"First, while you will be under the jurisdiction and protection of the Li Family, we will not interfere in conflicts between Lower Three Grade Families. Only forces of the Middle Third Grades or higher may pay a price to have the Li Family handle matters. If you are oppressed by an outside force, you may report it to the Li Family, regardless of your family’s Grade."

"Second, you must pay a certain amount of resources each year as a protection fee. These resources fall into three categories: grain, Medicinal Materials, and silver coins.

The Cheng Family is a family-based power, so the required amount will be determined by its Grade. The Celestial Break Gang, however, is considered a Sect-affiliated gang, so its tribute requirement is different from a family’s."

Upon hearing this, Cheng Zongyang couldn’t help but ask, "And how much would we be required to pay?"

Just then, a middle-aged man walked in from outside. He ignored Cheng Zongyang, cupped his hands in a salute toward Li Mingxin, and said,

"Steward, the matter has been taken care of. They will come in person tonight."

Li Mingxin nodded slightly. "Good. You may leave."

"Yes."

The middle-aged man left. Li Mingxin then turned to Cheng Zongyang and asked,

"What is the highest Realm in the Cheng Family? Answer truthfully. If the Li Family investigates and discovers you’ve concealed anything, the light punishment will be to cripple your Cultivation. The severe punishment will be the annihilation of your entire family!"

As he finished, a cold, murderous intent flashed in Li Mingxin’s eyes. He stared directly into Cheng Zongyang’s, as if he could discern whether the other was lying.

Yet, Cheng Zongyang remained unhurried, his expression serene as he replied,

"I am the strongest, at the Peak of Grade Seven. My father is next, also at the Seventh Grade. The rest are mostly in the Lower Three Grades. The strongest in the Celestial Break Gang is its Gang Leader, Li Lu, who is at Eighth Grade Cultivation."

Now, Li Mingxin frowned as he stared at Cheng Zongyang. "Are you certain you’re at the Peak of Grade Seven? How old are you?"

He found this hard to believe. He was already twenty-six and had been practicing Martial Arts for ten years, yet he had only just stepped into the Sixth Grade, with his Meridian Passage at a mere twenty-four Acupoints.

True, he was from a distant branch of a branch of a branch of the Li Family—an insignificant line, so distant he was barely considered kin. It was only by relying on his decent aptitude and cultivating arduously that he had finally managed to secure this assignment abroad.

After three years, when he returned to report his completion of the assignment, he would receive a substantial amount of family contribution in the family’s Foreign Affairs Institute.

He could then exchange them for a precious medicine to help speed up the process of opening his Acupoints.

Meridian Passage requires opening the Twelve Meridians and the Eight Extraordinary Meridians. This is a very long process, which is why medicinal aid is needed to accelerate it!

’But this youth before me, who clearly looks to be in his teens, is already at the Peak of Grade Seven?’

’He has to be lying.’

"Steward Li, I just have a youthful-looking face. I’m already nineteen and will be twenty in a few months." Cheng Zongyang put on a helpless expression and spouted nonsense, "This face of mine often causes misunderstandings. It’s quite troublesome."

Seeing Cheng Zongyang’s regretful, helpless, and sincere expression, Li Mingxin was partially convinced.

But he still felt a sense of resignation. Innate talent and access to resources were truly crucial!

Although his own aptitude was decent, he had to earn all his Cultivation resources himself, so his Cultivation speed naturally couldn’t compare to that of the family’s core members.

But now that he had entered the Sixth Grade, it would be much easier to obtain Cultivation resources from the family.

This thought brought him some comfort, and his heart felt a little more at ease.

"In that case, the Cheng Family will be designated a Seventh Grade Family, and the Celestial Break Gang an Eighth Grade Gang. As for what to pay and how much, there is no rush. The patriarchs of the other six families are coming this evening. At that time, I will inform everyone of the requirements for the next three years. You should come tonight. We will also be registering each family and gang. Afterward, there will be annual investigations."

Hearing this, Cheng Zongyang nodded slightly and then said, "In that case, I will certainly come tonight. As for the territory in the West City..."

Li Mingxin said indifferently, "As I’ve said, the Li Family does not interfere. How you compete is your own business."

After a moment of silence, Cheng Zongyang asked, "And what if we break through to the Sixth Grade?"

Li Mingxin’s mood immediately soured, and his expression darkened.

"The Cheng Family must either move to the Commandery City to expand or stay here under restrictions, forbidden from actively making a move against Lower Three Grade Families. If provoked by a Lower Three Grade Family, you may retaliate. Most importantly, the resource tribute you are required to pay will increase."

