“`
“That’s right, you all hurry along now; this kid alone is enough to take me back,” the Ji family elder said impatiently.
“Big brother, is it really so?!”
Li Xiaoran’s eyes suddenly reddened as he looked at Li Tianzong.
Li Tianzong was silent. He turned to Li Hao and said, “Anyway, it’s just one glance and not seeing would be fine. Being able to see that I have a fine grandson like you, I am already utterly content.”
“Since I am going to fade away sooner or later, I will pass on this strength of mine to you; perhaps it will take you to greater heights!”
Li Hao understood his intention but shook his head slightly: “I have yet to grasp the essence of the Tao, your strength, if given to me, will only enhance the power of my Divine Soul; it cannot help me break through to the next realm.”
An increase in the strength of one’s Divine Soul is indeed a great thing, but for Li Hao, practicing certain Divine Spirit Cultivation Skills could achieve that.
How could he let this old man perish in soul and spirit for something that could be achieved through Cultivation Techniques?
Li Tianzong paused, feeling an urge to cry: “But my dear grandson, I have not given you anything yet, and you almost died for me…”
“You have already given,”
Li Hao looked at him and revealed a hint of a smile, saying, “You have acknowledged my paintings, those pleasures I indulge in when I am not attending to my duties…”
Hearing this, Li Tianzong felt even more sorrowful and said, “How minor those things are! My grandson, with your unparalleled talent, do you not deserve praise?”
Li Hao fell silent for a moment, then smiled again, and said to Li Xiaoran, “Fourth uncle, please take grandfather back; be careful on the road.”
Li Xiaoran, upon hearing that his big brother Li Tianzong was soon to fade away, still felt dazed, somewhat distraught. Coming back to his senses, he said:
“I understand, Hao Er, you must also be careful, and if I don’t see you by the time I get back, I’ll come looking for you!”
“No need for you to come looking; this kid is much stronger than you,” scoffed the Ji Family elder. Being the source of the Mo River’s persistent obsession, he knew everything that had happened inside and was extremely satisfied with Li Hao’s performance.
Such talent, even within their Ji Family, would be considered exceptional.
“Fourth Uncle, farewell.”
Li Hao then bade them goodbye.
“This looks like the border of Great Wilderness Heaven, where Demons abound, and their strength is formidable; you should also be cautious,” Li Xiaoran said.
Li Hao nodded.
“Get moving now, stop dawdling,” the Ji Family elder couldn’t help urging.
Li Xiaoran and Li Tianzong exchanged glances, thinking to themselves that this uncle from their family surely lacked patience.
After some more admonitions, entrusting Li Hao with information about the Great Wilderness Heaven that they knew, the Ji Family elder, upon hearing half of it, interjected:
“I will tell the boy along the way; you all hurry along now!”
Hearing this, the two finally desisted, reasoning that since the other was a powerful member of the Ji Family, he would likely guide Li Hao.
The group bid farewell.
Li Hao, remembering the issue with Heavenly Gate Pass, said to Li Xiaoran, “Fourth uncle, after taking grandfather back, please also take a trip to Heavenly Gate Pass for me; greet my Sword Servant and tell her that I won’t be able to return for now, that she along with my avatar will need to hold the fort at Heavenly Gate Pass.”
He referred to her as the Sword Servant, not mentioning Feng, mainly because he was worried that the other would not accept Feng’s identity.
And once the message reached Ren Qianqian, it would naturally be relayed to Feng, who would understand what he meant.
“Hmm.”
Li Xiaoran nodded, thinking of the rumors he had vaguely heard about Li Hao and Li Tiangang, his expression slightly shifted, but seeing his elder brother still present by his side, immediately restrained himself from any reaction.
After saying their goodbyes, Li Hao watched Li Xiaoran and Li Tianzong leave together. They followed the main path, determined the direction toward the Dayu Divine Dynasty, then flew off.
“We should be on our way, too.”
The Ji Family elder said.
Li Hao gazed longingly one last time, then withdrew his gaze, nodding slightly.
…
…
Li Xiaoran flew in a straight trajectory across the wilderness with Li Tianzong.
Every few hundred li, they would pause to verify their direction.
As they progressed, he finally located their exact position, and couldn’t help but reveal a joyous expression:
“This is the outer boundary of Liangzhou Territory; if we look at that path up ahead, we can just pass by Heavenly Gate Pass on our way back.”
