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Chapter 128: Li Tiangang's Interrogation
Chapter 128: Li Tiangang's Interrogation (7K Guaranteed Second Unity Chapter)
Li Hao immediately reined in his Qi Power, gently moving his limbs. With the insights of the Sixth Rank of the Flesh and Body Dao and the Grandmaster Realm's keen perception, he easily gauged his current physical strength.
Around 400,000 pounds.
Initially, it was 100,000 pounds. Later, with the advancement of the Flesh Dao and the completion of the fourth section of the Primordial Technique, "Primordial", along with the improvements from various other cultivation techniques, his strength increased to over 300,000 pounds.
Now, the Perfection of the Demon Technique had added another 100,000 pounds of strength.
Although the increase in strength might seem insignificant compared to the millions of pounds of true qi, for non-demons, including human experts at the Fourth Establishment Realm, their pure physical strength might not even reach 100,000 pounds!
The stronger one's physical strength, the greater the impact of Qi Power.
In the same Blood and Qi Reversal, others might be half-dead, but Li Hao could recover with just a mouthful of blood.
With the completion of the Five Viscera Primordial Technique, Li Hao felt his internal organs, like metal, providing him with robust support whether he was sitting, standing, or moving.
Li Hao didn't rest and immediately began cultivating another technique, the Jade Clarity True Demon Art.
This cultivation technique focused on external training. As he cultivated, the energy from the heavens gathered again, rapidly flowing into his body.
This energy, like black malevolent qi, obscured the clear night sky and the stars and moon.
This cultivation technique primarily condensed killing aura, and this battlefield was the place with the most concentrated killing aura.
Innumerable black killing auras enveloped Li Hao, making him appear like a true demon. His eyes, when opened, seemed to emit a crimson glow.
"Did he just master that cultivation technique... like that?"
In the dark, Li He watched this scene in a daze. Li Hao had switched to another cultivation technique, and the momentum of his cultivation was even more terrifying than before.
The previous cultivation technique, after several rounds of practice, had progressed from unfamiliarity to proficiency, and finally to Perfection, in just seven or eight attempts.
Is this... the secret of this Young Master?
From several attempts to Perfection?
Not only Li He, but even Li Hongzhuang, who was watching from a distance, was shocked. She had seen monsters, but never such a monster.
Even when Ninth Brother was young, he needed a few days to master a technique.
Back then, a cultivation technique that others might not even understand in one night, Ninth Brother could already grasp the basics by the next day, making his siblings envious and admiring.
But the Li Hao before her didn't just master a technique in one night; he perfected it in one night!
And it took even less than a night!
As the killing aura gathered and continuously flowed into his body, condensed, and hammered his body, Li Hao's physique rapidly improved. His skin became as white as jade, smooth as porcelain, and seemed to contain a fluid-like strength.
While absorbing the killing aura, Li Hao began practicing again.
First time, second time...
As he performed the technique, the killing aura was drawn in like a storm.
In no time, the eighth attempt was over.
The Jade Clarity True Demon Art was now perfected.
The surrounding killing aura subsided, and the stars and moon reappeared, illuminating the young man's body.
Li Hao let out a light breath, looked down at himself, and saw his nails were white. But when he applied a little force, a faint black killing aura seemed to emerge from between his nails.
This was originally a demonic technique, better suited for the demonic constitution of babies.
But through the Flesh Dao, he had modified it to be suitable for human cultivation.
However, the trace of demonic and malevolent energy in the technique could not be erased; it was at its core.
Li Hao closed his eyes slightly, then opened them again, a faint black aura passing through his pupils, and his vision seemed to change, becoming even more acute and bright.
He saw a faint, blurry outline to his left, where Li He was hiding.
He ignored it. At this point, there was no need for him to deliberately hide or pretend anymore, after all, this was no longer the Li Family Manor.
Li Hao finished his cultivation and measured his physical strength.
His pure physical power had increased to around 550,000 pounds.
The enhancement brought by this demonic cultivation technique was more significant than the Five Viscera Primordial Technique.
However, this still hadn't reached the physical limit of Force Mastery.
Could it be that he needed a million pounds of strength... Li Hao's eyes flickered. Typically, a Force Mastery cultivator, even with Divine Blood, wouldn't exceed ten thousand pounds of strength, which was over a hundred times less...
