Chapter 30: Chapter 27 Target: Li Family
Qing Yu arrived at Li Xin's place, where it seemed he too had matters to report and had already been waiting for a while.
"Patriarch, the only anomaly in the Li Family recently is that Li Pingsheng started to seclude himself for cultivation several days ago. All household affairs have since been managed by Li Qiusheng."
Qing Yu did not expect that before he could even mention the incident that occurred in the Sun Family, Li Xin had brought him important news.
"Several days ago? When exactly?"
Li Xin pondered for a moment and confirmed, "It was two days after Li Dian and the other two were killed. Since then, all matters have been handled by Li Qiusheng. With the Li Family's recent spate of misfortunes, Li Qiusheng has been so busy that he's at his wits' end. It's said that he hasn't had a proper rest in many days."
'The Li Family is acting strange, as is the Zhang Family.'
Recently, Yang City has been unusually peaceful, eerily so. On normal days, although the Four Great Families of Yang City appeared harmonious on the surface, they were constantly engaged in both overt and covert struggles, with the three gangs frequently brawling. But lately, it has all been calm.
The Iron Saber Association and Qingshan Gang have always been at odds, with their fights occurring most frequently. Li Xin, under the pretext that the Deputy Gang Leader and two elders had died in the Zhang Family's tavern, proposed avenging their deaths by attacking Qingshan Gang to Li Qiusheng, only to be rebuffed. The reason given was to avoid gang casualties and disturbances among the citizens. Since when did the Li Family start to cherish the people like their own children?
And then there's the Zhang Family. Zhang Mingyuan suffered a loss at Chun Gui Pavilion, with Song Ziyu being the main culprit and the Brothel Owner simply looking on. Yet, Zhang Mingyuan didn't go looking for trouble with the Song Family; even the Brothel Owner remained unscathed. Very unusual indeed.
"Let's talk about the Four Great Families of Yang City," Qing Yu suddenly said to Li Xin. Although he had already reviewed the dossiers Xiaogao had sent about each family, Qing Yu still wanted to hear the perspectives of Li Xin, who had grown up in Yang City since childhood.
After pondering for a while, Li Xin said, "The City Lord Mansion's Song Family, having allied themselves with the right side years ago, has continued to inherit the position of the City Lord of Yang City ever since. The current Family Head is incompetent, and his only son, Song Ziyu, who is also the heir apparent, is neither scholarly nor martially adept, only indulging in pleasure-seeking. If not for an Innate Realm ancestor propping up the family and a daughter managing the affairs of the City Lord Mansion, it would have likely fallen into decline."
As he spoke of this daughter, a peculiar expression flashed across Li Xin's face, but Qing Yu, lost in thought, did not notice.
Li Xin continued, "The eldest daughter of the City Lord, named Song Ziqi, is both literary and martial, and exudes a heroic spirit. She has always been preoccupied with maintaining the City Lord Mansion's assets. At twenty-three years of age, she has had no marital engagement, nor has there been any rumors of involvement with anyone."
At twenty-three, that would qualify her as an 'older maiden' in an ancient society where ordinary people often married at sixteen or seventeen. Song Ziqi was not a child of the worldly society; even if she had not married, there would usually at least be an engagement.
However, Qing Yu was not one for gossip, and thus did not ask Li Xin to elaborate on Song Ziqi.
"The Sun Family of this generation boasts the strongest vitality in terms of kin. There are many descendants from collateral branches, and the Patriarch has five sons. Sun Jian, Sun Ce, Sun Qiang, Sun Feng, Sun Hai, collectively known as the 'Five Tigers of the Sun Family.' What's even more commendable is that, regardless of whether they are from the main or collateral lines, they're all very united. They don't resemble a family as much as a worldly society of snakes gathered together in fidelity, prioritizing loyalty when dealing with those not of the same surname. Thus, the Sun Family can be said to be the strongest in terms of force."
The corner of Qing Yu's mouth twitched—Sun Jian, Sun Ce, brothers... the world is indeed marvelous...
