Threats

The next morning, just after arriving in Yan City, Li Quan was preparing to gradually put his plan to establish his business there into action when Chen Long came looking for him.

Looking at Chen Long's hostile expression, Li Quan sighed inwardly. He knew he was in for another struggle today.

"Shopkeeper Li, I'll get straight to the point. If you hand over a hundred thousand Pure Origin Stones and thirty thousand spirit herbs of third grade or higher to the Wild Wolf Gang, then from now on, my gang will protect your business. No one will dare cause you trouble."

As soon as he sat down, Chen Long didn't even take a sip of tea before impatiently stating his terms.

His conversation with Elder Huang yesterday had made Chen Long realize that if he couldn't gather the Origin Stones and spirit herbs he needed, he would likely be ruthlessly killed. But he didn't want to die. He wanted to live for a few more decades, so he had to gather what Elder Huang required as quickly as possible. That would not only save his life, but might even let him use Elder Huang's power to expand the Wild Wolf Gang's influence.

When Li Quan heard Chen Long's terms, fury surged through him. But knowing he was no match for Chen Long, he could only force down his anger and put on a strained smile. "You must be joking, Gang Leader Chen. Even if I handed over everything I own, I couldn't scrape together a hundred thousand Pure Origin Stones. How about you name another condition?"

Chen Long only gave a cold laugh. "You must be joking, Shopkeeper Li. Given your standing in Green Sun Town, how could you not have a mere hundred thousand Pure Origin Stones?"

Chen Long hadn't made up his demands on a whim. He had already secretly investigated Li Quan's finances in detail. All told, they were worth roughly a hundred thousand Pure Origin Stones!

That was precisely why Chen Long was confident that seizing all of Li Quan's property would let him complete the task Elder Huang had given him.

Hearing this, Li Quan knew that Chen Long had investigated him and that was how he had come up with his demands. But the more he realized that, the angrier he became.

Chen Long clearly had his eye on Li Quan's fortune and wanted to use this opportunity to take it all.

Li Quan's entire fortune was worth no more than a hundred and thirty thousand Pure Origin Stones. Yet Chen Long was demanding a hundred thousand Pure Origin Stones and thirty thousand spirit herbs of third grade. Even if Li Quan pawned everything he owned, he would still fall short.

"Gang Leader Chen, forgive me, but I can't agree to your demand. It's far beyond what I can afford."

Li Quan once again forced down his anger and replied helplessly.

Chen Long didn't care what Li Quan thought and continued to sneer. "Shopkeeper Li, my terms are already quite generous. Don't push your luck."

Hearing this, Li Quan gripped the armrests of his chair so tightly that his eyes seemed ready to spit sparks.

Crack!

He squeezed so hard that the armrest broke, the sound carrying to everyone present.

"What's the matter? Angry, Shopkeeper Li? Don't forget, you're on our turf!"

Chen Long had clearly heard the crack. His gaze turned icy as he spoke mockingly.

Chen Long's words were like a bucket of cold water, instantly dousing the flames of anger in Li Quan's heart.

"Chen Long, don't push me too far. Let me make this clear: I will never agree to your terms."

At that moment, Li Quan seemed like a different person. His expression turned calm, and even his aura took on a trace of chill, surprising everyone present.

"So Shopkeeper Li wants to set himself against my Wild Wolf Gang?"

Chen Long's expression darkened. He stared coldly at Li Quan and asked in a frigid voice.

"I don't want to make enemies of you. But if you leave me no way out, I won't just roll over and take it."

Li Quan paid no attention to Chen Long's change in demeanor. His expression grew even calmer, and his eyes became a deep, still pool, impossible to see through. No one could tell what he was really thinking.

"You think you can?"

Chen Long wore a look of disdain and didn't take Li Quan's words seriously at all.

The Wild Wolf Gang might not be one of Yan City's top powers, but it was still a first-rate force. What could a merchant from Green Sun Town possibly do? And what would he dare do?

"I may not be your match, but don't forget, I have a fortune worth a hundred thousand Pure Origin Stones. If I offered all of it to buy your life, Chen Long, do you think no one would accept?" Li Quan gave a cold laugh and spoke evenly.

Chen Long's expression changed slightly at these words, and he began to waver.

Li Quan didn't sound as if he were joking. If he really offered a hundred thousand Pure Origin Stones for Chen Long's head, who knew how many people in Yan City would take the deal? Even Elder Huang would likely kill Chen Long at the first opportunity!

"Fine. Very well, Shopkeeper Li. Let's see if you live to see tomorrow!"

It was daytime, and the City Lord Mansion had rules forbidding violent clashes during the day. Violators would face severe punishment. Chen Long didn't dare defy the City Lord Mansion, so he could only bide his time and wait until midnight to secretly kill Li Quan!

At those words, Li Quan's expression darkened too. He hadn't expected Chen Long to threaten him so openly.

"I think he'll live to see tomorrow."

Just as Li Quan was caught between a rock and a hard place, a figure in a black robe and Ghost God Mask landed in the courtyard. A pair of eyes devoid of emotion calmly regarded Chen Long, who was sitting nearby.

"You... Why did you only get here now!"

At the familiar voice, Li Quan's heart, which had been hanging by a thread, finally settled. His expression gradually brightened.

"Who are you?"

Chen Long had naturally noticed Li Quan's change in demeanor. Alarm rose in his heart. This stranger who had appeared out of nowhere had to be someone extraordinary, or Li Quan wouldn't have reacted like that.

The person who had appeared was, of course, Lin Ge. He had come to discuss the specifics of their plan to wipe out the Wild Wolf Gang with Li Quan, but he hadn't expected to witness Chen Long threatening him.

"How dare a mere Wild Wolf Gang run wild here?"

Lin Ge didn't move. He merely let out a faint trace of a sharp aura, yet Chen Long's expression changed drastically.

"Origin Pellet Realm! He's an Origin Pellet Realm expert!"

Chen Long's heart pounded. He hadn't expected Li Quan to have an Origin Pellet Realm expert backing him. His face paled, and not wanting to lose his life there, he hurriedly said, "Does Your Excellency really think that an Origin Pellet Realm expert can take on my Wild Wolf Gang?"

Lin Ge snorted and replied coolly, "I know your Wild Wolf Gang has an Origin Pellet Realm retainer. But do you think that will be enough to keep you alive?"

As he spoke, Lin Ge ignored everyone else and flashed in front of Chen Long. Then, with incredible speed, he wrenched off one of Chen Long's arms!

"Ah!!!"

A scream of agony rang out.