Imperial henchmen? Never been struck by the sword of the Six Doors (a secret police agency).

night.

"Second Young Master, we've arrived," the coachman called softly.

"This suburb is really far away." Li Junsu exhaled a breath of stale air, opened his eyes, and a sharp glint flashed in them.

"It's really lively." Li Junsu remarked, looking at the bustling crowd outside the carriage.

"Second Young Master, this is where our branch family is located," the coachman explained.

Li Junsu looked up at the Li residence, which was a size smaller than Qingfeng City, and raised an eyebrow.

"Second Young Master, please." A handsome young man stepped forward and said.

"I'm Li Changchun, the one in charge of the mine," the young man explained with a smile, seeing the puzzled look in Li Junsu's eyes.

"You are more capable than me." Li Junsu followed Li Changchun into the mansion and praised him without reservation.

"Young Master, you flatter me." Li Changchun simply smiled.

"Young Master, you must be tired from your journey. I have prepared a banquet to welcome you back and wash away the dust of your travels," Li Changchun said respectfully as he led the way.

Even if he was just an illegitimate son, he was someone Li Changchun couldn't afford to offend.

......

The dinner table.

"Have everyone leave," Li Junsu said, looking at the women waiting nearby.

"Did you hear that? You may all leave." Li Changchun clapped his hands.

"Remember to close the door behind you," Li Junsu instructed.

The crowd dispersed, leaving only Li Junsu and Li Changchun in the hall.

"Are you testing me?" Li Junsu first poured himself a glass of wine, then poured one for Li Changchun as well, swirling the glass as he asked.

"I wouldn't dare," Li Changchun said, sitting up straight and speaking cautiously.

"Since you know why I'm here, why did you still pull this trick?" Li Junsu put down his wine glass, his tone mocking.

Since the elders have all agreed, it's impossible that they wouldn't have informed Li Changchun.

"Young Master, it wasn't me..." Li Changchun was interrupted before he could say anything.

"Second Young Master," Li Junsu said, tapping the table.

"Yes, Second Young Master, the person in charge of the Chu family has advanced to the Sect Realm these past two days," Li Changchun explained with a pained expression.

"So you're scared?" Li Junsu asked, frowning.

"Second Young Master, regarding the mine... the Lin family is almost driven out. The Chu family is very powerful now, and we are no match for them," Li Changchun said helplessly.

"How could the Lin family have been kicked out?" Li Junsu asked in surprise.

"The Lin family's guards were transferred away some time ago," Li Changchun said viciously as he took a sip of his drink.

The Guards are the elite forces of the three major families in Qingfeng City, responsible for hunting monsters and guarding the mines.

"Those idiots," Li Junsu cursed as he poured Li Changchun another drink.

“Now, the Chu family controls nearly two-thirds of the mines. I am only at the late stage of the Inner Realm, so I can’t defeat them. Moreover, there’s something strange about the Chu family,” Li Changchun continued to explain.

"What's strange?" Li Junsu asked curiously, stroking his chin.

"They seem to have obtained the training methods of the military formations," Li Changchun said with a serious expression.

"Junzhen, are you serious?" Li Junsu's expression turned serious.

Military formations are divine techniques that, when mastered by a group of well-trained ordinary people, can manipulate the forces of heaven and earth, rivaling even the most skilled martial artists.

If it were performed by martial artists, it would only be more terrifying.

"I'm not sure, but their teamwork is too good. We've suffered in silence quite a few times already," Li Changchun sighed.

“No, the Chu family’s guards must die here.” Li Junsu said, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

"Second Young Master..."

“If what you’re saying is true, then the Chu family’s target isn’t just the Lin family, but both the Lin family and us,” Li Junsu said coldly, looking at Li Changchun.

“This…” Li Changchun remained silent after hearing Li Junsu’s words.

“This is also an opportunity,” Li Junsu said calmly, looking at Li Changchun.

"What opportunity?" Li Changchun looked up and asked with some confusion.