"That’s it?" Cheng Zongyang asked in confusion.

’That doesn’t sound like much of a problem, does it?’

Li Mingxin sneered but offered no explanation.

If a wolf entered a rancher’s flock and wanted to live among the sheep, who would be the most worried?

Seeing Li Mingxin’s expression change so abruptly for no apparent reason, Cheng Zongyang decided not to ask any more questions. He cupped his hands and said, "Then I will take my leave. Oh, and what time tonight?"

"7 p.m., in the main hall of the Li Courtyard," Li Mingxin said, picking up a book.

Cheng Zongyang understood this was a dismissal, so he cupped his hands again and departed.

Although this visit hadn’t finalized things for the Cheng Family and the gang, he had at least learned many of the rules he hadn’t been clear on.

He just had to wait until after the meeting tonight for everything to be truly settled.

After leaving through the gates of the Li Courtyard, he boarded his carriage, turned it around, and left the County Town.

He still needed Li Lu to make an appearance with him. As a Gang Leader, it would be inexcusable for him not to show his face. They would have to get him there even if it meant carrying him.

「Tiantuan Village.」

After being treated with the White Medicine, Li Lu’s external wounds were mostly fine. Except for the deeper and more severe ones, the rest were recovering rapidly.

"This White Medicine’s effects are truly astonishing. The silver wasn’t spent in vain. It was worth it," Li Lu marveled, looking at the healing wound on his arm.

He had asked Cheng Zongyang for extra White Medicine back then, believing it was always good to be prepared.

His worst injuries were on his abdomen and chest, which still needed more time. As for his mobility, it was mostly unhindered.

"Gang Leader, Lord Cheng is back."

A subordinate rushed in to report.

But before Li Lu could say anything, he heard the sound of Cheng Zongyang’s footsteps drawing near.

Li Lu waved his hand, dismissing the subordinate.

Soon, Cheng Zongyang strode decisively into the house and said to Li Lu,

"Brother Li, I’ve handled half of the matter. For the other half, we both need to be present..."

Cheng Zongyang briefly explained the situation. After he finished, he looked at the other man and said, "Don’t worry about your injuries. We’ll just have someone carry you there."

Sitting on the bed, Li Lu quickly replied, "It’s fine, it’s fine. I can pretty much walk now. The medicine you gave me works wonders. Not only is my Internal Injury healing, but these external wounds are also recovering quickly. Walking is no problem at all."

Cheng Zongyang nodded. "That’s good. We’re going by carriage anyway. Once we get to the Li Courtyard, you’ll just have to walk inside, so it won’t be an issue."

Li Lu suddenly frowned and asked hesitantly, "Those six families... they won’t use this as an opportunity to make a move against us tonight, will they?"

Cheng Zongyang shook his head. "They wouldn’t dare. The Li Family Steward will be there. The Li Family wouldn’t stoop to making a move on a mere Lower Three Grade Family. Besides, I’m not worried about them trying anything. If they make a move in front of the Li Family, they’ll be the ones who die."

Li Lu said no more on the topic, instead turning to what happened the previous night.

"Zhao the Seventh must have told you about my plan to burn the farmland, right?"

Li Lu felt he needed to explain this clearly to prevent any misunderstanding between them.

"My main goal in that matter was to prevent them from taking over our life’s work completely intact after they had killed us! I had no other motive."

Hearing this, Cheng Zongyang nodded. "I understand your reasoning. From your perspective, it was the right thing to do."

As he spoke, his eyes fixed on Li Lu, and he said gravely, enunciating each word,

"But, remember this for the future. When you face a situation like that, there’s no need to resort to scorched-earth tactics or mutual destruction. As long as something is mine, no one can take it away! If they take it, I will take back double!"

Li Lu stared blankly at Cheng Zongyang’s eyes. Those eyes...

After a moment, his expression slowly grew serious, and he nodded. "I’ll remember."

"Get some good rest. We’ll go together tonight." Cheng Zongyang gave a slight smile and turned to leave.

Li Lu watched Cheng Zongyang’s retreating back, a complex look on his face.

The aura Cheng Zongyang had just projected was completely different from his usual self. In that instant, it was as if he had become another person!

What shone from those eyes was a cold indifference, a disregard for everything! He even thought he saw a hint of ruthlessness!

He wasn’t sure if it was just his imagination, but from that gaze, he understood Cheng Zongyang’s true meaning!

For a moment, he fell silent.

’Perhaps... this is the real him?’