Green Fate Teahouse, private room.
“Fourth Uncle, I did not expect you to come to Tianhai City as well. Why did you not notify me earlier?” Li Feng arrived at the private room under the man’s guidance. At a glance, he saw Li Zhengxiang sitting on the sofa. Li Zhengxiang was in his forties, with features very similar to his own.
All along, Li Feng had felt somewhat uneasy facing the elders of the Li family. After all, his soul had traversed from several hundred years in the future. However, upon seeing Li Zhengxiang now, Li Feng’s heart was unusually calm.
“I have been extremely busy lately. As soon as I had time, I sent someone to notify you.” Li Zhengxiang cursed inwardly, calling Li Feng a sly fox. He did not believe for a moment that Li Feng was unaware of his arrival in Tianhai City. Even if Li Chuanwei had not told him, when he had moved to suppress Fengyuan Group, Li Feng could not possibly have been ignorant. Yet now, Li Feng’s demeanour suggested he was genuinely surprised by his presence in Tianhai City. Li Zhengxiang felt his nephew was far too good at pretending.
From just this one sentence, Li Zhengxiang knew that this Li Feng was indeed different from before. In the past, Li Feng would shrink like a mouse seeing a cat upon spotting him. How could he speak so boldly then?
Hearing is believing nothing; seeing is believing everything. The reports about Li Feng’s changes had seemed somewhat unbelievable to Li Zhengxiang, but now seeing it with his own eyes, he felt Li Feng’s transformation was even greater than he had imagined.
“Busy? I wonder what Fourth Uncle has been busy with. Do you need any help from me?” Li Feng smiled as he spoke.
“No need. It is just work matters.” Li Zhengxiang shook his head and said to Li Feng, “Li Feng, let us sit down and talk. It has been almost a year since we last met, has it not?”
“Yes, it has been nearly a year since I last received Fourth Uncle’s guidance.” Li Feng nodded.
Guidance?
Li Zhengxiang looked deeply at Li Feng. Though the words were ordinary, they carried profound meaning. In the past, he had never even glanced properly at Li Feng, yet now, in Li Feng’s mouth, it was portrayed differently.
Li Zhengxiang felt this Li Feng was even harder to deal with than Li Wu.
“Li Feng, after coming to Tianhai City, I investigated what you have been doing here recently. I must say, your changes are tremendous. It is somewhat hard for me to believe.” Li Zhengxiang got straight to the point. From Li Feng’s earlier words, he knew Li Feng’s skill at playing dumb was no less than his own. If they continued like this, Li Feng would not be the first to broach the real matter.
“Is that so? I did not expect to have done things that shocked Fourth Uncle. I just wonder whether what I did was good or bad?” Li Feng dropped his smile. Judging from Li Zhengxiang’s suppression of Fengyuan Group, this man was an enemy, not a friend. But what did he mean by seeking him out today?
“Good, of course it is good. This is what a man of our Li family should do.” Li Zhengxiang said without hesitation.
“With Fourth Uncle’s approval, I feel reassured.” Li Feng smiled, wondering inwardly what Li Zhengxiang meant by this. If he wanted to deal with him, he should not say such things. Could there be some scheme?
With this thought, Li Feng observed Li Zhengxiang impassively. He wanted to see what this man was up to.
“Li Feng, do you know why I came to Tianhai City?” Li Zhengxiang asked suddenly.
Li Feng shook his head.
Li Zhengxiang stared intently at Li Feng and said, “I came to Tianhai City to deal with you.”
“Deal with me? Fourth Uncle, what outrageous thing have I, Li Feng, done to require you to come personally?” Li Feng’s expression remained unchanged, though he was startled inwardly. What did Li Zhengxiang mean? Was he trying to show goodwill or harbour some plot?
“You have not done anything outrageous, but your existence has harmed the interests of certain people. Especially last time at the Fengyuan Group press conference, when you tore up the order from the family council of elders. Those old fellows in the council hate you to the bone. I was the one they sent to deal with you. My task in Tianhai City was to suppress you and, incidentally, swallow your Fengyuan Group.” Li Zhengxiang said, staring into Li Feng’s eyes.
A chill flashed in Li Feng’s eyes. “So, Fourth Uncle invited me here today to make a move against me?”
“No, no, no. If I wanted to act, I would not tell you all this. I am telling you this because I do not wish to be your enemy.” Li Zhengxiang quickly shook his head. He had just caught the chill that flashed in Li Feng’s eyes. That fleeting coldness made even him feel a shiver down his spine.
“Is that so?” Li Feng smiled noncommittally.
“Yes. Li Feng, your strength is formidable. I do not wish to make an enemy of you and court death.” Li Zhengxiang gave a bitter laugh. Before meeting Li Feng, he had planned to hint that he did not want enmity. But now seeing Li Feng, he knew such hints would not convince him. Moreover, he had already moved against Fengyuan Group earlier. Without clear explanation, Li Feng would never believe him.
