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Bai Family Mansion in Xiyun County

This house was built even more grandly than the county government office, with blue bricks and red tiles, and two imposing stone lions standing in front of the gate.

Li Ping was wearing a faded blue long gown.

Holding the newly acquired "Xiyun Minzhuang" iron plaque in his hand, he stepped into the Bai family's gate.

"Lord Li, the head of the household is waiting for you in the warm pavilion in the back garden."

The Bai family steward bowed slightly, a polite smile on his face, but a hint of contempt flashed in his eyes.

Li Ping smiled, said nothing, and followed the steward through several corridors.

The warm room was filled with the finest silver charcoal, making it as cozy as spring.

An elderly man dressed in purple and gold silk, with a thin face, sat on the couch, slowly stirring the tea with the lid.

This old man was Bai Chong, the head of the Bai family.

"Li Wenshu, please sit down."

Bai Chong raised his head, pointed to the bamboo chair opposite him, and spoke in a calm tone, yet with an undeniable air of authority.

Li Ping didn't stand on ceremony, plopped down, picked up his teacup, and took a sip.

"Excellent tea. What brings Patriarch Bai here today?"

Bai Chong put down his teacup, looked at Li Ping, and a strange glint flashed in his eyes.

"Li Wenshu, let's not beat around the bush. You've razed Black Wind Stronghold, and now Wild Fox Ridge is your territory too."

"You recruited refugees, established a village, and even obtained a 'Military Militia Camp' plaque from the county government."

"It seems that Xiyun County is no longer big enough to contain Li Wenshu."

"Master Bai is too kind. I was merely sharing the county magistrate's burdens and protecting the people of the region."

Li Ping grinned, seemingly harmless.

"Protecting the territory and ensuring the safety of the people?"

Bai Chong sneered.

"Was the abandoned mine behind the mountain also for the purpose of protecting the territory and ensuring the safety of the people?"

"Li Wenshu, my Bai family has been mining in the mountains for many years, and there are some rules that you probably haven't figured out yet."

Li Ping's heart skipped a beat; he knew the Bai family had discovered that he had seized the abandoned mine.

"Master Bai, that mine was originally unclaimed land. I was merely leading people to clear the ruins."

"And incidentally, provide shelter for some homeless people."

"If Patriarch Bai feels this is inappropriate, he can go to the county government office to argue with Magistrate Chen."

"Chen Rang?"

A hint of disdain flashed in Bai Chong's eyes.

"Without the support of my Bai family, he would have lost his position as county magistrate long ago."

"Li Wenshu, let me give you a piece of advice: young man, don't be too greedy."

"Hand over that abandoned mine and disband the militia of Yehuling, and I guarantee you'll become rich and powerful in Xiyun County."

"What if I don't agree?"

Li Ping put down his teacup, looked at Bai Chong, and slightly circulated his spiritual energy, faintly emanating the spiritual pressure of a Qi Refining stage cultivator.

Bai Chong's expression changed slightly. He hadn't expected that this rumored mortal official had actually broken through to the Qi Refining stage.

"Li Wenshu, this Xiyun County is not for you to call the shots."

Bai Chong stood up, flicked his sleeves, and left.

Li Ping watched his retreating figure, sneered, and also stood up and walked out.

Just as they stepped out of the Bai family's gate, Qian Duo slipped over from the street corner, his face somewhat pale.

"Sir, something has happened!"

Qian Duo pulled Li Ping to a quiet alley and whispered...

"I just saw Clerk Zhao's carriage enter the back gate of the county government office, and the Bai family's steward followed him in."

"It seems the three of them have colluded."

"As expected"

Li Ping patted the dust off his sleeves.

"Chen Rang wants to use me to defend against the beasts, but he's also afraid I'll become too powerful."

Zhao Heng hates me to the core.

"The Bai family wants that abandoned mine; it's only a matter of time before the three parties join forces."

"My lord, there's more than that."

Qian Duo was somewhat anxious

"I heard from an insider in the county government that the prefecture is sending people to investigate the theft of tax grain."

"Registrar Zhao intends to take this opportunity to accuse the lord of 'secretly gathering followers and embezzling the Hu family's martial arts techniques.'"

"If the prefecture blames us then, and Magistrate Chen goes along with it, we'll become the scapegoats."

Li Ping narrowed his eyes slightly.

"Stolen cultivation techniques? Hu Guan's copy of the 'Small Heavenly Qi Guiding Technique' was given to me personally by Senior Brother Ren Jun."

"They've miscalculated by trying to make an issue of this."

"However, the charge of 'gathering followers in private' is indeed a bit troublesome."

Just then, Dazhuang rode a fast horse from the direction of the city gate. Upon seeing Li Ping, he dismounted, nearly falling over.

"Sir! Something has happened in the mountains!"

Dazhuang was panting heavily, his face full of terror.

"The wild animals over at Eagle's Beak Rock are starting to rush out!"

"Packs of wolves and wild boars are heading towards the fleeing village!"

"Uncle Laoshuan and the others have already started retreating towards Wild Fox Ridge, but there are too many wild animals; they probably won't last more than a few days!"

Li Ping was shocked.

The beast tide has finally arrived.

How large is it?

"Countless! Densely packed, the forest is full of lush green eyes!"

"Several enormous demonic beasts were driving them behind, and it looked like they were about to charge into the city!"

Da Zhuang's voice trembled slightly.

Qian Duo was so frightened that his face turned pale.

"My lord, what should we do? The county government and the Bai family are plotting against us."

"With a beast horde pressing in from the outside, we're likely doomed this time!"

Li Ping stood in the alley, looking at the gloomy sky, his mind racing.

The Bai family, the county government, the prefectural authorities' accountability, and the monster tide.

These four forces, like a giant net, were closing in on him.

"What's the panic?"

Li Ping suddenly laughed, a glint of madness flashing in his eyes.

"My lord, how can you still laugh?"

Qian Duo looked miserable.

Why can't you laugh? The situation may be chaotic, but chaos creates opportunity.

Li Ping patted Qian Duo on the shoulder.

"Chen Rang and the Bai family want to use the beast tide to weaken my strength, and then use the county to get rid of me."

"Then let's use chaos to control chaos."

"My lord, how shall we use chaos to quell chaos?"

Da Zhuang couldn't help but ask

"Dazhuang, go back to Yehuling immediately and have Shi Gan mobilize all the militia."

"Defend the stronghold, but don't fight the beast horde head-on."

"Lead the wild beasts towards the Bai family's medicinal herb fields and mines."

Li Ping sneered.

"The Bai family wants that abandoned mine, right? Then let the demonic beasts go and 'mine' it for them first."

"As for Chen Rang and Zhao Heng, let's see if they still have the mind to raid my Wild Fox Ridge once the beast tide reaches the city walls."

He touched the "Xiyun Minzhuang" iron plaque in his pocket, his eyes cold.

"It's time to flip the table."