NOVPUBLi Xiangshang returned to the Li Family, and immediately summoned everyone. As he looked at Li Xiangqian, who was seated at the head, Li Xiangshang abruptly spoke, "Big brother, Lin Tian has already arrived in Capital City, and he has even taken action against us. We must ask the third brother to handle this matter. Li Yuan’s injury and hospitalization at the Underground Fighting Ring was witnessed by many. If we don’t do something about it, our Li Family will become the laughingstock of others."
"What? Lin Tian has come to Capital City?"
"My goodness, how could he arrive so soon?"
"Does that mean we have to watch our backs every time we step outside now?"
"..."
Many of the Li Family members didn’t know about this matter, and upon hearing Li Xiangshang announce Lin Tian’s arrival to Capital City and Li Yuan’s hospitalization, they suddenly became panicky, with discussions buzzing nonstop.
"Quiet down, all of you, and look at yourselves, losing composure over a single Lin Tian. Is he really worth this fear? Are you even part of the Li Family?" Li Xiangqian, observing the chaotic murmurings among everyone, with panic on their faces, immediately raised his voice to reprimand them.
At his words, everyone fell silent, though they all turned their eyes towards Li Xiangqian, the panic on their faces could hardly be concealed.
Usually, each of them enjoyed their current lifestyle, and no one wanted to end up like Li Yuan—disabled and hospitalized. Although normally they acted arrogantly and unbridled, that was because others didn’t dare to provoke them.
But now it was different. How could they dare to offend someone who was reckless with their lives? How could they not be afraid? They would be lucky to avoid confrontation, let alone seek it out.
"Li Tian, share your thoughts on this matter." Looking at everyone’s expressions, Li Xiangqian’s brows were deeply furrowed, and he spoke with a low voice.
"I agree with what second uncle said, we should have our father take action," Li Tian’s face was also far from calm. Hearing that Li Yuan had been crippled by Lin Tian made him think of himself, therefore he was the most terrified person present. Without any hesitation, he immediately nodded in agreement.
"Do you agree?" Li Xiangqian, with furrowed brows, contemplated deeply. He clearly hesitated over Li Tian’s suggestion to have Li Xiangjin intervene, as the implications of doing so were immense—the price to be paid could be far greater than dealing with Lin Tian alone.
But the thought of Lin Tian gave him a headache. Lin Tian’s strength was too formidable, and he acted without restraint. Arriving in Capital City, he targeted them first with no intention of a peaceful solution. He was like a knife suspended over their heads; no one knew when it would fall or whom it would hit.
Such a situation was extremely distressing. The current display by the members of the Li Family made it clear that if things continued like this for long, trouble was inevitable.
"Hmm... then let’s ask the third brother to take action." After thinking things through and organizing his thoughts, Li Xiangqian made his decision. The consequences of having Li Xiangjin act may be a problem for the future, to be resolved later. The issue with Lin Tian was current and clearly of the utmost importance.
And who were they, the Li Family? They were the premier family of Capital City, and that reputation was not just for show. To put it arrogantly, they had never feared anyone.
"That’s excellent. With the third master stepping in, Lin Tian will definitely not be able to escape."
"Yes, this should have happened earlier. How dare a greenhorn child provoke our Li Family? He’s really asking for trouble."
"Phew... No need to worry now; just wait a few days."
"..."
Upon hearing Li Xiangqian’s agreement to call upon Li Xiangjin to act, the Li Family members let out a sigh of relief; it was as if a weight had been lifted from their hearts.
Lin Tian had no idea that his lesson to Li Yuan had provoked such a massive reaction from the Li Family, but even if he knew, he wouldn’t have cared, because that was exactly why he had come—to cause trouble.
After leaving the Wang Family, he went straight back to the hotel. Although he wasn’t very disappointed by Wang Jing’s refusal, the experience left a deep impression on him. If, just if he had his own foundation, his own power behind him, he wouldn’t be in such a passive position now, and Wang Jing wouldn’t have said what he did.
He was told he had no right to ask the Wang Family to stand with him. Clenching his fists tightly, Lin Tian became even more determined to establish his own power and background. Only then could he stand firm in this chaotic society.
Otherwise, mere personal strength was insufficient.
After eating a dinner at the hotel and having a phone call with Bu Mengting, Lin Tian fell asleep. He felt tired from the day’s events; the power dynamics in Capital City were more complex than he had anticipated.
During his visit to the Wang Family that day, he sensed several forces that could threaten him. He knew that if he dared to harm the Wang Family in any way, it probably wouldn’t be easy for him to leave, a sentiment intuited through his Divination Technique, which Lin Tian had no doubts about.
If the Wang Family had such strength, then how could the Li Family be any worse? The Li Family was even more formidable than the Wangs.
And with that thought, Lin Tian drifted off to sleep.
In the dead of night, when everyone had succumbed to slumber, a dim light still glowed within a modest courtyard hidden behind red walls.
This courtyard was both ordinary and extraordinary.
It was ordinary because it was no different from a typical farmyard, with various fruits and vegetables growing within it—a common sight.
Yet it was extraordinary by virtue of its location within the red walls—a place of solemnity housing a courtyard like this one, who could claim it to be mundane?
The furnishings in the house of the courtyard were simple: a set of wooden chairs and a table along with a desk. At this moment, an elderly man dressed in traditional Chinese attire was sitting at the desk, flipping through a book from the sixties or seventies. Judging by the creases, it had been read countless times, but the man’s engrossed expression suggested he still found it utterly enthralling.
Suddenly, a shadow darted through the courtyard, and a figure appeared inside the house.
In the faint light, one could make out a middle-aged man dressed in camouflage, his face stern and his eyes sharp—reminiscent of an eagle soaring through the sky, demanding respect without a stare.
The middle-aged man stood still behind the elder, rigid as a spear, motionless. Aside from a faint sound upon entering the room, he gave no indication of his presence, as though he’d never been there.
Yet the elder showed no sign of acknowledgement, continuing to read his book even as a long shadow stretched beneath the desk light.
Minutes and seconds passed in silence, both seemingly oblivious to the other’s presence.
Finally, after finishing the fifth page of his book, the elder closed it. He put the book away, turned to face the middle-aged man, and spoke.
"In old age, I’ve grown fond of reading these old books. Once I’m absorbed, I hardly feel like stepping back into reality."
