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Chapter 154: Arrangements
Chapter 154: Arrangements (7K Unity Chapter)
Bang!
The Demonic Hand was incinerated by the blazing sun, the Demonic Qi evaporated, and the void trembled.
The dazzling sunlight did not wane; instead, it continued to emit a radiant golden glow, enveloping Li Hao and his two companions.
"Sacred Heart Amulet!"
Seeing the glowing talisman, the Myriad Mountains Demon King's face changed. He hadn't expected Li Hao to possess such a valuable item. But then, considering the Divine General Manor backing him, it wasn't so surprising.
"It's just a few more breaths."
He realized this wasn't an offensive Sacred Heart Amulet and felt a slight relief. If it had been an attack talisman, the higher the quality, the more terrifying the attack, potentially as powerful as a strike from an Ultimate Mastery Realm expert—something they couldn't withstand.
But talismans of that caliber were extremely rare, and the entire Great Yu Divine Dynasty likely had only a few.
"Attack! Tear this talisman apart!"
The Myriad Mountains Demon King immediately signaled the Dragon Lord and the Silver-robed Youth, and they all attacked simultaneously.
Demonic Qi surged in the void as the three Demon Kings revealed their auras, causing many Grandmasters and reinforcements nearby to feel their hearts race with fear.
Earlier, those Martial Artists below the Tianren Realm had thought these three Demons were merely at the Three Eternities Realm. Now, the demonic aura they emitted made them feel as if their hearts were about to burst.
Some Grandmasters turned pale, the blood rushing to their heads like a doused flame, already considering retreat.
Everyone had different thoughts. Some were willing to risk their lives for a favor, while others valued their own lives more highly.
They had expected the Myriad Mountains Demon King to attack, but not in such a frenzy, and certainly not with the help of two other Demon Kings.
If it had been just the Myriad Mountains Demon King, they thought they could rely on Li Hao's connection to the Divine General Manor and his near-Fourth Establishment Realm combat strength, combined with their own efforts, to stand a chance in battle.
But the current situation at Heavenly Gate Pass was far worse than they had imagined.
The city was gone, the people were gone, and now all that remained was a dense tide of Demons. The presence of these three Great Demon Kings was utterly disheartening!
However, most Grandmasters had recognized the identities of the three Demon Kings upon arrival. Shocked, they realized it was too late to flee and were prepared to fight to the death.
Thus, some shouted for Li Hao to leave first.
At least they needed to ensure Li Hao's safety; he was their hope!
If they could save him, there would be someone to avenge their deaths and hunt down these Demons in the future!
"Old Feng, you go first."
Seeing the attack from the three Demon Kings, Li Hao handed the burning Sacred Heart Amulet to Old Feng. This talisman could withstand a Fourth Establishment Realm attack, but it was only for critical moments of self-preservation. Escaping, especially from three Demon Kings, was nearly impossible.
Someone had to stay behind.
And he was the best choice to hold them off.
Any of the three could die if they stayed, so he might as well be the one.
At least, if he fought to the death, and if he could achieve the ultimate Transcend to Immortality, he might have a chance to counter-kill the enemy at the moment of his body's destruction!
"Don't be foolish!"
Feng Boping shouted in anger, refusing to take the talisman.
Li Hao's Immortal Qi was already surging, preparing to force Old Feng and the others to retreat through his actions.
But just then, a sudden gust of wind rushed in, followed by a massive bell toll.
The bell's sound was like a chant, a solemn drumbeat, resonating in everyone's hearts.
The many Demons outside the Pass were shaken, their Demonic Qi fluctuating. Those of lower realms immediately had their demonic power dissipate, unable to muster any strength.
The three Demon Kings, struck by the bell's toll, all changed expression. The Dragon Lord emitted a deep, resonant dragon roar, filled with anger, which echoed across the entire battlefield.
A figure in white appeared, blocking Li Hao and his companions.
“Tian Ji Tower Leader!”
Song Qiumo's eyes narrowed the moment he saw the other's appearance.
Feng Boping's face, however, changed dramatically, a mix of emotions crossing it. He and the other shared a brief, shallow glance.
