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Chapter 35 - City Lord's Method

In the long-standing shadow struggle between the two families, the Li family had always been at a disadvantage. Whenever blades clashed in secret or schemes unfolded behind the scenes, it was usually the Li family that suffered losses, rarely gaining anything in return.

But this time was different. Li Yun had killed Zhao Xiaotian—and not in silence, but openly, before the eyes of countless cultivators.

For Li Jinyun, this was a rare stroke of fortune. Not only had Zhao Xiaotian been killed, but the Li family's reputation had also soared in the process. Their long-suppressed prestige had finally risen, and for once, the Zhao family had been forced to swallow humiliation in public.

"Pavilion Master Guan," Li Jinyun turned his gaze toward Guan Long, his tone steady, "since this incident happened inside the Treasure Pavilion, I want to ask—does Li Yun bear any responsibility?"

"Li Yun is not at fault," Guan Long replied sharply, his eyes narrowing.

He had little patience for Zhao Lieyang to begin with, and naturally leaned toward the Li family's side. More importantly, his words carried truth. Zhao Xiaotian had provoked the fight, and the Treasure Pavilion's rules were clear. Others might fear retaliation from the Zhao family, but Guan Long? He feared no one.

"Li Jinyun," Zhao Lieyang snapped, his composure finally cracking, "Li Yun killed my son. Don't think this can be brushed aside."

His voice grew darker, a cold edge creeping into every word. "I'll be frank. If the Li family's compensation fails to satisfy me, I will never let this matter rest."

The threat in his tone was obvious to everyone in the room.

Li Jinyun's brows furrowed in thought. If the Zhao and Li families truly clashed head-on, he wasn't overly worried. The Zhao clan might be slightly stronger, but the Li family was far from weak. Both sides would bleed heavily, and in the end, the greatest winner would only be the Chen family, the strongest force in Azure Wind City.

What concerned him more was Zhao Lieyang's inevitable underhandedness. Hiring assassins, sending killers in the dark—such moves were nearly impossible to defend against.

Unless Li Yun never left the Li clan compound, he would always be at risk. His current cultivation was still far too low. If he could reach the Xiantian Realm, then at least he would have the strength to protect himself.

"Zhao Lieyang," Li Jinyun finally said, his tone measured, "what kind of compensation do you want?" He was willing to make concessions if the demand was within reason. Better to give up some resources than risk his Li Yin's life.

"I want the Li family's mine in Stone Wood Town!" Zhao Lieyang's words came out like venom, his teeth grinding in rage.

"What?" Li Jinyun shot to his feet, his eyes instantly turning cold and sharp.

Even Bai Xueqin and Guan Long frowned deeply at such audacity.

The Stone Wood Town mine was not just any property—it was the Li family's lifeline. Nearly half of their annual ore output came from that single mine. If it were ceded to the Zhao family, the Li clan's foundations would be crippled. It wasn't just compensation—it was destruction.

"Li Jinyun," Zhao Lieyang's face twisted with malice, his eyes burning with cruelty, "if you refuse, then I swear Li Yun will not live to see another season."

"Zhao Lieyang!" Li Jinyun's voice thundered, his sleeve flicking sharply as his aura flared. "Do you think I fear you? Hmph! There's no point discussing further. City Lord, forgive me, but this Zhao Lieyang's demand is nothing short of stripping my clan of its very life. Such terms are beyond reason!"

Bai Xueqin's brows tightened into a hard line. She understood Li Jinyun's stance all too well. If the Li family surrendered the Stone Wood Town mine, they would bleed out their foundation.

Within a few short years, they would inevitably slip from their place as one of Azure Wind City's three great families. For Li Jinyun, to accept such terms would not only be humiliating—it would be the death warrant of his clan.

"Patriarchs," Bai Xueqin finally spoke, her voice calm yet carrying weight. "There may be another way."

Her sharp gaze swept between Zhao Lieyang and Li Jinyun before continuing. "Li Yun and Zhao Xiaotian fought, and Zhao Xiaotian fell in battle. Since this began with a duel, then perhaps it should also be ended with a duel."

Both men turned their eyes toward her, surprise flickering across their faces.

Bai Xueqin allowed herself a faint smile. "Hehe, I am only proposing a method. Whether you accept it or not is entirely up to you."

She leaned forward slightly. "Since the Zhao family demands the Stone Wood Town mine, why not settle it through combat? Each family sends one fighter, and each family puts forward a stake. The Li family will wager the Stone Wood Town mine, and the Zhao family must also put forward something of equal worth. The winner takes all. This way, neither side loses face, and both clans agree to abide by the result. You may discuss the details among yourselves."

Her words sank into silence. Both Li Jinyun and Zhao Lieyang fell deep into thought.

The proposal, though sharp, was not unreasonable. Without such a resolution, this dispute might spiral into endless bloodshed. For the Li family, Li Yun's value was far too great to abandon. With his future as a pharmacist, their clan's strength would inevitably rise, and surpassing the Zhao family would only be a matter of time.

Zhao Lieyang knew this as well—that was why his demand for the mine was so excessive. It wasn't just vengeance for Zhao Xiaotian's death. It was a strike at Li Yun himself, an attempt to cripple the Li family before their rising star could shine too brightly.

Rumors already swirled through the city about Li Yun's shocking achievements in pharmacy. Some dismissed them as exaggeration, but Zhao Lieyang knew better. If even half of it was true, then Li Yun was a threat that could not be ignored.

"Since the City Lord herself has proposed it…" Zhao Lieyang finally broke the silence, his eyes flashing with calculation. He forced a smile. "I will accept."

"I also agree," Li Jinyun said slowly, though his frown deepened. He knew there was no better option. Refusal would only brand him as weak before the City Lord, Guan Long, and the Zhao clan. At least this way, he could fight for his clan's survival.

"Good," Bai Xueqin said with a nod of satisfaction. "Then let us set the rules clearly."

Zhao Lieyang's lips curled as he spoke. "For this duel, each clan shall send a cultivator under thirty-five years of age. But this fighter does not need to be from the family itself. Outsiders may be invited to represent the clan." His eyes locked onto Li Jinyun with deliberate weight.

Li Jinyun's frown deepened further.

"This is fair," Zhao Lieyang pressed. "If the Zhao family invites someone to fight, then so may the Li family. You wouldn't refuse such fairness, would you, Patriarch Li?"

It was a calculated move. Zhao Lieyang already had someone in mind, a person he believed the Li family could never match. With the duel sanctioned by the City Lord herself, and stakes clearly set, the Zhao clan's victory—and the Stone Wood Town mine—would be all but certain.

"I agree," Li Jinyun said after a long pause, his tone steady but thoughtful. "But I have one condition."

Zhao Lieyang's eyes narrowed. "What condition?"

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