The Martial Saint rose to power starting as a substitute bridegroom.

Chapter 74 No War

But Li Yuan knew in his heart that the higher the price, the greater the demands.

This is probably not as simple as a temporary posting.

"Thirdly," Cheng Shimo leaned forward slightly, lowering his voice to convey a sense of sincerity, "I have also heard about the feud between young friend Li and Master Xiao of the Tianlong Martial Arts School, and it is indeed a thorny issue. Master Xiao's beloved son was crippled, and this hatred is hard to let go of."

Li Yuan frowned slightly.

Cheng Shimo changed the subject, smiling as he said, "However, as long as young friend Li is willing to sever ties with the Green Ox Martial Arts Society, I am willing to personally mediate. All past grievances will be wiped clean by the Cheng family: Master Xiao will also never cause you any more trouble."

First, they apologized and showed goodwill, then they lured him with benefits, and finally, they revealed their true intentions: to make him sever ties with the Green Ox Martial Arts Society.

The Cheng family's three moves were all calculated with perfect foresight.

Its meaning is self-evident:

This would not only allow them to eliminate the Green Ox Martial Arts Society and quell the anger of the Heavenly Dragon Martial Arts School, but also to firmly bring Li Yuan, this newly rising pawn, under their control, thereby enhancing the prestige of the Cheng family.

Moreover, for a young master from humble beginnings facing formidable enemies, this is an olive branch that is almost impossible to refuse.

Leaving the precarious Qingniu Martial Arts Society and joining the Cheng family, a powerful and influential family, suddenly opened up a bright and promising future.

Li Yuan could easily understand the deeper meaning behind those words.

If I were to abandon the Green Ox Martial Arts Society and join the Cheng family at this time, I might reap considerable profits.

However, he is now the most sought-after young talent in Linjiang City, and his every move attracts attention.

Once a person's spine is bent, it's difficult to straighten it again.

The examples of Lü Bu in ancient times and Lu Qing in more recent times serve as stark warnings.

Moreover, whether he will actually live to receive the pie the Cheng family has promised is still an unknown.

Furthermore, and most importantly, Qianjiabao has long coveted the business alliance, and how long the Cheng family can continue to cause trouble is something that people have to consider.

Li Yuan had already made up his mind.

Seeing that he remained silent, Cheng Shimo raised his hand to pour him some tea, and without saying anything more, simply waited quietly.

"I am unworthy of the kindness shown to me by Patriarch Cheng," Li Yuan said slowly, his tone calm. "I deeply appreciate Patriarch Cheng's good intentions. However, this matter concerns my future and my life, so I dare not act rashly. Please allow me to return and consider it for a few days before giving my reply."

Cheng Shimo's smile remained unchanged, but a hint of disappointment and understanding flashed in his eyes.

He picked up his teacup, his tone calm: "Young friend Li's caution is admirable. The Cheng family's door is always open to you. However—" He looked up at Li Yuan, his gaze deep, "The weather in Linjiang City can change in an instant. Opportunities are fleeting."

"Since this is fleeting, I hope you will make a decision soon, young friend, lest you find it difficult to find shelter when the storm comes."

"Farewell." Li Yuan clasped his hands in a respectful bow.

Cheng Shimo gracefully raised his hand: "Young friend Li, please go ahead."

However, the gaze directed at Li Yuan's retreating figure was filled with boundless chill.

On his way home, Li Yuan made a special trip to the riverside dock.

In fact, Li Yuan has visited many times in recent days.

However, the feeling that once made the Xuan Sha Qi in his body tremble did not reappear.

The river was calm and still, with its blue waves stretching for miles.

The river was peaceful, with the magnificent sails of wealthy families contrasting beautifully with the simple awnings of fishermen.

Just as he was beginning to clear his mind and enjoy the warm sunshine and gentle breeze, a commotion came from across the square.

The crowd quickly grew to three or four layers deep.

Li Yuan strolled over to watch the excitement. He stood at the very back of the crowd; his height of over 1.8 meters meant he could almost stand on tiptoe.

At a glance.

A skinny girl dressed in tattered clothes and a boy in a white training uniform were fighting against several shirtless young men with dragon tattoos.