“Heavenly Gate Pass?”
Li Tianzong asked curiously, “I just heard Hao Er mention, is he in command there? Hao is so young; how can he be allowed to start leading troops into battle now? He’s still at the age for cultivation.”
Li Xiaoran laughed somewhat unnaturally and said, “Hao Er is exceptionally gifted, as you’ve seen. The pace of his cultivation is astonishing; starting training early isn’t a bad thing.”
“That’s true. He’s only fifteen outside, yet at that place, by eighteen, he can match the Demon King of the Grand Tao of Peace Realm,”
Li Tianzong’s eyes gleamed continuously as he spoke, showing a mix of excitement and amazement: “To have such a descendant in the Li Family, I can indeed die without regrets!”
Hearing him say the words “die without regrets.”
Li Xiaoran’s face shifted slightly, falling silent as he recalled what Li Hao had just mentioned—that his elder brother would only be able to take one last glance before dissolving into nothing.
His heart soured as he spoke no more, bowing his head to hasten their journey.
“`
Liangzhou, outside Cangya City, hundreds of miles away.
Intense shockwaves erupted, as crimson and azure lights clashed in battle, the spilling force vibrating the ground, the residual heat shattering the rocks, and the divine fire dropped from the fight igniting the forest, setting it ablaze with towering flames.
Bang!
A streak of azure light, like a pagoda, descended heavily, aiming to smash down onto Li Tian Gang’s head.
Li Tian Gang’s eyes emitted a chilling light akin to divine electricity, and with a sudden slash, he cleaved with a divine saber engulfed in burning flames, the overwhelming divine might vibrating as it rang out, deflecting the azure pagoda.
However, he himself took several steps back in succession, his aura erupting, shouting, “Order of all things, fire come!”
Out of nowhere, divine fire materialized in the void, transforming into a fire dragon and pursuing the azure figure.
The azure figure retreated rapidly, but suddenly vanished from in front of the fire dragon as if into thin air.
Before Li Tian Gang could react, a palm pressed down on his chest armor, its force swallowing and erupting, Bang! With that, his body was sent flying and brutally smashed onto a mountain peak.
Li Tian Gang struggled to free himself from the rubble of the mountain, his complexion ugly, his qi and blood churning.
He had long heard of the legendary thief Bu Liuxing, whose movement technique was extremely fast, and even masters of the Ultimate Study Realm found it difficult to track him, truly living up to his reputation.
“If I hadn’t had to escort Hao Er to Heavenly Gate Pass and had been unable to leave, I would have beaten you severely back when you were in the Three Immortal Realms!”
Feng Boping’s figure revealed itself ahead, raising his hand again to launch the azure pagoda, suppressing and locking the fire dragon in place, and spoke lightly.
Li Tian Gang, now in the Fourfold Tao Heart Realm and a True Dragon of the Li Family, may not possess martial arts talent as exceptional as Li Junye, was still top-notch among the nine sons, and outside of the Divine General Mansion, he was considered a peerless genius.
Considering the many contributions the other party had made, Feng Boping did not use his full strength, intending only to teach him a lesson.
“Unfortunately, you will never have that chance again!”
Li Tian Gang’s eyes grew icy as he flicked his Divine Flame Saber, suddenly stepping forward continuously.
This time he took nine steps in one breath, his aura reaching its peak, the emanating momentum comparable to the Defying Fate Realm.
Feng Boping’s expression turned cold, “Do you truly wish to fight for real? Then I shall thoroughly discipline you on behalf of your elders!”
“You are not worthy!”
Li Tian Gang roared furiously, suddenly slashing with the saber, and the void seemed to catch fire, the heat wave swept by the divine saber withering the vegetation on the ground hundreds of feet below.
Guided by the rhyme of the Tao, the light of the saber arrived in an instant, striking down in front of Feng Boping.
Yet, Feng Boping’s figure vanished abruptly, disregarding the lock of the Tao’s rhyme, startling Li Tian Gang.
With a bang, azure light flickered, Feng Boping appearing behind Li Tian Gang like a specter, his self-created Heaven and Earth Traceless Skill utilized to perfection, just one step away from entering the Peerless Technique Realm with that technique.
A palm vibrated as it descended onto Li Tian Gang’s back, but suddenly, as if Li Tian Gang had eyes on the back of his head, a burst of firelight surged out, condensing into the Great Flame Luo Hand, clashing against Feng Boping’s palm.
