Ten years of dormancy: Starting as a martial arts master at the pinnacle

"What should we do?"

Why the Prince of Qin's residence?

"What exactly is Li Changsheng's relationship with the Qin Prince's Mansion?"

"They've even alerted the garrison guards!"

"I've said it before, we mustn't deal with people from the imperial court. Once we get involved, our canal transport gang..."

An old man with a white beard was so worried that his beard was trembling.

The Grand Canal Gang had its own rules and maintained a tacit understanding with the imperial court. The Grand Canal Gang did not actively gather members, local territories remained under the jurisdiction of the locals, and the imperial court would not interfere in the affairs of the Grand Canal Gang.

They would only ask the Caobang for help when needed.

If the local canal gangs performed well, the government would also provide them with certain benefits.

But this time, they took the initiative to break the unspoken rules that had been maintained for many years.

That's why they're suffering the consequences they're getting now.

"What's the point of saying all this? Li Changsheng is already a Grandmaster. Who among you can be his match?"

Before that, the Grand Canal Gang rarely had even Grandmasters, let alone powerful Grandmasters.

"In the end, it's because you all can't bear to part with the wealth and glory of the headquarters. That's why you sent someone to intimidate Li Changsheng."

"So what do we do now?"

"The guards of the Prince of Qin's residence have surrounded this place!"

"Our headquarters has more than 400 people, and now not a single one of them can get out."

Just as everyone was making a fuss, the gate of the canal gang suddenly opened.

Li Changsheng, accompanied by a group of his men, swaggered into the headquarters of the Canal Gang.

"Chief Luo, do you still stand by what you said before?"

Luo Dahai, the leader of the Grand Canal Gang, turned pale and then flushed.

He wanted to speak up and refute.

But when he saw that Li Changsheng was followed by the soldiers of the Prince of Qin's mansion.

The words were on the tip of his tongue, but he just couldn't say them.

If you want to cheat, you need to have the means to do so.

The soldiers of the Prince of Qin's mansion personally took to the field, breaking with the precedent set for many years.

Faced with absolute power, their original tricks were utterly insignificant.

"Elder Li, I remember I made myself very clear before. You can serve as the Supreme Elder of my Canal Gang, but not as the gang leader!"

Although he was terrified, he saw the four powerful beings at the Free and Unfettered Realm behind him.

Luo Dahai knew perfectly well what was going on. Even if he knelt down and kowtowed, calling him "Grandpa," it would be useless now.

Even if he agrees to hand over the headquarters of the Grand Canal Gang.

The people behind him would never agree to that.

They sent out four powerful cultivators at the Free and Unfettered Realm, just to take over the Canal Gang's money bag in one fell swoop.

He changed his mind at this point.

Even if it succeeds, how could he possibly survive?

Therefore, at this time, no matter how fierce and unapproachable the Qin Prince's mansion was, it was still a threat.

He has no choice but to go down this path to the bitter end.

"Haha! Hahaha!!! Chief Luo, known as the man of his word. I have always admired him and considered him a true hero. Meeting him today has truly broadened my horizons. It turns out that our Chief of the Canal Gang can even swallow back what he has spat out."

When Luo Dahai intimidated Li Changsheng, it wasn't just the two of them present.

The deputy leader, elders, and even some hall masters and branch leaders of the Cao Gang were all present.

There were at least several dozen people at the time.

He could swallow back what he said in front of so many people.

After that, what prestige would Luo Dahai have left in the canal gang?

Luo Dahai looked around.

These people, just like themselves, were reluctant to hand over the Grand Canal Gang to Li Changsheng. That's why they discussed seeking help from the imperial court.

Now, everyone looks at him with disdain.

Luo Dahai felt a chill in his heart; he sensed that he might be abandoned by everyone.

Especially at times like these, he needs to cling tightly to the coattails of his backer. Otherwise, he might truly face utter ruin.

Thinking of this, Luo Dahai's eyes flashed like lightning as he stared intently at Li Changsheng.

"Forget what we said before. What do you mean by summoning the guards from the Prince of Qin's residence? Don't you know the rules of our Canal Gang?"

According to the rules of the Canal Gang, internal affairs are not allowed to be handled by the government.

"That's a good question, Chief Luo."

Before Li Changsheng could answer, a clear voice rang out from outside the door.

Along with the voice came a young man who looked about sixteen or seventeen years old.

The man had skin as smooth as jade and features like a sculpture. He wore a brocade robe, a white jade belt, and carried a folding fan.

No matter how you look at it, he has the demeanor of a rich young master.

As the man entered, a shrill voice immediately shouted from the doorway.

"The Prince of Qinghe has arrived!"

Luo Dahai, who was still struggling to survive, felt his blood surge when he heard the words "Prince of Qinghe".

He almost vomited blood.

"This humble subject pays respects to Your Highness!"

"This humble subject pays respects to Your Highness!!"

It wasn't a steward from the Prince of Qin's residence who came, nor were they the three head stewards.

Instead, it was the Prince of Qinghe.

The only legitimate son of Prince Li Yuanhao of Qin, and the current thirteenth imperial grandson.

If it were someone else, these roughnecks from the Grand Canal Gang might not be able to make the connection.

But that person was Li Changqing.

Not to mention the Grand Canal Gang, there are very few people in the entire capital, or even the entire Great Zhou, who don't know about it.

The matter of the real and fake imperial grandsons caused quite a stir.

After nearly half a year of back and forth, the true grandson of the emperor, who was finally selected, was directly granted the title of Prince of the County, an exceptional honor.

This story alone could fill more than a dozen storybooks.

How could everyone not recognize him?

Now, the eldest son of the King of Qin, along with his personal guards, has directly surrounded the canal gang.

So who is behind this?

no doubt.

Caught between the Crown Prince and the Prince of Qin, Luo Dahai could already foresee his fate.

"Your Highness, this is an internal matter of our canal transport gang. Please do not interfere."

Luo Dahai said in a trembling voice.

"How dare you!"

Zhuang Qian shouted angrily, "Who do you think you are? Did our Prince give you permission to speak? How dare you interrupt?"

"Xiao Zhuang, don't get so angry. This is, after all, someone else's territory."

Li Changqing waved his hand, stopping Zhuang Qian.

Then, as if no one else was there, he sat down in the main seat of the canal gang's hall. Looking down at the people around him, some with their hands clasped in front of them, others kneeling.

According to the rules of the Great Zhou Dynasty, martial artists who are Grandmasters or above are exempt from the duties of attending large-scale court assemblies.

Otherwise, even if one met the emperor, there would be no need to perform the full kowtow.

Those who are bowing in respect are undoubtedly at the Grandmaster level or above.

There are more than twenty in total, including four in the Free and Unfettered Realm.

"Internal affairs? Then may I ask, Chief Luo, who are these four members of the Canal Gang?"

"this……"

Luo Dahai was speechless for a moment.

"If I remember correctly, they should be from the First-Class Hall, right?"

"The First-Class Hall, the number one martial arts school in the world, recruits only renowned masters from the martial arts world, and they are all under the jurisdiction of the Crown Prince's Mansion. Heh, so this is to prevent outsiders from interfering?"

Before coming, Li Changqing had already investigated the backgrounds of the four Free and Unfettered Realm experts.

They come from Yipintang.

Yipintang is also the strongest martial arts force under the Crown Prince.

……