The notification had continued from the afternoon into the evening, and at night, the city was once again lit up with countless lights.
On the streets, quite a few bold individuals took the lead to stroll around, attracting more people to leave their homes, and gradually the streets bustled again.
In various taverns and teahouses, business quickly resumed, and those with a little money flocked to these lively places to gather and gossip about the news.
Those without money found cool spots in alleys and courtyards to keep company, clustering in groups to discuss events heard that day, occasionally slapping mosquito bites with their palm leaf fans.
And the topic everyone talked about was the city-shaking call, the scale of this demon threat, and the names heard during the slaying of those Demon Kings.
“Have you heard? The demons were directly calling out to Haotian, do you know who Haotian is? That’s right, it’s that one from Liangzhou, the lone star that calmed the entire demon chaos in Liangzhou!”
“Truly a blessing from Dayu, a Heavenly General has descended, born out of nowhere, it’s just a pity that we haven’t seen his true face.”
“He must be sixteen now, right? Ennobled as a Duke, offered the position of Commander-in-Chief, tsk tsk, such fame once in a thousand years, I doubt anyone can surpass that again!”
“Is that Haotian General the one from the Li Family?”
“Haotian General is Haotian General, the Li Family’s guy, isn’t he dead already?”
“That’s right, not long ago the Li Family had a funeral, although it was low-key, I saw it with my own eyes—the Li Mansion had white mourning banners hung up.”
“Is that so? Then it seems I remembered wrong, what a pity for that Li Family’s prodigy, truly a dragon amongst men.”
“Aren’t they the same person? Could the Li Family have made a mistake?”
“You’re joking, could the Divine General Mansion make a mistake?”
“But I’ve never heard of that Haotian General’s background…”
Everywhere on the streets and in the taverns people were talking, some of the older folks still remembered some details, but many of the younger generation had only intermittent knowledge of these celebrities, busy with their own tough jobs on a daily basis, who has the time to keep track every day? Thus, many pieces of information were confused, and gradually, when people discussed the Haotian General, they went on to talk about Liangzhou as well.
And so less and less was mentioned about the Li Family.
In the Cloud Pavilion, Li Hao sat waiting quietly for old friends who had received invitations to arrive. With his exceptional hearing, he naturally overheard many discussions around him, but now, it seemed many had truly forgotten his former family name.
The river of time seemed to bury everything, smoothing all to a roundness.
Li Hao poured and sipped his drink alone, looking at the myriad lights outside the window, the night was so beautiful.
Meanwhile, at Tan Palace Academy and in the various courts of the Divine General Mansion, invitations were being delivered; He Jianlan and others, upon receiving them, sighed slightly again, but had already contained their emotions quite a bit and headed for the banquet with their invitations.
As people gradually left each court, the rooms became empty and deserted. In the end, only the Mountain and River Courtyard remained brightly lit.
At the dining table, Li Tian Gang and Ji Qingqing looked at the full spread of dishes but seemed to have lost their appetites.
Both were lost in thought.
When they heard movement outside the courtyard, they extended their Perceptive Power only to discover a series of carriages speeding out of the Divine General Mansion.
The breaths within those carriages were those of the ladies of the various courts, including He Jianlan. Discover hidden content at empire
The expressions of Li Tian Gang and Ji Qingqing grew difficult, as they glanced occasionally towards the courtyard entrance, where no one entered, no one announced anything.
Apart from Feiyun Court’s Wang Xiangru, the other courts had all received invitations, and now, only they had yet to receive any.
The child evidently had no intention of inviting them.
At the entrance, Steward Zhao stooped, watching the frequent gazes towards the outside from within the hall, his eyes dull with sorrow, letting out a deep sigh in his heart.
If only it had been known, why bother in the first place… he lowered his head, simply looking at his toes, feeling his shoes were somewhat worn.
The chilly moonlight shifted, and the night grew even more tranquil.
The noise of carriages and horses outside the courtyard had also vanished; evidently, all the invitations had been issued, and the banquet had likely already begun.
Li Tian Gang’s face turned ugly. He picked up the chopsticks from the table and roughly stirred the food in front of him, saying:
“Eat, don’t wait anymore. Everyone else is gone. After you eat, go check on the situation with the demons outside the city. I will visit our ancestor and also deal with the affairs of the other cities. We cannot falter!”
Ji Qingqing, however, stared blankly at the food, motionless as if in a daze.
Li Tian Gang shuffled a couple of bites, but couldn’t eat anymore, and placed his bowl and chopsticks heavily on the table. Grinding his teeth, he said:
“He severed his bloodline, but little does he know that without our bloodline, his talent will be greatly diminished. Though he is strong now, this decision will lead to him never being able to comprehend the ‘Way’. Even if, by chance, he does comprehend it, he will have reached his limit!”
“He had the makings of an ‘Ask Sage’, an existence that could have led to the Saint Realm, eternal and undying. He has ruined his own exceptional talents; he doesn’t love himself enough!”
Ji Qingqing’s eyes trembled slightly, and she said with sadness, “Even so, he is still excellent, and it is because of us that he…”
Upon hearing this, Li Tian Gang’s face twitched. He was well aware of this.
But there was grief and anger in his heart with no outlet for release.
“He has gone too far, he will regret this eventually!”
He said, clenching his fists, and then he rose from his seat and left the hall.
Night quietly crept over the tree tops.
The moon was full and round.
Meanwhile, in the Cloud Pavilion, Li Hao was drinking with the others, and the sound of laughter was unceasing.
