Chapter 116: Friends

Liu Yuerong was left speechless. The prodigious talent of that child shattered every argument she could possibly make. She knew no matter how hard she tried to speak, it would be useless. A deep resentment festered within her.

“With Hao'er possessing such a cultivation level—could it be anything other than the two of you, Second Uncle and Fifth Uncle, defying Heaven to alter fate for him?” Liu Yuerong bit out, her voice tight with fury.

Li Moxiu let out a cold chuckle. “My opportunity to defy Heaven and change destiny was used up long ago. Jian Lan knows this. He Fang knows it too. As for Old Fifth’s chance—he still holds onto it, unused. It’s a fallback plan, reserved for when the Li Clan’s bloodline produces no one worthy enough to carry on. Then, only then, will he reshape their fate.”

“Use it for Hao'er? Hao'er doesn’t need such an opportunity!”

Everyone in the hall stared intently at Liu Yuerong. They all knew—Li Moxiu, though eccentric in temperament, never lied.

She felt the weight of those gazes pressing down on her, and suddenly, she understood, with painful clarity, the sensation Li Hao had endured moments before. A bitter, mocking laugh welled up inside her, unbidden.

At that moment, perhaps only she truly understood the child’s despair—the crushing, hopeless feeling.

But she wouldn’t yield. She lifted her chin. “Second Uncle, all this is mere talk without proof. Our Li Clan is vast. Even our justice must be grounded in evidence.”

Li Moxiu’s voice was icy. “That poison Hao'er spoke of—I’ve heard of it before. Once ingested, it leaves no trace unless examined immediately. It’s been lost for centuries. The Five Great God Generals’ Mansions launched a joint campaign to destroy it, and countless ancient noble families joined in. Not only was the formula wiped out—but the very land where it was hidden was reduced to ash.”

“And yet… it still exists.”

The Poison Pill of Destroying Divine Blood was a terror to the oldest families. Even the Imperial Court feared it. Only those whose descendants had the potential to become Immortals were truly vulnerable. For other families, with no chance of immortality, destroying their divine blood was pointless—unless they themselves first achieved that status.

“Hao'er is clever. He’s spent years searching for proof. But no trace remains. Unless you confess outright… or we go to Mount Wu Liang and dig beneath the Buddha’s feet.”

He fixed her with a cold stare. “You dared to poison him. You must have anticipated the worst-case scenario.”

Worst-case scenario—exposure. But even then, without evidence, nothing could be proven.

Liu Yuerong flinched inwardly, but her expression remained calm. “Second Uncle, though you hold high rank, you cannot disregard evidence. I’ve never even heard of such things.”

“Then tell me—why did Hao'er accuse you, and not someone else?”

“Ask Hao'er,” she replied, her voice hollow. “I can’t fathom what I’ve done to offend him.”

“Fine. Excellent.” Li Moxiu sneered, but she refused to admit guilt. He had no proof. Unless—unless they went to Mount Wu Liang.

There was only one place where such a relic could be hidden. Only the Buddha there could have preserved it for so long, unseen by anyone.

“People say the Buddha saves all beings. What a farce. Does he wait until disaster strikes before offering salvation?”

Li Moxiu sneered. “Daring to touch the True Dragon of the Li Clan? From today on, your son Li Qianfeng must choose: either live on Mount Wu Liang forever and never set foot in this mansion again… or stay here, but never return to Mount Wu Liang. One choice. You decide.”

Liu Yuerong paled instantly. “Second Uncle, you can’t make such a decision without proof! And even if you’re senior, you’re not the True Dragon of the Li Clan! Are you trying to bully us—orphans and widows—just because of your rank? What would Feng Ping say, if he were still alive?”

“Silence!” Li Moxiu roared. “I never agreed when Feng Ping brought you into the Li Clan! The Liu family has held civil posts for generations—full of deceitful scheming. I’ve despised them since day one!”

“Brother,” Chen Hefang said quietly from beside him, her face paling slightly. “Today is about family matters. Don’t drag in too much.”

Li Moxiu’s anger flared, but he forced it down. He knew—these words, if spoken outside the clan, would offend Mount Wu Liang and the entire court bureaucracy. Only within the family could he speak freely.

He had to say it. He had to vent.

But even so, his realm meant he could afford a few sharp words—so long as he didn’t broadcast them.

“Even if you deny it, it changes nothing. I will find out the truth. Until then, your son won’t leave this mansion.”

Liu Yuerong trembled. “Second Uncle, are you truly tormenting us—orphans and widows? If you never find proof, will you keep Qianfeng locked away forever? Will you deny him cultivation?”

Li Moxiu’s voice turned to a chilling hiss. “If you’re afraid, just admit it. Save us all the trouble.”

“I didn’t do it. How can I admit to something I didn’t do?” Liu Yuerong whispered, her voice breaking.

Li Moxiu sighed, no longer willing to waste words. His gaze turned to Li Tiangang, who sat silently beside him.

“And you, Heavenly Pole. You’re Hao'er’s father. From childhood, you never cared for him. Yet has Hao'er ever blamed you? No. You served on the frontier—your deeds are known to all.”

“But now, when such a crisis strikes, you stand against your own son. How can you call yourself a father?”

Li Tiangang remained as still as stone. After a long silence, he finally spoke. “Second Uncle, Hao'er is headstrong. I disciplined him not out of distrust—but because he shows no respect for elders.”

He looked up at Li Moxiu. “If he had come to me calmly, I would have defended him. But he attacked me without warning. Was that right?”

Li Moxiu snapped. “With a temper like yours, how could Hao'er not see through you? Talking to you—what’s the point? You’re useless!”

“Then how would you have me defend him?” Li Tiangang asked, his voice steady. “Prove it. Show me how.”

