Big brother has found out.
The gambling den’s relentless pressure, the younger brother’s pleas, mother’s weeping, and his repeated hopes for luck... all finally brewed a major disaster.
Yan Yufei’s entire body was drained of strength, cold sweat seeping from his temples.
Li Pingfu’s face was expressionless, knuckles white from gripping tightly. The cicadas’ chirping outside was sharp and piercing, but inside the room it was so quiet that Yan Yufei’s swallowing sounds could be heard clearly.
The physical evidence was all there, and there were witnesses—no room left for denial.
He suddenly stood up, recalling how half a month ago Yan Yufei ran all over town under the scorching sun to compare prices, his chest heaving violently. “When the martial arts school just opened, you said you wanted to save me every single coin…”
Yan Yufei collapsed to his knees, the silver coins jingling and scattering across the floor, his appearance pitiful. “Big brother, I have a thousand apologies. I have let you down and betrayed your trust… I will repay the money…”
Regret tangled inside his heart. Big brother had never treated him unfairly, so why did he let his mind go astray!
Seeing Li Pingfu’s gaze remain icy cold, knowing he no longer had a chance to be brothers, he fiercely kowtowed three times, his forehead bloodied. Thinking of his younger brother still at the gambling den, he resolutely turned and left.
Li Pingfu did not stop him.He had already investigated and knew that Yan Yufei was dragged down by his gambler younger brother, which led to the embezzlement from the martial arts school.
The reason for the mistake was unimportant; what mattered was Xiao Liu’s choice. Faking accounts and embezzling money was a small matter, but the nature of the crime was extremely severe.
The previous interrogation had already been his last chance to Xiao Liu. The Li Family Martial Arts School was newly established; if he let this slide lightly, who knew how many sloppy accounts had been allowed in the past. He absolutely could not allow a bad precedent to be set!
One wrong step, step after step wrong—too late for regrets!
…………
That night.
Yan Yufei’s anger surged from his heart. Blood splattered three feet in the gambling den. If not for the gambling den’s rigged traps and temptations, Yan Yuhao would not have fallen so deep.
Under cover of night, he launched a sneak attack on the gambling den leader, took the gambling funds to repay the school’s losses, and fled for his life.
He considered himself to have been extremely kind to his younger brother, but his parents’ repeated urging for tolerance had already exhausted him. He had decided to stop caring.
Only his guilt toward the martial arts school grew heavier by the day.
“Big brother, if I can return alive, I will repay your kindness!”
Setting out on the road, Yan Yufei took a deep look toward Peach Blossom Mountain. All the regrets and attachments dissipated with the night wind.
The bright moon hung high, silently overlooking the entanglements and grudges on this land.
…………
“Everyone knows about Xiao Liu’s crime, right?”
Li Pingfu looked at his band of brothers.
Li Yuan and Li Chao had the Black Tiger Technique foundation, teaching the martial arts basics to the school’s disciples; Xie Xiaodao was clever and handled communication with the families of disciples; Zhang Hua, skilled in medicine, made “Trauma Ointment”; Miao Kai mingled among the folk to gather information.
Each had their own responsibilities and monthly salary.
Li Pingfu never treated his brothers unfairly.
Hearing about Yan Yufei’s matter, Miao Kai and Li Chao were incredulous; Zhang Hua’s eyes flickered; Xie Xiaodao was righteously indignant; Li Yuan’s brows furrowed.
The shock this brought was not just that Yan Yufei embezzled money, but more about big brother’s iron-fisted handling.
Everyone tightened up, putting away their lax attitudes.
Li Pingfu said, “From now on, the school’s purchases must be done with three people together. The accounts will be audited every ten days or month, and a special person will handle the income and expenses.”
“Purchasers don’t manage accounts; accountants don’t touch money.”
Thus, a new rule was added to the Li Family Martial Arts School.
Without rules, nothing can be done properly.
After establishing the new regulations, Li Pingfu privately instructed Li Yuan, “Since the gambling den can’t find Yan Yufei, they broke Yan Yuhao’s leg. Let’s end it here. If the gambling den harasses Xiao Liu’s family again, you go pay them a visit.”
“Understood.” Li Yuan responded. Big brother was ultimately softhearted toward these brothers he had known for six or seven years.
But his handling was fair and loyal, which was why he was willing to follow Li Pingfu.
He sighed deeply inside, Old Six, how did it come to this?
If only you had admitted your mistakes to big brother earlier, why worry about settling with the gambling den?
In the end, Yan Yufei overestimated himself and simply did not trust big brother enough!
…………
Peach Blossom Village, Li family.
A long-unseen uninvited guest arrived.
“Brother, long time no see!”
