Family Cultivation: Rise of the Wilderness

Chapter 173 Uproar
Li Qianzhong's death caused a stir in Dangui Mountain.

Li Qianxiong personally led clan elders and more than ten cultivators to Monkey Valley to assess the situation.

"Xiangming, how have you been doing your job as manager?"

Upon meeting, Li Qianxiong launched into a tirade of abuse.

Li Xiangming lowered his head, not daring to reply.

After a while, Li Chengzhi chimed in, "Alright, Xiangming was at the Pushui Market at the time and didn't know they would go to the territory of the Illusory Night Butterfly. Now we should think about how to handle the aftermath."

"Qianzhong died for his family, so he should be taken back to Tailai Peak for a proper burial, and his belongings should be given to his son Xiangxin."

Li Chenglu said slowly.

"Xiang Xin?"

This name stirred up waves in Li Xiangming's heart.

Li Xiangxin was once his student at the Qingmiao Academy, but now he carries the heavy burden of his father's sacrifice under his command.

Thinking of this, Li Xiangming felt a pang of guilt.

He understood that no matter how many reasons he could give to shirk responsibility, as the head of the animal trapping center, he was undeniably to blame for Li Qianzhong's misfortune.

If he had devoted more of his energy to the affairs of the animal trapping facility instead of being distracted by the various matters at the Puyinshan Guild Hall, he might have been able to devise a more comprehensive animal trapping plan and avoid this tragedy.

If he had been there, even if he couldn't defeat the Illusory Night Butterfly, he could at least have ensured everyone's safe retreat, just like he and Li Xianghua did yesterday, successfully covering Li Xiangfeng and his companions' escape from danger.

Li Qianxiong's voice carried an undeniable determination. He looked at the silent Li Xiangming, his anger rising: "You still feel wronged? From today onwards, go back to Tailai Peak and reflect on your actions."

Seeing this, Li Chenglu quickly interjected, "How can this be? If Xiangming isn't here, who will take charge of the beast-catching facility?"

Li Qianxiong's face was ashen: "I will personally oversee this. The Illusory Night Butterfly killed one of my clan's generals, and I will not be able to quell this anger until it pays the price."

He then turned to Li Chenglu and gave instructions: "Fourth Uncle, Qianzhong is from the third branch of the family, so you will be in charge of his funeral. In addition, bring all his direct blood relatives to Tailai Peak. If there are any children with spiritual roots like Li Xiangxin, take special care of them. If they do not have spiritual roots, send them back to Changtai Township after three generations."

"clear."

Li Chengdian nodded.

"Where are Xiang Feng and Xiang Ting? Tell them to come over."

"Yes."

Li Xiangming turned around and called Li Xiangfeng and Li Xiangting, who were waiting at the door, inside.

"You two will be in charge of the daily affairs of the animal trapping room for the time being. You are not allowed to enter Puyin Mountain without my order. All injured members must be sent back to Tailai Peak for treatment."

Li Xiangfeng and Li Xiangting glanced at the silent Li Xiangming and looked at each other in bewilderment.

"Didn't you hear that?"

"Yes!"

The two of them jumped in surprise and quickly responded.

"What should we do about Third Brother?"

At this moment, Li Xiangfeng asked.

Li Qianxiong frowned and remained silent for a moment.

If we're talking about responsibility, Li Xiangchuan is the main person in charge of Li Qianzhong's death.

After all, it was his idea to go to the old territory of the Rainbow Butterfly to capture monsters.

Moreover, under the control of the illusion, Li Xiangchuan launched a frenzied attack on Li Qianzhong, who came to his rescue, directly leading to the tragedy.

"From now on, Li Xiangchuan is relieved of his position as deputy head of the animal trapping house and is taken back to Tailai Peak for three years of confinement, during which time all his salary will be suspended."

Li Qianxiong's voice was devoid of any emotional fluctuation.

Upon hearing this order, a collective gasp immediately filled the air.

Li Chengweng frowned and objected, "Isn't this punishment too harsh? The illusionary magic of the Illusionary Butterfly is indeed difficult to guard against, and it's said that it wasn't intentional. He's already filled with remorse; if he's subjected to such severe punishment, I'm afraid..."