Based on the style of the tattoo, it can be basically determined that he is a member of the Green Dragon Gang.

The Green Dragon Gang is the local tyrant of the dock area. These young men from the Green Dragon Gang are physically strong, and it is obvious that some of them are also martial arts practitioners.

What should have been a one-sided affair turned into a situation where the group was made somewhat disheveled by a boy and a girl on the other side, who used both hands and feet and employed numerous underhanded tactics.

The two children weren't much better off; the girl had a cut on her forehead, and blood stained half of her thin body.

"Make way, make way!"

Several more burly men from the Green Dragon Gang squeezed in from a short distance away.

Everyone couldn't help but feel worried for the siblings.

Li Yuan glanced at the boy's familiar training clothes and the Five Animal Fist stance he was deliberately striking, and then walked towards the innermost layer.

"You two punks, you're tired of living, aren't you?" A burly man said, hands on his hips, nostrils flaring. "This dock..."

This is Kun's territory now. Even the old man from the patrol camp has to give Kun some face here. You siblings dare to disrespect Kun? Who gave you the guts?!

The siblings, necks stiff and panting heavily, clearly showed a defiant attitude.

"My younger brother is a disciple of the Green Ox Martial Arts Society!" The girl, being older and more mature, took the initiative to negotiate, using her advantages to intimidate the other party.

She was about seventeen or eighteen years old, with dark skin. Perhaps due to long-term extreme malnutrition, she looked very thin and small, less than 1.5 meters tall, with a straight line all over her body and not an ounce of excess fat.

Unexpectedly, the group of hooligans opposite them sneered, stepped forward, and lightly patted the boy's cheek, saying, "The Green Ox Martial Arts Society isn't under the Merchant Alliance. It's just a small martial arts society whose disbandment date is unknown. Who are you trying to scare?!"

The two children's lips trembled, and their expressions became aggrieved.

Their beliefs began to waver.

It turns out that even becoming an apprentice of a martial arts club couldn't change his circumstances.

Instead of the stories told by the old men in the surrounding villages, where people learn martial arts to rise above others and become superior.

"Li...Martial Arts Master Li..."

'

Someone in the crowd recognized Li Yuan and immediately exclaimed in surprise.

Then the others followed suit and greeted him.

"Martial Arts Master Li."

"Martial Arts Master Li."

Soon, a bright, clear path formed in front of Li Yuan.

Li Yuan slowly walked to the front and stood still.

His face was expressionless.

Thump, thump...

The Green Dragon Gang thugs in front of them all knelt down.

"Master Li!"

Those who are involved in gangs are naturally very interested in things like "fist fighting". Many members of the Green Dragon Gang have witnessed the prowess of Li Yuan when he fought Xiao Yichen.

And standing before them at this moment was an insurmountable mountain.

The training clothes worn by that boy were almost identical to those worn by Li Yuan.

They are all standard training uniforms from the same martial arts club.

"Master Li, we were blind to your abilities."

"Master Li, please forgive my rudeness."

'

One of the ruffians even stuffed the stolen copper coins back into the siblings' hands, deliberately adding a few extra.

Li Yuan stood there, his powerful aura making it impossible for anyone to look him in the eye.

"Please have mercy, Master Li! We'll leave immediately!"

After kowtowing three times, the group slunk away, covering their heads.

"You... are Senior Brother Li?" The little boy blinked and looked at Li Yuan's training clothes, and said.

He had never met Li Yuan, but he had heard of Li Yuan's reputation.

The stories told by the old folks were about this important figure.

The siblings, who depended on each other for survival, went to the Qingniu Martial Arts Club with all their savings and dreams in their hearts.

Today was their first day of training. The siblings had just paid their tuition and received their practice clothes.

Unexpectedly, they were ambushed halfway there, as the Green Dragon Gang wanted to take away the incense offerings from the Mountain God.

The siblings didn't want to give more, so they started fighting.

"Thank you so much, Senior Brother Li!" The woman was full of gratitude and was about to kneel down when Li Yuan grabbed her arm.

"Actually, I didn't do anything," Li Yuan said calmly.

Yes.

He just stood there, and the matter seemed to have been resolved on its own.

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