Chapter 107: Pointing the Accusation
“Lin Wujing!”
A furious shout pierced the air as Li Qingzheng, clad in his snow-white robe, appeared as if by teleportation, stepping in front of Li Hao to shield him.
His usually warm eyes now emitted a cold, piercing light, causing the temperature in the courtyard to drop abruptly.
He did not address Lin Wujing by his Buddhist title, "Boundless Sage Bodhisattva," but instead called him by his given name—a clear sign of disrespect!
Lin Wujing turned his head, his expression icy as he stared at Li Qingzheng.
“The Li family’s True Dragon contest ended in a life-threatening blow. If I hadn’t intervened in time, Qian Kun Vajra would be dead by now. Are you blaming me for saving his life?”
These words caused Li Qingzheng to falter briefly. His anger stemmed from Lin Wujing interfering in the Li family’s True Dragon selection. But blaming him would imply condoning Li Hao’s attempt to kill Li Qianfeng, which was unacceptable.
If Lin Wujing hadn’t stepped in, Li Qingzheng himself would have acted.
Even with his Four Extremes Realm cultivation, half an eye open would have sufficed to stop the blow.
“This is the Li family’s True Dragon contest. Hao’er knows his limits. I urge the Bodhisattva to act with due restraint!”
Ultimately, Li Qingzheng recovered his composure, using these words to save face and simultaneously exonerate Li Hao in front of others.
Just a moment ago, he clearly sensed the killing intent in Li Hao’s strike.
Having slain countless demons beyond the borders, his sensitivity to murderous intent was unparalleled. Yet, besides Li Hao, he also sensed killing intent from Li Qianfeng!
The relationship between these two juniors was far from the harmonious camaraderie shared by their peers. It was certainly nothing like the joyous brotherhood of the previous generation—Li family’s Nine Sons.
Though blood relatives, they were ultimately a generation removed.
Li Qingzheng sighed inwardly. Such incidents were not uncommon. In the Li family’s millennia-long history, such struggles were inevitable. Even among the imperial clans who claimed lineage to a single line of inheritance, bloody contests had occurred, though they were carefully concealed and suppressed.
Precisely because of this, the Li family emphasized tests of character, with the principle of "universal love" enshrined in its ancestral teachings.
“Hmph!”
Lin Wujing, seeing through Li Qingzheng’s posturing, merely snorted coldly.
“Qianfeng’s eye needs immediate treatment. If it affects his brain, he might become an imbecile. Does the Li family not care about its own?”
“Qianfeng!”
Liu Yurong’s complexion turned pale with fright at these words. Gone was the poised elegance of the former beauty from the Liu family; in her panic, she rushed forward, revealing her Fifteen Li cultivation.
The wives of the Li family were generally martial practitioners, with few exceptions. Moreover, with access to the Li family’s vast troves of treasures and secret medicines, even those with average talent could be nurtured to reach the Fifteen Li level.
Below the Heaven and Man Realm, resources and physical potential alone could accelerate progress significantly.
Liu Yurong hurried to Lin Wujing, her heart wrenching as she saw her son lying there with a chopstick embedded in his eye socket, blood gushing incessantly.
Her body trembled as she tried to touch him but hesitated, afraid of causing further harm. Suddenly recalling something, she spun around and glared at Li Hao with rage.
“You little bastard! He’s your cousin, yet you aimed to kill him!”
Li Hao’s eyes were filled with nothing but regret that he hadn’t been able to kill his opponent outright.
Hearing her words, his lips curled into a mocking smile. Cousin? And you are my dear second aunt, are you not? But what have you ever done for me?
Nearby, Chen Hefang, watching the sudden turn of events, paled. The prayer beads she had clutched for years of meditation nearly snapped in her grip.
The loss of her sixth son had made her deeply unsettled by the sight of bloodshed among the younger generation, and the scene left her momentarily dizzy. However, as the matriarch of the Li family, she quickly composed herself and spoke.
“The hour grows late. Since the Li family’s True Dragon has been determined, I must ask everyone to take their leave.”
Though the words were courteous, it was clear to all that the old matriarch wished to avoid further disgrace in front of outsiders.
Many among the crowd felt a pang of disappointment. The intense animosity between these two juniors surely hinted at intriguing secrets.
He Jianlan stepped forward quickly to ensure that all the guests were escorted out of the estate.