Decades ago, Feng Boping had stolen something from the Heavenly Mechanism Tower, making him and the Tian Ji Tower Leader old acquaintances, though not in the same way as with Li Muxiu. Their relationship was more of the kind where they would fight on sight.
But he never expected that, in his moment of dire straits, it would be this person who would step forward.
“You really have some nerve!”
The Tian Ji Tower Leader, dressed in white, stood tall and proud, appearing to be a middle-aged man, though he was actually several hundred years old. At this moment, his expression was calm, but his eyes shot out cold, icy glares as he stared at the three Demons before him.
“Giving you the Beyond the Pass as your habitat, and you still dare to invade our territory! Have you no desire to live in peace?”
“Peace? This Donghuang Continent isn’t owned by the Jiang family. Why should we be confined to such a small area?”
The Myriad Mountains Demon King’s face turned pale upon seeing the Tower Leader, knowing that today would likely not end well for him.
“Every inch of land in the Dayu territories was painstakingly secured by our ancestors. Do you think you can just take it? Can you even handle it?”
Tian Ji Tower Leader Lu Chunsheng sneered.
“A bunch of ants, needing only a tiny patch of land to survive, yet you dare to claim such vast territories. Don’t you fear being overwhelmed?”
The Myriad Mountains Demon King growled in frustration, deciding to dispense with the pretenses and speak his mind.
“Today, there’s no chance of silencing you. And I can’t even avenge the deaths of my son and brother. Next, I’ll be hunted by the Great Yu Divine Dynasty. This is a heavy loss.”
These Demons beyond the Pass had long harbored deep hatred for the Great Yu Divine Dynasty.
Though they were just a bunch of ants, they had claimed all the landscapes these Demons could see.
Though they could easily crush a large number of these ants with a single step, some of these ants were exceptionally ferocious, capable of intimidating even them.
They could only watch helplessly as these ferocious ants protected the weaker ones, living freely under their noses.
Their teeth ground in frustration, yet they were powerless. They had to force smiles and exchange pleasantries with the Imperial Envoys on patrol.
How humiliating!
“Let’s go, no need to waste time with him!”
The Dragon Lord’s face darkened, and the Silver-robed Youth’s gaze grew heavy. They knew that today would not end in their favor, especially with the Tian Ji Tower Leader here. Who knew if any other Fourth Establishment Realm experts might show up?
This human brat had the blood of the Li Family.
The Myriad Mountains Demon King gritted his teeth, his hatred reaching a fever pitch, yet he maintained an ironclad control. The three of them quickly retreated together.
As for his subordinates far away, the Myriad Mountains Demon King could no longer care for them. This battle would result in a manhunt, and he dared not linger in the Beyond the Pass territory. He would have to flee to a more distant place or seek refuge with other Demon factions.
In this way, his subordinates would only be a hindrance. It might be better if they died here, buying him some time.
Of course, these were his own thoughts. The distant Demon Tide was unaware and continued to fight valiantly for their king.
“Hmph, think you can just leave so easily!”
Lu Chunsheng sneered, suddenly activating the ancient dark silver bell in his hand, sending it flying to trap the Myriad Mountains Demon King.
The Dragon Lord opened his mouth, spewing out a blast of Sword Qi that struck the bell, blocking it.
The Silver-robed Youth, meanwhile, waved his hand, releasing a silver light that propelled the three of them to accelerate their escape, quickly disappearing into the horizon.
But at that moment, a figure suddenly appeared, ghost-like, blocking their path and delivering a powerful punch.
Whoosh!
It seemed as though a storm swept across the heavens and earth.
The previous chaos quieted in the face of this storm.
Then, a fierce impact resounded. A black light and a primordial yellow light flashed around the Myriad Mountains Demon King, but both shattered.
His body was hurled like a cannonball, crashing into the foot of a distant mountain and creating a deep crater.
This sudden turn of events caused the Silver-robed Youth and the Dragon Lord to change color, their eyes wide with shock as they looked at the newcomer. They quickly closed the distance, rushing to the Myriad Mountains Demon King’s position.
