Martial Arts: I Have a Wilderness World

Chapter 496: Chapter 269: Mediation (Part 2)

But Cheng Zongyang had his reasons for not telling anyone present, so it wasn’t their place to alter his plans.

After some thought, he agreed with Li Xuejin’s method.

’If we can really secure one or two months of mediation, maybe my cousin will be able to rush back. And if he can’t, well, we’ll have to play our final hand. I don’t care if the price is high.’

Seeing that an initial decision had been made, no one had any objections.

Next, Li Lu began to organize their personnel. They would continue to defend Tiantuan Village, the gang’s headquarters and businesses, and all of the Cheng Family’s shops!

They wouldn’t get involved in anything else for the time being. No matter what, they had to hold the line.

Meanwhile, the members of the main Liu Family clan, who were temporarily staying at the Qiu Family estate, had also invited the Patriarchs of the Xu and Ding Families.

However, the Qiu, Ding, and Xu Families were now beset by endless troubles of their own.

Most of these were internal issues, and though they had been suppressed, the external strength and influence of the Cheng Family and the Celestial Break Gang were growing rapidly. Their eventual elimination and expulsion was a foregone conclusion. When they later heard that the Cheng Family had been promoted to a Middle Third Grade Family, they knew it was time to leave. Otherwise, they would be swallowed up, destroyed, or driven out.

It was better to leave on their own terms than to suffer such a humiliating defeat.

But they never imagined that a few days ago, the main branch of the Liu Family would arrive with reinforcements, suppressing the Cheng Family with overwhelming force and an aggressive stance.

Normally, according to the Li Family’s rules, Middle Third Grade Families were not permitted to make moves against Lower Three Grade Families at will.

But in this case, both sides were Middle Third Grade influences.

The Li Family’s rules could not be broken, but as long as they operated within those rules, the Li Family wouldn’t interfere in what they did. This was the source of the Liu Family’s confidence to act.

Having left the base, the Liu Family Elder, Liu Song, now sat in a horse-drawn carriage with a gloomy expression, his body swaying gently with its movements.

’The more I think about it, the more I believe those people from the Celestial Break Gang weren’t lying. They’re definitely hiding something and trying to get me to do their work for them.’

’After all, what they told me can be easily verified. It wouldn’t hold up if it were a lie!’

After a moment of thought, he called out to the attendant outside, "To the Da Yi Commerce Association."

The attendant driving the carriage acknowledged with a "Yes," then slowly turned and headed toward West Main Street.

After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the carriage had navigated the bustling, crowded streets of the West City District and arrived at the Commerce Association’s entrance.

After stepping out of the carriage, Liu Song didn’t go in immediately. He had his attendant wait to the side while he ambled around the vicinity of the Da Yi Commerce Association for a while before finally entering.

He didn’t seek out the steward. ’To investigate a matter and ensure its authenticity, it’s far more reliable to start from the bottom and work your way up than to go directly to the leadership.’

After questioning various personnel throughout the Commerce Association, from the lowest ranks to the highest, he confirmed that there was indeed a man named Cheng Zongyang. He was a Steward in the association’s procurement department who had gone out on business and had not yet returned.

He had two assistants, Zhang Zeyu and Cheng Zongwen.

After confirming the truth of this information, Liu Song left the Commerce Association with a grim expression and returned to his temporary residence at the Qiu Family estate without saying a word.

Li Xuejin had no intention of tailing Liu Song to watch him seek confirmation. Planting that seed of doubt had just been a casual move. Regardless of what Liu Song found, as long as he went to investigate, the goal of stalling for time had been achieved.

To fish in troubled waters, it wasn’t enough to just stir the pot yourself to confuse your target; the water had to be murky to begin with.

As evening fell, Li Xuejin brought Zhou Zhendong to the entrance of the Li Courtyard.

After presenting a formal calling card, the two waited outside for about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea before a guard led them into the rear courtyard.

This was a private visit, so Li Mingxin did not receive them in the front courtyard.

In the reception hall of the rear courtyard, Li Xuejin saw Li Mingxin, who was calmly reading a yellowed, ancient book.

Seeing his visitors had arrived, Li Mingxin set the book aside.

"Zhou Zhendong of the Cheng Family, and Li Xuejin of the Celestial Break Gang, greet Lord Li." Zhou Zhendong and Li Xuejin said in unison as they entered, both offering a cupped-fist salute.

"There’s no need for such ceremony. Please, sit," Li Mingxin said, gesturing with a pleasant smile.

Just then, a maidservant brought in two cups of tea.

"Our thanks, Lord Li," Li Xuejin and Zhou Zhendong said, once again cupping their fists.

