14: Chapter 14 Each with their own ulterior motives

"Your father was already at the Houtian Ninth Level back then, just one step away from the Xiantian Realm."

"He was the person in the Li Family with the greatest hope of achieving a Breakthrough in nearly a hundred years."

"Once he died, the Li Family's backbone was broken."

Li Changsheng felt a chill in his heart.

His father's death was likely no accident.

"Changsheng."

"If I remember correctly, you turned seventeen this month."

"Yes, Uncle."

"Even so, the talent you display now is even greater than your father's back then."

Li Zhenshan turned around and said solemnly.

"A tree that stands out in the forest will be destroyed by the wind."

"After this Three-Family Competition, the Wang and Zhao families will certainly send people to keep an eye on you."

"You will become a thorn in the side of the Wang and Zhao families."

"Remember, be careful in everything."

"Your nephew understands."

"There is one more thing."

Li Zhenshan lowered his voice.

"Although the mine was secured, mining it requires manpower.

The Wang and Zhao families will surely try to interfere.

I have decided to send a team into the mountains soon, and you will lead them."

"Me?"

"You performed the greatest feat in this battle and have enough prestige."

"And..."

A sharp light flashed in Li Zhenshan's eyes.

"I need you to go to the mine to confirm something."

"What is it?"

"Three years ago, before your father was killed, the last place he went was the Black Iron Mine."

Li Zhenshan's voice was low.

"He once sent a message back, saying he had discovered 'something unusual' deep within the ore vein."

"But, on the third day after the letter arrived, something happened to him."

"Over the past three years, we have searched around the mine many times, but found nothing."

Li Changsheng's heart jolted.

"Uncle, you suspect..."

"I'm not sure."

"But if there really is a secret, it must be held in the hands of the Li Family."

Li Zhenshan patted his shoulder.

"Only you and I know of this matter."

"Once you enter the mountains, act according to the situation."

After saying that, Li Zhenshan turned and left.

Li Changsheng stood alone by the cliff, the night wind brushing his face, bringing the lingering sounds of the victory banquet from afar.

As expected, this world is never simple.

Under the same moon, the atmosphere at the Wang Family residence was as cold as winter.

In the main hall, Wang Minghao smashed a third teacup.

The servants were trembling with fear, no one daring to make a sound.

"Ruined! Lieer's arm is completely ruined!"

Wang Minghao's eyes were bloodshot.

"Li Changsheng!"

"I want you to pay for this in blood!"

Wang Han, standing to the side, looked gloomy.

"Second Uncle, the strength Li Changsheng displayed today is likely close to the Houtian Eighth Level."

"And, that fist technique of his..."

Wang Han's expression tightened, and he raised an eyebrow.

"I have never seen such a bizarre martial art; it combines hardness and softness, making it impossible to guard against."

"So what?!"

Wang Minghao roared.

"Our Wang Family has been established in Qinghe Town for a hundred years; how can we be stepped on by a mere brat!"

"Second Brother, calm down."

Wang Mingzhe, the head of the Wang Family sitting in the main seat, spoke slowly.

He was about sixty years old, with a thin face and restrained brilliance in his eyes; he was the only Xiantian Realm expert in the Wang Family.

"Big Brother!"

"Lieer is your own nephew!"

Wang Minghao said in pain.

"It is precisely because of that that we must remain calm."

Wang Mingzhe put down his teacup.

"This boy Li Changsheng was a cripple suffering from Qi Deviation three months ago, yet now he can dominate the field."

"Do you think such progress is just due to talent?"

Wang Minghao was stunned.

"Big Brother, you mean..."

"Either he has a master guiding him, or he has obtained a massive Opportunity."

Wang Mingzhe said coldly.

"Whichever it is, it shows that this boy is not simple."

"Acting rashly might lead to a backlash."

"Are we just going to let it go like this?!"

"Of course not."

A cold light flashed in Wang Mingzhe's eyes.

"If we can't do it openly, we'll do it secretly."

"According to reliable sources, Li Changsheng will be leading a team to the mine soon."

