Clear Wind Stronghold!
Ever since their chief, Tang Chuan, had raised his banner here to carry out justice on Heaven's behalf, the brothers of Clear Wind Stronghold had lived in splendid comfort.
At the beginning of every month, the small lineages of Azure Sun City delivered their toll money. Most days were spent drinking wine and eating meat. Only when an unfamiliar merchant caravan passed through, or some lineage failed to know its place, did they need to take action.
Just a few days ago, they had seized the Yuan Family's goods. Their chief had ordered them to stay alert ever since, keeping everyone from enjoying their wine and meat. Inside the gathering hall, the three leaders assembled.
"Brother, it's been seven days, and the Yuan Family still hasn't sent the money. Could they really still have ties to Elder Li Yang?" The second leader, Lu Lin, looked worried. If the Yuan Family still had ties to Elder Li Yang, he would surely plow through their lair and sweep Clear Wind Stronghold flat.
He had opposed this affair from the start, but his elder brother had ordered them to seize the Yuan Family's goods, and he had been powerless to stop him.
Tang Chuan smiled. "Rest easy, Second Brother. That Yuan Jie of theirs has been dead for years. So many lineages in Azure Sun City have severed their ties with the Yuan Family without suffering any consequences. If Elder Li Yang still cherished his old affection, how would they dare?"
"Eldest Brother is right. Second Brother, you're just too cautious. If our stronghold is going to grow, we can't keep shrinking back. We're in a trade that could cost us our heads anyway. What's there to fear?
"Even if Elder Li Yang still remembers his old affection for Yuan