He Jianlan, Li Muxiu, and others who had come here had given up on trying to persuade Li Hao and were simply eating, drinking, and making merry together.
When the conversation was heartfelt and spirits were high, they still couldn’t help wanting to say a few words of persuasion, but as soon as they started, Li Hao would smilingly interrupt.
Clearly, for everyone, getting used to the fact that Li Hao had completely severed ties with the Divine General Mansion was going to take some time.
At the banquet, disciples from the Tan Palace Academy also came up to Li Hao, taking turns toasting and offering thanks. Li Hao, realizing that the two princes were no longer among them, inquired and learned that they had completed their deep studies and were taken back to the Imperial Capital.
Obviously, the two princes’ visit to the Tan Palace Academy was, as everyone had guessed, solely a means to form connections and accumulate capital.
Li Hao still remembered the prince who was fond of poetry and felt a slight regret for not seeing him this time.
Amidst toasts and laughter, it wasn’t until late into the night that the gathering dispersed.
Li Hao then found an inn and settled down for a brief rest.
The next day.
Having had a rare good night’s sleep, Li Hao felt refreshed. Last night, Li Muxiu mentioned that the Li Family had already sent people with his war banner and the heads of those Demon Kings, escorted by elite light cavalry, to reinforce the various cities of Qingzhou.
The rest of the large army would follow shortly.
With the pressure from the demons outside Qingzhou City gone, the abundant military power that had been defending inside the city could now launch a full-scale offensive toward the battlefield.
The bloodline descendants of the Li Family who were called back by the ancestral blood also rushed to various battlefronts, joining the Li Family’s large army on the campaign to recover lost territories of Qingzhou.
Li Hao shook his head slightly — he had drunk too much the previous night and hadn’t deliberately used his body to purify the alcohol, leaving him with a slight headache.
But he quickly regained clarity.
With increased strength, it seemed he didn’t get drunk as easily anymore.
Unless, it was some specially brewed liquor.
Li Hao rose, packed quickly, and set off with Candle Flame God and Xiyan to the Divine General Mansion of the Li family.
This time, he was there to retrieve his official appointment decree and the official seal among other items.
Having heard from the old master that the couple was unwilling to hand them over, he had no choice but to retrieve them personally.
Standing once again in front of the majestic Divine General Mansion, Li Hao slightly lifted his head, glancing at the large, gold-embossed characters; memories of the past flitted by, but eventually, they all gradually sank to the bottom of his heart. Experience more tales on empire
Upon hearing of Li Hao’s arrival, the Divine General Mansion was immediately abuzz, with He Jianlan and others personally coming to the door to welcome him.
Li Hao explained his reasons, and the faint tension and anticipation in the hearts of He Jianlan and the others quickly dissipated sadly.
He Jianlan invited Li Hao to the Eternal Spring Court as if receiving a distinguished guest, with her own pale, graceful hands brewing tea for Li Hao, before immediately sending someone to notify Li Tian Gang at the Mountain and River Courtyard to bring Li Hao’s belongings.
With the news of Li Hao’s visit, other ladies of the mansion also rushed over, knowing that this young man’s visit today might mean a separation for a long while, perhaps even many years…
The usually serene Eternal Spring Court suddenly became lively.
The message reached the Mountain and River Courtyard, where Li Tian Gang, having knelt in the ancestral hall all night, had just returned.
Last night, he intended to visit his ancestors and then inspect the military situation around Qingzhou, but once he entered the ancestral hall, he did not leave.
Facing interrogation from his ancestors, he dared not conceal anything, reporting everything truthfully.
He did not defend himself, but instead narrated objectively, aware that he indeed was at fault, his face filled with sorrow and regret.
The Heroic Spirits of the many Li family ancestors, having heard everything, were shocked, enraged, and ultimately, desolate.
They found it hard to believe that such a monstrously talented scion of the Li family was actually forced out by his own parents.
In the pitch-black night, waves of angry roars were blocked outside the ancestral hall gate.
The sounds of indignant scolding, filled with pain and fury, were all hidden beneath the night.
Only Li Qingzheng, sitting outside the ancestral hall, heard everything; leaning on the peach tree that had just blossomed in the plaza outside the ancestral hall, peach petals falling around him, with several jars of wine brought from the Cloud Pavilion beside him.
He drank alone.
The curses of his many ancestors in the hall behind him, he heard them all clearly, but he felt no relief; his emotions were as still as the surface of a deathly still lake.
He simply gazed at the moon, observing the glow of the mansion’s many lights under its illumination, the warm lamplight stark against the darkness.
With lights abound, yet the most cherished one was missing.
The alcohol poured into his mouth, but tears slowly seeped from his eyes.
At this moment, Li Tian Gang, who had just returned to the Mountain and River Courtyard, dragging his tired body, saw his wife still sitting in the hall, looking as if she had not slept all night and appeared haggard, his heart ached once again.
But before he could sit, he received the news from Eternal Spring Court.
Knowing that Li Hao had arrived, a joyful feeling surged in his heart, but knowing that the other party had come to retrieve the official seal and decree, the joy climbing inside him was doused with cold water, tearing through him with waves of pain.
He went directly to the Eternal Spring Court.
And Ji Qingqing, upon hearing the news, her numb and empty eyes startled back to reality, dry eyes suddenly brimmed with tears.
She quickly rose and soared directly towards the Eternal Spring Court.