“Brother Tiger!”
Li Rongzhou was suspicious. After several years, Brother Tiger’s face now bore a long scar running through it, the wound blackened and grotesque. Though it had scabbed over, it was still horrifying.
With such injuries, Brother Tiger actually survived?
Recalling that eight years ago, Brother Tiger had said he was going “hunting treasure beasts” and then vanished, his sudden return to the Li family always gave a sense of foreboding.
Li Pingcan helped pour tea but secretly scrutinized Brother Tiger. He remembered this man was involved with the Three-Eyed Cult and had once tried to develop their father as an “underling.”
He was pondering whether to poison the tea to hand Brother Tiger over to the authorities.
“Didn’t expect you’ve advanced to the Blood Qi Realm.”
Brother Tiger pulled at his skin, causing the scar to stretch and making his whole face look even more grotesque. “Even your son has reached Divine Execution Realm. Truly tiger fathers have no dog sons.”
“Flattering, flattering.” Li Rongzhou remained polite.
After some casual chat, Li Pingcan noticed Brother Tiger was subtly probing their family situation, remaining tight-lipped about his own disappearance over the past eight years, increasingly making him feel the visitor’s intentions were unfriendly.
Brother Tiger said, “Being able to easily break through Blood Qi Realm means you brothers have considerable talent. I came to invite you to join the Treasure Hunting Alliance, to hunt treasure beasts together for guaranteed profit.”
Li Pingcan found these words very familiar and thought carefully.
Wow, the same old trick from eight years ago!
Truly never forget the original intention!
Li Rongzhou naturally refused Brother Tiger’s offer.
Multiple Blood Qi Realm warriors cooperating to hunt treasure beasts wasn’t overly dangerous, but compared to treasure beasts, humans were far more dangerous.
Treasure beasts were unpredictable and hard to track, extremely valuable. If the distribution of resources was improper, even a successful hunt could arouse others’ greed, trapping them in the deep mountains.
Conspiring with someone as sinister as Brother Tiger was tantamount to “hunting with a tiger to lose your skin”!
“Fine.” Just like eight years ago, Brother Tiger left disappointed.
……
Watching Brother Tiger’s retreating back, Li Rongzhou felt something was wrong. This person’s appearance was too sudden!
“Can’er, this matter is too strange. Have Little Black follow him and check it out.”
“Father, I was thinking the same.”
Although father said the cult normally wouldn’t harm ordinary people, that was because there was no profit in it!
The Li family’s rapid rise and growth inevitably drew the attention of those with ulterior motives!
……
“Caw!”
Little Black flapped his wings and followed Brother Tiger, discovering Brother Tiger also visited Zhou Enxian but was similarly rejected.
Brother Tiger wandered frustratedly through the dense forest.
As he went deeper, his steps grew more hesitant, like a husband who would rather stay in the car after work than go home.
After a long while, he arrived at a mountain cabin and knelt before a man.
“Your subordinate greets Left Protector.”
The man called Left Protector was an elder, white-haired and bearded, with a peaceful face. His white robe was spotless, carrying an aura of Daoist immortality.
Yet as soon as he spoke, the atmosphere was broken.
“Heh heh heh, Little Tiger, you made a big mistake earlier. If I hadn’t pleaded for you, you’d still be mining in the Demon Mountain. Don’t disappoint my expectations.”
Brother Tiger’s cheeks twitched involuntarily.
Eight years ago, when he failed to develop underlings and nearly missed his task, he tried to contribute a treasure beast, but the intelligence was wrong and he was injured, losing both men and money.
Not only did he have to give up all previous resources, but the cult assigned him to mine demon ore.
Mining!
Being treated like a beast of burden!
The demonic energy would also shorten one’s lifespan!
Thinking of Demon Mountain made Brother Tiger tremble. If he hadn’t desperately sought an opportunity and fabricated news of a rare treasure in Peach Blossom Mountain, Left Protector might not have saved him.
He planned to take things step by step, tricking Blood Qi Realm warriors to hand over refining pills, but the other party was not fooled.
Makes sense, only fools fall for the cult!
“Hm? So where’s the cultivation treasure you mentioned?”
Left Protector asked, as he had come secretly and had little free time. Seeing Brother Tiger hesitate, his thin fingers gripped his throat.
Brother Tiger gasped, “Protector, your wisdom! I discovered the Li family hides spiritual medicine! Li Rongzhou and his son owe their breakthroughs to this! They… they also secretly keep treasure beast cubs!”
Dead comrades don’t make the living pity them. It’s because your Li family shows off the most!
The pressure on his throat suddenly eased. Left Protector’s black robe fluttered with no wind. “Explain in detail!”
