305: Are you threatening me?

Before Feng Da could finish speaking, a burly figure slowly emerged from the darkness nearby. Clad in dark iron armor and radiating the chilling aura of a Ninth-Rank Heavenly King Realm, it was precisely Feng Ming's ninth-rank puppet.

The four elders' expressions changed drastically as they simultaneously took half a step back, their eyes filled with shock and terror.

The leading elder suppressed the turmoil in his heart and snorted coldly, "Young Friend Feng, are you threatening us?"

"What? Is my meaning not clear enough?" Feng Da raised an eyebrow and retorted, his tone carrying a hint of indifference.

It was merely an imitation of Feng Ming's tone and attitude.

Upon hearing these words, the four elders were all enraged.

The elder on the left shouted sharply, "Feng Ming! We are unwilling to make an enemy of you, which is why we are speaking with you politely. Do you truly think we fear you?"

"The herbs in the Liangzhou Trial Grounds range from first-rank to ninth-rank, with an immense quantity below seventh-rank. Relying on your ninth-rank puppet, you think you can act tyrannically in Liang Province? You are far too dismissive of Liang Province's forces!"

Upon hearing this, Feng Da chuckled lightly, his tone tinged with mockery as he continued to relay, "In Liang Province, aside from Jiang Qinghe, I'd like to see who can stop my ninth-rank puppet. All four of you are eighth-rank Cultivators with considerable strength, but do you think that joining forces, you could last more than a few moves against this Puppet?"

This was not arrogance, but fact.

Although the ninth-rank puppet could not compare to a genuine Emperor Realm powerhouse like Jiang Qinghe, it was certainly not something ordinary Cultivators could contend with. Even if the four joined forces, they would only last a little longer.

The four elders' Faces turned pale and then flushed with anger. They were well aware of the disparity, yet they still refused to yield.

One elder said solemnly, "You may have a ninth-rank puppet, but some things cannot be resolved by strength alone. The Four Great Families have monopolized the herb business in the Liangzhou Trial for so many years, and it is certainly not just by luck."

Feng Ming raised an eyebrow slightly, his tone calm, "Oh? Then I am curious, what exactly is your confidence?"

"If you continue to be evasive, I will have this Puppet guard the gates of Liangzhou City, forbidding any goods from your Four Great Families from entering or leaving. Then we shall see whether my Puppet is tougher, or your backing is stronger."

The four elders exchanged glances, their eyes filled with hesitation. After a moment, the leading elder finally relented and said gravely, "Since you have spoken thus, we will no longer hide anything. Today, we shall speak frankly."

"You have the right to know this. If it can prevent a fierce battle, that is also our wish."

Another elder took over, speaking slowly, "The herb production from the Trial Grounds of each province is mostly controlled by local overlords. This, you should know. Liang Province is different from other provinces. The herb business is monopolized by our Four Great Families not because our strength is particularly great, but because we have the backing of the Jiang Family."

"Every time the Liangzhou Trial ends, we pool together a substantial sum to offer as tribute to the Jiang Family. This money is the capital with which we purchase the herb business. If you move against us, you are moving against the Jiang Family's interests."

"We know you are the Jiang Family's son-in-law, and Senior Jiang Qinghe holds you in high regard. The Former Prefect Xiao Ze had no conflicting interests with the Jiang Family, so it is understandable that Senior Jiang protects you."

"But we are closely tied to the Jiang Family. The annual tribute is a significant source of income for the Jiang Family. If you insist on making things difficult for us, it is hard to say whom Senior Jiang will side with."

"If you are sensible, it is not too late to back down now. We can pretend nothing happened. If you persist and this matter reaches Senior Jiang, it may be difficult to resolve."

These words laid bare their backing and carried a hint of threat.

In their view, upon learning that the Jiang Family was behind them, Feng Ming would surely show some restraint. After all, Jiang Qinghe's strength was like the ceiling in Liang Province, and no one dared to provoke him lightly.

Upon hearing this, a flash of realization crossed Feng Ming's eyes, followed by a meaningful smile curling at the corner of his mouth.

So the Four Great Families were emboldened because of the Jiang Family. But they seemed to have forgotten that his relationship with the Jiang Family was not merely that of a son-in-law, and what Jiang Qinghe truly valued was certainly not that bit of tribute.

Feng Mian stood beside Feng Ming, having remained silent all along. Seeing Feng Ming fall silent, he couldn't help but whisper, "Second Brother, this matter involves the Jiang Family. It is indeed tricky."

"The Four Great Families offer a considerable amount of tribute to the Jiang Family each year. Even if Senior Jiang Qinghe values you, he may not necessarily break with the Four Great Families for your sake. Why not take a step back for now and plan for the future later?"

Feng Mian's concern was not without reason. The Jiang Family had deep roots in Liang Province, and Jiang Qinghe's attitude directly determined the course of this matter. If they truly angered Jiang Qinghe, even with a ninth-rank puppet, the Feng Family would find it difficult to establish themselves in Liang Province.

Feng Ming turned to look at Feng Mian, a confident smile appearing on his Face as he spoke slowly, "Elder Brother, there is no need to retreat. I want them to go and complain to the Jiang Family, to make Jiang Qinghe make a choice."

Feng Mian was taken aback upon hearing this, his eyes filled with confusion, "Why would you do that? Actively letting them complain is like walking into a trap, isn't it?"

"Walking into a trap?" Feng Ming chuckled softly, his voice not loud but clearly audible to everyone present.

"Elder Brother, do you think what Jiang Qinghe truly cares about is the fixed tribute from the Four Great Families, or an Alchemist who can refine ninth-rank elixirs and even higher-rank elixirs in the future?"

Feng Mian was stunned, then suddenly enlightened. Ah, Feng Ming's Alchemy skills were his most core asset.

A Ninth-Rank Alchemist was as rare as a phoenix feather in the entire Xia Dynasty, enough to make any force eager to recruit them.

The tribute from the Four Great Families was merely a drop in the bucket, while the benefits Feng Ming could bring were limitless.

"The tribute from the Four Great Families is merely a fixed amount each year. Without them, the Jiang Family can find other families to replace them. But an Alchemist capable of refining high-rank elixirs is a rare find."

Feng Ming's gaze swept over the four elders, his tone carrying a hint of calm, "I am Jiang Shuwan's husband, a legitimate son-in-law of the Jiang Family. Even for the sake of his granddaughter, Jiang Qinghe would not truly move against me."

"Moreover, with these seventh-rank and above herbs in my hands, the elixirs I can refine will also allow the Jiang Family to share in the benefits. How wise is Jiang Qinghe? He clearly distinguishes what is important and what is trivial."

"I am letting them go and complain, firstly to make Jiang Qinghe settle this matter, and secondly, to let everyone in Liang Province see that I, Feng Ming, am not a soft persimmon to be squeezed by anyone."

"Whoever dares to stand in my way, even if they have backing, may not be able to protect them."