Chapter 516: Chapter 517: Family Head Li Xiaobai
Recalling that confident face, Zong Ya inexplicably felt at ease; perhaps Boss Li’s venture into the Zhang Family wouldn’t meet with disaster.

“The Zhang Family is not just any ordinary minor clan. Over the years, how many cultivators have they brutally murdered? Though Young Master Li’s cultivation level is decent, compared to the Zhang Family Patriarch, I’m afraid there’s still quite a significant gap. Not to mention, there are other experts within the Zhang Family. His visit this time might be fraught with more peril than luck!”

With a conflicted expression, Zongdao wished to help Li Xiaobai, but he was without any means to do so. His cultivation was too weak to be of any use, and he didn’t know any powerful experts.

All he could do was stay where he was and quietly await the outcome.

“Father, Big Brother Li won’t have any problems, he is very strong!”

Zong Hu also believed that Li Xiaobai wouldn’t encounter trouble. After all, the opponent had easily defeated Zhang Family’s experts on the fighting stage not once, but twice. There wouldn’t be any issues this time either.

“Ah, I hope so!”

Zongdao shook his head and sighed. The younger generation of his family ultimately lacked sufficient experience and breadth of vision. They had no idea what kind of behemoth a family clan could be; these clan machines were not something a single cultivator could resist.

They could only hope that the members of the Zhang Family would show mercy and not give Young Master Li too hard a time.

However, considering Young Master Li’s young age and his current level of cultivation, he must have the backing of a strong sect. If he were to reveal his affiliation, it might have a certain deterrent effect.

“Hehehe, Clan Leader Zong, I heard that you’ve provoked the Zhang Family?”

“Quite bold of you, setting up a shop right in front of the Zhang Family. Have you thought of the consequences?”

A few young men walked in with sly smiles on their faces. They were Loose Cultivators who roamed around the area, usually fawning over the Zhang Family in hopes of gaining some benefits. Today, when they heard that the Zong Family had recklessly provoked the Zhang Family, they immediately rushed over to demonstrate their loyalty.

“What brings you here?”

“This is the Zong Household; it’s not your place to run wild. Get out!”

Zongdao’s expression darkened as he shouted commandingly.

“Don’t get angry, Clan Leader Zong. I’ve heard that Zong Mansion has been divided in two, and the bathhouse here should no longer fall under the Zong Family’s jurisdiction, right?”

“We brothers will just sit here, and as long as you behave, there won’t be any problems.”

The group of youths sneered, leaning against the edge of the bathhouse, their eyes unblinkingly fixed on the members of the Zong Family.

“You’re here to watch us!”

“You lackeys, the Zhang Family members are naturally cruel, and yet you still help them do evil. Aren’t you afraid of Punishment Hall’s retribution?”

Zong Yao’s chest heaved with anger, visibly irritated by these people.

“Heh, don’t worry; we won’t do anything to you. Just stay put and wait for the arrival of the Zhang Family people. As for Punishment Hall, we brothers have been alive in this area for more than ten years, and we’ve never seen such a thing as Punishment Hall.”

“Those exalted ones in their high halls, when would they find the time to deal with us commoners?”

The youth’s eyes were cold and he wore a sinister smile; his gaze kept roaming over Zong Ya and Zong Yao’s figures. It was a pity—the ladies of the Zong Family had already caught the eye of the Situ Household’s young master; otherwise, they would have long since enjoyed their company.

“Our Zong Family still possesses some backbone; we needn’t trouble you further.”

Zongdao spoke indifferently, finding these men repugnant. He didn’t want to spend another moment with these degenerates.

But just then, suddenly, more than a dozen beams of light descended in front of Zong Mansion. Waves of invisible, formidable pressure wildly raged, and several aged figures walked into the Zong Mansion at the forefront.

“Where is the Patriarch of the Zong Family?”

A mild voice arose, not loud, but it clearly echoed in the ears of everyone present.

Members of the Zong Family were taken aback. The Zhang Family members had arrived so swiftly. Didn’t that imply that Li Xiaobai had already been dealt with?

The youths nearby were overjoyed, their faces eager as they rushed toward the group of elders: “Exalted elders, we have been waiting here all this time. Every person from the Zong Family is here; not one has escaped!”

They knew that these old men before them were the upper echelons of the Zhang Family elders, the batch of decision-makers with the highest cultivation levels, whom ordinary people could not see. Today’s luck was indeed extraordinarily good.

“I am Zongdao. May I ask what brings the esteemed elders here?”

Zongdao’s heart sank as he cupped his fists in a salute, asking in a tone that was neither humble nor overbearing. Ultimately, things must have gone awry—Li Xiaobai had most likely already been executed, and now the Zhang Family was going to use the Zong Family as a scapegoat.

“We are here by order to invite you back to the family clan.”

One of the elders stroked his beard and said with a smile, trying his best to appear benevolent.

“You bunch of pretentious scum, what have you done to Boss Li!”

“How dare you be so aggressive? Do you really think the Zong Family is so easily bullied?”

“We, the members of the Zong Family, would rather die than submit!”

Zong Ya, furious, scolded the elder.

“How dare you! Who do you think you are to speak to a Zhang Family elder like that? Do you not know how the word ‘death’ is written?”

“Heh, don’t think just because the Situ Household’s young master protects you that you can speak without restraint. Offending our Zhang Family elders will lead to death all the same!”

Several youths glared aggressively and shrieked, their demeanor resembling that of toadies.

“Silence!”

“You naive child, how dare you speak to the Miss of the Zong Family like that!”

“Kneel down!”

Upon hearing this, the elders’ expressions changed drastically. Li Xiaobai’s instructions had been clear before he left: the words of the Zong Family members were his words, and everything must prioritize the Zong Family.

Now these foolish individuals were openly insulting the Zong Family, frightening the elders considerably.

The leading elder, who had the appearance of a young-faced man with white hair, shook his body, and a dangerous aura instantly enveloped the youths’ hearts, causing their knees to weaken and they knelt at the feet of the Zong Family members.

“It is my Li Family who has not disciplined properly, causing the Clan Leader Zong to be alarmed.”

The old man chuckled.

“The Li Family?”

“What is going on here? Aren’t your honorable elders sent by the Zhang Family?”

Zongdao, utterly confused, looked at the people kneeling on the ground, feeling somewhat uneasy.

The people were from the Zhang Family, weren’t they?

Why had they suddenly become the Li Family?

“The Zhang Family?”

“Clan Leader Zong must be joking. In Aolai Country, there has never been a Zhang Family, only the Li Family. Our Family Head is concerned for your safety, so he has invited you to the Li Family to live in peace, away from worldly troubles, that you may enjoy some tranquility.”

The elder said respectfully.

Everyone was completely baffled, not just the Zong Family’s party—even the youths kneeling on the ground were taken aback. What Li Family? These were clearly the elders of the Zhang Family!

They recognized several of the elders—how could they suddenly be named Li?

Lady Zong tentatively asked from the side, “May I ask which Family Head the elder mentioned refers to?”

The elders puffed out their chests, pride written all over their faces: “Naturally, it is Li Xiaobai, Patriarch Li!”