274: Chapter 54 Setting the Stage for Reasoning

"Are you two convinced?"

Hearing this, Yao Bodang and Sima Lin showed bitter smiles, feeling a sourness in their hearts, then said in unison: "Completely convinced."

Two against one, and in a single exchange, they were acupoint-sealed, falling into a situation where they were at his mercy.

The gap between them was too vast; it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say it was like the difference between clouds and mud. They couldn't help but be convinced.

At the same time, both men completely believed that their Junior Brother and father were not killed by Meng Li.

They knew their own affairs well. Whether it was Yao Bodang regarding his Junior Brother or Sima Lin regarding his father, they had a clear understanding, knowing that their Martial Arts had some differences from their own, but not by much.

In this situation, if they faced Meng Li, the outcome would be no different.

If they became fish on a chopping block in a single exchange, then the opponent had many ways to kill them; there was no need to use a family's unique skill and leave behind a hidden danger.

Seeing that the two were truly convinced, Meng Li extended a finger and continuously tapped from a distance, unsealing their acupoints.

As soon as their acupoints were unsealed, Yao Bodang and Sima Lin retracted their stances, then simultaneously cupped their fists towards Meng Li.

Yao Bodang said: "Young Master Murong, I have been very presumptuous; please forgive me."

Sima Lin: "Young Master's Martial Arts are supremely excellent; Sima Lin is completely convinced. After returning, I will certainly explain the matter clearly to others."

Meng Li politely said: "No matter, I appreciate your trouble."

Immediately after, the two exchanged a few more polite words and then took their leave.

After they left, Meng Li called over a servant and told him to summon Bao Butong and Feng Boe.

Having witnessed the standard of Yao Bodang and Sima Lin, Meng Li felt increasingly confident in his plan for dealing with Jianghu people coming to demand an explanation, and he decided to put it into action.

The plan was simple, just two words—reason!

The first batch of people demanding an explanation had already arrived, and if nothing unexpected happened, more would come consecutively.

Meng Li couldn't possibly meet and reason with each of them individually.

He planned to erect two stages at the entrance of Canhe Village, with Bao Butong and Feng Boe stationed there. Anyone who came to demand an explanation because their relatives or friends died from his Martial Arts Moves would be dealt with by them.

Bao Butong would be responsible for reasoning with words, and Feng Boe would be responsible for reasoning with fists.

This could be considered a professional match.

Bao Butong was a contrarian who usually loved to argue and confront people; he would certainly be happy with the task of debating with others.

At the same time, his habit of being sharp-tongued had improved considerably under Meng Li's strict orders, not as annoying as in the original plot, so Meng Li didn't have to worry about it being counterproductive.

Feng Boe was a fighting enthusiast; he would definitely not miss such an opportunity to fight.

His Martial Arts were already not bad; in the original plot, he could fight evenly with a Beggars Sect Elder. Now, after Meng Li's enhancement, only Qiao Feng from the Beggars Sect could probably defeat him.

As for Qiao Feng...

Meng Li vaguely remembered that according to the original plot's development, when people came to Canhe Village to demand an explanation, Kang Min and Quan Guanqing's scheme against Qiao Feng had already begun.

In such circumstances, whether Qiao Feng would first be forced to resign and leave, or come to ask for answers, was still up in the air.

If it was the former, Qiao Feng, having left the Beggars Sect and being embroiled in trouble, would naturally not specifically come to deal with Ma Dayuan's matter.

If Qiao Feng didn't come, Bao Butong and Feng Boe would be sufficient to handle the situation.

If it was the latter, Meng Li wasn't worried either.

This version of Qiao Feng didn't have background music when fighting, so he wasn't invincible on a conceptual level.

If he dared to come, Meng Li could Just right use him to test Shifting Stars.

Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms, he, Meng, also understood a thing or two.

Not long after this series of thoughts settled, Bao Butong and Feng Boe arrived.

Meng Li explained the arrangements, and the two readily agreed, patting their chests and guaranteeing that they would guard the pass well and never let those small fries disturb him.

With the matter settled, Bao Butong and Feng Boe went to gather people to erect the stages.

