Shi Lang was working hard these days. He could be found in any of the two locations. Either the training field or the cultivation room. He did not sleep. He did not stop. The events that happened with Shi Ting perked up the entire family. The elders had ordered the young disciples to practice harder and no more slacking.
The main family had twelve members, but a few more were from the side branches. These people were strong and willingly worked in the background. Like any other group, the Shi Family had seen the flames of war and power struggles. Since then, the main family has drawn lines with the side branches.
The authority they commanded was not to be challenged, but they did not wrong any innocent people. This was the reason the side families did not struggle against the authorities. The youth of these families had dreams of making it big, but they were defeated by the four girls of the main family earlier on.
The difference was not in the resources. The children all received similar resources, Shi Yuwan was the accountant, and he had asked the elders of the side branches to maintain a tally of resources the family had. He went so far as to have his and his brother’s space rings locked up under the scrutiny of the rest of the people.
Shi Yulong had these elders travel to the mountain range outside the city. The disciples were to face spirit beasts, and they will accumulate experience. Shi Lang had been advising the three elders about these things.
At this moment, the terran was practicing his swordplay as his mind went to the people in the lower realm. His sword reflected his thoughts, and the people could sense that his actions were gentle, like a leaf floating through the void.
His swordplay changed as he thought about the ordeal that awaited them as soon as they ascended. The swordplay changed completely. Every stroke was swift and decisive. The onlookers could not help but step back when they saw this.
Suddenly, Shi Lang woke up and stopped his practice. He took a few deep breaths to calm his mind. These thoughts have been haunting him ever since he came here. He did not like to look over his shoulder all the time. Suddenly, he sensed something. The sword in his hand trembled slightly.
Shi Lang looked around and found the world to have frozen still. He sighed and said, “Since your excellency is here, why hide?”
The void before him cracked, and a figure walked out. The aura this person had made Shi Lang’s pupils dilate. Raksha trembled harder and harder as the person came closer to him. The man was dressed in a golden brocade robe. His hair was akin to a snow-white waterfall tracing down his waist.
Shi Lang lowered his sword and said, “To think, His Excellency Tian Long himself will grace me with a visit. Let me guess, and this is your spirit clone?”
Tian Long, who had a majestic aura, could not help but cough up and ask, “How the hell do you know?”
Shi Lang cast a disdainful gaze and said, “Just like I know you love to pose. Now get on with it. What do you want?”
Tian Long sensed a twitch develop at the corner of his eye. He was an immortal emperor, yet this man talked without respect. Shi Lang could read his thoughts and said, “Old man, say what you have to say. I do not think this technique will last for long.”
His words shot Tian Long in the head. The man said, “Fine, have it your way, you fucking loser. I came here to tell you to head for Spirit Heart sect when you cross the immortal core realm.”
Shi Lang nodded and asked, “I am at golden cores, so this means I need to get going after I cross this realm?”
Tian Long snapped at him and asked, “Do you think forming an immortal core is a joke? Get your head out of the clouds.”
Shi Lang waved his hand and said, “Just because you were dumb and weak does not mean I am the same too. Now get going. I have things to attend to. I won’t be sending you.”
That said, he turned around and walked away. Tian Long gritted his teeth, and his body shivered in rage, but after calming down, he also left the place. The world came back to life. Shi Lang looked at his trembling sword and said, “He is gone, calm down. You will get your chance to shave him bald.”
𝞸𝗏𝐿xt.𝒸𝑂𝑀
The restless sword calmed down, and Shi Lang placed the sword back in his spirit tattoo. He was walking around aimlessly when he found Yu Jing beckoning him. Shi Lang arrived next to her and asked, “Third Mistress.”
Yu Jing frowned and said, “Brat, this is the last time I tell you to call me Aunt Jing, or you will be banned from sniffing around the workshop.”
Shi Lang smiled at her and nodded. Yu Jing nodded and asked, “I was wondering if you could tell me what we can do regarding the pill shop.”
The terran was confused, and Yu Jing said, “The Shi Family has our own business. One of them is a pill shop. However, this pill shop has suffered direct attacks from the City Hall and Ling Family. I wonder if you have any ideas regarding that.”
Shi Lang thought briefly and asked, “Aunt Jing, can you tell me the relationship between the Ling family and the city hall? Why are they both licking each other’s backs?”
Yu Jing nodded and said, “The sister of the Ling Family leader, Ling Mei, is married to the City Lord Xuan Jing. While the sister of the City Lord is Ling family’s mistress.”
Shi Lang clicked his tongue and said, “No wonder they are this friendly. Don’t we have any allies?”
Yu Jing nodded with a bitter smile and said, “We have allies, but the combined pressure from the two forces also hinders them. In such a situation, how can we ask for help?”
Shi Lang nodded and suddenly asked, “Shi Wei is a medical officer at the royal capital, right?”
Yu Jing nodded, and Shi Lang said, “If we can have someone from the royal capital come and aid us, it will be good. However, if we cannot find anyone to help, we must buy some pill recipes from the capital.”
Yu Jing was surprised but said, “It is not easy to buy a pill recipe. The amount of money is not enough. You would also need a certain status. At this moment, Shi Wei is still lacking.”
Shi Lang nodded and said, “If that is the case, then we only have one way left.”
Yu Jing asked, “What is that?”
Shi Lang smiled and said, “To sabotage the Ling family business.”
Yu Jing was surprised and asked, “How will you do that? Break a shop? Will that not give the enemy an excuse?”
Shi Lang chuckled as he shook his head and asked, “Aunt Jing, you are so sweet and innocent. I am going to handle it. Though I will need a contact, who hates the Ling family and has some influence in the city.”
Yu Jing thought about it and said, “Maybe, just maybe, the manager of the Tianxu pavilion could help you with this.”
Shi Lang raised his brow and nodded. He said, “Well, Aunt Jing, you can go work. I will go and meet this manager of the Tianxu Pavilion.”
Yu Jing nodded and said, “Bring Yua with you. That girl knows the manager.”
Shi Lang nodded and went away to find Shi Yua. He found the sword maniac in the training room, making a quick work of the disciples, and said, “Yua, come on, we have work to do.”
Shi Yua stopped her moves and turned around. The disciple collapsed on the ground as he thanked Shi Lang. The lady sheathed her sword and walked over to Shi Lang, asking, “What is it, Big Brother Lang.”
She was younger than him, and this person defeated the strongest of her sisters and helped her younger sister. She found it right to call him big brother. Shi Lang smiled and said, “Tianxu Pavilion.”
Shi Yua asked, “Why do we go there?”
Shi Lang smiled and said, “Because I have some business to discuss with the manager, Aunt Jing said you are the key. Now, come on, do not delay. I have to practice with Ting later.”
Shi Yua nodded and the two left the clan. They were unafraid of letting any traitor know what they were doing because the family had tested every disciple by putting them under a fainting drug and casting a dream array. Seventeen traitors were found and were placed in positions where they would think they were receiving correct intel.
Not only this, but even their friends were told the truth and Shi Shanwang was cold enough to scare the people to the core. The net against the enemy was cast and today Shi Lang wanted to see if he could tighten it.