He wondered just how exaggerated the limits of other realms would be.
No wonder even the Rain Listening Pavilion had no records of the limits of each realm. If it weren't for his status panel, such limits would be unattainable for ordinary people.
Gazing at the stars and moon, Li Hao pondered for a moment, then didn't move further, entering a light sleep to rest.
Li Hongzhuang glanced at the young man, suppressing her urge to ask him questions. With Li Hao having slain Chi Hu Jun tonight, a fierce battle was likely to ensue tomorrow, and she needed to adjust her state as soon as possible.
Without the city walls to block the view, when the dawn light shone from beyond the pass, it felt like a warm hand gently caressing their faces.
Li Hao awoke from his light sleep. With the Hiding One's Light characteristic of the Chess Manual, he could shake off fatigue after just an hour or two of light sleep.
However, sleeping was not only about getting rid of fatigue; it was also very comfortable.
Unfortunately, the conditions outside the pass didn't allow him to sleep in.
Li Hao rummaged through the camp and found some more paper, immediately starting to write again.
Li Hongzhuang also awoke. The early winter morning was slightly misty, and her breath came out in faint white puffs.
"Writing cultivation techniques again?"
"Mm-hmm."
"There might be a fierce battle today."
"We'll see when it comes."
Li Hao seemed casual, as if he didn't care much.
Li Hongzhuang glanced at the cultivation techniques Li Hao was writing and said, "Even if you finish writing them, no one can deliver them for you."
"Perhaps I can entrust this old gentleman with the task."
Li Hao looked towards Li He, who was hiding in the shadows.
Li He hadn't expected Li Hao to sense his position. His face changed slightly, and since the situation was already like this, he saw no need to continue hiding. He walked out to the two of them and said:
"I am here to protect you by your father's order. Without his Imperial Edict, I won't leave."
"Old sir, you'd better change your speaking habits and stop referring to him as 'your father.'"
Li Hao furrowed his brow, staring at the other man.
Li He was taken aback, feeling a chill creep over him.
He felt uncomfortable. Although he had been temporarily reassigned and heard about the father-son conflict in Qingzhou City, he still thought that, even with a conflict, they were still father and son, and it couldn't really end completely.
"Young Master, you are being a bit impolite", Li He said solemnly, his face serious.
"Am I being impolite to you, or to someone else?"
Li Hao narrowed his eyes, black aura swirling, radiating a dangerous glow.
Li He sensed it, but his straightforward nature made him speak frankly: "Of course, I mean your father. As for how you treat me, I don't mind..."
Before he could finish, the young man on the ground suddenly leaped up.
With a whoosh, a powerful punch was thrown.
Li He was startled, his eyes immediately turning stern as he quickly blocked with a palm.
With a loud thud, the two powerful forces collided, and Li He was sent flying backward, stopping only after retreating several dozen meters. His aged face was filled with shock.
Earlier, when Li Hao had slain the two Three Immortalities Great Demons, Li He had been a bystander, but he had never felt such a strong impact.
Li Hao's punch force was something he found hard to resist.
"Since you are a senior, I won't hold it against you, but if you don't learn to speak properly, I will make you shut up!"
Li Hao stood his ground, his eyes coldly scanning the other man, and didn't pursue him.
Li He's face turned grim, and he hesitated to speak further, but seeing the genuine coldness in the young man's eyes, he held back.
If Li Hao were to attack with full force like he did yesterday, Li He doubted he could hold him off. After all, he couldn't really fight the boy to the death; his duty was to protect him.
"Li Hao!"
Li Hongzhuang, seeing Li Hao actually attack, frowned and called out.
Li Hao glanced at her and said, "Red Makeup senior, I hope that besides my hard work in slaying demons, I can also have a pleasant mood. I hope you will behave yourself."
Hearing Li Hao's distant tone, her expression changed slightly, and she gazed at him intently.
She didn't know what had happened between the father and son, but why did the mention of the seventh brother make this child so hostile, even to her?
She sighed inwardly and fell silent.
Li Hao returned to his seat and resumed writing the secret manual as if nothing had happened.
Li He stood with his hands behind his back, but the hand that had caught Li Hao’s punch was trembling slightly.