“That Li Rongzhou holds cultivation secrets. Otherwise, how would a mere farming family produce Divine Execution Realm warriors?” Brother Tiger took the chance to exaggerate.
Hearing “Divine Execution Realm,” Left Protector’s eyes showed slight caution, but Tiger’s words made sense.
The Li family’s two warriors, with Li Pingfu so young at Divine Execution Realm, could be coincidence or mastery of secret arts.
Worth investigating.
Like fishing, you cast your line regardless of a bite or not.
At worst, even without secret arts, Blood Qi Realm warriors are raw material for “human pills.”
This matter just needs to avoid that Divine Execution warrior named Li Pingfu.
“If you dare deceive me…”
Left Protector’s expression was cold. “Though your cultivation was forcibly advanced and impure, I will still make you into a human pill to feed the dogs.”
Brother Tiger forced a pained smile. “Your subordinate is willing to be the vanguard! That Li family is located…”
Before he finished, Left Protector’s pupils flickered. He raised his palm and cast “Gale Technique.” The sharp wind pierced like arrows at Little Black.
“Caw caw caw!” Little Black suddenly soared high but still lost a few black feathers.
“Where did this crow come from? Such bad luck!”
Left Protector frowned. Even cultivators have their superstitions. This crow’s appearance was a bad omen.
But after thinking it over, besides Li Pingfu at the Peach Blossom Town martial arts school, the Li family posed no threat.
With that thought, he relaxed. “Where is this Li family located?”
…………
The next day.
The sun rose in the east, shining brilliantly.
In the morning mist shrouding the distant mountains, dazzling spiritual light occasionally appeared—spiritual energy unreachable by ordinary people.
Such light bursts were the best time to enter the mountains to seek treasures.
Li Pingcan looked at Old Yang, a typical diviner’s attire, with a black belt slanting a brass-handled Luoyang spade, the leather sheath smeared with smoke and fire marks overlapped by fresh mud stains, and a black iron Bagua mirror hanging half-exposed at the collar.
His sword-like brows pressed down over eagle-sharp eyes, surprisingly youthful.
“The diviner’s rule: never pick yin fruit.” His voice was low and hoarse. “Deposit ten taels, twenty taels upon success. No refunds regardless of the haul.”
Li Pingcan knew these rules well and cheerfully paid the silver. After bidding farewell to his parents, he followed Old Yang briskly into the deep mountains.
…………
“Reporting to Left Protector, that Li family’s youngest son is imitating the town’s young masters, going into the mountains to divinate treasures.”
Brother Tiger said politely, “I heard the Li family deeply loves this child. Capturing him means holding Li Rongzhou’s lifeline. I checked, and that Li family martial arts school master has been staying in Peach Blossom Town these days.”
“Good, good. Well done.” Left Protector stroked his beard and smiled. He was pondering how to probe the Li family secrets, and this unexpected ‘gift’ came just as he was about to doze off—truly a perfect opportunity.
The two entered the dense forest, following behind, observing their pace.
Left Protector was always cautious. Seeing the only variable, Old Yang, was merely a Blood Qi Realm novice, he completely relaxed.
Under Divine Execution Realm, all were ants; ordinary spells could crush them.
When they reached a remote spot:
“Attack!”
Brother Tiger stepped forward, half a step out, but suddenly was shocked—the voice was not Left Protector’s but came from Old Yang!
“Big brother, be careful!”
Li Pingcan stepped back half a pace, letting Li Pingfu take the main fight. His physique was not as tough as big brother’s, so he wouldn’t take risks.
And Old Yang was actually big brother’s disguise, meant to lure Left Protector out.
“Good tactic!”
Left Protector laughed anxiously, looking at Little Tiger, truly a worthless snack!
He had thought he was the hunter and Li family’s youngest was the prey, but unexpectedly he was the one trapped. He did not know what cultivation method the Li family used to block internal energy and disguise martial cultivation levels.
But he wasn’t too worried. He was Refining Qi Stage 2 and had plundered many resources from the cult these years. A newly entered Divine Execution Realm youngster might not be his match.
Even if he lost, he could escape.
Brother Tiger’s face showed despair. Why was his intelligence never accurate!
Once Left Protector dealt with the Li family youngster, he would never spare him.
“Might as well escape now and break free from the cult’s control!”
Thinking this, Brother Tiger ran desperately back the way he came. The mountain wind brushed his face, and he felt the long-lost warmth of freedom.
……
In the mountains and forest, no one cared about Brother Tiger fleeing for his life.
Li Pingfu’s expression was cold and stern. Divine Execution Realm Blood Qi exploded from him, his fist flashing with knuckle claws, the aura like a black tiger howling to the sky.
