Why Are You Treating Me Like an Idiot?

A few days later

Although the Lei Clan had conceded on the surface, they had secretly begun delaying the handover of Ironwood Estate.

Luo Heng knew perfectly well that the Lei Clan would never willingly give up the stable annual supply of ironwood. Before the transfer, they would certainly try to sabotage it or leave behind some hidden trouble.

He remembered that this was how it had been written in the Original Work—using chemicals and cutting down the ironwood trees.

In the study, Luo Heng was discussing the matter with Luo Yun.

"Father, that old fox Lei Bao probably intends to turn Ironwood Estate into barren land before handing it over. We cannot delay the transfer any longer. We must take possession immediately."

Luo Yun frowned tightly. "The Lei Clan claims that the title deeds and documents need sorting out, and that there is still stockpiled ironwood within the estate that has not been transported away. They say the handover cannot take place for at least another half month."

Luo Heng sneered. "Half a month? By then, there probably will not be a single intact ironwood tree left in Ironwood Estate."

He did not care much about the ironwood itself; what he cared about was the stone mine. Still, he had to put on a show.

He rose to his feet. "Tomorrow, I will personally lead men there to take possession. If the Lei Clan dares obstruct us, the Martial Combat Stage wager is known throughout the town, and several witnesses are present. I would like to see whether the Lei Clan dares tear up the agreement in public."

Luo Yun hesitated for a moment before finally nodding. "All right. I'll go with you and bring the clan's best men."

"No, Father. You and Mother should stay home. Luo Qing, a few Body Tempering Sixth Level guards, and I will be enough." Luo Heng shook his head.

Seeing that Luo Yun still wanted to say something, Luo Heng smiled faintly. "Father, have you forgotten? I am now at the Body Tempering Seventh Level. I can even defeat Lei Li. Among the Lei Clan's younger generation, no one is my match. As for the older generation... if they dare attack me, they will be breaking the Martial Combat Stage's rules. Grandfather Lin and Master Luo will not stand by and do nothing."

Only then did Luo Yun feel somewhat relieved, though he still warned, "Be careful in all things. If the situation turns unfavorable, retreat immediately. It does not matter if we lose Ironwood Estate. Your safety is what matters most."

"I understand, Father."

The following morning, Luo Heng led Luo Qing and six Luo Family guards straight to Ironwood Estate.

Ironwood Estate lay thirty miles west of Qingyang Town, backed against Ironwood Mountain and covering several hundred acres. The estate primarily cultivated a special kind of tree called ironwood.

Its wood was as hard as iron and was excellent for forging weapons and making furniture. It was produced nowhere else within several hundred miles, making it extremely valuable.

When the group arrived at Ironwood Estate, its gates were tightly shut. More than ten Lei Clan Guards stood outside, led by a burly one-eyed man with a saber at his waist and a fierce aura.

"Stop! Ironwood Estate is a restricted area. Unauthorized people are forbidden from entering!" the one-eyed man barked.

Luo Heng stepped forward and said calmly, "I am Luo Heng. I have come today, according to the Martial Combat Stage wager, to take possession of Ironwood Estate. Move aside."

The one-eyed man snickered. "What wager? I have never heard of it! The estate master has ordered that Ironwood Estate be sealed for inventory starting today. No one is allowed in or out!"

Luo Heng smiled faintly. "Lei Bao intends to tear up the wager?"

"What wager or no wager? I only obey the estate master's orders! Take another step forward, and do not blame me for being impolite!" The one-eyed man sounded extremely impatient.

Luo Heng did not waste another word. He raised a hand and waved it. "Take them down."

The six guards behind him responded and stepped forward. They were all skilled fighters trained by the Luo Family. Though only at the Body Tempering Sixth Level, they worked together seamlessly. The six formed a battle formation, their momentum impressive.

The one-eyed man's face darkened as he roared, "You are courting death! Get them!"

More than ten Lei Clan Guards rushed forward at once, and the two sides immediately descended into battle.

Luo Heng watched quietly, but his gaze swept toward the estate. He could sense several fairly powerful auras lurking deep inside, one of which had even reached the Late Earthen Yuan Stage.

As expected, there is an ambush. Luo Heng sneered inwardly. The Lei Clan wanted to use the excuse of "the estate guards resisting" to create chaos, perhaps even seize the chance to kill him.

