Not a Negotiation, but a Notice

Lin Chen had long since grasped the ultimate principle of the Cautious Way.

In his eyes, the so-called Cautious Way boiled down to one thing:

When weak, keep a low profile and build strength. When strong, seize the moment, strike hard, and claim every opportunity!

Now Lin Chen was putting that principle into practice. He intended to bring the martial resources of the entire city under his control.

At noon the next day, a letter arrived at the Li Family estate.

Li Yuan, the family head, held the envelope as he paced his study, pondering what the Lin Family meant by the invitation.

"Family Head, what is the Lin Family after?" an elder asked with a frown.

"Months ago, our talks over mining the ore vein broke down. Now they've invited us over... Has Lin Hai changed his mind and decided to negotiate again?"

"Most likely."

Li Yuan sat in his armchair and gave a slight nod.

"The ore vein is a matter of profit. Who would turn down more money? They've probably invited us over because they want a way to back down and discuss a compromise."

"How should we respond?" someone asked.

A sharp glint flashed in Li Yuan's eyes.

"We'll accept, of course. But things have changed. This time, the terms must favor the Li Family more!"

With that, Li Yuan rose and walked to the window. "Remember, no matter what the Lin Family says tomorrow, we cannot yield on our share of the Black Iron Ore Vein."

"Yes."

The elders answered together, all confident that tomorrow's visit would go smoothly.

After they left, Li Yuan picked up the letter again. His gaze fell on the opening words, "To discuss matters vital to Kaiyang City," and he shook his head.

They were only going to discuss the Black Iron Ore Vein. Why had Lin Hai dragged all of Kaiyang City into it?

Li Yuan gave no thought to any other possibility. After all, it had been far too long since a Profound Martial Realm warrior had appeared in Kaiyang City.

Light rain fell on the day of the visit.

Li Yuan brought three family elders with him.

The gates stood open, and Lin Hai greeted them in person, wearing his usual warm smile.

"Brother Li, welcome! Forgive me for not greeting you sooner!"

Lin Hai cupped his hands with a smile.

Li Yuan returned the gesture. His gaze swept discreetly over the front courtyard of the Lin Residence before he smiled as well. "You're too kind, Brother Lin."

"When your letter arrived the other day saying you had an important matter to discuss, I was quite eager to hear it."

"Please, we've prepared tea in the hall. We can talk at our leisure."

They passed through the covered corridor and entered the main hall. After some pleasantries, Li Yuan broached the subject.

"Brother Lin, the Li Family failed to think matters through regarding the Black Iron Ore Vein. Expanding the mining operation so suddenly was rather rash. Why don't we discuss it again and find a more prudent approach?"

By raising the matter himself, Li Yuan had given Lin Hai a way to back down. Lin Hai could take it, and then, as Li Yuan had planned, the two families could begin discussing the ore vein in earnest.

To his surprise, Lin Hai waved off the offer. "The ore vein can wait."

Li Yuan froze.

It can wait? Then why am I here today?

As he wondered, footsteps sounded outside the hall. A figure in green walked in: Lin Chen.

Lin Hai smiled and nodded. "Chen, you're here. Take a seat."

Li Yuan gave the newcomer a slight nod, then offered a compliment in the manner of an elder.

"So it's you, my young friend. I hear you've been cultivating in seclusion. Now that you've come out, I'm sure your cultivation has improved again. Unlike my good-for-nothing son, who's too unruly to be of any use."

Lin Chen smiled faintly.

"You praise me too highly, Family Head Li. I've made only a little progress, nothing worth mentioning."

Lin Chen took a seat below Lin Hai, and a maid promptly poured him tea.

Once Lin Chen was seated, Lin Hai turned to Li Yuan.

"The time has come, Brother Li. I did invite you here to discuss an important matter. It concerns Kaiyang City's future for decades to come, so I hope you'll consider it carefully."

Here it comes!

Li Yuan perked up. He did not know why the time had suddenly come, but he answered gravely, "Speak freely, Brother Lin."

"Then I'll be direct."

Lin Hai gave a slight nod. His tone was as calm as ever, but his words made Li Yuan and the three elders' expressions change at once.

"The Lin Family intends to bring every enterprise in and around Kaiyang City under its control, including the Black Iron Ore Vein."

"If the Li Family submits, you may retain half your holdings. But from now on, you will follow the Lin Family's lead."

"If you refuse, the Lin Family can help you relocate out of Kaiyang City."

"What do you say, Family Head Li?"

Silence fell over the hall.

The three Li Family elders' faces changed. Li Yuan looked equally blindsided, his brows drawn tight.

"What do you mean by this, Brother Lin?"

"Exactly what I said," Lin Hai replied calmly. "From now on, Kaiyang City needs only one faction."

"How dare you!"

With that furious shout, the three elders behind Li Yuan unleashed their auras. The pressure of the Spirit Martial Eighth and Ninth Layers spread through the hall.

Li Yuan rose as well, spiritual power surging around him. He looked ready to fight at the next word.

Inside the hall, the tension turned explosive.

"Hmph. Lin Hai, you really have gone mad if you think you can move against the Li Family."

Li Yuan's face was cold. "This tea is a little too bland for my taste. I'll take my leave."

He did not know what had gotten into Lin Hai, but they were in the Lin Residence. Li Yuan and the elders had no wish to stay.

Yet just as they prepared to leave, someone spoke.

"Family Head Li, don't be so hasty."

Li Yuan looked toward the voice and saw that it was Lin Chen, who had arrived later.

Lin Chen?

Li Yuan frowned, ready to retort, but the words caught in his throat.

The instant their eyes met, he felt as though something terrifying had fixed its gaze on him. A chill ran down his spine.

Lin Chen continued. His voice was quiet, yet everyone heard him clearly.

"Family Head Li, I should make one thing clear. What my father said was not up for negotiation... He was informing you."

"The Li Family has only those two choices."

A sword then rose into the air at the center of the hall. Green True Essence flowed around it, and its sword aura engulfed all four members of the Li Family.

Li Yuan stared at the green power coursing over the flying sword and felt the terrifying force it carried. His pupils contracted.

What... is that?

He could tell the flying sword itself was only Spirit Grade. Yet the green power flowing along its blade had raised its might to a terrifying level.

"Is that... True Essence?" a Li Family elder whispered, his face deathly pale.

Only when spiritual power liquefied did it become True Essence.

It was the mark of a Profound Martial Realm warrior!