Caught off guard, Feng Boping’s complexion shifted, his body retreated, and then he flickered out of sight, reappearing two or three miles away.
His palm was charred black, his veins seared, which, despite regenerating, continued to bleed profusely.
The Extreme Flame Intent from the Great Flame Luo Hand burned through his palm into his blood, reaching his heart and lungs, as if he were immersed in boiling water, excruciating pain spreading throughout his entire body.
“Heh, you’ve spent your life stealing, what is your higher realm to me?”
Seeing his opponent wounded and in a tight spot, Li Tian Gang sneered, “I, Li Tian Gang, have fought countless battles. How can you imagine my experience in killing enemies?”
Feng Boping glanced at his charred palm and then fixed his gaze on Li Tian Gang, saying, “Then let’s try again.”
His robes billowed around him, and suddenly his figure disappeared.
Li Tian Gang’s pupils contracted, scanning everywhere, but he lost track of the other’s figure and could not see clearly.
A whistling sound suddenly came from behind.
He sneered slightly, fire converging behind him, but the whistling sound disappeared, only to rush from the side.
Li Tian Gang’s expression remained unchanged; he had anticipated that the attack from behind might be a feint, as the opponent had just been thwarted there. Why would he make the same mistake?
Therefore, the fire behind him was a deception, his aura pervading his entire body, ready to mobilize at any time. When the whistling came from the side, his power burst forth immediately, the Great Flame Luo Hand striking out.
With a resounding bang!
Suddenly, a massive force struck him from behind, reverberating through Li Tian Gang’s body, and penetrating sharp forces felt as though they were cutting into his spine, with the pain so severe it felt like his backbone had been slashed!
He stumbled forward, swinging his hand back in a furious strike.
But the whistling sound had already vanished, and as he turned to strike back, a piercing sound came from in front of him, shaking him once more.
Li Tian Gang spat out blood, his body flying backward, tumbling down the cliff.
But the next moment, he burst out from the riverbed below the cliff, his armor steaming with water vapour ignited by divine flames, angrily looking around.
Soon, on a cluster of fallen leaves atop a treetop, he spotted that calm standing figure.
“Is this the extent of your experience in killing enemies? As for insight into the human heart, I’ve frequented the secret grounds of all the great sects throughout my life, never failing. How can you imagine?”
Feng Boping slightly sneered, returning Li Tian Gang’s words.
Li Tian Gang’s eyes blazed with divine fire, flames rising from his body, and declared, “You’re courting death!”
With a roar, he surged forward, covering nine steps in an instant, his movement technique unleashing extreme speed as he charged towards Feng Boping.
Just then, a dragon’s roar came from afar, with a golden sword light whistling in their direction.
With a loud bang, sword light cleaved down upon the divine sword, casting out showers of sparks.
Li Tian Gang turned his head to look and saw the coming clone of Li Hao, his brows almost shooting upright in anger:
“You beast, how dare you help this wild bandit to kill your father?!”
The dark-faced Li Hao’s expression was cold and unmoved, only his body erupted with a daunting presence, as he controlled the Divine Sword to lock onto his opponent, waiting for a gap to launch his attack at any moment.
“Hao Er, get back here.”
Feng Boping’s expression changed slightly when he saw Li Hao approaching, and he quickly said.
The clone of Li Hao shook his head slightly, “I cannot let you face the invader alone.”
Upon hearing this, Li Tian Gang could not help but burst into laughter, “What an invader!”
In the midst of talking, his divine flame surged even more vigorously, like a god in fire, he stepped toward Li Hao:
“I have tried to be good to you time and again, tried to make amends, but you have disappointed me repeatedly. You really are too disappointing!!”
Feng Boping, seeing the momentum, couldn’t help but step forward and angrily shouted:
“Li Tian Gang, what are you trying to do? Do you want to annihilate Hao Er’s clone? If his clone causes a great battle here, should anything happen to his original body, you will regret it!”
Li Tian Gang’s angry face faltered slightly, and his stepping forward halted.
His face turned ugly, and anger surged through his body, but he held it back.
There are many kinds of Martial Arts clones; some can live independently but are very weak in combat, sharing memories and merging with the original.
Some share the same field of vision with the original, acting as sentinels; others are constantly connected through bloodline, affecting each other.
There are even Demon clones that share a life with the original; these clones are very strong in combat, but if the clone dies, the original suffers heavy damage or may even die with it!