Meng Li, meanwhile, returned to the estate.

As soon as he entered the garden, Wang Yuyan, A Bi, A Zi, and others gathered around to ask questions.

"Cousin, how is the situation?"

"Young Master Master, are there many people who came?"

...

Meng Li raised his hand, stopping their barrage of questions, then briefly explained his response and arrangements.

Wang Yuyan and the others found it curious.

They had originally thought that if people came to demand an explanation, the situation would inevitably involve the visitors being aggressive, while their side would explain and debate clearly.

That was indeed the case.

However, Meng Li's operation of setting up stages for people to guard the pass was very much like a Martial Arts arena challenge, giving a sense of inviting people to battle.

In short, it was turning passive into active, and could even be called waiting for a rabbit by a tree stump.

In any case, Wang Yuyan and the others found it quite novel.

A Zi, being the most playful, immediately said after Meng Li finished speaking: "Young Master Master, if too many people come, Third Brother Bao and Fourth Brother Feng will definitely be too busy. How about I go help then?"

Meng Li knew at once that she wanted to join the fun. After a moment's thought, he nodded in agreement: "Alright, but no mischief."

"I promise not to cause trouble!" A Zi immediately beamed with joy, patting her conscience, which had grown considerably under Meng Li's personal development, to make her guarantee.

After speaking, she ran behind Meng Li and diligently massaged his shoulders.

Wang Yuyan thought for a moment and said: "Cousin, I think your arrangements could still be adjusted."

"Oh? How would you adjust them?"

...

The next day.

A group of Jianghu people came to demand answers.

Before they even reached the entrance of Canhe Village, they saw two tall stages with flags erected. On one flag was written "Wen Li Tai" (Literary Reason Stage), and on the other flag was written "Wu Li Tai" (Martial Reason Stage).

Bao Butong and Feng Boe were seated beneath the two flags respectively.

Next to Bao Butong stood a wooden sign with a notice posted on it.

"Is this Canhe Village? We didn't come to the wrong place, did we?"

The leader, seeing this scene, asked his companions next to him.

No other reason, this situation was simply too strange; no one would erect two flag-bearing tall stages at their doorstep for no reason.

His companion replied: "No, the plaque says Canhe Village."

"This situation seems a bit off."

"Let's go ask."

As soon as the group stepped forward, Bao Butong stood up and said: "Are you here to demand an explanation from the Murong Family because relatives or friends died from one of your Martial Arts Moves?"

Those people were momentarily stunned.

Then, the leader said: "Indeed, may I ask who Your Excellency is?"

Bao Butong didn't respond, but instead pointed to the notice next to him and said: "Before demanding an explanation, read the content above."

Those people were puzzled, but still looked at the notice as instructed.

Since they were already here, a little more time wouldn't hurt.

As a result, after reading it, their expressions all turned strange.

The content of the notice was not complicated; it simply informed those coming to demand an explanation that too many people had recently come to the Murong Family, and the Master of the Murong Family was too busy to meet everyone.

Therefore, those who wished to demand an explanation should first check the situation according to the explanation on the notice and ask themselves honestly.

The explanation on the notice was largely what Meng Li had told Yao Bodang and Sima Lin yesterday.

If they found it reasonable, then the explanation was already given, and there was no need to demand further; they could go about their business.

If they disagreed with the explanation on the notice, they could discuss it with Bao Butong.

If they were still not convinced after debating with Bao Butong, they could go onto the stage and spar with Feng Boe.

Only if they defeated Feng Boe would Meng Li come out to meet them.

This was the adjustment Wang Yuyan mentioned, a set process that clearly arranged these people demanding an explanation.

After reading the notice, those people fell silent.

They had come aggressively to demand an explanation for the deaths of their relatives and friends, but now they had to pass challenges—this...

Everyone felt absurd, and at the same time, a little stifled.

Among them, a hot-tempered person, unable to bear it, disregarded the explanation and directly leaped onto the Martial Reason Stage.

"I am Zhou Shitian of the Flowing Cloud Blade. I am not good with words, so I might as well discuss martial reason with Your Excellency."

"Please enlighten me!"

...