https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-133-Turmoil-Make-up-Update-1425-/13450131/
Chapter 134: The Trial of Liu Yuerong
Chapter 134: The Trial of Liu Yuerong (Second Unity Chapter)
After the elders took away the Cultivation Techniques, Li Tiangang escorted everyone out of the courtyard. He then returned to his study and picked up the interrogation report he had been reading halfway through.
This was the second time he was reviewing it, just to check for any oversights.
It didn’t take long to finish reading it a second time.
Li Tiangang fell silent, standing still as he gazed at a training ground in the courtyard.
There stood a Dragon Sinew Straw Target, but it was already tattered and covered in snow.
Thud!
An arrow struck the center of the Dragon Sinew Straw Target, its tail quivering slightly.
"See, I told you I could hit it!"
A child jumped up and down, excitedly shouting.
"Ha, not bad. With more practice, you could surpass your second brother."
A tall, sword-wielding youth smiled and said.
"I’ve already surpassed him. Seventh Uncle’s archery talent is far greater than mine."
A lean-faced young man smiled and reached out to pat the child’s head, who was jumping with joy.
"Don’t be modest. You shot a Great Demon’s head clean off from thirty miles away, and the whole army saw it."
The sword-wielding youth’s eyes showed admiration.
The lean-faced young man smiled without a word and said to the child, "Last time, you said you wanted your own Treasure Saber. Look, what do you think of this?"
He pulled out a curved dagger from behind his back.
The child’s eyes lit up with surprise as he took it, "Second Brother, did you buy this for me?"
"No, I hunted a Great Dragon, took its teeth and scales, and had someone forge it for you."
The sword-wielding youth said, his voice filled with envy.
"Thank you, Second Brother!"
The child was overjoyed, holding the dagger and playing with it lovingly.
From another part of the courtyard, a powerful cry of a child suddenly rang out.
The two young men looked over and laughed.
"Little Jiujiu has wet the bed again."
They walked over, and the child immediately followed, their figures gradually fading away.
The past scenes faded into silence, the warm sunlight of spring no longer visible, leaving only the current snowfall covering the courtyard.
The new Dragon Sinew Straw Target had become tattered and worn.
The laughter and joy had faded away, but the target remained, with no one left to shoot at it…
Li Tiangang’s hand clenched slightly, and he slowly took a deep breath. Then, he turned and walked out of the Mountain and River Courtyard with a solemn expression.
Yu Xuan and Li Fu wanted to follow, but he raised a hand to stop them.
He didn’t speak, just walked with his hands behind his back, disappearing into the falling snow outside the courtyard.
Before long, Li Tiangang arrived at Shuihua Courtyard.
He pushed open the door, and the guards at the entrance were slightly taken aback when they saw him. Fear flashed in their eyes as they hurriedly bowed.
Li Tiangang walked into the courtyard with his hands behind his back and saw a youth practicing swordsmanship, the sound of his sword cutting through the air.
He glanced over, and the youth noticed him, stopping to look back with a cold, slightly angry expression.
Li Tiangang didn’t speak, just turned his gaze and walked directly to a pavilion.
Inside the pavilion, a graceful woman in a green robe was leaning on the railing, watching the youth practice swordsmanship.
Li Tiangang entered the pavilion from the side, but the woman’s expression didn’t change much. She continued to watch the youth, not turning around, though her lips tightened slightly, revealing her inner turmoil.
The pavilion fell silent.
After a while, Li Tiangang spoke first, "Second Sister-in-law, the interrogation results have been delivered to me. You personally confirmed them. Is there anything else you want to say?"
Liu Yuerong didn’t move, and after a moment, she slowly replied, "What do you want me to say? Should I kneel and apologize to you, Brother Li Tiangang? Or should I kneel to your son and let him kill us, mother and child?"
As she spoke, she slowly turned around, her dark eyes fixed on Li Tiangang.
Li Tiangang fell silent for a moment before saying, "Since Second Sister-in-law has admitted to the interrogation results, Tian Gang will act according to the law."
"Act according to the law, indeed…."
Liu Yuerong’s eyes suddenly flared with anger and resentment.
