I Don’t Want to Get Hurt, So I’ll Max Out My Defense

A few people were sitting around a table, chatting and laughing merrily.

From Zongdao's mouth, Li Xiaobai learned that a hundred years ago, the Zong Family was a great family in Aolai Country, even showing signs of becoming the foremost powerful clan, more resplendent in those days than the current Situ Household.

However, the Zong Family had always upheld a staunch and incorruptible style, with everything done by the book and never engaging in any unscrupulous activities, which inadvertently impeded the way of many others.

Even a lion has its moments of slumber, and amid continuous nibbling from various big and small families, the Zong Family had declined from a great family to its current state of decay within a few decades.

Some of the family's strong members were trapped and killed, some were expelled, and gradually dispersed. Now, only Zongdao and his few relatives remained.

"But now that we know that our family's elders are living well outside the Eastern Sea and are not in danger, we are quite content,"

Zongdao said calmly. After enduring many years of hardship and having lived in both grand estates and humble thatched cottages, he had adapted. His only wish now was to continue the Zong Family's lineage; he had no other long-standing desires.

"The only worry for us, as husband and wife, is our son Hu'er. We dare not ask for too much, only that Young Master Li could provide Hu'er with some guidance during his time in the Eastern Sea, so he won't end up as a tool for others to vent their frustrations."

Lady Zong spoke.

"Father, Mother, I will endeavor in my cultivation!"

Zong Hu said with a determined expression.

"These are all trifling matters. I will build a place for cultivation within this residence, not only for Zong Hu but your whole family to use for cultivating. I believe your strengths will greatly increase soon enough,"

Li Xiaobai waved his hand and said with a light smile.

"I'm just curious about this 'Sister Ya Ya' whom Zong Hu often mentions. Is she also residing in this mansion?"

Li Xiaobai asked, somewhat intrigued. Were there other people apart from this family of four in the Zong Family?

"Are you speaking of Zong Ya?"

"She is my elder brother's daughter, highly talented. Ever since my brother was harmed by the Situ Household, she has been living with the Zong Family. I treat her as if she were my own daughter,"

"She is currently in closed-door cultivation, right in the woodshed in the backyard,"

Zongdao said with a hearty laugh, very willing to introduce Zong Ya to Li Xiaobai.

Since ancient times, the hero has struggled to pass the beauty's test. Whether it's Zong Yao or Zong Ya, they are both top-notch beauties. He believed that even a proud individual like Li Xiaobai would not be able to resist being moved by them.

As long as he could bind the visitor with the Zong Family, perhaps the family could reclaim a place in Aolai Country. After all, Li Xiaobai had the backing of the Vice Leader.

"Ya'er is an extraordinary talent, continually cultivating in seclusion. Despite her young age, she is already a Nascent Soul Stage expert. It is a pity that our Zong Family lacks the resources for her cultivation, otherwise, we would be holding her back,"

Lady Zong sighed, speaking softly with a touch of worry on her brow.

Not only for Zong Ya but even for Zong Hu and Zong Yao, they were struggling to afford the cultivation resources. If things continued this way, they might have to sell the mansion just to acquire enough materials for cultivation.

"Mother, your birthday is just in two days. You mustn't speak such disheartening words. My brother and I are not interested in cultivation; it's enough for us to stay by your side and fulfill our filial duties. As for resources, it's best to give them all to Sister Ya'er,"

Zong Yao said, patting Lady Zong's shoulder and smiling.

"Yes, cultivating is the most troublesome thing. My biggest dream in this life is just to follow behind Sister Ya Ya, to freeload and wait to die. With Sister Ya Ya's protection, there's no need to cultivate at all," Zong Hu said, nodding earnestly, his young face full of a serious expression.

"Yao'er, Hu'er..." n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

Lady Zong's eyes filled with tears, and there was a choke in her throat, but she ultimately didn't say anything.

"Indeed, the two of you can rest assured, the issue of resources is something I can solve; it's not a big deal," Young Master Li said with a chuckle. The scene before him was indeed touching, but he had come with a plan in mind. It also happened to coincide with giving a hand to the Zong Family. From the layout by the Vice Leader, it seemed there was an intention to assist the Zong Family as well.

"But in exchange, I would like to propose a transaction with the two of you," Young Master Li continued, still smiling.

"Young Master, please speak freely. Although the Zong Family has declined, as long as the cultivation issue for the younger generation can be resolved, we will definitely not be ambiguous about how many Spirit Stones to offer," Zongdao said with a solemn tone. He was waiting for Li Xiaobai's words, initially thinking that if the other party could give some guidance on cultivation for the family's children, it would already be a great kindness. He didn't expect there to be an additional surprise. If the issue of cultivation resources truly could be addressed, it would also remove a heavy burden from his heart.

However, he couldn't help but wonder, was the other party's help really just out of goodwill, or was there some other ulterior motive?

"Hehe, I see the Zong Mansion isn't very large, but it has all the necessary facilities. I'm thinking of temporarily dividing the Zong Mansion in two; one half for the normal living and cultivation of you all, and the other half as a place to lend to me for use. How does that sound?" Young Master Li said with a light laugh.

"As for the issue of cultivation resources, let's consider that my compensation. How about that?" he added.

"The mansion, hm? That's no problem at all, but what does Young Master Li want with my dilapidated mansion?" Zongdao asked, somewhat perplexed. In his view, the other party should be seizing the chance to ask for Spirit Stones. The Zong Mansion was run-down and had no value. What would he want with it?

"I plan to set up a store in Aolai Country, and the Zong Mansion will be the starting point for the shop," Li Xiaobai explained calmly.

"Setting up a shop?"

Both members of the Zong couple exchanged a glance, even more puzzled.

Honestly, the shops in Aolai Country were almost a monopolized industry, completely controlled by the major families. Ordinary cultivators, even those who want to open shops, must pay rent to these families or directly pledge allegiance to them; otherwise, they simply can't start a business.

"Young Master Li, the shops within Aolai Country are all controlled by the major families. They will not allow anyone outside of their cultivation levels to share in their profits, even a simple tea house won't do, let alone you planning to open a shop on the Zong Family's turf."

"Forget about opening a shop—if it's free, I'm afraid no customers would dare to come and spend money," Zongdao said honestly. He didn't want Li Xiaobai to be at a disadvantage, and this action was essentially pushing everyone back into the limelight. If the shop were built, those families would send people to cause trouble incessantly, and it would be difficult to defend against.

"No worries, I will open the shop and will bear the consequences. Clan Leader Zong need not worry about anything, just focus on celebrating Lady Zong's birthday," Li Xiaobai said with a chuckle.

"This matter is settled then. I will transform the Zong Mansion into a sanctum for cultivation," he announced.

"In that case, we'll have to trouble you!"