In the Eternal Spring Court, Li Yuanzhao and Li Wushuang, among others who heard the news, rapidly gathered, watching the young man surrounded by elders; the scene seemed similar to usual, only filled with more eagerness.
Li Hao chatted and laughed with He Jianlan and others, they inquired about his future plans.
Li Hao simply smiled and said, he planned to look around, to wander, see the mountains, see the landscapes of different places.
Since he had come to this world, naturally, he had to look around and see if the world could satisfy him.
Hearing Li Hao’s words, Li Xiaoran sitting under another eave, his lips tinted with a bitter smile.
If that young man were still a member of the Li family, upon hearing such words, he would only feel nostalgic, remembering how he too once, in his youthful exuberance, hid his name and wandered the mountains, defeating various Sects.
But he had a homecoming, wandered the mountains and rivers, but he always had his hometown.
And that young man, wherever he settled, that place would be his home.
The soft murmur in the hall was soon interrupted by two whistling sounds as Li Tian Gang and Ji Qingqing rushed into the courtyard, one after another.
Li Xiaoran, sitting under the eave, the bitter smile on his lips faded.
The murmur inside also quieted down, everyone’s gaze falling on Li Tian Gang. He Jianlan looked slightly down, noticed that Li Tian Gang was empty-handed, and her face slightly changed, saying,
“Tiangang, where are Hao’s belongings?”
Li Tian Gang seemed not to hear her, walking straight into the hall, his eyes seemingly only on the young man seated.
The pain in his chest, like a fierce fire, a carving knife, burning and stabbing his heart, he gritted his teeth, took a deep breath, and said,
“What exactly do you want for you to forgive your mother and me?”
Li Hao slightly furrowed his brow, said, “I’ve said, we have no ties, do not claim yourselves to be my parents anymore, please have some dignity.”
“Your mother also had no choice, do you want me to give up my life for you now?” Li Tian Gang said through gritted teeth.
Li Hao’s frown deepened somewhat, his eyes growing colder,
“I’ve said, the past is the past, from now on, mountains are mountains, seas are seas, you are you, and I am me. Isn’t that clear enough?”
“Do you know how much we’ve suffered these days? Your mother has been washing her face with tears, filled with regret day and night, and we are also in deep pain!”
Li Tian Gang’s eyes were red around the rims, and beneath his thick eyebrows, his sorrow-filled gaze brimmed with anger.
“…”
Li Hao quietly glanced at him, once again realizing that this man was the same as ever, never changing, even in regret, even in sorrow, he had never really listened to him.
But fortunately, he now felt no disturbance over this.
If his words were not heeded, there was no need to continue to speak; he picked up the teacup and took a sip, bowing his head.
When He Jianlan saw the atmosphere tense up again, she became somewhat agitated, rising and saying, “Tiangang, what are you doing here saying all this, can your pain compare to Hao’er’s? He’s come close to death many times!”
Li Tian Gang’s complexion changed, and his eyes filled with sorrow, “But what can we do?”
He Jianlan clenched her teeth and said through gritted teeth, “Isn’t what Hao’er said clear enough? He’s done with you. He’s here to claim the honor that belongs to him, the merits he earned in Liangzhou. Have you brought them?!”
Hearing his sister-in-law’s sharp words, Li Tian Gang’s heart trembled, and the sorrow in his eyes deepened.
He looked up at He Jianlan, and then at Li Hao, who continued to sip his tea in silence, and through gritted teeth said:
“Since you’ve severed the blood ties and put the past behind you, why come back here?”
Li Hao set down the teacup, his expression calm like still water, and said:
“Because I have put it behind, that’s why I’ve come.”
With those words spoken, He Jianlan and the others felt a pang in their hearts, knowing that this young man had indeed let go.
But this also made them feel even more distant from this young man.
Li Tian Gang’s expression turned ugly, and he said: “Do you want me to beg you? I’ll beg you right here, publicly. Will you come back?”
He Jianlan’s expression changed, and she angrily said: “Is this how you ask for someone’s help?”
Li Hao slightly shook his head, signaling He Jianlan not to get angry, and he turned his head to look earnestly at Li Tian Gang and said:
“Don’t persist any further. Aren’t you someone who abides by the rules? I have nothing to do with the Li Family anymore. What do you mean by keeping my official seal and imperial edict to yourself?”
Li Tian Gang’s face soured, his emotions intensely complicated. He could analyze military affairs clearly, but these domestic issues were like a tangled mess to him.
At the bottom of his heart, he knew that handing over that item to Li Hao would mean a complete break.
“Child…”
Ji Qingqing stepped forward, her face streaming with tears, also wanting to plead.
But when Li Hao saw her tear-streaked face, his brows furrowed, and he stood up, saying: “Enough, if you won’t give it, then I don’t want it.”
Having said that, he turned to look at He Jianlan and the others, scanning the circle, then bowed in a gesture of respect:
“I, Haotian, take my leave of the elders here. Thank you for your care in the past. Should fate allow, may we meet again.”
After speaking, he bowed deeply to He Jianlan, and then headed straight past Li Tian Gang and his wife toward the outside.
“You stop right there!”
Li Tian Gang hastily said.
“Hao’er!”
Ji Qingqing followed in grief, but a force blocked her, it was Li Hao’s Dao Domain.
Li Hao didn’t stop walking until he saw a hunched figure at the door; it was then that his pace halted.
The last trace of coldness on his face softened immediately, and in a low voice, he said:
“Steward Zhao, why didn’t you come last night? I was waiting to offer you a toast.”
