Li Fucai's Energy

In the underground secret room, Li Fucai and Li Yan sat opposite each other.

"What exactly do you want to do?" Li Fucai stared intently at Li Yan, as if trying to see through him.

"Hahahahaha, don't you already know what I want to do, Magistrate Li?"

"I won't help you!"

"Ha, I'm afraid this matter is not up to Magistrate Li."

"You'll ruin my Li family forever!" Li Fucai slammed his fist on the table, wishing he could skin Li Yan alive.

However, his residual reason prevented him from acting rashly. Although the person before him had dealt with Black Cloud Stronghold through a clever tactic, this trip was definitely not that simple. Without extraordinary intelligence, strategy, and strength, even with a plan, he couldn't have achieved it.

Such a person was no less dangerous than Wu Zongren!

Furthermore, Li Fucai couldn't deny that some of Li Yan's words had indeed touched him.

He was a businessman, and businessmen were best at seeking advantages and avoiding disadvantages. The young man before him was definitely not a good person, but compared to him, Wu Zongren was the real menace.

After a long while, perhaps unable to think of a solution, Li Fucai finally spoke, "Hmph, my troubles aren't over yet. There's still the threat of Three Fiends Ridge."

"If you can't even deal with Three Fiends Ridge, then I'll pretend today's conversation never happened."

Li Yan pondered for a moment and nodded, "Alright, but before that, there are a few things I'd like to know."

"Hmph, speak."

"Brother Shangguan said you could help the Shangguan Family through their difficulties. I'd like to know, what do you plan to do, Magistrate Li?"

"Hahahaha, kid, don't think you can do whatever you want just because you know a few tricks. There's still a lot you don't know."

"Have you heard the old saying? Money makes the world go 'round!"

Magistrate Li could indeed help the Shangguan Family overcome their difficulties, and his method was quite direct.

He was well-known in the business world and had connections everywhere. He only needed to, in his own name, ask those merchants with businesses in Dongjiang City to temporarily stop transporting goods to Dongjiang City, allowing only the Shangguan Family's goods to enter. Within half a month, Dongjiang City would be completely reliant on the Shangguan Family.

If Dongjiang City tried to use force, then even the Shangguan Family's shops would be closed, and Dongjiang City would quickly fall into a desperate situation of being cut off from supplies.

Li Yan nodded with understanding. The method was not much different from what he had guessed, but it was even more domineering than he had imagined. Forcing other merchants to suspend trade was tantamount to cutting off their source of income.

If they agreed to this, there would only be two possibilities.

First, Li Fucai had the ability to easily control these merchants, forcing them to comply.

Second, he bought out these goods at a higher price, exerting strong control.

Of course, it was also possible that both methods were used in conjunction.

But regardless of the method, he now had a certain understanding of Li Fucai's financial resources and influence.

"Since that's the case, Magistrate Li can start preparing. I will resolve the trouble with Three Fiends Ridge as soon as possible."

"You? Hahahaha~" Suddenly, Li Fucai burst into laughter. "Do you know what kind of place Three Fiends Ridge is? You don't think your little tricks will work, do you?"

Seeing Li Yan's confusion, Li Fucai explained with a cold laugh about Three Fiends Ridge.

The so-called Three Fiends Ridge was actually three mountain peaks perpetually shrouded in mist. Eighteen people lived on the mountain, treating each other like siblings. They acted together whether they were attacking intruders or going out to plunder.

Furthermore, these eighteen people were all experts. The weakest among them had reached the ninth level of Body Tempering, and their strongest leader had reached the eighth level of Qi Condensation.

For Li Yan alone to deal with these eighteen people was likely a fool's dream.

"Whether I can complete it is my business. However, Magistrate Li, when I return, I hope to hear the good news I want."

With that, Li Yan no longer lingered and turned to leave.

After Li Yan had gone far, Li Fucai quickly got up, picked up the ledger again, opened it, and read it several times before clutching it in his hand, his body trembling slightly.

After only a moment, Li Fucai's lips curved into a smile. "Hehehe, hahahaha, hahahaha, so that's how it is, so that's how it is..."

"So it was all your doing... Grand Commandant!"

Slam!

The ledger was violently thrown to the ground. Li Fucai's face was filled with visible hatred.

Exiting the secret room, Li Yan turned and returned to his own room. He hadn't had a good rest in two days, and coupled with the heavy killing today, his mind was stretched to its limit.

He fell into a deep sleep, typical of a young person.

Tianwu City, located in the Imperial City of Great Wu.

"The Imperial City is bustling with prosperity, and the Grand Commandant's family is the richest."

This was a common saying among children in the Imperial City, and it was not an exaggeration. Within Tianwu City, the Imperial City occupied a quarter of the land, the Grand Commandant's mansion occupied another quarter, and the remaining area was for the common people.

A Grand Commandant's mansion daring to rival the Imperial City showed the astonishing power of Wu Zongren.

Inside the Grand Commandant's mansion, in broad daylight, a pool surrounded by carved stones was adorned with sheer veils, revealing the alluring figures of young women.

If King Zhou's wine pool and meat forest represented ten parts of earthly indulgence, this place already possessed seven parts of its essence.

Just then, a woman in the pool suddenly let out a soft cry and was dragged into the water.

The next moment, a man leaped out of the water holding the woman.

This person had a face like jade and an extraordinary heroic bearing. His wet undergarments clearly outlined his lean physique. It was Wu Zongren.

Wu Zongren landed steadily on the shore, looking at the woman in his arms with a wicked grin.

"Ah~ Grand Commandant, you're so wicked, you're shaming this humble servant~"

The woman being held buried her face in Wu Zongren's embrace, blushing shyly. Wu Zongren gazed at her delicate features, a sinister smile curving his lips.

The next moment, the smile vanished from Wu Zongren's face. He casually flung the woman in his arms, and she cried out as she flew towards the pond.

The instant she hit the water, there was a bang, and the woman suddenly exploded. The splashing blood and flesh dyed the entire pond a deep crimson.

However, a bizarre thing happened at that moment. Something seemed to be swimming beneath the pond. It circled the pond once, and all the blood and flesh within disappeared, the water returning to its original state.

The women around watched the scene before them, each one falling silent in fear. Yet, there was no shock in their eyes, as if they were accustomed to such sights.

"How many times have I told you, don't enter the Jade Pool without cleaning yourselves first. You all~"

Wu Zongren looked at the assembled women, his expression conveying a hint of exasperation, as if they were being unreasonable.

As he spoke, a bloody Aura faintly surged around him. When the Aura dissipated, his clothes were dry again.

Just then, a subordinate's report suddenly came from outside the courtyard: "Grand Commandant, an urgent carrier pigeon has arrived."

"Hm?"

With a low hum, Wu Zongren beckoned, and a slip of paper floated into his hand.

Upon taking the paper and reading it, Wu Zongren's face instantly turned cold, a fierce glint flashing in his eyes.

"Wu Jiu..."

As the words fell, a figure abruptly appeared behind Wu Zongren, kneeling on one knee. "Master Wu, command me."

"Dark Cloud Peak was burned, and Black Cloud Stronghold was annihilated. Go investigate."

"Yes."