Ning Yuwen hesitated and said, "Little Fa, are you sure you want to deal with the Liu Family? Actually, many people within the family know about the Liu Family's smuggling. However, the Liu Family has good relations with many branches of our family, and there are considerable business dealings. Moreover, Liu Qinghui holds a significant position within our family, and many of her suitors are also talented individuals from the family. If you move against the Liu Family, I fear there will be considerable resistance."
Ning Fa let out a cold snort, disdainfully saying, "Fine, then I'll see who dares to obstruct me."
Ning Yuwen then said, "What if it's the Third Elder? After all, Liu Qinghui is also the Third Elder's adopted daughter."
Ning Fa took a sip of tea and then said leisurely, "I know. That's why I asked Uncle Wen to collect evidence. If it weren't for the Third Elder, I wouldn't have waited until the evidence was conclusive. Even if it were just a trumped-up charge, I would have acted long ago."
"Now, regarding the Liu Family's smuggling, as long as we catch them red-handed with conclusive evidence, even the Third Elder can't say anything to me. After all, Blazing Wind Hall already has the enforcement function of managing family item smuggling. I am merely fulfilling my duty."
Ning Yuwen looked at him with a strange expression.
Ning Fa chuckled and said, "Uncle Wen, gather the men. Tonight, we'll catch them completely off guard."
That night, at the hour of Chou.
Pier Number Three on Yuanliu Island, belonging to the Liu Family, was pitch black.
A team of Liu Family cultivators arrived cautiously. Dressed in black robes, they seemed to blend into the night.
The two leading them.
One had a dignified appearance, with a long beard, and was none other than the Liu Family Head, Liu Zhili.
The other Liu Family cultivator was tall and robust, with a leopard-like head, piercing eyes, and a square jaw with tiger-like whiskers, exuding great bravery.
This person was the Liu Family's Guard Commander, Liu Liangji, at the Ninth Level of Qi Condensation.
He was also the Liu Family's current top expert.
Liu Zhili made a gesture, signaling everyone to stop.
He looked into the dark night, a hint of solemnity in his eyes.
Liu Liangji couldn't help but ask, "Family Head, what's wrong?"
Liu Zhili slowly said, "For some reason, I have a feeling of unease, as if my heart is pounding."
Liu Liangji narrowed his large eyes and unleashed his divine sense to its fullest, but he detected no abnormalities.
However, he cautiously said, "We cultivators cannot ignore a premonition. How about we call it off for today?"
Liu Zhili showed a hesitant expression. "We can't delay any longer. The Fire Sun Stone is one thing, but once the Shihua Wood is dug out, its spiritual essence will only last for three months at most. By then, it won't sell, and it will all be wasted. Our Liu Family would suffer too great a loss."
After speaking, Liu Zhili said gravely, "Perhaps I've been too stressed lately because of Ning Fa's matters. It should be fine. Let's proceed as planned. Liangji, I'll be counting on you for this."
With that, Liu Zhili handed a silver ring to Liu Liangji.
This ring was clearly a rare storage ring, its storage space far exceeding that of ordinary storage bags.
Its value was not inferior to a Top-grade Magic Artifact.
Previously, the Liu Family had used Spirit Boats for smuggling. Now, due to Ning Fa's pressure, Liu Zhili had to bring out this treasured storage ring, as it was more discreet.
Liu Liangji cupped his fists with both hands, then summoned a black Spirit Boat. A group of over ten Liu Family cultivators boarded the flying boat and departed.
Liu Zhili stood in place watching.
However, his expression did not ease; it became even more grim.
Because his feeling of unease intensified, and he suddenly had a very bad premonition.
He even considered using a communication artifact to call Liu Liangji and the others back.
But at that moment.
In the direction the black Spirit Boat was heading, a dazzling silver lightning bolt tore through the sky.
The black Spirit Boat instantly exploded, and a group of Liu Family cultivators were scattered from within.
