King of the Treasure Fish, Do Not Be Curious!

"Oh? So you're saying I have no choice but to go with you?"

Liu Chu's voice suddenly turned cold, his gaze fixed on the Li Family steward, sharp as a blade.

The Li Family steward felt as if he were being stared down by a vicious dragon, an inexplicable chill rising from the soles of his feet and surging into his heart.

He looked at Liu Chu, who sat in a tiger-skin chair with a commanding presence; beneath that sharp-edged Black Dragon Mask, the cold, piercing intent emanating from those deep eyes felt like that of an abyssal dragon.

For a fleeting moment, the steward felt as if he were standing face-to-face with his own family head and the grand elder.

"How is this possible? The pressure this man exerts... it feels on par with the family head and the grand elder..."

The Li Family steward was struck with fear.

He immediately thought, "It must be an illusion. This man killed the Wild Wolf Gang leader with six strikes; his strength is at the peak of the Tendon Refining Realm, perhaps approaching the level of the family head and the grand elder!"

At this thought, cold sweat broke out on the steward's forehead: "Doesn't this mean that if he wanted to kill me, it would take no more than a few strikes?"

The Li Family steward, backed by the power of the Li Family, was accustomed to looking down on others, but he suddenly realized that his arrogant posture could very well cost him his life.

After all, while the Li Family was strong, they could only intimidate certain conventional forces; entities like the Black Dragon Gang, which had consolidated three gangs and displayed such a formidable attitude, might not be so easily cowed.

Furthermore, although he was a Tendon Refining martial artist, he had not experienced much real combat; having spent a long time managing business affairs for the family, he rarely had to fight.

Compared to a Tendon Refining martial artist like the Wild Wolf Gang leader who had fought his way up, his own strength was significantly inferior!

If the Black Dragon Gang leader before him was not intimidated by the Li Family and killed him in a fit of rage, he would likely be in grave danger.

Although the Li Family would certainly avenge him afterward, he would not be able to come back to life.

Thinking of this, the Li Family steward quickly lowered his posture, bowed his head, and said with a sincere tone: "Your Excellency, please do not misunderstand. This matter is actually a great opportunity for you. Why not come and have a meeting with our Li Family?"

"Heh, a great opportunity? That has piqued my interest."

Seeing the steward lower his posture, Liu Chu retracted the sharpness in his eyes.

He chuckled, his tone indifferent: "Then tell me, what exactly is this 'great opportunity'? My time for cultivation is very precious. If you can't give me a good reason, I won't waste my effort making a trip with you."

"This..."

Steward Li frowned, his face showing signs of difficulty.

"If you are unwilling to speak, then head back home!"

Seeing the steward's hesitation, Liu Chu let out a cold snort and waved his hand, signaling for him to leave.

Although he was curious about why the Li Family was seeking him out and even claiming it was a "great opportunity," the fact that the other party couldn't even explain it beforehand and had acted so arrogantly showed a lack of sincerity.

Naturally, Liu Chu would not waste time on someone so insincere.

The Li Family steward gritted his teeth and finally spoke: "This matter is of great importance. Please, Gang Leader, dismiss your subordinates!"

As he spoke, he glanced at Feng Sheng.

"Hall Master Feng, you may step down."

Liu Chu waved his hand.

"Yes, Gang Leader!"

Feng Sheng was not worried about the leader's safety; after all, the leader's strength was plain for all to see.

Until Feng Sheng had completely retreated outside the hall, Liu Chu glanced at the Li Family steward with a languid expression, waiting for his answer.

The Li Family steward coughed and said mysteriously: "May I ask, Gang Leader, is your recent collection of Treasure Fish related to the Treasure Fish King?"

Liu Chu's heart tightened, and he sighed inwardly: "As expected, collecting so many Treasure Fish has caught the attention of those with ulterior motives. Fortunately, my strength has improved significantly; I should be able to fend off any prying eyes."