Li Moxiu sneered. “You want to investigate? Fine. Proceed with formal inquiry. But tell me—how long will it take to process this? By the time your investigation finishes, she’ll have confessed, admitted guilt—what punishment would that be?”

“Worst case, she loses her Imperial Lady title, stripped of rank, reduced to commoner status. But considering our clan’s merit and Feng Ping’s service, she’ll never face real punishment.”

“So she’s punished—but still lives in the Divine General’s Mansion, enjoying lifelong wealth and comfort. How can Hao'er possibly accept that?”

“So he must break the law? So he must murder?”

Li Tiangang shot him a sharp look. “Then should I stand by and watch my family—my wife and son—be killed by him, without lifting a finger?”

“You—” Li Moxiu roared. “You’re a general who’s fought battles. You’re not stupid. Why do you act so foolish now? Whether she’s punished or not—just make Hao'er feel justice has been served. Isn’t that simple?”

“That son of mine has already tried to kill me. His spirit is unyielding. I can’t appease him.”

Li Tiangang’s voice was cold. “Second Uncle, I will investigate this matter. I will give you all a full account. The Li Clan will not tolerate criminals. Nor will we shield the guilty.”

His meaning was clear, though unspoken. He was declaring himself the true master of this generation—the rightful heir to the clan’s power.

Even though Li Moxiu and Li Qingzheng held higher rank, in the family, seniority earned respect—but not absolute authority. Just as an emperor’s uncle is a national uncle, but cannot dictate the emperor’s rule.

Li Moxiu’s face twisted in pain. He could not defy Li Tiangang’s stance. To do so would make the clan’s leadership a farce.

After all, if age and longevity alone determined leadership, then the cycle would never end—everyone would fear death, no one would dare take the lead. How could a great lineage survive?

“If your father were still alive,” Li Moxiu said quietly, “he’d be ashamed of you.”

He said nothing more. With a sharp turn of his robes, he left.

Even he had no power over Liu Yuerong. The Divine General’s Mansion had to abide by law. As an Imperial Lady-in-Waiting, she had legal protection—any trial through the Imperial Court would take years.

A punishment under Family Law was possible—but only with Li Tiangang’s consent. And now, he refused.

“Yuerong,” Chen Hefang said softly, once Li Moxiu was gone. Her expression was grave. “You’d do well to tell the truth. That way, Qianfeng may still have a place in the family.”

Liu Yuerong’s lips trembled. “Mother… even you don’t believe me?”

Chen Hefang stared at her long and hard. Then, after a long silence, she exhaled deeply.

…

…

The battle between father and son of the Li Clan spread like wildfire through Qingzhou.

The clash had shaken the city. Too many had witnessed it. Rumors spread like wildfire—through inns, teahouses, and every corner of the capital.

At the True Dragon Selection ceremony, guests had been numerous. Now, every tale was twisted, exaggerated, or utterly absurd.

Some claimed Li Hao had seized the True Dragon position only to plot his brother’s murder—and his father’s.

Others said the Li brothers had argued after drinking too much at dinner, their words turning to violence.

One rumor claimed Li Tiangang had been away on the frontier for fourteen years, and had secretly fathered an illegitimate son, who was brought back and discovered by his own son—sparking the conflict.

Even wilder tales claimed Li Hao had been driven mad by years of neglect, or that he’d been possessed.

Each version had a kernel of truth—enough to make people believe. And as they spread, they grew more fantastical.

But no matter the tale, one question echoed through every mind: What punishment would the child face?

Some elders said, “Even if his father brought back a bastard son, it’s unforgivable to raise a sword against him. That’s filial disrespect.”

Others said, “He’s still young. He can be forgiven.”

Time passed swiftly.

Two days later, the city still buzzed with speculation. Countless eyes turned toward the Divine General’s Mansion—its towering walls seeming to block out the world, forbidding all sight.

For two days, no sound came from within. The silence was absolute.

Then, a rumor spread: Xing Wuhou is punishing his own son severely.

…

…

At Tan Palace Academy, by the Cold Pool.

Song Yufeng stood in a white robe, like a Daoist immortal, drifting forward.

He saw the woman standing by the pool’s edge. He sighed, then spoke. “You’ve heard, haven’t you?”

“No,” she said coldly. “I saw it.”

“This city is small. I watched with my own eyes—the Hand That Slays Demons truly struck his own son with merciless force.”

Song Yufeng fell silent. It was true—within the Four Foundations Realm, Qingzhou was laid bare like a map.

And he, too, had witnessed it.

He exhaled. “A child of such divine talent, blessed by Heaven… even if he made a mistake, it shouldn’t come to this. I wonder what horrors Xing Wuhou endured on the frontier to become so… bitter.”

“I don’t care what he’s been through,” Song Qiumo said coldly. “I just want him to come out alive.”

The two “he’s” were not the same.

Song Yufeng sighed. “Even tigers don’t eat their own young. You’re overthinking it.”

“Hmph. We’ll see.”

Song Qiumo glanced at him. “You didn’t come here to stop me, did you?”

“Me? No,” Song Yufeng said with a wry smile. “He’s my apprentice master. I’m just visiting, offering a gentle reminder to return to class. Isn’t that natural?”

Song Qiumo gave him a sideways look. Her expression softened slightly. “Then let’s not wait. Let’s go.”

“Go, yes. But promise me—you’ll only persuade. No fighting. This is a family matter.”

“Still don’t trust me?” Song Yufeng sighed.

“You’re making it sound like I’m the enemy,” he said.

“Then if he’s your apprentice master, why didn’t you come before?”

“Didn’t I say? I only send warmth in snow. I dislike unnecessary show.”

(End of Chapter)

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