Decision

The protest outside the Ling Manor was getting louder as time passed. More and more joined and the main entrance suffered traffic.

The guards were pushed back, and their voices can't travel to the ears. If this kept up, these protesters would break into the manor.

The guards exchanged glances and nodded at one another.

Qi burst, pushing back the protesters.

"Enough! Stop pushing. One more, we'll not show mercy!"

The thunderous fury shut the protesters, however, they didn't stop shouting for justice.

"It's so loud outside."

Ling Chen wandered through the corridors. Ling Manor was extremely large, but the noises in the main entrance transited this far meant the commotion there was violent.

"Young master, those people are here to protest, afraid to be the next Miss Lu Li," said the old steward following beside Ling Chen.

Ling Chen frowned. "This Wang Lishi is going too far. Broken Star District is the territory of our Ling clan, but there's no respect or regard for us."

And also his maid, Lu Li...He was wracking his brain for her rescue, but to confront the abductor with his strength was only humiliation. He has little to no power in the clan, and no one at 7th Qi refinement was under his command.

A clash with Wang Lishi, he's the one who will inevitably suffer. It was better to break the shackles placed on his dantian before anything else. Only then he can think of revenge!

The main hall of the Ling Manor was packed with important people of the clan.

"Patriarch, the Wangs shows no respect! This slapping us on the face."

"That Wang Lishi dared to abduct someone in our territory. Why don't we capture and kill him?"

"Are you trying to discard all the diplomatic relationship? Can our declining Ling clan afford to do so? There's not only one Wang Clan!"

Everyone in the hall has different opinions. Some wanted to fight, some wanted to close one eye, and some simply want to remain passive.

The Patriarch of Ling sighed as if wishing the clan was more powerful. He said, "Enough, all of you. Fighting amongst yourselves rather than thinking of a solution, how low have we become?"

Everyone shut their mouth, and he continued, "For now, endure and pretend nothing happen."

"Endure? If we act like frightened rats, they will bite until there's nothing more!"

Some expressed disagreement.

"I have thought of a solution." The Patriarch said, looking at them. "For the sake of our clan, we'll propose marriage with the Wangs. That kid Wang Lishi...isn't he a lustful boy? If Ling Yue marry him, we can manipulate him little by little."

Everyone gaped, not expecting such words to come out. They nodded excitedly.

"Patriarch is wise. If we connect with the Wangs through a marriage alliance, it's like killing two birds with one stone; our clan benefitted, and there's a chance of turning Wang Lishi into a puppet."

"But will Wang Lishi agrees to marry Young Miss Ling Yue?"

"Likely. Niece Ling Yue is the most beautiful woman in the city, though she never went out, her beauty is definitely enough to capture Wang Lishi's heart. Within one or two decades, our Ling clan will swallow the Wangs!"

The argument ceased and everyone began planning the scheme.

"No objection?"

They concluded. Yet, a deep voice resounded in the hall —

"I object."

Everyone shifted gaze; a young man in blue strode in the hall. His eyes were sharp and sunken. The hell with marriage. No one marries his sister without his permission!

"There's no room for discussion. We're in an important meeting. Leave," said the Patriarch, waving his hand.

Ling Chen clenched his fist. He shouted. "Father! How can you do this to your daughter?! Have you considered her feelings?!"

"This is for the clan, Chen'er."

"Bullshit!" Ling Chen stomped his feet and turned around. "I'll not agree with this! Two months from now, I'll become a disciple of Azure Sky Sword Sect and flattened the Wang Clan!"

Everyone snickered. Che, a cripple dare to proclaim he'll become a disciple of Azure Sky Sword Sect? No one took him seriously, even his father.

Blood Axe Gang was a local tyrant in Broken Star Street. They collected taxes and run gambling, prostitution, and illegal businesses.

It was a plague in the Broken Star District and a thorn of the Ling Clan.

Unfortunately, this gang has the support of Wang Clan. The Ling Clan was left without a choice but to allow them to exist.

Wang Lishi arrived at the Blood Axe Gang's headquarters with his two lackeys.

The leader of the Blood Axe Gang greeted them opened arms.

"Welcome to my humble abode, Young Master Lishi."

Wang Lishi nodded. "I've heard you caught that Chen Mo?"

"Indeed, My Lord."

"Good job." Wang Lishi put his hand on his shoulder, "Led me to that punk."

"Please follow me."

Blood Axe Gang Leader was delighted with the praise and quickly directed the way into the prison area of the Blood Axe Gang.

After arriving in the place, a young man was chained behind bars. His clothes were ripped, his aura faint, and his body have numerous cuts — One word, he was miserable.

Besides this young man were two men holding a lash. They repeatedly struck the young man with the vicious weapon.

"How dare you provoke Young Master Lishi? You're courting death!" said the thin man.

"Don't beat him too viciously. If he died before Young Master Lishi arrived, we would be in trouble," His companion warned.

"Enough."

At this moment, a shout came in. Shocked, the two men turned their heads at the source.

The voice came from their leader. A young man in a white robe was next to him.

"Young Master Lishi, Leader."

The two men respectfully greeted.

Wang Lishi cares not and his gaze landed on the confined young man. This was Chen Mo, the one that dared to compete with him yesterday in the auction.

"Look who we have here!"

Wang Lishi crossed his arms and headed to the prison bars.

The bloodied young man had had his hands tied with chains. The arrogant voice floats in his ears. He jerked and lifted his head.

Wang Lishi stared at Chen Mo's eyes with a wicked smile. "I told you not to provoke me. Now, look at you."

"Wang...Lishi! Just you wait. If my family finds out, you'll die a horrible death!"

Chen Mo screamed as if he had seen his nemesis.

"Your family? Haha, so what? My Wang Clan is a large clan and my father is a Foundation Establishment. Your small clan isn't worth a fart." Wang Lishi sneered, "Now to the important business. Hand the treasure to me, otherwise, worse than death awaits you."

"Dream on!" Chen Mo laughed crazily, "Even if I die, forget getting it!"

"Stubborn."

Wang Lishi sneered and commanded, "Beat him up."

The people around immediately followed and miserable cries soon rang in the area. It only stopped after Chen Mo was on the verge of death.

"Don't kill him that easily. Let him suffer for eternity."

Wang Lishi waved his sleeve and turned at Blood Axe Gang Leader. "Where's his spatial ring? Did you find that treasure I told you about?"

"Pardon my late reply Young Master, but we haven't found a treasure on his spatial ring," said the Blood Axe Gang Leader, "However, we have determined where it is hidden. Would you like to go there, Young Master?"

"Good." Wang Lishi smiled, looking at the unconscious lady his lackeys held. "For now, I want to have some fun. Empty a room for me."

"As your command, Young Master."

Blood Axe Gang Leader followed right after and his subordinates went to clean a room.

After then, Wang Lishi carried the lady and entered the designated room.