Li Tiangang wore a grim expression, but this was not the time for him to reprimand Li Hao. Holding back his fury, he personally saw Jian Wudao and Chu Jiuyue out of the courtyard.
The two visitors understood the awkward situation the Li family faced and refrained from lingering.
While Li Hao’s ruthless strike surprised them, it didn’t shock them completely.
After all, among the scions of aristocratic families, hidden grudges and vendettas were commonplace.
Especially in a contest for the True Dragon title, tensions often reached a boiling point. The fact that the previous generation of the Li family’s Nine Sons had avoided outright bloodshed was largely due to the extraordinary brilliance of Li Jiulang and the close bond he shared with his siblings, all born of the same mother.
Compared to Li Hao’s ferocity, however, what truly astonished them was the sheer strength he displayed in just a brief exchange.
It far surpassed the norm for someone at the Fifteen Li level.
As for Li Qianfeng, the overwhelming force he unleashed at a critical moment was likely either a secret technique or some external assistance.
Given that his master was the Boundless Buddhist Lord, it wasn’t surprising that he possessed such a trump card. Yet, before it could even be fully utilized, Li Hao had crushed it and nearly killed him outright.
This generation’s Li family True Dragon was no ordinary talent!
“That boy’s mastery of the sword has reached such heights… How is that even possible?”
Jian Wudao glanced back at the young man standing in the courtyard, his earlier shock giving way to confusion.
Years ago, that same boy had shown no passion for swords, regarding them as nothing more than lifeless sticks.
How could someone with such an indifferent disposition cultivate such domineering and ruthless sword intent?
...
As the courtyard emptied of guests, Liu Yurong urgently turned to Lin Wujing and the matriarch, Chen Hefang.
“Please, save my son!”
Chen Hefang also understood the urgency and quickly led the way, instructing Lin Wujing to bring Li Qianfeng to the Qinglian Courtyard. She immediately ordered the family physician to be summoned.
Liu Yurong followed closely, and the other wives, seeing this, also trailed along, eager to assess the extent of Li Qianfeng’s injuries. At this moment, treating and stabilizing him was the top priority.
Li Tiangang, after escorting Jian Wudao and Chu Jiuyue out, returned to the courtyard.
Striding toward Li Hao, his face twisted with fury, he bellowed, “I’ve let you run wild, but you’ve gone too far this time!”
Li Hao was about to explain the matter of the poisoned pill but paused at his father’s outburst. Instead, he retorted, “Didn’t you hear what that woman just called me?”
“You!”
Li Tiangang’s anger flared again. Of course, he had heard, but he dismissed it as the irrational ranting of a second sister-in-law consumed by hatred for her son’s suffering.
“I’m going to check on Qianfeng. When I return, I’ll deal with you!”
With that, he stormed off like a whirlwind, heading toward the Qinglian Courtyard.
No matter how grievously his own son had injured his nephew, it was still his responsibility to visit and assess the situation. Anything less would make future familial relations untenable.
Li Qingzheng, after watching his brother depart, turned back to Li Hao. His gaze was complicated as he spoke, “Hao’er, why were you so reckless?”
Li Hao’s expression was cold and silent, but he forced a faint smile.
“Fifth Uncle, this is a debt that woman owes me.”
Li Qingzheng froze, puzzled by his nephew’s cryptic words.
Li Hao offered no further explanation, turning instead to walk toward the Qinglian Courtyard. It was time to reveal the truth behind past events.
Watching his retreating figure, Li Qingzheng’s eyes flickered with thought. Over the years, he had come to understand Li Hao well. The boy showed little interest in fame or fortune, and there was no reason for him to attempt murder merely for the True Dragon contest.
So, what had driven him to act this way?
Taking a deep breath, Li Qingzheng decided to follow. He would check on Li Qianfeng’s injuries and hopefully learn the full story.
With a flicker of movement, he disappeared.
...
Within the now-empty courtyard, Li Mingguang, Li Sibei, and other third-generation members of the Li family stared at Li Hao in shock.
Everything had happened so quickly that they hadn’t fully processed it.
Among the crowd, Li Yuanzhao stood slack-jawed. Looking at the elder brother he had always admired, he now felt a strange unfamiliarity.
Suddenly, Li Mingguang moved to block Li Hao’s path.
“Where are you going?”
His gaze was sharp, and anger simmered on his face as he fixed his eyes on Li Hao.
