Medicinal Herbs Intercepted

One month later.

Within Green Maple Valley, a grand wedding ceremony was held.

It was a marriage alliance of great fanfare.

The legitimate daughter of the Zheng Family married the grandson of the Li Family's First Elder. Both families were top aristocratic families in Baihe County, so virtually all influential figures in Baihe County were in attendance.

Even the Song Family, which had grievances with the Li Family, sent an elder to present a congratulatory gift.

Family Council Hall.

"Elders, I have decided to go into seclusion. During this period, unless the family faces a crisis of survival, no one is to disturb me."

"During this time, the family's affairs will be entrusted to all of you."

Li Xinge sat at the head of the table, giving his instructions.

The elders readily accepted the task.

The Patriarch's cultivation chamber. The heavy stone door slowly closed.

Li Xinge sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion, sensing the dense spiritual energy around him. He slowly closed his eyes and began to cultivate with focus.

After Li Xinge went into seclusion.

The Li Family quietly began to recuperate and rebuild. For a time, Baihe County outwardly returned to its former peaceful state.

One month later...

On a flat road, several carriages were moving forward slowly.

Without exception, black flags fluttered in the wind on both sides of these carriages.

The golden character "Li" on the black flags was exceptionally conspicuous.

On either side of the carriages walked more than ten burly men armed with sabers, acting as guards.

"Everyone, put in some effort. In another two hours, we'll be done with our task. When we get back, I'll treat you all to drinks and entertainment out of my own pocket..."

The strong man leading the group wiped the sweat from his forehead and said with a hearty laugh.

"Seventeenth Master is generous!"

The others burst into laughter. Suddenly, they felt invigorated, and their pace quickened considerably.

In the dense forests on both sides, a killing intent quietly emerged.

A cold glint shot out like lightning. A guard clutched his neck and fell to the ground in agony.

The sudden turn of events stunned everyone.

The leading man, upon seeing this, repeatedly shouted, "Strengthen your defenses!"

As his voice fell, another wave of arrows rained down.

The guards drew their sabers from their scabbards and used them to block the incoming arrows.

After one wave of arrows, four more men had fallen.

"Kill them!"

A loud voice echoed from the dense forest.

Figures clad in black, who had been hidden for a long time, emerged from the woods wielding various weapons, surrounding the caravan.

"How dare you! Do you know who we are? If you retreat quickly, we might spare your lives!"

The man known to them as Seventeenth Master roared indignantly.

"Hahahaha, I am well aware of the Li Family's reputation."

A black-clad man with a face full of scars and a blind eye slowly walked out of the dense forest, laughing heartily.

Then, his tone shifted, and his eyes turned cold. "However, I am here to kill people from your Li Family."

Seventeenth Master's heart sank. It seemed these uninvited guests today were targeting the Li Family.

It was clear now that a peaceful resolution was impossible.

With this thought, Seventeenth Master made a decisive move and roared, "Brothers, kill!"

As his voice landed, he charged forward at the forefront.

Two black-clad figures immediately drew their sabers and met his charge.

A flash of cold light streaked across, and the two black-clad figures were instantly decapitated.

The leader of the black-clad men, witnessing this, remained expressionless, though the coldness in his eyes intensified.

"You do have some skill, but today, you must die!"

With that, he drew the great saber strapped to his back and swung it at Seventeenth Master.

Seventeenth Master drew his saber to block. Their weapons clashed, sparks flying, and a piercing metallic screech filled the air.

Seventeenth Master retreated several steps.

His expression was grim as he said, "Minor Accomplishment in Body Cultivation!"

"Hmph, enough with the nonsense, die!"

Having gained a slight advantage, the leader of the black-clothed men pressed his attack relentlessly.

He unleashed a fierce set of sword techniques, making Seventeenth Master's situation dire.

"The people of the Li Family are nothing special!"

The leader of the black-clothed men taunted with disdain.

"You're asking for death!"

The latter was completely enraged by these words. He swung a powerful, heavy saber, attacking the leader of the black-clothed men once more.

