Chapter 50. Li family retaliates.
Chapter 50: 50. Li family retaliates.
Blue River City
The bustling trade district of Blue River City was as lively as ever.
Caravans came and went without pause, merchants loudly advertised their goods, and laborers hurried through the crowded streets carrying heavy crates upon their shoulders.
Among the countless caravans preparing to depart, a group of wagons bearing the Lin family’s emblem stood neatly arranged outside one of their warehouses.
Lin Shuhao bent down and lifted another wooden crate onto a wagon. Although sweat had already formed across his forehead, he paid it little attention. They had already lost enough time in Blue River City. The sooner they finished loading, the sooner they could begin the journey back to Azure Willow City.
Just then, hurried footsteps approached from behind.
One of the Lin clansmen quickly made his way over before lowering his voice.
"Group Leader, the Li family is here."
Lin Shuhao’s hands paused for only a brief moment before he let out a weary sigh.
"They really don’t know when to stop."
After rubbing his aching forehead, he waved his hand dismissively.
"Ignore them. Finish loading everything first. We’ll leave as soon as we’re done."
The clansman immediately nodded.
"Understood."
He had barely taken a few steps before another commotion erupted outside the warehouse.
Heavy footsteps echoed across the stone street, accompanied by arrogant laughter.
Lin Shuhao did not even need to look up to know who had arrived.
Only a moment later, a young man dressed in luxurious robes leisurely walked into view, followed by more than a dozen Li family guards.
The young man carried himself with complete confidence, as though the entire street belonged to him.
He was Li Hanson, the second son of Li Huanyi.
Within Blue River City, the Li family possessed influence that few dared challenge.
Li Huanyi had two sons, and his eldest had become a disciple of the Mystic Sky Sect many years ago. Although that disciple rarely returned home, his status alone was enough to elevate the Li family above every other local power.
With the backing of the Mystic Sky Sect, they had gradually tightened their control over Blue River City until they held an almost complete monopoly over its trade.
Even the city’s merchants thought twice before offending them.
Things had only grown worse during the past few months.
Ever since rumors began spreading that the Lin family had discovered a Spirit Pond, the Li family had treated them as a thorn in their side.
Whether the rumor was true or false hardly mattered anymore.
Using every excuse they could find, they repeatedly obstructed the Lin family’s businesses, delayed their caravans, and made life difficult for anyone associated with the Lin clan.
Unfortunately, avoiding Blue River City was not an option.
Both Azure Willow City and Blue River City were located along the eastern coast of the Loushi Kingdom.
Since the kingdom occupied a vast peninsula, anyone wishing to travel safely from the eastern coast toward the central regions had little choice but to pass through Blue River City.
That made the city an indispensable stop for trade.
Their Patriarch had once carved out another trade route through Violet Log City.
However, that road cut straight through a vast forest inhabited by countless spirit beasts.
The journey took several extra days, and every mile carried the risk of another attack.
By the time a caravan reached its destination, everyone aboard would be physically and mentally exhausted.
Thinking back to those dangerous journeys, Lin Shuhao could only smile bitterly.
There had once been a time when he dreaded traveling through that forest.
Now, however, he found himself missing it.
Compared to dealing with the Li family every single trip, even fighting spirit beasts seemed far more pleasant.
Li Hanson slowly came to a stop a few steps away from the caravan.
His gaze swept over the rows of wooden crates before a faint smile appeared on his face.
"Lin Shuhao, we have received reports that the Lin family is transporting stolen goods so I am here to inspect your cargo."
Lin Shuhao was not the least bit surprised.
He had expected him to come and stir up some trouble whenever he was free.
Even so, he cupped his fists with complete courtesy.
"Young Master Li, every item in this caravan was purchased through legitimate channels."
As he spoke, he took out a neatly organized stack of documents.
"These are the receipts, purchase records, and the permits issued by the city. Please have a look."
Li Hanson merely glanced at the documents before him.
He did not even reach out to take them and instead casually waved his hand.
"Search everything."
More than a dozen Li family guards immediately walked toward the caravan.
Several Lin clansmen instinctively stepped forward to block their path.
"What gives you the right—"
Before the sentence could be finished, Lin Shuhao raised his hand.
"Stand down."
The Lin clansmen froze.
Although anger burned within their hearts, they slowly stepped aside.
They all understood that resisting would only give the Li family another excuse to make things worse.
Li Hanson watched the scene with a satisfied smile.
He looked at the furious Lin clansmen before turning toward Lin Shuhao.
"You should all learn from your Group Leader. He understands his place."
A mocking grin spread across his face.
"Like a good dog, he knows exactly whose boots are worth licking."
The surrounding Li family guards immediately burst into laughter.
Several Lin clansmen clenched their fists until their knuckles turned white.
Even Lin Shuhao’s fingers tightened beneath his sleeves.
Nevertheless, his expression remained calm as he silently watched the Li family guards pry open the wooden crates one after another.
The guards rummaged through the cargo without the slightest concern for the merchandise inside.
Boxes were overturned, bundles were tossed aside, and carefully packed goods were scattered across the wagons.
Then, one of the guards casually slipped his hand beneath his robe.
When his hand emerged again, a small wooden box appeared in his grasp.
Without even attempting to hide his actions, he quietly dropped the box into one of the opened crates.
The Lin clansmen standing nearby saw everything.
"So shameless!"
"Now you’re planting evidence!"
"Everyone here saw it!"
Several members of the caravan immediately shouted in anger.
The Li family guard ignored every accusation.
He leisurely reached into the crate before lifting the same wooden box high into the air.
"Young Master Hanson! I found stolen goods!"
The surrounding Li family guards immediately gathered around and nodded as though they had witnessed undeniable evidence.
"There really are stolen goods."
"It seems the reports were correct."
"The Lin family has been transporting stolen merchandise all along."
Li Hanson slowly walked over with a pleased smile.
He accepted the wooden box from the guard before pretending to examine it carefully.
After a few moments, he gave a slow nod.
"This item has indeed been reported stolen."
He looked toward Lin Shuhao with an expression full of false disappointment.
"I never expected the honorable Lin family to stoop so low.
Since stolen goods have been found among your cargo, every crate in this caravan must be confiscated for further investigation."
As soon as those words left his mouth, the surrounding Lin clansmen erupted.
"You planted it yourself!"
"This is outright robbery!"
Li Hanson merely smiled as though he had heard nothing at all.
He slowly waved his hand toward his guards.
"Take every crate away."
The Li family guards immediately stepped forward and seized the entire caravan.