Chapter 31: Wantiangcang

Wan Xiaohua sat at the table, his exhaustion impossible to conceal. As a cultivator of the Yujing Wheel, he had condensed his Spirit Wheel in Shengyang Prefecture; theoretically, he should have remained high-spirited even without sleep for three days and nights. However, with so many distressing matters occurring lately, Wan Xiaohua felt himself reaching his limit.

"That letter sent by the Li family—Yankai, what is your take on it?"

Rubbing his temples, Wan Xiaohua looked down at the group gathered below him with weary eyes.

Before Wan Yankai could speak, a burly man beside him spoke up boisterously

"What else is there to think? The Li family isn't strong. They're dreaming! With just those two members of the Li family, even if the Patriarch himself charged their gates, he could force them to hand over all those spirit fields to our Wan family!"

The man had thick brows and large eyes, his tiger-like gaze staring defiantly at Wan Xiaohua at the head of the table.

*Fool!* Wan Xiaohua cursed inwardly, then asked instead

"Someone from the Li family is practicing within the Sect. If they are questioned, how shall we account for ourselves?"

"This..."

Seeing the burly man momentarily speechless, Wan Yankai stepped forward and spoke

"If the Li family wants thirty percent, we shall give them thirty percent. Our family's reserves decrease every year, and we are on the verge of being unable to pay our tributes. Everything must prioritize our survival."

Wan Xiaohua nodded, then added softly

"Thirty percent should be negotiable. The Ji family is powerful; given the principle of 'lips and teeth,' the Li family won't push us too far."

Mentioning the Ji family, Wan Xiaohua’s expression turned grim. He set the letter down gently and continued

"A few years ago, the Yubu Mountains were still the border. Now, they have retreated to the Guli Dao. That old rogue Ji Dengqi is pushing us too far. Our strength is insufficient, and despite our repeated concessions over the years, we haven't been given a single moment to breathe."

Wan Yankai nodded through gritted teeth and sighed deeply

"Fortunately, we found life in a desperate situation. The spiritual veins in the northern foothills of Mount Dali are gradually recovering, giving our Wan family a glimmer of hope. It's a pity it isn't in our hands, though."

Wan Xiaohua let out a light, cold laugh. "It is as good as it can be now. If our Wan family takes the northern foothills of Mount Dali, we will need manpower to guard it. Who did you send to guard the Huaqian Main House? Furthermore, this matter is of great magnitude and has alerted the Ji family. Do you think Ji Dengqi will stand by and watch the Wan family expand?"

"Ji Dengqi has privately sent people to contact the fools in our family's branch lineages, causing people to waver between sides. Any contact with the Li family, or sending messengers to them, must be done in absolute secrecy. We must not let Ji Dengqi find out!"

Wan Yankai nodded heavily and replied

"I have already had my younger cousin fake his death to escape to the Lidao Pass. Ji Dengqi's eyes and ears are merely mortals; they won't see anything."

"Tiancang is eloquent, calm, and cautious. I feel most at ease leaving this matter to him."

Having spoken, Wan Xiaohua picked up a brush and traced a line on the map before him. With a cold gaze, he whispered

"It is a slow cut with a blunt knife, but we must also be careful that our Wan family does not get bitten back."

————

Li Tongya regulated his breathing, feeling the ceaseless surge of mana within his body. He let out a light laugh and remarked with emotion

"The cycle is continuous. After nearly four years, I have finally succeeded."

"Congratulations, Brother Ya, on taking another step forward and mastering the Circulating Wheel!"

Beside him, Liu Ruxuan smiled radiantly as she tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear. Her dark eyes gazed directly at Li Tongya, congratulating him with a smile

"It's just a minor breakthrough in the Fetal Breathing Realm; there's nothing to celebrate!"

Li Tongya turned his head slightly, inconspicuously avoiding Liu Ruxuan's gaze, and replied with a hint of fluster.

"Heehee."