Which kind of clone Li Hao has, Li Tian Gang still couldn’t judge at the moment.
Seeing that Li Tian Gang still had some rationality, Feng Boping also let out a sigh of relief and immediately told Li Hao, “Hao Er, listen to me and go back.”
“I cannot leave.”
The clone of Li Hao shook his head.
Li Tian Gang, hearing this, almost wanted to laugh out of anger, “As a divine general of the Li Family, you collude with thieves and protect them so, you are truly a good son of mine!”
Feng Boping angrily retorted, “Shut up, Hao Er has not been your son for a long time, have you forgotten the three-year agreement when he left the Li Family? What right do you have to criticize him!”
“This is a matter for the Li Family, had it not been for you protecting Hao once, I would have dealt with you severely already!”
Li Tian Gang looked at him coldly, “If you interfere with Divine General Mansion affairs again, you will not have a good end!”
“I will handle Hao Er’s business, and if you don’t accept it, I will continue to teach you until you do!”
Feng Boping said with an angry face.
Li Tian Gang’s eyes suddenly turned cold, about to say something when suddenly a whooshing sound came rushing from the distant horizon.
The sound was incredibly loud, causing all three to turn their heads to look.
They saw a figure in a dark long robe flying towards them.
“It’s indeed you guys.”
As the figure flew in and saw Feng Boping and Li Tian Gang, his expression changed slightly.
Feng Boping, seeing the figure, was also taken aback, but his body relaxed, and he said with a cold face, “You still know to come here. Deal with your nephew yourself!”
In the midst of talking, he protected the clone of Li Hao behind him, withdrew a step, and moved away from Li Tian Gang’s side.
Li Tian Gang, seeing the figure’s approach, couldn’t help but freeze and changed his expression, “Uncle, how come you are here, the Divine General Mansion…”
“Hao Er?”
Li Muxiu however directly interrupted him, looking dumbfoundedly at the clone of Li Hao protected by Feng Boping behind him, his face quickly becoming agitated:
“When did Hao Er escape danger? Wasn’t he at the Mo River? What about the fourth brother?”
Feng Boping sneered, “He hasn’t escaped danger yet; this is just Hao Er’s clone.”
Li Muxiu was slightly taken aback, hearing the word “clone,” it was as if a bucket of cold water was poured over his head, cooling down his once excited heart.
He looked at Li Tian Gang, then swept his eyes around, and his face grew uglier, “I sensed your auras from a distance, what’s going on here?”
Li Tian Gang looked at him, then glanced at Feng Boping, narrowing his eyes, “Uncle, it seems you know this Divine Thief?”
From Feng Boping’s attitude, he had deduced the two knew each other.
Considering Li Hao was still a child, knowing the Divine Thief was strange unless the thief had approached him with ulterior motives.
But if Uncle was the one who introduced them, it seemed to make more sense.
Li Muxiu’s face changed slightly, knowing Li Tian Gang’s temperament, he sighed silently and nodded, “Indeed, your Uncle Feng and I have known each other for many years. What’s going on here? Were you fighting?”
Li Tian Gang, upon confirmation from his uncle’s mouth, only felt a surge of anger rush to the top of his head, gritting his teeth, he said:
“Uncle, I respect you as my father’s brother, as my uncle! They say you were reckless in your youth, but are you still so reckless now that you’re older?!”
Li Muxiu’s face turned, saying, “How dare you speak to me like that! Our private relationships have never affected the Divine General Mansion. Is it your turn to teach me what to do?”
“I don’t care about other things you do, in these years, you’ve guarded the Divine General Mansion and contributed to the family; I have seen it all. But to actually make friends with a thief!”
Li Tian Gang was so angry that he clenched his fists, “And to lead Hao Er astray, corrupting him, Uncle, how could you be so muddle-headed?!”
Li Muxiu exploded in anger, “Li Tian Gang! I need to tell you once more, he’s not a thief. A thief steals for himself, a great thief helps the world. Your Uncle Feng’s conduct deserves the title of ‘Saint’!
“As for the accusation of leading Hao Er astray, it’s completely baseless. Hao Er is exceptional; the person who really hurt him is you!”
“Are you saying he robs the rich to aid the poor?”
Li Tian Gang sneered, “Don’t talk to me about ‘Uncle Feng.’ There are many ways to save the world, like slaying demons, enlisting in the army, defending the borders. Aren’t all of these services to the country and its people? Yet he specifically chose to steal!”
