Chapter 27 Target: Li Family

Qing Yu arrived at Li Xin's place, where it seemed he too had matters to report and had already been waiting for a while.

"Patriarch, the only anomaly in the Li Family recently is that Li Pingsheng started to seclude himself for cultivation several days ago. All household affairs have since been managed by Li Qiusheng."

Qing Yu did not expect that before he could even mention the incident that occurred in the Sun Family, Li Xin had brought him important news.

"Several days ago? When exactly?"

Li Xin pondered for a moment and confirmed, "It was two days after Li Dian and the other two were killed. Since then, all matters have been handled by Li Qiusheng. With the Li Family's recent spate of misfortunes, Li Qiusheng has been so busy that he's at his wits' end. It's said that he hasn't had a proper rest in many days."

'The Li Family is acting strange, as is the Zhang Family.'

Recently, Yang City has been unusually peaceful, eerily so. On normal days, although the Four Great Families of Yang City appeared harmonious on the surface, they were constantly engaged in both overt and covert struggles, with the three gangs frequently brawling. But lately, it has all been calm.

The Iron Saber Association and Qingshan Gang have always been at odds, with their fights occurring most frequently. Li Xin, under the pretext that the Deputy Gang Leader and two elders had died in the Zhang Family's tavern, proposed avenging their deaths by attacking Qingshan Gang to Li Qiusheng, only to be rebuffed. The reason given was to avoid gang casualties and disturbances among the citizens. Since when did the Li Family start to cherish the people like their own children?

And then there's the Zhang Family. Zhang Mingyuan suffered a loss at Chun Gui Pavilion, with Song Ziyu being the main culprit and the Brothel Owner simply looking on. Yet, Zhang Mingyuan didn't go looking for trouble with the Song Family; even the Brothel Owner remained unscathed. Very unusual indeed.

"Let's talk about the Four Great Families of Yang City," Qing Yu suddenly said to Li Xin. Although he had already reviewed the dossiers Xiaogao had sent about each family, Qing Yu still wanted to hear the perspectives of Li Xin, who had grown up in Yang City since childhood.

After pondering for a while, Li Xin said, "The City Lord Mansion's Song Family, having allied themselves with the right side years ago, has continued to inherit the position of the City Lord of Yang City ever since. The current Family Head is incompetent, and his only son, Song Ziyu, who is also the heir apparent, is neither scholarly nor martially adept, only indulging in pleasure-seeking. If not for an Innate Realm ancestor propping up the family and a daughter managing the affairs of the City Lord Mansion, it would have likely fallen into decline."

As he spoke of this daughter, a peculiar expression flashed across Li Xin's face, but Qing Yu, lost in thought, did not notice.

Li Xin continued, "The eldest daughter of the City Lord, named Song Ziqi, is both literary and martial, and exudes a heroic spirit. She has always been preoccupied with maintaining the City Lord Mansion's assets. At twenty-three years of age, she has had no marital engagement, nor has there been any rumors of involvement with anyone."

At twenty-three, that would qualify her as an 'older maiden' in an ancient society where ordinary people often married at sixteen or seventeen. Song Ziqi was not a child of the worldly society; even if she had not married, there would usually at least be an engagement.

However, Qing Yu was not one for gossip, and thus did not ask Li Xin to elaborate on Song Ziqi.

"The Sun Family of this generation boasts the strongest vitality in terms of kin. There are many descendants from collateral branches, and the Patriarch has five sons. Sun Jian, Sun Ce, Sun Qiang, Sun Feng, Sun Hai, collectively known as the 'Five Tigers of the Sun Family.' What's even more commendable is that, regardless of whether they are from the main or collateral lines, they're all very united. They don't resemble a family as much as a worldly society of snakes gathered together in fidelity, prioritizing loyalty when dealing with those not of the same surname. Thus, the Sun Family can be said to be the strongest in terms of force."

The corner of Qing Yu's mouth twitched—Sun Jian, Sun Ce, brothers... the world is indeed marvelous...

"In contrast to the Sun Family, the Zhang Family's kin are few in number. Fifteen years ago, there was a disturbance amongst the Zhang Family's collateral branches, which was suppressed by the main line, resulting in the near annihilation of those in the collateral branches. The Family Head of the Zhang Family, Zhang Qingfeng, is said to have suffered internal injuries during that uprising of the collateral branches, which is why there is only one son, Zhang Mingyuan. Zhang Qingfeng is exceedingly protective of this sole descendant, pouring endless resources into him and forcibly advancing Zhang Mingyuan to the Postnatal Seventh Realm."