"The mountains are high and the forests are dense there; it's only natural for some 'accidents' to happen."

Wang Han frowned.

"Patriarch, Li Zhenshan will certainly be on guard."

"And as for the Zhao Family..."

"That old fox Zhao Yuanlong is definitely waiting to profit as the third party."

Wang Mingzhe sneered.

"Then let him wait.

"Go to the black market and post a bounty."

"I want him alive."

"I want to know the secrets he holds."

"A bounty for Loose Cultivators?"

Wang Han was startled.

"This..."

"The cost won't be small, and it's easy for word to get out."

"Use code words; leave no trace."

Wang Mingzhe took out a black token.

"Take my 'Black Iron Token' and find 'Ghost Hand' to act."

"He knows the rules."

Wang Han took the token, feeling its icy touch, and his heart tightened.

Ghost Hand is a middleman in the Qinghe Town black market, said to have backing from forces in the prefecture city, and never leaves a trace in his work.

"Remember, alive."

Wang Mingzhe repeated.

"The secrets on Li Changsheng might be related to a higher level of martial arts."

"If we can obtain them, Lieer's injury will have been worth it."

"Yes!"

Wang Han bowed and withdrew.

Only the two brothers remained in the hall.

Wang Minghao said in a low voice.

"Big Brother, what about the Zhao Family..."

"Zhao Yuanlong wants to reap the benefits without effort, so let him."

Wang Mingzhe sneered.

"Once we capture Li Changsheng and extract the secrets, we'll turn back and deal with the Zhao Family."

Wang Mingzhe stood by the window, looking at the distant night.

He spoke slowly.

"In the end, this Qinghe Town can only have one master."

Outside the window, dark clouds obscured the moon.

Zhao Family, Listening Rain Pavilion.

Zhao Yuanlong was playing chess with his two sons.

The eldest son Zhao Feng and the second son Zhao Lei stood by, watching the game in silence.

"Father, what do you think of today's situation?"

Zhao Feng couldn't help but ask.

Zhao Yuanlong placed a piece.

"A true Dragon has emerged from the Li Family."

"This boy Li Changsheng cannot be underestimated."

"Then we..."

Zhao Lei hesitated.

"Wait."

Zhao Yuanlong placed another piece.

"That old scoundrel Wang Mingzhe will never swallow this grievance.

He will certainly make a move.

We only need to wait and see."

"What if the Wang Family succeeds?"

"Then we'll take a share of the spoils."

Zhao Yuanlong said indifferently.

"If the Wang Family fails..."

He looked up, a sharp light flashing in his eyes as he stared at Zhao Feng.

"Then we'll do the Li Family a favor."

"Remember, in this world of martial arts, there are no permanent friends or enemies, only permanent interests."

Zhao Feng frowned.

"But if Li Changsheng grows up, there might be no place for our Zhao Family in Qinghe Town in the future."

"Therefore, before he has fully matured..."

Zhao Yuanlong picked up a chess piece and placed it gently on a spot on the board.

"Either we befriend him, or we eliminate him."

"But, the one to strike cannot be us."

"At least, not openly."

He looked at his two sons.

"You two go to the mine tomorrow to 'inspect' it."

"If there's a chance, you can 'happen upon' Li Changsheng."

"Test his attitude and also observe the Wang Family's movements."

"This way, we can act with purpose and remain unhurried."

"Father is brilliant."

Zhao Feng and Zhao Lei said in unison.

The chess game ended.

Zhao Yuanlong stood up and walked to the window, looking toward the Li Family's direction and muttering to himself.

"Li Zhenshan, oh Li Zhenshan, you have a good nephew."

"Unfortunately, what is too rigid is easily broken..."

The night deepened, and the lights of the three great families went out one by one.

But undercurrents were already surging underground.

Deep within the Black Iron Mine, some existence that had been silent for many years seemed to sense something and trembled slightly.

Moonlight passed through the gaps in the clouds, shining on the road into the mountains.

Soon, Li Changsheng would embark on this path that his father once walked.

And what awaited Li Changsheng ahead—was it an Opportunity or a trap?

Only time knew the answer.