Fortunately, the Three Immortalities technique had an incredible recovery ability, capable of regenerating severed limbs. Soon, the meridians in his arm were flowing smoothly again.
Li He gave the young man a deep, pitying look, wondering if the letter he had sent to Qingzhou City had reached the general.
……
……
Qingzhou City, Divine General Manor.
A blue sparrow flew in through the window and landed beside the inkstone on the desk.
Its palm-sized body suddenly swelled to the size of a head. The bird opened its beak and squeezed out a scroll of paper.
Beside the desk, a middle-aged man in brown clothing quickly picked up the letter and began to read it carefully.
When he finished, the urgency on his face turned to a dark scowl, and he crumpled the letter in his hand.
"Your Grace, is that a letter from Young Master?"
Outside the room, Yu Xuan saw the blue sparrow and walked in, concern evident in his eyes.
After all, the young master was the successor of the main family. If his talent were to fully develop, he would be capable of suppressing the demons of the world.
"Hmph!"
Hearing Yu Xuan’s concerned voice, Li Tiangang snorted coldly, his eyes filled with anger.
"It’s Li He’s reply. I wondered why he had such a hard backbone. It turns out someone is backing him up from behind. Second Uncle and Uncle Five, they really are causing trouble. They won’t stop until they’ve crippled Li Hao!"
Yu Xuan was taken aback and couldn’t help but ask, "Your Grace, why do you say that?"
Li Tiangang had no patience to explain further.
The contents of the letter had reignited the anger that had simmered down over the past few days.
He had sent Li He to secretly protect Li Hao, but Li He had detected another powerful figure following Li Hao, possibly a top expert from the Fourth Establishment Realm.
That was the Fourth Establishment Realm, a realm where such figures were rare even in the entire Dayu. Why would someone of that caliber deign to protect a child?
There was no doubt that Second Uncle and Uncle Five had used their connections to ask their old friends to step in.
Not only was this a waste of a precious favor, but having a Fourth Establishment Realm expert accompany a child was a tremendous waste of time.
With that much time, they could have slain countless demons!
Most importantly, it went against his wishes.
He had sent Li Hao to Heavenly Gate Pass and the border to break his stubborn bones, to let him experience the great terror of life and death, to make him realize that the outside world was not as comfortable and warm as the Divine General Manor.
Now, with a Fourth Establishment Realm expert secretly protecting him, what kind of experience would he have?
This way, wouldn’t it really come to the point where the brat would sever ties with him after three years?!
Given the stubborn nature of that boy, he would likely still harbor resentment even after three years.
The more Li Tiangang thought about it, the angrier he became. All he hoped was that the Fourth Establishment Realm expert wouldn’t have the patience to accompany Li Hao for three years.
After all, the boy’s character was not endearing, and the expert might not be able to tolerate him.
However, if Second Uncle and Uncle Five had promised a significant favor, it was not impossible that the expert might really stay for three years.
With this thought, he immediately set out to confront them.
As he stepped out of the door, snowflakes began to fall from the sky.
It was early winter, and the snow had arrived.
Li Tiangang paid no attention to the snow, not even bothering with an umbrella, and flew directly to the Rain Listening Pavilion.
Inside the Rain Listening Pavilion, the guards at the entrance bowed deeply upon seeing Li Tiangang.
Li Tiangang went straight to the Seventh Floor, but his gaze swept the area without spotting Second Uncle’s figure, which only made him angrier.
He turned back to the ground floor and asked, "Where is Second Uncle?"
"The old Marquis Rank seems to be fishing."
"Where is he fishing?"
"I don’t know, Your Grace."
Li Tiangang was furious. He had heard as a child that this Second Uncle had a carefree nature and didn’t get along with his father’s brothers. It seemed to be true.
The man was supposed to guard the Rain Listening Pavilion, yet he was nowhere to be seen, and Li Tiangang couldn’t even find him.
The guard, seeing his angry face, was trembling with fear. He seemed to think of something and quickly said, "Your Grace, I know a place where the old Marquis might be."
"Where?"
"It’s a place Young Master mentioned, the Blackwater Demon Lake, about two thousand miles east of the city." The guard respectfully explained.
