"Brother Li, why did you come out?" As soon as Li Xuan stepped onto the deck, Dong Cheng saw him.
"I couldn't stay put anyway, so I came out to see what's going on." Li Xuan smiled and then looked around the deck.
By now, thirty to forty people were packed tightly onto the deck. Each person was surrounded by a membrane-like, glowing object, making it impossible to discern anyone's strength.
"Are you the one Dong Cheng brought along that day?"
As Li Xuan was observing, a graceful figure approached. She wore a light gauze dress, and her oval face was framed by two elegantly curved eyebrows, making her exceptionally charming.
"Brother Li, allow me to introduce Miss Fei Yan, whom I mentioned to you. Miss Fei Yan, this is Brother Li. Thanks to him, my condition has completely healed today." Dong Cheng quickly made the introductions.
When mentioning Li Xuan, his words were filled with deep gratitude.
"I never imagined Young Master Li to be a hidden master. Fei Yan offers her respects." Fei Yan's beautiful eyes flickered slightly as she looked at Li Xuan.
"It was all by chance." Li Xuan smiled and returned the bow.
Boom.
The surrounding pleasure boats launched another attack on Dong Cheng's vessel. However, each blow only sent ripples that shook their boat, causing no substantial damage.
Li Xuan observed closely and noticed that whenever an attack approached, a ball of yellow light would illuminate on the boat, repelling all assaults. No wonder these people were just watching the commotion.
Li Xuan couldn't help but marvel, thinking how many spirit stones such a boat must cost. The Five Great Families outside the realm were truly renowned.
Perhaps seeing that their attacks were ineffective, the four smaller pleasure boats stopped. Then, figures began appearing on their decks. Dong Cheng's pupils contracted as he saw the person leading the group and strode to the front of the deck.
"Seventeenth, I didn't expect you to make the first move." Dong Cheng's voice held a hint of disappointment.
"Thirteenth Brother, I had no choice. Who can compare to your favor with Father? I must stop you in this competition for family head, no matter what. I have benefited from your care many times in the past. Rest assured, I will only stop you from returning and will not do anything out of line."
The man called Seventeenth had a likeness to Dong Cheng.
"Alas. Seventeenth, you know how I've treated you. I also know this is not your own will. Tell me, who is blackmailing you? If you tell me the truth, I will never blame you." Dong Cheng sighed softly.
"Thirteenth Brother, I am sorry. If you still care about me as your brother, please wait here patiently for half a month, alright? After the family head election, if you wish to return, I will not stop you." Seventeenth then closed his eyes.
Although the two groups were far apart, Li Xuan clearly saw tears slowly rolling down Seventeenth's eyes.
"Miss Fei Yan, do you happen to know the person called Seventeenth on the opposite boat?" Li Xuan asked Fei Yan.
"Dong Cheng must have told you. He is ranked thirteenth. This Seventeenth is his brother and one of the few he is closest to within the family."
"I knew from the start that someone would try to stop Dong Cheng from returning. After all, among the many siblings, only Dong Cheng and his eldest brother and fifth brother are truly capable."
"These three are the best, whether in their personal strength or in the businesses they manage. It's just that I didn't expect it to be Seventeenth, Dong Wei. Ah, this puts Dong Cheng in a difficult position." Fei Yan looked at Dong Cheng with a complex expression.
"Difficult position?" Li Xuan murmured, then also looked at Dong Cheng on the deck without speaking.
"Daddy, it seems there are still people hiding around here?" At this moment, Li Jin whispered.
"Someone else? Ah Jin, no matter what happens later, you and Ah Li must stay close to Daddy, understand?" Li Xuan was startled. He hadn't noticed, but Li Jin had already detected them.
Does this mean these two little ones have better sensory abilities than him?
Even Miss Fei Yan, standing nearby, frowned slightly. She then closed her eyes and investigated for a moment, but found nothing. However, her gaze towards Li Xuan and his children changed slightly.
"Yes, Daddy." Li Jin nodded, her small hand tightly gripping Li Xuan's. Li Li also moved closer to Li Xuan.
"Sigh."
After a long pause, Dong Cheng suddenly sighed and looked towards Dong Wei's pleasure boat.
"Seventeenth, I'll give you one more chance. If you tell me who is instigating you from behind, I promise to let bygones be bygones." Dong Cheng's voice grew louder, as if he had made up his mind.
"Thirteenth Brother, I'm sorry. I can't say..." Dong Wei looked full of guilt, not daring to meet Dong Cheng's gaze.
"Tsk tsk, what a touching scene, such brotherly affection. Seventeenth, I truly shouldn't have agreed to let you bring people to stop Thirteenth from returning. It seems this brotherly affection of yours is far less important than the position of family head."
Just then, a voice suddenly rang out. Following that, a massive pleasure boat emerged from space.
A man in a purple-gold long robe stood at the front of the boat. A giant python with a ferocious maw was embroidered on his robe. Behind him stood over a hundred people.
"Fifth, Dong Qiu! It's you!" Seeing the newcomer, Dong Cheng's expression changed drastically, and the spiritual energy within him surged.
"Thirteenth, you've never called me Fifth Brother since childhood, and I won't argue with you today. I thought Seventeenth could stop you, but it seems you're still determined to go your own way. It appears I must personally intervene and keep you here permanently."
Dong Qiu smiled slightly, his expression carrying a hint of coldness.
"No, Fifth Brother, Thirteenth Brother will definitely not go back. Don't worry. Give me a little more time. I will definitely persuade Thirteenth Brother." Dong Wei cried out anxiously upon hearing this.
"Useless trash, just like your mother, useless. I wonder how Father ever fancied that trash mortal woman, your mother. Get lost, don't get in my way here."
Just as Dong Qiu was about to make a move, he heard Dong Wei's words, cursed him under his breath, and then waved his hand, knocking Dong Wei to the ground.
Pfft.
Dong Wei spat out a mouthful of blood, his face instantly paling.
"Seventeenth!"
At this point, Dong Cheng finally understood.
Behind all of this, it was Dong Qiu who was the mastermind!