Concurrently, a Black Flying Shuttle appeared from nowhere.
And a team of cultivators emerged from it. Without a word, they began their attack.
In an instant, the light of various magic tools flashed in the air.
The two teams of cultivators engaged in fierce combat.
But a spear, like a blue Thunder Dragon, rampaged, with silver snakes dancing and thunder rumbling.
The Liu Family cultivators were routed upon contact, none able to resist.
Soon, the night sky returned to calm.
Liu Zhili's eyes widened, his hands and feet turned cold, and his body trembled violently, nearly collapsing to the ground.
Meanwhile, a Black Flying Shuttle, flashing with light, flew towards him.
Soon, the shuttle stopped at the pier.
A team of Ning Family Blazing Wind Hall cultivators jumped out from it.
And seven Liu Family cultivators were thrown to the ground like chicks.
Each of them had a weak aura and even bloodstains, clearly having been placed under restraint.
Ning Fa stood in front of everyone.
He toyed with a silver ring in his hand, tossing it gently up and down.
Seeing Liu Zhili looking as if his parents had just died, Ning Fa couldn't help but smile and click his tongue in amazement. "Five hundred jin of Fire Sun Stone, three hundred Shihua Wood... tsk tsk, that's quite a sum of Spirit Stones."
Although Liu Zhili's expression was extremely grim, he forced himself to remain calm and asked, "Ning Fa, what exactly do you want?"
Ning Fa smiled, but a cold glint flashed in his eyes. "Patriarch Liu, it's not what I want, but what does your Liu Family want? Such a large batch of strategic resources being transported out late at night, and my Blazing Wind Hall receiving no prior notice – if this isn't smuggling, then what is?"
Ning Fa's words struck Liu Zhili like a heavy hammer, pounding hard against his heart.
His face immediately turned deathly pale.
Then, Ning Yunhui, standing behind Ning Fa, jumped out and cursed, "You wretched Liu Family! We Ning Family have protected you, and yet you dare to smuggle so many vital supplies. You deserve to die!"
Meanwhile, Ning Liuan, with his full beard, his eyes darting around, began to flatter, "Fortunately, our Hall Master is wise and mighty, seeing through your scheme. Otherwise, you would have truly gotten away with it! He has saved the family from significant losses!"
Ning Yunhui glared at Ning Liuan, annoyed that he hadn't thought of saying something like that himself.
He immediately followed suit, imitating Ning Liuan's flattery to praise Ning Fa.
Ning Fa looked at the two of them, a mixture of amusement and exasperation on his face, and quickly waved them off, telling them to stop.
Ever since he had resolved the Huang Family's troubles last time and even outshone Shi Shaoyang with the Cloud Lotus Sword, Ning Fa's prestige within the Blazing Wind Hall had soared.
His subordinates now addressed him directly as "Hall Master," omitting the "Deputy."
It wasn't just flattery; they genuinely believed that the position of Hall Master of the Blazing Wind Hall was Ning Fa's for the taking.
For instance, the previously rebellious Ning Yunhui and Ning Liuan were now utterly devoted to Ning Fa and supported him wholeheartedly.
It was just that sometimes their displays of loyalty were a bit too enthusiastic, causing Ning Fa a headache.
Liu Zhili's lips trembled, his eyes flickering intensely.
He gritted his teeth and said, "My Liu Family admits defeat this time. Let me go, and all these Fire Sun Stones and Shihua Wood will be yours!"
Ning Fa sneered, "Still trying to bribe this Hall Master? That's another crime! Guards, seize Liu Zhili for me!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Ning Yunhui and Ning Liuan immediately stepped forward with ferocious expressions, grinning menacingly as they approached Liu Zhili.
Ning Fa stared intently at Liu Zhili.
He really hoped Liu Zhili would resist, but Liu Zhili merely struggled for a moment before giving up any resistance, allowing Ning Yunhui to place restrictions on him.