Chapter 88: Chapter 87: I Will Be the Knife and the Block

Just talking about this move just now has already shattered their cognition.

“Greetings, Senior Li Changqing.” The two hurriedly stood up and respectfully bowed to Li Changqing.

Their hearts were in turmoil, seeing Yan Botao standing beside Li Changqing with a smile on his lips, at this moment, they understood everything.

Li Changqing is the Yan family’s assurance.

Yan Botao’s advancement to Innate must be related to Li Changqing.

Neither of them were fools, understanding that the useless painter was just a facade of Li Changqing, in reality, he was a peerless master!

“Don’t be nervous, just here to chat with you, sit down.” Li Changqing pointed with his finger, the two hurriedly sat down, then looked at Li Changqing with humble expressions.

“The families in Changting Town have united to form an alliance, this was my idea.” Li Changqing said slowly, “Being stuck in Changting Town, spending their entire lives here, I think this is not what you desire.”

“So taking this opportunity to unite, make a breakthrough, your families might win a better future, when the resources are abundant, your families might become Innate Clans, and having Innate disciples in your family would no longer be a dream.”

Li Changqing’s words immediately drew a grand blueprint for the two.

“Senior is right.” Both nodded, agreeing with Li Changqing’s viewpoint.

Relying on the strength of the three families, there is certainly a chance to forge ahead.

Even if they can’t compete with those families with Innate, at least it’s better than their current situation in Changting Town, the opportunity is greater, but previously their three families were like separate wells.

To form an alliance was more like a fantasy.

Who could really trust each other?

But now with Li Changqing, it’s different.

With such a master orchestrating, they naturally agree.

Furthermore, with Li Changqing backing them, they no longer need to fear other commerce associations’ forces.

Your side has Innate?

We do too, who fears whom?

Moreover, seeing Yan Botao being so respectful, it’s evident Li Changqing’s cultivation is not of ordinary Innate, they have witnessed Li Changqing’s strength, a mysterious powerhouse.

At this moment, the two’s eyes revealed a light.

As long as they can step out of Changting Town, perhaps in the future they could truly reach the heights Li Changqing spoke of.

“Regarding the commerce association’s matters, Clan Leader Yan should have discussed with you, so my meeting you is also to hope you two consider the commerce association as your own endeavor.”

“Handle it well, it’s very beneficial to your family’s development, and besides, Clan Leader Yan recently succeeded in becoming Innate because he managed things excellently, you two work diligently, and when the time comes, I will assist you in reaching that realm.” Just as the two hadn’t digested the previous promise, Li Changqing offered another one.

This promise they had to accept, willing or not, because if they didn’t, Li Changqing would truly find someone to force it upon the clan leaders.

But indeed, Li Changqing’s offer was aligned with their desires!

Innate!

This is the realm they have been yearning for.

Especially with Yan Botao entering Innate, they are even more determined in their pursuit.

“We will follow Senior Changqing’s guidance, and work earnestly.” Bai Jingfei and Zhao Yiqiu sincerely affirmed.

“Then I’ll entrust the other families’ affairs to you two.” Li Changqing looked at them, knowing that now the families in Changting Town awaited the Bai family’s and Zhao family’s stance after going back.

Most people would choose to follow their decisions.

Because these small families essentially have no other choice.

The two understood Li Changqing’s intention, then turned to bid farewell.

After sending them off, Yan Botao returned to Li Changqing.

“Master, I’ve discussed with the elders in the clan, and we wish to name the commerce association ’Changqing Commerce Association’, wondering what your opinion is?” Yan Botao said to Li Changqing.

“Changqing Commerce Association?” Li Changqing raised his eyebrows, although he liked the name, it was indeed a coalition of many families led by the Yan family, calling it this might not be appropriate?

“Yes, implying our association is everlasting and flourishing.” Yan Botao said with a smile.

“Then I have no objections.” Since it was Yan Botao’s goodwill, Li Changqing agreed.

“But also regarding the idea you mentioned earlier, is there really no problem?” Yan Botao asked, “Our association aims to grow, is it truly viable to cut in from this angle?”

“Naturally.” Li Changqing said, “Whether it’s Yunzero Commerce Association or Minghai Commerce Association, their models are almost unchanged, focusing mainly on similar products.”

“The reason these two can operate long-lastingly is because they haven’t yet swallowed the entire market of Minghong State, haven’t reached saturation, providing breathing room for smaller associations.”

“If we forcibly try to get a share, it will be difficult to grow big, as if it were our Yan family’s fashion brand fabric, Zhao family also wants a share but can’t take away, Changting Town is too small, just our Yan family has saturated the market, leaving no opportunity for them.”

“Over the years, Minghong State has long been divided by them, entering there won’t stir any waves, just forcing the market to push us out, so we should take an alternative approach.”

Li Changqing’s explanation was clear to Yan Botao.

“But once we join, those smaller associations might find it hard to survive, they currently have a chance, but we enter, they might only be left with scraps.” Yan Botao said with a wry smile.

“That’s how the market works, nothing can be done.” Li Changqing shook his head, “Survival of the fittest, some don’t heed the warnings, and are bound to be eliminated.”

Saying this, Li Changqing was truly reflective.

In the previous life, the profession of wood carving was once very popular.