“Fourth Uncle jests. You are my elder. No matter what, I would never offend you.” Li Feng was taken aback, inwardly guessing Li Zhengxiang’s true intentions.
“Heh heh.”
Li Zhengxiang smiled, took out a folder, and handed it to Li Feng. “Li Feng, take a look at this.” He placed the folder in front of Li Feng.
“What is this?” Li Feng opened the folder in puzzlement. After just one glance, his expression changed dramatically. He looked up at Li Zhengxiang and asked, “Fourth Uncle, this is…”
“Li Feng, this is my sincerity in not wishing to be your enemy. In the past, between you and Li Wu, I chose Li Wu. But now I have changed my mind. Your strength is formidable. You can even slay Wei Kang, who was at the peak of the ninth level of the acquired realm. Li Wu is no match for you at all. So I have decided to choose you.” Li Zhengxiang said gravely.
Li Zhengxiang felt deeply helpless inside. When he had competed for the family inheritance years ago, he had lost to Li Chuanwei. Now it was the next generation’s turn, but he had only a daughter. In the Li family, women had no right to compete for inheritance. No matter how much he supported her, it was impossible. Thus, he could only choose to back one among the dozen or so eligible candidates like Li Feng and Li Wu.
Originally, he had chosen Li Wu. But now, based solely on Li Feng slaying Wei Kang at the peak of the ninth level of the acquired realm, he decided to switch sides to Li Feng.
Because Li Zhengxiang understood that adding flowers to brocade was inferior to sending charcoal in snow. Every Li family inheritance selection was an opportunity for the various factions to choose sides. The Li family was vast, with direct and collateral lines numbering over a hundred branches and hundreds of thousands of people. Each alignment was crucial to every branch. Though Li Zhengxiang was called the Fourth Master of the Li family, he knew his status was only mid-to-lower tier due to lacking outstanding achievements. If not for being Li Chuanwei’s fourth brother, his branch would long ago have become collateral.
Li Zhengxiang knew that in the eyes of the family council of elders, he was merely a pawn. Otherwise, to deal with Li Feng, the council would not have sent him. After all, he was the fourth uncle to both Li Feng and Li Wu. Before the inheritance selection, conflicts among the younger generation should not yet involve him.
However, Li Zhengxiang was unwilling to be manipulated by the council. Upon learning Li Feng had slain Wei Kang, he saw this as his opportunity. In his view, Li Feng was a dark horse in the selection. If he could support Li Feng before others, when Li Feng became the heir, he would reap unexpected benefits.
As for Li Xiangyang and Li Wu, with whom he had been close before, in Li Zhengxiang’s eyes, their friendship was dispensable when it concerned the fate of his branch. Moreover, was Li Xiangyang not also using him?
At this moment, Li Zhengxiang was somewhat grateful to the council of elders. If those old men had not schemed to transfer him to Tianhai City, he would not have discovered Li Feng’s formidable strength. Without seeing it firsthand, who would believe Li Feng capable of slaying an ancient martial artist at the peak of the ninth level of the acquired realm?
Li Feng, of course, knew nothing of Li Zhengxiang’s complex thoughts at this moment. He was shocked by the generous gift Li Zhengxiang had offered. The contents recorded here were things he desired but could not obtain.
“Li Feng, because you tore up the council of elders’ order, those old fellows were furious and sent me to Tianhai City to deal with you. But as far as I know, besides me, they have sent another person against you.” Li Zhengxiang continued.
“Who?” Li Feng asked.
“That is beyond what I know. Though I am your fourth uncle, I am not part of the family’s high level. Those old fellows would not tell me such things. However, I can confirm that this person, besides targeting you, will also help Li Wu complete his mission on this trip to Tianhai City.”
Li Zhengxiang paused here before adding, “Additionally, lately Li Wu seems to be preparing something. You had best be careful. Li Wu is far more vicious than you imagine. Do not fall for his tricks.”
“Thank you for the reminder, Fourth Uncle. I will be cautious. However, by helping me like this, the council of elders, Second Uncle, and Li Wu will not let you off easily. Is it worth it for you?” Li Feng looked deeply at Li Zhengxiang. Even now, he somewhat struggled to believe that Li Zhengxiang sought him out today to turn enmity into friendship.
Li Feng even suspected Li Zhengxiang was doing this deliberately to lower his guard for a fatal strike. But he thought the likelihood was low. After all, what Li Zhengxiang had just provided was too valuable. Even to deal with him, it would not justify such a cost.
Though Li Feng had not experienced family power struggles, he understood factional conflicts from his previous life’s military experience. Thus, he now grasped Li Zhengxiang’s intent.
For him, turning Li Zhengxiang from enemy to friend could not be better. After all, there was no deep hatred between them. Moreover, Li Zhengxiang’s current status in Tianhai City could offer him great assistance.
At the same time, when he eventually returned to Yanjing in force, he would need family support. As Li Chuanwei’s fourth brother and his own uncle, Li Zhengxiang’s backing would make it easier to defeat Li Wu in the inheritance selection.
However, at this moment, a scheme began to form in Li Feng’s mind.
