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Chapter 275: Since You've Seen Me, Why Not Kneel?
Chapter 275: Since You've Seen Me, Why Not Kneel?
"Old Wind."
Li Muxiu sat dazed in the courtyard, his mind buzzing with confusion and a sense of detachment.
He never imagined that his old friend, who had roamed the Jianghu with such grace for half his life, would actually fall into the hands of the Buddhist Sect.
His Heaven and Earth Traceless Technique was something even Li Muxiu himself couldn't catch up to.
His Divine Concealment Breath Technique allowed him to blend into the surroundings like a fish in the sea, making him almost impossible to track, whether in bustling cities or remote mountains.
Even the Forbidden Area of the imperial palace, guarded by a million elite soldiers, was no obstacle for him, coming and going as he pleased, completely undetected.
But now, he had been captured by the Buddhist Sect.
The news came from the secondary lineage disciples of Wuliang Mountain, and it was undoubtedly true. Li Muxiu couldn't help but believe it.
Old Wind, how could you fall?
Li Muxiu slowly clenched his fists, his eyes moistening, and an overwhelming pain began to spread through his chest, as if it would tear him apart.
He sat alone for half the duration of an incense stick, then got up and walked out of the courtyard.
First, he went to the Ancestral Hall, where he saw Fifth Elder Li Qingzheng sitting alone in front of the Chess Board.
Li Qingzheng, who was playing a game of chess with himself, looked over at Li Muxiu.
The two men met each other's gaze, a trace of sorrow passing through their eyes, which they quickly suppressed.
In the past, when they met, there was often a cheerful young man's presence, but now, it was gone forever.
"Second Brother, what brings you here?" Li Qingzheng managed a faint smile.
Li Muxiu's expression was grim. "I came to pay respects to the Ancestors and seek their forgiveness."
"Forgiveness?" Li Qingzheng's eyes narrowed.
Li Muxiu slowly walked toward the Ancestral Hall, his steps heavy and slow. When he reached the threshold, he hesitated for a moment but eventually stepped over it.
Li Qingzheng remained silent, his gaze fixed on him. He seemed to realize that this Second Brother, who had once defied the family's rules and was not favored by his father, was about to do something significant.
"Unworthy descendant, I pay my respects to the generations of Ancestors."
Li Muxiu approached the Golden Spirit Tablet, knelt on the zabuton, and bowed his head lightly.
The Memorial Tablet trembled slightly, but no Ancestor appeared. Appearing required the expenditure of residual soul power, and it was only done for significant matters.
"What is it?"
A solemn voice echoed, though it was unclear which Ancestor it belonged to.
In the previous battle in Qingzhou City, many Ancestors had burned their souls, some dispersing completely, while others had their Heroic Souls wither and fall into a deep sleep. Only a few stronger Heroic Souls remained awake.
Li Muxiu's face twitched slightly, but in the end, he explained his purpose.
"You want to leave the Li Family?"
The Ancestor was shocked upon hearing Li Muxiu's words.
Li Qingzheng, who had been listening, was also taken aback and stared at Li Muxiu in disbelief.
"Scoundrel, what are you saying?!"
Another golden residual soul figure emerged from the Memorial Tablet, tall and muscular, his face contorted with anger.
"Wasn't your youthful mischief enough? You've only been in charge of the Li Family for a few years, and you're already causing trouble again. Do you want me to beat you in front of our ancestors?!"
"Father."
Li Qingzheng, upon seeing the residual soul, quickly changed from a sitting position to a kneeling one, his aged eyes showing rare signs of fear.
Even at over eighty years old, he still felt the same trembling reverence in front of his father as he did in his youth.
Li Muxiu, hearing the angry voice above him, was reminded of a cold, snowy night when he knelt in the courtyard, outside the main hall, listening to his father's scolding, his mother's pleading, and his siblings' appeals on his behalf.
At the time, he was defiant and resentful.
But years later, he had long since let go, knowing that he was also at fault.
That night, the Elder Brother he had once envied as a child secretly brought him a bowl of steaming hot braised pork noodle soup after his father left the dinner table.
Even years later, it remains one of the most delicious meals he has ever tasted.
The other two unforgettable dishes were the young man's grilled fish by the lake and the soup made by the woman who tended to his wounds after he battled a demon in his youth.
Those flavors were impossible to forget.
Thinking of that snowy night, Li Muxiu's eyes grew moist again, recalling the fading silhouette of the Beyond the Pass Elder Brother. He curled his body tightly, pressing his forehead to the ground, inhaling the dust with each breath, and the strong scent of earth filled his nostrils.
"Father, I must do this. I promised my old friend, and I cannot let him down..."
"But he's a thief!"
The golden remnant soul angrily said, "Have you not had enough of those pig friends and dog companions in your youth? They exploited your connections, using the Divine General Manor's name to wreak havoc and amass wealth. Haven't you suffered enough from them?!"
"That was when I was young and foolish, unable to see through people's true intentions. But this time is different. He is different. Although he is a thief, he has never used the Divine General Manor's name to cause trouble or seek his own benefit. He is different..."
"But he's a thief!"
The golden remnant soul roared, "If he were inherently good, would he have become a thief? Stealing others' hard-earned possessions—how can that make him a good person?"
Li Muxiu lifted his head, his face streaked with tears, but his eyes met the angry and pained gaze of the golden remnant soul.
"Father, there are millions of ways to live in this world, half of them righteous and half of them not. Although he chose a different path, he has never harmed commoners, bullied the weak, or wronged me."
"Some noble families, with their grand and luxurious ways, rebuild old structures and force commoners to toil, using righteous means to strip them of their wealth and leave them destitute. Their actions are worse than outright theft."
"Are you defending a thief? I see you are becoming one yourself!"
Li Muxiu's face twisted in bitterness, and he recalled his old friend's words, speaking softly:
"Stealing from the Heavenly Dao makes one a sage, stealing hearts makes one an emperor, stealing kingdoms makes one a marquis, and stealing a hook pearl makes one a thief... He has his own principles, and he is different."
"You, you haven't changed at all. Now, the Divine General Manor is in turmoil, demons are rampant, and the Wasteland Deity's defeat will only make it return stronger. How can you leave the Divine General Manor now? How can you face your brothers and your mother?"
Li Muxiu closed his eyes in pain and bowed again.
"I want to save him, but I don't want to involve the Divine General Manor. If the Divine General Manor faces trouble in the future, I will be the first to step forward and the first to fall!"
As he spoke, his forehead pressed firmly to the ground.
The golden remnant soul was furious and about to speak when another voice interrupted.
"Let him go."
"Father!"
The golden remnant soul turned, stunned.
"The children bear too much. Don't take away their right to make friends. Being able to stand by a friend and remain loyal is a rare and precious quality."
The other blurry golden remnant soul spoke gently.
Hearing this, Li Muxiu's forehead was wet with tears.
He clenched his teeth and knocked his head three times, then looked up at the towering golden remnant soul, seeing the complex expression in its eyes, a mix of anger and pain.
"Since your grandfather has said so, go. Don't say such foolish things about leaving the Divine General Manor. Finish your task and return. If necessary, I'll use my life to clean up your mess!" the golden remnant soul said through gritted teeth.
Li Muxiu's heart shook, and he bowed deeply.
"Your son will return to atone."
With that, he bowed again and swiftly left the Ancestral Hall, not daring to linger, fearing that his sense of guilt would hold him back.
"Second Brother, you must come back alive."
Li Qingzheng's voice echoed in his mind.
Li Muxiu heard it but did not stop. He took out a black iron mask from the Heavenly Earth Space and put it on.
The mask was a divine weapon that could conceal his aura, leaving only his bloodshot, red eyes visible. The sadness in his eyes gradually faded, replaced by a sharp and fierce gaze.
At that moment, he suddenly regretted not having been as resolute two years ago when the young man left home, not having stood up for him and sought justice on the spot.
The bond with the Divine General Manor had ultimately once weighed heavily on him.
……
……
Wuliang Mountain is located on the outskirts of Qingzhou.
However, this border area is actually within the territory, a place where two provinces meet, yet it is lush and prosperous.
The mountains form a ridge, with peaks overlapping and mist swirling around them.
On the towering mountain peaks, the sound of Buddhist bells rings out, echoing far and wide.
Paths of stone slabs, like white dragons, wind through the mountains, converging and extending in all directions like a spider web.
This area is known as the Vairocana Pure Land.
Pilgrims from all directions come in an unending stream. Carriages travel from muddy roads and dusty paths to the well-maintained stone slabs, and this contrast leaves a good impression on the various nobles. As they approach the mountain peaks and hear the chanting of Buddhist scriptures, they feel as if they are entering a pure land, their worldly distractions gradually fading away.
Faint golden light from the main peaks shines through the mist, reflecting the luster of the Buddhist Sect's divine weapons.
The news from Wuliang Mountain had only just spread, and people from all over were still on their way.
In the sky above Qingzhou, a red figure wrapped in fierce flames sped through the air.
Soon, this fiery figure entered the Buddhist Sect's territory.
Nearby cities and towns are filled with towering Buddha Halls.
Previously, when Demons invaded Qingzhou, this area remained unscathed. The Demons did not dare to provoke both the Divine General Manor and Wuliang Mountain, one of the top forces in Dayu.
This made the people in the surrounding hundreds of miles even more devout, grateful for the protection of the Buddhist Master.
Swoosh!
Li Hao and the Candlelight Deity directly crossed the outer mountain gate. A divine array appeared, blocking their path.
But the Candlelight Deity covered them with a Dao Domain, concealing their aura, and they passed through the divine array without being detected.
Li Hao used his Dao Domain to cover Xiyian, allowing them to enter the array smoothly.
After passing through the divine array, they were met with a vast expanse of mountain peaks, shrouded in mist. In the distance, a towering mountain peak stood out among the others.
This was the Spirit Realm mountain where the Buddhist Master resided.
The Candlelight Deity galloped with fiery hooves, rushing forward.
At the same time, inside the Spirit Realm, the Buddhist Master, seated on a Purple Gold Lotus Throne, surrounded by golden Buddhist scriptures, suddenly paused.
His eyes opened slightly, gazing out beyond the Buddha Hall, as if seeing through the layers of obstacles to the uninvited guests.
"Guests have arrived; go and welcome them."
The Buddhist Master's eyes, with their golden wheels, turned, and he spoke with a calm smile.
The three Bodhisattvas beside him were momentarily stunned but responded with a low chant of the Buddhist mantra. They then flew out of the Spirit Realm Buddha Hall, their divine souls sensing the powerful aura rapidly approaching from afar.
"Candlelight Deity!"
"It's that young man."
"He actually came."
The three Bodhisattvas exchanged glances. Lin Wujing's eyes widened in surprise but quickly turned to a smile.
He hadn't expected the young man to truly come for a thief; the Buddhist Master had indeed predicted correctly.
The three figures instantly flashed away, disappearing from the mountain.
Meanwhile, Li Hao, riding on the Candlelight Deity's back, crossed numerous peaks, heading rapidly toward the Spirit Realm mountain.
"Stop!"
Suddenly, three figures appeared in an instant, blocking the Candlelight Deity's path.
Li Hao's eyes turned cold as he recognized them as three Fourth Establishment Realm experts, the Bodhisattvas of Wuliang Mountain.
He had heard that Wuliang Mountain, apart from the Buddhist Master, had five Bodhisattvas, all at the Fourth Establishment Realm.
"Who are you?"
Lin Wujing pretended not to recognize him and asked with a smile.
Li Hao looked at the Bodhisattva who had once supported Li Qianfeng at the True Dragon Feast and said coldly, "Qingzhou is suffering from such a severe Demon Plague, not far from your Wuliang Mountain, and you don't recognize me?"
Lin Wujing's expression changed slightly, and he seemed to realize something. "So it's General Haotian. No wonder you look familiar. What brings you to Wuliang Mountain, General?"
"Damn you!"
Li Hao, seeing the other side feigning ignorance, burst out in anger. "You know very well what I'm here for. Don't block my way. Where is the Buddhist Master?"
The three Bodhisattvas' faces all changed. They hadn't expected this young man to have such a fiery temper and not even a hint of courtesy. If anyone else had come, they would at least have said something polite.
"Could it be that General Haotian isn't here to watch the thief's execution but to plead for his life?"
Lin Wujing narrowed his eyes. "General Haotian, your position is different now. Don't act rashly."
Li Hao stared at him. "When you took him from Heavenly Gate Pass, didn't you know about my relationship with him? Don't act so high and mighty!"
"General Haotian, please watch your words. This is the sacred ground of our Buddhist Sect. Don't be too crude", one of the Bodhisattvas said with a cold face.
"Get lost!"
Li Hao glared, and his Dao Domain Suppress shook the other man, sending him flying hundreds of meters away and spitting out a mouthful of blood.
"I treat my friends with poetry and wine, with respect. But dealing with you bald monks, cursing you would dirty my mouth!"
"General Haotian, don't forget your status. Do you really want to cause trouble for a thief?"
"Let's see if you're worthy of causing trouble!"
Li Hao's eyes turned cold, and a wave of authority surged out. With a loud bang, including Lin Wujing, the three of them turned pale, feeling an overwhelming pressure that made them want to kneel on the spot.
They were terrified. Although they knew this young man was extremely formidable and not someone they could stop, they only realized the true extent of the gap between them when they experienced it firsthand.
Moreover, this young man was fierce and ruthless, showing no courtesy, acting without restraint.
With one glance, he intimidated and forced back the three Bodhisattvas. Li Hao didn't waste any more time and rode the Candlelight Deity to the entrance of the Spirit Realm of the sacred mountain.
The Supreme Buddhist Hall was magnificent and grand, with a solemn and majestic aura, its golden splendor shining brightly.
Li Hao's eyes were cold. He could sense a vast and profound aura emanating from inside, deep and steady like a boundless sea, radiating a pure and righteous energy.
"Stop right there. This is the sacred ground of our Buddhist Sect. Even if you are a court general..."
Four Guardian figures at the entrance of the Buddhist Sect saw the imposing Li Hao descending from the sky and hurriedly stepped forward to block him, shouting sternly.
"Since you know my identity, how dare you be so impolite? Get lost!"
Li Hao's eyes turned cold, and he stepped forward, his authority sweeping over the four Guardians, pinning them to the walls of the Supreme Buddhist Hall as if they were being suppressed by a powerful gale, rendering them immobile.
Then, Li Hao swept up the fallen leaves and strode into the Buddha Hall.
Standing at the entrance, he seemed to block out all the light that illuminated the Buddha Hall.
He saw the Buddhist Master sitting on the Purple Gold Lotus Throne, his figure tall and imposing.
Their gazes met. One was pure and gentle, showing no emotion, as if he would never get angry. The other was sharp and fierce, not hiding his current feelings at all.
"General Haotian."
The Buddhist Master smiled softly.
"Buddhist Master, I am a Duke of the court. Since you've seen me, why don't you kneel?!"
Li Hao's eyes were icy cold.
(End of Chapter)
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