated. He snatched a teacup from his desk and hurled it directly at the man’s face. The fat man did not flinch, though he bore no injuries from the impact—he was no weakling, and such an attack was hardly enough to harm him.

Still unsatisfied, Tang Zhengchun leveled an accusing finger at him. "Useless! What purpose do you serve? Are you telling me there are absolutely no clues? Did you inspect the surrounding areas? Has anyone been scouting the perimeter of Zhengfeng's courtyard? Is there anyone monitoring our Tang family? Did you even bother to check these things, or did you focus solely on his whereabouts? Is this the extent of your information gathering? Where is your vigilance? Do you honestly believe our family can live in peace with no enemies watching? Get out! Investigate every detail I just mentioned. If you fail to bring results within ten days, report to the Punishment Hall. Do not show your face to me again until then."

The fat man offered repeated apologies before scurrying out in a pathetic state. Once beyond the doorway, he wiped the perspiration from his brow and immediately began coordinating a full-scale investigation. He understood the gravity of the situation; this was not merely a missing person, but the patriarch's own younger brother, Tang Zhengfeng. Moreover, the fractured life plate confirmed that death had claimed him. The demise of the Master’s brother was a monumental crisis.

Above all, they were gripped by a mixture of curiosity and primal fear regarding whoever could abduct Tang Zhengfeng. Zhengfeng was no amateur; his cultivation had surpassed the Island Master level, reaching the profound Dharma-opening realm. To have someone of that caliber taken without leaving a single trace was truly terrifying.

Tang Zhengchun remained in his study, seething with anger, yet behind his frustration lay a deep, gnawing anxiety. He knew his brother’s capabilities all too well. While not as powerful as himself, Zhengfeng ranked among the top three in the entire family. For such a person to vanish from his locked room and be confirmed dead days later—what could have happened during those five days? How did he die? Did he compromise any family secrets? Who exactly was targeting them? These dark questions haunted his thoughts, pushing him toward the brink of madness.

He understood clearly that while the Tang family seemed as vibrant as flowers and as rich as burning oil, mortal danger lurked in the shadows. They had dismantled the Yu family and seized their resources by preparing well in advance, but such ruthlessness had made them many enemies. To the other families within the Yin Yang Sect, Tang Zhengchun’s actions signaled a grave threat: if their own vassal families took inspiration from the fall of the Yu clan, their positions would be at risk. It was this fear that caused many to despise the Tang family. They remained safe only because their current strength kept potential rivals at bay. Yet, Tang Zhengchun knew that if the Tang family showed even the slightest sign of weakness, these rivals would surely strike them down. The Tang family was, after all, not as powerful as the Yu clan had once been.

Zhengfeng's disappearance felt like an ominous prelude. As his second-in-command, Zhengfeng held the keys to all the family's most guarded secrets. His loss was a staggering blow, forcing Tang Zhengchun to confront the reality of their precarious situation.

Driven by this realization, Tang Zhengchun barked, "Men! Send word immediately. All family disciples are to return to the main island for defense. Every expert at the Island Master level must report back at once. Move!" An attendant rushed off to relay the command. Tang Zhengchun stood, gazing out the doorway, a menacing glint in his eyes. "I care not who you are. If you seek to challenge the Tang family, you will pay in blood."

The directive was critical because the Tang family controlled more than just one territory. They possessed over thirty experts at the Island Master level, and they could not all reside on the main island. Two sub-islands, governed by branch members of the clan, operated under their influence. These branches functioned with relative autonomy but remained strictly subservient to the main line. Tang Zhengchun’s control was near absolute; when he summoned them, none dared to refuse.

As predicted, the order was obeyed, and disciples began swarming back to the main base, transforming the quiet island into a hive of activity. Once everyone had arrived, Tang Zhengchun assembled all the high-ranking experts in the main council chamber.

Surveying the room, he spoke with a cold edge: "I believe you are all aware of why you have been summoned, so I will dispense with the pleasantries. I suspect an orchestrated effort against our family, and I will not risk our foundation. Are there any objections?"

The experts exchanged uneasy glances. Naturally, they resented being pulled from their own islands, where they enjoyed total authority. However, Tang Zhengchun’s reputation for brutality was legendary. Dissenting meant death, and none were eager to test his resolve. One by one, they replied in unison, "No objections. The Patriarch’s word is final."

Tang Zhengchun nodded, his voice dropping to a grim tone. "I am aware that one can be a thief for a thousand days, but one cannot guard against them forever. Remaining in this defensive posture indefinitely is unsustainable and carries risks that the sect will not overlook. Our priority now is to identify the perpetrators. Once discovered, we shall annihilate them in one swift strike, resolving this threat for good."

The collective sigh of relief was palpable, even if the resentment remained buried. Tang Zhengchun observed their reactions and added, "Very well. You may all rest for now. We will set a one-month deadline. If the culprits remain at large by then, we will cease this investigation and return to our respective islands. You are dismissed."

The attendees bowed and filed out, leaving Tang Zhengchun alone. He felt a wave of exhaustion wash over him. He was under no illusions; despite their outward respect, few truly followed him out of loyalty. Many harbored their own ambitions, especially those who had enjoyed the status of being masters of their own branch islands.

Still, he knew that the aura of unity was the only thing keeping their enemies at bay. If the Tang clan fractured into scattered cliques, they would lose everything, potentially being devoured by the many predators waiting for them to stumble.

This was exactly why Zhengfeng's fate weighed so heavily upon him. He lived in fear that this was merely the opening act of a larger destruction. If the pillars of their family continued to disappear, the Tang clan would crumble from within, and their legacy would be reduced to ash.