The Master of Beasts

Government Office Main Hall

Under the plaque that read "Bright Mirror Hung High," Chen Kui had set a table with fine dishes, waiting only for the guests to enter the fray.

「Li Family」

"Third Princess, what should we do? That new Governor is likely one of the Outer Heaven Demons. I fear he harbors ill intentions," an old man with child-like features and crane-white hair said anxiously.

"Ye Banban, don't panic. Panicking is useless. Haven't you arranged for someone to assess their strength?" Third Princess Li Qiwen replied helplessly.

The elder, originally named Ye Xiaotian, was full of regret. "If I had known, I would have left with the Second Princess. Now, we truly have no escape."

Li Qiwen frowned. "Ye Banban, don't mention Second Sister. I will go and see for myself tonight."

"It is this old servant's fault. I shall accompany you tonight," Ye Xiaotian said. Though fearful, he was still very loyal.

「Heavenly Dao Alliance」

"Alliance Hierarch, shall we go?"

"Go? Why wouldn't we go?" Bai Meng, Alliance Hierarch of the Heavenly Dao Alliance, declared with an air of righteousness.

These two families were relatively amenable, their leaders deciding to attend personally. When Wan Shan gathered the representatives from the three families, he started cursing internally again. Damn that Hu Family! They'd better not drag me down.

The representative sent by the Hu Family, though a profligate, knew better than to provoke Bai Meng, the Alliance Hierarch of the Heavenly Dao Alliance. Thus, he made some untoward remarks to the veiled Li Qiwen, saying, "I didn't expect the Li Family Head to be such a young maiden."

Ye Xiaotian's eyebrows furrowed. With a surge of blood energy, he shouted furiously, "Brat, you're courting death!"

Caught unprepared, Hu Xiawei's ears began to bleed from the shock.

A Martial Saint!

(Translator's Note: Martial Artist corresponds to the Qi Cultivation stage. The subsequent ranks are Martial Master, Great Martial Master, Marquis, lesser Martial Saint, and Martial Saint.)

Realizing he had kicked an iron plate, Hu Xiawei dared not speak further. The Hu Family has no Martial Saints, after all.

With each family harboring its own thoughts, they arrived at the government office.

Passing through the main gate, they saw a young man in the distance, raising a wine cup in a toast, gesturing for them to enter.

"Family Head, he's a Martial Saint of the Heavenly Soldiers," Ye Xiaotian said gravely. "In public, people from these small worlds refer to disciples of the Myriad Beasts Sect as Heavenly Soldiers."

"Mm, let's take our seats first," Li Qiwen nodded.

Raising their cups together, Chen Kui introduced himself. "I represent our Governor and have a few matters to discuss with all of you."

"Hold on! Who do you think you are? Call your Governor out to speak! My time is very precious," Hu Xiawei said disdainfully, smashing his empty wine cup on the ground.

His attendants, merely two Great Martial Masters, naturally couldn't discern Chen Kui's strength.

Chen Kui glanced at Hu Xiawei and, with a casual flick of his finger, bored a hole through the latter's head. The vast disparity in strength was such that Hu Xiawei's two attendants dared not even utter a threat.

"Go back and tell the Hu Family Head to bring out all the land deeds and those family members who have committed serious crimes. Do so, and he may be spared death. Now, you can all get out." Chen Kui waved his hand, and the two attendants were sent flying out of the government office.

"I won't waste any more of your time, esteemed guests."

"Li Family, you may continue to manage the salt and iron trade, but eighty percent of the profits must be turned over to the government office. As for the soldiers you maintain, you can choose to disband them or have them join the army."

"Heavenly Dao Alliance, seeing as you appear to be righteous people, you need only disband. Henceforth, the city's criminals will be handled by others."

"This is an order, not a negotiation. You have thirty minutes to decide."

Watching Chen Kui turn and leave after speaking, Bai Meng and Li Qiwen exchanged a look, their hearts sinking. These Outer Heaven Demons really are arrogant, they thought, but they do have the strength to back it up.