"Using the Thousand Needle Soul Insect Technique to force a confession, if I didn’t speak, I would have died in that prison. Li Tiangang, Li Tiangang, you are truly ruthless. You are ruthless to your son and to us, a widow and her child. Do you have any conscience left for your deceased brother?"
Li Tiangang looked at the anger and hatred on her face and fell silent.
There was a time when he and Second Brother were often seen together. Every time she saw him, she always appeared as a gentle and refined lady, smiling warmly. She would always bring him some small snacks to eat and drink. When they went to the market outside, she never forgot to bring him some gifts.
Back then, they were all young, their faces filled with carefree and spirited expressions, as if they couldn't hide a single worry.
But now, as they looked into each other's eyes, they could no longer glimpse the other's inner thoughts.
Time had changed, and people had changed.
"Second Sister-in-Law, according to national law, your title of First-Class National Lady will be revoked, and you will be demoted to the rank of Scholarly Clan."
Li Tiangang took a slight breath and said in a low, deep voice, "According to family law, you attempted to harm the legitimate son of the family, which warrants exile and execution. However, in consideration of Second Brother's past contributions, you will stay in the Shuihua Courtyard from now on. As long as the Li Family is here, we can ensure you a life of honor and prosperity."
"Honor and prosperity, indeed!"
Liu Yuerong glared at him with resentment: "Why was Feng Ping so foolish, so stupid? His talent was no less than yours, Li Tiangang. Qianfeng has Divine Blood in his veins, and he was already at the Three Immortalities stage when we got married!"
"But he did something so incredibly foolish, taking the blow for you, suffering severe injuries, and still going to war, only to end up without a trace of his remains..."
As she spoke, she clenched her teeth, her eyes filled with hatred and red tears: "The year he died, Qianfeng had just been born!"
"He was born without a father!"
Li Tiangang's chest rose and fell slightly, and he remained as silent as a stone.
"If it weren't for you, how could he have died? If he hadn't died, after Xiao Jiu's death, the True Dragon Position would have been his!"
"If he were still here, how could you have bullied us, a widow and her child? If he were still here, I wouldn't have had to go to such lengths to poison your monstrous son!"
"All of this is your fault, all of it is your doing!!"
Liu Yuerong's emotions broke, and she let out a mix of angry sobs and roars.
Outside the courtyard, a young figure suddenly appeared, standing between Liu Yuerong and Li Tiangang, his eyes filled with icy coldness, staring coldly at the towering man before him.
"I will take responsibility for my mother’s actions. You will not punish her!"
Li Qianfeng said coldly.
Li Tiangang looked into those cold eyes and felt a sudden pang of pain, as if he had seen those eyes before, not long ago.
By bloodline, the other was his nephew, and he should call him "Uncle."
But at this moment, the other's eyes held only the coldness of a stranger, even a sense of hostility.
Liu Yuerong, hearing Li Qianfeng's words, was so frightened that she hastily pushed him away: "Don't get involved, don't come over. This has nothing to do with you, go away!"
Li Tiangang could see that Liu Yuerong's confession was not just due to the interrogation's torture but because she did not want to involve her son. After all, no one in the manor now believed she was innocent, and her stubbornness would be of no use.
"Li Tiangang, you can imprison me, but Qianfeng is innocent. He is just a child and knows nothing."
Liu Yuerong glared at Li Tiangang.
Li Tiangang slowly said, "I will handle this fairly. Qianfeng has done nothing wrong, and I won't interfere with him, as long as he doesn't break the law or family rules in the future."
Hearing this, Liu Yuerong's heart eased. Her shoulders trembled as she began to cry and laugh at the same time:
"Feng Ping, you have a good brother..."
Her words were filled with both sarcasm and sorrow.
Li Tiangang remained silent, offering no explanation or further words, only giving her a deep look and then turning his gaze to the young man before him.
"Qianfeng, the result of this True Dragon competition has been reported to our ancestors and will not stand. You and Li Hao can still compete. I am giving Li Hao three years, and you will have the same. If you can defeat Li Hao after three years, the True Dragon Position will be yours."
Li Qianfeng's body shook as he stared at him:
"Really?"
Li Tiangang did not repeat himself. The young man before him was unwilling to even call him "Uncle", showing how distant their relationship had become. Li Tiangang no longer felt the same enthusiasm.