Hearing this, Steward Zhao at the door dabbed at his tears and forced a smile, saying: “Young Master, this old servant was occupied and missed the feast, I hope for your forgiveness.”
Li Hao guessed the reason and did not take offense, merely smiling and saying:
“I am no longer the young master of Mountain and River Courtyard. From now on, you can simply call me lad.”
Steward Zhao slowly shook his head, saying: “You will always be my young master.”
Li Hao’s lips moved slightly, and seeing the genuine emotion in his eyes, he did not correct him further. Raising his hand, he summoned from the Heaven and Earth Space a demon king’s heart:
“`
“This Demon Heart serves as medicine, extending one’s lifespan and refining the body, you should take it,”
“Master, I really shouldn’t, an old servant like me doesn’t need such a treasure…” Steward Zhao hastily declined.
Yet Li Hao directly handed it to him, saying, “It’s nothing precious, frying vegetables I still find it too fishy. I have plenty here, if it runs out, I’ll just go and slay a few more.”
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Steward Zhao immediately choked up, this child hadn’t changed, always treating the objects of everyone’s pursuit as if they were mere duckweed, while giving great weight to ordinary trifles, as if they were laden with deep affection.
“Child…”
Li Hao patted Zhao’s shoulder, and upon thinking of Li Fu’s death in Liangzhou, he sighed in his heart and said no more.
As he stepped outside, he saw Li Xiaoran on the opposite eaves. He nodded at him, smiling faintly.
He bid farewell to the old master who had fought alongside him at Mo River.
Li Xiaoran just nodded slightly, his thoughts restrained, his face betraying no insight into his mind.
As Li Hao approached the steps, Li Yuanzhao, Li Jianming, and others from within the courtyard were hurrying to meet him, but before they could speak, suddenly, streams of golden light whistled in from afar.
The golden lights turned out to be the numerous ancestral spirits of the Li Family, rushing over from the direction of the ancestral shrine.
The lead golden light was tall and imposing, even his Divine Soul was several times larger than the other Heroic Spirits, he was the Li Family ancestor, Li Tianyuan.
Seeing so many ancestors arriving, the people in the courtyard were all stunned, immediately falling to their knees in worship.
The various household servants and maidservants, hearing the calls of the young masters and misses, were also astonished and hurriedly knelt down.
“Ancestors?”
He Jianlan and others in the hall, upon hearing the news, rushed out, and seeing Li Tianyuan actually appear, were all shocked and hurriedly knelt in homage.
Ji Qingqing and Li Tiangang inside the house also saw this, their expressions changed dramatically, and they quickly fell to their knees.
In a moment, the entire scene was left with a single figure standing, it was Li Hao.
Faced with these dozens of Heroic Spirits of the Li Family ancestors, Li Hao was somewhat surprised.
“Child.”
Li Tianyuan looked at Li Hao, his eyes gentle, and said softly,
“I’ve heard all about your situation, it’s your parents who have let you down. Although we have reprimanded them, we ultimately cannot replace them in making amends. But could you, for the sake of the other members of the Li Family, consider staying with the Li Family?”
Li Hao’s expression was calm, his face as tranquil as a gentle breeze, and he said, “The elders of the Li Family who treated me with kindness, I have not forgotten. Across tens of thousands of miles of mountains and rivers, we can meet and gather wherever we are, and need not be bound by whether it is within the Li Family. I hope everyone can understand that.”
Upon hearing these words, faces among Li Tianyuan and the other ancestral Heroic Spirits changed, some looking grief-stricken, others inwardly sighed, knowing that it would not be easy to persuade the child to return after he had severed his blood ties.
They had come here merely to make one final effort.
“Your father has erred. Despite his martial achievements abroad, he has acted arrogantly and autocratically, committing major missteps. From this day forth, I strip him of his position as the True Dragon.”
Li Tianyuan spoke softly.
The courtyard fell silent at these words, everyone was shocked, not expecting the position of the True Dragon of Li Tiangang to be stripped away by an ancestor in person.
In the past, only those who had committed severe misdeeds and sins would compel the ancestors to angrily intervene, removing the True Dragon from their position. And yet Li Tiangang, who had successively campaigned in Northern Yan and defended Liangzhou, was now stripped of the True Dragon position.
But it was clear to everyone that, as the ancestor had said, no matter the achievements, forcing Li Hao out of the Divine General Mansion was a blemish on his life that could not be erased.
Inside the hall, Ji Qingqing looked at her husband in surprise.
However, Li Tiangang’s expression was one of sadness, with no sign of shock, as if he had known it all along.
At the entrance of the hall, Li Hao’s expression was still calm, unchanged.
Just as he had said, he had let go, which was why he had come.
Therefore, whatever decisions the Li Family would make were of no consequence to him.
“Even though you do not possess the blood of the Li Family, if you wish, I can make an exception and declare you the True Dragon of our Li Family. We will provide you with all our resources to aid your cultivation and make further progress, to strive for that Tao Comprehension Realm,”
Li Tianyuan said, looking at Li Hao with a serious expression.
The other Li Family ancestors knew of the elder’s decision and looked expectantly at the young man who stood alone.
Inside the hall, He Jianlan, Gao Qingqing, Li Xuanli, and others were all shocked. While they were somewhat surprised by the ancestor’s decision to strip Li Tiangang of the True Dragon position, they could still understand. But to make an exception for Li Hao, who no longer had the Li Family blood, to become the True Dragon was indeed breaking with thousands of years of tradition!
For a moment, they all turned to look at Li Hao, their eyes filled with hope and expectation.
