Faced with Yan Shouyi's blatant threat, Shen Chun cursed him inwardly.
How could this young man, despite his tender years, be so full of wicked schemes? He hadn't uttered a single explicit threat, yet every word carried a veiled warning.
However, Shen Chun had lived for centuries, and as the Ghost King of Qiantang, he possessed not only strength but also connections.
Therefore, Shen Chun was not about to yield easily.
He spoke coldly:
"What you've said only ensures that I won't move against you. But if I refuse to act, what can you do to me? I doubt all your companions in the martial world obey your every command."
If Shen Chun attacked Yan Shouyi, then Yan Shouyi's friends would naturally have reason to cause trouble. But what if Shen Chun didn't?
He didn't demand that the Shen family ascend to the heavens; he only asked that the Shen family not be drawn into trouble. This was not wrong.
If there was no fault, then those from the orthodox sects would have no reason to attack the Shen family.
Shen Feng also said, "The Yu family and the Wei family are in conflict with the crematorium. As long as our Shen family doesn't lend a hand or suffer losses, we win!"
Yan Shouyi sneered and glanced at Shen Feng with disdain. "I thought the Shen family patriarch was a remarkable figure, but it seems he's just a blockhead. I've only been in Qiantang for a week, and I've already grasped the situation here, yet the Shen patriarch hasn't seen it?"
"You brat, watch your mouth!" Shen Feng was furious. He was in his forties and had never been so insulted by a young man in his twenties.
Yan Shouyi was not intimidated by Shen Feng; among those present, only Shen Chun caught his eye.
Yan Shouyi said, "Senior Shen, you must know what kind of characters the Yu family's Ghost Kings are. With just a little instigation from me, they would have annihilated the Zhou family. This time, the crematorium resisted, and your Shen family believes neutrality is victory. But do you think the Yu family won't hold you accountable afterward?"
"Or does Patriarch Shen believe that the people of the Yu family are as foolish as the Shen family, and won't consider this possibility?"
"You...!"
Shen Feng wanted to retort, but Yan Shouyi's words were faultless.
The Yu family's ancestors, Yu Jinbo and Yu Jinhong, as well as the current Yu family patriarch, were all naturally suspicious.
In the current situation, it was absolutely impossible for the Shen family to remain neutral.
Liu Ying narrowed her eyes, greatly admiring Yan Shouyi. She realized that despite her own eloquence as a storyteller, she was far outmatched by Yan Shouyi's glib tongue. In a few words, he had laid bare the situation in Qiantang and subtly forced the Shen family to choose a side.
Moreover, the Shen family wouldn't feel pressured by Yan Shouyi; instead, they would feel pressured by the Yu family!
"So, it was you who stirred up trouble between the Yu and Zhou families!"
Shen Chun's brows furrowed. He realized that Yan Shouyi, despite his young age, was extremely cunning.
To destroy a Ghost King family in Qiantang without expending a single soldier or arrow was an accomplishment beyond the reach of ordinary people.
Shen Feng also understood the current predicament and found himself in a dilemma.
Should they continue to follow the Yu family, remaining behind the Wei family and living peacefully?
Or should they intervene to help Yan Shouyi, defeat the Yu and Wei families, and then rely on Yan Shouyi's feng shui techniques to rise to prominence?
The former was steady but filled with an indescribable sense of humiliation.
The latter, though risky, could secure the Shen family's foundation for hundreds of years to come if the gamble paid off...
Shen Chun and Shen Feng fell silent for a moment, and finally, Shen Feng asked in a low voice:
"If we refuse to help you, how will you deal with our Shen family?"
Shen Chun glanced at Shen Feng with a hint of admiration, thinking that this patriarch wasn't a mere figurehead, having at least asked a pertinent question.
Not helping the Yu family had terrible consequences. But if they didn't help Yan Shouyi, would there be any consequences?
Yan Shouyi smiled and said, "If I have a way to destroy the Zhou family, I naturally have a way to destroy the Shen family as well."
"You..."
Shen Feng pointed at Yan Shouyi, his mouth agape, unable to speak.
This brat was too blunt; if he couldn't have it, he'd destroy it. What a ruthless heart!
Even Liu Ying couldn't help but say, "Yan Shouyi, is this how you treat girls you can't pursue?"
Yan Shouyi replied, "I've only pursued one woman in my life, and she is now my wife."
"Pfft!"
Liu Ying looked thoroughly unconvinced. Yan Shouyi, however, was puzzled. Weren't storytellers supposed to know everything? Why didn't they know he'd only ever been in one relationship?
Yan Shouyi and Liu Ying bantered without any pressure, while the pressure mounted on Shen Chun and Shen Feng.
At this point, Shen Feng couldn't make up his mind.
Such a decision could only be made by Shen Chun.
Shen Chun thought for a moment and cautiously said to Yan Shouyi:
"It's not impossible for me to act, but you must prove your abilities and show that you can truly help our Shen family rise to prominence!"
"What does Senior want me to do?" Yan Shouyi asked solemnly.
Shen Chun said, "Change the feng shui of my Shen manor right now. If there are results, I will lead my men up the mountain!"
Yan Shouyi shook his head. "The time is too short. It's better to go up the mountain first. Once successful, I will fulfill my promise."
But Shen Chun had his stance. "Change the feng shui first, otherwise, we won't discuss it!"
Liu Ying glanced at the time; it was already past six in the evening. In less than an hour, the sky would be completely dark.
Once it got dark, the Yu family's Ghost Kings could attack the crematorium at any moment!
She said urgently, "We're running out of time."
Yan Shouyi took a deep breath, weighed his options, and finally showed a determined look:
"When I entered earlier, I sparred with your Shen family's guards. I detected a faint medicinal scent on them. Ordinary people don't eat medicine for no reason, so I suspect your Shen family members are all ill."
Liu Ying said weakly, "At this point, please stop insulting people."
"I'm not insulting anyone. The Shen family members are truly ill!" Yan Shouyi said, half-amused, half-exasperated. "If you don't believe me, let the Shen patriarch speak for himself!"
Shen Feng's expression shifted from cloudy to clear. "Yes, our Shen family members are ill!"
Although he admitted it, he still felt somewhat displeased, as if he had indeed been insulted by this brat.
"See, I said the Shen family members are ill, and you didn't believe me!" Yan Shouyi smiled.
"Have you said enough?" Shen Chun glared at Yan Shouyi. "That's right, we Shen family members all have a hereditary disease. The symptoms are similar to asthma. During an attack, not only is breathing difficult, but one also feels chills all over. Most of the elders in our family don't live past seventy, and they mostly die from this illness."
"That's right," Yan Shouyi said. "But if I told you that this illness is not hereditary, but caused by feng shui, what would you two think?"
"What did you say?!"
Shen Chun and Shen Feng were greatly astonished, and then Shen Feng suddenly understood:
"So it's not a hereditary disease... No wonder we consulted so many renowned doctors, yet none could diagnose it. It was due to feng shui..."
Shen Chun also seemed to ponder, as if Yan Shouyi's words had enlightened him, and he suddenly understood many things.
Then, Yan Shouyi presented his bargaining chip:
"Today, the time is too short for me to alter the grand feng shui of the Shen manor, but I can rectify the feng shui that causes your illness. If this matter is resolved, consider it a token of my goodwill to the Shen family. I implore Senior Shen to assist me, and after success, I guarantee to provide the Shen manor with a feng shui that will lead to prosperity and endure forever. What does Senior think?"