"In contrast to the Sun Family, the Zhang Family's kin are few in number. Fifteen years ago, there was a disturbance amongst the Zhang Family's collateral branches, which was suppressed by the main line, resulting in the near annihilation of those in the collateral branches. The Family Head of the Zhang Family, Zhang Qingfeng, is said to have suffered internal injuries during that uprising of the collateral branches, which is why there is only one son, Zhang Mingyuan. Zhang Qingfeng is exceedingly protective of this sole descendant, pouring endless resources into him and forcibly advancing Zhang Mingyuan to the Postnatal Seventh Realm."
Internal injuries, probably kidney damage, thought Qing Yu, feeling that Zhang Qingfeng would definitely have a promising future if he were to learn sword training with him.
Li Xin took a deep breath before continuing, "The Li Family, young master, should be most familiar to you. Family Head Li Pingsheng is extremely secretive; even after many years under the Li Family, I still can't claim to understand him fully. The eldest son, Li Qiusheng, has mediocre martial arts talent and is still hovering in the Postnatal Fourth Realm. The second son, Li Qiuran, is often away on business, and it is said that most girls in Chun Gui Pavilion are sourced by Li Qiuran during his travels. The youngest son and the mother of the Li Family have both passed away, so it's best not to mention them."
Qing Yu tapped his fingers on the table, thinking for a moment before asking, "What are the Martial Arts Realms of the Patriarchs of the four families?"
"The Song Family Patriarch is a widely known martial arts dud, barely able to defeat even an ordinary person. The other three family heads should all be at the Postnatal Ninth Layer. The Sun Family Patriarch, in his early years, engaged in highway robbery and met a tough end, dying relatively early. The eldest of the 'Five Tigers of the Sun Family,' Sun Jian, inherited the patriarch position in his youth and has exceptional martial arts talent; it is said that if it had not been for the deliberate suppression by the City Lord Mansion, he would have already broken through to the Innate Realm. Due to his young age when he took over, he has always been quite aggressive, and after the Sun Family Patriarch's death, the other three families took advantage of the situation to loot and plunder. Without the power of the Postnatal Nine Realms, Sun Jian would not let the Family Heads of the Zhang and Li Families off easily."
The suppression by the City Lord Mansion is none other than the Zhen Shan Army's suppression, right?
It's no wonder the Sun Family is legendary, having produced individuals like Sun Jian and Sun Ce. For a family patriarch to actually lead in highway robbery, what exactly was he after?
"Postnatal Ninth Layer..."
"Wait a moment..." An epiphany struck, and Qing Yu suddenly awakened.
Patriarch Li Pingsheng was already at the Postnatal Ninth Layer, so what was the point of his seclusion? He was a veteran Postnatal warrior, and if it weren't for someone holding him back, he could have long tried to break through to the Innate. Therefore, Li Pingsheng was in seclusion for a breakthrough.
Qing Yu rarely lost his composure and, forgetful of maintaining his authority in front of Li Xin, stood up and began pacing back and forth.
Li Pingsheng's actions meant he no longer wanted to be suppressed by the Zhen Shan Army, he must have had dealings with the court. His second son was often away, providing ample opportunity to contact the court.
And there's the Zhang Family, which is also very strange, certainly not without suspicion.
As for the Song Family, their old leader didn't have much time left, the patriarch was famously inept, the next generation relied on a female to support the family, with no one to follow, they were likely the ones who most wished for stability in Yang City, so Song Ziyu could inherit the position of City Lord. After all, it was Lord Zhen Shan who gave them the hereditary title.
"Li Xin, what's the extent of your influence over the Iron Saber Association now?"
Li Xin immediately replied, "The Li Family has always been quite distrustful of outsiders. The five elders are just figureheads; in reality, they are there to set an example for the outsiders and to prevent them from becoming disloyal. Young master, you've recently eliminated quite a few Li-named leaders, causing the power of outsiders in the gang to rise. Some have already reached out to the remaining elders, and some even sought to join me, who bears the Li surname."
"So, if we take out the head, the rest are just the tangled roots and branches, right?"
