Ling Tuisi blinked and glanced at the other three. He was certain he hadn't misheard. In an instant, his heart tightened. A profound shock flooded his entire being.
*The Grandmaster Realm!*
How could it be? His mind instinctively questioned, his breathing growing heavy. But amidst the surging emotions, Ling Tuisi's rationality told him there was no mistake—Li Daoqiang wouldn't joke about something like this. His face stiffened, his throat dry as he said, "Li, Li, are you jesting, worthy brother?"
Gao Yuan and the other two caught their breath, staring intently. At this point, if the other said it was a joke, they would actually feel relieved.
Li Daoqiang curled his lips, said nothing, and raised his hand slightly. Instantly, the power of heaven and earth within several zhang around him seemed to be completely grasped by a giant hand. Gao Yuan and the other two felt their bodies stiffen, losing all control. Not even a finger could move. The overwhelming terror drained their faces of color, replaced by sheer panic.
The next moment, their bodies rose into the air, and as Li Daoqiang turned his palm, they spun midair. Gao Yuan and the other two trembled, their limbs weak.
*Grandmaster!* An absolute grandmaster! All three were Xiantian experts; no one short of a grandmaster could toy with them so effortlessly, their lives hanging by a thread. Ling Tuisi thought the same, his hand trembling slightly beneath his sleeve.
It was true! Li Daoqiang had truly broken through to the Grandmaster Realm! The fact echoed in his mind, refusing to settle.
Li Daoqiang watched Ling Tuisi's expression shift several times, a smile on his face, not interrupting. He was willing to give Ling Tuisi time to accept this reality. As for Gao Yuan and the other two, he spun them another circle before setting them down casually. "To make you all believe, I acted without warning. You three won't take offense, will you?"
Gao Yuan and the others, still pale with fear, barely steadied themselves and shook their heads repeatedly. Facing a grandmaster, even if they harbored resentment, how could they voice it? They lowered their heads, no longer daring to meet Li Daoqiang's gaze, a hint of reverence in their demeanor.
Li Daoqiang took it all in, feeling satisfied. *This is what it means to be a grandmaster!* A completely different existence.
By now, Ling Tuisi had composed himself, forcing a smile of apparent joy. "Good, excellent! Truly congratulations, Brother Li! Young as you are, breaking through to the Grandmaster Realm—your future is boundless. In time, you'll surely be a top figure in the world. I am truly delighted."
Watching Ling Tuisi's seemingly sincere smile, Li Daoqiang chuckled twice, feigning displeasure. "Brother Ling, why so formal? You should call me worthy brother. Though I've reached the Grandmaster Realm, our bond remains unchanged. 'Worthy brother' is the proper term."
Ling Tuisi's expression grew more genuine, touched. "It's my fault, brother. I'm honored you think so highly of me." Inwardly, though, he sneered. *Now it's 'I, Li,' not 'this humble brother' like in the letters. Quick to change his tune.* Despite his irritation and discomfort, Ling Tuisi didn't dwell on it. He understood clearly: for a grandmaster, such things were trivial. The other had the right.
The weight of a grandmaster was immense—far beyond ordinary imagination. If before, when Li Daoqiang was still Xiantian, no matter how strong, Ling Tuisi could maintain an advantage through his status, now their positions had reversed instantly. Even if Li Daoqiang remained a bandit, while he was a legitimate high official of the Great Song court, this was the power of strength. In the eyes of the court and his backers, his own importance could never outweigh a grandmaster's. Though it was hard to adjust, Ling Tuisi knew where he stood.
Li Daoqiang laughed heartily. "Brother Ling, you're too polite. There's no need for such talk between us."
Ling Tuisi smiled along. Suddenly, recalling Li Daoqiang's earlier mention of two matters, a sense of foreboding crept in. Now that Li Daoqiang was a grandmaster, would his visit be simple? Thinking this, his face betrayed nothing as he began chatting amiably with Li Daoqiang.
After a few exchanges, Li Daoqiang realized the old fox was changing the subject. With a cold laugh inwardly, he stopped wasting time. Smiling, he said, "Brother Ling, I've come this time with two matters to entrust to you."
"Ah, what matters might they be, worthy brother?" Ling Tuisi replied vaguely, offering no guarantee.
Li Daoqiang didn't mind. As a grandmaster, many things no longer depended on Ling Tuisi's willingness. Leisurely, he smiled. "The first concerns our business. Brother Ling, you know—now that I'm a grandmaster, things are naturally different. Don't you agree?"
