Trouble at the Liu Lineage!

As mid-June approached, the number of martial artists in Cangwu Prefectural City had more than quadrupled.

Martial artists from the Seven Commanderies of Yun Province streamed into the city. Unfamiliar faces filled the streets, and business at the inns and restaurants was so brisk that even the proprietors struggled to keep up.

More people brought benefits, but trouble came with them.

Two fights had broken out at a gambling house in the west of the city in three days. At a restaurant in the south, someone had drawn a blade at night over a better room.

Fortunately, the Demon Suppressing Guard's city patrol commandants and the city watch had responded quickly enough to stop these farces.

After those incidents, the major local lineages all assigned extra guards to their premises.

At the Liu residence, Liu Hou hurried through the grounds with a stack of account books and arrived at Liu Ruyan's office.

"Family head."

Liu Ruyan was reviewing the month's accounts. She looked up at Liu Hou's voice. "Uncle Hou, what is it?"

Liu Hou set the account books on the desk and opened one. "The Lin Lineage has the goods ready, all in the quantities we agreed on. But their manager says there are a few Refined Iron Blanks you need to inspect and approve personally, to avoid disputes later."

Liu Ruyan closed her account book and stood. "No problem. I'll go myself."

"Cuiwei, come with me to the Lin Lineage."

Cuiwei was about to agree when Su Ruolan, who had kept a low profile at the Liu residence, appeared. "Miss Ruyan, Cangwu Prefectural City is a jumble of fish and dragons right now. There are far more Qi Condensation Martial Artists here than usual. For your safety, let me accompany you."

Su Ruolan had stayed with the Liu