Entering the Yan Family

In Obsidian City, almost all the citizens work for the Yan Family, farming the land. These people rely entirely on the Yan Family for their survival in the city.

This is because all the land outside the city suitable for growing Black Rye Mushrooms belongs to the Yan Family. Furthermore, the Yan Family employs a considerable number of enforcers, giving them immense power with few daring to resist.

Feng Xianglin was one such tenant farmer. He worked diligently, his only hope being to have enough Black Rye Mushrooms to eat each day.

With the previous Black Rye Mushroom harvest complete, it was time to plant again.

Just like every year, Feng Xianglin went to the Yan Family to collect the farm tools needed for planting.

Around thirty years old, he had been farming Black Rye Mushrooms for the Yan Family for nearly twenty years. Yet, he had no surplus grain left at home. If any accident occurred, causing him to miss a planting season, he would have to go hungry.

If he couldn't manage, he would have to request relief grain from the Yan Family.

However, this relief grain wasn't easy to obtain. Once he accepted it, it was equivalent to signing a contract of servitude with the Yan Family, making it impossible to ever leave their employ. He would essentially become a serf.

Feng Xianglin was a tenant farmer with dreams. He didn't want to end up as a serf, farming for the Yan Family his entire life without ever achieving anything.

His greatest dream in life was to own a piece of land of his own, to grow Black Rye Mushrooms for himself, and not have to hand over what he grew to the Yan Family.

"What? We have to hand over eighty percent of the Black Rye Mushrooms from this season?" Feng Xianglin exclaimed, his mouth agape, his face filled with unease.

"Yes, the master wasn't satisfied with the previous harvest and decided to take an extra ten percent this season. Sigh!"

The person speaking to Feng Xianglin was also a tenant farmer. He had just collected his farm tools and received this terrible news, and was now looking dejected.

Feng Xianglin's expression was equally grim. In previous years, handing over seventy percent of the harvest was just barely enough for him to get by. Now, with another ten percent increase, he feared he would go hungry for a period.

Most crucially, once the percentage increased, the Yan Family wouldn't be kind enough to lower it again.

"It can't be helped if the harvest isn't good. Look at these tools for loosening the soil, they're so rusty. If the soil can't be properly loosened, how can the Black Rye Mushrooms grow well!"

"I told the Yan Family before to get a batch of new soil-loosening tools, why didn't they listen!"

Feng Xianglin frowned and complained, feeling utterly helpless about the Yan Family's decision to increase the levy by ten percent.

"Sigh, there's nothing we can do. There's only so much land outside the city suitable for growing Black Rye Mushrooms. If you don't farm it, plenty of others will!" the other tenant farmer sighed, waving his hand.

At these words, Feng Xianglin was immediately rendered speechless.

If the Yan Family didn't let him farm, his very survival would be in question, and he wouldn't be able to resist.

"Forget it, forget it. I'll just have to cultivate an extra two fen of land this season," Feng Xianglin said, his gaze dimming.

After farming for so many years, his body was no longer as agile as it used to be. In the freezing cold, with his face to the black earth and his back to the sky, cultivating an extra two fen of land was no easy feat.

He didn't know how long he could endure such arduous labor.

Most importantly, he, Feng Xianglin, hadn't even found a wife yet. He didn't want the Feng family line to end with him.

He had to try harder!

Having received such bad news, Feng Xianglin now looked at the imposing Yan Family mansion down the street, finding it utterly ugly and detestable.

Why didn't heaven strike these skinflint devils with lightning and kill them!

As Feng Xianglin cursed and walked towards the Yan Family mansion's entrance, a group of burly, fierce-looking men suddenly emerged from the other side of the street.

The moment Feng Xianglin saw these men, he shivered and quickly moved to stand by the Yan Family mansion's gate.

These men clearly weren't good people. They were from the Righteous Gang, and Feng Xianglin recognized them immediately.

The burly, bald man leading them looked even more terrifying, as fierce as if he could devour people. Feng Xianglin didn't dare to meet their gaze.

Upon reaching the Yan Family mansion's gate, Tian Long waved his hand, and the group of tough men following him stopped.

"Wei Tian, Zhao Kou, carry this blacksmith inside with me."

After speaking, Tian Long's gaze quickly swept over the dozens of Righteous Gang members around him. These were his most trusted men, and each of them was a capable fighter.

He exchanged a look with them, and his gaze then swept over several hidden corners of the street.

In these hidden corners, a sharp and deadly dagger was concealed. As soon as an opportunity arose, this "dagger" of thirteen men would press against the Yan Family's throat and slit it without hesitation.

The Seven Kill Squad members were well-trained. Even with their great hatred upon them, none of them lost their composure. Instead, they waited calmly for Tian Long's command.

Only in this way could they unleash their full strength and deliver the greatest blow to the Yan Family.

"Open the gate for me! Call out that guy Yan San. I've brought the person your Second Young Master wants!" Tian Long shouted with a laugh towards the Yan Family mansion's gate.

As he spoke, Zhao Kou and Wei Tian carried Li Qing, who was bound tightly with ropes, to the mansion gate.

Feng Xianglin, trembling beside them, glanced at Li Qing, who was completely bound by rope except for his face. His heart nearly leaped out of his chest from fright.

It was a face covered in bloodstains, looking utterly miserable and terrifying. Just a single glance was enough to scare him into looking away.

Not long after, a laugh echoed from within the mansion.

"Hahaha, Gang Leader Tian Long, you've finally arrived! The Second Young Master is waiting for you inside. Bring the person in!" Yan San pushed open the mansion gate, also laughing.

Tian Long waved his hand and asked, "Are the Blood Jade Mushrooms and White Meat Mushrooms you mentioned ready?"

"Of course, the Second Young Master never goes back on his word. They've been prepared for a long time!"

Inside the Yan Family mansion, Yan San seemed even more arrogant. He had shown some apprehension towards Tian Long before, but now his back was straight as an arrow.

Upon entering the Yan Family mansion, Li Qing, who appeared to be on the verge of death, keenly sensed several gazes directed his way.

Li Qing knew with his toes that these were the guards the Yan Family kept in the mansion, on alert for any potential trouble.

Bang!

The mansion gate closed again. Wei Tian subtly glanced at the guards behind the door before silently continuing to carry Li Qing forward.

It had to be said, as the foremost family in Obsidian City, the Yan Family's grounds were quite beautiful, with small bridges and flowing water arranged artfully, possessing a distinct classical charm.

After crossing a stone arch bridge, a hearty laugh soon echoed.

"Heh heh, Heavenly Dragon Gang Leader, it's truly been a long time. How have you been lately?"

The Second Young Master Yan, Yan Gui'an, sat unceremoniously in a chair, looking at Tian Long and his group as they approached.

Behind him stood a middle-aged man, whose imposing physique rivaled Tian Long's. He stood with his hands clasped behind his back, meeting Tian Long's gaze with a calm expression.

This was one of the Yan Family's three martial arts retainers, Jing Tai!

The three Yan Family retainers each had their own duties, diligently guarding the three most important individuals of the Yan Family at all times: the Yan Family patriarch, Yan Qitian; the eldest young master, Yan Guifu; and the Second Young Master Yan, Yan Gui'an, who was before them.