Under this life-risking offensive, the two, who had a considerable gap between them, were now fighting to a standstill.

"Seventeenth Master, stop fighting, don't worry about us, hurry and leave!"

A tragic cry rang out from behind Seventeenth Master.

Green Maple Valley.

Four Li Family disciples with powerful auras guarded the only path into the valley.

In the distance, a rider galloped towards them. One of the Li Family disciples immediately shouted angrily.

"Halt! Dismount!"

Seeing that the rider had no intention of stopping.

As they were about to forcibly intercept him, they saw the rider on the horse seem to lose all strength and fall off.

The disciples cautiously surrounded him. Upon seeing the rider's face.

They immediately exclaimed, "It's Uncle Seventeen!"

This rider was indeed the leader of the convoy, Seventeenth Master.

"Feilong... Gorge... Medicinal Herbs... intercepted!"

After saying this, Seventeenth Master's head lolled, and he fainted.

"Quick, something big has happened, report to the Elders immediately!"

In the Family Assembly Hall, an emergency Elder Council was convened.

"Everyone, a family disciple just reported that our Li Family's medicinal herb transport caravan was ambushed at Feilong Gorge. The medicinal herbs were stolen, and Seventeen is severely injured, hanging by a thread!"

The First Elder said with a grave expression.

The Elders present were all furious!

This was a direct insult to the Li Family.

The hot-tempered Second Elder stood up abruptly, his face dark, and roared, "Who did this? I'll kill them!"

With that, he slammed his palm onto the table before him, shattering it.

The First Elder glared at him.

He reprimanded, "Second Brother, control your temper. Seventeen is your son, and I understand your urgency, but this is the Assembly Hall, a place for the family to discuss important matters, not for you to throw tantrums!"

The First Elder's scolding temporarily calmed the Second Elder.

He forcibly suppressed the raging inferno in his heart and sat back down.

"First Elder, do we know who did this?"

The Sixth Elder, Li Yanzhao, asked with a serious expression.

The First Elder shook his head. "Not yet. I just received the news, and the only one who knows, Seventeen, is still unconscious."

"Those medicinal herbs are of great importance to our Li Family. Many disciples in the clan are waiting for those herbs for Body Tempering. If their cultivation is delayed, how will we explain ourselves to the Patriarch when he emerges from seclusion?"

The Third Elder interjected.

"What if we procure another batch when the time comes?"

"It's too late."

The Sixth Elder shook his head.

"The Medicinal Herbs in the Medicine Pavilion are in short supply. My Li Family can only purchase them once every six months."

Everyone's expression grew even uglier.

"We must get this batch of Medicinal Herbs back."

The Second Elder said with a dark expression.

"Whose territory is Feilong Gorge?"

The First Elder narrowed his eyes.

"Black Robe Village!"

The Third Elder answered in a deep voice.

"Well done, Black Robe Village. I recall the great leader of Black Robe Village is Town Mountain Tiger, right?"

"Indeed. I think this Town Mountain Tiger is like an old man eating arsenic, tired of living! Don't think Black Robe Village is hard to attack and easy to defend; we can't do anything about him. First Elder, gather the clan's elites and flatten Black Robe Village."

Several elders said one after another.

"Everyone, don't rush. Don't let anger cloud your judgment. Although Town Mountain Tiger is arrogant, he has never interfered with us for all these years. I fear there's something strange about this."

"What the First Elder said is not unreasonable. Logically, Town Mountain Tiger shouldn't have the guts to attack our Li Family."

In the past, Town Mountain Tiger never touched the Li Family.

Let alone the Li Family, which is now soaring after marrying into the Zheng Family.

Unless Town Mountain Tiger's brain was kicked by a donkey.

"Regardless, since this happened on Black Robe Village's territory, we naturally have to go trouble Town Mountain Tiger. If this matter was indeed done by Town Mountain Tiger, then my Li Family is certainly not one to be trifled with."

The First Elder said coldly.

"First Elder is wise!"

"Sixth Elder, please make this trip."

"Understood!"

Li Yanzhao gladly accepted the order.