“`
Li Tian Gang watched the young man’s retreating figure with a complex expression, his fingers tightening slightly, a mix of nervousness, anticipation, and a touch of confusion and sadness.
In the past, when they had argued, the young man had given up the Li Family surname and left the illustrious Divine General Mansion.
Who would have thought that, today, it would be an ancestor who personally invited him back.
He couldn’t help but wonder, had he really been that wrong?
He had established his moral philosophy based on the Law of All Things, but at this moment, his belief was somewhat shaken.
Li Hao also hadn’t expected that the Li Family ancestor would go to such lengths for him, feeling both surprised and a bit remorseful.
Remorse is not regret; it’s the necessity to hurt their feelings.
The moon waxes and wanes, completeness in this matter is ancient and elusive.
Since severing the bloodline in the abyss, there had been no turning back, and many things missed or mishandled ultimately lead to regret. Even if a broken mirror is mended, the cracks remain, only reflecting a fractured image.
“Ancestor, I’ve taken your kindness to heart.”
Li Hao bowed slightly and said, “Exempting me isn’t worth it. The millennium of glory accumulated by our ancestors through battles and slaying demons shouldn’t be compromised because of me. Our family tradition and clan rules exist for a reason, otherwise one brilliant moment might lead to eternal annihilation.”
“I no longer carry the Li Family bloodline, and even as a true dragon, I could hardly command respect. My mind is made up, and I cannot bear the burden of the Divine General Mansion.”
After saying this, he bowed deeply in gratitude.
He Jianlan and others grew pale upon hearing Li Hao’s words. The hopeful light in their eyes dimmed as if a glow-worm had been snuffed out.
Kneeling on the ground, Li Tian Gang too was stunned, his face twitching.
In the past, he had insisted that the young man be disciplined and law-abiding, but the young man had been relaxed and casual.
Now, he used the family law and clan regulations as an excuse to sever ties with the Li Family.
He had used his own standards to sever everything.
“You…”
Li Tianyuan was momentarily taken aback, clearly not expecting Li Hao’s blunt refusal.
After a brief silence, he said, “My child, even if not as a true dragon, the Li Family owes you. We old fellows are here to make amends. The Li Family’s true dragon may receive our soul power for Soul Condensation, and even if you aren’t, let us condense one for you!”
Li Hao suddenly thought of the scenes within Dragon City Mo River, where he had inherited the True Dragon and fought battles wearing the mantle of this ancestor. Continue your journey with empire
But those were Li Tianzong’s memories.
Before dissipating, the old man might have felt comforted by this.
Li Hao sighed inwardly, saying to the Li Family elder before him:
“Ancestor, your kindness is too great for me to bear. Soul Condensation is too costly for you. You need not do this. The Li Family owes me nothing; we are even.”
Inside Dragon City Mo River, the Li Family ancestor had condensed his soul to help him break through the bottleneck of 360 Soul Condensations, but Li Hao felt he could achieve this himself by collecting more Soul Condensation manuals. There was no need to exhaust the Heroic Spirits’ soul power.
After all, these Heroic Spirits were human race heroes who had battled enemies and slain demons in their own eras. It was beneath their dignity to sacrifice for him.
Hearing Li Hao’s words, Li Tianyuan fell silent again.
He wished to gather the power of many Heroic Spirits both as repayment for Li Hao’s help and in the hope that it would endear them to him should the Li Family ever need help again.
But it seemed the young man was unmoved by this.
To a martial artist, this was an extremely precious thing, greatly enhancing strength, yet he deemed it insignificant.
“My child…”
Li Tianyuan appeared to sigh, starting to speak again.
“Ancestor.”
Li Hao quickly interjected, smiling, “We may not be related by blood, but if you wish to be friends, I welcome it.”
“Friends from afar, is this not a joy?”
“I appreciate your intentions; please don’t hold me back.”
Having said this, he bowed slightly as a gesture, then looked at Li Yuanzhao in the courtyard, smiling slightly, “If you ever have time, you can come and visit me.”
“Yes!”
Li Yuanzhao’s eyes were filled with sorrow as he nodded vigorously, unable to conceal his reluctance.
Li Tianyuan and the other ancestral Heroic Spirits of the Li Family fell silent upon hearing Li Hao’s words, knowing that his resolve was firm and that they could no longer hold him back.
Li Tianyuan sighed inwardly and said to Li Xuanli in the hall, “Li Family’s True Dragon will temporarily be in your care.”
After speaking, he nodded slightly to Li Hao and then quickly flew away.
The other ancestors, each with different expressions, all melancholic or miserable, nodded to Li Hao in thanks and then successively flew back to the ancestral shrine.
Li Hao had once raced to Qingzhou City to rescue them, a kindness difficult to repay.
Yet the young man seemed indifferent, which left them somewhat unsettled.
Li Hao walked towards the courtyard exit, followed closely by Li Yuanzhao and others. Li Wushuang hesitated, wanting to hold back, but realizing that if the ancestors couldn’t stop the young man, how could he? His gaze fell sadly.
Li Mingjian, Li Zhining, and others had complex expressions. No one in the Li Family had ever received such attention, not even their parents or grandparents.
But in their generation, there emerged an extremely brilliant individual.
Yet, paradoxically, he was like a dragon soaring from the shallows to the sky, no longer dwelling with them.
Yet who in the world could dare call the Divine General Mansion of the Li Family a shallow place?
It was only that the world the young man explored was far too vast…
“Oh right, where is that noblewoman who poisoned me?”
