Chapter 114: To Hell with Father and Son

"Want to die? Not so easy. Even if I disable you, I’ll eradicate your rebellious nature—otherwise, should you fall to demonic corruption, I, Li Tiangang, would be unworthy of standing before the heavens!"

Li Tiangang’s voice was icy, his gaze like frozen steel.

He raised his hand—suddenly, a surge of power exploded outward, a tempest of divine force rippling across the land. The domain of his Immortal Divine Mind swept through the Divine General’s Residence in an instant, then, from some dark, hidden underground dungeon deep within, two chains shot forth—like black meteors streaking from the sky.

They tore through the residence, soared over countless rooftops, and descended like twin streaks of nightfire from the horizon, landing before Li Hao with a thunderous crash.

"I intended to forgive you," Li Tiangang said coldly. "But you’ve been indulged and spoiled for years. Even if I break my word, I must first shatter your stubborn bones!"

"Remember who I am," he added, voice sharp as a blade. "For a nature like yours, I have more ways than you can imagine to erase it."

"Li Tiangang!!"

Li Qingzheng’s eyes flared wide, his body surging forward as blood surged beneath his aged skin. "What are you doing?! Are you really going to torture your own son?!"

"Fifth Uncle!" Li Tiangang’s expression flickered, then hardened. "This is my family’s matter—stay out of it!"

"You—you’re trying to kill me!" Li Qingzheng spat, trembling with rage. "You just returned from the Frontier Border, where you strutted around with your martial prestige—now you come here to play the tyrant?"

"For years, you’ve never once come to see Hao! Now you return and demand he change? Are you mad?!"

"Fifth Uncle, stop!" Li Tiangang’s voice was like ice. "I’ve been restraining myself for years. It was you and Second Uncle who spoiled this wicked beast—raising him like a prince. You were meant to carry out my role as father. I didn’t want to say it, but... Hao’s fate today is no accident. It’s your doing!"

"Can’t you see what he’s become? He dared to raise a hand against me! He’s barely just obtained the True Dragon Position, has only this much power—and yet he dares to act like this?!"

"By the time he reaches the Three Immortalities, enters the Four Foundations Realm... even you, my uncles, will be beneath his feet. He might even shatter the Ancestral Spirit Tablet!"

"You—!" Li Qingzheng pointed at him, trembling with fury, his breath ragged. He couldn’t speak.

They were being blamed for spoiling him?

But had they ever truly spoiled Li Hao?

In this entire mansion, besides the two of them—old, broken men—who else had been there for this child?

Had Li Hao ever truly done anything wrong?!

"You’re—insane!" Li Qingzheng ground out through clenched teeth.

For decades, his mind had remained calm, composed—but now, fury boiled over. Had it not been for the Ancestral Hall, the Spirit Tablet of their ancestors—the foundation of the Li Clan, more sacred than even the Pavilion of Listening to Rain—he would have already struck. He would have taken the place of his late brother and beaten this boy senseless.

"Move aside!" Li Tiangang’s face was painted with killing intent. He didn’t bother to argue further. To him, every word from Li Qingzheng was nothing but excuses for Li Hao.

"Fifth Elder," came Li Hao’s voice from behind Li Qingzheng. "Step aside. Don’t let this mad dog break your Heart Oath."

Li Qingzheng froze. His body shuddered. He turned to face Li Hao—his face streaked with blood, clothes torn, battered beyond recognition. His eyes, filled with pain and sorrow, softened.

"Haoyu…" Li Qingzheng whispered, voice breaking. "Just… give in. Apologize. You’re still his son. A simple apology is enough."

Still his son?

Li Hao laughed—then erupted into a wild, bitter laugh.

But it stopped abruptly.

"Fifth Elder," Li Hao repeated, voice steady. "Step aside."

Li Qingzheng’s face twisted with agony. Yet, after a long, silent moment, he stepped back.

The barrier between father and son vanished. Li Tiangang stood before him—proud, cold, eyes like burning stars.

"Fifth Uncle was right," Li Tiangang said, his voice like a blade. "We are father and son. You’ve already gone too far to repent… but if you admit fault now, I’ll spare you the torture."

Li Hao laughed again—then spat a mouthful of blood, crimson and thick, onto the ground.

"Go to hell with father and son!"

He roared, voice raw with fury.

Because of this—this ancient tradition, this millennial ritual of filial obedience—had the child inside him still clung to hope for those two Frontier strangers, even after fourteen years.

And because of this same idea, this same chain of honor and duty, he now stood broken, bleeding, at the edge of death.

