Urban Martial Saint

”Is there actually something like this?” Ye Qing furrowed his brows. He had originally assumed that Li Changshan handed financial control to Li Changyuan because the Li Family was struggling financially. Unexpectedly, Li Changshan handed over the financial power to Li Changyuan under such circumstances.

At that time, the Li Family’s income was entirely sufficient for its expenses, so under these circumstances, there was absolutely no need for any major changes. But why did Li Changshan promote Li Changyuan under such circumstances? Moreover, it led him to this point. Could it be that, just as the rumors outside suggested, Li Changshan’s abilities were truly lacking?

However, considering the previous encounter with Li Changshan, this person shouldn’t be foolish. This made Ye Qing truly perplexed; how could Li Changshan have done such a thing as inviting trouble into his own house?

”There are two theories about this matter outside.” Ou Zhengping glanced at Ye Qing and said, ”Some people say Li Changshan lacks the mind and ability. Bringing up Li Changyuan was the biggest mistake of his life; it was practically delivering the family’s great power into the hands of an ambitious person himself. However, there are also those who say Li Changshan brought Li Changyuan up, and he even tacitly allowed Li Changyuan’s moves against those underground forces, all in a bid to increase the family’s income—indicating he himself harbored ambitions. Although he did not anticipate that while the family’s income increased, his own status diminished.”

Ou Zhengping’s words caused a pang in Ye Qing’s heart. Was Li Changshan truly lacking a mind, or was he secretly ambitious?

To be honest, Ye Qing had only met Li Changshan once; he truly couldn’t read this person.

After pondering for a long while, Ye Qing eventually shook his head. Whether Li Changshan truly lacked a mind or had hidden ambitions, he couldn’t watch the Li Family be swallowed up by Northern Martial Zen. Thus, he had to personally handle the matters dealing with Li Changyuan and Ao Yangrong.

He had Ou Zhengping write down all the crimes of Li Changyuan, along with some critical evidence and testimonies; these would be the key to accusing Li Changyuan in the future. In the afternoon, when it comes to capturing those around Li Changyuan, these pieces of evidence and testimonies will be needed.

By the time everything was prepared, it was almost noon. Ye Qing woke up the bodyguard and driver, had them eat lunch, and then struck their coma acupoint again, binding them to sleep in this room, while Ye Qing himself drove Fatty’s car, heading straight towards the Li Family.

At the Li Family, all the members were at home waiting. Today was the moment when Northern Martial Zen’s top disciple Ao Yangrong challenged the Li Family, and everyone from the Li Family was here waiting. However, the majority were here to watch Li Changshan’s disgrace, waiting to force him down from his position.

This time, as long as Li Changshan’s side lost, and his disciple was unable to defeat Ao Yangrong, then the Li Family members would forcibly remove Li Changshan and nominate Li Changyuan to take over. In fact, Li Changyuan had long planned this with his supporters. Ao Yangrong’s challenge was just a triggering point for him to leverage the event to seize full control of the Li Family’s power.

Li Changshan also rushed from the backyard to the main hall’s front room. Key figures from the Li Family were all seated here; the hall seated roughly over thirty people.

Li Changshan sat at the innermost seat, with Li Changyuan sitting at his left-hand side.

”Second Brother, has your top disciple Hao Yuan not returned yet?” Li Changyuan looked at the few disciples behind Li Changshan and said, ”This time, it’s the top disciple of Northern Martial Zen who has come, and his strength is formidable. Among the younger generation of our Li Family, only your top disciple Hao Yuan is the strongest. Concerning the matter of our family’s honor, surely he wouldn’t not come back?”

Upon hearing this, everyone looked towards Li Changshan. They knew that Li Changyuan had begun to make his move against Li Changshan.

”Hao Yuan is out of town and encountered some issues; he can’t return for now!” Li Changshan replied calmly, ”However, it’s not necessarily true that Hao Yuan must return for this matter. It’s just Ao Yangrong; our Li Family is full of talent, why should we fear him?”

”Hahaha...” Li Changyuan laughed heartily, ”Second Brother is truly confident. It seems you already have plans in mind and are certain of victory in this fight.”

”Hmph, there’s no telling the outcome until the fight is done, is there?” As Li Changyuan finished speaking, a person sitting opposite him spoke coldly, ”Second Brother, this fight concerns the reputation of our Li Family. Back then, Northern Martial Zen fought with our eldest brother Li Changqing, and Northern Martial Zen was defeated, making our Li Family famous worldwide. But now, since our eldest brother is no longer with us, if we lose to Northern Martial Zen, it might result in losing all the honor we once had. Therefore, I believe we should not take this lightly. Second Brother, you are the head of our Li Family. If we really lose this time, I’m afraid you will be held accountable as a historical criminal to our family!”