As Li Hao walked into the courtyard, he suddenly inquired.
Hearing these words, everyone was stunned. Li Xuanli had just been personally designated as the True Dragon Patriarch by the elder, and although the ceremony had not yet taken place, from this moment on, he was expected to shoulder the responsibilities of the True Dragon Family Head.
He hesitated for a moment, until a nudge from his wife, Gao Qingqing, brought him to his senses. He promptly said, “She’s in another courtyard. Do you want to see her? I’ll take you there. No matter how you want to punish her, with your current identity… it’s only right.”
He suddenly felt he had to be more careful and thoughtful, a quick thought flashed through his mind about the impact on the Divine General Mansion’s face if Li Hao were to kill Liu Yue Rong.
But it didn’t take long for him to suppress these stray thoughts. With Li Hao’s current status as a Duke, it was indeed a scandal for the Divine General Mansion, but if Li Hao truly executed her, as long as the relationships were handled slightly, it wouldn’t be a violation of the law.
After all, if the Liu Family sought revenge afterward, they would have to weigh their options facing the current Li Hao.
Perhaps they would even send someone with a generous gift to apologize.
Belonging to a great family, the rise and fall of the family were more important than a momentary rage, and the honor and disgrace of one branch even more so.
With many thoughts in mind, Li Xuanli caught up to Li Hao.
“That would be troubling you.”
Li Hao nodded slightly.
Upon hearing this, the others couldn’t help but follow. Li Hao’s break with the Li Family had been precipitated by Liu Yue Rong’s poisoning.
This scandal was suppressed by the Divine General Mansion, with little word getting out, but within the mansion, the matter was common knowledge.
Was the young man now going to take revenge with his own hands?
Li Tian Gang looked troubled, his mind immediately going to the second brother who had shielded him with his body. Since his youth, the latter had cared for him, entrusting his wife and child to him before dying. But now…
He was saddened, but at this point, he had no reason to stop it anymore.
But in his heart, how could he not hate Liu Yue Rong? Yet hate aside, how could he forget the bond of brotherhood that had been the reason for his initial protection?
Ji Qingqing, however, quickly got up and followed, her face full of sorrow. She couldn’t believe that the child had really walked away so resolutely.
…
In front of Shuihua Courtyard.
Li Xuanli opened the gate for Li Hao, looking at his once-nephew and sighing inwardly, whispering, “She’s inside. Ever since the investigation was clear, she’s been imprisoned by your father…”
“Is this imprisonment?”
Li Hao looked inside the courtyard, where the usual retinue of servants was missing, the leaves forlorn, and piled atop the pond in the courtyard, as if it had become a pool of dead water.
Yet, it was still a luxurious courtyard, far from resembling a prison.
Li Xuanli, upon hearing Li Hao’s comment, slightly changed his expression, only saying, “We will wait for you outside.”
His words were also a hint to Li Hao, suggesting that if he was dissatisfied, he could do as he pleased.
Li Hao didn’t say much, only walking into the courtyard, following the slate pathway, he then saw the figure of the beautiful woman leaning in the pavilion.
But now, she was clearly not as radiant, the glow of precious stones in her hairpin had dimmed, only a simple pearl hairpin remained.
Hearing the movement, Liu Yue Rong turned around. When she saw Li Hao, she was slightly taken aback but showed no great surprise. Instead, she assessed Li Hao and, after a moment, said:
“Has your appearance changed so much in less than two years?” Stay connected via empire
“Your changes are quite big as well.”
Li Hao smiled, but not with the hate and anger one would expect when adversaries meet.
While speaking, he walked into the pavilion, observing the fruit platter on the table, with fruits that were already wilting and less fresh.
“Now that you’ve achieved success and fame, have you come for revenge for the past?”
Liu Yue Rong gave Li Hao a hard look but only sneered slightly, her face showing no fear as she said:
“If you’re going to kill, then kill. Living here is no different from being dead. The only thing I’m looking forward to is watching my son surpass you.”
“But even if I don’t see it, I believe that day will come eventually.”
With that, she began to sneer, her eyes sharply fixed on Li Hao.
Li Hao, upon hearing this, did not get angry, still wearing a smile that grew slightly wider.
“You really dare to dream.”
“Hmph, you truly are a monster, but so what? I’ve seen many monsters, like your Uncle Jiu. He was not as astonishing as you, but back in the day, he was the marvel of everyone. Everyone thought he would lead the Li Family to even greater heights. But what happened? Flamboyant and not even twenty before he died, heh, that’s what they call the envy of the heavens!”
Liu Yue Rong sneered, “You may be powerful now, but who knows if you won’t have such an accident?”
Li Hao nodded, “You’re right. So, before such an accident happens, I plan to make sure your son has an ‘accident’ first.”
Liu Yue Rong was stunned, her expression changing abruptly as she said angrily, “What are you planning to do?”
Li Hao spoke deliberately, “Did you think I am here to kill you? Not at all. In fact, I stopped hating you for the past after I left the Li Family. Moreover, I want to thank you.”
Liu Yue Rong was taken aback.
“That Divine Blood might be a great help to ordinary people, but to me, it’s insignificant.”
Li Hao continued, “You once said that the love of parents for their children leads them to plan for the long term. You really are a good mother, so I am here to tell you that I will make sure you watch with your own eyes as your son gets ruined by me. That’s my repayment.”
“You, you dare!”