But that was exactly what he wanted.

The battle was decided quickly. The Luo Family guards were well trained, and their six-man formation balanced offense and defense. In less than the time it took to drink half a cup of tea, more than half the Lei Clan Guards had fallen, and the one-eyed man had also been knocked to the ground.

"Luo Heng, you dare injure members of the Lei Clan? The estate master will not spare you!" the one-eyed man roared.

Luo Heng did not even look at him. He strode straight to the estate gates and kicked them.

Boom!

The heavy wooden gates shattered at once!

The scene inside came into view. Several dozen Lei Clan Guards stood ready in formation. At their head was a gray-haired old man in black robes with a sinister gaze. He was Lei Shan, the Lei Clan's steward stationed at Ironwood Estate.

Late Earthen Yuan Stage cultivation.

Lei Shan sneered. "Luo Family brat, you have gone too far! Ironwood Estate is Lei Clan property. How can you enter whenever you please?"

Luo Heng's expression remained calm, his tone utterly indifferent. "Steward Lei Shan, the Martial Combat Stage wager was witnessed by four arbiters. Ironwood Estate already belongs to my Luo Family. It would have been one thing for your Lei Clan to delay the handover, but now you dare obstruct us from taking possession. Are you trying to make an enemy of the entire town?"

Lei Shan's expression shifted slightly, but he quickly snorted. "A wager is a wager, but the handover takes time. There is still a large stockpile of ironwood in the estate, and the accounts have not yet been fully checked. Forcing your way in now—are you trying to rob us?"

Hearing this, Luo Heng smiled. "Stockpile? Accounts? Steward Lei, do you really think I am so easy to fool?"

He pointed toward the yard where ironwood had been piled up. "That ironwood is dark in color and covered in cracks. It is clearly old timber that has been stored for years and has already begun to rot. You have transported away the real high-quality ironwood, have you not?"

Lei Shan's pupils contracted. He had not expected Luo Heng's eye to be so sharp.

"As for the accounts... every family in town has a rough idea of Ironwood Estate's annual production and sales. If your Lei Clan truly dares tamper with the books, I would not mind inviting the Lin Family and Raging Blade Martial Hall to audit them together." Luo Heng sneered. Did they really think they could play him for a fool?

Lei Shan's face darkened completely. He knew that the delaying tactic had failed.

The youth before him was not only powerful, but also meticulous. There was no way to deceive him.

"Luo Heng, do you insist on taking possession today?" Lei Shan gritted out.

"It is not that I insist on today... it is now. Immediately. This instant!" Luo Heng said without mercy.

As his words fell, he took a step forward. The aura of the Body Tempering Seventh Level erupted from him, while he secretly released a trace of Earthen Yuan Stage pressure.

Lei Shan only felt an invisible pressure envelop his entire body. It actually made even him, a Late Earthen Yuan Stage cultivator, feel his heart tremble!

There is something strange about this kid! Lei Shan was horrified. He had originally planned that if Luo Heng forced his way in, he would "accidentally" seriously injure him and create an "accident."

But now, he suddenly did not dare make a move.

That inexplicable pressure gave him a faint sense of deadly danger.

"...Fine!"

In the end, Lei Shan gritted his teeth and yielded. His expression was extremely unpleasant as he said, "All estate guards, withdraw! The stockpiled ironwood, account books, and title deeds are to be handed over in full!"

"Steward!" A Lei Clan guard was deeply unwilling.

"Shut up! Carry out the order!" Lei Shan shouted.

He gave Luo Heng a deep look, then turned and left with his men.

The Lei Clan members withdrew quickly. In less than half an hour, only the Luo Family's people remained in the estate.

"Young Master, Lei Shan left too readily. There may be a trick," Luo Qing said quietly.

Luo Heng nodded. "They must have tampered with the estate. Take the men and carefully inspect the storehouses, accounting room, and every building. See whether any fire oil, explosives, or similar things have been hidden."

"Yes!"

Luo Qing led the men off to search separately, while Luo Heng headed alone toward Ironwood Mountain behind the estate.

He remembered that near the Yang Yuan Stone Mine, there was an Early Heaven Yuan Realm Demon Beast? And in one of the mine tunnels, there was a Fire Ancestor Demon Flower that could allow Xiao Diao to begin awakening?