Chapter 146: Give Me a Staircase (Bonus Chapter for Monthly Ticket Rewards – 1925)

Hearing Li Moxiu’s words, the others shifted slightly in unease—some glanced at Li Tiangang, others lowered their heads in silence.

Li Tiangang remained unmoved by Li Moxiu’s mockery, his expression blank, his silence unshaken.

Seeing this, Li Moxiu felt a flicker of surprise. He had expected the man to erupt in fury, perhaps even lash out in rage. Regretting it already? The thought crossed his mind. Or is he truly this calm?

Then, He Jianlan spoke.

"Second Uncle, please take another look at this letter from Xuanli."

Li Moxiu turned sharply toward her, taken aback by the strange expression on her face. Without hesitation, he flipped open the military dispatch.

His pupils instantly narrowed.

A flash of shock flickered deep within his eyes.

That brat… he actually killed Three Immortal Great Demons?

Li Moxiu thought he knew Li Hao well—but this level of growth was beyond anything he’d imagined. It wasn’t just a breakthrough. It was a violation of the very limits of prodigies in the Great Yu Divine Dynasty.

To defeat every master in the realm was already staggering enough. But to kill three Immortals—minor demon kings in the Unfading Stage? If the intelligence hadn’t been corroborated by multiple witnesses, Li Moxiu would’ve dismissed it as a fabrication.

"Hao’er… Hao’er…" Li Moxiu’s lips trembled slightly. His heart pounded with a thrill no one else could feel. In that moment, he could already envision the Li Clan ascending to its greatest glory—the pinnacle of power and prestige in the entire world.

But the joy was fleeting.

His gaze darkened. A sharp pain struck his chest.

He turned to glare at Li Tiangang, who stood silent as stone. A bitter mix of rage and sorrow welled up inside him. Blaming Li Tiangang now was pointless. He didn’t even know if the boy would ever return.

“Longxiao Sword,” Gao Qingqing murmured, holding the letter, “they say it’s kept in the Imperial Family Treasury. Now it’s in Hao’er’s hands. Did Emperor Yu bestow it upon him? When did this happen?”

Her words struck a chord.

Chen Hefang, sitting beside her, stiffened. His mind flashed to the Eternal Night—that sword. If it were in the boy’s possession now, it would be destined to become a legend across the world.

But instead, the Eternal Night lay dormant here—just like Xiao Jiu, quietly buried beneath layers of dust and silence.

The council hall fell into a heavy silence. Everyone was lost in thought, absorbing the staggering news.

No one had expected the boy—who had only just left the Divine General’s Residence—to now shock the entire world with a single, breathtaking feat.

Back then, when Li Tiangang had scorned the young man for relying on the Residence’s name, the women had said nothing. But deep down, they hadn’t entirely disagreed. After all, every one of them had basked in the glory of a thousand years. High-ranking officials who once towered over them now treated them with deference—not because of their rank, but because of the power behind the Divine General’s Residence.

Now, however, no one cared about his lineage.

What mattered was his talent—so extreme, so unmatched, it defied all logic.

“Heavenly Pole,” Li Moxiu said, staring at the silent Li Tiangang, “why don’t you speak? If you regret it now, you still have time. Go to the Heavenly Gate Pass and admit your mistake. Don’t wait until the three years are up—then it’ll all be too late!”

The other ladies froze, their eyes darting toward Li Tiangang in quiet alarm.

Li Tiangang slowly lifted his gaze. He looked at Li Moxiu, saw the cold fury simmering in his eyes, and let a faint, bitter twist form at the corner of his mouth.

"Second Uncle," he said, voice calm but edged with steel, "you’ve seen the boy’s talent. But do you approve of his actions?"

"What?" Li Moxiu narrowed his brows. "What are you saying?"

"Publicly suppressing the Buddha’s Heir," Li Tiangang continued, "humiliating Mount Wu Liang, alienating the Buddha Master himself. Then provoking every master in the realm. How many connections, how many factions, how many powerful forces are behind those masters? How many enemies has he just made?"