Li Tiangang was about to set off when he suddenly frowned and said, "Why would that boy bring this up to you?"
"Young Master mentioned it in passing. He often sends pastries to Old Marquess, but the journey is long, and Young Master is worried that the food might not stay warm in the container..."
Li Tiangang's face darkened instantly. "Wasting his days instead of focusing on cultivation, flattering people with smooth talk. No wonder Second Uncle is so lenient with him!"
He flicked his sleeve and took off, quickly flying out of Qingzhou City.
Not long after.
Li Tiangang arrived at the edge of Blackwater Demon Lake. The vast lake stretched endlessly, its black waters surging.
He scanned the area and soon spotted a figure by the lakeside.
Li Tiangang flew directly over and landed.
The figure by the lake turned instinctively at the sound, "Hao..."
A smile started to form on his face, but it quickly faded when he saw Li Tiangang's stern expression. His eyes dimmed, and he murmured, "Second Uncle."
Despite his anger, Li Tiangang bowed respectfully upon landing. Then, he approached and glanced at the lake. "Are you Fishing here?"
Fishing... Li Muxiu's face turned cold, and he gave a slight smirk. He was just sitting here in silence.
"Why did you come here, and what do you want?"
Li Muxiu asked coolly.
Seeing this, Li Tiangang decided to cut straight to the point. "Second Uncle, I know you care about that boy, but don't you think you're doing him a disservice?"
Li Muxiu turned to look at him. "How am I harming your son?"
"By having your friends watch over Li Hao and secretly protect him, aren't you pushing me to sever ties with him?" Li Tiangang said angrily.
Li Muxiu was taken aback and immediately understood.
When Li Hao left that day, Li Muxiu had noticed Feng Boping lurking in the shadows. Feng Boping had briefly explained that he would escort Li Hao away.
For this, Li Muxiu had only thanked him, but he felt a complex mix of emotions.
Without Feng Boping's support, that boy might not have stepped out of that door.
But Feng Boping's willingness to support him perhaps stemmed from not being able to stand seeing Li Hao suffer in front of his father.
If even an outsider couldn't bear it, how much of a failure was he?
Thinking about this, Li Muxiu looked at the anger in Li Tiangang's eyes and sneered, "Now you're afraid, afraid of losing Li Hao?"
"When you returned, I heard you slapped Li Hao. Why weren't you afraid then?"
"And I've been asking around about what happened that day. Li Hao slapped that little girl because she was spoiled and insulted Qing Qing. Was it wrong for Li Hao to protect his mother?"
As he spoke, his calm demeanor gave way to renewed agitation, his eyes burning with anger.
Li Tiangang's expression changed, and he was at a loss for words.
He had investigated the matter later. Li Mingguang, Li Wushuang, and others who were present confirmed it. It was indeed his eighth brother's daughter, Li Rumei, who had first mentioned Qing Qing and spoken disrespectfully.
For this, his eighth brother had slapped his own daughter and had a major argument with his wife that day. The household had been in turmoil ever since.
He couldn't blame or reprimand anyone anymore, and he felt a twinge of regret for that slap.
"Second Uncle, I know I'm not a good father, but my goal is to teach him the right way. I deeply regret not raising him and taking care of him all these years."
Li Tiangang continued, "But you've seen how stubborn that boy is. If you keep having your old friends protect him, he'll never understand the harsh realities of the outside world."
Li Muxiu looked at him coldly. "He's your son, not your enemy. Why must you make him experience the harshness of the world?"
Li Tiangang was taken aback.
"I have no children. If I did, I would dote on them every day!"
Li Muxiu said coldly, "Children are not meant to suffer the harshness of the world; they are meant to feel their parents' love. I couldn't do that back then, so I never married or had children. I didn't have the confidence to be a good father, but now it seems you are even less worthy!"
Li Tiangang fell silent for a moment. "Second Uncle, you've never been a father, so you don't understand my intentions. I want to be good to him and make up for the years he spent alone, but there must be limits!"
"Those warriors on the battlefield, how many mothers and wives long for their return, only to have them buried there forever? He is fortunate to see me alive and well!"
"But one day I will die. If he doesn't grow up and take responsibility, how can he carry the Li Family forward? How can he bear the weight of our ancestors? Can he handle it?!"
