Threatening Master Li

"I understand!"

He An took a deep breath and looked at Master Li with a complicated expression. He sighed inwardly. Things are getting harder and harder to handle. After I get back today, I have to hurry up and improve my strength.

"But I really can't temper my body with Blood-Connecting Pills and Spirit Medicines at home. It'd be hard to explain to Eldest Brother."

"Where should I go, then?"

He couldn't think of a suitable place—somewhere he wouldn't have to worry about anyone finding out about the Blood-Connecting Pills, and where he could keep Eldest Brother from learning that he was using them to temper his body rather than break through.

"Bullshit!"

A roar like that of a ferocious beast cut off his train of thought.

Master Li's eyes were bloodshot as he roared, "This is all because you're useless! You can't even dig up a single clue. Since you don't have what it takes, I'll investigate it myself."

"How dare you."

Sun Wangxian lowered his voice.

"Master Li, don't forget—you've never had clean hands. If you dare do that again and the Town Martial Division catches you..."

"You know what awaits you, don't you?"

Master Li sneered.

"You think you can stop me? Show me the evidence! I'm going to make sure everyone sees that anyone who dares lay a hand on a disciple of my Great Fortune Martial Arts Hall is doomed to die."

"And another thing..."

Master Li threatened him. "Captain Sun, you've crossed me more than once or twice. If you keep this up, aren't you afraid I'll go after you and your family?"

"I hear you have a very virtuous wife and a lively, adorable son."

"Lay one finger on my family, and you'll be the first one I kill!" Sun Wangxian ground out through clenched teeth, almost shouting each word.

Master Li burst into laughter and mocked him. "Guess whether I dare. I've lived this long, and there's nothing in this world I wouldn't dare do."

Sun Wangxian's chest heaved, his eyes full of murderous intent.

Watching this unfold,

the others didn't dare say a word.

But He An stepped forward of his own accord. "I'd heard Master Li was brazen and lawless. Now that I've seen you for myself, it's clear the rumors were true. You even dare threaten people from the Town Martial Division."

"Aren't you afraid this will get out, and the brothers of the Town Martial Division will come knocking and smash up your Martial Arts School?"

Master Li narrowed his eyes and said disdainfully, "And who are you to talk to me like that?"

He An smiled. "Who I am is none of your concern. I'm just reminding you that if you dare threaten our Captain Sun, you'd better be ready to pay the price."

"Our brothers joined the Town Martial Division so they could earn enough to eat and protect their families."

"And you, a Martial Arts School master, dare brazenly threaten Captain Sun's family. If you can do this to him, couldn't the same happen to any of us?"

"If that's the case, how could they ever feel safe doing their jobs and tirelessly hunting down criminals every day?"

"When that happens, no matter who you are or who's backing you, I doubt even the Captain would stand by and let you bully the Town Martial Division as you please!"

He An's words rang out with conviction.

Everyone who heard him agreed wholeheartedly.

In an instant,

the Government Office and Town Martial Division members there looked at Master Li differently.

Noticing their change in attitude, Master Li immediately understood. He An had used the Town Martial Division's name as a shield, tying the whole organization to himself.

That way, whatever Master Li did, he'd earn the resentment of everyone in the Town Martial Division.

What a sly little brat!

Master Li thought to himself.

"Kid, who are you? What's your name?"

"He An!"

"You're He An?"

Master Li looked astonished. Meng Cao had only just come to see him last night, asking him to deal with a kid named He An. He hadn't expected to meet him today.

"You know me?"

He An was puzzled. By rights, the other man shouldn't have known him.

Unless...

He suddenly thought of another possibility.

"Know you? Your name's practically thundered in my ears."

Master Li smiled without warmth. "Kid, you and I really are fated to meet. You've piqued my interest after just one encounter."

"Still, it's nice. I haven't met anyone this interesting in a long time."

At that moment, He An was even more certain of his suspicion: Meng Cao had already approached Master Li. He didn't even need to guess what they were after.

He An gestured toward the exit.

"Master Li, let's go."

"Don't worry. We'll get to the bottom of your disciple's murder. Whether we can actually find out who did it, though, is another matter. After all, they were your disciples."

"Fine. Fine. Fine."

Master Li's face darkened, and he said ominously, "Kid, we'll meet again. When we do, I hope you're still as stubborn as you are today."

With that, he turned and stormed off.

Seeing this, Sun Wangxian was full of worry. "Brother He, this has nothing to do with you. Why did you insist on getting involved and provoking him like that?"

"Don't you know he's an expert in the Blood Circulation Realm, with the mighty Meng Family backing him?"

"No matter how much we argue, as long as I'm alive, he won't dare do anything to me, much less hurt my family."

"But you're different. You've only just started learning martial arts, and he doesn't consider Eldest Brother a threat, either."

"Aren't you afraid he'll try to take you out in secret?"

"Afraid? Of course I'm afraid!"

"But there's nothing I can do about it. I've already offended him. One more offense or one less makes no difference—he won't spare me either way."

"Since that's the case, why should I save him any face?"

He An sighed.

"You..."

Sun Wangxian was left fretting helplessly, unable to think of anything he could do. All he could do was urge He An to be careful.

On the way back,

they passed Qingyun Tower.

He An stopped, lost in thought.

"What is it, Brother He? Are you thinking of going in for a bit of fun?" Sun Wangxian asked suspiciously. He didn't think He An was that sort of person.

Wu Wenming, on the other hand, grinned mischievously and slung an arm around his shoulders.

"Brother He, if you're into this, why didn't you say so earlier? I'm treating today. I'll show you around and make a day of it."

He waved his hand grandly.

"I'll treat the other brothers, too!"

"Thanks, Young Master Wu!"

Everyone looked excited, itching to rush straight into Qingyun Tower.

"Brother He, I hear Qingyun Tower recently got a new courtesan. Her skin's as smooth as jade, and her eyes are full of peach blossoms. Want to take a look together?"

Wu Wenming raised his brows.

He An came back to his senses and immediately shook his head.

"No need. I just suddenly remembered something. If you make a lot of noise in one of the rooms at Qingyun Tower, would anyone else notice?"

"No."

Wu Wenming assured him.

"I've been here countless times. The private rooms are especially comfortable. No matter how much noise you make, no one else will notice."

He An's eyes lit up.

What a great place!

It was practically perfect for tempering his body.