He had long anticipated that collecting Treasure Fish would attract the attention of major powers in Zhaojiang City.

He had originally been accumulating them slowly to keep a low profile.

But it seemed he had drawn the gaze of the Li Family regardless.

He frowned: "The Treasure Fish King?"

He had heard of the Treasure Fish King; it was said that one Treasure Fish King was worth more than a hundred regular Treasure Fish, valued at at least three thousand taels of silver!

It was usually priceless and unavailable on the market!

Moreover, its medicinal properties were a step above regular Treasure Fish. For an external martial artist, it was a potent supplement that could even increase the probability of breaking through to the Neizhuang Realm!

Even for a Neizhuang martial artist, it held significant benefits!

However, Treasure Fish were rare, and the Treasure Fish King was a hundred times harder to find!

The last time a Treasure Fish King appeared was said to be three years ago, drawing countless experts to the vast Qing River outside Zhaojiang City to hunt for it!

Zhaojiang City was named for its proximity to the Qing River, while Heilu Bay was a tributary of the Qing River that flowed into the outer city of Zhaojiang to form a bay.

"Heh heh, Your Excellency appeared suddenly, descended upon the Green Tiger Gang, seized control of the gang, and acted so mysteriously, before later annihilating the Wild Wolf Gang."

"You could say that you have occupied three major gangs by your own strength, one of which includes Heilu Bay, which connects to the Qing River."

The steward of the Li Family paused, then continued with a smile, "Adding in the fact that you have been quietly purchasing so many Treasure Fish recently, it would be hard to convince anyone that you aren't here for the Treasure Fish King."

He wore an expression that said, "Keep pretending, but we've already seen through you," his lips curled into a playful smile as he stared at Liu Chu.

Liu Chu sighed inwardly, I didn't expect that a few coincidences would lead the Li Family to misunderstand and think I'm buying so many Treasure Fish for the sake of the Treasure Fish King!

But that's fine; this way, I don't need to explain why I need so many Treasure Fish!

Liu Chu's thoughts raced, and he immediately looked at the Li Family steward, "So, you have come for the Treasure Fish King?"

"Exactly!"

The Li Family steward nodded, "Our family head noticed that you have been secretly purchasing Treasure Fish, so he suspects that you must have a special method to lure the Treasure Fish King out using a large quantity of them."

He said with a sincere smile, "Therefore, the family head wishes to cooperate with you to seize the Treasure Fish King together!"

"I see."

Liu Chu's tone carried a sense of sudden realization, and he sighed softly, "It is a pity, however, that you are mistaken. I have no method to lure the Treasure Fish King."

"Please, sir, do not joke. If you had no method, why would you need to purchase so many Treasure Fish..."

The Li Family steward looked completely unconvinced.

"I am purchasing the Treasure Fish to cultivate a secret technique!"

Liu Chu casually made up an excuse and then said, "Alright, you may go back. Tell your family head not to be too curious; curiosity killed the cat!"

Once he realized the Li Family had misunderstood him and only wanted to cooperate because they thought he could lure the Treasure Fish King, Liu Chu lost all interest in them.

He had no way to lure the Treasure Fish at all, so what was there to cooperate about?

"This... would you be willing to come to the Li Mansion for a chat?"

The Li Family steward persisted, unwilling to give up.

Liu Chu waved his hand, his tone carrying a hint of warning, "Go back. Remember well: tell your family head not to be too curious!"

Seeing that Liu Chu's attitude was firm, the Li Family steward had no choice but to take his leave, departing from the Black Dragon Gang.

I hope the Li Family knows what's good for them!

Liu Chu watched the back of the departing steward and thought to himself.

He went alone to the courtyard where the Treasure Fish were kept to check on the progress of his collection.

"Hmm, twenty-one Treasure Fish collected already. Not bad, not bad at all!"

Liu Chu looked at the various Treasure Fish swimming in the pond and revealed a smile.