Knowing the opportunity was not to be missed and considering Li Pingsheng was in seclusion, Qing Yu decided on the spot, "Prepare yourself, I'm going to take down Li Qiusheng."
"But young master, what about Li Pingsheng?" Li Xin asked.
Qing Yu stroked his smooth chin with a grin, "Postnatal Ninth Layer, he's no god; he still has to partake in the mortal world's nourishments. As long as we don't alert Li Pingsheng, we can silently take down Li Qiusheng. Just add a little something extra to Li Pingsheng's meals, and it'll be all too easy to capture him."
Drugging someone, that I'm skilled at...
Chapter 31: Chapter 28 A Surprise
"Master, the Third Elder of the Iron Saber Association requests an audience!"
Li Qiusheng put down the scroll in his hand and rubbed his brow. Over the last few days, casualties among the collateral branches of the Li Family had been heavy. Among these, Qing Yu played a part, as did Li Xin's secret manipulations, and a few were even assassinations instigated by other leaders.
The Li Family's control over the Iron Saber Association was no longer as strong as before. Li Xin had repeatedly proposed attacking the Qingshan Gang to avenge the death of the Deputy Gang Leader and two elders, but Li Qiusheng had suppressed these proposals.
The Third Elder had sought an audience several times, expressing the collective will of the association.
He probably came with the same old rhetoric—The gang was agitated and yearning for battle. This old man couldn't seriously be bribed by Li Xin, could he? Li Qiusheng thought to himself.
Weary, Li Qiusheng sighed, "Let him in."
An audience had to be granted. Li Xin's influence within the Iron Saber Association was expanding, and it was necessary to win over the remaining three elders to oppose him. As long as his father emerged from seclusion... A cold gleam flashed in Li Qiusheng's eyes. As soon as his father had entered seclusion, Li Xin, that illegitimate son, had revealed his fangs—how laughable, whether to call him shrewd or foolish!
The Third Elder, upon receiving permission to enter, straightened his robes and instructed his two followers to wait outside as he proceeded alone to meet Li Qiusheng.
A hint of mockery flashed in the eyes of the servant delivering the message. Ever since Li Dian and the others were assassinated, the Third Elder had been deathly afraid, always needing bodyguards close by for protection. It was said that even when he shared a room with his wife at night, someone had to guard the door. If it weren't for the strict security of the Li Mansion, he might have even brought these two bodyguards to meet the young master.
"Ah... you..." A scream came from the room.
Followed by the Third Elder's shout, "Help, assassin!"
The incident happened so suddenly. The two servants guarding outside instinctively turned to rush into the room.
As they turned, the two followers brought by the Third Elder fiercely attacked.
One, with a sallow face, thrust his sword through the neck of the servant in front, and the other, equally ruthless, delivered a heavy palm strike that shattered another servant's spine, then moved forward to twist his throat.
The two exchanged a smile and entered the room.
Inside, the Third Elder hastily bowed as the two men entered, "Greetings, Gang Leader."
Li Xin, as he entered, immediately looked toward Li Qiusheng.
The eldest young master of the Li Family was slumped in the Taishi Chair, blood dripping from his mouth, one hand pressed against his chest. He tried to maintain his composure in front of Li Xin, the illegitimate son he had once looked down upon, but he couldn't hide the defeat and disarray on his face.
His eyes fixed on the Third Elder, he had not anticipated that this always meek, timid man harbored malicious intentions, striking him in the chest with both palms during the bow, severely injuring him.
The Third Elder bowed his head, unable to meet Li Qiusheng's gaze. Ever since Li Dian and the others' well-publicized funeral stirred up all of Yang City, followed by a series of mishaps, the Li Family had given up trying to hide the deaths of Mrs. Li and Li Qiuyan, or rather, they couldn't afford to.
The Third Elder, having secretly viewed Li Qiuyan's corpse, with bulging eyes and a face like an evil ghost, unblinking in death, found the memory so horrifying that it chilled him every time. Though he feared Li Pingsheng might settle scores with him once he emerged from seclusion, he was already too deep in Li Xin's conspiracy to back out.
He feared Li Pingsheng, but he feared the Three Corpses Brain God Pill even more.