The words echoed through the air.

Everyone flinched.

Li Qingzheng hesitated, about to speak.

But Li Tiangang’s face twisted with red fury.

"You’re a beast!" he snarled.

The chains on the ground surged upward—flying like serpents from the earth. At their tips were two curved scythe blades, now flashing forward with terrifying speed.

Li Hao roared, trying to block—but his Yin-Yang Dual Meridians were drained, his Seven Star Pointing Light dormant. His body was weak beyond measure. As he raised his arm, the chains wrapped around it instantly.

The scythes plunged—deep into his shoulder blades, like nails driving into a condemned man.

The force threw him backward, sending him flying—then yanked him back, slamming him face-first into Li Tiangang’s feet.

"I’ll make you repent," Li Tiangang said, eyes blazing with divine wrath. "I’ll make you beg."

Then—like a storm tearing through the sky—a roar erupted from the edge of the world.

"Li Tiangang!!"

The voice hadn’t even arrived—yet the wind already howled like a collapsing sky, shaking dust from ruins, scattering debris across the battlefield.

A figure appeared in an instant—landing between father and son, catching the fallen boy in his arms.

"Haoyu!!"

It was Li Moxiu.

He’d just returned to Qingzhou City, hoping to witness Li Hao’s True Dragon Sensation Ceremony. Instead, he found this.

With his senses covering the entire city, he saw—felt—the fading aura of the boy in his arms, barely alive, his lifeblood leaking away.

His white hair fluttered without wind. His eyes—empty for sixty years—now burned with a fury so immense, it seemed to tear the heavens apart.

"Haoyu… don’t be afraid. I’m back. No one else will stand by you. But Second Uncle will!"

Warmth. Safety.

For the first time in hours, Li Hao felt the weight of exhaustion lift.

Seeing Second Uncle’s rage, the boy’s lips curled into a faint, tired smile.

"Sorry, Second Uncle… I wanted to wait until the guests left to take revenge. I didn’t want to bring shame upon the Li Clan. But… I guess I failed."

Their clash had torn through Qingzhou City. The news would spread like wildfire.

Li Moxiu’s heart clenched. He didn’t know the details—but he knew Li Hao.

After all these years, the lake walks, the endless talks, the quiet moments—how could he not understand this child?

"Haoyu… don’t speak," Li Moxiu said, teeth clenched. "Second Uncle will make it right. Even if your grandfather himself stood here today—Second Uncle would protect you!"

Hearing that, Li Tiangang’s face darkened—especially at the mention of his father.

His eyes flashed with rage. "Second Uncle… it was you who spoiled Hao! His nature, his arrogance—it’s all your doing!"

Li Moxiu gently laid Li Hao down. He looked at the boy’s body—pierced through by chains, blood soaking through his clothes. Grief filled his eyes—but he didn’t move to free him. Not yet. To do so might worsen the wounds.

He stood. Turned to face Li Tiangang.

"Yes!" he roared. "Yes, I spoiled him! What of it? Are you going to punish me too?!"

Li Tiangang’s face twisted in pain. "Second Uncle… though you’re my uncle, I’m grateful for how you raised Hao. But his current state—it’s your fault too!"

"Grateful? Who asked for your thanks?!" Li Moxiu exploded. "You and your wife guarded the Frontier! Who else was supposed to raise Hao? You?!"

Li Tiangang gritted his teeth. "Second Uncle, don’t lose your mind. These words can’t be spoken lightly. I serve the Frontier by imperial decree. I protect the common people beyond the border. Do you want me to abandon the entire realm for one son?!"

Li Moxiu’s expression faltered. He knew it was true.

In the Divine General’s Residence, one couldn’t afford such personal attachments.

If they did, how could there be any stability for the thousands of families beneath them?

"Regardless of what happened," Li Moxiu growled, "what sin could Hao have committed that you’d treat him like this?"

Li Tiangang sneered. "Just obtained the True Dragon Position—and already plotting to kill his brother, his father? Using his natural talent to run wild? He never stopped to think—his talent was mine. He didn’t awaken Divine Blood, but every Li Clan warrior has strength. He rose above his peers because his blood flows with mine and Qingqing’s!"

"He reached the Fifteen Li Stage at fourteen—because of the resources of the Li Clan!"

"He mastered these techniques—because of our Combat Scriptures!"

"Without the Li Clan, what is he?"

Li Moxiu’s voice thundered. "He’s your son! Isn’t he entitled to all this?!"

"And besides—over the years, he’s never drained our resources! He’s earned every step through his own cultivation!"

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end