Liu Yuerong, however, knew Li Tiangang's temperament and character. She knew he was serious and couldn't help but laugh:
"Li Tiangang, Li Tiangang, ever since Father passed away, you haven't changed a bit. Your son won, and who could possibly beat that monster?"
"You could have shown a little favoritism and given the True Dragon Position to him. Why go through all this trouble? Your Li Family men are all as stubborn as wooden heads, utterly foolish!"
Li Tiangang glanced at her, his emotions now calm, and said indifferently:
"Perhaps, but the people of Dayu need such stubborn heads. Your Liu Family's scholars are quick-witted, but what practical deeds have they accomplished in recent years? You've taken advantage of opportunities to amass wealth, relying on the Li Family's protection to evade taxes. Do you really think I don't know?"
Liu Yuerong was taken aback, her face turning pale.
"Nothing can remain hidden if you do it yourself!"
Li Tiangang flicked his sleeve and turned to leave, walking out of the Shuihua Courtyard.
The captain of the personal guards, who had been waiting outside, approached and bowed, awaiting orders.
"Seal the courtyard; don't let her take a single step outside!"
Li Tiangang left without another word.
……
……
In the Snowfall Hall.
After returning to the courtyard, Li Xuanli asked Madame Gao Qingqing to prepare his travel clothes and belongings, planning to set out for Liangzhou as soon as possible. Time was of the essence, and since Liangzhou had the potential for a Demon Plague, he didn't intend to linger at home.
"Father, are you going to Liangzhou to subdue the demons?"
Three figures entered the main hall, and Li Wushuang asked with bright eyes.
"Yep."
Li Xuanli looked at the three of them, a smile on his face. He beckoned them closer, and when they drew near, he said gently:
"While I'm away, you must listen to your mother and behave yourselves, understand?"
"Father, are you going to Heavenly Gate Pass to defend it with him?"
Li Wushuang quickly asked, while Li Yun and Li Zhining also fixed their gazes on Li Xuanli.
"Heavenly Gate Pass?"
Li Xuanli was taken aback, instantly knowing who his daughter was referring to. His expression changed slightly, and he sighed:
"I'm going to the Li Family Military Camp in Liangzhou. Heavenly Gate Pass is a dangerous border post, and the troops have already been withdrawn. I wonder when that boy will return. If he really intends to stay there for three years, it will be very dangerous when the demons invade..."
His face was filled with concern.
Li Wushuang and the others were taken aback, their expressions changing.
"Father, if Liangzhou is dangerous, shouldn't you inform him?"
Li Wushuang frowned.
Li Xuanli nodded slightly: "Once I reach Liangzhou, I'll send a military report to inform him to be on high alert. It would be best if he could return. That boy is truly stubborn. What can't be resolved between father and son, sigh..."
Gao Qingqing rolled her eyes: "Don't stand there and talk without feeling the strain. Mind your own business. If you're going to Liangzhou, take care of yourself first. If you really want to write to that boy, tell him that Fifth Lady has prepared his favorite beef soft jade pastries for when he returns."
Li Xuanli nodded slightly and gently squeezed Madame's hand.
Then, he turned to the three of them: "With the current turmoil of demons, the world is no longer as stable as it used to be. You must focus on your cultivation and not go around showing off your skills. Understand?"
Li Wushuang said: "Father, I want to go to Liangzhou too."
"Me too", Li Yun quickly added.
Li Zhining didn't speak but looked at his father with big, expectant eyes.
Li Xuanli rolled his eyes, realizing his words had been in vain. He said irritably: "I don't have the energy to take care of you. Don't come and cause me trouble."
"Father, they can't go, but I can."
Li Wushuang decisively betrayed her siblings: "I need to go down the mountain and experience the world. This True Dragon competition made me realize how far behind I am compared to them. I need to cultivate by slaying demons!"
Li Yun and Li Zhining looked at their elder sister, feeling betrayed. They had planned to come together to ask their father to let them go, but she had sold them out.
The two siblings glared at her, feeling like they were just here to make her look good.
Li Xuanli heard his daughter's words and smiled bitterly: "Don't compare yourself to them. One is more exaggerated than your Ninth Uncle, and the other is a personal disciple of the Buddha Master. To have your level of cultivation is already something to be proud of. You're ranked in the top thirty on the Heaven and Earth List, and I am very proud of you."