Feng Boping coldly retorted, “That’s right, Li, don’t call me ‘uncle’ anymore. I’m not worthy of being an uncle to the True Dragons of the Li Family!”
Li Muxiu knew his old friend was upset. Seeing Li Tian Gang’s sneering demeanor, he couldn’t help but heave a long sigh and said,
“Tiangang, you’ve trained in martial arts since your childhood, and later led troops in battles. You have too little exposure to the Jianghu and too much to the temples of power. You don’t understand the helplessness behind the world’s feuds and resentments. If one could be openly chivalrous, who wouldn’t want to leave behind a good name?”
“The world’s suffering is endless; you can’t experience it all, but you should understand it, rather than looking down with cold eyes from your temple high above.”
Li Tian Gang replied indifferently, “Considering that he protected Hao Er in the past, I can spare him. But he must never come close to Hao Er again. You should know, if others find out that our Divine General Mansion is in collusion with the Thief Saint, how will it look to other Divine General Mansions and to His Majesty?”
Li Muxiu remained silent.
He naturally knew this, and that’s why he only associated with Feng Boping in private.
At first, they were unaware of each other’s identities, enjoyed each others company immensely, and became friends. After revealing their true selves, they realized who the other was.
But by then, how could they completely break off their relationship just because of their identities?
Despite many reluctances and worries, their friendship didn’t wane but instead grew deeper over the years.
Hearing Li Tian Gang’s words now, Li Muxiu sighed deeply. As a child who was not favored, he harbored resentment, thinking how much better life would be if he were not part of the Divine General Mansion. Now, he found himself somewhat wishing for that again.
However, he now bore too much responsibility and was no longer the spirited youth who could gallop across the Jianghu, recklessly roaming everywhere without a care.
“Only you know about my relationship with Feng, and if you don’t speak of it, no one will know,” Li Muxiu said.
Li Tian Gang sneered, “Uncle, you should know that paper can’t contain fire.”
Li Muxiu took a deep breath and slowly said, “Let’s not talk about this now. I came here intending to go to Dragon City Mo River to retrieve Hao Er. Passing by Heavenly Gate Pass, I thought to have a look here first. How did you end up fighting? What about on the Dragon City Mo River side? Bringing Hao Er back safely is the priority.”
Li Tian Gang said, “I was about to ask you. Have you checked the situation in Qingzhou before you left? Was your departure secretive? You should know how dangerous Qingzhou would be if people knew you were gone!”
“You can trust me to take care of things,” Li Muxiu said.
“How is Hao Er?” Li Muxiu asked.
Li Tian Gang slightly sneered. He indeed used to be confident, but ever since returning from Northern Yan and witnessing all the family affairs, he had become increasingly concerned.
“Hao Er has his fourth uncle looking after him there; he should be fine,” Li Tian Gang said. “Unless there are other variables, the situation is currently unclear. I came to the Heavenly Gate Pass to inquire through his avatar, but instead, I stumbled upon this great secret!”
As he said this, anger surged in his eyes again.
Li Muxiu no longer paid attention to him and instead turned his head to look at Li Hao’s avatar. His gaze softened as he asked,
“Hao Er, can you sense your original self in the Mo River?”
The dark side of Li Hao shook his head slightly, “I can’t sense it.”
“Is it because of the Mo River or something inherent within you?”
Li Muxiu quickly pressed for more details.
The dark side of Li Hao explained everything meticulously.
Seeing how forthright Li Hao was in front of Li Muxiu, answering all his questions, Li Tian Gang’s face darkened with a complex feeling that made him both uncomfortable and angry.
I’m your father!
It was not long before Li Muxiu had asked all he wished to know and found that the avatar was unaware of Li Hao’s true situation.
However, through the avatar, he learned that Li Hao’s combat strength was extremely strong, no less than that of a Demon King of the Ultimate Study Realm, and, using the special methods the avatar spoke of, could even reach the limits of the Ultimate Study Realm.
In addition, Li Tian Gang asked Li Muxiu to inquire about the matter of the war flag, and upon Li Muxiu’s questioning, the avatar pondered and then communicated the information to him via mental transmission.
Seeing that Li Hao had intentionally avoided him, Li Tian Gang’s expression turned ugly once again.
But all he could do was ask Li Muxiu via mental transmission, and when he learned that the war flag was indeed personally crafted by Li Hao, Li Tian Gang was struck by a wave of shock in his heart, followed by ecstasy.