Li Mingxin was not one to beat around the bush. To him, wasting time on such formalities was time that could be better spent on Cultivation. He was already more than halfway to the Fifth Grade; breaking through sooner to increase his strength and secure more resources within his family was his true priority.

Therefore, once they were seated, he took the initiative and asked, "You’ve both come at this hour. Is there some urgent matter?"

At these words, following their plan, Zhou Zhendong rose and cupped his fists. "According to the rules of the Li Family, if a dispute between Middle Third Grade Families cannot be resolved, one may ask the Li Family to intervene and mediate. We have come to trouble you today, Lord Li, because my Cheng Family and the Celestial Break Gang have encountered an urgent matter and require your mediation."

Li Mingxin looked at Zhou Zhendong, his expression calm. "Is this between your Cheng Family and the Liu Family? Or the Celestial Break Gang and the Liu Family?"

Hearing this, Li Xuejin also stood and cupped his fists. "Lord Li, it is between the Cheng Family and the Liu Family. The Celestial Break Gang is merely a Lower Third Grade Influence and does not fall under the purview of the Li Family’s rules."

The Liu Family’s target was the Cheng Family. As the Celestial Break Gang was a Lower Third Grade Influence, the Liu Family had not, and could not, make a move against them.

But everyone knew that if the Cheng Family was in trouble, the Celestial Break Gang wouldn’t stand by and watch. However, the Gang couldn’t initiate an attack on the Liu Family, or else the Lius would have a legitimate reason to retaliate, which would play right into their hands.

Therefore, the Celestial Break Gang’s Zhenwu Hall had dispatched men to the Cheng Family estate to act as Cheng Family forces. If the Liu Family killed them, they would not be held accountable.

Thus, the mediation this time was officially between the Liu Family and the Cheng Family!

Li Mingxin’s gaze shifted to Li Xuejin, a faint smile playing on his lips.

"Since you know the rules of my Li Family, then you should also understand that mediation has its limits. My family may have its rules, but we cannot simply erase the animosity between two parties."

"The Cheng Family and the Celestial Break Gang destroyed the Liu Family’s branch. It is only natural that the main family has now come seeking revenge."

"Both the Cheng and Liu Families are Middle Third Grade Families, so I can indeed mediate. But I cannot show favoritism to one side and break our own rules. Do you understand?"

He directed this last question at Zhou Zhendong, his eyes fixed on him.

Although this wasn’t the first time Zhou Zhendong had seen Li Mingxin, it was the first time he had interacted with him in this manner.

Under that gaze, he felt a palpable pressure. He knew it stemmed from Li Mingxin’s status, his background, and the immense power of the family he represented.

But he never forgot who he was representing. Faced with this situation, Zhou Zhendong did not crumble, striving to remain calm and rational as he spoke.

"I understand. That is why we do not have an excessive request for this mediation. We have only one: we hope for a two-month negotiation period. If, after two months, the two sides cannot come to an agreement, then we will let our strength do the talking."

Seeing this, Li Xuejin, who was standing to the side, nodded to himself, quite satisfied with Zhou Zhendong’s performance.

’I’ve watched Zhou Zhendong grow these past few months,’ he thought. ’Even Cheng Zongwen has good judgment and a mind of his own.’

He was astonished by the abilities and character of Cheng Zongyang and his two cousins. If he didn’t know the Cheng Family’s humble origins, he would suspect the three of them hailed from one of the great Noble Families.

"A two-month mediation?" Li Mingxin asked, slightly surprised.

But a moment later, understanding seemed to dawn on him. ’They’re either waiting for Cheng Zongyang to return, or they’re hiring help from the Da Yi Commerce Association.’

’The latter would be understandable. But what I don’t get is, what good would Cheng Zongyang’s return do?’

’The Liu Family brought a Fourth Grade expert this time. Even if Cheng Zongyang performed a miracle and advanced to Sixth or even Fifth Grade in such a short time, he’d be no match for a Fourth Grade Martial Artist.’

’But since they’re asking for it, it must mean they have the confidence to back it up, though I have no idea where that confidence comes from.’

"Mediation is possible," he said. "According to the Li Family’s rules, disputes between Middle Third Grade family influences are resolved through negotiated terms. This will require discussion with the Liu Family. If you can meet some of their conditions, it shouldn’t be a problem. Shall I have them brought here now?"

"We must trouble you then, Lord Li," Zhou Zhendong said with a cupped-fist salute.

He knew that Li Mingxin wouldn’t be mediating for free; he would expect a share of the spoils.

"Uncle, please make the trip," Li Mingxin said, looking at the man waiting to the side.

"Very well," Li Tonghua nodded.