43: Do it as you please

"I remember you saying before that Liu Xuan came from a farming background, and his Family didn't even have enough for Dao Academy tuition; it was his sister in the Gang who paid for him to attend the Dao Academy."

Wang Weifeng looked at his son and asked, "Where is his sister now?"

"Liu Xuan's sister, Liu Miao, is a member of the Flower Snake Gang," Wang Xiaokang said.

"The Flower Snake Gang!"

Wang Weifeng's eyes lit up. "The Flower Snake Gang's backer is a side-branch Disciple of the Lu Family, right? All the Gang members were wanted by the county magistrate a year ago."

"Was Liu Miao caught?"

Wang Xiaokang slowly shook his head. "These Gang members are very clever. Once they slip outside the city, you can't find them at all."

"What about Liu Xuan?" Wang Weifeng frowned. "After he came to the county seat, didn't he look for his sister?"

"No!"

Wang Xiaokang continued to shake his head.

This was exactly what he was worried about. If Liu Xuan wouldn't even save his close sister, how could they expect him to care about their ordinary relationship as former classmates?

People change! It was impossible to fathom Liu Xuan's current mindset and thoughts.

Wang Weifeng didn't find it strange at all. Cultivators had always been like this; only the path of the Dao was most important, and things like Family affection or romantic love were secondary.

Liu Xuan had only entered the Sect for less than two years and could already be so ruthless. It seemed his Dao Heart was extremely firm; no wonder he had achieved what he had today.

Wang Weifeng looked at his son. "You were classmates with Liu Xuan for ten years; do you know of any weaknesses he has?"

"Weaknesses?"

Wang Xiaokang recalled all the events from back then.

Liu Xuan's Family was poor, he was quite insecure and introverted, and he basically didn't talk much. Other than that, there wasn't anything...

"Wait!"

Wang Xiaokang remembered the Sect examination back then and said, "Liu Xuan is lecherous. Back then..."

He recounted Liu Xuan's performance on the Illusion Heart Platform during the Sect examination and his later decision to join the Dual Cultivation Hall.

"Good!"

Wang Weifeng clapped his hands and ordered, "Immediately gather all the unmarried women of suitable age in our Family. Select those with excellent appearances and find an Opportunity to send them to him."

"Yes!"

Wang Xiaokang nodded and immediately ordered people to handle it.

Compared to relying on the fragile Dao Academy relationship, both father and son believed more in relationships built on interests.

...

The next day.

To the surprise of Wang Xiaokang and his father, Liu Xuan actually came.

Although it was unexpected, the Wang Family was not completely unprepared. They immediately ordered the kitchen to slaughter a One-Horned Savage Bull and prepared a sumptuous feast of beef.

"Hmm!"

"Not bad!"

The Savage Bull meat was extremely tender and melted in the mouth; the texture was simply perfect. Moreover, after entering his stomach, Liu Xuan felt a warm sensation throughout his body, and his Qi and blood were strengthening.

If he could eat this every day, his Body Refining cultivation could speed up.

Previously, Liu Xuan had also purchased various spiritual rice, Yao Beast meat, and the like, but the effects were all slightly worse than this Savage Bull meat.

"My Family runs a specialized butcher shop in the city. If Brother Liu likes it, I will have someone send some to you every day." Seeing that Liu Xuan truly liked it, Wang Xiaokang took the Opportunity to say with a smile.

"Sure! I'll pay you whatever the cost is when the time comes."

Sometimes things that are free are actually the most expensive. Liu Xuan did not want to take advantage of others in such minor matters.

Wang Xiaokang didn't dwell on this topic, instead chatting about interesting events from the past and lamenting his failure in the examination a year ago, regretting not joining the Sect back then.

As they spoke, Wang Xiaokang led in several young maidens of varying appearances and introduced them:

"These are my cousins. They heard that Brother Liu is now an Inner Sect Disciple and all admire you very much."

"This humble one, Wang Xuefang, greets Young Master Liu!"

