Hades, the Urban Legend

Chapter 638: Chapter 641: A Good Wife

Liu Qingshan wasn't naive. There were many experienced people within the organization who could vie for power, leading to internal strife and division, which would be disastrous. That's why he had directly proposed his son as the successor. In the underworld, having a son inherit the position was not uncommon, as it minimized internal faction conflicts. Many elders, even if they were not entirely supportive, would refrain from outright opposition to avoid chaos.

Seeing that the crowd was against him, Liu Qingshan decided to let them fight amongst themselves, hoping to benefit from their infighting.

After some whispering among the hall leaders, the oldest member, Uncle Zhang, spoke up, "If we talk about someone other than the president who has the most prestige and ability, I believe there is only one person in Qinglong who fits the bill."

His gaze shifted to Xu Ying, sitting beside Liu Qingshan.

"The president's wife—no, Hall Master Xu—is the greatest contributor to the foundation of Qinglong. I, Old Zhang, fully support Hall Master Xu as the next president!" he declared.

Liu Qingshan's face turned ashen instantly, his body stiffening as if turned to stone.

Xu Ying remained composed, smiling slightly at Uncle Zhang, "Uncle Zhang, you're too kind. I don't deserve such praise."

Her reaction made Liu Qingshan's eyes flash with a hint of coldness.

Following Uncle Zhang's lead, others quickly chimed in their support.

"I support Sister Xu as president!" the woman in the red dress giggled.

"Hall Master Xu has dedicated herself to Qinglong. She is the best choice!" said the man with the slicked-back hair.

"I've always admired Madam Xu. She's perfect for the role," another voice added.

"Hall Master Xu's words are always convincing. Besides, she is Minghao's mother. Even if it's for paving the way for him, she's a great choice."

The crowd overwhelmingly praised Xu Ying, declaring her the best candidate for president.

Xu Ying's modest smile slowly turned into a proud, victorious grin. She looked at Liu Qingshan with a teasing gaze, her voice soft yet icy, "Qingshan, what can we do? Everyone wants me to take your place."

Liu Qingshan took a deep breath, his face a complex mix of emotions. "You truly are a good wife and a great mother to Minghao..."

Xu Ying looked at Liu Qingshan tenderly, "Qingshan, you said on the way here that you're not young anymore and that you're tired. Let me help you ease your burden. Isn't that a good thing?"

"What if I say no?" Liu Qingshan's eyebrow twitched, veins bulging on his arms as he barely contained his rage. He could not believe that the person he loved and trusted the most had betrayed him so utterly and without mercy.

Xu Ying sighed, "Qingshan, you know me. From the moment I joined you in building this empire, I've always been meticulous. I always made sure everything was in order so you had no worries."

Liu Qingshan seemed momentarily lost in memories of the past, his eyes filled with sorrow.

Xu Ying's gaze turned cold and stern. "Since I've made up my mind, there won't be any slip-ups."

With that, Xu Ying clapped her hands twice.

Suddenly, all the doors around the hall burst open with a loud crash, and a large group of men in black uniforms, armed with submachine guns, stormed in, surrounding the entire room.

In an instant, the atmosphere became incredibly tense.

Liu Qingshan's eyes widened, his fists clenched tightly. He hadn't anticipated that Xu Ying would have such a thorough ambush prepared.

"Xu Ying! This wasn't part of our deal!" Uncle Zhang shouted. "You said that supporting you for president was all that was needed! What's with all these armed men?"

Clearly, many in the room had been promised benefits by Xu Ying, only to realize they had been deceived.

Xu Ying laughed mockingly, "Uncle Zhang, the important thing is that you're still alive. I did promise you shares if I became president, but I never said I wouldn't take precautions."

"You... you treacherous woman! Isn't it enough that we turned against Liu Qingshan for you?!" Uncle Zhang fumed, feeling deeply betrayed.

Xu Ying's eyes turned icy as she snapped her fingers.

"Ratatatatat—"

With the snap of her fingers, the nearest submachine gun spewed fire, bullets tearing through Uncle Zhang's head, killing him instantly. Blood and gore splattered everywhere.

Everyone in the room was stunned, staring in disbelief at the now lifeless body of the elderly hall leader.

"Uncle Zhang!" Liu Qingshan roared, his eyes filled with rage and sorrow. Despite their disagreements, Uncle Zhang had been a key supporter in building his empire. The loss was deeply personal and painful.

Xu Ying snorted coldly, "At your age, you should be more careful. See, guns nowadays are not reliable; they might go off accidentally."

Liu Qingshan turned sharply and shouted, "You vile woman! How could you do such a thing?!"

Xu Ying glared back without fear, her voice icy, "Qingshan, you know exactly what kind of woman I am. Back in the day, every time my ambushes succeeded and blood flowed like rivers, you praised my efficiency. Why are you condemning me now? It seems you never truly saw me as your woman, did you?"

"You... I..." Liu Qingshan looked as if he might collapse, pleading, "Xu Ying, stop this. Have your men withdraw, and I'll pretend none of this ever happened."

Xu Ying laughed loudly, almost mockingly, tears of amusement in her eyes. "Liu Qingshan, you really are getting old. Do you think I care whether you truly love me or not?"

Liu Qingshan's eyes filled with despair as he realized Xu Ying's cold indifference.

"Why are you doing this?" Liu Qingshan asked weakly, "I wanted Minghao to take over. Isn't he our child? Isn't that enough? Must you sever all these years of marriage too?"

Xu Ying looked around the room, where the silence was palpable after Uncle Zhang's execution. Smiling triumphantly, she finally responded, "Minghao is indeed my son, but he doesn't need a toothless old tiger as a father."

"What?" Liu Qingshan was stunned.

Xu Ying gazed at him with a mix of pity and disdain, "Liu Qingshan, you're no longer the man you used to be. When I met you in the bar, you were fearless, ruthless, decisive. You only cared about power and wealth, not about any nonsense feelings. Retirement? Spending your twilight years in peace? Ha! I, Xu Ying, have spent nearly twenty years by your side, giving you a son! And in the end, it was all for what? To accompany a foolish old man into his retirement?"

Liu Qingshan slumped in his chair, looking as if he might collapse.

"I admired the old you, the one who would stop at nothing to achieve his goals. Not this man who only thinks about setting up his son and retiring. You unified Yandu and are satisfied? If you can't unify all of Yanxia or expand internationally, then I will do it for you," Xu Ying declared, her eyes burning with ambition and excitement.

Liu Qingshan chuckled bitterly, shaking his head, "Unify all of Yanxia? Xu Ying, do you really think you can do that on your own?"

"You are wrong. She won't be alone," Gao Yue said, standing up and speaking with a cold smile.

Liu Qingshan turned to look at Gao Yue in disbelief, "You... you betrayed me too?"

"Why not?" Gao Yue smirked, wrapping an arm around Xu Ying's waist. Xu Ying leaned into his embrace, looking content and seductive.

Liu Qingshan laughed hysterically, "Haha! A perfect pair of adulterers! So my most trusted people betrayed me. No wonder you were so eager to get Gao Yue out of prison. You were all in on this together."

Gao Yue caressed Xu Ying's waist with one hand while shaking a finger at Liu Qingshan with the other, "Tsk, tsk, Liu Qingshan, you are finished. Xu Ying needs someone who can help her expand Qinglong's territory, not a toothless old tiger."

Many of the other elders in the room were also shocked to see Xu Ying and Gao Yue together, but survival was their priority. None dared to speak out, knowing that supporting Xu Ying would likely increase their shares in Qinglong.

Despite the betrayal, Liu Qingshan quickly composed himself. "Xu Ying, since you've come this far, I have nothing more to say. I lost. But I hope you won't harm Yang Chen or Mingyu and her mother."

Yang Chen, witnessing this dramatic turn of events, was taken aback. He hadn't expected his mother-in-law to become such a "venomous woman" so quickly. However, he was somewhat relieved to see Liu Qingshan still considering his and Liu Mingyu's safety.

"Don't worry," Xu Ying said with a sly smile. "I've already planned it out. Once I send you to the other world, I'll claim you were murdered. As for Minghao, I'll take good care of him. Mingyu and her mother will be watched, and they won't cause any trouble. As for your precious son-in-law, Yang Chen..."

Xu Ying's eyes gleamed as she looked at Yang Chen. "I must thank you, Liu Qingshan. Even at your end, you've given me a great gift. With Yang Chen in my hands, dealing with the Red Thorns Society in Zhonghai will be much easier."

"You! How could you?!" Liu Qingshan pointed at Xu Ying, unable to find the words to express his pain and anger. He could only look at Yang Chen with a guilty expression. "Yang Chen, I'm sorry."

"Hmph, what about apologizing to me?" Gao Yue sneered. "You two, father-in-law and son-in-law, one left me to die, and the other sent me to prison. I, Gao Yue, am not a gentleman. I repay every slight. Liu Qingshan, I will make sure your son-in-law meets a fitting end."