Hearing Li Dehong's threatening voice, Xu Hao chuckled softly, "Now you're thinking about the Mao Family? What a pity, actually, the Mao Family abandoned you long ago. With me here, do you really think they would dare to send someone to die?"

"Impossible! Absolutely impossible! The Mao Family would never abandon me!" Li Dehong roared in panic.

"Ah, you told the Mao Family before noon, right? With their means, they could easily send a plane to back you up, yet they didn't. Haven't you realized why? It's because they don't want to save you!

The Mao Family has crossed paths with me three times already. They're just a commercial family, incredibly wealthy, I admit that. But they don't dare go head-to-head with me, because I would wipe them out! Do you understand?!" Xu Hao said disdainfully.

When he learned that the Mao Family was backing Li Dehong, he immediately suspected they wouldn't send help, especially with himself, the God of Slaughter, present.

And now, Xu Hao was almost certain that the Mao Family had indeed abandoned Li Dehong.

The Mao Family was wise, knowing when to advance and retreat. If they sent Mao Jinxi or someone else without full assurance, they would risk not just embarrassment but also their lives!

Li Dehong wasn't truly a fool. Back then, he had orchestrated the theft of the materials from the leading figure in Linjiang City and eluded detection for over a decade, showing that he was a relatively cautious person.

Feeling somewhat despondent, he suddenly asked, "Xu Hao, how did you find him? I gave him a large sum of money back then to leave Linjiang City."

Xu Hao smiled. Li Dehong was utterly desperate, with the Mao Family absent, he lost his last support. Desperation was normal, and Xu Hao said, "By a twist of fate, he had another identity as a member of my organization. When I saw the case about the office theft of Linjiang City's top figure that afternoon, I asked around in the organization. Who knew that he was the thief from back then, so I had him come to testify against you immediately."

Xu Hao was somewhat surprised too, as it was quite a coincidence. If not for this, he wouldn't have identified the thief so quickly, nor would he have gotten Li Dehong to confess so easily.

Otherwise, Xu Hao would've had to resort to more brutal methods today.

Hearing Xu Hao's words, Li Dehong was instantly deflated.

He was utterly desperate now, even the heavens seemed to conspire against him. What reason did he have not to be disheartened?

Apparently, none.

Seeing that Li Dehong was ready to confess, Xu Hao withdrew his Qi Force and said, "Speak, tell me everything that happened back then. This matter can be big or small. If it escalates, it could ruin you and confiscate all your assets, while I could kill you at any time. You know my nature.

But if you behave well, I'll spare your life, keep this matter under wraps, give you a good reputation, and leave you enough wealth to ensure you and your family can enjoy your later years, along with securing your descendants."

Xu Hao had pointed out two roads.

Neither was easy, but Li Dehong had no choice.

For Xu Hao, there was no mercy here.

Li Dehong, after much deliberation, chose the second path.

He was over fifty, no longer wanting any turmoil, perhaps even incapable of it.

Reputation and such, if it were in the past, he would have said it's not important, not something he cared about, but that was because he had wealth, power, and backing. He knew he wouldn't fall.

But now, with no money, power, or backing, he had fallen.

He had to consider his descendants. If he ended up with a bad reputation, his descendants would suffer disdain, which he didn't want to see.

Seeing Li Dehong choosing the second path, many couldn't help but sigh internally.

Reality is just so cruel.

If Li Dehong had the upper hand now, perhaps he would be even more ruthless towards Xu Hao.

The next day.

A piece of news stunned everyone in Linjiang City!

Former "Dehong Real Estate" and "Han's Real Estate" merged from today into one real estate company named "Xu Liu Group Linjiang City Real Estate Company," with former chairman of Han's Real Estate, Han Zhiyuan, appointed as the general manager, and former chairman of Dehong Real Estate, Li Dehong, appointed as honorary general manager.

Everyone was shocked; these two real estate groups were arch-enemies!

Nobody was unaware of their conflicts, as the streets were plastered with real estate ads where the two companies constantly belittled each other.

Although those small ads were merely low-level employees' efforts to boost sales, they clearly showed the deep-seated animosity between the two real estate companies.