"Second, there’s Li Mingxin’s attitude. You need to understand his position. He may dislike trouble, but you must find out where he draws the line."

"Third, do you have what it takes to face a counterattack from a more powerful force? Behind that stronger force are even deeper connections, layer after layer. If the benefits are great enough, it wouldn’t be difficult for them to get Li Mingxin to turn a blind eye while they deal with you. If you have the confidence to withstand that, then the first and third points are not a problem."

Cheng Zongyang frowned. "So you’re saying I just need to figure out Li Mingxin’s attitude?"

Luo Dingran replied, "Yes. As long as he agrees, or at least promises not to interfere, there’s nothing to worry about after that. The other issue is that the pressure of developing the entire County Town will then fall on you. Are you sure that’s what you want?"

That last sentence silenced Cheng Zongyang.

’He’d forgotten about that.’

’Getting rid of all the other factions would be great, but would that mean the County Town’s management would just revert to its previous state?’

The thought of being responsible for feeding and housing the entire County Town again made him shudder.

That brought him back to his senses.

Seeing Cheng Zongyang’s expression, Luo Dingran smiled.

"So, my lord, even if you want to take over the entire County Town, you must wait until its operations are running normally. When that time comes, even if chaos breaks out, as long as the town’s food, drink, housing, and transport aren’t affected, you can do as you please."

Cheng Zongyang nodded.

That did align with his own thinking.

The idea of eliminating the other six families had just been a passing thought. If it had been a firm plan, he wouldn’t have bothered sending Ma Yue with a message.

Now, after Luo Dingran’s analysis, he finally understood what had been bothering him.

"Alright, I get it. Thanks," Cheng Zongyang said with a smile.

"It is good that my lord understands," Luo Dingran said, cupping his fists.

"Having a strategist really is great," Cheng Zongyang laughed heartily. He then asked, "Still no luck buying a High Tier Soul Crystal Stone?"

"No." Luo Dingran gave a wry smile. "We’ve set the price at Three Thousand Points, but still can’t find a seller. Also, at the mine, the Mole Beasts need to excavate more areas."

Cheng Zongyang shook his head. "Not possible right now; I have other uses for the Mole Beasts. They’ll just have to work harder over there. Are the tools sufficient?"

Luo Dingran replied, "They are."

Seeing there was nothing else, Cheng Zongyang left the Wilderness World.

「Meanwhile, in a residence in South City.」

Zhang Chuchu was sitting in the main hall with a somewhat gaunt middle-aged man.

"Brother Zhang, is there something urgent for you to come so late?" Li Yihuo asked, slightly nervous.

Ever since the An Family’s assets were seized and the County Town fell into chaos, he had been living in constant fear.

Zhang Chuchu had never come to his home at this hour, so he thought something must have happened.

Zhang Chuchu took a quick sip of tea and looked at Li Yihuo with a serious expression.

"An... Younger Brother Li, I did indeed come this late because of an urgent matter. I’ll just ask you one thing: do you want to finally settle down, to stop worrying about certain people settling old scores, to stop living in fear?"

This did not put Li Yihuo at ease; instead, it made him even more nervous. "Did something happen?" he asked.

Zhang Chuchu felt his mouth was still a bit dry. Without ceremony, he poured himself another cup of tea to soothe his throat and quench the thirst from his brisk walk over.

After taking a moment to recover, Zhang Chuchu smiled. "Something has happened, but it’s a good thing."

Before Li Yihuo could speak, Zhang Chuchu continued, "The master’s family I’m serving now... I’ve told you about them before, haven’t I?"

Hearing this, Li Yihuo thought for a moment, then nodded. "I’ve heard you mention them. The Cheng Family? I’d never heard of them before that, though."

Zhang Chuchu said, "That’s not important. You still don’t understand the current situation in the city. Let me give you a quick rundown..."

He then briefly recounted the information he had received from Cheng Zongyang.

As Li Yihuo stared in shock, he finally got to the main point. "The Cheng Family’s origins aren’t important. What’s important is that he needs talented people right now. The Cheng Family is currently planning out the County Town’s commerce and needs talent. I mentioned you to him."

This time, Li Yihuo became agitated. "Wait, why would you mention me?"

With the An Family’s fall, he was as skittish as a startled bird. Without power, his past identity had become a complete burden. He was terrified of being noticed, which could bring disaster upon his family once again.

The An Family had also offended many people in its day.

Zhang Chuchu frowned. "The Young Master is different. He needs talented people, and he doesn’t care about your past or your former status. The people he employs could be commoners from the street, vagrants, or hooligans. Let alone someone like you..."

At this point, he leaned in and lowered his voice, "Almost everyone who follows him can become a Martial Artist!"

This time, Li Yihuo was stunned.

Zhang Chuchu sighed. "If my two simple, awkward sons weren’t so incapable, I would have recommended them to the Young Master myself. Even if they just ran errands, after a while, I could plead with the Young Master, and they might have a chance to become Martial Artists."

"Younger Brother Li, the past is in the past, and you have ability. That being the case, why not meet the Young Master? If he truly takes a liking to you, your family can have a better life and stop living in fear. The Young Master won’t treat you unfairly."

"If he doesn’t, at worst you can just come back here and continue living as you were. It won’t affect you at all."

"Besides, with your skills, you’re more than qualified to be a shopkeeper. Your family’s life would improve."

Li Yihuo was silent for a moment before asking, "The entire West City is now under the control of the Cheng Family and the Celestial Break Gang. Isn’t he afraid the other six families will team up to get rid of them first?"

Zhang Chuchu frowned. "A person must know their place. That’s not for me to think about, nor is it something I can meddle in. I am the steward of the estate; I just need to manage the estate’s affairs."