Li Xian said, "Besides, I don't really have any secrets. I've been cultivating Martial Arts since I was young and am already at the Early Spirit Gathering Realm. I just never showed it to anyone. Last night, I happened to break through to the Mid Spirit Gathering Realm, and today you stopped me."
Li Xian worried that this guy would gossip to his backer. If others thought he truly had a secret, it would be trouble, and they might come to snatch it. Fengyang City had many experts, and various forces were intertwined. Many of these forces he couldn't contend with right now.
Brother Leopard was skeptical and said, "Then why didn't you fight back when we beat you yesterday?"
"I had just argued with my wife and was feeling down, so I didn't resist. You know, with my status in the Tang Family, I don't have much standing. Sometimes, when I get yelled at harshly, I can't help but give up on myself."
Brother Leopard immediately believed him. Li Xian's status as a son-in-law living with the wife's family naturally meant he'd face many disdainful glances and be despised and put down.
The reason Brother Leopard dared to lend money to Li Xian and make him lose almost everything was precisely because Li Xian, in his status as a son-in-law living with the wife's family, was easy to bully, and the Tang Family might not necessarily stand up for him.
Brother Leopard sneered, "Li Xian, don't think you can default on your debt just because you're at the Mid Spirit Gathering Realm. Since you have no secrets to pay off your debt, hurry up and return the money."
"I told you I don't have any," Li Xian said calmly. He didn't need to show any loyalty to a gambler like this.
If he owed someone else, Li Xian might have considered... "You just advanced to the Mid Spirit Gathering Realm, but I've been immersed in this realm for many years. Do you really think you can beat me?" Brother Leopard said sternly.
"I'd really like to try," Li Xian replied.
Seeing Li Xian's composure, Brother Leopard felt an inexplicable tremor of fear in his heart. But since he had already made his intentions known, he had no reason to back down. Moreover, his injured subordinates were watching. If he retreated now, he might not be able to continue his business in the gambling dens, and his reputation would be damaged.
Brother Leopard's expression became serious. He assumed a stance, gathered his spiritual energy, and then moved, striking towards Li Xian with a palm.
*Whoosh!*
Li Xian drew his sword. It was incredibly fast. He held it to Brother Leopard's neck, and Brother Leopard froze, not daring to move.
He was shocked. Li Xian's drawing speed was so fast that he couldn't even react. Although the other party had just advanced to the Mid Spirit Gathering Realm, with this swift swordsmanship, he could probably defeat him completely.
Li Xian said, "Bring out the IOU, or I'll sever your head with this sword!"
Brother Leopard felt a cold chill from the blade. His legs trembled, and he had no doubt that Li Xian would kill him. Furthermore, he smelled blood on Li Xian. The opponent had clearly just killed someone, and his face was filled with murderous intent. This killing intent made people feel afraid unconsciously.
Brother Leopard, forcing himself, said, "Li Xian, do you really want to offend me?" His tone had lost its previous sharpness.
"What do you think?" Li Xian said, moving the iron sword slightly.
Brother Leopard's soul nearly fled his body. "I'll give it to you, I'll give it to you!He quickly took out an IOU from his pocket, handed it to Li Xian.
Li Xian glanced at it. It was indeed the IOU the original owner had been forced to sign. Li Xian then tore up the IOU, sheathed his sword, glanced at Brother Leopard, and continued walking forward.
Brother Leopard and his subordinates did not dare to stop him, and watched Li Xian walk away.
"Boss, we're just letting it go like this?" a subordinate said, his mouth lisping. His teeth had been knocked out by Li Xian's sword sheath earlier, causing him to speak with a lisp.
Brother Leopard sneered, "If we don't let it go, do you think you can beat him?"
The subordinate was immediately silenced.
"I will report this matter to Young Master Shen. A son-in-law living with the wife's family, Young Master Shen likely wouldn't even pay attention to him," Brother Leopard said.
It was Young Master Shen who had tasked him with running the gambling den privately to amass wealth for him. The influential members of the four great families all had their own private businesses, serving as extra income outside their families, some of which were also illegal.
Young Master Shen was actually a genius within the Shen Family, already a master at the Eighth-grade Core Condensation Realm at a young age, something Li Xian, the son-in-law living with the wife's family, couldn't compare to.
Brother Leopard was also instructed by Young Master Shen to make things difficult for Li Xian. As for why Young Master Shen was doing this, he didn't know. He only knew that he had to press Li Xian to his death.
Brother Leopard, with his group of injured subordinates, hurried back to the gambling den. He changed into clean clothes and went alone to a restaurant.
In a luxurious private room, Brother Leopard met Young Master Shen.
Shen Buyan glanced at Brother Leopard. Two heavily made-up women sat beside him. One held a cup of wine, feeding him a few sips, while the other picked up food and fed it to his mouth.
After eating a few bites, Shen Buyan said, "Why are you here? How is the matter I assigned you doing?"
Brother Leopard bowed and said, "Young Master, Li Xian refused to return five hundred taels of silver and even snatched the IOU and tore it up. His cultivation is also at the Mid Spirit Gathering Realm, and he knows a formidable sword technique. I am no match for him."
Shen Buyan frowned and slapped Brother Leopard's face, making him dizzy. Five red, swollen finger marks appeared on his face. Brother Leopard immediately knelt on the ground, his face ashen, cold sweat beading on his forehead.
Shen Buyan said, "Get out! You can't even handle this small matter, what use are you to me?"
Brother Leopard, unable to speak, quickly scrambled out of the private room. He wiped the sweat from his forehead and hurried away.
Shen Buyan lightly tapped the table and murmured, "Who would have thought! This son-in-law living with the wife's family actually has such a skill."
A sharp glint appeared in Shen Buyan's eyes. He stood up silently and left the place.
The two heavily made-up women trembled with fear, not daring to speak.
...
Li Xian returned to the Tang Family's side courtyard as dusk settled. Although he had resolved the matter with Brother Leopard, he didn't feel relieved. He could have killed Brother Leopard, but his own strength was not high. If the other party's backer were to attack him, he would surely be unable to resist.
Fengyang City had many experts, especially those from the four great families; none of them were simple. And the Tang Family might not necessarily protect him. The Tang Family held the lowest status and strength among the four great families. The four great families were constantly competing for resources, engaging in overt and covert struggles. Countless incidents had occurred. How could the Tang Family concern themselves with the affairs of an outsider like him?
Moreover, Fengyang City was not only surrounded by the four great families; there were also many demon monsters lurking. These demon monsters were also coveting Fengyang City's resources.
Therefore, Li Xian had to be cautious with every step he took.
In the dimly lit courtyard, a graceful figure stood with her back to Li Xian as he entered.
"Why did you go out again? Did you get into trouble?" Tang Shiying asked when she heard footsteps.
"I didn't get into trouble, I just went outside the city to clear my head," Li Xian replied.
"Just now, news came from the Tang Family that two wolf demons, one at the Mid Spirit Gathering Realm and one at the late stage, died in Huangliu Village outside the city. Be careful when you go outside the city. It's best to stay at home and not go out," Tang Shiying said.
Li Xian was somewhat surprised. He hadn't expected the news of him killing demons outside the city to return so quickly. The people from the four great families were indeed not simple; they were well-informed.
No one saw me killing the demons, did they?
Li Xian thought. The villagers in Huangliu Village had been so terrified that they had closed their doors, and they were so far away; they probably couldn't have seen him.