The carved pieces could be called artworks.

But as technology advanced, machine carving emerged, creating items that were not only beautiful and precise but mainly faster.

Carving a large wood sculpture by hand takes a month, but a machine can churn out a pile in a day.

Thus, after being in this world for so many days, Li Changqing has come to terms.

In his previous life, he was an honest and simple person, ultimately rendered powerless and vulnerable.

In this lifetime, he must seize control of his own fate.

If he doesn’t want to be devoured, he must be the predator.

“Did you just kill someone?” Li Changqing glanced at Yan Botao.

“Yes.” Yan Botao nodded: “If we don’t kill the chicken to warn the monkey, they might have other chaotic ideas, and they must give our Yan family an explanation for this incident.”

“Although they all had a hand in this, Ma Sandao was brought by Xue Hong, so naturally, we’ve targeted him.”

“Has Xue Hong’s background, which allowed him to find an Innate fighter, been investigated?” Li Changqing asked curiously.

“Xue Hong’s cousin-in-law works at Zhanhe Mansion,” Yan Botao replied. “His brother-in-law is called Zhou Xun, he was the one who found Ma Sandao. He knew Ma Sandao when he worked at Zhanhe Mansion, and even after Ma Sandao left Zhanhe Mansion, they maintained secret contact.”

“Will this cause trouble for you? If it’s troublesome, just tell me directly,” Li Changqing said upon hearing about Zhanhe Mansion, knowing it’s a formidable force.

Though not in Minghong State, it’s quite close.

“Don’t worry, Grand Worship,” Yan Botao said with a smile. “Though Zhou Xun could find Ma Sandao and has influence in Zhanhe Mansion, he’s too scared to come after our Yan family now that Xue Hong has been killed.”

“Ultimately, the Innate and Postnatal Realms are two entirely different worlds with no interaction, and Zhou Xun won’t come and seek revenge from our Yan family over this incident.”

“Hmm.”

“With Xue Hong dead, have the affairs of the Xue family been settled?”

“Rest assured, Grand Worship, ever since Xue Hong left his home, the Yan family members have gone to the Xue family. Everything belonging to the Xue family is now ours, and we’ve long prepared your share, Grand Worship.”

Yan Botao promptly reported.

“There’s one more thing.” Li Changqing said: “Send Ma Sandao’s corpse to Zhanhe Mansion to claim the reward. Isn’t he on the blacklist? Having killed Ma Sandao, we as the hunters should be able to receive payment.”

“Uh.”

Yan Botao was stunned: “Ma Sandao is indeed on the blacklist, with a bounty as high as one hundred and fifty thousand taels, but typically, the hunter must go in person to…”

“Weren’t you the one who killed Ma Sandao?” Li Changqing said with a smile.

“Me?”

Yan Botao was momentarily stunned.

“Didn’t Ma Sandao infiltrate the Yan family with ill intentions and was killed by you, Yan Botao? Is there any issue with you claiming the reward?” Li Changqing said nonchalantly: “With the Yan family producing an Innate and having killed Ma Sandao, what faster way to spread this news?”

“Evergreen Commerce Association wants to establish itself in other cities, and people need to know there’s an Innate overseeing us. We can’t possibly tell everyone we meet.”

“I’m the kind of person who prefers to stay behind the scenes, and I don’t want Saint Heng to learn about it either, lest he neglect his cultivation. As the Grand Worship of the Yan family, I can cover for you, but I won’t partake in other matters.” Li Changqing stated clearly.

“Yes, I understand.” Yan Botao understood Li Changqing’s intentions.

He also felt that Li Changqing made a lot of sense.

The only thing Yan Botao couldn’t comprehend was why he must hide such awesomeness from his son.

Why?

To let his son experience hardships from a young age?

Such a peculiar habit he has.

But everyone makes their own choices, and Yan Botao didn’t have much to say about it.

Things were proceeding in an orderly manner.

The next morning.

Li Changqing had a good night’s sleep and woke wondering, it’s been two days since he last saw Lu Qiaoqiao, he wondered if something had happened.

After all, he still needed to gather intelligence about his son from Lu Qiaoqiao.

And on this otherwise ordinary morning.

Changting Town underwent earth-shattering changes.

The Bai family and the Zhao family jointly sent invitations to the other families.

To gather for a meeting at Shiyan Studio on that morning.

That night, people of the Yan family naturally slept soundly, but those from the small families did not; they were restless and anxious.

Yan family plans to swallow them whole, they were contemplating the worst possible outcome, while waiting for Bai Jingfei and Zhao Yiqiu’s response.

Moreover, overnight the Xue family vanished from Changting Town.

The Yan family had seized the Xue family’s assets, expelling those who complied from Changting Town and executing those who dared resist.

Normally, the disciples of the Dao Mountain Ancient Land stationed in Changting Town should manage this, maintaining the balance among the families and preventing them from killing each other too brutally.

Yet, oddly, the Dao Mountain Ancient Land disciples remained inactive.

Partly because Yan Yuyun was a disciple at Dao Mountain Ancient Land, out of respect for Yan Yuyun, they refrained from interference.

More importantly, who would want to offend an Innate master?

If the Yan family were still a Postnatal Realm family, they might intervene, but as the Yan family has become Innate, they just turn a blind eye.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep