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Chapter 268: A Friend Comes from Afar
Chapter 268: A Friend Comes from Afar
Li Tiangang looked at the young man's back with a complex expression, his fingers clenching slightly. He was tense, hopeful, and also a bit lost and sad.
Back then, the young man had argued with him, abandoning the Li Family name and leaving the illustrious Divine General Manor.
Who would have thought that, today, it would be the Ancestor himself who personally invited the young man back?
He couldn't help but wonder, had he really been so wrong?
He had established his Dao Heart with the Wannianji Law, but now, his Dao Heart felt somewhat shaken.
Li Hao also hadn't expected that the Li Family Ancestor would go to such lengths for him. He was surprised, yet also a bit regretful.
His regret wasn't about changing his mind; it was about the pain he inevitably caused them.
The moon has its phases, and such things are hard to reconcile.
Ever since he severed his bloodline with the Abyss, there was no turning back. Many things were missed or done wrong, and they would always be regrets. Even if a broken mirror is glued back together, it will still show cracks, reflecting only a fragmented scene.
"I appreciate your good intentions, Senior."
Li Hao bowed slightly and said, "Breaking the rules for me is not worth it. The thousand-year glory accumulated by your generations of heroes and demon slayers cannot be compromised because of me. Family traditions have their laws and Clan Rules. Otherwise, a bright generation will be followed by a thousand years of obscurity."
"I no longer have the Li Family bloodline. Even if I were the True Dragon, it would be hard to earn everyone's respect. Besides, my resolve is firm. I cannot bear the burden of the Divine General Manor."
With that, he bowed deeply, expressing his gratitude.
Upon hearing Li Hao's words, He Jianlan and the others lost all the color from their faces. The hope in their eyes dimmed like extinguished fireflies.
Li Tiangang, kneeling on the ground, was also stunned. His face trembled.
In the past, he had demanded that the young man be disciplined, orderly, and law-abiding, but the young man had always been lazy and carefree.
Now, he was using the Clan Rules as an excuse to sever ties with the Li Family.
He had cut everything off with the same strictness he had demanded from himself.
"You..."
Li Tianyuan was taken aback, clearly not expecting Li Hao to refuse so outright.
He fell silent for a moment, then said, "Child, even if you don't become the True Dragon, it's still acceptable. The Li Family owes you, and we old folks will make up for it. The True Dragon of the Li Family can have a Soul Image condensed by our Soul Power. Even if you're not the True Dragon, let us do it for you!"
Li Hao immediately thought of the scene in Dragon City Mourning River, where he inherited the True Dragon and donned the Ancestor's mantle to fight and conquer.
But that was Li Tianzong's memory.
He wondered if the Master would feel relieved before dissipating.
Li Hao sighed inwardly and said to the Li Family Ancestor, "Senior, I cannot accept such a great favor. Soul Condensation is too costly for you. There's no need for this. The Li Family doesn't owe me anything; we are even."
In Dragon City Mourning River, the Li Family Ancestor had performed Soul Condensation for him, helping him break through the 360 Soul Condensation bottleneck. But Li Hao believed that with a few more Soul Condensation Secret Manuals, he could achieve it on his own, without expending the Heroic Souls' Soul Power.
After all, these Heroic Souls were once Human Race heroes who had fought and slain demons on the battlefield. They were the heroes of their time, and it would be a shame to ask them to shorten their residual soul time for his sake.
Hearing Li Hao's words, Li Tianyuan fell silent again.
He had wanted to use the combined power of the Heroic Souls both to repay Li Hao for his help and to ensure that Li Hao would remember them. If the Li Family faced difficulties in the future, he hoped Li Hao would lend a hand.
But the young man before him seemed unmoved by these offers.
For a Martial Artist, this was an extremely valuable gift, greatly enhancing one's strength. Yet, the young man regarded it as trivial.
"Child..."
Li Tianyuan frowned, looking at Li Hao, wanting to say more.
"Senior."
Li Hao quickly interrupted, smiling, "We may not be blood relatives, but if you wish to be my friend, I welcome it."
"A friend from afar is always a joy to see."
"I understand your sentiments, but please do not try to detain me."
With that, he bowed slightly, acknowledging their presence, then his gaze fell upon Li Yuanzhao in the courtyard, and he smiled gently. "If you have time, feel free to visit me."
"Um!"
Li Yuanzhao's eyes were filled with sorrow as he nodded vigorously, his reluctance clear.
Li Tianyuan and the other Li Family Ancestor Heroic Souls fell silent upon hearing Li Hao's words, knowing that this young man had made up his mind and could not be swayed.
Li Tianyuan's expression turned grim as he addressed Li Xuanli inside the hall. "The True Dragon of the Li Family will be in your hands for now."
After saying this, he nodded to Li Hao and then turned to fly away.
The other Ancestors, seeing this, had various expressions, but all were dejected or melancholic. They nodded to Li Hao in gratitude and flew back to the Ancestral Hall one by one.
Li Hao had come to the aid of Qingzhou City, effectively saving them, and this favor was difficult to repay.
Yet, this young man seemed indifferent to it, which left them feeling somewhat uneasy.
Li Hao walked out of the courtyard, and Li Yuanzhao and the others hurried to follow. Li Wushuang wanted to speak but held back, thinking of how even the Ancestors couldn't change Li Hao's mind. Her eyes grew dim with disappointment.
Li Mingjian and Li Zhining, among others, looked at him with complex expressions. The Li Family had never had someone so highly regarded, not even their fathers or grandfathers.
But in their generation, they had produced a truly brilliant individual.
Yet, this person seemed like a dragon emerging from shallow waters to soar in the sky, no longer dwelling among them.
But, who in the world could dare to say that the Divine General Li Family was a mere shallow pool?
It was only that the world this young man was exploring was too vast.
Or perhaps, it was the bonds that had been severed...
"Oh, by the way, where is the noblewoman who poisoned me?"
Li Hao suddenly asked as he walked through the courtyard.
Hearing this, everyone was taken aback. Li Xuanli, who had just been designated as the True Dragon by the Ancestor, though the official ceremony hadn't taken place, was already responsible for the True Dragon Patriarch's duties.
He was momentarily stunned but, nudged by his wife, Gao Qingqing, quickly recovered and said, "She's in her quarters. Do you want to see her? I'll take you there. Whatever punishment you wish to mete out, given your current status... it's well within your rights."
He suddenly felt the weight of many more considerations and thoughts. He quickly thought about the implications if Li Hao were to kill Liu Yuerong, such as the face of the Divine General Manor and potential retaliation.
But he quickly suppressed these thoughts. With Li Hao's current Duke Rank, a Duke Rank poisoning incident, though a scandal for the Divine General Manor, wouldn't be considered a legal offense if Li Hao truly executed her. A bit of maneuvering would ensure it didn't violate the law.
After all, if the Liu Family retaliated, they would have to think twice when facing the now powerful Li Hao.
Perhaps they would even send envoys with gifts to apologize.
For a major family, the rise and fall of the clan were more important than temporary anger or the disgrace of a single branch.
With these thoughts in mind, Li Xuanli caught up to Li Hao.
"Thank you for your trouble."
Li Hao nodded slightly.
The others, upon hearing this, followed suit. Li Hao's falling out with the Li Family had been triggered by Liu Yuerong's poisoning.
This scandal had been suppressed by the Divine General Manor and wasn't widely known outside, but everyone within the manor was aware of it.
Now, was this young man going to seek his own revenge?
Li Tiangang's face turned grim, immediately thinking of his Second Brother who had taken a sword for him. This brother had cared for him since childhood and entrusted his wife and children to him on his deathbed. But now...
He felt a deep sadness, but he had no reason to stop Li Hao.
Moreover, he couldn't help but resent Liu Yuerong, but his brother's bond was too strong to forget, which was why he had originally protected her.
Ji Qingqing quickly got up and rushed out, her face filled with sorrow. She couldn't believe that the child had left so resolutely.
...
At the entrance to Shuihua Courtyard.
Li Xuanli opened the gate for Li Hao, looking at his former nephew with a sigh. "She's inside. Since the investigation was completed, she has been... imprisoned by your father."
"Is this Imprisonment?"
Li Hao glanced around the courtyard. Apart from the absence of the usual throngs of servants, the leaves were withered, and the pond was covered in fallen leaves, seemingly turned into a stagnant pool of water.
But it was still a luxurious courtyard, far from resembling any form of Imprisonment.
When Li Xuanli heard Li Hao's words, his expression changed slightly. He simply said, "We'll wait for you outside."
This was also a subtle hint to Li Hao, suggesting that if he was dissatisfied, he could do whatever he pleased.
Li Hao didn't say anything. He simply walked into the courtyard, following the stone path until he saw the figure of the beautiful woman leaning in the pavilion.
But now, she was clearly not as radiant as before. The jeweled hairpins in her hair were fewer, and only a single pearl hairpin remained.
Hearing the commotion, Liu Yuerong turned around. When she saw Li Hao, her eyes widened slightly, but she didn't show much surprise. Instead, she studied him closely for a moment before saying, "In less than two years, your appearance has changed so much?"
"Your appearance has changed too."
Li Hao smiled, but there was no trace of the hatred and anger one might expect from an enemy meeting their foe.
As he spoke, he entered the pavilion and looked at the fruit plate on the table. The fruits were already somewhat wilted, no longer fresh.
"Now that you've achieved success, are you here to take revenge for what happened back then?"
Liu Yuerong glanced at Li Hao, then sneered slightly, showing no fear. "If you want to kill me, go ahead. Living here is no different from being dead. My only hope is to see my son surpass you."
"Even if I don't see it, I believe it will happen eventually."
With that, she laughed coldly, her eyes sharp and piercing as she stared at Li Hao.
Hearing her words, Li Hao didn't get angry. He continued to smile, the corners of his mouth curving even higher.
"You really dare to think such things."
"Hmph, you are indeed a Monster, but so what? I've seen many Monsters. Like your Ninth Uncle, though not as formidable as you, he once amazed everyone. Everyone thought he would lead the Li Family to even greater heights, but what happened? He was too sharp and died before he was 20. Ha, that's what they call heaven's jealousy of talent!"
Liu Yuerong sneered, "You are strong now, but who knows if you won't meet a similar fate?"
Li Hao nodded. "You're right, so before that happens, I plan to ensure your son meets with an unfortunate accident first."
Liu Yuerong froze, her face changing dramatically. She looked at Li Hao with shock and anger. "What do you want to do?"
Li Hao spoke calmly, "Do you think I'm here to kill you? No, quite the opposite. I no longer hate you for what happened back then. In fact, I want to thank you."
Liu Yuerong was taken aback.
"That bit of Divine Blood might be a great help to ordinary people, but to me, it was insignificant."
Li Hao continued, "You once said, 'A parent who loves their child plans for their long-term future.' You were indeed a good mother. That's why I'm here to tell you that I will make sure you see your son being crippled by me. This is your repayment."
"You, you dare!"
Liu Yuerong stood up abruptly, looking at Li Hao with shock and anger. "Do you really think you can do whatever you want? My son is with the Buddhist Master; you won't succeed."
"Is your son going to be tied to the Buddhist Master's pants for his entire life?"
Li Hao smiled.
Liu Yuerong's body trembled, her face turning pale. Being targeted by a Fourth Establishment Realm practitioner was enough to make anyone lose sleep, especially since she had already heard from the old servant about what had happened in Qingzhou City. The young man before her was now a top-tier powerhouse, and even the Buddhist Master might not be able to suppress him.
"I was wrong, I was wrong. Kill me, let me redeem myself!"
Liu Yuerong suddenly knelt down, bowing and pleading to Li Hao.
Li Hao neither stopped her nor spoke. Before he was poisoned, he had had a good impression of Lady Second, as she often showed genuine concern and affection. But who knew it was all an act? After that, she had repeatedly tested him, forcing him to become more cautious.
