Chapter 155: Chapter Occupying Land
He scratched his head and said, "Miss Yun, I can show it to you, but this Dragon Blood Stone is pretty much worthless now. I think you'd just be wasting your time."
Zhao Dong wasn't wrong. The drop of blood within the Dragon Blood Stone had vanished, and its once-vibrant color had become quite dull. Moreover, Zhao Dong had already mastered the top-tier Cultivation Technique hidden inside it, the Dragon-breaking Fist, so the stone was indeed useless now.
But Yun Qingyao insisted, "It's alright. Whether it has value or not, please let me have a look. I'm truly interested."
Hearing this, Zhao Dong didn't refuse and nodded. "Alright. Should we pick a place to meet?"
Yun Qingyao hesitated for a moment before replying, "Okay. It's noon now, and I still have a few things to take care of. I'll arrange a place for later, and you can come over then."
"No problem."
After hanging up, Zhao Dong narrowed his eyes slightly. Yun Keqing… the young lady of the Yun Family. The Yun Family was one of the hidden families of East Sea, which made him very curious. There are hidden families in East Sea? Doesn't that mean most powerful masters are also in hiding?
A sense of anxiety suddenly washed over Zhao Dong. I have to improve my strength as soon as possible. I need to find some medicinal herbs and try the alchemy methods in the Mystic Sky Technique. If I can consume medicinal pills, my cultivation speed will definitely reach a new level! I have quite a few enemies now, from Hong Wu and Xiao Hongtian to certain people in the Dragon-binding Department. This current peace is only temporary. I can't afford to be careless.
He soon arrived home, parked his car, and walked toward the alley. From a distance, he saw a large crowd gathered at the gate of his family's courtyard, hearing the sounds of arguing and cursing. His expression changed, and he quickened his pace.
A large group of neighbors was gathered in front of the Zhao family's courtyard. Inside, besides Zhao Kangyou and Zhang Cuimei, stood a middle-aged woman.
"Director Feng, that little flower pond is on our property," Zhao Kangyou said, his brow furrowed with helplessness. "We have the documents. It's all in black and white. We aren't making this up!"
Zhang Cuimei added bitterly, "That's right, Director Feng! Weren't you the one who asked to borrow our unused plot of land to plant flowers? We lent it to you, but you can't just twist the truth now. That's our land!"
The woman they called Director Feng was named Feng Hui. She was the director of their local neighborhood committee and also the Zhaos' eastern neighbor; their compound walls were adjoined.
Feng Hui stood with her head held high and her hands on her hips, snapping at Zhao Kangyou and Zhang Cuimei, "Me, twist the truth? Li Cuimei, you'd better watch your mouth! This is my land! And when did I ever say I wanted to borrow it for planting flowers? I think you're the one twisting the truth because you heard about the demolition and want to claim this land for yourself!"
Feng Hui wore a cold expression but was sneering inwardly. Because she worked at the local sub-district office and held a director's position, she had heard the recent news about the area's redevelopment. While it had been unconfirmed before, the decision was finalized just two days ago.
The area was indeed slated for demolition. Although it wasn't one of those locations that would make one instantly rich, it could still yield a small fortune. The plot of land was, in fact, one she had borrowed from Zhang Cuimei to plant flowers, but that was three or four years ago, and no one else knew it was borrowed. So Feng Hui came up with a plan to claim the land as her own. She wasn't afraid. Since she worked at the sub-district office, seizing the land would be ridiculously easy.
While there was an initial registration record, she had access to the files. If it came down to it, she could simply destroy the document and tell the Zhaos it was lost. Furthermore, her son, Feng Jie, worked for the company handling the demolition. Since she also worked at the sub-district office and was involved in the project, pressuring the Zhao family was all too easy for her. Therefore, Feng Hui decided to seize the Zhao family's land. She knew no one could stop her. Moreover, she could use the demolition as leverage against them, allowing her to act with impunity.
Hearing Feng Hui's words, Zhang Cuimei said miserably, "Director Feng, we aren't twisting the truth! You said you were borrowing it to plant flowers and would give it back when we needed it. You can't go back on your word!"
Feng Hui sneered, "When did I ever say that? Zhang Cuimei, don't you lie with your eyes wide open. If you have any proof, bring it out. Borrowing land is a serious matter. If you really lent it to me, you'd have a written agreement, right?"
At this, Zhang Cuimei's face turned pale. "Director Feng, we trusted you back then, so we didn't write anything down. You can't be so shameless!"
"Don't give me that," Feng Hui scoffed. "Playing the victim, making it seem like I'm the one stealing your land. It was clearly our land all along! Don't think I don't know what you're up to. You just want more money from the demolition, don't you? I see right through your little scheme. Let me tell you, you're not getting our land. Not a chance!"
Zhang Cuimei and Zhao Kangyou exchanged a glance and sighed heavily. Zhang Cuimei was filled with regret. If she had known Feng Hui was this kind of person, she never would have lent her the land.
The neighbors outside the courtyard chimed in, siding with Feng Hui.
"That's right, Director Feng! We don't believe you took their land. It must be yours!"
"Exactly! Auntie Cuimei, I think you're getting muddled in your old age. How can you claim Director Feng's land is yours!"
"Everyone knows that's Director Feng's land! Auntie Cuimei, Brother Kangyou, you can't go around twisting the truth!"
The crowd all sided with Feng Hui, as they all knew the area was about to be redeveloped. Since Feng Hui's family was involved in the demolition process, they all wanted to curry favor with her. After all, she had inside information and could even alter the compensation prices. Who would dare to offend her? If they got on her good side now, maybe they'd get a better payout later.
Listening to the crowd's support, Feng Hui grew even more arrogant. She planted her hands on her hips and glared at Zhang Cuimei. "Zhang Cuimei, I always thought you were an honest person, but I never expected you to pull a stunt like this on me! Let me tell you, if it weren't for the fact that we're all neighbors, I'd see to it that your family's demolition work gets put on hold!
"And I'll warn you one last time: stop making a fuss. If you keep this up, I guess your house doesn't need to be demolished at all. It's not urgent anyway. We'll just demolish everyone else's first. Your family can wait a few more years!"
Zhang Cuimei and Zhao Kangyou understood her threat perfectly. The implication was that if they mentioned the land again, their family's demolition would be in jeopardy. Zhao Kangyou sighed deeply, and he and his wife both wore looks of bitter helplessness.
Seeing their expressions, Feng Hui smirked inwardly. Looks like this matter is settled today.
Just then, Zhao Dong pushed his way through the crowd. He strode into the yard, his brow furrowed as he looked at Feng Hui and said, "Well, if it isn't Director Feng. To what do we owe the pleasure?"