Fan Family Winery.
"Sis, Brother Luo Zheng recommended one of their hall's disciples to me. Come take a look!"
The handsome youth held up a portrait and spoke excitedly.
Beneath a willow tree, a woman in a pale green gown was admiring the flowers.
When she turned around, the pair of ripe fruits on her chest became especially eye-catching, made even more alluring by the silk wrapping them.
Fan Wanyu's eyes lit up.
"Bring it here and let your sister have a look."
Fan Wanyu took the portrait and studied it carefully for a while.
"His looks aren't especially handsome, but he's no crooked melon or split date either. Fairly refined, I suppose. How is his martial cultivation?"
The youth grinned.
"He made his first Gate-Knocking at eighteen, and he's currently preparing for his second."
The light in Fan Wanyu's eyes grew brighter.
"Did Luo Zheng tell you how long it took him to break through to Bright Force?"
The youth gave an embarrassed laugh.
"Well... a little over five months."
"If you ask me, Sis, stop being so picky. There weren't many people willing to propose to you in the first place, yet you find fault with this and that. Where in the world is there a flawless person? Even if there were, he wouldn't come looking for you!"
Fan Wanyu glared at her younger brother, though she knew he was right.
Their family might run a winery that brought in gold by the bucketful every day.
But in the eyes of those truly prominent households, they still did not amount to much.
True disciples of Martial Halls and legitimate sons of the Inner City would never come seeking her hand.
Among all her suitors, Li Chuan's conditions really were not bad.
Fan Wanyu thought for a moment. "What Bone Constitution does he have?"
"Low-Grade."
"A Low-Grade Bone Constitution, and it took him five months just to break through to Bright Force? Doesn't that mean he has no hope of making his second Gate-Knocking?"
Disappointment flashed across Fan Wanyu's face.
If he had a Mid-Grade Bone Constitution, she truly might have considered him.
"What is his family situation?" Fan Wanyu pressed.
"Well..." The youth scratched his head. "It seems he has a breakfast shop in the Outer City. It's a Lineage business."
"Oh..." The enthusiasm Fan Wanyu had just kindled was thoroughly doused.
Seeing her expression, the youth immediately grew anxious.
"Sis, you're already eighteen! If you don't marry soon, no one will want to marry you! You know your own circumstances. Among the people who have proposed, Li Chuan already counts as one of the better ones!"
"And Brother Luo Zheng recommended him with all his heart. The two have an extraordinary relationship, and that's a major advantage too!"
Fan Wanyu unconsciously echoed him.
But when she thought of marrying someone like that, he was indeed not bad, yet she could not shake the feeling of unwillingness.
The man she loved should at least be someone like Qin Feng of Pine Wind Martial Hall.
Even if not, he should be like Luo Zheng—at Dark Force cultivation and with a considerable family fortune!
The youth's face turned ashen.
"You're rejecting this one too?"
"No." Fan Wanyu thought for a moment. "Let's delay it for now and see how he develops. If he somehow manages a second Gate-Knocking, giving him a chance would be no great issue."
The youth curled his lip and muttered inwardly.
If he really reaches Dark Force, would he still think you're worth looking at?
The news quickly reached Pine Wind Martial Hall.
Holding a letter, Luo Zheng read aloud, "Thank you for Brother Li's kind regard, but this humble woman must currently support the family business and has no thoughts of marriage. If Brother Li is truly interested, could he wait a while?!"
Smack! Luo Zheng slapped the letter onto the ground. "Wait a while? What family seeking marriage would wait a while? I never thought Fan Wanyu would be such a shameless woman!"
Luo Zheng was filled with righteous indignation, but Li Chuan did not feel particularly disappointed.
He had been fairly casual about the matter from the start and had not held much hope.
A rejection was just a rejection. It was no great matter.
It was Luo Zheng who had spoken with such certainty before, only to be rejected now. He was somewhat unable to save face.
After Fan Wanyu, he brought Li Chuan more than a dozen portraits in succession for him to choose from.