"That old man has finally come."
Feng Boping was momentarily stunned when he saw the figure, then his eyes lit up with joy, and he burst into laughter.
Li Hao also recognized the newcomer at first glance—it was Second Uncle Li Muxiu.
Such an astonishing fist technique could only belong to one person in the entire Great Yu Divine Dynasty.
The Fist Sage is not like the Sword Saint—there is no second best in the realm of fists.
There is only one Fist Sage.
And that is Li Muxiu!
"Li Hao..."
Li Muxiu rushed over, sending the Myriad Mountains Demon King flying with a single punch. He didn't even spare a glance at the demon, his gaze quickly falling on the camp below.
He soon spotted Li Hao.
Seeing Li Hao, covered in blood and looking utterly miserable, Li Muxiu was stunned. His mind buzzed with shock.
Is this the same young man who used to sit by the lake, laughing and playing?
"Li Hao!!"
Li Muxiu roared in fury, his voice like a thunderclap, resonating across the battlefield. Then he noticed Feng Boping, who was also severely injured. Li Muxiu's breathing grew rapid, his fists clenched until they crackled. He turned his gaze to the three Demon Kings.
With a step, he left a deep imprint in the ground hundreds of feet below, his speed reaching its peak as he charged toward the three Demon Kings.
He raised his hand, unleashing his strongest secret technique, the Half-Step Invincible Fist!
The punch was so powerful that the sky darkened, the sun's light dimmed, and all the radiance and strength seemed to converge in that single strike.
The space in front of the fist twisted and tore like a warped cloth, the terrifying fist power making the three demons tremble with fear. The Myriad Mountains Demon King, who had just been hit, shrank back in horror, his pupils contracting.
He had two defensive talismans, but they shattered instantly under that single punch, leaving him injured.
Now, facing this furious strike, he felt as if the fist's momentum had pinned him to the ground, leaving him no place to hide.
He would die!
The Myriad Mountains Demon King felt terror and rage, letting out a roar.
His demonic qi gathered in his palm, burning with divine might, and he unleashed a fierce blow.
Dharma Radiance Palm!
This palm technique radiated overwhelming demonic qi, but within it, there was a light of salvation, blending yin and yang, good and evil, emitting a peculiar aura.
The fist and palm collided in an instant, but there was no thunderous boom, only a sound of shattering. The fist's power, like a world-shattering mountain, crushed down.
The demonic qi dispersed, golden light exploded, and the punch, guided by the principles of the Dao, pressed down with overwhelming force.
The Silver-robed Youth and the Dragon Lord, standing beside the Myriad Mountains Demon King, were horrified. This punch covered them as well, and it was clear that the Li Family's Master was enraged and determined to crush all three with a single blow!
"Run!"
The moment the Myriad Mountains Demon King's palm shattered, the Silver-robed Youth hurled a silver light, enveloping the three of them. He then summoned a dark purple banner, which shot out, radiating overwhelming demonic qi, expanding to cover the punch.
But the moment the banner touched the fist, it tore like a rag, its magical patterns twisting and collapsing, offering no resistance.
However, the brief delay provided by the banner allowed the Silver-robed Youth to summon a stream of light that wrapped around them, shooting them into the sky like an aurora.
"Stop!"
Li Muxiu roared, his strength surging like a raging tide. He raised his hand, and in the distant void, a massive palm materialized and struck down with immense force.
The three Demon Kings, enveloped in the silver light, were shocked. How could he do this?
The Dragon Lord spat out a mouthful of True Dragon Sword Qi, which collided with the giant palm, slightly reducing its power.
Using this moment, the silver light shot away rapidly, but its edge was still grazed by the palm.
The three of them spat out blood, their eyes filled with terror. This was the power of the Ultimate Mastery Realm?
The silver light didn't pause, and as its brilliance dimmed, it shot into the sky and vanished.
"Holy Palace!!"
Li Muxiu's eyes blazed with fury as he recognized the Silver-robed Youth and the escape talisman he used.
Li Tiangang had defended Yanbei for over a decade, largely because of the Holy Palace.