This talent that Li Hao possessed was nothing short of a gift from the heavens!
Once Li Hao returned, if he could make full use of this talent, its impact could even surpass the significance of his own martial arts.
After all, no matter how strong one’s martial arts are, by reaching the Grand Tao of Peace Realm, one can only protect a single state, but if such war flags could be mass-produced, they could shelter the entire Dayu Divine Dynasty!
“With Hao Er possessing such strength, along with the fourth child, as long as no unexpected events arise within Mo River, there should be no issues…”
After Li Muxiu gathered intelligence from the avatar, his tense emotions settled slightly.
But without seeing Li Hao’s true body, he still could not relax completely.
“Second Uncle, let’s go to Dragon City Mo River now,” said Li Tian Gang to Li Muxiu, “but you need to hide first to prevent your exposure on the battlefield, which might lead demons to shift their attack to Qingzhou and strike the Divine General Mansion, causing a disaster.”
“I am well aware of that,” Li Muxiu said.
Li Tian Gang glanced at Feng Boping beside him and then said, “Additionally, there is one more thing, you must sever ties with this man!”
“Hmm?”
Li Muxiu’s expression changed slightly; however, Feng Boping merely frowned slightly and did not speak, instead giving Li Muxiu a quiet look, as if waiting for his decision.
If the other party chose to break away for the sake of the Divine General Mansion, he would not blame him.
After all, when they first discovered each other’s identities, he had vaguely anticipated such a scene.
His own identity was, after all, not on par with the Divine General Mansion.
“Tiangang, this is a personal matter of mine, don’t interfere!” Li Muxiu said coldly to Li Tian Gang without looking at his old friend’s face.
Li Tian Gang responded with a cold face, “Second Uncle, you should know the consequences if something happens. This is not your private matter, but something that concerns the entire Li Family. Do you want the ancestors of the Li Family to be shamed because of this?!”
Li Muxiu’s face changed slightly, looking a bit unsightly.
“I have known Feng for six decades, and I understand his character,” said Li Muxiu.
But before he could finish, he was interrupted by Li Tian Gang, who said:
“I don’t want to discuss his character with you. All I know is that once he gets involved with our Li Family, it will be bad for both parties! So what if he’s a good person? I can listen to your explanation, but can the world?”
Li Muxiu’s expression kept changing; he knew this point, naturally. His explanation was just an attempt to sidestep the issue.
“Li, if it really doesn’t work out, let’s stop associating with each other in the future. Even living in different worlds, we can still enjoy the sun and the moon,” said Feng Boping at this point.
He knew the consequences once his identity was revealed and did not wish to put Li Muxiu in a difficult position.
Li Muxiu’s body trembled slightly, and turning to look at his old friend, his eyes filled with sadness, he bowed his head and slowly shook it, saying:
“I have severed enough ties. I don’t wish to sever anymore!”
Hearing Li Muxiu’s words, Li Tian Gang couldn’t help but change his expression and immediately called out:
“Second Uncle!”
Li Muxiu lifted his head, gazing deeply at him, and said:
“He is my good friend, and even in front of His Majesty, I would say the same. My friendship with him is pure and transparent; I have never asked him to do anything for the Li Family, nor has he done anything for our Li Family!”
As he spoke, he seemed to recall something, paused for a moment, and his face turned slightly unsightly:
“Except that I entrusted him to take care of Hao Er… but that’s your child…”
Feng Boping interrupted, “Taking care of Hao Er was my own volition, it has nothing to do with whether you entrusted me or not. If you hadn’t said anything, would I have neglected Hao Er? Just for the seven-year fish Hao Er cooked for me, I would protect him for life!”
Li Tian Gang’s eyes narrowed slightly, seven years?
That means Li Hao has been in contact with this “Saint of Thieves” for seven years already.
Thinking of the Second Uncle’s predilections, he immediately figured out the general situation and sighed inwardly.
It seems Hao Er has been influenced since childhood.
“Keeping Hao Er at home was my greatest mistake and what I regret the most.”
Li Tian Gang took a deep breath and said to Li Muxiu, “Second Uncle, I won’t pursue the matter of your influence on Hao Er, but now, I, in the name of the True Dragon, demand that you sever all ties with him, with no further contact!”
Li Muxiu’s face changed, and he looked at him with a mix of shock and anger, “You want to command me in the name of the True Dragon?!”
