I planted the spiritual roots for my people, and they bestowed upon me a body inscribed with incense

Seeing that Li Daqiang was about to get angry, Gou Fang quickly spoke up:

"Brother Daqiang, don't worry, it's not me who came to see you today."

After saying that, Gou Fang quickly stepped aside and pointed to someone behind him, saying:

"The person who came to see you today is my cousin, Gou Xun, the leader of a branch of the Sishui Gang in Luoshan City."

After speaking, Gou Fang glanced at Li Daqiang, seemingly trying to see a satisfactory expression on his face, but things did not go as Gou Fang wished.

Gou Xun, who had remained silent until now, became somewhat displeased upon seeing Li Daqiang's state and immediately spoke to him:

"Li Daqiang, is it? You live in this small fishing village, so it's not surprising that you don't know the name of my Sishui Gang. I heard that your family killed a white tiger. Today, as long as you sell the tiger's heart and gall to my Sishui Gang, everything will be fine."

After saying that, Gou Xun threw a bag of silver coins at Li Daqiang, which was estimated to be about thirty taels.

Li Daqiang caught the money that was thrown at him, weighed it in his hand, and then threw it back in the same way. At this point, Li Daqiang realized that the person who threw the money was up to no good.

Gou Xun looked at the silver coins thrown at him, a slight smile appearing on his lips, and he couldn't help but think to himself...

"Ungrateful wretch."

Gou Xun immediately reached out to take the money bag, but as soon as his hand touched it, his expression changed. The force from the money bag made Gou Xun take three steps back.

Meanwhile, the men that Gou Xun brought with him also noticed the abnormality. They quickly surrounded Gou Xun, helping him up while glaring at Li Daqiang and his son with ruthless intent.

Upon seeing this, Li Yuan realized that Gou Xun was no ordinary person; otherwise, his earlier attack would have been enough to make the others wary and dare not oppose Li Daqiang.

Fortunately, after learning of Li Daqiang's strength, Gou Xun refrained from making any rash moves and abandoned his previous arrogance. Instead, he spoke to Li Daqiang with a friendly expression:

"May I ask, Brother Li, what master did you follow? We are both third-rate, but I never expected Brother Li to have such a strong physique."

Li Daqiang wasn't buying it, and said in a nonchalant tone:

"Without belonging to any sect or faction," he then added:

"I do not wish to be enemies with your Sishui Gang, but I cannot sell you the heart and courage of a tiger. However, if your Sishui Gang needs tiger meat, I can provide some."

Upon hearing this, Gou Xun's face instantly turned cold, and he looked at Li Daqiang expressionlessly, saying:

"Brother Li, are you sure you won't give the Sishui Gang any face?"

Li Daqiang snorted coldly, then gave Li Yuan a wink. Li Yuan knew that the group was coming aggressively, so he quickly darted into the courtyard and handed the horse-slaying sword to Li Daqiang.

Li Daqiang took the broadsword, looked at Gou Xun and Gou Fang beside him, and then said:

"As I've said, I'm not selling. If you all try to take it by force..."

After saying "Hmph," Li Daqiang weighed the horse-slaying sword in his hand.

Seeing this, Gou Fang wanted to step forward, but Gou Xun grabbed him and then said to Li Daqiang:

"Brother Li, what are you saying? The laws of Daqing are there for all to see; how dare we force our way in?"

"Since Brother Li won't sell, then we'll take our leave." After saying that, Gou Xun gave the group behind him a wink, and they understood what he meant, so they all followed him away.

On the way back to Gou Fang's house at the east end of the village, Gou Xun's face was gloomy, but when he thought about what he was going to do that night, a smile appeared on his face.

Looking at Gou Xun, whose expression shifted between gloom and joy, Gou Fang, who was standing to the side, then spoke up:

"Cousin, are we just going to let this go like this?"

Gou Xun glanced at Gou Fang, then spoke:

"You don't need to worry about this, I'll handle it. Go home and have your cousin's wife cook a nice meal to entertain the brothers I brought."