Li Muxiu sneered, "How do you know it won't work unless you try? Li Hao isn't as weak as you think. You don't understand him, and you've never truly cared about him!"
He raised his hand, catching a snowflake and handed it to Li Tiangang.
"Look."
Li Tiangang wanted to argue but was taken aback. "What?"
"It's snowing."
Li Muxiu said.
"I know", Li Tiangang replied.
"Except for the day that boy left, this is the second snowfall."
Li Muxiu looked at Li Tiangang and said, "The first time it snowed, you drove him out of the Li Family. Now, with the second snowfall, you come to question me about why I asked an old friend to protect him. Ha, anyone who doesn't know would think you're not his father but rather his mortal enemy!"
He stared directly into Li Tiangang's eyes and whispered, "When you see this snowfall, do you think of whether that boy is cold, whether he can stay warm and fed on the border?"
Li Tiangang's face darkened, and he clenched his fists, speaking in a low, grave tone.
"Under the protection of your old friend, I'm sure he's been quite comfortable. The Fourth Establishment Realm's Demon King dares not invade, and the Great Demon of the Three Eternities Realm has Li He watching over him. Red Makeup, who never lets anyone have a moment's peace, is also there to take care of him."
"Surrounded by so much adoration, what does a little snow matter?"
Li Muxiu gazed at him and said, "I won't mention my old friend, but the Li He you arranged should only step in if the boy faces a life-or-death situation, right?"
"Of course", Li Tiangang said. "Otherwise, how would he learn to back down from challenges?"
Li Muxiu took a deep breath and said, "Go back. Don't bother me unless there's something important."
Li Tiangang immediately replied, "If you make your old friend stop pampering him, I won't come to you."
Li Muxiu sneered, "Do you really think my old friend is only helping Li Hao for my sake?"
Li Tiangang raised an eyebrow. "Could it be that Second Uncle is suggesting Li Hao befriended your old friend? That's a Fourth Establishment Realm powerhouse. Who would care about him?"
Li Muxiu was furious but held his tongue.
He couldn't reveal Feng Boping's identity, or it would cause a commotion.
"Go away!" Li Muxiu said coldly. "Rest assured, my old friend knows his limits and won't intervene unless the Fourth Establishment Realm's Demon King crosses the border."
"The Demon King of the Fourth Establishment Realm doesn't have the courage to invade", Li Tiangang said.
"What if he does?" Li Muxiu stared at him.
Li Tiangang's expression changed, and he fell silent.
"The interrogation of Liu Yuerong is almost over. You should use your energy to seek justice for your son. You don't think Li Hao is making things up about the Divine Blood, do you?" Li Muxiu said coldly.
Li Tiangang's eyes flashed, but he said nothing, merely bowed and swept away, flying off.
Li Muxiu watched as the figure disappeared, the coldness on his face fading as he sighed.
His gaze fell on the Monster Lake before him, then slowly shifted to a nearby depression.
Not far from where Li Tiangang had stood was the fishing platform where his son used to fish.
"Second Uncle, I've caught another one!"
"Haha, Second Uncle, look! This one's a big catch!"
"Second Uncle, it's ready! Come eat!"
Li Muxiu's eyes welled up with tears. He knew in his heart that with that boy's temperament, he might never return.
……
……
In the imperial capital of Dayu Province, the majestic palace.
Civil and military officials stood on either side of the dragon-skin carpet, having just reported on the affairs of each province and now engaged in heated debate.
"Your Majesty, it's been six days. You must make a decision!"
"That Xingwu King just returned from a campaign in Yanbei, and he was granted the rank of Duke. His son, relying on his unparalleled talent, dared to challenge the Xingwu King, leading to a father-son battle. This is a violation of the natural order!"
"If not punished, it will corrupt the moral climate. If the people follow his example, where will the respect for rulers and filial piety be?"
"Your Majesty, I believe there are underlying reasons for this matter. We must investigate thoroughly before making any rash conclusions."
"I've heard that the boy possesses a talent that surpasses all others. He entered the Tianren Realm at the age of fourteen, more formidable than even Li Family's Jiulang in his time. It's no wonder he's become arrogant and reckless, but he has already been disciplined by King Xingwu and exiled to Heavenly Gate Pass. This punishment is severe enough!"
