The middle-aged man paused for a moment, a flicker of unusual light passing through his eyes.
A top-tier master among grandmasters—this was not a clearly defined level of strength. Yet it was a term whispered and tacitly acknowledged by countless people across the world. They were also known as the world's top experts.
For example, the Five Absolutes of the Song Kingdom, Marquis Zhuge of the Marquis's Manor, and Grand Chivalrous Guo of the Six Fan School. Experts at this level were formidable no matter where they went. They were honored guests, figures whose mere footstep could shake an entire region.
A young man in his twenties had suddenly become an expert of this caliber. Even he had to take it seriously.
As for the truth of this news, he had no doubts. That battle had been witnessed by so many, and he had ordered constant surveillance. With all the reports, there could be no mistake.
"To reach this level at such an age, it seems he might indeed go even further," the middle-aged man said softly, his tone carrying a meaningful implication.
After a pause, his voice grew slightly sharper: "Have you discerned his origins?"
"The battle ended too quickly; I couldn't glean much. It's uncertain," the calm voice replied.
The middle-aged man nodded thoughtfully, as if asking both others and himself, and continued: "Based on his identity and personality, how likely is it that he would join us?"
"Li Daoqiang loves money most, followed by beautiful women. But joining your ranks would be very difficult," the calm voice responded again.
The middle-aged man pondered for a moment, inwardly agreeing with this assessment, a hint of regret flashing across his brow. An expert of this level, and so young—it would be extremely hard to recruit him. Even if he were brought in, he would be difficult to control.
"Then we can only win him over," the middle-aged man said softly.
"Given his nature, it won't be hard for him to do things for you," the calm voice noted.
"Loves money, does he? Loving money is good." The middle-aged man smiled faintly, his tone indifferent. His expression and words showed no regard for silver or gold, as if they were the most trivial things.
After a moment of silent contemplation, he said flatly: "In my name, inform them of Li Daoqiang's news. Since he cannot join my ranks, we'll establish a more stable relationship."
"Yes," the calm voice replied.
...
In a certain place in the Song Kingdom.
A man who appeared to be in his fifties wore a grim expression, murderous intent radiating from him. A tangible pressure burst forth.
*Boom!*
With a loud crash, the surrounding tables, chairs, and floor all shattered. The figure who had been reporting to him was sent flying backward, spitting blood.
"Li Daoqiang."
He coldly gritted out these three words, then turned and left without another word, vanishing in an instant.
...
Naturally, the reactions were far from limited to these two places. As the news spread, it was bound to stir all kinds of events. Such was the influence of a top-tier expert.
Black Dragon Stronghold.
Li Daoqiang could roughly guess what kind of commotion and reputation this would bring. He needed these disturbances and this fame. To save himself from many troubles now and in the future. He also had enough strength and confidence to earn such a reputation.
But for now, he had no mind to deal with that. His full attention was on his second visit to Murong Fu.
"Brother Murong, I've come to see you!" Li Daoqiang said with a smile as he walked into the room.
Murong Fu looked better than yesterday. He rose to greet him: "Brother Li."
Li Daoqiang nodded and said bluntly: "Come, let me take a look at you, Brother Murong. Aside from the seal, which I can't undo, I'll help with your injuries."
With that, he reached out directly.
Murong Fu wanted to refuse but couldn't. Because he knew full well that the other man was also checking on his condition. To see if he could break the seal and escape.
Li Daoqiang openly examined Murong Fu's state, then withdrew his hand with a smile: "Not bad. It won't be long before your injuries are fully healed, Brother Murong."
Murong Fu forced a faint smile, saying nothing more.
"Brother Murong, have you made your decision?" Li Daoqiang asked again with a smile, direct and without any beating around the bush.
Murong Fu still found it hard to stomach this act of treating him like a close friend while threatening him for money. But hard as it was, he had to endure it. After a moment's hesitation, he said: "Brother Li, I've decided. Let my eldest brother Deng and second brother Gongzhi go back to raise the money. Though my Murong family doesn't have that much silver, we'll do our utmost—even if it means selling ancestral property or borrowing—to gather the full amount."
"Good! Brother Murong is truly magnanimous and trustworthy. I haven't misjudged you as a friend," Li Daoqiang praised sincerely.
Murong Fu's face stiffened at the words. Suppressing his anger, he said solemnly: "But there are some complications."
Without hesitation, Li Daoqiang followed up: "What complications?"
"Over ten million taels of silver is a huge sum. Transporting it to Black Dragon Stronghold won't be simple. The moment it moves, it will attract a lot of attention," Murong Fu said seriously.
