Surprising Developments

Just as Li Wuya had made up her mind to take action, before she had a chance to discuss it with her siblings, the next day at noon, as Li Era and Li Wuya were returning home from school for lunch, they were stopped in an alley.

"Who are you? Why are you blocking our way?" Li Era held onto Li Wuya, wary as she eyed the young man in brocade clothing before them.

The young man appeared slightly older than Li Sancang, around seventeen or eighteen years old, and he was accompanied by four servants.

"Are you two Li Changsen's daughters?" Jiang Zixiao raised an eyebrow, crossed his arms, and looked down at Li Era and Li Wuya, showing a disdainful expression.

Li Wuya curiously assessed the young man before her, and in the instant he spoke, she had already guessed he was from the Jiang family. Her eyes darted around as she playfully retorted, "Who cares who we are? Good dogs don't block the road. If you know what's good for you, move aside quickly, or you'll be in for a rude awakening."

Jiang Zixiao's eyes widened in surprise. This girl was even more audacious than him.

He was audacious because he had the backing of the Jiang family, and even so, he wasn't arrogant with just anyone. What did these two black and uncouth girls rely on?

"No wonder my grandmother was so angry that she couldn't even eat. You really are uncultured."

Li Wuya retorted without hesitation, "We're uncultured? Who do you think you are? Blocking the way of two young girls. You sure have a talent."

This infuriated Jiang Zixiao, a fiery temper flaring up. "Where are your parents? How can they let you two roam around like this, bringing shame upon yourselves?"

Li Wuya immediately fired back, "What business is it of yours?"

Jiang Zixiao became even angrier. His violent temper had its limits, but seeing the two of them quarreling back, he clenched his fists and advanced toward Li Era and Li Wuya, as if he were going to strike them.

Then he tasted the flavor of stir-fried bamboo shoots with pork.

"Ah, ah, ah~"

Li Era was swinging the wooden stick too fast for Jiang Zixiao to dodge. He was whipped like a monkey, jumping around in pain.

Yet Li Wuya was laughing heartily on the side, which made Jiang Zixiao lose even more face. Unable to escape, he endured dozens of lashes.

Finally, unable to bear it any longer, he fled like a rabbit.

As he left, he couldn't resist leaving behind a threat, "You just wait for me!"

Li Wuya loudly retorted, "We'll be waiting. You got lucky today. If my brother and my little brother were here, they'd beat you until you're a mess."

After Jiang Zixiao and his servants had disappeared, Li Era turned to Li Wuya. "Why did you provoke him?"

Li Wuya linked her arm with Li Era's as they walked toward their house, explaining as they went, "Well, I saw that the Jiang family and our family were at a stalemate."

Li Era gave her sister a glance. "Weren't you indifferent about the matter of recognizing our family?"

Li Wuya responded, "Recognizing our family is more beneficial than harmful to us. Father is originally from the Shi family. Returning to the capital is a legitimate move, so why not?"

"Two days ago, I looked at Shen Nong Tang's account books. We haven't made a loss in medicines, but after deducting costs, it will probably take another half a year for the pharmacy to start turning a profit."

Li Era didn't understand, "What's wrong with that?"

Li Wuya shook her head, "There's nothing wrong with it. I just wanted to say that everything takes time to accumulate. Wealth and status can't be achieved overnight. Returning to the Shi family could shorten the time it takes for us to accumulate."

Li Era fell silent, not saying anything.

Li Wuya continued, "In matters like recognizing our family, someone has to take the first step. A stagnant pond won't do. Today, sis, you're the one tossing a stone into the stagnant pond."

"The Jiang family is a family of martial generals. Their sons have been practicing martial arts since childhood. Look at that guy's skill just now. He should be a sixth-grade martial artist."

"A sixth-grade martial artist might not compare to top-notch experts, but for a teenager, it's impressive."

"However, you made him utterly defenseless with just a few moves. What do you think the Jiang family's reaction will be when they find out?"

Jiang Family.

Jiang Dafuren saw Jiang Zixiao return limping and grimacing. She hurried forward to ask, "Zixiao, what happened to you?"

Having been beaten by a girl several years younger, Jiang Zixiao felt very embarrassed. He awkwardly tried to brush it off with a laugh, but Jiang Dafuren grabbed his injured hand, causing him to cry out in pain.

"Oh my, who did this to you?"

Madam Jiang noticed the prominent bruise on Jiang Zixiao's hand and became alarmed. She pushed up his sleeve and found several red marks on his arm.

"What on earth happened? Zixiao, who did this to you?"

The commotion was loud enough to draw the attention of Old Master Jiang inside the house.

Seeing Old Master Jiang come out, Jiang Zixiao knew he couldn't keep this matter hidden.

"What? You're saying it was Era who did this to you?!"

Jiang Zixiao allowed the maids to tend to his wounds, then confessed in a subdued voice about the incident with the Li family.

Upon hearing his grandson's response, both Old Master Jiang and Madam Jiang were stunned. They exchanged a glance, their faces filled with disbelief.

Zixiao was the most naturally talented in martial arts among their grandsons. At the age of seventeen, he was already a sixth-grade martial artist, making him one of the best among the young generation of Rong City.

But now, their pride and joy had been defeated by a girl only thirteen or fourteen years old.