Ling Tuisi sneered inwardly again. *What a greedy Li Daoqiang.* No sooner had he broken through than he wanted more money. He thought to refuse, but facing Li Daoqiang's unwavering gaze and broad smile, the words died in his throat. Considering the might of a grandmaster, Ling Tuisi gritted his teeth and decisively asked, "How does worthy brother wish to change things?"
"Simple—double it," Li Daoqiang said lightly.
Ling Tuisi's smile froze, his eye twitching involuntarily. *Double!* That was an extra ten thousand taels. How much did each family earn in a month? *Bastard!* He cursed fiercely in his heart. Controlling his emotions, he frowned in difficulty. "Worthy brother, isn't that too much? Each family probably doesn't even earn twenty thousand taels a month total."
"Hahaha." Li Daoqiang burst into laughter, as if chatting casually. "My good brother, you underestimate them. Jingzhou is vast, with millions of people—how much profit is there? Twenty thousand taels a month? You're joking."
Ling Tuisi's frown deepened, somewhat speechless. True, the profits from all of Jingzhou far exceeded that. But skimming from layer to layer wasn't so easy. Currently, the families were only consolidating smaller forces around Fuyun Mountain; squeezing all of Jingzhou would take time. The business had only been running a few months, and doubling it now—he was unwilling, and the other families would be too. But seeing Li Daoqiang, fresh from his breakthrough, exuding an air of determination, it was clear he wouldn't be easily dismissed. Ling Tuisi understood, even sympathized—after all, a grandmaster couldn't be compared to a Xiantian. The price for a Xiantian was one thing; for a grandmaster, it would change. But that didn't mean he'd pay.
His face grew more troubled, cautious. "Worthy brother, what you say is true. But the business has just started. Asking each family to pay twenty thousand taels a month—they can't manage it." He paused, his tone turning meaningful. "Besides, worthy brother, you should know—business must be taken slowly. Rush it, and if it alarms those above, it won't be simple. Even you wouldn't want that, would you?"
Li Daoqiang stared deeply at Ling Tuisi, understanding the implicit warning. Grandmasters were strong, but they couldn't act recklessly. Rules had to be followed. The warning, though subtle, was real. And he had to heed it. His identity as a member of the greenwood—a euphemism for bandits and outlaws with some fame—was awkward. Few sought to destroy the greenwood outright, but no one favored it either. Anyone with the power could trample it without hesitation. That was the greenwood's dilemma.
Now a grandmaster, Li Daoqiang wouldn't face enemies without mortal grudges or sufficient profit. But he couldn't do as he pleased. If he pressed Jingzhou too hard, someone would come for him. The interests in Jingzhou weren't just local. Ling Tuisi was also reminding him of his own backing, elevating his status to negotiate on more equal footing.
Seeing through it, Li Daoqiang's smile vanished as he fixed his gaze on Ling Tuisi. After a few breaths, Ling Tuisi averted his eyes. Facing a grandmaster who could end his life at any moment, no one remained entirely calm. Inequality was inevitable. Ling Tuisi felt a pang of helplessness.
"Heh." Seeing Ling Tuisi yield, Li Daoqiang smiled again, composed. "Brother Ling, I, Li Daoqiang, act with integrity and fair dealings. Second, I know my limits—what I can and can't do. In all of Jingzhou, thirty-six thousand taels a month for a grandmaster—is that too much? I'd argue it anywhere. Forget this month; starting next, each family pays twenty thousand taels a month. Anyone dissatisfied, send them to me. I'll discuss it personally."
An invisible, domineering aura spread. Gao Yuan and the others lowered their heads further. Ling Tuisi found himself at a loss for words. His brows twitched as he forced a smile. "Very well, brother. I'll inform the families. Regardless of others, I'll support it." Inwardly, he sighed. No one would clash with a grandmaster over thirty-six thousand taels a month—unless hundreds of thousands or millions were on the table. So he couldn't refuse.
"Then I thank Brother Ling," Li Daoqiang said, his tone softening.
"It's only right," Ling Tuisi replied amiably.
Li Daoqiang didn't waste time. "With the first matter settled, on to the second. This one, Brother Ling, is a great joy for you." His demeanor grew even more cordial.
Ling Tuisi's heart pounded, the foreboding intensifying. Maintaining his smile, he asked nervously, "Please, worthy brother, speak."
"Very well. The second matter is this: I've heard Brother Ling has a daughter. So I've come to offer you a perfect son-in-law," Li Daoqiang said with a smile.
(Thank you for your support.) ······