Liu Yue Rong stood up abruptly, looking at Li Hao with fear and anger, “Do you really think you are above the law? My son is with the Buddha Lord, he won’t let you succeed.”
“Could it be that your son will be tied to the Buddha Lord’s crotch for the rest of his life?”
Li Hao said with a smile.
Liu Yue Rong’s body trembled, and her face turned unsightly. Being targeted by the Four Stands Realm was enough to keep anyone up at night, not to mention the matters of Qingzhou City; she had heard about them from the old servant. The young man in front of her had already become a top fighter, and even that Buddha Lord might not be able to suppress him.
“I was wrong, I was wrong, just kill me, let me atone for my sins!”
Liu Yue Rong suddenly knelt down, kowtowing and pleading with Li Hao.
Li Hao neither stopped her nor spoke. Before he was poisoned, he had held a very good impression of this second mother, as she often showed care and genuine affection. But, who knew it was all an act.
In the days that followed, there were many attempts to test him, and he had no choice but to learn to be cautious.
“Death is not enough to atone for sins. Your son harbored murderous thoughts on the True Dragon; he must pay the price.”
Li Hao stood up and said, “You’re living too comfortably. Since you are a prisoner, you should look like one. Wait for me in the prison; I will bring your son to you, beaten like a dead dog.”
Liu Yue Rong was stunned, her face turning deathly pale. In desperation, she tried to cling to Li Hao’s legs, but was blocked by a force.
She pleaded urgently, “I was wrong, but for the sake of the times I held you, Qianfeng is innocent, he knows nothing, please, if not for his sake, then for his father’s…”
“You wanted to strip me of my power, so I will strip your son of his power. That makes us even.”
Li Hao spoke softly, “I have no intention of taking his life, unless he brings it upon himself, but that’s another matter.” Your journey continues with empire
Having said this, he turned and walked away.
Inside the courtyard, there were wails of entreaty, but the young man left resolutely.
As the gate closed again, those wails turned into curses, into a curse, and finally into heart-wrenching sobs.
Afterward, Liu Yue Rong thought of writing a letter, hoping to get the message to her son, ‘Do not descend from Mount Wuliang until you have reached the Grand Tao of Peace Realm.’
Only then, she might save her own life.
…
Outside the courtyard, Li Hao exited as the wailing and pleading from inside were sealed by the closing gate.
Everyone present was astonished, unaware of what Li Hao had said.
Li Hao only mentioned to Li Xuanli that the criminal should stay where the criminal belongs.
With that, Li Xuanli understood Li Hao’s intention and was somewhat relieved that Li Hao did not kill Liu Yue Rong directly; after all, she was still that brother’s wife.
He sighed inwardly and with the others, accompanied Li Hao on his way.
“You cannot leave!”
Li Tian Gang stood in front of Divine General Mansion, looking determinedly at the approaching Li Hao.
Li Hao frowned slightly without speaking, only let his Dao Domain suppress Li Tian Gang, then stepped past him and walked out of the Divine General Mansion.
Ji Qingqing cried out from a distance, “Hao Er!”
Li Hao did not look back, walking away directly, disappearing from everyone’s sight as they watched on from the Divine General Mansion, alongside the street.
He Jianlan and the others were pale, their expressions complex. This was the second time they had witnessed the young man step out of the Divine General Mansion.
And this time, it was a final farewell.
“Birds fly in the sky and only rest on a tree when they are tired. Moreover, he is not a bird; he is a Phoenix.”
Li Xiaoran whispered these words to himself, meant for Li Tian Gang to hear, to prevent futile entanglement and voice his own feelings. After speaking, he turned and left.
Hearing this, Li Tian Gang and Ji Qingqing trembled; they knew that if that child was a bird, they were the cage to him.
Now, they could no longer hold him back.
…
…
At Mount Wuliang, within the Brahma Pure Land World.
Li Qianfeng, dressed in a white Kasaya, came before the Spiritual Buddha Master.
“Master, I wonder how much longer until my mother will be brought here, our Li Family…”
Kneeling on the ground, Li Qianfeng looked up imploringly, his face a picture of earnest desperation.
The Buddha Master, seated on the Golden Lotus Platform, looked down at his piteous and eager appearance and sighed softly, realizing that his previous teachings had been in vain as the other party had not truly comprehended.
“The calamity of Qingzhou City has been settled; you don’t have to worry. As for news about your mother, we must wait for Puji Bodhisattva to return…”
The Buddha Master spoke softly.
Li Qianfeng was stunned, eyes widening as he said, “Qingzhou City has been pacified?”
The journey to Qingzhou was but tens of thousands of miles, with Mount Wuliang being relatively close to Qingzhou City of the Li Family. If one from the Four Stands Realm traveled at full speed, it would be less than a day’s journey.
Unlike Youzhou, which, though closer to Qingzhou, is comparatively so – in fact, separated by hundreds of thousands of miles.
The Buddha Master said, “You can be at peace.”
“Thank you, Master!” Li Qianfeng bowed excitedly.
The Buddha Master told Li Qianfeng to retire and go cultivate, then turned to Lin Wujing and asked,
“Has that little thief confessed where the stolen Saint Relic is?”
Lin Wujing bowed his head slightly and said, “Buddha Lord, he’s defiant. Even under the torture of the ten-directional Karmic Fire, his skin and flesh have already festered, yet he still refuses to divulge anything. He stayed at Heavenly Gate Pass for quite some time and also had a close relationship with the Fist Saint of the Li Family. I suspect he may have handed the item over to the Li Family.”