“If you were to take over the Chu family’s mines, you… might not be any less comfortable than the head of the family,” Li Junsu said leisurely.

“But Second Young Master…” A look of longing flashed in Li Changchun’s eyes, then he spoke softly with a hint of dejection.

How could he not know? But the other party...

"I am also a member of the clan." Li Junsu withdrew his intention to make a move, and smiled enigmatically.

If Li Changchun had no ambition, then he should kill him right here and now.

Keeping such a demoralized and cowardly person around not only risks causing trouble at home, but also negatively impacts morale.

If someone is ambitious but frustrated, then he can not only make empty promises but also wield a knife.

It's not the lack of confidence or discouragement that's scary, it's the cowardice that kills people.

Ordinary people would call this contentment, but Li Changchun was no ordinary person. His guards and the Li family all relied on the profits from the mine for their livelihood.

If he withdraws, the profits will decrease, and the guards under his command will starve to death.

If the Chu family succeeds in annexing the Lin family, then the Li family will suffer. Without the Li family as their backer, his incompetence will also lead to the deaths of the Li family's guards and himself.

If you lack ambition, ability, or insight, then step down honestly to avoid harming others and yourself.

These thoughts flashed through Li Junsu's mind only briefly; he had already experienced far too much.

Then, Mochizuki was placed on the table.

"Second Young Master, is this really true?" Li Changchun's expression turned serious, and he became earnest as well.

“I won’t joke with you about my life,” Li Junsu said directly.

"Second Young Master, please speak your mind." Li Changchun immediately agreed.

"What hobbies does the person in charge of the clan affairs you mentioned have?" Li Junsu asked.

"I like visiting brothels," Li Changchun replied immediately.

“Specifics.” Li Junsu tapped the table.

In this era, there are only a few forms of entertainment, so he wasn't surprised.

“The Chunhua Pavilion here is Chu Dali’s favorite place. His favorite courtesan, Chunhua, waits for him there every night,” Li Changchun said softly.

He and Chu Dali have been enemies for over a decade; he understands Chu Dali better than Chu Dali's own father.

"Is the Chu family's branch... under his absolute control?" Li Junsu asked, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his eyes.

“No, he also has a half-brother, Chu Yi. Originally, Chu Yi was going to replace Chu Dali, but at that time he just stepped into the Sect Law Realm, so the matter was dropped.” Li Changchun said, sighing with regret.

A glint of light appeared in Li Junsu's eyes.

"Second Young Master, although Chu Yi has ideas about splitting up the family, he won't betray the Chu family," Li Changchun reminded Li Junsu, noticing the thoughtful look in his eyes.

“We don’t need to contact him; he’ll help us himself,” Li Junsu said calmly, a hint of bloodlust flashing in his eyes.

"Is the Second Young Master's gaze... really as upright as Uncle Li said?" Li Changchun wondered to himself.

I'm not afraid, firstly because he's a member of the Li family, secondly because he has no ulterior motives, and thirdly because I've never neglected the second young master.

The second young master isn't crazy.

“I need to write a letter first, and then after tonight, we need to go to Chunhua Tower,” Li Junsu said after a moment of contemplation.

"Cuiwei, bring me paper and pen," Li Changchun called out.

......

"Second Young Master, here you go." Li Changchun respectfully handed over paper and pen.

Li Junsu began to slowly write something down. Li Changchun, knowing full well what was going on, did not look at it, but sat respectfully to the side.

"Here, see if the ink has dried." Li Junsu gave Li Changchun a satisfied look, and then spoke meaningfully.

"Yes, Second Young Master." Li Changchun took the letter and read it carefully.

moment.

Li Changchun's hand trembled.

"How is it?" Li Junsu asked casually, swirling his wine glass.

"Second Young Master, the ink has dried." Li Changchun said softly.

"Send it over," Li Junsu said, turning and leaving.

"Second Young Master... I'm relieved that you're so thoughtful." Li Changchun reassured himself, looking at the wine cup that Li Junsu hadn't touched from beginning to end.