But before he could approach Left Protector, the forest suddenly darkened. A fierce wind arose, turning into wave-like air arrows attacking Li Pingfu.
This was Left Protector’s signature instant technique—Gale Technique!
Fragile saplings snapped in half, dry leaves swirling wildly.
“Use Dance of the Wind!”
Trait: [Spinning]!
Li Pingcan counted his “mana,” unleashing the skill five times in one breath. The swirling wind pressure instantly destroyed the air waves.
Left Protector’s face showed shock; his calm instantly shattered. “What strange spell is this!”
He felt no ripple of spiritual energy nor saw any talisman ignite. It was as if the wind came from nowhere, twisting his face.
Before he could process this shock, Li Pingfu closed in, knuckle claws flashing black killing aura.
Black Tiger Plucks Heart!
“Earth Binding Technique.”
Left Protector shouted fiercely. This was one reason he was not afraid of Divine Execution warriors—the Earth Binding Technique could trap opponents’ movement underfoot.
His wind and earth affinity was highest, and earth spells were more effective in the mountains than wind.
Suddenly two moving quicksands rose at Li Pingfu’s feet, coiling like snakes, then solidified into hard mudstone.
These cultivators were truly hard to deal with, casting spells from afar was troublesome.
Li Pingfu frowned, trying to crush the mudstone with brute force, but Left Protector’s right arm suddenly opened, revealing a delicate mechanical crossbow!
Trapped and unable to retreat, Li Pingfu was in danger.
At the critical moment, he heard his brother shout, “Big brother, jump and charge!”
Though restricted, Li Pingfu chose to trust, giving up the chance to block and charging up fully.
At the leap, the mudstone turned loose, falling off easily, and he dodged the crossbow bolt.
“Impossible!?”
Left Protector was dumbfounded. Everything that happened today overturned decades of battle experience.
“This ends now.”
Li Pingfu’s eyes shone fiercely. Like thunder moving, his knuckle claws burst forward, the black tiger shadow wrapped in a torrent of shattered stones, smashing Left Protector three feet underground.
“Cough, cough!”
Three faint white lights bloomed on Left Protector’s body—marks of a protective talisman. However, protective talismans worked well against spells but only slightly reduced damage from real weapons.
He spat blood, his face full of unwillingness. Using his last spiritual energy, he cast a close-range “Fireball Technique”!
“If I die, you won’t live easy either!”
Li Pingfu was startled. After hastily blocking and retreating, the burst flames scorched his clothes and hair, reddening his skin and causing many small blisters.
But such injuries were common for warriors.
Looking at Left Protector, his cheeks were burned and blackened, features almost melted together. This fireball was clearly no weak technique.
Li Pingcan breathed a sigh of relief. Thankfully, he had prepared big brother with [Resistance Boost].
He snapped his fingers; countless thorns slithered like snakes, wrapping Left Protector like a dumpling, immobilizing him.
“Is he going to die?”
Through blurred vision, knuckle claws flashed black light and slammed down mercilessly.
At death’s door, Left Protector had no regrets. His mind flashed with Little Tiger’s words, his eyes only filled with greed for secret arts.
If heaven gave him another chance, he would seize the Li family, strip them bone by bone, and force out their secrets!
…………
“Li Rongzhou!”
Brother Tiger, fleeing in panic, was ambushed and shot. His left arm bled profusely.
Thinking of Left Protector’s fate today, realization appeared in his eyes.
The Li family had probably been waiting for him a long time!
He wasted no words and violently crashed into Li Rongzhou. Anyone who blocked his path was his enemy. Both sides were at a do-or-die stalemate.
Once he passed this, freedom awaited.
But the more they fought, the more anxious Brother Tiger became. Li Rongzhou, a coward, used delay tactics and refused to fight directly.
Why was that?
Waiting for reinforcements?
Suddenly, Brother Tiger thought of a possibility. “Could it be you think your eldest son can beat Left Protector? That’s a Refining Qi Stage 2 immortal!”
Li Rongzhou’s eyes were cold. “Then why would that Refining Qi Stage 2 immortal suddenly attack my family?” He would never let Brother Tiger go.
Brother Tiger was speechless.
After stalling for another incense stick’s time, he grew increasingly restless. Li Rongzhou was slippery as an eel.
Couldn’t hit him, couldn’t shake him!
Just as he was about to act ruthlessly, three crow calls sounded from the sky.
Li Rongzhou’s cold expression softened, and moments later, two figures appeared from the forest.
Brother Tiger’s face was horrified.
The ones who emerged were not the feared Left Protector, but the two Li family brothers!
This bewildering result made him even more terrified!