8: Chapter 8 The Wang Family Launches an Attack

Li Changhu pushed open the door and entered, seeing Li Changsheng practicing his fist techniques in the courtyard.

This set of "Spirit Ape Fist," in his hands, carried a different flavor.

The momentum was agile and fierce, flowing like moving clouds and flowing water, yet internal strength was hidden within; it faintly possessed a level of the "Concept" of returning to simplicity.

"Brother Changsheng's fist technique..."

Li Changhu was shocked in his heart.

He considered himself to have outstanding martial arts talent, but at this moment, he could not see through the depth of Li Changsheng's fist technique.

"Recovered?"

Li Changsheng withdrew his fists and stood, his breathing as steady as usual.

"Yes, many thanks, Brother Changsheng."

Li Changhu bowed sincerely.

"I offended you many times before, please forgive me, Brother Changsheng."

Li Changsheng waved his hand.

"There is no need to bring up past matters again."

"Your Meridians have only just healed; be careful with your limits when you Cultivate, and do not be overly eager for success."

"Yes."

Li Changhu paused, then hesitated and said,

"I heard... there is some movement from the Wang Family."

Li Changsheng's eyes narrowed slightly.

"The Wang Family?"

The three great Families of Qinghe Town.

The Li Family, the Wang Family, and the Zhao Family had been engaged in constant open and secret struggles for many years.

The Li Family established its footing with the "Spirit Ape Fist," the Wang Family was skilled in palm techniques, and the Zhao Family excelled in blade techniques.

Each of the three families had their own industries, maintaining a balance on the surface, but in reality, undercurrents were surging.

"I went to the pharmacy to get medicine this morning and heard some stewards discussing it."

Li Changhu lowered his voice.

"The Wang Family seems particularly 'concerned' about what has happened to our Li Family recently."

"Especially... the matter of my injury."

A thought stirred in Li Changsheng's mind.

Li Changhu's Meridians were blocked, and the Li Family hired a pharmacist; these should have been internal Family matters, yet the Wang Family knew so clearly...

"Someone leaked the information."

He said indifferently.

Li Changhu's expression changed.

"Does Brother Changsheng mean..."

"A large tree will have withered branches; a large Family will have those with different hearts."

Li Changsheng did not say much more.

"Since you have recovered, be extra careful in the near future."

"If the Wang Family truly makes a move, I fear they will not wait long."

As if to verify his premonition, on the morning five days later, urgent bell tolls broke the Li Family's tranquility.

"Emergency assembly at the Council Hall!"

The voice of the messenger disciple resounded throughout the entire Family.

When Li Changsheng arrived at the Council Hall, the atmosphere inside was as heavy as iron.

The Family Head, Li Zhenshan, sat in the main seat with a gloomy expression.

Several clan Elders also had unsightly expressions.

Three people stood in the hall.

The leader was a middle-aged man in brocade robes with a fake smile; it was none other than the Wang Family's Second Master Wang, Wang Minghao.

"Brother Li, it has been many days; I trust you have been well?"

Wang Minghao cupped his hands and smiled, but there was not a shred of sincerity in his eyes.

"Second Master Wang, you came uninvited. What is the purpose of your visit?"

Li Zhenshan said coldly.

"I heard the Li Family has not been peaceful recently, so I came specifically to show concern."

Wang Minghao feigned concern.

"First it was Nephew Changsheng, suffering from Qi Deviation, and then Nephew Changhu, with blocked Meridians."

"These are major matters regarding the Foundation of Cultivation!"

"The two most outstanding disciples of the Li Family's younger generation have been damaged one after another; it is truly regrettable."

Once these words were spoken, the expressions of everyone in the Li Family grew even darker.

The Wang Family grasped internal Li Family information so clearly; there must be an inside traitor.

"This is an internal affair of our Li Family; there is no need for Second Master Wang to trouble yourself."

Grand Elder Li Qingsong said coldly.

"If it were only an internal affair of the Li Family, I naturally would not interfere."

Wang Minghao changed the subject.

"However, as it concerns the common interests of the three families of Qinghe Town, I, Wang, must speak."

He took out a roll of parchment and unfolded it.

"Three years ago, the Li Family, the Wang Family, and the Zhao Family made a joint agreement."

"The mining rights for the Black Iron Mine are held in rotation, with a martial arts competition every three years to determine ownership."

"Counting the time, the next round of the three-clan competition is in three months."

"But according to the agreement, if one party's younger disciples lack strength, to ensure the mine's output, the other two families have the right to renegotiate ownership in advance."

Li Zhenshan stood up abruptly.

"Wang Minghao, what do you mean?!"

"The meaning is very simple."

Wang Minghao put away his fake smile.

"The Li Family's younger generation has been damaged repeatedly, and their strength has greatly decreased."

"My Wang Family believes that the Li Family no longer has the power to ensure the normal mining of the Black Iron Mine."

"For the common interests of the three great families, I propose to reclaim the Li Family's mining rights in advance, to be managed jointly by my Wang Family and the Zhao Family."

