Chapter 19: Tensions Rise

When Li Wei read the quest prompt hovering before him, a slow, calculating grin spread across his face, perplexing the onlookers. He appeared lost in thought, dismissing Lady Chen Xi's overt attention with the indifference of a man surveying an insect.

At the entrance of the grand main hall, Patriarch Liu Feng's voice cut through the murmurs of the assembled clan. "Everyone besides the elders, return to your activities. This matter doesn't concern you." As a prestigious figure within his clan, Liu Feng's words still held weight.

The younger members and servants exchanged uneasy glances, but no one dared defy the patriarch. Reluctantly, they began filing out. it was not often that such bizarre events transpired in their domain, to say the lower echelons of the Liu clan were disappointed would be an understatement. 

The elders, however, felt a quiet satisfaction. Fewer witnesses meant fewer competitors for whatever spoils might come their way. That smugness shattered when Li Wei spoke.

"Wait," he called, his voice cutting through the air like a blade. "Only the men may leave. Talented young women, however, should stay. I'm always on the lookout for disciples." As a young master, Li Wei held particular favoritism for the opposite sex and was not going to let a chance to diminish the Liu clan Patriarch's authority. 

A stunned silence followed. The patriarch's expression darkened, but he said nothing. The elders exchanged uneasy glances, silently pleading for someone—anyone—to speak up.

Li Wei's words had caused a ripple of excitement among the young women, many of whom returned, wide-eyed and hopeful. Liu Feng's lip curled in barely restrained disgust. In a situation such as this one, many elders were relieved that they weren't the ones being put on the spot by the excessive demands of Li Wei.

'What do they expect me to do? Challenge him? This walking disaster throws Heaven-grade treasures like spare change,' Liu Feng thought bitterly, glaring at the heavens for cursing him with such a calamity. It was just supposed to be another day for the Liu clan Patriarch, who was regretting ever letting in this nuisance. 

As the remaining servants were about to take their leave, Li Wei's sharp voice struck again "Did you not hear me?" He pointed at them lazily. "I said all women and girls stay. It doesn't matter if you're a servant. In my eyes, you're all servants anyway."

One of the elders let out an audible gasp, his jaw hanging open. In all his years, never had he been so blatantly insulted. Cultivators were known for their arrogance, but this? This was pure hubris incarnate.

"Ahem!" Zhou Wen seized the moment. He stepped forward, bowing low, his oily smile carefully calculated. "Sir Li Wei, though I consider myself a humble servant, is it not... excessive to imply the esteemed patriarch is also a servant?"

Zhou Wen's words dripped with faux respect, designed to goad both Li Wei and Liu Feng into conflict. As a seasoned participant in clan affairs, Zhou Wen knew how to stir up trouble during moments of peace.

'Zhou Wen, you snake,' Liu Feng thought, suppressing the urge to grab the throat of his own advisor. It had only come to Liu Feng's attention recently that Zhou Wen was a man that always had another agenda, what left the Patriarch even more speechless was the blatant disregard shown by his seemingly loyal advisor.

Li Wei, however, wasn't fooled. His eyes gleamed with amusement. "I don't care about your titles or self-important nonsense. If you've got a problem with how I do things, say it outright. You'll see how quickly you're beaten and stripped."

Leng Yue sighed audibly, earning a few nervous glances from the crowd. 'Here we go again,' she thought, preparing for the inevitable fallout. Despite having mixed feelings regarding some of Li Wei's actions, if Leng Yue was given a command, she was not going not hesitate to execute to the best of her abilities.

Zhou Wen's smirk faltered as her cold gaze fixed on him, and, to the astonishment of everyone present, he dropped to his knees, kowtowing so deeply his forehead kissed the polished floor.

Gasps rippled through the room. Even the servants couldn't suppress their awe. They weren't just amazed by the unrelenting pride of this newcomer, but the immense shamelessness of an advisor that had thrown away their dignified visage in the face of benefits

'Wow, he truly has no shame,' Li Wei mused, waving dismissively. "Enough. Lead us in already. I'm tired of standing in this low-quality area."

An elder clenched his fists, his face red with suppressed anger. Cultivators could endure many things, but watching their dignity trampled was a bitter pill that was arduous to swallow. Yet they all knew the alternative—beating, stripping, and exile—was far worse.

Patriarch Liu Feng's expression was tight, his words clipped as he finally spoke. "He is right. Let us proceed."

But his feeble attempt to maintain some semblance of authority fooled no one. The sight of Lady Chen Xi fawning over Li Wei as she guided him forward cemented the truth: the patriarch was being walked all over like a doormat.

Inside the main hall, the tension only grew. All eyes turned to the grand seat reserved for the patriarch. Liu Feng moved toward it but halted, calling for a servant.

"Bring another seat. Place it beside mine," he ordered, his tone measured.

The elders exchanged approving glances. 'A wise move,' one thought. Adding a second chair was a subtle concession of status while preserving some face for the Liu clan.

But Li Wei had other ideas.

"Stop," he commanded, his voice cold. "No need for that."

The servant froze mid-step as Li Wei continued, "Leng Yue doesn't need a seat. She stands by my side."

The silence was deafening.

Even Lady Chen Xi's practiced smile faltered, her lips twitching slightly. Liu Feng's hands clenched at his sides as he struggled to maintain composure.

"Sir Li Wei," Lady Chen Xi interjected in her honeyed tone, "I don't believe the chair was meant for her."

Li Wei chuckled, a low, mocking sound. "If not for Leng Yue, then who? Certainly no one in this clan is worthy of sitting in my presence."

That was the breaking point.

"Presumptuous!" Liu Feng roared, his aura flaring. "Do you think you can insult me in my own home?"

The room tensed, breaths held as everyone awaited Li Wei's response. Surely, surely, even he wouldn't push things further.

"Think?" Li Wei said, his smirk returning. "What would I need to think about? I already know I can."

The finality in his tone left no room for doubt.