"Death is not enough to redeem your son's murderous intent on the True Dragon. He must pay the price."
Li Hao stood up. "You live too comfortably here. Since you are a prisoner, you should look the part. Wait in the prison for me to bring your son, beaten like a dead dog, to see you."
Liu Yuerong froze, her face turning ashen. She tried to grab Li Hao's legs, but a force pushed her back.
She pleaded urgently, "I was wrong. Just consider the times I've held you in my arms. Qianfeng is innocent; he knows nothing. For the sake of his father..."
"If you want to Deprive me of my Power, then I'll Deprive your son of his Power. That would make things even."
Li Hao said softly, "I have no intention of taking his life, unless he seeks his own death. That would be a different matter."
With that, he turned and left.
In the courtyard, the wailing continued, with constant pleas, but the young man walked away resolutely.
Once the courtyard gate closed again, the wailing turned to curses, then to curses, and finally to sobs.
Then, Liu Yuerong thought of writing a letter, to send the news to her son, vowing not to come down the mountain until she attained the Peaceful Dao Realm.
Only then could she secure her life.
...
Outside the courtyard, Li Hao walked out, the wailing and pleading muffled by the closed gate.
Everyone was surprised, not knowing what Li Hao had said.
Li Hao only told Li Xuanli, "The criminal belongs in a criminal's place."
Li Xuanli understood Li Hao's intentions. He was relieved that Li Hao hadn't killed Liu Yuerong outright, after all, she was that brother's wife.
He sighed inwardly and accompanied the others to see Li Hao off.
"You can't leave!"
Li Tiangang stood resolutely at the entrance of the Divine General Manor, watching Li Hao approach with determination.
Li Hao frowned slightly, said nothing, and let his Dao Domain suppress him. Then, he walked past him and out of the Divine General Manor.
Ji Qingqing, who had been chasing after him, shouted, "Li Hao!"
Li Hao didn't turn back, walking away along the street under the watchful eyes of everyone in the Divine General Manor, until he disappeared from their sight.
He Jianlan and the others looked pale, their expressions complex. This was the second time they had seen that young man walk out of the Divine General Manor.
And this time, it was a final farewell.
"Birds fly in the sky. They only rest on a tree when they are tired. Besides, he is not just a bird; he is a phoenix."
Li Xiaoran glanced from afar and murmured softly, speaking to Li Tiangang to not make futile entanglements, and also expressing his own feelings. After saying this, he turned and left.
Li Tiangang and Ji Qingqing were shaken by these words. They knew that if that child were a bird, they would be the cage to him.
Now, they could no longer confine him.
...
...
In Wuliang Mountain, within the Vairocana Pure Land.
Li Qianfeng, dressed in a white robe, approached the Spirit Realm Buddhist Master.
"Master, how much longer until my mother can be brought back to our Li Family?"
Li Qianfeng knelt on the ground, looking up with a pleading expression.
The Buddhist Master sat on the Golden Lotus platform, seeing his distressed and urgent face, and sighed lightly. He knew that his previous teachings had been in vain, as the other had not truly understood.
"The disaster in Qingzhou City has been quelled. You need not worry. As for news of your mother, you must wait for Bodhisattva Pujie to return..."
The Buddhist Master said gently.
Li Qianfeng was taken aback, his eyes widening. "The chaos in Qingzhou has been quelled?"
Qingzhou was only a few tens of thousands of miles away from Wuliang Mountain, one of the closer places to the Li Family in Qingzhou City. If a Fourth Establishment Realm cultivator traveled at full speed, they could reach it in less than a day.
Unlike Youzhou, which, though closer to Qingzhou, was still tens of thousands of miles away.
The Buddhist Master said, "You can rest assured."
"Thank you, Master!" Li Qianfeng bowed with gratitude.
The Buddhist Master dismissed Li Qianfeng to cultivate and then turned to Lin Wujing beside him, asking, "Has that little thief confessed yet? Where is the stolen Sacred Artifact?"
(End of Chapter)
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