Now, he saw the elders of the Holy Palace once again.
If it weren't for the severe losses suffered by Li Tiangang's generation and the third generation's younger members not yet being fully grown, he would have stormed the Holy Palace and caused a ruckus right now!
Hearing the distant roars of the Demon Tide, Li Muxiu's anger still hadn't subsided. He raised his hand and unleashed a powerful punch.
The punch blazed like the sun, descending from above the Demon Tide with the force of a thousand mountains collapsing.
In an instant, a vast empty space was cleared in the Demon Tide, the ground covered in blood and the fragmented bodies of Demons, some of which were completely annihilated, leaving only a few remains.
It was like swatting a swarm of mosquitoes with a single punch!
The terrifying spectacle left the remaining Demons in utter shock, trembling in fear.
Everyone present was stunned, witnessing the formidable power of this elder from the Li Family.
Is this the current strongest combatant in the Divine General Manor?!
Li Muxiu's face was filled with anger, and he didn't chase after the three Demon Kings. His gaze swept over the camp, and he noticed the massive corpse of a Demon King lying there, causing his pupils to narrow. This tiny Heavenly Gate Pass had actually gathered four Demon Kings at once!
No wonder Feng Boping was so severely injured, and no wonder Li Hao was in such a miserable state!
Li Muxiu turned around and, as if teleporting, landed in front of Li Hao. Looking at Li Hao's bloodied and mangled body, his eyes, which had never shed a tear on the battlefield, were now moist.
The last time he was this angry was when his older brother died.
"Quick, take the medicine."
Li Muxiu swiftly pulled out numerous medicines from his sleeve, some of which fell to the ground, all of them precious enough to make one's eyes turn red with envy.
Li Hao's heart steadied. When the Tian Ji Tower Leader appeared, he knew he would survive this battle. Seeing that his Second Uncle had also come, he smiled and said, "I've caused you trouble."
"Stop talking nonsense."
Li Muxiu almost choked up, "I should have come earlier."
"You did come late. Why did you take so long?"
Feng Boping didn't let Li Muxiu off the hook. The feeling of being saved from a desperate situation made him grin, but he said it with a hint of annoyance.
Li Muxiu glanced at the hole in Feng Boping's abdomen and handed him some of the medicines. "Stop talking and don't waste your breath."
"Don't jinx me. We promised to die together. If you don't die, how can I die?"
Feng Boping laughed but didn't push it. He picked a bottle from the offered medicines and swallowed it.
Li Muxiu ignored him, looked at Song Qiumo beside him, and handed her a portion, saying softly, "The Li Family will remember this favor!"
Song Qiumo smiled, her face still pale and weak, but with the situation now under control, she no longer needed to keep her body tense. Her inner energy flowed quietly, aiding her recovery.
"This favor isn't for the Li Family, it's for him."
She chuckled.
Li Muxiu was taken aback, his expression changing slightly. The Li Family's favor was highly valued, but this Tan Palace Demon King had chosen to owe a favor to Li Hao.
However, Li Muxiu knew that this was partly a jest, and the other party didn't truly consider it a favor.
Otherwise, why would they have stayed and fought to this extent?
What kind of favor could outweigh one's own life?
Li Muxiu turned and looked deeply at Li Hao. The fact that this Tan Palace Demon King had sacrificed so much for Li Hao showed the depth of their friendship.
Thinking about this, he felt both comforted and a bit bitter.
"Why aren't you taking the medicine?"
Li Muxiu noticed that Li Hao was holding the precious medicine but not consuming it, and he immediately said.
Li Hao shook his head slightly and handed the medicine to Old Feng. Taking these would be a waste, and it wasn't necessary.
Since the Demon King had been driven away, they were temporarily out of danger. Using the characteristic of Hiding One's Light, he could heal himself, though it would take some time, given the severity of his injuries.
Seeing Li Hao's actions, Li Muxiu's expression changed. Recalling what Li Hao had said when he left the manor, he said with a bitter smile, "You're not even willing to accept something from your Second Uncle?"
Li Hao quickly replied, "Second Uncle, you misunderstand. These precious medicines would be a waste on me. I can heal myself."