But after being rejected, Li Chuan's little bit of interest had faded.
After several more rejections, Luo Zheng could only give up.
Two days before New Year's Eve.
Just as Li Chuan was preparing to pack his bags and return home, an unexpected person came to find him.
Wang Youfang entered from outside the hall, grabbed Li Chuan by the arm, and tried to shove him toward the shop.
"Wait!" Li Chuan watched him warily.
A small round face and a full beard—how could he not think too much?
Wang Youfang cried out in exasperation.
"Brother Li, what are you thinking? I'm a married man! I told you last time it was a joke. I came to find you this time because there's something important!"
Li Chuan weighed their respective strengths. Only after making sure he could easily knock Wang Youfang flat did he relax.
"Speak. What is it?"
When the refugees had hijacked the convoy last time, Wang Youfang had made no small contribution.
Whenever Luo Houping had valuable medicinal herbs to deliver, he would call the two of them along.
After making several deliveries together, the two had become familiar with one another.
Wang Youfang's expression suddenly turned grave.
"In the south of the city, Li Family Breakfast Shop, beside Old Liu Tea Shop—is that your family's place?"
Li Chuan's heart skipped a beat.
"What happened? It's my family's."
Wang Youfang let out a heavy sigh.
"Then this is bad. I passed by there today and saw a Bright Force expert wandering around nearby. I watched him for a while and found that his gaze kept sweeping over your family's shop!"
"No mistake. He was definitely watching your home. I've delivered medicine so many times—I'm very sharp at observing people."
Bright Force?
Li Chuan frowned.
"I haven't made friends with any Bright Force martial artists outside, and I'm usually only at the Martial Hall. I don't have many enemies either."
Unless... they were from the Black Bear Gang!
Wang Youfang shook his head.
"I don't know your circumstances, but that man had a vicious face. He didn't look like a Martial Hall disciple. Go back early and stay alert. If you need help, come find me."
Li Chuan glanced at him.
"Thank you, Brother Wang. If I need help, I won't stand on ceremony."
Wang Youfang laughed.
"You brat, I was only being polite! All right, I won't say more. My wife is still waiting for me at home."
Li Chuan waved Wang Youfang off, but a chill had already entered the eyes beneath his lowered lids.
After he killed Liu Hu last time, the Black Bear Gang had been beaten back step by step by the Iron Tiger Gang.
He had thought they would have no mind left to spare for him and that he could develop in peace for a while.
Yet not long had passed before they sent someone again—and this time, a Bright Force expert.
If that man went mad, Li Qing would not be able to stop him!
If they truly only wanted to buy the shop, Li Chuan could accept an amicable discussion.
But without even a greeting, they sent someone to watch outside his home. What were they trying to do?
The Black Bear Gang's actions had undoubtedly planted a thorn in Li Chuan's heart.
As long as Cao Yan lived, his heart would know no peace!
Li Chuan stopped packing the rest of his belongings and took only a few necessities.
He tightened his collar and turned into the wind and snow.
With New Year's Eve approaching, more shops on the streets were open instead.
The year-end season was when money was made. Ordinary people could rest, but businesses could not close.
Many noisy conversations thus drifted into Li Chuan's ears.
Most were meaningless idle chatter, but a small portion contained quite a bit of important information.
"I heard the Black Bear Gang has lost quite a few more men lately. The Iron Tiger Gang's momentum is growing stronger and stronger."
"It's more than just losing quite a few men. Even their gang leader, Cao Yan, was surrounded and hunted down by Song Jin and the Iron Tiger Gang. He only escaped after suffering serious injuries."
"Hasn't the whole city been saying these past few days that the Iron Tiger Gang is about to take their place? All that's left is to take Cao Yan's head!"
Li Chuan keenly caught the crucial point in their words.
Cao Yan was seriously injured?
To be honest, the moment he heard it, he almost could not stop himself from going to kill Cao Yan and uproot the trouble forever.
But after calming down, he rejected the idea.