Gou Fang wanted to speak again, but after thinking about it, he didn't say anything and instead led the group toward the east end of the village.

The three members of the Sishui Gang standing nearby clearly realized that their leader didn't want to talk to Gou Fang, but due to their status, they still treated Gou Fang with some respect.

Soon, Gou Fang brought the four of them to his home. Zhou Cuiyun, seeing this, did not dare to be presumptuous. After settling them in, she busied herself in the kitchen. Gou Fang, seeing that he couldn't keep up with the conversation, also went into the kitchen to help.

Meanwhile, in the courtyard, Gou Xun and the other three members of the Sishui Gang were already plotting how to devour the Li family's audacity.

"Master, when we come tonight, will we wipe out your entire family and take the tiger's gall, or will we simply steal it?" The Sishui Gang warrior with the kind face and somewhat scholarly air was the first to speak.

The speaker was Gou Xun's strategist, named Sun Ming. Of the other two, the scarred giant was named Huang Lie, and the other, with a menacing look in his eyes, was named Xu Feng.

Gou Xun glanced at Sun Ming, then spoke:

"Fool! This country bumpkin can cultivate to the third rank? What are you thinking? If I could get my hands on his cultivation manual, I might even be able to break through to the second rank."

After saying this, Gou Xun glanced at the group of people, and then continued...

"Don't worry, you'll get your share of the benefits when the time comes. If I make it to the second tier, I'll find a way to get you to the third tier."

Upon hearing Gou Xun's words, Sun Ming and the others all pledged their loyalty.

Seeing this, Gou Xun nodded in satisfaction, and then said:

"This matter cannot be taken lightly. As a martial artist, Li Daqiang cannot be left alive. Huang Lie and I will face him head-on and take him down first."

"As for Sun Ming and Xu Feng, you two secretly infiltrated the Li family. If we fail to succeed, you will directly coerce his wife and children."

After saying that, even Sun Ming, the cunning strategist, had to admire the ruthless Gou Xun.

Just as Gou Xun finished speaking, he seemed to remember something else.

"By the way, how did you do with the things I asked you to do before you left?"

Upon hearing this, Sun Ming patted his chest and then said:

"Don't worry, Master. I discussed it with the manager of Zuichunlou before I left. We'll be enjoying ourselves at Zuichunlou for the next few days and haven't been here at all."

"However, it will be up to the Hall Master to handle this matter, Cousin Hall Master."

Upon hearing this, Gou Xun waved his hand and then spoke:

"My cousin won't have any problems with his mouth, don't worry. Even if the authorities investigate, it'll just be a formality."

Upon hearing this, Sun Ming said nothing more. Not long after the group finished their discussion, Gou Fang and Huang Cuier came out with food. Gou Fang also brought out his treasured wine, which made Huang Cuier's dissatisfaction even more pronounced.

It's understandable that Huang Cuier was dissatisfied, as the matter was not resolved and the family's monthly savings were consumed.

After they had eaten and drunk their fill, Gou Xun and his companions took out their bundles, changed into their night clothes, and waited for nightfall.

Li family.

Looking at the food on the table, Li Daqiang had no appetite at all. He was staring at the courtyard gate with a serious expression. Li Yuan looked at Li Daqiang's solemn face and then said:

"Father, everyone has left, what's wrong?"

Li Daqiang waved his hand, then spoke to Li Yuan:

"Yuan'er, after you finish eating, take your mother and younger brother and quietly go to your Uncle Wang's house to hide. If I don't come looking for you, take your machete and go to the city to find your Uncle Zhou."

Li Yuan looked at Li Daqiang with a puzzled expression, then said:

"Father, do you mean the people from the Sishui gang will come back?"

Li Daqiang nodded, and then said:

They left the village heading west, and it was clear that they were heading towards the Gou family's residence. Moreover, I, as their father, couldn't have been mistaken about the look in Gou Xun's eyes when he left.