The golden crow rose in the east, morning light sprinkled over Ancestor Dragon City.

A convoy set off from the back gate of the Fang Family at the break of dawn. Though it was early, this scene was still noticed by the spies lingering around the Fang Family.

"Stop sleeping."

"I just closed my eyes for a bit, what's up."

"The Fang Family is on the move."

The spy lurking nearby responded with an 'oh,' sticking his head out to look at the entrance of the Fang Family's alley not far away, seeing one carriage after another emerging from the alley.

"What is the Fang Family up to with so many carriages? Are they planning to transfer their wealth?"

"It's not impossible. You head back and report, I'll keep an eye on the convoy."

"Alright."

There wasn't just one or two spies around the Fang Family, at least seven or eight groups were watching, including those from the Zeng Family. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

In one of the carriages, Fang Zhoushan bit his lip and looked at his mother beside him: "Mother, do I really have to become an apprentice?"

"You must."

"If you don't want to be the head of this broken family, now there's only this option." The Fang Family matriarch said firmly, turning to look at Fang Zhoushan.

"Zhoushan, our Fang Family is facing internal and external crises, with no room to advance or retreat. I've thought of every possible way; our family is like fish on a chopping board. We don't have much time left."

"Mother, even if he can withstand the Zeng Family, can he handle other families eyeing us hungrily?"

Though young, Fang Zhoushan was precocious, forced by recent events to think about the Fang Family's future.

The Fang Family matriarch raised her hand to stroke Fang Zhoushan's head: "As long as you become his apprentice, the Fang Family will not fall."

Fang Zhoushan turned to look at his mother, whose certainty was undeniable. If it weren't for knowing that his mother had met Li Feng just yesterday, he might suspect an affair.

However, Fang Zhoushan had more questions: "I understand, I will apprentice myself to him."

The Fang Family matriarch said no more. Once the apprenticeship was established, it meant an official mentorship. She would hand over half of the Fang Family's business as a gift of gratitude, and also to give her son a chance at resurgence.

The Fang Family might perish, but her son could not.

Of course, she buried this in her heart, not voicing it even though she trusted Li Feng outwardly. But she was also prepared for the worst.

The distance from the Fifth Ring to the Sixth Ring wasn't far, moreover, the Fang Family's actions were so rapid that other families hadn't had time to react. By the time they received reports, the Fang Family's carriages were already at No. 18 on Zhengyang Street.

"Here they come, the Fang Family mother and son are here again, and they've brought dozens of carts of wealth."

Upon hearing Xiao Luobing's report, Li Feng was slightly surprised. The Fang Family people had indeed come early, given that it was just after dawn, indicating their urgency.

"Open the main gate."

Li Feng did not hold back, directly ordering the main gate to be opened as he personally went out to greet them.

Though apprenticeship rites might have long been abandoned in the outside world, in Ancestor Dragon City, it followed strict protocols. Once established, the mentor was like a father, and backing out would be costly.

At the same time.

The Zeng Family's spies relayed the news back to the Zeng Family, with Zeng Chengtian just getting up not long ago. The butler quickly walked in: "Family Head, the spies monitoring the Fang Family have sent back news."

"Oh, what news?"

Zeng Chengtian raised an eyebrow and asked.

The butler glanced towards the door as a spy quickly stepped forward: "Reporting to the Family Head, my brother and I were watching outside the Fang Family's alley. Just as it was getting light, the Fang Family's back gate opened, and dozens of carriages left. We followed them and found the Fang Family's carriages had gone to Zhengyang Street on the Sixth Ring, stopping at No. 18."

Zeng Chengtian raised a brow at the mention of Zhengyang Street, and his mind conjured an image upon hearing No. 18.

"The Fang Family mother and son went to the Li Family? Are you sure you didn't see it wrong?"

"Reporting to Family Head, it's absolutely true. My brother is still there, trying to gather more information. I came back to report to you first."

Zeng Chengtian's face was dark. The Fang Family was a fat morsel for his Zeng Family, but now they were going to the Li Family.

The butler observed Zeng Chengtian's expression and waved off the informant, then spoke cautiously: "Family Head, could the Fang Family be seeking Li Feng after seeing us lose to him, hoping he'll stand up for them?"

Zeng Chengtian's eyes flickered uncertainly, looking at the butler with a cold smile: "That woman from the Fang Family really knows how to gauge the situation, willing to part with dozens of carts of wealth."

"Family Head, what is Li Feng thinking? Is the Fang Family something he can interfere with? My Zeng Family dared to act because we have agreements in place. What's this interference by Li Feng all about? He doesn't understand the rules."

"If everyone acted like him, Ancestor Dragon City would be in chaos. Does he think my Zeng Family is that easy to bully, hence his overreach?"

The butler ground his teeth as he spoke.

Zeng Chengtian sneered dismissively: "A barbarian from the Lower Three Rings, what would he understand about rules? Still, it'll be interesting to see how long his arrogance lasts."

The butler, hearing the Family Head's words, sensed leniency towards the Fang Family: "Family Head, are we just letting the Fang Family go like this? That was an easy prey."

The Zeng Family had been quick to offer half their assets yesterday, patching up a leak, and planned to act soon, perhaps even today.

Zeng Chengtian sat back down, coldly smiling: "The Fang Family's playing it smart, seeing our Zeng Family's predicament yesterday and knowing Li Feng has strong backers. We've shown weakness, so they cling to him."

"Li Feng is essentially a penniless scholar, lured by promises of wealth from the Fang Family; naturally, he'd be tempted."

"But no matter how clever the Fang Family's plan, even hugging that big leg won't save them."

"Just wait for the show."

Zeng Chengtian sneered repeatedly. Did that woman from the Fang Family think the Zeng Family was the only one after them? Wrong. Many sought the Fang Family's assets; the Zeng Family was the visible contender, but they weren't unsupported.

"Family Head."

At that moment, another spy appeared outside the door.

Zeng Chengtian looked over: "What is it now?"

"Reporting to Family Head, Fang Zhoushan has already apprenticed to Li Feng."

The spy reported.

Zeng Chengtian was unsurprised: "Ha, what a grand gesture. That woman from the Fang Family didn't hesitate, making her son apprentice to Li Feng, planning to bind them together for protection?"

Zeng Chengtian spoke with a sneer, noting the spy's urge to speak, and gestured him to continue.

"Yes, the Fang Family and Li Feng are quite optimistic, but someone interrupted the apprenticeship."

"Oh."