"That's not enough. I want to be the best!"
Li Wushuang said firmly: "If I continue to slack off, I'll eventually fall so far behind that I won't even be able to see their heels!"
Seeing her determination, Li Xuanli thought for a moment and said: "Alright, with your cultivation, it might be good for you to see the military. I'll take you along."
“Dad……”
Li Yun and his sister hurriedly spoke up.
“You two better give it up.”
“Dad, you’re being unfair!”
“Right, I am being unfair. If you don’t listen, do you think I won’t beat you?”
“……”
……
……
At Heavenly Gate Pass in Liangzhou.
Inside a small wattle-and-daub courtyard.
The fire had died down, and Li Hao watched as Song Qiumo and Old Feng finished their meals. He smiled, patted his buttocks, and stood up, saying:
“The weather is nice today. Why don’t we go for a walk and slay some demons?”
Song Qiumo asked curiously, “You just obtained the Sword Manual. Aren’t you going to practice sword techniques first?”
“Practicing with a sword progresses fastest in real combat,” Li Hao said with a smile.
“I see, you just want to use my hands to kill more demons, don’t you?” Song Qiumo said teasingly, but she wasn’t angry.
“Consider it a way to digest our food,” Li Hao said with a grin.
“True, I’m getting tired of staying here anyway. I’ll go with you,” Song Qiumo said as she stood up.
Feng Boping said calmly, “She’s enough to keep you company. I’ll stay behind.”
Li Hao knew Feng Boping wanted to stay and guard the pass, so he nodded slightly, still smiling. He then took the Dragon Dawn sword from Ren Qianqian’s hands.
“Can I come too?” Ren Qianqian asked eagerly.
“You’re still too weak. Stay here and practice. When you reach the Soul Continuation stage, will you follow your father’s path or go to the Martial Temple for Soul Continuation?” Li Hao asked.
Ren Qianqian answered immediately, “The Martial Temple. It’s the place my father chose for me.”
“Alright, once you break through, I’ll have Qiumo take you to the Martial Temple. But hurry up; she’s only staying for half a year,” Li Hao said with a smile.
Hearing this, Ren Qianqian realized her cultivation was still too low, and she couldn’t keep up with Li Hao.
Li Hao picked up his sword and turned to leave. A white shadow darted out, and the little white fox climbed up his pant leg and onto his shoulder, as light as a feather.
Seeing its affectionate behavior, Li Hao rubbed its small head and didn’t shoo it away. He then strolled out of the camp, sword in hand, and released his Divine Soul, using the Heavenly Gate Pass as a center point to patrol the surrounding area.
Before long, Li Hao spotted some demons lurking forty miles away.
With Song Qiumo by his side, his life was secure, and he didn’t need to worry about an attack from a Fourth Establishment Realm Demon King. He charged forward with his sword.
With a swift motion, the Dragon Dawn sword was drawn, and from twenty miles away, the Flying Sword shot out like a rainbow, slicing through several demons in the forest.
The sword light was as white as snow, resembling a roaring silver dragon, cutting through the demons’ bodies as if slicing through tofu, erasing their Divine Souls in the process.
The demons didn’t even have time to understand what was happening.
Li Hao glided through the air, effortlessly flying, and his senses first mapped the Dragon Pass Road. Using Object Control Power, he casually tossed the demon corpses on the road to the wilderness and forests beyond.
This main road leading to the pass had been occupied by demons before Li Hao arrived. After he had cleared them out on his previous trip, he saw that a few demons had returned and were resting in the middle of the road, likely having stopped to rest during their journey.
Li Hao didn’t hesitate, and his sword light flew out, instantly slaying the demons and flinging their bodies away.
He wanted these demons to know that this was a road for humans, not a path for demons to tread.
After dealing with these demons, Li Hao flew into the surrounding wilderness, casually slaying any demons he encountered along the way.
Demons and monsters in the Divine Wanderer Realm and Fifteen Li Realm were no match for him.
Even the Tianren Realm demons, who were considered minor demon kings in their own right, were powerless against the Dragon Dawn sword’s piercing power. Their rough skin and flesh were torn apart like paper.
As Li Hao soared over hills and forests, the ground was left littered with demon corpses.
