I wasn't deliberately flattering Old Man Meng, but this old fox was indeed a difficult character.

Today, the Meng family was welcoming a live-in son-in-law, and many people from the world of術 (shù - esoteric arts) had come to offer their congratulations. Me coming to challenge them was the equivalent of slapping the Meng family in the face.

Old Man Meng stopped our fight when he wanted, and called off the wedding when he wanted, showing no anger at all about me having just killed twenty or thirty experts from the Meng family.

This level of composure alone was enough to make me wary and cautious.

Old Man Meng laughed and said, "I can see that Little Friend Li is a straightforward person, so I won't beat around the bush. Hao Yun, go and get the marriage contract so Little Friend Li can compare it."

Meng Hao Yun produced another copy of the marriage contract. After putting the two together, a line of blood-red characters appeared on the blank space at the bottom of the contract.

*Meng family cancels the engagement: Three generations will not prosper.*

*Li family cancels the engagement: Three shots.*

So, these were the conditions my dad and the Meng family had agreed on? It seemed like my dad had gotten the better deal!

No wonder Meng Hao Yun had to grit his teeth and accept me for the wedding; it turned out they were afraid that the Meng family wouldn't prosper for three generations!

No, my dad must have paid some kind of price to get the Meng family to agree to such harsh conditions.

On the surface, I seemed calm, but in reality, I was suppressing my anger: "I'd like to ask how my dad settled this contract back then?"

Meng Hao Yun said coldly, "Why do you, as a junior, need to inquire so much about the affairs of your elders?"

Old Man Meng's face darkened. "Hao Yun, shut up! I'm talking to Little Friend Li now. You sit over there."

Old Man Meng said bluntly, "Regardless of how the marriage contract was signed back then, this marriage is a transaction. Does Little Friend agree with my assessment?"

I nodded slightly, and Old Man Meng continued, "Since it's a transaction, it's voluntary on both sides. When術士 (shùshì - practitioners of esoteric arts) make agreements, they don't necessarily look at whether it's beneficial, but whether it's worth it."

"Little Friend is only concerned about whether your late father was being forced, but have you ever considered how much the Meng family will have to pay?"

I was left speechless by Old Man Meng's question. Old Liu waved his fan and said, "Why doesn't this old brother talk about what benefits the Meng family received back then?"

"As this old brother said, the contract was voluntary on both sides. However, the Meng family isn't a lone wanderer in the martial world, but a clan."

"If the benefits given by the old master weren't enough, I think even the head of the family wouldn't be able to withstand the criticism of the masses, right?"

Old Man Meng laughed and said, "As expected of a strategist, you've hit the nail on the head. What I mean is, let's not dwell on the past, but only focus on the present. I wonder if you all find that acceptable?"

I nodded and said, "According to the agreement, I will take action three times. What do you want me to do?"

Old Man Meng laughed, "Little Friend has guts, not inferior to Li Chun Feng back then. Like father, like son!"

"My Meng family doesn't have anything that requires Little Friend to take action, but there are three difficult problems in the術 (shù) world of Long Province. Would Little Friend be interested in trying to solve them?"

My face darkened. "What else? Say everything at once."

Old Man Meng said, "I want seventy percent of the treasures behind those three problems. That's not too much to ask, is it?"

"Fifty percent!" I said expressionlessly, "This is because I just killed your Meng family disciples. Otherwise, you wouldn't get a single cent."

"Deal!" Old Man Meng stood up and raised his right hand. I stepped forward and exchanged three palm strikes with him.

Old Man Meng extended a hand and said, "Please, everyone, rest in the guest rooms. The information on the three great problems will be sent over later."

I cupped my fist at Old Man Meng, turned around, and left the reception hall. Old Liu said, "Master, I can't help with this mission, so I won't go with you. I'll stay behind and get close to the old man from the Meng family. What do you think?"

"Are you sure?" I turned to look at Old Liu. "We won't be here, and you'll be staying in the Meng family alone. I'm afraid..."

Old Liu laughed and said, "Master, don't worry, I won't do anything that will put me at a disadvantage. However, if I really cause any trouble for you, don't be angry."

"Be careful!" I didn't ask what the three problems were and agreed immediately. Because I knew that arguing about this was pointless. Even if the three problems were as difficult as ascending to heaven, I had to take them on. This was the only way to break the contract.

After I got the three problems, I couldn't help but frown: "All three problems are deep in the Anling Mountains? That place is known as a forbidden area for術士 (shùshì)."

Although I hadn't been to the Xing'an Mountains, I had heard my master talk about them. In Manchu and Mongolian, they were called the "White Mountains," and were extremely cold. The depths were even more uninhabited.

Over the centuries, countless legends had been left behind, and countless術士 (shùshì) searching for those legends had been swallowed up.

Gradually, the Anling Mountains had become one of the forbidden areas for術士 (shùshì). Unless absolutely necessary, no術士 (shùshì) was willing to set foot in the depths of the Anling Mountains, especially when the mountains were blocked by heavy snow.

Old Liu said, "Master, I think it would be better to postpone this deal until next summer. Going deep into the Xing'an Mountains at this time isn't a wise move."

I pushed the information forward. "All three problems are hidden in the snow. We can't wait until spring, even if we wanted to."

Ye Yang said, "Three great problems: a mountain you can't enter, a ravine you can't escape, and a grave you can't find. Each only has a location, but no detailed information. It seems like you've been set up."