This person was Li Changfeng, Li Changyuan’s elder brother. The Li Family had many branches. Li Changqing and Li Changshan were full brothers, while Li Changyuan was their cousin. This issue was not just about who would be the family head but also whether Li Changqing’s line could continue to control the Li Family’s affairs.

Li Changfeng was certainly fully supporting Li Changyuan, and his remarks were clearly an early attempt to pin blame on Li Changshan. If Li Changshan’s apprentice lost, they would demand that Li Changshan take all the responsibility. It was obvious they planned on holding him accountable afterwards.

Li Changshan gave a faint smile; he could certainly discern the thoughts of everyone in the room. However, he was not overly concerned, because Ye Qing was already planning for this situation. Even if he lost, Li Changyuan and his people would not become the family heads, because Ye Qing was likely to use official power to arrest them all. Therefore, the outcome wouldn’t affect Li Changshan’s position as the family head at all.

Those around Li Changyuan, of course, strongly supported Li Changfeng’s words, all shouting that Li Changshan must win at any cost. Otherwise, Li Changshan would have to bear all the responsibility.

Li Bingyu stood behind Li Changshan, feeling somewhat angry upon seeing the Li Family members targeting Li Changshan like this. However, since these people were elders, he dared not say anything despite his anger; he could only fume silently in his heart while hoping Ye Qing would quickly come over and take Li Changyuan and the others away.

Just as everyone was engaged in a heated discussion, someone suddenly ran in from outside, urgently saying, ”The disciples of the Northern Martial Zen have arrived, they’re at the main gate!”

”Really?” Li Changyuan was overjoyed, stood up, and said loudly, ”Let’s go out and welcome them!”

Hearing this, Li Bingyu could no longer hold back and said, ”Uncle Master, Ao Yangrong is just a disciple of the Northern Martial Zen, and technically a generation younger than you. You shouldn’t be welcoming him. Moreover, he’s here to challenge our Li Family, and yet you’re making such a fuss to greet him—do you hope he comes to challenge us?”

Li Bingyu’s words made everyone turn their heads. Li Changyuan glanced at Li Bingyu and suddenly smiled, saying, ”Second Brother, your disciple is well taught. He understands the difference between elders and juniors. Since when is it a junior’s turn to speak in this hall?”

”Ignorant brat, talks too much!” Li Changfeng waved his hand and said loudly, ”Slap his mouth!”

Two members of the Li Family immediately moved to comply, and Li Bingyu clenched his fists, ready to explode. At this moment, Li Changshan patted his arm, stood up slowly, and said with a slight smile, ”Bingyu is still young and speaks without thinking, which is indeed wrong. However, Changyuan, I also want to ask you, who is the Family Head of the Li Family now?”

Li Changyuan frowned slightly and said, ”The Li Family has always been under Second Brother’s leadership, there’s no doubt about that!”

”If that’s the case, then in this hall, is what I say what counts?” Li Changshan asked.

”That depends on whether what Second Brother says is right!” Li Changyuan coldly smiled and said, ”If Second Brother is wrong, we as brothers should point it out!”

”Right!” Li Changfeng said loudly, ”If the Family Head does something wrong, we are entitled to have him step down, this is decreed by our ancestors!”

Li Changfeng’s words immediately garnered support from a group of people who couldn’t wait to remove Li Changshan.

”Hahaha…” Li Changshan laughed again and said, ”In this hall, who is truly able to give orders?”

”Of course, it’s the Family Head!” Li Changyuan said.

”Is that so?” Li Changshan nodded and said, ”Since only the Family Head can give orders, Changyuan, what were you doing just now?”

”What do you mean by doing what?” Li Changyuan asked in confusion.

Li Changshan said, ”Regarding whether to greet Ao Yangrong, are you the one to decide, or am I?”

Li Changyuan felt a bit embarrassed and said, ”Second Brother, regardless, the visitor is a guest. Since they’ve come, even if it’s for a challenge, as hosts, we must maintain decorum. We can’t just not go out to greet them because they’re here for a challenge; that would give people something to talk about if word got out.”

”I didn’t say not to greet them, I just wanted to point out that I hadn’t spoken yet, and you’ve already ordered everyone to greet them…” Li Changshan looked calmly at Li Changyuan and said, ”Aren’t you disregarding me as the Family Head with this?”

”This…” Li Changyuan was at a loss for words. Within the Li Family, although he had garnered support from most people, Li Changshan was the Family Head. That was a fact. In terms of rules, he had violated protocol by issuing orders before Li Changshan, and he really couldn’t argue this point.

”Second Brother, Changyuan just got too excited and spoke out of turn,” Li Changfeng said. ”As the Family Head and elder brother, you should at least be lenient with your younger siblings. Why be so aggressive?”

”Excited?” Li Changshan looked at Li Changfeng and said, ”Someone comes to challenge our Li Family, to insult our family’s honor, and Changyuan is instead excited about it? What does that mean?”