"This is just a show. I don't believe he won't send people to secretly watch over him. Hmph, if Heavenly Gate Pass falls, I'd like to see if his son can bear the responsibility!"
"Handing such a critical location to a child is sheer madness. What will happen if it falls? Behind Heavenly Gate Pass are the millions of people in Liangzhou!"
"Those who violate the law should be executed!"
The court was in heated debate, with two main viewpoints: one advocating for severe punishment and the other believing the matter needed further investigation or should be left to the Li Family to handle, as it was a private family matter, not a state affair.
However, both sides had their weaknesses, and the debate dragged on for days without resolution.
On the dragon throne, the towering Emperor Yu gazed steadily, his eyes seeming to contain the sun, moon, and stars, making it impossible for anyone to meet his gaze.
Listening to the chaotic arguments, a faint smile played on his lips as he recalled the scene by the willow lake...
"That brat really has a temper..." Emperor Yu thought to himself.
His gaze swept over to the other side, where a group of scholars sat quietly. He found this intriguing and asked:
"My esteemed ministers of Hanjindian, what are your thoughts on this matter?"
Hearing the emperor's question, the ongoing debate came to a halt. Everyone turned to look at the scholars, their faces a mix of curiosity and confusion.
In the past, these bookish scholars were always the first to speak out against any violations of propriety, their sharp tongues making even the most seasoned warriors wary.
After all, they were martial artists, and when it came to verbal sparring, they were no match for these scholars with their pens.
But this time, these scholars remained silent, like mere spectators, as if they hadn't heard a thing.
Afraid of Divine General Manor? Afraid of the Li Family?
That was ridiculous.
These scholars had even dared to criticize the prince. What were the Li Family and the five Divine General Manors to them? Each of them had faced their share of scathing remarks.
If not for their ancient contributions, they would have long been silenced.
Disrupting formalities was tantamount to killing the people of the land—that was the scholars' favorite argument, drawing a direct line between the two, which always left those who disliked such trivialities deeply frustrated.
Moreover, Emperor Yu held the scholars of Hanjindian in high regard. The scholars held a status in the imperial court equal to that of the martial generals, and because of their frailty, they were even more favored by the emperor.
It was true that slaying demons was the job of the martial generals, but governing the state and maintaining order was the responsibility of the scholars.
The world was not just filled with demons; the downfall of great nations could also be caused by the hearts of people.
And when it came to governing the hearts of people, the scholars were the experts!
"After your majesty, we believe that Li Hao, though young and impetuous, is not a wastrel or a tyrant. He has the ambition to soar through the clouds and a heart that cares for his country and its people. This conflict must have had a reason. We hope that your majesty will investigate thoroughly and give this young man a fair judgment!"
After a moment, the Grand Guardian of Hanjindian stepped forward and respectfully spoke on behalf of the scholars.
Hearing this, the entire court was stunned.
Was this the same Hanjindian they knew?
Was this the same stubborn Grand Guardian they knew?
Had he been bewitched?
"Grand Guardian, do you realize what you're saying?"
Before the emperor could respond, a Liangzhou military commander who had earlier proposed severe punishment for Li Hao stood up and loudly said:
"Father and son fighting to the death—regardless of the reason, is it right to draw a sword against one's own father? This is his father we're talking about!"
"Yes, if such behavior is tolerated, what will not be tolerated in the future?" another person quickly echoed.
A faint smile appeared on Emperor Yu's lips, but he quickly suppressed it. No one noticed, as no one dared to stare at the emperor for long. His expression remained calm as he said:
"Minister, what evidence do you have to support this claim?"
"After your majesty, we naturally have evidence."
The Grand Guardian glanced at the Liangzhou Commander with a disdainful look. Despite being a scholar, with the emperor's backing, these martial generals wouldn't dare to lay a finger on him.
Moreover, he knew why the commander was so vehement. It was because King Xingwu had sent Li Hao to Heavenly Gate Pass, and they were worried that if Heavenly Gate Pass fell, the demons would invade, and they would be the first to face the brunt of the battle.
"Oh? What evidence do you have?" Emperor Yu asked with interest.
(End of Chapter)
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