"Right, Elder Zhao?"

As he spoke, he looked at a middle-aged man in black robes standing to the side.

This person was the third person standing in the hall, a member of the Zhao Family.

This Elder Zhao did not know what he was thinking, or perhaps he did not hear, as he did not make a sound or show any indication.

"Absurd!"

Third Elder Li Zhenhai shouted angrily.

"My Li Family disciples are very healthy! Changhu has already recovered, and Li Changsheng, he is even more..."

"Even more what?"

Wang Minghao interrupted him,

"As far as I know, Li Changsheng's strength was greatly damaged after his Qi Deviation, and he is only at the fourth level of the Houtian Realm to this day."

"Li Changhu has just recovered from blocked Meridians and should not engage in martial arts for three months."

"As for the other disciples..."

The Wang Family youth behind him stepped forward and said proudly,

"Wang Lie of the Wang Family, seventh level of the Houtian Realm, wishes to learn from the high skills of the Li Family's younger generation!"

Seventh level of the Houtian Realm!

Although it was only just entering the seventh level of the Houtian Realm, it was truly the Late Stage of the Houtian Realm!

The expressions of everyone in the Li Family changed drastically.

After the sixth level of the Houtian Realm is the Late Stage of the Houtian Realm, and the strength gap between each level is huge.

Among the Li Family's younger generation, the strongest, Li Changhu, was only at the fifth level of the Houtian Realm.

Compared to the seventh level of the Houtian Realm, that was a full two-Realm difference!

"Second Master Wang, your calculations are good."

Li Zhenshan gritted his teeth.

"Bringing a disciple in the Late Stage of the Houtian Realm to my Li Family, is this bullying the small with the big?"

"Eh, Brother Li, that is an incorrect statement."

Wang Minghao smiled.

"Wang Lie is nineteen this year, and three days ago, he broke through to the seventh level of the Houtian Realm."

"Moreover, those under twenty are still in the 'younger generation' category."

The more Wang Minghao spoke, the happier he became, then he changed the subject.

"What, is there no one in the Li Family's younger generation who dares to accept the challenge?"

Provocation, naked provocation!

The Li Family disciples in the hall were all red-faced, but no one stepped forward.

The Li Family had those in their twenties who were at the seventh level of the Houtian Realm.

But they were not in the 'younger generation' category.

And those under twenty had too large a gap in strength; going up would only be bringing humiliation upon themselves.

"I will do it!"

With an angry shout, Li Changhu stepped out.

"Changhu, no!"

The Third Elder said anxiously.

"Grandfather, this concerns the Family's honor; grandson cannot retreat!"

Li Changhu looked at Wang Lie.

"Li Changhu of the Li Family, please offer your guidance!"

A flash of disdain appeared in Wang Lie's eyes.

"Fifth level of the Houtian Realm?"

"Barely qualified for me to make a move."

The two confronted each other in the open space outside the Council Hall.

The Li Family members watched nervously.

Wang Minghao, on the other hand, sipped his tea leisurely, seemingly holding victory in his grasp.

"Please!"

Li Changhu cupped his fists, then set up the starting stance of the "Spirit Ape Fist."

Wang Lie, however, did not even set up a stance, standing casually.

"I will let you have three moves."

"Arrogant!"

Li Changhu shouted angrily and threw a punch.

Although he had just recovered, his internal strength was even stronger after his Meridians widened; this punch already had the might of the sixth level of the Houtian Realm!

Wang Lie did not dodge or avoid.

Waiting until the fist wind reached his body, he only slightly turned his body.

His right hand shot out like lightning, lightly brushing Li Changhu's wrist.

"Bang!"

Li Changhu seemed to have suffered a heavy blow, stumbling backward, his entire arm numb and powerless.

"First move."

Wang Lie said indifferently.

Li Changhu gritted his teeth and attacked again, unfolding his fist technique, the Spirit Ape strength surging out.

However, Wang Lie was like a leisurely stroll in a courtyard.

Each time he avoided at the most critical moment, and occasionally with a casual flick, he made Li Changhu's offensive collapse.

Three moves had passed.

"It is my turn."

Wang Lie's eyes turned cold, and his figure suddenly blurred.

Li Changhu only felt a blur before his eyes, and his chest had already been struck by a palm!

"Puff—"

He spat out blood, flew backward three zhang, and fell heavily to the ground.

"Changhu!"

The Third Elder exclaimed and rushed forward.

Wang Lie withdrew his palm and stood, looking proudly at the entire scene.

"The Li Family's younger generation is nothing more than this."

Humiliation, naked humiliation!

Everyone in the Li Family had eyes spitting fire, but they could do nothing.

The strength gap was there.

The seventh level of the Houtian Realm versus the fifth level of the Houtian Realm, a difference of two levels, that was a crushing defeat.

"It seems the Li Family truly has no one left."

Wang Minghao put down his teacup and stood up.

"Then, regarding the matter of the Black Iron Mine..."

"Wait."

A calm voice rang out.