Watching Liu Ruxuan giggling foolishly beside him, Li Tongya shook his head helplessly. He glanced at the sky and said

"I have been in seclusion for a day and a night. I will go see Xiang Ping first."

"Yes," Liu Ruxuan nodded vigorously, smiling.

Li Tongya left the Lijing courtyard. As he reached the front courtyard of the Li residence, he heard faint noises coming from the main courtyard and paused his steps.

"Mother! Why does everyone else have a father, but I don't!"

Lady Ren was quietly sewing in the courtyard. Li Xuanxuan, his voice thick with tears, knelt on the ground clutching Ren Ping'er's skirt, speaking with great grievance

"Li Xieven has a father! Where did my father go?"

Hearing this, Lady Ren hurriedly knelt down to hug Li Xuanxuan, answering with a choked voice

"Your father has gone to a very, very far place..."

"Mother is lying! Mother is lying!"

Li Xuanxuan struggled forcefully from Ren Ping'er's embrace and cried out

"How can someone go to a far place and not send letters home! They all say Father is dead!"

Ren Ping'er was momentarily stunned, looking at the wailing Li Xuanxuan with helplessness.

Hearing this, Li Tongya felt a pang of heartache. He sighed deeply, stepped into the main courtyard, and gently picked up Li Xuanxuan.

Upon seeing Li Tongya, Li Xuanxuan immediately wiped his tears and sobbed

"Second Uncle, where is my father!"

Li Tongya patted Li Xuanxuan's back gently, answering with a trace of sorrow

"Your father was a good man, a kind and generous elder brother..."

"Waaaaah..."

While he was comforting Li Xuanxuan, Li Yesheng knocked and entered the front courtyard. Seeing him, Lady Ren quickly led the weeping Li Xuanxuan away, leaving only the two men in the courtyard.

"What is it?"

Li Tongya composed his emotions and asked in a deep voice

"A man dressed as a hunter is requesting an audience at the gate. He claims to be the person sent by the Wan family as per their appointment."

"Let him in."

Li Tongya was momentarily stunned. He rubbed his chin and waved Li Yesheng onward.

Li Yesheng led the man in. The man had an ordinary appearance, wore leather armor, and carried a longbow on his back. His eyes, however, were quite bright. He stepped forward and cupped his hands toward Li Tongya

"Wan Tiancang of the Wan family greets the Young Patriarch!"

Li Tongya raised an eyebrow, inwardly sensing that this man was far superior to Wan Yankai and likely not easy to deal with. He replied with a smile

"I cannot claim the title of Young Patriarch; I merely manage the trivial affairs of the village."

With a wave of his hand, he said

"Please."

Wan Tiancang's eyebrows shot up. He thought to himself

*I heard that the old Master Li rarely shows himself, and that these two brothers co-rule the Li family without a clear hierarchy. It seems this Li Tongya is quite cautious with his words. I wonder what kind of figure Li Xiangping is.*

While his mind raced with thoughts, he smiled and said

"You are too polite."

As Wan Tiancang entered the main courtyard, the old man was sitting in the seat of honor drinking tea. He looked down at Wan Tiancang and gave a faint nod.

Observing Li Mutian's extraordinary bearing and unusual composure, Wan Tiancang marveled inwardly

*This must be the old Master of the Li family. As expected of a senior who once reached the Foundation Establishment stage, his presence is unlike ordinary people.*

He hurriedly bowed. When he rose, his face was already covered in tears, and he said with a sob

"Greetings, Senior."

Li Mutian set down his teacup and said deeply

"There is no need for such an extreme reaction."

Wiping his tears, Wan Tiancang replied

"Seeing your senior's grace reminds me of my father. The old man fell victim to Ji Dengqi's treachery and lost nine hundred catties of spirit rice from our clan. We will almost be unable to pay our tributes for the year after next!"

"Nine hundred catties?"

Li Tongya and Li Mutian exchanged a glance, both seeing the realization in each other's eyes. Li Tongya thought to himself

*This man wants to move for our thirty percent share of the harvest!*