Li Moxiu snapped. "Are you saying we should just let them walk all over us? Are you afraid?"

"Am I afraid?" Li Tiangang shook his head. "Second Uncle, you lost to my father in the True Dragon contest because your sense of strategy was lacking. Grandfather’s choice was correct. Your vision… it’s too narrow."

"Are you lecturing me?" Li Moxiu’s eyes flashed with icy fury.

Li Tiangang met his gaze without flinching.

"Our Li Clan respects the Imperial Family—but we bow to no one. Mount Wu Liang has meddled in our affairs. That debt has not been settled yet."

"Those so-called masters, their connections and influence—what are they to the iron boots of the Law Character Camp and the Yuan Character Camp?"

"Who dares to speak a single word against the Divine General’s Residence?"

Li Moxiu’s voice turned cold. "Then what was your point? What were you trying to say?"

"I’ve said it before," Li Tiangang replied. "Hao’er’s talent is more than sufficient. I’ve never doubted his potential. But his behavior—it’s dangerously reckless."

"He’s still young. I can forgive many things. But forgiveness is not consent. If we allow this, we’ll be no different from you."

"If he can’t even tolerate a single word of criticism, how will he ever rise?"

"Take this incident, for example."

He slammed the letter down onto the table.

"Mount Wu Liang’s Buddha’s Heir provoked him. Defeating him would have been enough—enough to gain fame, enough to make the point. The rival might have been angry, but they wouldn’t strike immediately. And if they did retaliate later, people would see it as petty and petty only."

"But this humiliation? If they do strike back, and the truth comes out, the world will understand. They’ll see it as justified."

"The same goes for the other masters. They may bow to us in public, but behind the scenes, they’re always scheming. How many times a day must we stay alert, guarding against their secret schemes?"

"He always has better options. But he chooses the worst one every time."

Li Tiangang locked eyes with Li Moxiu.

"That’s the flaw your indulgence has created. His actions are bold, yes. They’re satisfying. But what about the consequences?"

"A child can be reckless. But an adult must learn control."

"Letting anger drive you, burning everything in your path—what if he were carrying the mantle of the Li Family’s True Dragon? Then such a move wouldn’t just be his own. It would represent us. The Li Clan deliberately humiliating every master, forcing them into submission."

"Public opinion is water. Water can carry a boat… or sink it."

"People revere the Divine General’s Residence not just because of the Emperor, not just because of our bloodshed on the battlefield. They revere us because we never oppress the common people. Because we never bend the law for personal gain."

"Let me be clear: force can suppress rebellion. But only compassion can win hearts."

"He’ll one day lead armies. Haven’t you heard of generals who beat their subordinates, who drink until their men cut off their heads in rage?"

Li Moxiu fell silent. He took a deep breath.

"You’re right," he admitted. "You’ve shown true heart toward your soldiers. You carry the people of Qingzhou in your soul. Why can’t you make room for one child? Especially one who’s your own son?"

"Because he’s my son," Li Tiangang said, each word deliberate. "He’s different."

Li Moxiu laughed—a cold, sharp sound.

"He saved the people of Dayue City. He saved Cangyu City. That’s why he was enfeoffed. Did you achieve such merit at fourteen? How do you know he doesn’t command the people’s hearts? How do you know he’s not beloved by the world?"

"Common people are water," Li Tiangang replied, his voice like winter ice. "Masters are hands. Water can be shaped by the hand. Sometimes, it flows not because of the water—but because of how the hand moves."

Li Moxiu stared at him.

"So… you’re really waiting for the three years to pass?"

Li Tiangang glanced at him, then turned his gaze to the letter before him. After a long silence, he spoke.

"With the help of your friend, and his own strength, securing the Heavenly Gate Pass isn’t impossible."

"But now that he’s killed the Young Demon King of Wan Mountain, the Wanshan Demon King won’t let this go easily. Even with your friend’s protection, it won’t be safe. If the Demon King calls in allies—seeking revenge for his son’s death—Hao’er will be in grave danger."

Li Moxiu raised an eyebrow, his tone dry.

