nownovels Chapter 67 Crisis
Chapter 67 Crisis
The joy of Lu Li's family today had no impact on the Wang family.
At this moment, all the core members of the Wang family were gathered in the main hall, each with a worried expression.
A member of the Wang family put down a bag of silver and sighed heavily.
"This is the funding that Zhang Zhi and Liu Feng returned... They said... they'll be hiring someone else for this boxing match..."
As soon as he finished speaking, Wang Kui slammed his hand on the table and stood up:
"Those two bastards! They took so much of our funding to break through to the Dark Force realm, and now, all we asked them for was a sparring match, and they're already so eager to sever ties with us!"
Upon hearing this, everyone in the Wang family present felt a surge of anger, but there was nothing they could do.
Recently, thanks to the combined efforts of other security escort agencies in the city, Yongxing Security Escort Agency's business has been getting worse and worse.
We can no longer get short-distance business.
Only a few long-distance shipments came to our door.
However, long-distance escort missions also mean higher risks. Without enough bodyguards, encountering wild animals or bandits on the road would leave them helpless and unable to protect themselves.
It was at this moment that the security escort agencies proposed a fistfight.
The loser leaves Lin'an City.
Otherwise, the Wang family would have to pick and choose from the businesses that their various security escort agencies didn't want.
Having suffered such humiliation, they had no way out.
Even if we are no match for them, we must fight.
Therefore, they sought out two disciples of the Dark Force sponsored by the Wang family, namely Zhang Zhi and Liu Feng, hoping that the two of them could represent Yongxing Escort Agency and fight against Shi Qingyang.
They were aware of the disparity in strength between the two sides, so when they approached them, they explained that if they were no match for them, there was no need to force it; they should just do their best.
But to everyone's surprise, when faced with the Wang family's demands, these two disciples who had received funding chose to return the funding and sever ties with the family.
Wang Xing, seated in the main seat, had a gloomy expression.
"Now we can only blame ourselves for misjudging the situation."
Hearing the patriarch's words, the Wang family members below were filled with anger and helplessness.
"Big brother, I'll do it!"
Wang Kui gritted his teeth and spoke.
"No way!" Wang Xing refused decisively: "You are no match for Shi Qingyang, and besides, you are a member of the Wang family, so no one will go easy on you."
"Big brother!" Wang Kui exclaimed anxiously.
He angrily said:
"I can still win this match even without anyone's help!"
"Third brother! If we don't fight, the worst-case scenario is that our escort agency collapses. But if something happens to you on the field, how can I feel at ease!"
Wang Xing angrily refuted this.
Many members of the Wang family below were moved.
In the past, the Wang family had three members with hidden strength, making them incredibly powerful and influential in the outer city's security escort agency.
However, Wang Xing was later ambushed and lost most of his internal strength, now only possessing the strength of external strength.
Upon hearing this, Wang Kui fell silent, but his anger remained unabated.
"Would things be better if we handed over all the Silver Serpents?"
A young member of the clan tentatively spoke up in the main hall.
Actually, the opponent gave us a condition during this boxing match.
As long as Yongxing Escort Agency hands over the Silver Serpent and its breeding methods, the other families will no longer make things difficult for the Wang family.
As soon as the words were spoken, the older members of the Wang family present all frowned.
The Silver Serpent is a rare beast that the Wang family has raised for generations. It is also the foundation upon which the Wang family has been able to establish itself in Lin'an City. If it were handed over, it would be more serious than the collapse of the escort agency.
Moreover, even if the Silver Serpent and its breeding methods are handed over, can the Wang family's crisis really be resolved?
Wang Xing snorted coldly:
"You trust their words? Today they want the Silver Serpent, tomorrow they'll demand our heads too?"
Upon hearing this, the young clansman shuddered, lowered his head, and remained silent.
Just then, another member of the tribe spoke up:
"How about... we ask Duan Kang for help?"
At the same time, many clansmen placed their hopes on Wang Hong.
Duan Kang was discovered and funded by Wang Hong.
That person is of excellent character, loyal, and quite capable; perhaps he can help us through this crisis.
