Raise a sword!

Jiang Peng did not kill him; she simply stood there, continuing to hold her sword against the man in black's neck.

A moment later, the patrol team from Cangshan Pavilion arrived at the scene.

The newcomer happened to know Jiang Peng and even knew about the relationship between Jiang Peng and Elder Qin. Therefore, when he saw that it was Jiang Peng who had been attacked, his expression immediately changed.

"Has Junior Brother Jiang been injured?!"

Jiang Peng subtly pursed her lips.

Without Elder Qin's instruction, how could these arrogant sect disciples possibly address each other as "senior brother" and "junior brother" so willingly?

"Fortunately, I was wearing inner armor and wasn't injured." Jiang Peng smiled politely and went up to greet the other party for a few words.

After receiving a promise that the matter would be thoroughly investigated, Jiang Peng collected the storage bags and weapons from the two men in black and had the cultivators from Cangshan Pavilion take away both the corpses and the survivors.

Jiang Peng had thought this through very clearly.

Although it's unclear how he, who stays home all day, still managed to offend someone, once this matter is brought into the official sphere, many of his underhanded schemes will no longer be able to be carried out.

It's true that the forces in the market are deeply entrenched, but the fact that Cangshan Pavilion is the ultimate authority is also undeniable.

If even the Cangshan Pavilion can't suppress the demons and monsters secretly targeting him, Jiang Peng will probably have to consider either joining the Cangshan Sect directly or finding a way to escape as soon as possible.

...

Late at night, at the Li residence.

In the main hall, the patriarch Li Ruyuan's face was ashen.

Opposite him was a middle-aged cultivator dressed in the robes of a Cangshan Sect steward.

Xu Wenshan, a cultivator at the peak of Qi Refining.

The outer sect steward of the Cangshan Sect is tasked by the sect to oversee the market and handle all the big and small matters within it.

Due to the beast tide and friction with the Jade Pavilion Sword Pavilion, the situation in the northern foothills of the Earthly Roaring Mountain has become increasingly tense recently. Therefore, the Cangshan Sect is no longer comfortable having its inner disciples stationed in the market.

The inner disciples' minds are ultimately focused on cultivation.

The situation is different for sect stewards.

This is a group of people whose cultivation has reached the peak of Qi Refining, but who are unable to advance to Foundation Establishment.

Each of them is adept at scheming and handling affairs skillfully, earning the deep trust of the sect.

Xu Wenshan is one of the best among them.

Facing the head of the family, a dignified Foundation Establishment cultivator, Xu Wenshan, a junior, was clearly sitting in the guest seat, yet he displayed an overbearing aura that seemed to usurp the host's position.

"I never expected that something like this would happen so soon after I took over Cangshan Pavilion... It seems that someone in the market doesn't like me, Old Xu, and is deliberately trying to make things difficult for me."

Xu Wenshan's tone was gloomy, but he didn't even glance at Li Ruyuan while speaking. He just stared at the gaiwan teacup in his hand, constantly stirring the tea with the lid.

But this scene made Li Ruyuan, who was originally confused, instantly realize that the other party had come to question him.

"May I ask, sir, what has happened in the market?"

Before Xu Wenshan could respond, Li Ruyuan said decisively, "No matter what it is, it has absolutely nothing to do with my Li family. My Li family has absolutely no objection to the steward taking charge of Cangshan Pavilion."

After expressing his stance, Li Ruyuan asked in a deep voice, "Has someone broken the rules of the market and caused trouble for the steward? You might as well say who it is. My Li family is willing to be the vanguard of the Cangshan Sect."

This statement demonstrates utmost loyalty.

So much so that Xu Wenshan unconsciously put down his teacup and stared intently at Li Ruyuan for a long time.

Finally, he nodded and smiled slightly.

"The sect is well aware of the Li family's loyalty. Tonight's events are just a minor matter and have nothing to do with the Li family... Two cowardly thieves have set their sights on a rogue alchemist. It's nothing serious."

"Moreover, that alchemist was quite skilled; not only did he escape unscathed, but he also captured and killed one of the two attackers."

With that, Xu Wenshan got up and walked outside.

Li Ruyuan quickly followed.

Xu Wenshan continued, "That rogue alchemist is called a rogue alchemist, but in reality, the sect has already included him in its observation list. They don't take special care of him on a regular basis, but they also won't let him suffer a disaster for no reason."

Li Ruyuan was still completely bewildered, wondering which fool in the family had caused the trouble.

Xu Wenshan arrived at the entrance of the main hall and said, "It's a pity that the one we caught alive had some backbone and committed suicide. However, we found out that he had a nickname, something like 'Eagle Head'."

Li Ruyuan's pupils contracted.

As the head of the family, how could he not know about the guest advisors in the family?

"Does Deacon Xu mean that the eagle-headed creature has already committed suicide?"

Xu Wenshan looked at Li Ruyuan with a half-smile.

"Yes, that person was quite loyal, and he committed suicide rather decisively... But because of this, the trail went cold, and Cangshan Pavilion doesn't plan to investigate any further."

Li Ruyuan remained silent.

As they spoke, the two arrived at the Li family's gate.

Xu Wenshan said there was no need to see him off any further, and then leisurely disappeared into the night.

Li Ruyuan quickly returned to the main hall and issued several orders in succession.

After confirming that no instructions had been omitted, he finally showed a look of dejection.

"With such foolishness and shortsightedness among the younger generation, what future does the Li family have? ... In another hundred years, will we truly be able to wait for a descendant who can bring great prosperity to the family?"

Xu Wenshan's words just now were full of loyalty. He seemed to be talking about the eagle head, but Li Ruyuan knew perfectly well that he was referring to the Li family.

Isn't it precisely because the Li family is loyal and sensible that they have been given the opportunity to amass wealth and make a clean getaway?

"The plan needs to be accelerated; the sooner the Li family leaves, the smoother things will go," Li Ruyuan thought to himself.

We can no longer stay in Cangshan Market; this is not a place for our family to thrive.

We must go to Cangyue City! It is the holy land for rogue cultivators in the Southern Continent, and the only place where families can live and thrive in peace.

......

Early in the morning, outside residence number 28 (丙字28), Jiang Peng met with disciples of Cangshan Pavilion.

The other party politely addressed him as Junior Brother Jiang and then handed a storage bag to Jiang Peng.

"The villain from last night committed suicide by poisoning himself. Cangshan Pavilion did not extract any useful information from him, and his head is still in the storage bag."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Peng immediately sensed something was wrong.

Before he could speak, the Cangshan Pavilion disciple continued, "There is also relevant compensation in the storage bag. This matter was just a misunderstanding due to lax management, and it will never happen again... This is a promise that Steward Xu made to Junior Brother Jiang."

Nothing was found, and they said it was a misunderstanding due to lax management...

Jiang Peng opened the storage bag and took a look.

Immediately afterward, he exclaimed "Holy crap!" in his mind, and his previous dissatisfaction vanished.

He then smiled slightly.

"Cangshan Pavilion is very busy, so I'll leave this small matter here... Please thank Steward Xu for me, and tell him that Jiang Peng is not an ignorant person, and knows that in the market, one should be mindful of the bigger picture and consider the overall situation."

......

Inside Cangshan Pavilion.

Xu Wenshan nodded slightly upon hearing Jiang Peng's response.

"He has a calm and composed personality. No wonder Elder Qin values ​​him. We should get to know him better in the future."