Old Master Jiang rose and personally examined the red marks on Jiang Zixiao's arms and legs. After seeing them, he wasn't particularly worried.

These marks looked terrifying but were actually not serious. They would heal in a few days.

"Why didn't you avoid it?"

Jiang Zixiao sighed, "I tried to, but I couldn't. That black girl's movements were too fast. Before I could react, the stick had already struck."

Old Master Jiang's eyes gleamed briefly. If Era could render Zixiao defenseless, her martial skill was at least at the seventh grade.

A girl, so young, possessing such skill!

"Did that black girl also beat up your four servants?"

Jiang Zixiao nodded gloomily, "Grandfather, she's too ruthless. With just a few strikes, she knocked down Jiang Eleven and the others. Their injuries are worse than mine."

Madam Jiang glanced at Old Master Jiang's expression and corrected, "What 'black girl'? That's your cousin. Don't call her that way."

Jiang Zixiao glanced at his lips but didn't dare to object, "Grandfather, grandmother, that black... that Wuya. She even said that I got lucky today, that I didn't encounter her brother and little brother. Otherwise, they would've beaten me until I couldn't stand up."

Saying that, he looked to them for confirmation.

"Grandfather, their family is just a common military household. Are those two brothers really that formidable? Is Wuya just boasting, right?"

This question stumped Old Master Jiang as well.

They had put in a lot of effort to cultivate their family's grandsons. They had spent a considerable amount of money, sought out potent medicinal herbs, and even owed numerous favors.

If they struggled so much to nurture martial artists, how did the Li Changsen family raise a seventh-grade martial artist when they lacked money and resources?

Li Era was just a daughter, yet she possessed such skill. What about Li Sancang and Li Qilang?

At this moment, Jiang Zixiao's injuries were treated, and Madam Jiang promptly had him sent back to his room to rest.

After he left, Madam Jiang exclaimed, "Who would've thought Era could fight like this, and she's even better than Zixiao. It's really surprising."

Old Master Jiang narrowed his eyes, "People naturally strive for improvement. I believe the Li Changsen family must have considered the benefits of returning to the Shi family. But look at their reactions over these past few days."

"Do what needs to be done, don't rush things. They seem calmer than us. I've been wondering why they are so resolute. It's beyond me."

Speaking of which, he remembered something and immediately summoned Jiang Sheng.

"Go and inquire about Li Sanlang's enrollment in the Martial Arts Academy," he ordered, but then shook his head. "Never mind, I'll go there myself."

The officials at the government school probably wouldn't believe Jiang Sheng's words. Old Master Jiang thought that he needed to personally go to gather accurate information.

Old Master Jiang gathered some people, and that very day he learned that Li Sanlang's spot had been taken by someone else at the beginning of the year.

This made him take the Li Changsen family more seriously.

Li Changsen was already in his thirties, and his prime time for development had passed. It would be challenging for him to achieve something significant in the future.

However, Li Sanlang and Li Qilang were still young. If they possessed exceptional abilities and were properly nurtured, they could still have a bright future.

Promising descendants were the foundation for a family's development.

"That family seems so confident in themselves, thinking that even if they don't return to the Shi family, they can still have a promising future."

Old Master Jiang's mind became active. He had originally considered continuing to ignore the Li Changsen family for a while longer, but now he changed his mind and decided to personally meet with them.

However, before he could take action, the next day, after Old Master Jiang finished his breakfast and was practicing martial arts in the courtyard, Jiang Zixiao came running towards him like a flash.

"Grandfather, something's wrong. Li Sanlang got into a fight with Cui Yongfeng from the Commandant's house at the horse racing field."

Hearing this, Old Master Jiang's expression changed abruptly. "What happened?"

Jiang Zixiao quickly explained, "Li Sanlang was training horses at the racetrack. Cui Yongfeng took a liking to his horse and wanted to buy it. But Li Sanlang refused. Then Cui Yongfeng had his men surround Li Sanlang. As soon as I saw that, I rushed back here to inform you."

Old Master Jiang's eyebrows furrowed tightly. "Always getting into trouble!"

Jiang Zixiao asked urgently, "What should we do now? Cui Yongfeng is so arrogant and overbearing. He probably won't let Li Sanlang off."

Old Master Jiang was annoyed, but he quickly went inside to change his clothes.

After all, Li Sanlang was his younger sister's grandson. The Jiang family couldn't just let this go.

After changing, Old Master Jiang led Jiang Zixiao straight to the horse racing field. Just as they arrived at the entrance, they saw Jiang Anbang's servant.

Jiang Anbang had been keeping an eye on the Li Changsen family all along. As soon as the conflict arose between Li Sanlang and Cui Yongfeng, someone informed him.

Worried that Li Sanlang might get into trouble, Jiang Anbang had hurriedly rushed over on a fast horse, arriving a short while before Old Master Jiang.

"Where's the Second Master?"

Seeing Old Master Jiang looking anxious, the servant quickly replied, "The Elder Master is fine. Second Master and Li Sanlang, Li Qilang, are invited to have tea with Governor Cai and General Zhuang."

"What?!"

Old Master Jiang was taken aback for a moment, then quickly strode into the horse racing field. There, he saw Jiang Anbang, Li Sanlang, and Li Qilang sitting together with Governor Cai and General Zhuang in the center of the viewing platform.