Wind Chasing Wave Treading, Big Moves Tonight

As Li Yan spoke, the three members of the Shangguan family turned their gazes towards him. Two were astonished, while only Shangguan Liuyun's expression was complex.

"Brother Wan, what do you mean by that? My Shangguan family is the largest martial arts family in Dongjiang City, and we have considerable assets. How can you say we are surrounded by danger?"

"Second brother, calm yourself. Brother Wan, please share your thoughts."

Li Yan shrugged and said, "What these people said earlier were all excuses. Before I arrived, wasn't Dongjiang City attacked by the Fierce Wind Bandits?"

"Of course, many people in Dongjiang City have killed members of the Fierce Wind Bandits."

"If that's the case, the animosity has long been established. Why such a strong reaction this time?"

"The Fierce Wind Bandits and I are just an excuse. I fear the Shangguan family has long been a thorn in someone's side, and this is their opportunity to strike."

"This... why?"

"That's not right. Our Shangguan family has always been on good terms with everyone in Dongjiang City and has often provided relief to the disaster victims. How could such things happen?"

"It's because the Shangguan family knows too much."

Suddenly, Shangguan Liuyun spoke up, providing the answer.

"The Shangguan family has been rooted here for many years, operating in this area since my grandfather's generation. Our family's influence can be seen in various industries throughout the city, and we firmly control some crucial ones."

"Therefore, no matter how many external forces there are, as long as the Shangguan family controls the supply of various resources, our position will be unshakeable!"

Shangguan Feiyun and Shangguan Xiyun exchanged glances. One was innocent and pure, the other free-spirited. They had never paid attention to these aspects of the family business, which had always been managed by their elder brother, Shangguan Liuyun.

Hearing this now, they were both somewhat surprised.

"But even so, our Shangguan family has never harmed the common people. They..."

"Heh, this has nothing to do with the common people," Li Yan sighed. "The common people are just an excuse. What they want is profit, and they want to use this opportunity to snatch food from the Shangguan family's mouths."

"How dare they!"

Concerned about his family, Shangguan Feiyun's face flushed with anger, wishing he could go find those troublemakers right now.

"I'm just curious, what role does the City Lord play in all this?"

"The City Lord?"

Shangguan Liuyun ignored the surprise of the other two and began to explain the situation with Huang Lingyan.

This City Lord was appointed and dispatched by the Great Wu Dynasty and had been here for some years.

However, by the time he arrived, the power structure within Dongjiang City was already established and stable. Even if he had the intention to manage things, he couldn't intervene. Thus, he became a hands-off City Lord, though the quarterly fees owed by various factions were never late.

Hearing this, Li Yan couldn't help but sneer repeatedly. "Now it all makes sense. He's quite cunning, playing the 'let the wolves devour each other' game masterfully."

"What are you talking about now?"

"Alright, you two, go down for now. Brother Wan and I have something to discuss."

Shangguan Liuyun ordered. Although the brother and sister were bewildered, they knew they couldn't be of help here, so they obediently left.

"Brother Wan, although I knew City Lord Huang wouldn't be one to sit idly by, I didn't expect him to want to use this opportunity to turn the various factions in the city against my Shangguan family."

Shangguan Liuyun, capable of managing the Shangguan family's affairs alone, was naturally a shrewd individual. After a moment of thought upon understanding the current situation, he naturally grasped the gravity of the circumstances.

"Then, what are your plans, Brother Liuyun?"

Shangguan Liuyun frowned and pondered for a moment before replying, "The Shangguan family has been operating here for many years and will not give up easily. However, to be safe, we must put these guys in their place."

"We just need to pass this information to our collaborating merchants, and they will know what to do. But if I want to leave now, I fear it would alert the enemy and potentially endanger my family."

Shangguan Feiyun was less of a concern, being at the Meridian Opening Realm, so leaving wouldn't be an issue. The biggest problem was Shangguan Xiyun.

