Rebuilding the Immortal Cultivator Clan

Chapter 26: Trouble

However, after Li Zhirui followed Li Shiting to the marketplace, she reported what they had encountered on the road to Li Shiren, enraging him so much that he wished he could grind those three families into ashes.

”Ren, the most important thing now is to guard against and find the one hiding in the shadows,” Li Zhirui hurriedly urged Li Shiren.

The usually aloof Li Shiting also spoke up, ”Shiren, now is not the time to completely fall out with those three families.”

Although the Li familyʼs strength was superior to any of those families, if they joined forces, even the Li family could not contend with them, and the Yuanming Sect would not allow the Li family to annihilate those three families either.

”Zhirui, where do you think they will strike next?” Li Shitingʼs delicate eyebrows knitted slightly, a touch of worry appearing on her usually indifferent face.

”Having lost three Foundation Establishment cultivators this time, they shouldnʼt dare to make a direct move again, so they could only be planning something with the two shops,” she hypothesized.

Li Zhirui had been considering this issue all along the way, and he already had a suspicion, directly saying, ”Cloudtop Pavilion!”

Unlike the grocery store, Cloudtop Pavilion had been in business for several months and had left a good impression in the hearts of the cultivators, and a tavern was more convenient for mischief.

”Are they planning to sabotage the Spirit Food, and then frame Cloudtop Pavilion to undermine its business and the Li familyʼs reputation?” Li Shiting instantly understood what Li Zhirui was getting at.

Li Zhirui seldom interacted with this aunt of his, and his impression of her was solely of her being cold, but now he also thought she was very clever.

”So, how should we resolve this issue?” Li Shiren suddenly asked.

”Itʼs simple, just install some Memory Stones in the kitchen and the main hall, which would prove our familyʼs innocence and catch the culprit at the same time,” she suggested.

All these developments had put Li Zhirui on high alert. It was normal for a familyʼs growth to encounter obstacles and enemies, but just by opening two shops, the Li family had already drawn the ire of three families, perhaps even more forces!

If this continued, who knew how many similar troubles the family would face!

But this was not something Li Zhirui or the Li family could control, for as long as the Li family continued to develop, it would inevitably harm the interests of other forces, thus becoming their enemy.

Unless the Li family gave up on development—but how could that be possible?

To solve such a situation, Li Zhirui believed there was only one answer: to make the Li family stronger so that other forces wouldnʼt dare target or scheme against the Li family!

However, this was not something that could be achieved immediately. The Li family needed time to grow.

”The night is long and full of dreams! Letʼs hurry to Cloudtop Pavilion now,” said Li Shiren, his heart burning with a fire, urgently in need of finding an outlet for his anger, and he set his sights on the cultivator from Cloudtop Pavilion who had yet to appear.

When Li Zhirui and the others arrived at Cloudtop Pavilion, the doors were already wide open, but since it was still early, there were no customers inside.

”What brings you here so early?” Li Shihua, busy with the accounts, asked with a puzzled look as he saw the three approach.

Li Shiren waved his hand and said, ”Thereʼs something we need to do. Go on with your work; donʼt worry about us. Iʼll explain later.”

Then, under Li Shihuaʼs astonished gaze, Li Shiren took out five Memory Stones and affixed them to the walls of the main hall, one in each corner and one in the center.

Not only that, but they also entered the kitchen and placed even more Memory Stones.

”What are you...”

Before he could finish, Li Shiren interrupted him, ”Itʼs not yet time to tell you. Act as if you know nothing about this!”

”Understood.” Li Shihua wasnʼt a fool, he guessed a bit about what was happening, and returned to the counter somewhat nervously to bury himself in his accounts.

To avoid startling the enemy, the three of them hid in the backyard.

”Will that person come today?”

Unfortunately, no one could answer Li Shirenʼs question. Although Li Zhirui had guessed that they would make a move against Cloudtop Pavilion, it was impossible for him to know when they would act.

The three waited all morning but did not encounter the anticipated people; instead, Li Shilian arrived.

”Lian Uncle, have those three been dealt with?”

Li Shilian responded and asked, ”What are you doing?”

Li Zhirui shared his speculation, saying with some uncertainty, ”Maybe because of the fate of those three, he doesnʼt dare to make a move?”

”Then you guys wait here for a while longer, Iʼll go settle the accounts.” Seeing that they were so well-prepared and didnʼt need him, and not wanting to waste time there, Li Shilian walked around them and entered the room behind.

The three waited a little longer until Li Shiting felt unwilling to stay any longer. Just as she stood up, a burst of angry roaring came from the main hall, ”What kind of black shop is this! There are even insect corpses in the Spirit Food! And that Spirit Beast Meat has a stench!”

”Heʼs here!” Li Shiren exclaimed with excitement, immediately ready to rush out and seize him.

Li Zhirui quickly held back Li Shiren, saying, ”Ren Uncle, wait a little longer, letʼs see if he has any accomplices.”

As expected, the manʼs shouting not only attracted the attention of the patrons inside the shop but also drew over many passing cultivators.

”Iʼve always heard people say that the food at Cloudtop Pavilion is not only delicious, but the Spiritual Energy is also more abundant. Now it seems, they must have used some unknown substances!”

At that moment, a cultivator in the crowd conveniently stepped forward with a hint of realization on his face, saying, ”No wonder I suddenly felt unwell a few days ago. Iʼm afraid itʼs because I ate Spirit Food here at Cloudtop Pavilion!”

”This... I thought I was the only one experiencing this; I didnʼt expect others to have the same problem!” Gradually, a few more cultivators stood forward.

”Compensation! This black shop should be smashed! We canʼt let it continue to harm people!”

In a moment, the crowd was riled up, with some already storming into the main hall, rolling up their sleeves, ready to wreak havoc on the shop.

As the Shopkeeper, Li Shihua appeared panicked, but if someone looked at his face carefully, they would notice that it was all superficial, even somewhat forced.

”Iʼd like to see who dares to lift a hand!” With Li Shirenʼs thunderous bellow, the imposing presence of a cultivator at the Foundation Establishment burst forth, instantly quieting the clamorous scene.

Li Shiren approached the man who started the commotion, suppressing his rage, and asked, ”You said the bug, you found it in the Spirit Food, because Cloudtop Pavilion is unclean, and even used spoiled Spirit Beast Meat?”

”Yes! So many people are watching! Itʼs from the Spirit Food served by your establishment,” he said, sensing something ominous, yet in this situation, he had no choice but to brace himself and continue.

”Is that so? Then let everyone see how those foul meats and bugs got there!” Li Shiren sneered, his eyes filled with unmistakable murderous intent, frightening the man so much that he trembled all over.

In front of everyone, Li Zhirui took down all five Memory Stones installed in the main hall and activated them with mana.

The Memory Stones clearly recorded how he had planted the bugs and spoiled meat into the Spirit Food and then, in feigned anger, slammed the table and loudly accused to set a trap.

”What explanation do you have left?” Li Zhirui looked at the man with a mocking smile.

The man instantly collapsed to the ground, aware that he was likely beyond escape this time.

Seeing this, the other culprits attempted to flee, but Li Shiting casually flicked her hand, and a vine materialized out of nowhere, binding them tightly.