“The Li Family…”
The Buddha Lord’s eyes seemed to emit golden moons, like the collapsing of stars into a river, brilliant yet profound:
“If the Li Family has obtained the Saint Relic, they would not perform the soul-scorching ancestral rites in their first attack on Qingzhou.”
Lin Wujing’s eyes flickered as he said, “Is it possible that they regard the item as a treasure beyond those of their ancestral Heroic Spirits? After all, it was left behind by a Saint. Glimpsing even a fraction of it could lead to enlightenment…”
“Had it not been for that youth, Li Qianfeng would have studied under me for a decade and could have descended the mountain to seize the True Dragon throne, spreading the incense fire of our Buddhist Order throughout the great state guarded by the Li Family Town, and converting all living beings.”
The Buddha Lord sighed lightly and said, “But everything was disrupted by the rise of the Demon Star. When Li Junye perished, a star fell and the Demon Star rose to the heavens—this is the calamity of our Dayu Divine Dynasty…”
Lin Wujing’s gaze grew intense and after a moment of silence, he said, “If the Saint Relic is not with the Li Family, it is most likely at Heavenly Gate Pass. However, after the Demon Star’s incarnation dissipated, I investigated Heavenly Gate Pass and did not find the relic, unless it lies with that Demon Star itself.”
“Thieves consorting with Demons, the glory of the Divine General Mansion fading, demons lurking all around—in the face of this impending calamity, retrieving the Saint Relic will allow our Buddhist Order to come forth from seclusion to save all living beings,” the Buddha Lord declared.
Lin Wujing nodded slightly, “I’ll go enlighten him again.”
After bidding farewell to the Buddha Lord, Lin Wujing left the Spirit Realm of the Buddha Lord and headed towards a secret location in the mountains.
Behind Mount Wuliang, a winding path extended into a cave dwelling, where dim light filtered through. Following the damp stone slabs straight down, one could hear the sound of dripping water penetrating the stone.
Upon reaching the deepest part, there was a dungeon with the clinking of chains, and the air was oppressively hot.
There, in a rock pool resembling molten lava, was a figure in tattered clothes, his hands bound in shackles, legs similarly wrapped in chains with a heavy black iron ball attached to the end.
The muscles of his legs were torn and fissured by the chains, as were his arms, and his hair hung disheveled.
In the magma pool below, red serpentine figures swam back and forth, with spurts of scorching lava occasionally splashing onto his body, searing the flesh to emit white steam and pits.
Upon seeing Lin Wujing approach, enveloped in Buddhist light, the largest Red Flood Dragon in the magma pool clambered out, its scales glistening as it uttered in a woman’s voice:
“Salutations, Bodhisattva.”
It lay prostrate before Lin Wujing, its voice delicate and mellifluous.
Lin Wujing looked indifferent and gazed toward the chained figure enduring the scorching, saying:
“Still not willing to confess? Even the ten-directional Karmic Fire cannot redeem you, do you understand the gravity of your sins?”
The chains shifted slightly, and the disheveled figure lifted his head, revealing a pair of bright and mocking eyes:
“Don’t waste your efforts, you’ll never get that item!”
“The Buddha Lord has promised that if you return it, you may join our Mount Wuliang, convert to Buddhism, and he will personally cleanse your misfortunes!”
Lin Wujing said icily, “You’re a lone wanderer, having committed various foolish deeds in your youth. It’s not too late to realize your errors now. With the Buddha Lord intervening, even the Emperor would grant some face and absolve your past sins. Renouncing the world and entering monastic life, you’ll no longer be among the secular!”
“Ha ha…” Your adventure continues at empire
“If I wanted to be an official, why would I have waited until now? If I wanted to be a general, I would have already become a First Rank lord!”
The figure in chains laughed loudly, “Have you ever heard the saying, ‘Wealth and rank are like passing clouds, fortune and glory but dust?’ You monks pretend to be so upright every day, but isn’t it all for a bit of incense money? You say your Buddhist Order does not compete, yet you fiercely vie for incense offerings.”
“You claim your Buddhist Order enlightens the world, but if there was no incense money, who would spare a thought for your intentions?”
“You build Golden Bodies for the Buddha, yet leave corpses exposed in the streets, pah!”
Hearing his insult, Lin Wujing gave a cold laugh, “The Buddhist Order enlightens all living beings, that is the Tao! The suffering you speak of is nothing more than them being entangled in their own Karmic Fire, seeking out their own sufferings. It’s the calamity written in their fate. I don’t blame you for not understanding the barriers and illusions, but now you have the chance to transcend the sea of suffering, and yet you do not cherish it. How are you different from those common fools?”
“I am a common fool; why should there be a difference?”
The figure in chains sneered, “Your sermons may deceive those with wavering hearts, but there’s no need to flaunt them before me. Each of us understands this world in our own way. If I was still deluded by you, I would have lived in vain!”
Lin Wujing’s expression chilled, “A mere thief boasts of seeing through the world’s illusions, how laughable. If you did not desire rank or wealth, why go about stealing?”
“Flaunting your lonely pride while committing theft, choosing the most despicable path among thousands, how is this not delusion? What is it if not falling into the path of demons?!”
The figure in chains burst into hearty laughter, “I delight in stealing, I revel in plundering, so what? This world has always been like this; some succeed and become Emperors, while those who fail are deemed bandits and outlaws.”
“I wish to live my life as I please, and if you see me as a thief, so be it, I regard you all as prostitutes!”
“Let the world judge right from wrong; what do I have to fear?!”