How serious was Cao Yan's "serious" injury?
News from street vendors might not be accurate, and people easily exaggerated while chatting.
Cao Yan was, after all, a veteran Bright Force martial artist. His blood and qi had been tempered to the point of perfection, and many Black Bear Gang members followed at his side.
If Li Chuan rashly walked into that trap, he might not make it back out!
"Iron Tiger Gang business. Old sir, have you seen any trace of Cao Yan?"
A voice suddenly called out not far away.
Li Chuan looked up toward the sound and saw a fierce, powerful man striding like a dragon and tiger, followed by more than ten gang members.
The stall owner's lips trembled in fright as he hurriedly replied.
"In response to Gang Leader Song, I've been selling sunflower seeds here the whole time. I haven't seen anything."
Li Chuan understood.
So this fierce, powerful man was Song Jin, the leader of the Iron Tiger Gang?
A gentle smile hung on Song Jin's face.
"No matter, old sir. If you hear or see any clues, you can find my brothers."
"Once verified, you will be rewarded with ten taels of silver."
The stall owner hurriedly cupped his hands.
"Gang Leader Song is righteous and benevolent. If I discover any clue, I will certainly report it at once!"
Li Chuan had intended to pass by them, but one of the gang members suddenly shouted when he saw him.
In an instant, the remaining gang members tensed their muscles, hands reaching behind them.
Even Song Jin, who had looked kind and benevolent, narrowed his eyes as killing intent burst forth.
"Bright Force Li!" the Triangular Eyes gang member cried excitedly.
Li Chuan looked at him and found him somewhat familiar.
Several months ago, this man had come to find him, hoping to invite him to take a nominal position with the Iron Tiger Gang for a monthly salary of two taels of silver.
The payment had been generous, and his attitude courteous. Even after Li Chuan refused, he had remained respectful.
Hearing that Li Chuan was not from the Black Bear Gang, Song Jin relaxed and smiled.
"Bright Force Li, A-San, why didn't you introduce a new friend to me?"
Triangular Eyes was called A-San. He hurriedly said, "Gang Leader Song, this is Master Liang's outstanding disciple from Pine Wind Martial Hall. He made his first Gate-Knocking not long ago. You once sent me to recruit him."
Song Jin raised a brow and carefully looked Li Chuan over.
He had indeed sent Triangular Eyes to offer Li Chuan a position back then, but he had heard Li Chuan merely possessed a Low-Grade Bone Constitution and had only broken through while pressed against the examination deadline.
He had also heard rumors that this man liked to drink flower wine and spent all his family's silver chasing women.
Thus, Song Jin had thought him a silver spear with a wax tip and had not taken him seriously.
But upon meeting him now, Song Jin knew those rumors were utter bullshit!
Facing the pressure of more than ten people just now, Li Chuan's expression had not changed in the slightest.
Moreover, looking into his eyes, Song Jin could see killing intent faintly flowing within.
Someone who had never killed could never possess such a bearing.
It could not be faked!
Though Li Chuan had not revealed his blood and qi, Song Jin could tell from the calluses on his hands that his combat strength was certainly not weak.
He was no silver spear with a wax tip at all, but a spear that killed!
Song Jin cupped his fists and smiled.
"So it is Brother Li in person. I am Song Jin, leader of the Iron Tiger Gang. A pleasure to meet you!"
Li Chuan returned the salute. Unwilling to deal with them too much, he exchanged a few words before finding an excuse to leave.
Song Jin watched Li Chuan depart.
Triangular Eyes was filled with shock. He had not expected his own gang leader to show such respect to a Bright Force martial artist.
Li Chuan passed through the bustling crowd and arrived at the familiar Li Family Breakfast Shop.
But rather than entering immediately, he observed from outside.
After waiting roughly half a quarter of an hour, Li Chuan narrowed his eyes.
Sure enough, a man in black was wandering nearby.
He appeared to have no destination, yet his gaze continually lingered on his family's shop!
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