Although Li Xiangchuan's aptitude is not as good as Xiang Yu's, he is still a seed of three spiritual roots in the family, and his cultivation is about to reach the eighth level of Qi Refining. Three years of confinement without resources for cultivation will stagnate his cultivation and may even severely damage his Dao heart.

"Rewards for merits and punishments for mistakes; this is the clan rule."

Li Qianxiong gave him a cold look, his tone calm but firm.

Upon hearing this, Li Chengweng could only close his eyes and remain silent.

Even Li Xiangming, a trusted confidant of the family head and who successfully rescued the other disciples from the Illusionary Dark Butterfly, was suspended from his duties.

Under such circumstances, even if he were a clan elder with great influence, he could not absolve Li Xiangchuan of his crimes.
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Li Qianxiong's reaction to Li Qianzhong's death was unexpected by everyone.

He not only mobilized the elites of his family, but also more than twenty skilled people from outside the family from the Service Bureau to be stationed in Monkey Valley.

This move immediately caused a huge uproar within the demon-hunting group.

Various rumors spread, some saying that the Li family wanted to seize Puyin Mountain, and others saying that they wanted to annihilate the demon-hunting group.

Fear spread like a plague, and outside Puyin Mountain, a third of the demon-hunting teams announced their disbandment.

For a moment, people were panicked.

Of course, there were still many sober people gathered at Taibai Restaurant, exchanging information.

"Have you heard? The Li family is serious this time."

A burly man with a full beard said in a low voice.

A thin young man standing nearby asked doubtfully, "Did the Li family really lose a cultivator at the late Qi Refining stage?"

“Not surprising!”

An old man stroked his beard and said slowly, "The Illusory Night Butterfly is elusive. Boss Xie of the Lion Hunting Demon Squad died at the hands of this beast. There were more than a dozen of them at the time, but only one escaped and was taken advantage of by Ge Yi."

“Ge Yi is lucky; he can become the boss without even lying down. In comparison, Lü Mao has had a much harder time.”

"Lu Mao is not bad either; he established the Mad Lion Demon Hunting Group."

Another voice rang out: "Hey, the Mad Lion Demon Hunter Group, they're much more imposing than the Lion Demon Hunter Group."

What's the use of momentum?

Some people countered, "Isn't it because they're being suppressed by Ge Yi to the point of being unable to breathe?"

"If you ask me, Ge Yi is also a good-for-nothing. Even as the leader, he couldn't control Lü Mao. If it weren't for Zhang Mazi's help, the Lion Demon Hunting Group might have been taken over by Lü."

"Zhang Mazi isn't having an easy time either."

“Zhang Mazi is from humble beginnings, what can he use to fight against Zhao Jin? I heard that Zhao Jin has more than a dozen helpers.”

"Far more than that. I've heard that half of the traveling merchants in Puyin Mountain listen to Zhao Jindou."

Why don't you say that the surname of the people from Puyin Mountain is Zhao?

Someone scoffed, "Half of the traveling merchants listen to Zhao Jindou. Do you think Zhao Jindou's Burning Fiend Pills will sell? The Li family is the real boss of Puyin Mountain."

The murmurs gradually subsided until a voice broke the silence: "The Li family is making a big fuss this time, they must be trying to eliminate the Illusionary Nether Butterfly and avenge their clansmen."

"If we can really kill the Illusionary Nether Butterfly, it will be a good thing for the Li family. With this thing around, everyone is afraid to go into the mountains."

Upon learning that the Li family had not come for the demon-hunting group, everyone finally breathed a sigh of relief and began to discuss the Li family's strength.

It should be noted that although there are many demon-hunting groups outside Puyin Mountain, the largest group only has about twenty members, most of whom are cultivators in the early or middle stages of Qi Refining.

In just a few days, the Li family gathered more than fifty elite cultivators in the mid-to-late stages of Qi Refining, and it is said that there was even a Foundation Establishment cultivator leading the team.

How could everyone not be excited?
"The Li family went into the mountains to hunt demons, and we followed closely behind. We wonder if we can make a profit."

Some people's eyes darted around, their minds wandering.

"Go ahead if you don't care about your life. When have these powerful families ever cared about the lives of us rogue cultivators?"

“That’s right. In their eyes, we’re no different from monsters. It wouldn’t be surprising if we were killed once we were discovered.”

(End of this chapter)