Li Daoqiang's heart tightened. So that was the issue. Though he knew Murong Fu was trying to create trouble for him, he still had to deal with it. After all, it was his money. If some bastard intercepted it, killing Murong Fu wouldn't help.
Though with that old man Murong Bo still alive, forcing the Murong family to deliver the money wouldn't be a problem. But Murong Fu and the others didn't know Murong Bo was still alive. Forcing them to transport it would, in their eyes, be pushing them to a complete break. Without Murong Fu, the remaining Murong family truly lacked the strength to move over ten million taels to Black Dragon Stronghold. Wasn't that just forcing them to their deaths?
If he wanted to maintain this thin veneer of civility, he had to come up with a solution.
After a moment of thought, Li Daoqiang nodded with a grave expression: "You're right, Brother Murong."
He paused, then continued: "How about this: Brothers Deng and Gongzhi return first to gather the funds. Try to convert as much as possible into banknotes, or at least gold, not silver. I believe with the Murong family's connections and strength over the years, they can manage it. Once that's done, we'll discuss how to transport it to Black Dragon Stronghold. What do you think?"
Seeing that Li Daoqiang didn't seem eager to get the money immediately but was taking it slow, Murong Fu and his men didn't want to waste time.
Deng Baichuan spoke up: "Chief, converting over ten million taels into banknotes isn't easy. Doing so would draw even more attention. But converting part into banknotes and the rest into gold—that the Murong family can manage. My brother and I need about a day to return. After that, we'll do our utmost to borrow money and prepare the silver, which should take another two or three days. If we leave now, it'll take four or five days in total. May I ask how the Chief plans to transport the silver then? Without the young master, we truly lack the strength to move it. And the Murong family can't go long without the young master's leadership. So please, Chief, make a decision quickly."
Li Daoqiang snorted inwardly. They were dumping the transport problem entirely on him. Normally, that should be the hostage's responsibility. But there was no help for it. The sum was too large. Without Murong Fu, and unable to expose that old fox Murong Bo, he didn't want to force a complete fallout with the Murong family. So he had to take it on.
Feigning a few seconds of silence, Li Daoqiang said in a steady tone: "Don't worry, brothers. Just go back and prepare the silver. For the sake of Brother Murong being my first friend, I'll handle the transport completely."
"When should we collect the silver? How will the handover be done? Who will be the contact?" Deng Baichuan pressed.
"No rush. You'll know when the time comes," Li Daoqiang said with a smile.
Deng Baichuan wanted to ask more—he didn't like this vague timeline. But looking at Li Daoqiang's smile, he couldn't continue. His heart sank. He knew the other man didn't want to say more. He glanced at Murong Fu, who interjected at the right moment: "Then it's settled. Big Brother Deng, Second Brother Gongzhi, you should set off now."
"Yes," they replied, then looked at Li Daoqiang.
Li Daoqiang immediately arranged for someone to escort them out of the stronghold. Though they had also taken a palm strike from him yesterday, Li Daoqiang had held back in preparation for this moment, so their injuries were minor. Once out of Black Dragon Stronghold, they sped toward Yanzihu.
Li Daoqiang didn't linger with Murong Fu either. Telling him to rest and recover, he returned to the Assembly Hall and summoned Xue Dao Laozu.
"Greetings, Chief."
Xue Dao Laozu bowed respectfully, showing none of his usual arrogance.
Li Daoqiang smiled and nodded: "Mm. How are your injuries?"
"Thank you for your concern, Chief. My injuries are nothing serious," Xue Dao Laozu said, shaking his head.
Li Daoqiang didn't bother with his bravado and said flatly: "Do you understand the rules of Black Dragon Stronghold now?"
Xue Dao Laozu's eyes flickered almost imperceptibly. He was deeply dissatisfied with those damned rules. But he dared not say so. He nodded obediently: "I understand them all."
"Good. Don't break them, or I'll be in a tough spot too," Li Daoqiang warned sincerely.
Xue Dao Laozu's heart inexplicably skipped a beat, a chill running through him. His battle-hardened instincts told him that Li Daoqiang was very dangerous at this moment. He immediately lowered his head and said firmly: "Understood. I will never break the rules. I will obey only the Chief's orders."
Li Daoqiang nodded in satisfaction. After a pause, he continued: "I hear you have a Blood Saber Sect?"
Xue Dao Laozu's heart stirred, guessing what was coming. Reluctant, he said cautiously: "In response to the Chief, there is a Blood Saber Sect, but it's small and insignificant."
"Mm. Summon all the members of the Blood Saber Sect here. From now on, we're all one family. The debts you owe can be partially offset by the number of experts you bring into the stronghold," Li Daoqiang said directly, with no hint of concern about whether Xue Dao Laozu would agree. As if it were only natural.
(Thank you for your support.)
...