At this moment, Shangguan Liuyun took a booklet from his bosom and handed it to Li Yan.

"This is..."

"Wind Chasing Wave Treading. This is the Lightness Skill Movement Technique I practice."

"Feiyun told me your saber techniques are Peak Mastery, but you rarely show any movement techniques, clearly indicating you haven't practiced them. However, in martial combat in the Jianghu, lightness skill and movement techniques are as important as any other martial art. You should understand this."

Li Yan certainly understood. If he knew lightness skills, he could have brought Shangguan Xiyun back much sooner and wouldn't have been chased by the Fierce Wind Bandits.

"Most importantly, I hope you can do me a favor. This is my token of gratitude."

Looking at the Wind Chasing Wave Treading manual in his hand, Li Yan licked his lips. The Shangguan family was truly generous, acting with such openness and magnanimity. He naturally had no reason to refuse.

"Let's not talk about the gratitude for now. Brother Liuyun, what are your thoughts? Just say them directly."

As the two chatted, in a courtyard, Wang Jin and Xu San sat opposite each other.

"Old Man Xu, we can't delay this. The huge commotion we've caused this time, Shangguan Liuyun isn't a fool, and he'll figure out the problem soon. If he strikes first, we'll be in trouble."

"Heh~ There's no need to worry too much. Shangguan Liuyun is constrained by his reputation and won't resort to force against us. However, the City Lord's sudden appearance today did surprise me somewhat."

"What's so surprising about it?"

Wang Jin chuckled and said, "Do you think the City Lord is truly an idle person who doesn't concern himself with worldly affairs?"

Xu San's eyes darted, and he realized, "He wants power, so he wants to stir up trouble in Dongjiang City."

"Exactly!"

"If that's the case, perhaps we can still think of a way to join forces against the Shangguan Family!"

"How do you plan to deal with the Shangguan Family?"

Suddenly, the door to the small hut was pushed open, and Huang Lingyan stepped inside.

Night fell, and they were in the stone pavilion in the backyard of the Shangguan Family's residence.

"Eldest Brother, Second Brother, is this really necessary?"

Shangguan Xiyun looked at her two older brothers, her face full of reluctance.

"Little sister, this is no game. Tonight will be exceptionally dangerous, and your brothers might not be able to look after you."

"But... but there's still Sanhuo..."

"Sanhuo won't work either. Alright, hurry up and go inside!"

Shangguan Feiyun stopped wasting words. With a flicker of his body, he struck the four pillars of the pavilion in succession. With the sound of mechanisms, the stone table slowly parted, revealing a passage to a secret chamber.

Although Shangguan Xiyun felt helpless, she knew that tonight's events were likely significant and could only obediently enter the secret chamber.

In the front hall, Li Yan had just finished reading Wind Chasing Wave Treading, and the system had completed its recording.

Martial Arts: Wind Chasing Wave Treading (Not Learned) (0/200)

"System, learn Wind Chasing Wave Treading."

"Consuming 200 points, Wind Chasing Wave Treading has been learned."

Martial Arts: Wind Chasing Wave Treading (Beginner's Glimpse) (0/400)

Wind Chasing Wave Treading was divided into two parts: Wind Chasing and Wave Treading. Wind Chasing was a lightness skill, while Wave Treading was a method of evasion during combat.

Although it was only a beginner's glimpse, it had solved Li Yan's urgent problem.

"Brother Wan, thank you for waiting."

Shangguan Liuyun and the other arrived. The three exchanged glances and immediately set off, leaving the Shangguan Family's residence.

Just as the three were setting off, Xu San and Wang Jin also received the news. They both looked at Huang Lingyan beside them.

Huang Lingyan chuckled and said, "It seems our suspicions were correct. They really intend to send that Wan Sanhuo away tonight. Heh heh, they've got quite a plan."

"Go and intercept them. I will personally engage Shangguan Liuyun. As for Wan Sanhuo, if necessary, kill him. Just leave a complete corpse."

"Thank you, City Lord."