He wanted to clear all the demons in this area, restoring it to its state from a thousand years ago, making it a forbidden zone for demons!
Song Qiumo followed Li Hao as he wandered around, but she barely had any opportunities to join in the action.
She had long realized that Li Hao only asked her to accompany him to guard against the Great Demon King's sneak attacks. As for the other Monsters, Li Hao could easily slay them.
Apart from controlling his Flying Sword, when Li Hao encountered Demons around the Fifteen Li Realm, he mostly used his Fishing Line and Hook to fish them in and kill them, accumulating Fishing Experience along the way.
Several days passed.
Within a hundred miles of Heavenly Gate Pass, not a single Demon could be seen; they had all been slain.
Li Hao's Fishing Experience had reached twenty thousand points, still eighty thousand points away from the bottleneck of one hundred thousand.
Li Hao began to clean up areas farther away.
Meanwhile.
A thousand miles beyond Heavenly Gate Pass.
On the peak of a towering mountain surrounded by great mountains, there was a daoist training ground.
Mist swirled around the daoist training ground, and the morning bell rang.
The vast training ground was filled with numerous Cultivators, dressed in simple daoist robes, their hair tied up in buns, resembling a daoist sanctuary of immortals.
However, a closer look revealed that these figures had various horns or protruding scales on their heads.
The backs of their daoist robes were also cut open, with tails of different shapes extending out. Their clasped hands, which they used to chant, were either delicate human hands or clawed hands with bumpy scales.
This was the Dragon Mountain Daoist Ground.
In front of the training ground, on an altar, there was a dry corpse wearing a daoist robe, its face a ghastly red and green, preaching to the assembled Demons.
Surrounded by dark souls, insects would occasionally crawl out from the front of its robe and then burrow back into its body through its ears or nose.
This dry corpse was none other than the Three Immortalities Great Demon, who had fled in disgrace from Heavenly Gate Pass a few days ago.
Peacock, Ox Demon, and Giant Toad had all met their end at Heavenly Gate Pass, leaving only him as the sole survivor.
Such a significant loss was not trivial for the Dragon Mountain Daoist Ground.
In the back mountains of the training ground, an old man in a tattered daoist robe sat quietly in front of a waterfall.
Suddenly, his eyes snapped open, a cold light flashing in them. He said coldly, "Why have you come, sir?"
Behind him, a figure slowly materialized out of thin air. It was a seductive woman in a bright red dress, with half of her face marked by a floral pattern. Her eyes were alluring as she said with a light laugh, "Dragon Lord, I heard that your disciples all fell at that Heavenly Gate Pass. What a pity, indeed."
"Are you here to provoke a fight?"
The old man's eyes were icy.
"I'm just feeling sorry for you. Why are you taking your anger out on me..."
The seductive woman feigned innocence, blinking her eyes. "I came to ask you if you've considered my previous proposal. Will you join our great army? It's a rare opportunity, you know."
The old man frowned, falling silent.
"What are you still worried about? The True Person of Qian Dao Palace won't dare to step out."
The seductive woman said softly, "Otherwise, that Imperial Holy Capital would have fallen to ashes in an instant."
"This is a once-in-a-thousand-years opportunity. The human race expanded recklessly back then, forcing us out of our homes and squeezing us to the edge of the Great Wasteland Sky. We should have retaliated long ago!"
As she spoke, a hint of murderous intent appeared on her seductive face.
The old man slowly replied, "If you plan to attack Liangzhou, what direction do you intend to take?"
"Originally, we planned to have you cooperate and march straight through Heavenly Gate Pass."
The seductive woman's expression softened again. "But we heard some intelligence a few days ago. The Li Family in Qingzhou City had a major incident. That Monster genius, who was hailed as the first in a thousand years, left home and was exiled here. He has Fourth Establishment Realm Secret Protection, and I believe you've already encountered him."
"So, continuing to attack through Heavenly Gate Pass would mean facing a Fourth Establishment Realm opponent too early, which would result in significant losses, making it not worth it."
"We have changed our route."
"Since this pass has become a hard nut to crack, we'll bypass it first. Once we've flattened Liangzhou, this small pass will be of no use. We can then come back and deal with those Elder humans..."
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