"This humble one, Wang Yuwan, greets Young Master Liu!"

...

The chattering maidens were a dazzling sight for Liu Xuan.

All the young women were quite good-looking; at the very least, they had decent features and well-proportioned figures, considered above average.

But Liu Xuan was no longer the same person he used to be; ordinary beauty could hardly tempt him anymore!

"Fellow Daoist Wang, if you have something to say, just say it. There is no need for these roundabout tactics!" Liu Xuan said indifferently.

"Uh..."

Since Liu Xuan had put it that way, Wang Xiaokang got straight to the point.

"Brother Liu, I invited you here today because there is indeed something I need to ask for your help with."

"My Wang Family started from my grandfather's time, and it took decades to establish the current cultivation Family."

"To develop to where we are today, besides Opportunity, Luck, and the efforts of our clansmen, more importantly, we were once vassals of the Lu Family."

Wang Xiaokang paused here. Seeing that Liu Xuan's expression didn't change, he continued:

"Actually, throughout the entire Yongning, families like ours basically all have more or less of a relationship with the Lu Family and Chen Family, both Foundation Establishment Families, otherwise we wouldn't be able to gain a foothold."

"After the Lu Family rebelled, we immediately cut off relations. We would never dare to have any disloyal intentions toward the Sect!"

After listening, Liu Xuan basically understood. The Wang Family was scared by Zhao Deliang's recent series of operations and wanted him to help protect their Family.

After Zhao Deliang arrived in Yongning, the Law Enforcement Team and inspection teams were constantly taking action. They didn't attack the Lu Family, but specifically targeted families in various places.

Families like the Wang Family, who had stains on their record, were naturally living in fear every day, terrified that some trumped-up charge would be placed on them, leading to the outcome of having their Family property confiscated and the clan wiped out.

This matter was difficult to handle!

But it wasn't impossible to help.

In fact, the root cause lay with Zhao Deliang. As long as he didn't want to take action against the Wang Family, the Wang Family would be fine; it had nothing to do with whether they were vassals of the Lu Family or not.

Liu Xuan beckoned to the best-looking one, Wang Yuwan, let her sit next to him, and picked up his wine cup to take a sip.

"I have some friendship with Senior Brother Zhao, so I can help a little, but I cannot guarantee whether it will succeed."

"Really!"

Wang Xiaokang's face showed pleasant surprise. "Brother Liu, wait a moment; I will go invite my grandfather and father over."

Wang Xiaokang couldn't make the decision on this matter; he had to invite his father and grandfather to discuss it.

Before long, Wang Xiaokang's father, Wang Weifeng, and his grandfather, Wang Chen, hurried over.

"I, Wang Weifeng, and I, Wang Chen, greet Fellow Daoist Liu!" The two bowed respectfully, showing no airs of being elders at all.

"There is no need for such courtesy. I am good friends with Wang Xiaokang, so you can just call me Little Liu." Liu Xuan spoke politely, but he did not stand up.

"We wouldn't dare, we wouldn't dare!"

"My son just said that Fellow Daoist Liu is willing to help our Wang Family?"

Wang Weifeng still found it hard to believe that Liu Xuan could agree so easily.

Liu Xuan nodded, then shook his head. "It doesn't count as much of a favor. At most, I can help you pass a message. How it is actually handled depends on you."

Liu Xuan was just doing it as a simple favor. How could he possibly be expected to do everything in his power to protect the Wang Family?

Zhao Deliang's goal was to make money. If the Wang Family was willing to pay a sufficient price, the problem would likely not be big.

If they were unwilling, or if the price didn't meet Zhao Deliang's requirements, it wouldn't be Liu Xuan's concern.

The white-haired, wrinkle-faced Old Ancestor of the Wang Family, Wang Chen, bowed solemnly to Liu Xuan. "Thank you, Fellow Daoist!"

"It might only be a small matter to you, but it could save our entire Family!"

"If this matter succeeds, in the future, if you have any needs, just ask!"