Chapter 37: Liu Zhenhua, the Diehard Fan

"Master Tang, are you planning to move against the Sun family?" Liu Zhenhua asked, rubbing his hands together in excitement.

He possessed absolute faith in Tang Xuan’s capabilities. To Liu, Tang Xuan was like an idol to a die-hard fan; whatever Tang Xuan did, he was certain to succeed. If there was anything in this world that Tang Xuan couldn't do, there was only one thing: he couldn't have Zhang Qi. Of course, that was a thought Liu only dared to keep in his mind. If Zhang Qi ever found out he was thinking such things, she would undoubtedly subject him to a ruthless "monkey steals the peach" maneuver. Liu had seen her use that low-blow tactic countless times. Aside from her beauty and obvious feminine features, there was nothing else about her that seemed remotely like a woman.

"Only by dealing with the Sun family can we be free of future worries," Zhang Qi said, secretly swallowing hard.

Currently, the Sun family stood supreme in Jiangcheng, practically covering the sky with one hand. While they hadn't moved against the Li family yet, it was only a matter of time. Yet, in Tang Xuan’s words, the Sun family held no weight at all.

Upon arriving at the Li family villa, the moment Li Meng saw Tang Xuan, he dropped to his knees.

"Master."

Zhang Qi and Liu Zhenhua both felt a chill run down their spines. Although they had heard Tang Xuan mention this, seeing it with their own eyes was far more shocking than any description. This was Li Meng, after all—not someone comparable to Huang Long or Wei Feng. Even with Li Qin dead, the Li family’s status in Jiangcheng remained supreme. Yet, a man of such stature knelt the moment he was told to, and called him master just as easily.

"Master Tang is incredible!" Liu whispered to Zhang Qi. "With a brother like him, how awesome will your future be?"

Listening to Liu’s whispers, Zhang Qi only felt she was unworthy. Beautiful? There were plenty of women more beautiful than her. Besides, from the very beginning, Tang Xuan had never shown any improper intentions toward her. Was it truly fate from a past life? Even if past lives existed, how could he possibly know about them?

Sitting in the guest area, Li Meng personally poured tea for Tang Xuan.

"This is my older sister. You should have met her already," Tang Xuan said.

Li Meng was already breaking out in a cold sweat. He didn't know the nature of the relationship between Zhang Qi and Tang Xuan. Recalling their last meeting, when he had forced Zhang Qi to act as cannon fodder for the Li family and even raised a hand against her, Li Meng felt a sense of despair. Was this Zhang Qi bringing Tang Xuan here to take revenge on her behalf?

"I have met her."

"I will handle the Sun family for you, but from now on, my sister calls the shots in Jiangcheng. Do you have any problems with that?"

"No, no, of course not. No problems at all."

Handling the Sun family meant the Li family would stand alone at the top. Although Li Meng would only be a puppet, he was more than happy to accept that role.

"Little brother, isn't it a bit inappropriate to give me such a high position?" Zhang Qi asked.

Tang Xuan smiled and said, "Are you afraid Li Meng will play tricks behind your back? Rest assured, if he shows even the slightest disloyalty to you, I will kill him on the spot."

Li Meng’s cold sweat poured even more profusely. Although he had been arrogant and proud just a month ago, he now had no choice but to bow his head before Zhang Qi.

"Rest assured, Master. I, Li Meng, would never dare to disobey a single thing you command."

Zhang Qi never dared to dream that Li Meng would ever bow to her. Liu Zhenhua, meanwhile, was as excited as if he had been injected with adrenaline.

"Do you know Master Wei?" Tang Xuan asked.

"I do," Li Meng replied.

"Have him come to the Li family estate."

Li Meng made the call. Tang Xuan then asked, "What kind of person is Master Wei? The Wei family can hire him, and it seems the Li family has a deep connection with him as well."

Li Meng explained, "Every family hopes to cozy up to a powerful expert like Master Wei. But he is clever; he never works for just one family. As long as the benefits are sufficient, he will work for anyone. He maximizes his own interests."

Tang Xuan said with disdain, "Isn't that just acting like a dog for anyone? Whoever gives more benefits becomes his master."

Li Meng quickly cautioned, "You can't say things like that. After all, he is a Thunder Realm expert; he has the qualifications."

There were many who looked down on Master Wei’s behavior, but no one dared to speak the truth. Offending a Thunder Realm expert was not a good thing for these great families.

Before long, Master Wei arrived at the Li estate. "Li Meng, I expected you to contact me, though it was a bit later than I anticipated."

Suddenly, Tang Xuan appeared directly in front of Master Wei. Wei’s eyes widened. Tang Xuan launched a right hook without warning. Master Wei blocked with both arms, retreating ten meters before he could barely steady himself.

"What is the meaning of this?"

Tang Xuan pressed the attack, not giving Wei a chance to think.

"Do you really take me for a soft target?" Master Wei roared in fury. Last time, he had given Tang Xuan enough face—that was the limit of his patience. Now, Tang Xuan was being even more insolent. He would tolerate no more.

"Did you think I was afraid of you last time?"

Before he could finish his sentence, Tang Xuan threw another punch. Wei parried, and his figure retreated once more.

"You damn—"

Tang Xuan ignored whatever he had to say. The wind whistled as his third punch struck with irresistible force. Master Wei caught it with both hands, retreating until his back hit the wall. There was nowhere left to run.

Li Meng and the others were stunned. Although they were not at the same cultivation level as the two, even a fool could see that Master Wei was no match for Tang Xuan. No wonder he had dared to call Master Wei a dog; he simply hadn't held the man in any regard at all.

Master Wei hid his trembling hands behind his back. After three blows, he was completely certain he was no match for Tang Xuan. This monstrous young man possessed a monstrous cultivation level!

"I surrender, I surrender!"

Seeing Master Wei’s ingratiating smile, Tang Xuan asked, "Are you convinced?"

"Convinced, convinced, completely convinced."

"Since you're convinced, answer a few questions."

Master Wei looked aggrieved. "If you wanted to ask questions, you could have just asked. Why did you have to start a fight?"

Tang Xuan laughed. "If I didn't beat you into submission, would you have been willing to answer me honestly?"

Master Wei offered an awkward smile.

"You have a close relationship with the Sun family, don't you?"

Master Wei nodded.

"Since the Sun family knows the situation with the Li family, why have they been so slow to act?" It had been over a month, and the fact that the Sun family remained stationary struck Tang Xuan as strange.

"It is precisely because the Sun family knows the situation that they dare not act rashly. With Li Qin’s death and the sudden disappearance of hundreds of Li family bodyguards, the Sun family won't move until they find the reason behind it."

Tang Xuan nodded. The Sun family wasn't stupid; they knew there was a hidden agenda and were holding back to avoid burning themselves.

"If the Sun family won't make a move, I have no reason to wipe them out. What do you suggest?"

Master Wei’s face changed. "The Sun family has several Thunder Realm experts. Are you that confident?"

"Whether it’s a few, ten, or even several dozen—to me, it makes no difference."

Tang Xuan raised his right hand, a flash of golden light dancing across his palm. Master Wei was so terrified he collapsed to the ground, limp.