Facing the expectant gazes of the crowd, Wang Hong shook his head and said:
"Brother Duan started taking on escort missions every month half a year ago and recommended Lu Li, all to repay a debt of gratitude so he could focus on preparing for the martial arts exam. In fact, he doesn't owe the Wang family anything anymore."
Seeing that Duan Kang's approach was not feasible, someone else asked:
"What about Lu Li?"
"Lu Li?" Wang Hong sighed upon hearing this. "Lu Li has only broken through a level a month ago. Even if our Wang family has no one else, we shouldn't send him to fight, should we?"
For a moment, Wang Hong was speechless.
It would be better for him to go up than for Lu Li to go up.
"But Lu Li ranked 20th in the second class of martial arts exams, so his strength should be quite good."
The man continued.
"What?"
Wang Hong's heart suddenly clenched, its beating quickened, and his eyes were filled with disbelief.
Wang Xing and Wang Kui were also stunned and stood there.
"Is this true?" Wang Xing was the first to react, asking the clansman, "Are you sure it's not just someone with the same name?"
"Patriarch, would I joke about something like this?" the clansman said seriously.
"Earlier today, the list of martial arts candidates was posted, and I happened to see it. I didn't expect to see Lu Li's name. I checked the other information and he lives in Ping'an Ward, so it should be correct."
Now, the three Wang brothers looked at each other, their faces showing suspicion, shock, and disbelief.
Wang Kui hadn't known Lu Li for long, but he could see Lu Li's potential from that escort mission. However, he only thought that Lu Li would at least become a master of Ming Jin (manifest strength) in the future, and at best, he would only become a master of An Jin (hidden strength).
How come after just a few months... he's become so strong... and even passed the martial arts exam?
The most surprised person was Wang Hong.
He made the decision to sponsor Lu Li, not because he had great foresight, but because he felt that Lu Li was diligent, down-to-earth, and had an excellent character.
Although he already knew that the other party had broken through to the Dark Force realm, he never expected that he could pass the imperial examination in such a short time, and even be ranked 20th in the second class.
He originally thought that Lu Li might not even pass the exam next year.
"Ranked 20th in the second division... or 23rd?"
Upon hearing this, Wang Xing muttered to himself, then asked, "This ranking shouldn't be due to luck. Have you inquired about Lu Li's competition process?"
There are only thirty places in total for the martial arts exam. Although every year some people are lucky enough to be selected as female disciples or get a bye into the high school section, the examiners usually place these lucky candidates at the very end of the thirty places in the martial arts high school section.
Lu Li's twenty-third place ranking is not considered the lowest.
"I already inquired about it," the tribesman replied, recounting the story in detail.
"Brother Lu's skill in the first round was impressive, lifting a nine-stone boulder. In the second round of combat, he had some luck in the first two matches, but in the third match, he encountered Qian Yuan from the Tai Chi Martial Arts School. That person was only one step away from the late stage of Dark Force, but Brother Lu still won in the end..."
"Shi Qingyang was ranked ninth in the second division. In the fourth match, he encountered this year's champion, Huo Xiao, and suffered a considerable injury..."
Although everyone was a little stunned, they couldn't help but get excited.
"Then hurry and invite Brother Lu!"
"Yeah, he might actually have a chance!"
Judging from the news, Lu Li's high school performance was partly due to luck, but his strength was the main factor. Moreover, Shi Qingyang was seriously injured, so he might really have a chance to win.
"Hey... what if Lu Li doesn't want to?" A discordant voice suddenly rang out, and one person frowned: "Lu Li is not Duan Kang, so it's still unknown whether he values loyalty and righteousness."
"Besides, now that they've passed the imperial examination at the martial arts level, what if they really don't care about our past relationship anymore?"
As soon as the words were spoken, the excitement of the crowd cooled considerably.
They all knew that what the tribesman said was not without possibility.
After all, the examples of Zhang Zhi and Liu Feng are right in front of us. What if Lu Li does the same thing?
Just then, the steward of the Prince's mansion suddenly knocked on the door and hurriedly reported:
"Master, master!"
"Lu Xiucai, a scholar, requests an audience outside the gate!"