Li Xin saw that Li Qiusheng ignored him but didn't care and turned his head to instruct the Third Elder, "Go summon the brothers outside the mansion and take control of Li Mansion."
The Third Elder sneaked a look at the wax-yellow faced attendant and noticed that Li Xin instructed him, the Third Elder, to run errands instead of the attendant, feeling slightly dissatisfied. However, thinking of the Three Corpses Brain God Pill, he shivered and dared not defy Li Xin's command, going down to carry out the task.
Li Xin watched Li Qiusheng and mocked with a sneer, "It seems that your identity and the intelligence you pride yourself on can't save you, Great Young Master."
Finally unable to ignore Li Xin, Li Qiusheng still couldn't hide his arrogance and looked at Li Xin with disdain, "Despicable villain, just enjoy your moment now. You have no idea what true power is. Once father finishes his retreat, I will have you torn into thousands of pieces."
"It seems that Li Pingsheng is indeed planning to retreat and break through to the Innate level," the wax-yellow faced youth suddenly spoke up.
Li Xin stepped back as he spoke. Previously, in front of the Third Elder, Li Xin needed to hide the identity of the wax-yellow faced youth, positioning himself at the center of the hall; now that the Third Elder was gone, there was no longer a need for pretense.
Indeed, the wax-yellow faced youth was Qing Yu.
Seeing this, Li Qiusheng couldn't help but burst into laughter, even as the act of laughing pulled at his chest injury and his mouth was filled with blood foam, he did not stop.
"Li Xin, oh Li Xin, I wondered where you got such audacity. Turns out you're still just someone else's dog," Li Qiusheng said with a face full of disdain, "A dog can't change its habit of eating feces. Without my Li Family, you, Li Xin, are still a dog, and will always be a dog."
"You..." Li Xin, who had trained himself to be unfazed by insults over the years, still couldn't remain calm in the face of these enemies from the Li Family.
"Ei..." Qing Yu raised his hand to stop Li Xin, "It's just the wailing of a defeated dog. The harsher he curses, the more he fears inside. Don't worry, the people of the Li Family will have a hard time."
Li Xin suppressed his anger and stared coldly at Li Qiusheng.
Qing Yu stopped Li Xin and smiled at Li Qiusheng, "Regardless of how Li Pingsheng will deal with us, you are now in our hands. Tell me, what food do you usually send to Li Pingsheng, is there any secret signal, or is it always a specific person who delivers it? If you don't tell us, I think Li Xin would be more than happy to `entertain' you."
Hearing this, Li Qiusheng burst into another round of mocking laughter, "You still want to poison my father's food? Haha... all the food needed during father's retreat has already been prepared at the retreat site, no need for anyone to deliver. You might as well just wait for your deaths!"
He glared fiercely at Li Xin, his face ferocious, "Li Xin, you dog-raised bastard, once my father comes out, I will make you wish you were dead. And your lowly mother, I will crush her bones and scatter her ashes."
Mention of his mother was his Achilles' heel, and Li Xin could no longer suppress his anger, instantly making a move against Li Qiusheng.
Qing Yu again stopped Li Xin, saying, "The worst has happened, Li Pingsheng has prepared his own provisions."
He reached into his robes and pulled out a red porcelain bottle, tossing it to Li Xin.
"This is..." Li Xin recognized it as identical to the bottle he had been given before, to control the three elders, and said, "Does the young master want to control Li Qiusheng? To have him attack Li Pingsheng?"
Qing Yu shook his head, "I wouldn't underestimate the resolve of the Li family's young master. Family ties are the most precious and firmest of connections in the world. Few can overlook their familial bonds. You stayed in the Li Family for the sake of your mother all these years, enduring humiliation. Li Qiusheng would also die rather than betray his father. Controlling him and making him attack Li Pingsheng might very well backfire."
Qing Yu still smiled, but in Li Qiusheng's eyes, that smile hid endless ruthlessness and malice.
"I'll use him to give Li Pingsheng a little surprise..."
Gifts
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received Weekly Power Status
200+ Power
Ranking 
12 Power
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