As Li Sheng and the others left, the servants and attendants of the Liu family fled, only to be stopped and questioned by lurking forces. News of Li Sheng's actions quickly spread.

"No wonder he's called the 'Li Demon'; with just a word, he wiped out a faction's high-ranking members!”

"That's a sixth-grade refining expert... willing to commit suicide! If it were me, I'd abandon my family and escape first!”

"The Li Demon is extremely skilled in body techniques; if he blocks you, committing suicide is truly the best choice...”

"Looking at the direction he's headed, could it be the Crazy Lion Gang?!”

"With the Li Demon acting so recklessly, it will surely attract the attention of the City Lord's Mansion and the Guard Palace. There will be a good show to watch then!”

"Let's follow!”

...

Inside the carriage, Liu Hongfeng expressed her concern, "Junior Brother, are you really planning to sweep through one family after another?”

Li Sheng rolled his eyes, "Senior Sister, do I look like a murderer to you? There are only ten days until the city's competition, and I have no idea where that old man Chen Hu is plotting against me. Time is tight and there's much to do. If it weren't for the reputation of the Qingling Sect, I wouldn't bother with this trip.”

"What are your plans then?”

"Destroy the Crazy Lion Gang. This show of strength will be enough. Let Baibaoge spread the news and create some deterrence.”

While they chatted, they soon arrived at the Crazy Lion Gang.

Wang Hu went up the stairs and knocked on the tightly closed door but received no response, so he came back.

"Master, Second Elder, no one is responding.”

Li Sheng got off the carriage, looking at the imposing door with a light smile, "Are they planning to refuse guests? Let's go in and take a look.”

He stepped forward and struck the door with his palm.

"Bang!”

The closed door shattered instantly, and gasps echoed from within the courtyard. As the three entered, the more than a hundred gang members unconsciously stepped back.

"Where are the two leaders of the Crazy Lion Gang? I'd like to meet them,” Li Sheng scanned the crowd and said blandly.

"Replying to Master Li, the two leaders and the deputy leader are not present,” a man in black stepped forward awkwardly.

"Hiding from me?” Li Sheng frowned; he didn't have time for games of hide-and-seek.

"Is the order still here?” Liu Hongfeng asked.

"The order was also taken by the leader.”

"Good courage!”

Li Sheng smiled, "Let's go, Senior Sister. Next place.”

Afterward, the three visited the Yu family, the Qinglin Association, the Tian family, and the Baiwei Escort Agency. The situation was mostly the same: the sixth and seventh-grade warriors had all mysteriously disappeared, leaving only a bunch of scapegoats behind.

After exiting the Baiwei Escort Agency, Li Sheng's expression showed no joy or anger.

"There's no need to visit the remaining families; let's go straight to Baibaoge.”

"Yes, Master!”

Wang Hu drove the carriage, taking the two toward Baibaoge.

"Junior Brother, there's no need to get angry; the monk may run away, but the temple remains. We could also go to the Assassin's Palace and post a bounty.”

Liu Hongfeng raised her delicate hand, pulling up her scattered hair.

"The Assassin's Palace?”

"That's the organization of assassins that has influence all over the continent?”

"Exactly. Senior Sister happens to know the Assassin's Palace's base in Qingshan City. Their information is quite thorough, though they charge a hefty fee.”

Li Sheng pondered; the Assassin's Palace had a legacy of a thousand years and was undoubtedly a top-tier power.

Just then, the carriage suddenly stopped, and Wang Hu's voice came from outside.

"Master, someone is blocking the road.”

"Is this not Master Li of the Qingling Sect? The City Lord and our palace master have set a banquet to welcome you. Please step this way, Master Li.”

"Lead the way.”

Li Sheng's indifferent voice rang out from the carriage, and the people blocking the way let out a quiet sigh of relief as they moved ahead.

"So the City Lord's Mansion and the Guard Palace are getting involved; the higher-ups of those forces must be there too,” Liu Hongfeng frowned.

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

"Let's take a look first; if the banquet is not to our liking, we can leave.”

The group arrived at the City Lord's Mansion, and under the butler's guidance, they headed toward the inner courtyard. The scenery along the way was pleasant and well-organized, but no one had the mood to appreciate it.

After leading them to the location, the butler excused himself. As Li Sheng and the others stepped into the hall, the previously lively atmosphere turned instantly cold.

"You must be the leader of the Qingling Sect, indeed an extraordinary presence. At such a young age, you can rival a sixth-grade warrior. It's truly impressive,” said City Lord Li, dressed in white with a somewhat effeminate demeanor.

"City Lord Li is overpraising me. May I ask what you summoned me for?” Li Sheng clasped his hands, his expression unreadable.

"Does Master Li truly not know or is it feigned ignorance?” A plump man sitting next to City Lord Li interjected.

"Ah, it's Palace Master Fei. I genuinely do not know,” Li Sheng responded blandly.

The other sixth-grade warriors hidden here felt a sinking feeling as they observed his calm demeanor.

"Master Li, the reason for your invitation is to negotiate peace. After the incident a couple of days ago, the nearby factions suffered heavy losses, which is not favorable for our future battles against the demonic tide. I hope Master Li can consider the bigger picture.”

Li Sheng chuckled lightly, "If it's about the bigger picture, then I ask City Lord Li to hand over these sixth-grade warriors to me, and this matter will be settled.”

City Lord Li's expression faltered, while Palace Master Fei showed impatience, "Li Sheng, we won't pursue the matter of you slaughtering thousands of warriors previously, but this must end here. If you continue like this, it won't reflect well; who will resist the demonic tide in the future?”

"I'm afraid I don't quite understand what Palace Master Fei means. What do you mean by not pursuing it? What do you mean by slaughter?!”

Li Sheng's smile faded, and his tone turned icy. "When thousands of warriors invaded my Qingling Sect, why didn't you two step in to stop it? Where were you while my Qingling Sect fought desperately? Why didn't you step forward and say a word about the bigger picture? Now that I come to avenge that day's grievances, you two obstruct me; what's the logic in that? Others can do it, but my Qingling Sect cannot?”

"This matter is a bit unfair to you, Master Li. How about this: let them each pay five hundred spirit stones as compensation?” City Lord Li suggested.

"We're willing to pay the spirit stones; we hope Master Li can be magnanimous and spare us,” the others chimed in.

Watching this group play off each other with a certainty that they had him at a disadvantage, Li Sheng felt a bit irritated.

"It's not impossible for me to relent,” Li Sheng said, his face cold.

"Please speak, Master Li,” the crowd brightened.

"Hand over all resources and dissolve your factions, and I will no longer pursue this matter!”

"All resources?”

"Dissolve factions?”

While they could accept handing over all resources, the idea of dissolving their factions was entirely unacceptable; otherwise, they wouldn't have come here.

Clans, families, and gangs were under strict control by the Da Yan Empire. Sects, valleys, and temples were dispatched by the Sacred Grounds. The distribution of spiritual veins and resources allocated during promotions was hierarchical and strict.

This is why they fought desperately to preserve their factions. As long as they had their rank, their resources would be available for advancement.

As for leaving here and going elsewhere, it wasn't impossible. However, every place was quite exclusive and not welcoming to outsiders wanting to settle down. They had to integrate locally, establish connections, and know the right people, which required a significant amount of resources.

"Dissolving factions is too much; Master Li, please change the conditions,” Palace Master Fei said, looking somewhat displeased.

"What if I don't change?”