Chapter 489: Chapter 257 You are already mine!_2
From a purely black-and-white perspective, the Gao Family and the Zhao Family had wrought upon Lu City a catastrophe.
The annihilation of both families would not make up for the loss experienced due to the catastrophe.
But from the standpoint of Lu Cityâs development, it was impossible for the Gao Family and the Zhao Family to disappear.
The industries and industry chains they were involved in encompassed all facets of Lu City.
If the two families were eradicated, the number of people who depended on them for their livelihood might even surpass the number of casualties from the catastrophe.
If the two families were to perish, only the remaining three among the Lu Du Five Families could possibly divide up their resources.
Contemplating such a massive benefit, the She Family, Wu Family, and He Family would invariably disrupt the present equilibrium.
This would plunge all of Lu City into decades of turmoil.
Therefore, when negotiating with the Sea Clan, they must try to push the responsibility onto the Sea Clan Leader who had incited the Gao and Zhao Families to make their decisions.
The impact of the actions taken by the Gao and Zhao Families must be minimized.
Circumstances being what they were, the situation in Lu City was of utmost importance.
Those truly at fault within the Gao Family and the Zhao Family were decision-makers like Gao Hongying and Zhao Junwei, as well as some members of the Elder Council who added fuel to the fire.
These individuals would definitely have to pay a price after this storm.
The restoration of Lu City would almost drain the cash flow of both families.
Fang Mu did contemplate helping Gao Wenyuan rise to the position of the Gao Family Patriarch, which would essentially mean that the Gao Family was under his control.
But of course, implementing this would certainly face numerous obstacles, as an influential family would not be willing to let someone with a bloodline from a side branch become the Family Head.
Even though Gao Wenyuan had already been elevated to the status of a Noble Lady.
Thus, everything depended on Gao Wenyuan herself and how she would rise from the ground to build a high tower and reach for the stars upon her return to the Gao Family.
When she first arrived, Gao Wenyuan feigned calm, but in reality, she was lost and disoriented.
However, on her return, Gao Wenyuan held her head high, her elegant swan-like neck arched upward.
The aura of a noble lady from an influential family suddenly emanated from Gao Wenyuanâs demeanor.
Contained within this demeanor were the sharpness and ambition that Gao Wenyuan had always kept hidden.
Now that Gao Wenyuan had Fang Mu to rely on, she no longer needed to use the image of an innocent girl to protect herself.
Yin Nanzhen, who was riding in another Beast Car, could exactly prove to Gao Hongying how much Fang Mu valued him.
However, after returning to the Gao family, in order to complete Fang Muâs task successfully, Gao Wenyuan still had to put on the disguise of an innocent girl.
First, Gao Wenyuan ceremoniously bowed to Yin Nanzhen, then spoke to the guards of the Gao Family who were monitoring her.
âWe have a prestigious guest and you havenât informed my uncle to prepare a proper reception!?â
The guards were utterly surprised by Gao Wenyuanâs deftness and her apparent success in winning Fang Muâs favor!
All these guards were Gao Hengyunâs men.
After hearing Gao Wenyuanâs words, one of the guards was about to report, when he heard Gao Wenyuan say, her voice sweet yet resolute.
âAs guards of the Gao Family, you really donât comprehend the rules.â
âFrom now on, you four will follow me, and Iâll teach you the rules thoroughly!â
âIâm sure my uncle wonât deny such a trivial request!â
âMr. Yin, allow me to personally lead you to my uncle!â
Yin Nanzhen had been by Fang Muâs side for some time, but this was the first time Fang Mu had sent him out on such a mission. He was somewhat nervous.
But thinking of the attitude displayed by the Family Heads of the Lu Du Five Families and Master Creator Lu Zhong towards Fang Mu, Yin Nanzhen quickly suppressed his anxiety.
If he lost face at this moment, it would dishonor Fang Mu!
Fang Mu was only going to have more and more followers. If he made a mistake in any aspect, wouldnât he immediately be overshadowed by others?!
Yin Nanzhen didnât want to end up as an outsider in Fang Muâs inner circle, even though he had become one of his followers quite early on.
Before Gao Wenyuan even entered Gao Hongyingâs study, Gao Hongying had already received news from his steward.
Gao Hongying didnât show disbelief like Gao Hengyun. In fact, he didnât rage at all.
On the contrary, Gao Hongying appeared pleased.
Gao Hongying was the one who had suggested using Gao Wenyuan to allure Fang Mu and had personally elevated her to the position of a Noble Lady.
He had placed high hopes on Gao Wenyuanâs ability to lure Fang Mu into a relationship.
It was Gao Wenyuanâs failure at the trade fair that had led to Gao Hongyingâs aloofness towards her and to him lowering his expectations of successfully captivating Fang Mu.
Gao Wenyuanâs triumphant return, with Fang Muâs faithful coachman accompanying her, revived Gao Hongyingâs spirit.
Gao Hongying didnât know that Gao Wenyuan had found herself another way out because of the pressure he put on her.
Gao Hongying had just sent away Zhao Junwei and scoffed at Zhao Junweiâs cautiousness.
Gao Hongying reckoned that with the foundation of the Gao Family and the Zhao Family, there was no need to be overly cautious and prudent in Lu City for any matter.
The small and medium-sized forces that lacked a solid foundation should be the ones being careful, not behemoths like the Gao Family and the Zhao Family.
Gao Hongying always felt that Zhao Junwei was a bit petty, lacking vision.
Thatâs why during their cooperation, Gao Hongying often liked to act according to his own decisions and didnât take Zhao Junwei seriously.
Since the Gao Family had paid more to get the Guardian Beast, it was kept in the Gao Familyâs custody.
Gao Hongying had more than once thought of monopolizing it.
If he couldnât get enough benefits from Fang Mu in exchange for this Guardian Beast, Gao Hongying even considered letting his son, Gao Hengyun, contract with this unseen Sea Divine Beast.