C20 A Firewood Knife!

When Tang Qingcheng heard Liu Changqing refer to him as a child, a whirlwind of emotions churned inside him, yet he dared not voice any dissent.

Even his own grandfather and uncles wouldn't dare to so much as breathe heavily in Liu Changqing's presence. It was then that he realized the magnitude of the person he had crossed.

A Master, no less—a figure of the same stature as Udruesau's "Guardian War God," Yang Haotian!

"You ingrate, Mr. Liu has been generous enough to spare your life. Now, show some gratitude!" Tang Zhenye scolded, glaring at the dumbstruck Tang Qingcheng.

"Ah? Yes! Thank you, Mr. Liu, for your mercy! Thank you..."

Tang Qingcheng, snapping out of his daze, hastily expressed his thanks.

"That's enough; let's put this behind us," Liu Changqing declared with a dismissive wave of his hand.

"Mr. Liu, please accept this as an apology for my son's impudence," Tang Xingqiu said as she stepped forward, extending a bank card with both hands.

"Hmm?" Liu Changqing glanced at Tang Xingqiu, remaining silent.

"Please, don't take this the wrong way, sir! It's just a small token from a mother grateful for the lesson you've taught my wayward son. There's ten million on this card. I implore you, Mr. Liu, to accept this gesture," Tang Xingqiu insisted, her hands trembling slightly as she offered the card.

Liu Changqing regarded Tang Xingqiu. He understood that her offer was a bid for peace of mind; if he refused, her worries would linger.

Besides, he was in need of funds, and Tang Xingqiu's gesture was more than welcome.

"Very well," Liu Changqing accepted the card with a nonchalant nod, pinching it between two fingers.

Tang Xingqiu exhaled deeply in relief upon seeing Liu Changqing accept her offering, her earlier fears of rejection dissipating.

"Now, take him away. Let this be a lesson learned. I expect you to remember this and show Mr. Liu even more respect than you show me," Tang Zhenye instructed, his gaze fixed on Tang Qingcheng.

"Understood, Grandpa!"

With a sense of relief, Tang Qingcheng hastily exited the study.

Now, only Tang Zhenye and his three sons remained.

"Mr. Liu, you mentioned that my wife's illness requires treatment at night. May I ask why?"

Tang Zhenye inquired, his face etched with concern, as he looked at Liu Changqing.

"Elder Tang, have you crossed anyone?"

Liu Changqing posed the question casually after sipping his tea.

"Crossed someone?"

Puzzled by Liu Changqing's query, Tang Zhenye racked his brain.

The Tang family had weathered many storms to reach their current standing, inevitably stepping on some toes along the way. But pinpointing a specific offense was like searching for a needle in the ocean.

"Forgive me, I'm drawing a blank," Tang Zhenye admitted with an apologetic tone.

"I'm curious, Mr. Liu, why do you ask this all of a sudden..."

Tang Zhenye was a sharp man. He had barely heard Liu Changqing's question before his mind raced with potential implications.

"Your esteemed wife's illness is the result of a covert attack!"

The revelation from Liu Changqing left everyone from the Tang family visibly stunned.

"How can that be!"

"Elder Tang, am I correct in assuming that a Feng Shui expert was consulted in the design of this villa?"

Liu Changqing continued, his gaze fixed on Tang Zhenye.

"Indeed! I won't conceal it from you, Mr. Liu. We in business tend to be superstitious, so I specifically sought out a renowned Feng Shui master to design the layout. He called it the 'Ascending Dragon Formation,' claiming it would ensure the Tang family's rise to greatness. Since moving in, our business has indeed thrived."

Tang Zhenye was forthright, sharing all the details with Liu Changqing.

"Am I right in thinking that the Tang family's business has encountered some issues lately?"

Liu Changqing asked, his tone even.

"How did you know, Mr. Liu?!"

The Tang family members were taken aback by his insight.

For the past month, inexplicably, nothing had gone right for them, as if they were cursed with the worst of luck.

The Tang family was reeling from a series of calamities. The ten-billion-dollar deal they had secured suddenly fell through when the investors pulled out. Their real estate holdings were raided by authorities, and due to substandard materials, their properties were sealed off. It was one thing after another, leaving the Tangs gasping for air.

Had it not been for his mother's illness, they would have already sought the expertise of a Feng Shui master once more.

"Of course, I noticed!" exclaimed Liu Changqing.

"Mr. Liu, I implore you to share your wisdom!" Tang Zhenye said, rising quickly to his feet, his voice tinged with respect.

Liu Changqing's mention of the problem signaled his willingness to assist. For someone of his stature to offer help was a tremendous honor.

"The Feng Shui here is indeed auspicious, and it's been a boon for your family. But someone has metaphorically hung a knife over the dragon's head, threatening to sever it. Without its head, can the dragon still soar?" Liu Changqing posed the question to Tang Zhenye, his tone even.

"Sever the dragon's head? Impossible! Who would dare target the Tang family with such malice?" Tang Zhenye was aghast.

"I'm not sure who's behind it. But given your earnestness and the significant value of the fire jade to me, I'm inclined to lend my aid once more," Liu Changqing stated, rising and making his way out of the study.

Exiting the study, Liu Changqing strode through the doorway, with Tang Zhenye and the others close behind. Night had descended, and the villa's lights flickered on in unison.

Standing at the entrance, Liu Changqing's spiritual energy began to stir, focusing into his eyes.

With a resonant "Boom!" the spiritual energy surged into his gaze, and the world before him transformed. He could see the flow of spiritual energy around him, but at the Tang family's wall corner, a sinister black aura loomed.

"Right there!" Liu Changqing pointed decisively at the corner.

"Clear that area!" he instructed Tang Zhenye.

"Someone clear that corner, now!" Tang Xingye commanded the bodyguards who had quickly assembled.

"Yes!"

With that, they grabbed their tools and began chiseling away at the corner of the wall.

It wasn't long before a loud clang echoed through the air—the hoe had struck something metallic.

"Master, there's something in the corner!"

Upon hearing this, Tang Zhenye and his companions hurried forward.

How could there possibly be something hidden in the corner? They were incredulous.

Approaching the corner, they peered closer, the light from their equipment revealing an object lodged in the wall—a pitch-black machete!

Why would there be a machete embedded in the corner of their own home? Could this knife be the cause of the Tang family's misfortunes?