"Stop talking about waste. No matter how many precious medicines you take, it's not a waste!" Li Muxiu immediately retorted, his voice tinged with anger.
Li Hao felt the sincerity in his Master's words and smiled. "Second Uncle, there's no need to worry. I have my own way to recover."
Li Muxiu was about to say more, but Feng Boping's eyes flickered, and he quickly changed the subject. "Why did you arrive so late? Did that boy prevent you from coming?"
Li Muxiu's expression shifted slightly. He glanced at Feng Boping, then at Li Hao, and said, "Red Makeup went home to gather reinforcements and mobilize troops. I went to the Xia Clan earlier and just returned to the family. After receiving the news, Tian Gang sent me over to provide support, insisting that we must protect Li Hao at all costs."
Feng Boping raised an eyebrow and glanced at him, his eyes flashing. He fell silent for a moment before asking, "Why did you go to the Xia Clan?"
"This is a matter of the Divine General Manor. Why are you asking so many questions?" Li Muxiu glared at him.
Feng Boping chuckled, a hint of coldness in his laugh. He didn't dwell on the past and instead looked up at the white-robed Chief of the Hall. "Can I leave now?"
Lu Chunsheng looked at him coldly. "Considering you helped repel the Demons and defended the Frontier, I'll let you off this time. But if I see you again, I won't show any mercy!"
"Heh, I should thank you for that."
Feng Boping laughed sarcastically, then bowed and turned to leave, vanishing in an instant.
Lu Chunsheng glanced at Li Muxiu, having overheard their conversation. He couldn't believe he had stumbled upon such a shocking piece of information today.
The Li Family's old Fist Sage was actually a friend of the Thief Saint?
If word got out that the Divine General Manor was colluding with a notorious thief, the Li Family would face endless condemnation.
However, he had no interest in exposing such a thing. Instead, he could file it away in the secret archives, adding another leverage point for the Heavenly Mechanism Tower.
"Don't listen to the old lunatic. Tian Gang may be hot-tempered and stubborn, but he wouldn't be careless about something like this", Li Muxiu said, turning to Li Hao.
"Second Uncle!"
Li Hao called out softly, interrupting him. Li Muxiu was taken aback as Li Hao smiled at him. "I'm glad you came. I'll remember this favor."
Li Muxiu's expression changed, and he was momentarily stunned.
He understood the meaning behind Li Hao's words. Li Hao was treating his help as a "favor."
Not as the support of a friend.
Because he had mentioned that person, this child had drawn a clear line between them.
Li Muxiu felt a bitter sorrow in his heart and sighed. "Li Hao, are you really going to stay here for three years?"
"Yes."
Li Hao nodded. "Today, I almost died. I almost had to flee and break my promise."
Li Muxiu's expression changed, sensing the implication: Li Hao would only break his promise if he was in mortal danger.
At that moment, Li Hao turned to the Chief of the Hall and bowed slightly. "Thank you for your assistance, Chief of the Hall."
Lu Chunsheng smiled. "Heavenly Gate Pass is a pass of Liangzhou, a part of the Great Yu Divine Dynasty's territory. I didn't come solely to help you. Defending the Frontier is also a duty we martial artists must fulfill!"
Li Hao smiled. "In that case, you're also helping the Emperor alleviate his concerns."
Lu Chunsheng was taken aback, his eyes narrowing as he stared at the fourteen-year-old young man.
The young man spoke casually, but Lu Chunsheng instantly understood that he seemed to know everything, seeing through it all.
Indeed.
His arrival was not a coincidence.
The Grandmasters and martial artists from various states who had come here were also not a coincidence. They were all guided by the Heavenly Mechanism Tower, which had spread the news and directed them!
The Heavenly Mechanism Tower, with the help of the Heaven and Earth List and other forces under its command, subtly influenced the martial world.
Directing these martial artists was not difficult.
And the Heavenly Mechanism Tower was in the hands of the Emperor, a power of the Imperial Clan.
Only a few people knew this, and the elders of the Divine General Manor were among them.