“That’s right.”
Li Tian Gang’s expression was cold and serious, restraining the anger in his heart:
“Second Uncle, don’t forget what blood flows through our veins and the surname we carry! Even though my father is no longer here to restrain you, the thousand-year-old family rules of the Li Family have been passed down through generations. Do you also intend to defy them?”
Li Muxiu looked at him with a mix of shock and anger, but in the end, his eyes were filled with disappointment.
He closed his eyes, and after a long while, reopened them; his gaze was filled with indescribable agony and time-worn sorrow as he said in a low voice:
“I’ve led a wayward life in my earlier years and have done many wrong things. I’m sorry to your father, for leaving him to guard the lonely city alone. I won’t break the rules anymore, my life was given by the Li Family, and I will let it burn out for the Li Family…”
His body trembled slightly as he slowly turned around to look at Feng Boping.
As they gazed at each other, Li Muxiu’s eyes brimmed with tears of blood: “Old Feng…”
Feng Boping’s body trembled slightly, but his face slowly cracked a smile, and he said:
“Old Li, how can you cry at such an old age? Haven’t I said before, even if we’re worlds apart, we can still share the sun and moon. Gatherings and partings are not up to us. Both of us are old enough to accept our fates, just accept it…”
Li Muxiu’s fists clenched tightly, his whole body shaking. His fist, strong and forceful, was known as the fist of a saint; yet it couldn’t shatter the shackles of blood nor break the bindings within his heart.
Half a step invincible, yet not truly invincible after all.
That half step taken could never be retracted.
“Second Uncle, this is for the best for both of you. Don’t blame me, Li Tian Gang, for being heartless,”
Li Tian Gang said solemnly.
Li Muxiu’s silhouette was filled with vicissitudes; he said nothing, only silence.
Feng Boping gave Li Muxiu a smile, and then glanced at Li Hao’s alter ego, his eyes filled with regret, and said: “But I promised Hao Er to guard Heavenly Gate Pass for three years…”
“Not necessary!”
Li Tian Gang looked at him, his face not so good-humored, and said coldly, “If you truly care about Hao Er, you should know that your notorious reputation, constantly being involved with Hao Er, will only burden him!”
“Do you want to ruin him? In the future, he is to inherit the Li Family’s True Dragon and shine brilliantly. If people find out about his association with you, what kind of gossip will that stir?”
Feng Boping’s cheeks twitched slightly, wanting to retort, but as the words reached his lips, he only chuckled softly:
“That’s true, I’m just a solitary traveler in this world, incomparable to the illustrious Divine General Mansion; I’m not worthy to reach so high…”
He self-mockingly shook his head and looked at Li Hao’s alter ego, whispering, “Hao Er has grown up and doesn’t need someone to look after him anymore. If he can return from the Mo River, no one would dare invade Heavenly Gate Pass. Even if someone did come, this old man is probably of no use, as that would certainly be the existence of a Grand Tao of Peace Realm…”
He talked to himself, then smiled again, looking at the dark side of Li Hao with a kind and tender gaze:
“Child, from now on, you will have to walk your path alone.”
“Snow and wind, I can only accompany you this far.”
The dark side of Li Hao looked at him blankly, wanting to speak, yet not knowing what to say. In the end, he only said two words: “Don’t go…”
Feng Boping’s lips trembled slightly, but he just smiled, then turned around to look at the vast and boundless world, took a glance around and looked towards the direction of Cangya City.
His eyes flickered for a moment, he said nothing, just suddenly stepped forward and disappeared into thin air.
Heaven and Earth Traceless Skill, if he wished to leave, no one could keep him.
He invented this Cultivation Technique, and with his Martial Arts, he could perform it to the utmost limit.
A breeze swept by, lifting the corner of Li Muxiu’s robe like a gentle hand, fluttering it, before it fell back down.
Li Muxiu was as silent as a stone, without a single sound.
Li Tian Gang glanced at him, understanding his Second Uncle’s discomfort, and said softly, “Second Uncle, we should head to Dragon City Mo River now. I’ll go ahead and check on the situation there…”
Li Muxiu did not respond.
But from afar, a sudden whooshing sound came, accompanied by a voice filled with surprise:
“Second Brother, Tian Gang?!”
Hearing this voice, both of them trembled, and even Li Muxiu sharply lifted his head to look in the direction of the voice.
