Deep Schemes, Far-Reaching Plans

In the early morning, Wang Fang knocked on Mo Cheng's door, "Young Master, are you awake?"

"Old Wang, come in," Mo Cheng said slowly, exhaling a breath of stale air as he emerged from meditation.

Old Wang pushed the door open and brought the meal prepared by the Treasure Official's Manor.

Yesterday, the two had come to Duobao Town as Li Yan had said. They found the Official's Manor and mentioned Li Huo's name, receiving a warm welcome from the steward. Even a physician and medicine were quickly provided.

In just one night, Mo Cheng's injuries had healed by about seventy to eighty percent.

"Has Brother Li returned?"

"I haven't seen him this morning, but the steward said that young brother Li Huo is incredibly capable, so there's no need to worry."

"Mmm..." Mo Cheng nodded and said no more, focusing on his breakfast.

While they were eating, Li Yan had already slipped away from the manor's inhabitants and entered the underground secret chamber.

When Li Yan arrived, Li Fucai was no longer his usual disheveled and casual self. Instead, he was dressed in his brocade robes, wearing a jade crown hat, a jade belt around his waist, and adorned with dazzling jeweled jade rings in his hands.

Beside him stood another person, the matriarch of the household whom Li Yan had vaguely glimpsed in a haze the other day.

"Hahahaha, Madam, wasn't I right? He definitely has a way to deal with Three Fiends Ridge. Look, didn't he return completely unharmed?"

The Madam merely glanced at Li Yan, her gaze indifferent, but her expression conveyed great joy. "Young Hero Li is indeed extraordinary. You just pacified Black Cloud Stronghold yesterday; I presume Three Fiends Ridge has also been dealt with by you?"

"Yes, dealt with... Steward Li, our agreement..."

"No problem, no problem!"

Li Fucai was overjoyed. Without Black Cloud Stronghold and Three Fiends Ridge, his business could expand and prosper even further!

As for whether Li Huo's actions at Black Cloud Stronghold would be known to Wu Zongren... Who was Li Huo? Did it have anything to do with him, Li Fucai?

Before long, Li Fucai appeared in the manor in broad daylight. The Treasure Official's Manor erupted in cheers and laughter, and soon the entire town knew of the Treasure Official's return.

Li Fucai said nothing about where he had been, only that his safe return was a joyous occasion. With a grand gesture, he announced that silver and copper coins would be distributed to everyone who came and went.

"Tsk, tsk, Treasure Official Li Fucai, truly lives up to his name," Mo Cheng murmured, watching the scene unfold. Old Wang nodded repeatedly beside him.

"Brother Li, what do you think?"

"Not bad."

"Not bad? What do you mean?"

"He's a merchant. He bore the risks of the trade; making or losing money is part of his business, unrelated to others."

"However, since he made money, it shows he has capability. But to be able to give away wealth to others is something most rich merchants cannot do."

Mo Cheng mused, his gaze towards Li Fucai becoming more serious.

Soon, the crowd dispersed. Li Yan brought Mo Cheng to meet Li Fucai. When he heard the latter's name, Li Fucai's eyes nearly bulged out of his head, completely unexpected that Li Yan would know such a person.

The young master of the Great Wu's General's Manor! This was a top force within the Martial Merit Lineage of Great Wu. If he could establish a connection with such a person, even Wu Zongren would have to think twice before making a move against him.

Of course, such matters could not be conducted openly, as it would inevitably become a major handle for others.

Without further ado, Li Fucai immediately had the steward prepare a banquet to entertain Mo Cheng. However, Mo Cheng declined, citing his injuries.

Just then, a house servant delivered an urgent message.

Upon receiving the message, Li Fucai couldn't help but turn to look at Li Yan, a hint of unease in his eyes.

Sensing something was amiss, Li Yan immediately asked, "What happened?"

"This... you should see it for yourself."

Taking the letter, Li Yan scanned the message at lightning speed, his brow furrowing instantly.

Dongjiang City, something had happened!

Just yesterday, City Lord Huang Lingyan had announced that he had received an ultimatum from the Fierce Wind Bandits. If the murderers of their two leaders were not handed over, they would spare no effort in retaliating against Dongjiang City.

In a direct confrontation, Dongjiang City had Huang Lingyan and Shangguan Liuyun, so high-end combat power was not lacking. However, the Fierce Wind Bandits' retaliation would not be a typical martial arts duel. They would resort to any means necessary.

Poisoning, sneak attacks, arson – they would disregard the target's situation, who the target was, or how many casualties there were.

How could the citizens of Dongjiang City withstand such a frenzied opponent?

Subsequently, the Shangguan Family was surrounded by panicked, frightened, and enraged citizens.

At first, there were constant pleas, which later turned into furious curses, and even attempts to storm the Shangguan Family's estate.

Fearing accidental harm to the civilians, Shangguan Liuyun and Shangguan Feiyun were restricted in their actions. When the crowd finally dispersed, they discovered that Shangguan Xiyun was missing!

Later, news spread throughout the city: either the Shangguan Family would deal with the Fierce Wind Bandits, or they would hand over Shangguan Xiyun and negotiate with the Fierce Wind Bandits, pushing Shangguan Liuyun and his brother to a dead end.

"Scoundrels!"

After reading the contents of the letter, Li Yan's heart boiled with rage.

Dongjiang City, nestled in a corner of Great Wu, had enjoyed peace and stability thanks in no small part to the stable supplies secured by the Shangguan Family.

Yet now, a group of ungrateful ruffians had stormed the Shangguan Family's manor and even abducted Shangguan Xiyun.

There's no need to dwell on this. It's definitely Huang Lingyan, that old schemer, who instigated this. Without him, those ruffians wouldn't have dared to act. But right now, the most important thing is how to resolve this.

"Brother Li, if you help me out of this predicament, I certainly won't go back on my word," Li Fucai stated first. "I'll immediately contact all the merchants. Starting tomorrow, no more merchants will enter Dongjiang City."

Li Yan nodded, then stood up to leave, but Mo Cheng, standing nearby, pulled him back.

"Without Brother Li's help in Three Fiends Ridge, I fear for my life. I don't like owing others favors. Since Brother Li needs assistance, Mo Cheng will naturally offer his full support."

Wang Fang, hearing this, his expression changed slightly. Just as he was about to speak, Mo Cheng interrupted him, "Old Wang, you stay here for now and trouble Official Li."

"Oh my, oh my, what are you saying, Young Master Mo? It's an honor for my humble abode to have Mr. Wang visit," Li Fucai replied.

Li Yan nodded. "In that case, gather outside the manor in one hour." With that, he turned and left.

As soon as he stepped out of the hall, the anger on Li Yan's face slowly subsided.

The situation had unfolded almost exactly as he had predicted, even the timing was close.

The day he fought his way out of Dongjiang City, he knew that since Huang Lingyan had bared his fangs, he would undoubtedly seize control of Dongjiang City in the shortest possible time, eliminating all obstacles in his path.

Wang Jin, who was in cahoots with him, hadn't survived another day, so why would he give the Shangguan Family any breathing room?

Although he had benefited greatly from the Shangguan Family, it was on the condition that he saved their youngest sister. It was simply a mutually beneficial arrangement.

Even though Shangguan Liuyun had appeared to trust him implicitly, the reality was that the Shangguan Family was stretched thin.

And his current actions were precisely to offer help in their time of greatest need!

Only through such repeated mutual aid would his relationship with the Shangguan Family deepen. After this, he believed his ties with them would become even stronger, making it easier to ask for their help when needed.