The young man in front of him seemed to have learned about this from the elders of the Li Family.
Given this, it wasn't hard to guess that the gathering of these Grandmasters and martial artists from various states, along with his own presence, was all part of a plan.
A plan orchestrated by the Emperor.
In Daiyue City, the young man had slain the Young Demon King, gaining fame across the land. How could Emperor Yu not pay attention?
Liangzhou is a territory defended by the Li Family, and the imperial family cannot easily intervene, especially not by overstepping the Li Family.
The battle at Qingzhou City was a special case. Initially, everyone thought it was just a farce, but when the young man slew the Young Demon King and suppressed the Grandmaster of the world with a single finger, no one dared to view his departure from home as a childish act anymore!
This young man has the capability to stand on his own!
Given this, who would dare say that he would hit a wall, bow his head, and need to rely on the glory of the Divine General Manor once again?
At the age of fourteen, he suppressed the Grandmaster of the world and slew demons of the Three Eternities Realm! This alone is reason enough for pride.
Given time, this young man will surely become a significant figure in the world. By then, it’s uncertain who will benefit from whom between the Divine General Manor and this young man!
The emperor did not prompt the Divine General Manor to come to his aid but instead used the Heavenly Mechanism Tower to gather the strength of martial artists from the jianghu to support him. The intention behind this arrangement has several possible explanations.
The specifics depend on how one interprets it.
"Regardless, I will remember this favor."
Li Hao clasped his hands and said seriously to Lu Chunsheng.
Lu Chunsheng gave him a deep look. The young man’s words of gratitude and acknowledgment did not specify or point to the Heavenly Mechanism Tower.
This implied there was another reference.
He finally understood why the emperor held this young man in such high regard, even intervening during the Li Family’s True Dragon contest to bestow rewards, and granting him a named sword when he defended the border pass.
Setting aside the young man’s talent, this level of wisdom and mental acuity is far beyond what a fourteen-year-old should possess.
He is favored but not arrogant, wise and reserved, and courteous and humble.
He suddenly found it difficult to understand what the Duke of the Divine General Manor, who now oversees it, could be thinking.
To abandon such a precious talent to the wilderness, nearly costing him his life, was incomprehensible.
Could it be that the Li Family’s thousand-year glory is too overwhelming, and they wish to diminish it themselves?
Lu Chunsheng shook his head inwardly. The grudges and entanglements within the Divine General Manor were too deep, and thinking about them gave him a headache. He decided to set them aside and calmly said to the young man:
"I heard that you came first in the Grandmaster Discussion, unbeatable by anyone. The Heavenly Mechanism Tower still owes you a reward. When you have the time, why don’t you come visit the Heavenly Mechanism Tower?"
"I’ll come as soon as I recover." Li Hao smiled and replied.
"Great, I’ll have tea ready for you then." Lu Chunsheng smiled back.
He did not assume the posture of an elder toward such a prodigy.
Given time, this young man has a good chance of reaching the Fourth Establishment Realm. If he can maintain this momentum and break through bottlenecks, he might suppress the world and stand shoulder to shoulder with that Buddhist Master within the next sixty years.
Li Hao smiled and thanked the chief of the tower once again.
Li Muxiu listened to their conversation, feeling a mix of emotions.
He soon realized that the emperor had secretly intervened in these matters.
However, it seemed the emperor had no intention of mending the relationship between Li Hao and the Li Family, which was thought-provoking.
Could it be that the emperor knew Li Hao did not have a soul continuation in the Li Family Ancestral Hall?
Or perhaps, he planned to foster a sixth Divine General Manor?
Or was it simply that the emperor genuinely liked Li Hao and did not want to see him suffer?
Li Muxiu found the last possibility less realistic and frowned, feeling a bit anxious.
His affection for Li Hao was beyond doubt, but he did not want to see the child entangled in the affairs of the imperial clan, becoming the emperor’s pawn.
If nothing had happened, and the child was still spending his days painting and playing chess in the courtyard, fishing by the lake with him, how much better it would be... Li Muxiu sighed inwardly, feeling a deep sadness.
(End of Chapter)
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