Internal injuries, probably kidney damage, thought Qing Yu, feeling that Zhang Qingfeng would definitely have a promising future if he were to learn sword training with him.

Li Xin took a deep breath before continuing, "The Li Family, young master, should be most familiar to you. Family Head Li Pingsheng is extremely secretive; even after many years under the Li Family, I still can't claim to understand him fully. The eldest son, Li Qiusheng, has mediocre martial arts talent and is still hovering in the Postnatal Fourth Realm. The second son, Li Qiuran, is often away on business, and it is said that most girls in Chun Gui Pavilion are sourced by Li Qiuran during his travels. The youngest son and the mother of the Li Family have both passed away, so it's best not to mention them."

Qing Yu tapped his fingers on the table, thinking for a moment before asking, "What are the Martial Arts Realms of the Patriarchs of the four families?"

"The Song Family Patriarch is a widely known martial arts dud, barely able to defeat even an ordinary person. The other three family heads should all be at the Postnatal Ninth Layer. The Sun Family Patriarch, in his early years, engaged in highway robbery and met a tough end, dying relatively early. The eldest of the 'Five Tigers of the Sun Family,' Sun Jian, inherited the patriarch position in his youth and has exceptional martial arts talent; it is said that if it had not been for the deliberate suppression by the City Lord Mansion, he would have already broken through to the Innate Realm. Due to his young age when he took over, he has always been quite aggressive, and after the Sun Family Patriarch's death, the other three families took advantage of the situation to loot and plunder. Without the power of the Postnatal Nine Realms, Sun Jian would not let the Family Heads of the Zhang and Li Families off easily."

The suppression by the City Lord Mansion is none other than the Zhen Shan Army's suppression, right?

It's no wonder the Sun Family is legendary, having produced individuals like Sun Jian and Sun Ce. For a family patriarch to actually lead in highway robbery, what exactly was he after?

"Postnatal Ninth Layer..."

"Wait a moment..." An epiphany struck, and Qing Yu suddenly awakened.

Patriarch Li Pingsheng was already at the Postnatal Ninth Layer, so what was the point of his seclusion? He was a veteran Postnatal warrior, and if it weren't for someone holding him back, he could have long tried to break through to the Innate. Therefore, Li Pingsheng was in seclusion for a breakthrough.

Qing Yu rarely lost his composure and, forgetful of maintaining his authority in front of Li Xin, stood up and began pacing back and forth.

Li Pingsheng's actions meant he no longer wanted to be suppressed by the Zhen Shan Army, he must have had dealings with the court. His second son was often away, providing ample opportunity to contact the court.

And there's the Zhang Family, which is also very strange, certainly not without suspicion.

As for the Song Family, their old leader didn't have much time left, the patriarch was famously inept, the next generation relied on a female to support the family, with no one to follow, they were likely the ones who most wished for stability in Yang City, so Song Ziyu could inherit the position of City Lord. After all, it was Lord Zhen Shan who gave them the hereditary title.

"Li Xin, what's the extent of your influence over the Iron Saber Association now?"

Li Xin immediately replied, "The Li Family has always been quite distrustful of outsiders. The five elders are just figureheads; in reality, they are there to set an example for the outsiders and to prevent them from becoming disloyal. Young master, you've recently eliminated quite a few Li-named leaders, causing the power of outsiders in the gang to rise. Some have already reached out to the remaining elders, and some even sought to join me, who bears the Li surname."

"So, if we take out the head, the rest are just the tangled roots and branches, right?"

Knowing the opportunity was not to be missed and considering Li Pingsheng was in seclusion, Qing Yu decided on the spot, "Prepare yourself, I'm going to take down Li Qiusheng."

"But young master, what about Li Pingsheng?" Li Xin asked.

Qing Yu stroked his smooth chin with a grin, "Postnatal Ninth Layer, he's no god; he still has to partake in the mortal world's nourishments. As long as we don't alert Li Pingsheng, we can silently take down Li Qiusheng. Just add a little something extra to Li Pingsheng's meals, and it'll be all too easy to capture him."

Drugging someone, that I'm skilled at...