Chapter 353: Chapter 205: An Extremely High Probability of Trying and Dying

The Qiu Family bordered the Liu Family’s territory. After receiving Li Lu’s news, while Qiu Fengxing was still contemplating, Qiu Wan’Er had already prepared the money.

"Father, we can’t miss this opportunity. If the Ding Family reacts first, we’ll lose what might be our only chance to expand!"

Upon hearing this, Qiu Fengxing understood its importance and nodded gravely.

The brothers Qiu Chuning and Qiu Chu’an had no objections to this.

For the Qiu Family, expanding their territory brought only benefits and no drawbacks.

Just as Qiu Wan’Er had predicted, Ding Wu was ecstatic when he heard the news from Li Lu.

Although the Celestial Break Gang’s methods for taking down the Liu Family were unknown, and no one knew why they were giving up the Liu Family’s territory, the proffered benefits were too good to pass up!

The Ding Family felt a greater sense of urgency than any of the others!

If the Qiu Family took the Liu Family’s territory, his Ding Family would be sandwiched between two large domains, an incredibly awkward and dangerous position!

But the Xu Family wasn’t concerned with the Liu Family’s territory; they had set their sights on the He Family!

In the study of the Xu Family’s rear courtyard.

It was long past midnight, but the father and son of the Xu Family had not yet rested. They were already aware of the news from Li Lu, but their territory wasn’t close to the Liu Family’s. Even setting aside the inconvenience, neither the Qiu Family nor the Ding Family would ever let the Xu Family have it.

Therefore, Xu Tieshan had set his sights on the He Family’s territory.

Hearing his father’s plan, Xu Yuandong asked in confusion:

"Father, are you thinking this because the He Family suffered heavy losses?"

Xu Tieshan shook his head. "No, I’m preparing to cooperate with Cheng Zongyang."

Without waiting for his son to ask, he continued, "We’ve underestimated the Cheng Family’s strength. He Shujun was, at the very least, a Sixth Grade Martial Artist. In a fair fight, a Seventh Grade Martial Artist would be no match for him. Yet, the Cheng Family emerged completely unscathed. There are only two explanations for this."

"Either the Cheng Family also has a Sixth Grade expert, or they used some extraordinary means."

"Regardless of the method, the fact that the Cheng Family defeated He Shujun is undeniable! As for what kind of method it was, we’ll have to see how the Li Courtyard reacts."

"The Li Courtyard?" Xu Yuandong frowned. A moment later, understanding dawned on him.

If a Sixth Grade Martial Artist made a move, things would be different.

’Hiding one’s Cultivation to deceive the Li Family... The lightest punishment is a penalty against their tribute, while the heaviest is clan extermination!’

’If the Li Courtyard makes a move, it’ll mean the Cheng Family really does have a Sixth Grade Martial Artist!’

"So, Father, you want to cooperate with the Cheng Family to take down the He Family?" Xu Yuandong asked.

"No. A business partnership."

Xu Tieshan spoke with a grave expression. "The Xu Family isn’t strong enough to take down the He Family on our own. In a hostile takeover between unequal powers, we’d be completely at their mercy."

"Only a business partnership can offer the Xu Family some protection. It would allow us to gain some benefits while remaining on peaceful terms. At the very least, the Cheng Family wouldn’t make an example of us! Later, we can try to vie for the He Family’s territory."

Xu Yuandong began to understand his father’s meaning.

"Then I’ll go and negotiate," Xu Yuandong said.

"No need. I will go myself," Xu Tieshan said with a sigh.

’If only I had known,’ he thought. ’If I had agreed to the partnership back at the Restaurant, a piece of the Lu or Liu Family’s territory might have been ours.’

But in the end, he had still misjudged and underestimated them. He could only hope it wasn’t too late to seek a partnership.

A short while later, a carriage headed toward the Celestial Break Gang’s headquarters.

Similarly, several carriages had already left the Qiu Family, rushing towards the Celestial Break Gang in West City.

But the closest family, the Ding Family, already had someone at the Celestial Break Gang. To get a step ahead, Ding Wu had arrived first, arranging for his clansmen to deliver the money later.

’Might makes right. If we were strong enough, why would we need to spend money? We could just seize it.’

But the lesson of the Liu Family was a stark reminder, and they didn’t dare act recklessly. The chances of trying and dying were simply too high.

"Hahaha, Gang Leader Li."

Ding Wu had just stepped into the courtyard of the brightly lit headquarters when his hearty laughter began to echo.

Inside the main hall, Li Lu saw the tall, slightly dark-skinned Ding Wu. Cupping his fist, Ding Wu smiled and said, "I hope I’m not disturbing you by coming so late, Gang Leader Li?"

"Ah, Patriarch Ding! You’re too kind. It is I who was discourteous for not coming out to greet you! Please, sit." Li Lu smiled, turning to the side and gesturing with his hand.

"Not at all, not at all. We are neighbors, after all. I’ve been busy with clan affairs these past few days and haven’t had a moment to visit. I hope you don’t mind, Gang Leader Li. As it happens, I heard the Liu Family made a move against your esteemed gang, so I came to see if you needed any help."

Hearing this, Li Lu scoffed inwardly. ’Asking now, after everything is already over?’

But he now had a better understanding of Ding Wu’s style—a warm smile for everyone, but actions that told a different story. Outwardly, however, he just smiled and said, "It was a small matter. Thank you for your concern, Patriarch Ding."

After a few more exchanges, it was as if the two had become familiar. As if it were an afterthought, Ding Wu finally asked, "On my way here, I heard that your gang is preparing to sell off the Liu Family’s land? I wonder if there’s any truth to this matter?"

Seeing the man finally get to the point, Li Lu smiled and nodded. "Indeed there is. Could it be that Patriarch Ding is interested?"

"I won’t hide it from you, Gang Leader Li, I certainly am. It’s just that I only heard about this on the way here and haven’t made any preparations. What are the terms?"

Li Lu smiled. "The requirements are simple. Thirty thousand taels, and you’ll also need to sign a cooperation agreement."

Hearing this, Ding Wu suppressed his excitement and asked with a smile, "What kind of agreement?"

As if he had long been prepared, Li Lu picked up a Beast Hide Scroll from a nearby table. Seeing this, Ding Wu immediately stood up and walked over to accept it. He couldn’t help but notice, however, that there were two more scrolls on the table next to Li Lu.

This made him a little suspicious, but he didn’t dwell on it.