"I thought you’d never think of that."

Li Tiangang ignored the jab.

"I’ll write a letter. The boy is young, fiery, ambitious. So I’ll give him a staircase."

Li Moxiu exhaled in quiet relief.

"If you’re willing to do this, I suggest you go yourself."

"I’m busy," Li Tiangang shook his head, tapping the table with his fingers. "Second Uncle, don’t forget—we were just discussing the matter of Liang Prefecture. The scale of this Demon Disaster spreading into Dayue City proves the beasts are no longer holding back. I must go to Dayu Prefecture. I need to meet with the Emperor."

Li Moxiu frowned, studying him. Then he remembered Li Tiangang’s nature—had he gone, it might only make things worse.

So he said nothing more.

Whatever the outcome, the fact that Li Tiangang was willing to yield was already a victory.

He sighed inwardly—then his thoughts turned to Feng Bo Ping.

He could almost see the old man’s smug grin, the knowing twinkle in his eye.

You knew all along, didn’t you? Li Moxiu seethed silently. You let me panic, just to watch me squirm. You little old bastard… next time we meet, I’ll make you pay.

…

…

Mount Wu Liang, the Sacred Holy Land.

Deep within the towering peaks, in the highest sanctuary—a place where golden Buddha light bathed the sacred peak—the path from the mortal world ended at the foot of the mountain. Pilgrims, commoners, and nobles alike came here to burn incense and pray.

But at the summit, beyond a spiritual formation barrier, lay a pure, radiant realm.

There, seated upon a lotus platform, was the Universe Buddha—calm, compassionate, his presence like a gentle breeze. To his left and right stood two Bodhisattvas—one was Lin Wujing, the other a woman, serene in expression, though her brow was faintly furrowed.

Before the sacred hall, kneeling in reverence, were several figures. Among them were two of the Buddha’s Heirs.

"The events in Liang Prefecture have reached me," the Universe Buddha said, his voice warm yet resonant—like a bell that didn’t clang, but sang. "The young man’s talent… unparalleled in history. He is truly Emperor Yu’s first-born. You were defeated by him. There is no shame in that. It was fated."

The two Buddha’s Heirs—Qin Wujue and Li Qianfeng—felt their hearts tremble. Shame washed over them, but beneath it, a strange relief, and a deep sorrow.

They were prodigies. Yet they had been utterly crushed. And now, their master’s words suggested they were no match at all.

"Qiankun Diamond Saint," the Universe Buddha said gently, "you have three years. Stay here, cultivate. If you reach the Human-Heaven Stage, you’ll have a chance to vie for the True Dragon position. If not… remain here. Become an Arhat, a Bodhisattva. Leave the affairs of the world behind. The cause and effect of this realm need not stain your soul."

Li Qianfeng bowed deeply. "Yes, Master."

Beside him, Qin Wujue’s eyes, once hollow with despair, flickered with a faint light. He looked up at the Buddha Master, voice trembling with uncertainty.

"Master… I am weak. The boy’s master… his cultivation realm is terrifying. Even if Qiankun reaches the Human-Heaven Stage, he may still not be able to match him. Why do you speak so of him?"

It wasn’t doubt. It was a plea for clarity. He knew the master wouldn’t speak without reason.

"Strength and weakness," the Universe Buddha said softly, "have no fixed law. A flower blooms in March, fades in September. If you bloom in the ninth month, even if your petals are pale, what does it matter?"

"Even a dragon-elephant cannot cross the river. Even a weak bird cannot be stopped by mountains and rivers."

"Everything in this world follows its own law. Heaven resents talent. Too rigid, too proud—easily broken."

"That boy has great potential. But he has already stepped onto a dead path. His Dao will be long and treacherous."

The two Heirs exchanged confused glances. Was this a warning? Was the boy too arrogant? Would his pride bring him ruin?

The Universe Buddha smiled faintly.

"Go now. Contemplate. Realize. Break through your inner demons. Remember—all thoughts are illusions. All worldly actions are dreams. Only then can you transcend."

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end