"Do you think our Li family would care about your Zhao Clanâs business?"
Li Changâan silently retrieved the account book. His tone was calm.
"Even if your Zhao Clan truly succeeds in its business, and my Li family is no match for you, forcing the Hall of Heavenly Principle to close...
Just guess: who do you think will be anxious? My Li family, or someone else?"
Li Changâanâs voice had barely faded.
Zhao Qingguangâs expression changed drastically. "Not good, my clanâs business..."
Following Zhao Qingguangâs cry of alarm, Ding Yuanxiao looked even more devastated, as if he were mourning his parents.
Back when Zhao Qingguang was discussing it with him, he had painted a picture of fantastical success, saying the Zhao Clan had already obtained the support of a person of high position and great authority and had spent a supreme-grade Dharma Treasure.
He then listened as Zhao Qingguang offered him a future five-percent cut of the profits.
At the time, in a fit of excitement, he invested more than half of his familyâs entire foundation.
"Itâs too late." Li Changâan saw Zhao Qingguangâs expression and sighed.
"I guess Family Head Zhao must have thought he had arranged everything properly, sent great gifts, and that his shops had even had their grand opening.
Actually, our Li family has encountered this kind of thing before, too."
His voice was distant, as if reminiscing about his own foolish self from the past.
"Back then, I was deceived.
I opened three Hall of Heavenly Principle shops in an outside territory and also sent them great gifts.
Those people of high position and great authority made all sorts of earnest promises, calling me âbrotherâ and acting like kin. And guess what happened?
Sigh. Right when the shops had their grand opening, everything inside was swallowed clean.
Those outsiders... they truly devour people without spitting out the bones."
"But what can you do about such things?"
Li Changâan said sympathetically, "A strong dragon canât beat a local snake. You just have to be more careful next time. But fortunately, our people at least made it back alive. I just donât know about the Zhao Clan..."
His words had barely faded when a Zhao clansman hurried over in a panic.
"Family Head, itâs terrible! Our familyâs shop in Duskwild Prefecture Prefecture was... was robbed by several local sects! A blatant robbery in broad daylight!
The Nascent Soul realm clan elder we sent over sent back the message, and then... his soul fire was extinguished!"
Like a chain reaction, one Zhao clansman after another hurried over.
"Itâs another Region in the northwest! We donât know who robbed our shop, but... none of our clansmen survived. The other party deliberately let our clansman send back the message!"
"Our shop... it was stormed and slaughtered by Prince Yuâs army! Theyâre not human!"
"Family Head..."
The voices of his clansmen fell on Zhao Qingguangâs ears, making his face turn ashen.
He had entered the world as the Family Head, swearing an oath that he would make great achievements.
He had guaranteed it to the Old Ancestor! Yet he never imagined that this seemingly simple business venture would cost their Zhao Clan such an enormous price: countless resources and the twenty thousand clansmen who were sent out...
At a conservative estimate, thirty of them were at the Nascent Soul stage, and among them was even his own grandson.
"It was you! You!" Zhao Qingguangâs eyes were bloodshot as he stared at Li Changâan, his killing intent boundless.
But Li Changâan showed not a trace of panic.
He simply cupped his fists toward Zhao Qingguang and said, "This, then, should be enough to prove that my Li Clan would not stoop to stealing the resources of every family and clan, wouldnât you agree?"
His mocking gaze landed on the clan heads of the various families, making them all feel as if they were being pricked by needles.
"Hahaha, thinking about it carefully, the Li family couldnât possibly do something that would ruin their own reputation."
"Thatâs right. The worthless Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures in my clanâs treasuryâhow could they possibly catch the eye of the Li family?"
"It seems this humble one was measuring the heart of a gentleman with the mind of a petty man."
The clan heads all echoed in agreement, but their thoughts were still stuck on that moment they glimpsed the Li familyâs vast network of connections.
Li Changâan smiled at Zhao Qingguang.
"The eyes of the people are sharp and clear. Since that is the case, Family Head Zhao, farewell."
As he turned away. Zhao Qingguangâs blood qi surged.
He stared deathly at Li Changâan; today, he had lost all face.
He wished for nothing more than to kill Li Changâan immediately.
He was certain that the destruction of his familyâs shops was absolutely and inextricably linked to Li Changâan, yet he just couldnât explain how he knew.
Li Changâanâs movements were slow and methodical; even as he walked away from the Zhao residence, his pace was still very slow.
Everyone present couldnât help but swallow; they could feel that fellow Zhao Qingguangâs killing intent had almost become tangible!
But right at this moment, Zhao Qingguangâs killing intent vanished completely.
Everyone stared in horror toward the sky outside the Immortal Zhao Clanâs residence.
One after another, spirit arks engraved with the Asura emblem approached.
Atop the spirit arks, the soldiers of the Asura Army, having come from the Northern Border, all, without exception, saluted Li Xinghuo.
Several cultivators at the Nascent Soul stage landed on their swords, their black robes billowing noisily in the wind, and saluted Li Xinghuo.
"Commander, this subordinate has received orders from the Grand Tutor to escort you back to the Northern Border!"
Li Xinghuo hadnât even spoken when these soldiers looked toward the inside of the Immortal Zhao Clanâs residence, their brows instantly furrowing.
One of them said in a cold voice, "When this subordinate was approaching, I sensed a killing intent. If the Commander has encountered any trouble, please feel free to speak. The Grand Commander is conscripting troops not far from here."
The Grand Commander of the Asura Army!
Everyone at the banquet, without exception, showed a look of fear.
Li Xinghuo turned his head, looked at the trembling Zhao Qingguang, and let out a loud laugh.
"Family Head Zhao, my subordinates believe that This General has encountered trouble. Why donât you tell This Generalâhas This General encountered any trouble or not?"