Chapter 28: Turbulence

As it happened, after Li Zhirui followed Li Shiting to the market and recounted what had occurred on the road to Li Shiren, the latter was consumed by a raging fury, wishing he could grind those three families into dust.

"Uncle Ren, the most important thing right now is to guard against and identify the person hiding in the shadows," Li Zhirui said, hurriedly pulling at Li Shiren.

Even the habitually cold and aloof Li Shiting spoke up: "Shiren, now is not the time to tear faces with those three families."

Although the Li family's strength surpassed any of the others, if those three families joined forces, the Li family would be unable to do much against them. Furthermore, the Yuanming Sect would not permit the Li family to exterminate those three clans.

"Zhirui, where do you think they will strike?" Li Shiting's elegant brows furrowed slightly, a trace of worry appearing on her indifferent face.

"Having lost three Foundation Establishment cultivators this time, they likely won't dare to strike directly again. That leaves them targeting the shops."

Li Zhirui had been pondering this question throughout the journey. Having already formed a suspicion, he said directly, "The Cloud Pavilion!"

Unlike the grocery store, the Cloud Pavilion had been in business for several months and had left a good impression on the cultivators. Moreover, a restaurant was much easier to sabotage.

"They want to tamper with the spiritual food, then frame the Cloud Pavilion to damage its business and the Li family's reputation?" Li Shiting instantly understood what Li Zhirui meant.

Li Zhirui rarely interacted with this aunt; his impression of her had always been one of coldness, but now he found her to be exceptionally intelligent.

"Then how do we solve this?" Li Shiren asked suddenly.

"It's simple. We only need to install several Image-Recording Stones in the kitchen and the main hall. That will prove the family's innocence and allow us to catch the culprit."

This series of events had left Li Zhirui extremely vigilant. It was normal for a family's development to encounter obstacles and enemies, but for the family to provoke three—or even more—factions just by opening two shops!

If this continued, who knew how many similar incidents the family would face!

However, this was not something Li Zhirui or the Li family could control. As long as the Li family continued to grow, it would inevitably infringe upon the interests of other powers, thereby making them enemies.

Unless the Li family gave up on developing, but was that even possible?

Li Zhirui felt there was only one answer to resolve this situation: make the Li family stronger, so that other powers would not dare to target or scheme against them!

But this could not be achieved immediately; the Li family needed time to grow.

"The longer we wait, the more trouble we invite! Let's get to the Cloud Pavilion now." Li Shiren felt a ball of fire burning in his chest. He desperately needed an outlet for his rage, and his sights were set on the unidentified cultivator associated with the Cloud Pavilion!

By the time the three of them arrived at the Cloud Pavilion, the doors were already open, though it was still early and there were no customers in the shop.

"Why are you here?" Li Shihua, who was busy balancing the books, asked with a look of confusion upon seeing the three approaching.

Li Shiren waved him off. "There's something to attend to. Just keep busy with your work; don't mind us. We'll explain later."

Then, under Li Shihua's astonished gaze, Li Shiren took out five Image-Recording Stones and placed them in the four corners and the center of the main hall.

Not only that, but they also entered the kitchen to place even more stones.

"What are you—"

Before he could finish, Li Shiren interrupted him. "It's not time to tell you yet. Just act as if you know nothing!"

"I understand." Li Shihua was no fool and could roughly guess what was happening. Feeling somewhat nervous, he retreated behind the counter and buried his head in the accounts.

To avoid alerting the enemy, the three of them hid in the backyard.

"Will that person come today?"

Unfortunately, no one could answer Li Shiren's question. Although Li Zhirui had guessed they would target the Cloud Pavilion, it was impossible to know exactly when they would strike.

The three waited all morning. They didn't encounter the culprit, but they did encounter Li Shilian.

"Uncle Lian, have those three been dealt with?"

Li Shilian gave a grunt of affirmation and asked, "What are you all doing here?"

Li Zhirui shared his suspicion, saying somewhat uncertainly, "Perhaps because of what happened to those three, he's afraid to act?"

"Then keep waiting. I'm going to settle the accounts." Seeing that they were so well-prepared that he wasn't needed, and not wanting to waste time, Li Shilian bypassed the three and entered the back rooms.

After waiting a while longer, Li Shiting also grew tired of waiting. Just as she stood up, a furious roar erupted from the main hall: "What kind of shady establishment is this! There are actually insect carcasses in the spiritual food! And that spirit beast meat smells rotten!"

"They're here!" Li Shiren appeared exceptionally excited, immediately preparing to rush out and catch them.

Li Zhirui quickly held him back. "Uncle Ren, wait a moment. See if he has accomplices."

Sure enough, the man's shouting not only drew the attention of the customers in the shop but also caused many passing cultivators to gather around.

"I've always heard that the food at the Cloud Pavilion is not only delicious but also rich in spiritual energy. Now it seems they must be using something unsavory!"

At that moment, a bystander stepped forward at just the right time, a look of realization crossing his face. "No wonder I suddenly felt unwell a few days ago. Thinking back, it must have been because I ate a dish here at the Cloud Pavilion!"

"This... I thought I was the only one! I didn't realize others were experiencing this too!" One after another, several more cultivators stepped forward.

"Pay us back! A shady shop like this should be torn down! It shouldn't be allowed to harm people any longer!"

For a moment, the crowd was incensed. Some even rushed into the hall, clenching their fists, ready to smash the shop.

As the manager, Li Shihua acted extremely panicked, but if anyone looked closely at his expression, they would realize it was all superficial, even somewhat deliberate.

"I'd like to see who dares to move!" With Li Shiren's thunderous shout, the pressure of a Foundation Establishment cultivator erupted fully, instantly silencing the noisy scene.

Li Shiren walked step by step toward the man who had started the commotion. Suppressing the fury in his heart, he asked, "You say you found that insect in the food because the Cloud Pavilion is unclean and uses stinking spirit beast meat?"

"Yes! So many people are watching! I found it in the food you served!" For some reason, he felt something was wrong, but in this situation, he couldn't back down and could only stubbornly hold his ground.

"Is that so? Then let everyone see how that rotten meat and those insects got there!" Li Shiren let out a cold laugh, his eyes filled with undisguised killing intent, which made the man tremble all over.

In front of everyone, Li Zhirui took down all five Image-Recording Stones placed in the hall and activated them with his spiritual power.

The stones recorded with absolute clarity the scene of the man placing the insects and rotten meat into the food, then angrily slamming the table and shouting to frame the shop.

"What else do you have to say for yourself?" Li Zhirui looked at the man with a half-smile.

The man instantly collapsed to the ground, knowing that he likely could not escape this time.

Seeing this, the other accomplices attempted to flee, but with a casual flick of Li Shiting's hand, a vine appeared out of thin air and bound them tightly.

(End of Chapter)