Seated silently at the banquet, Bai Meng finally couldn't hold back. "Family Head Li, what are your plans?"

"What can we do? The Governor's power is immense. If we don't comply with his terms, we likely won't see tomorrow's sun," Li Qiwen said, her gaze drifting thoughtfully towards the figures disappearing outside the main hall.

"There's nothing to be done," Bai Meng conceded with a sigh. He had hoped there might be room for negotiation.

...

「Inner Hall」

Chen Jiuge had observed all the changes in the main hall. He turned to Chen Kui and asked, "Third Brother, will such direct suppression cause unnecessary trouble later on?"

"No. The Hu Family forcibly seized land within the city; they are not good people to begin with, so destroying them is for the best. The Heavenly Dao Alliance seems to be composed of righteous individuals; we can recruit them to maintain order in the city. As for the Li Family, they are likely of Imperial lineage," Chen Kui deduced.

"The Imperial Family? Weren't they already exterminated?" Chen Jiuge was skeptical.

"Only the direct male lineage was exterminated. Some princesses still exist, though it's unclear if she is a Commandery Princess or a true Princess," Chen Kui mused.

"Alright, Third Brother, you arrange it," Chen Jiuge said with a shake of his head. He wasn't skilled in these matters anyway.

"The thirty minutes are up. Well? Have you made your decisions?" Chen Kui asked with a smile.

Li Qiwen stood up. "I can agree to your demands."

"Good. 'Those who understand the times are heroes.' Family Head Li, you indeed have courage. And what about you, Alliance Hierarch Bai?" Chen Kui said, looking at the conflicted Bai Meng.

Sighing deeply, Bai Meng said, "I also agree."

"Excellent. We won't treat you unfairly. Apart from the salt and iron trade, the Li Family will be entrusted with many other businesses in the future. If your men join the army, you can appoint one of them as a Commander. As for the Heavenly Dao Alliance, if your people are willing, they can become constables to maintain order in the city. If Alliance Hierarch Bai is willing, you can become the Chief Constable." Chen Kui offered this as a small sweetener.

"Then, we thank you," the two replied, their gratitude tinged with bitterness.

Exiting the government office, Bai Meng wanted to discuss matters further with Li Qiwen, but she departed immediately.

Back at the Heavenly Dao Alliance headquarters, Bai Meng gathered the elite core members. Just as he was pondering how to explain the situation, a tremendous crash was heard from outside. Stepping out to look, he saw it came from the direction of the Hu Family's territory.

"I, the Hu Family, refuse to submit!" The thunderous cry reverberated across Taiyuan City for a long time.

"The Hu Family... destroyed," Bai Meng murmured in disbelief.

They were one of Taiyuan City's most powerful factions. Although they lacked a Martial Saint, they had the largest number of lesser Martial Saints, and rumor had it they possessed a Great Array capable of contending with a Martial Saint. Yet, in such a short span of time, they were gone.

Under the threat of death, most members of the Heavenly Dao Alliance agreed to the terms set forth by the Governor Mansion, officially transitioning to become city constables.

「Li Residence」

As the Third Princess of the Wu Dynasty, those still willing to follow Li Qiwen were mostly die-hard loyalists. Even if they disagreed with her decision, they would ultimately obey her commands.

Li Qiwen said little about the matter. After informing them, she retreated to her study alone, silently contemplating the message someone from the Governor Mansion had conveyed to her mind earlier:

"'The Li Family... it should be the Li of the Wu Dynasty. I do not know if you are a Commandery Princess or a true Princess. When you have time, please come to the Governor Mansion in person. There are some matters that require discussion with you.'"

What do they mean? Li Qiwen thought, tears streaming down her face as she spoke in desolate sorrow, "Didn't those people kill Father Emperor and my Imperial Brothers? Even Eldest Sister was violated and humiliated. What is the meaning of this now? Can they not just leave us in peace?"