As the eldest among the third-generation cousins, he was both shocked and furious at Li Hao’s actions.
He and Li Sibei had forfeited their chances at competing for the True Dragon seat partly because they held their two younger cousins in high regard.
Seeing his elder cousin’s indignation, Li Hao concealed his emotions and responded evenly, “I’m going to check on him.”
“Don’t pretend to care! You struck with deliberate malice!” Li Mingguang accused.
Li Hao’s faint smile faded. Meeting his cousin’s glare, he admitted, “Yes, I did.”
“You!”
Li Mingguang hadn’t expected such a blatant confession. He was so furious that the aura of the Three Immortals Realm radiated from him.
However, he didn’t act. As a soul inheritor of the Li family ancestor, attacking Li Hao would break his heart oath.
“I thought you were a rare prodigy. I even saw the shadow of Ninth Uncle in you. But your character… utterly vile! The emperor’s trust in you is utterly misplaced!”
Li Mingguang clenched his teeth, seething with rage.
“Do you think that after winning the True Dragon seat, you can act without restraint?”
Li Sibei stepped forward, standing beside his elder brother, his eyes cold as he stared at Li Hao.
Li Hao regarded the two for a moment, then said, “I have my reasons. If you want to know, come with me to the Qinglian Courtyard.”
“What reason could justify harming your kin?” Li Mingguang snapped.
“Mingguang-ge, maybe… maybe Hao-ge really does have a reason,” Li Yuanzhao interjected hesitantly.
Li Hao glanced at the chubby boy, a fleeting warmth crossing his heart as he offered a small smile.
Seeing that smile, Li Yuanzhao felt a sense of familiarity return, replacing the earlier strangeness. Emboldened, he tried to speak again, only to be interrupted by Li Sibei’s sharp rebuke.
“Be quiet! You’re still young. Don’t meddle in this!”
Li Yuanzhao opened his mouth but faltered, unsure of how to respond.
Li Wushuang and Li Yun, along with other siblings, also approached. Their gazes, too, were fixed on Li Hao, their emotions a complex mixture of shock and confusion.
Li Wushuang, recalling the day Li Hao had slapped her on the backside, felt a twinge of shame and anger. Yet, she was also puzzled.
Despite the severity of his punishment that day—leaving her too sore to sit—she could tell that it was merely a disciplinary act with no malice. The ruthlessness displayed today was a stark contrast.
She thought back to the rumors. Could it be, as Mingguang-ge suggested, that the True Dragon victory had emboldened Li Hao to act without scruples? Or perhaps his nature had been hidden all along, only to surface now?
Li Yun stood timidly at the edge of the group, afraid to approach. Were it not for his elder sister beside him, he wouldn’t have dared to come closer. His childhood memories of Li Hao were tinged with dread, and today’s events only magnified that fear.
“Hmph, my mother was right. His mother came from the Great Wilderness Heaven—wild blood runs deep. Like mother, like son!”
Li Jiangying and Li Rumeng, another pair of siblings, joined the group. Their faces showed disdain as they glared at Li Hao.
Both harbored envy toward him for claiming the True Dragon seat. Li Rumeng, in particular, felt that had her father not dissuaded her from participating, she might have had the chance to shine and perhaps even compete for the title.
Hearing Li Jiangying’s comment, Li Hao’s gaze turned icy. He caught the underlying information in his words—Great Wilderness Heaven?
Wasn’t his mother supposed to be from a minor clan? How could she be from the Great Wilderness Heaven?
Having grown up in the Li family and spent much of his time with Second Uncle, Fifth Uncle, and Feng Lao, Li Hao knew far more about top-level secrets than his peers.
The Great Wilderness Heaven was no trivial place.
Beyond the human-occupied lands of the Eastern Continent lay the vast expanse of the Great Wilderness Heaven—a land rife with demons and beasts.
The demons near Dayu were weak and had been driven to the fringes of the wilderness. But the Great Wilderness Heaven was home to ancient and terrifying creatures, far beyond the strength of mere Four Extremes cultivators.
For the people of this world, the Great Wilderness Heaven was akin to the uncharted oceans of ancient times—mysterious, perilous, and boundless.
“You know about my mother?” Li Hao’s cold gaze locked onto Li Rumeng.
Li Rumeng raised an eyebrow. “What, your father never told you? Oh, I forgot. You grew up apart from him, didn’t you? Besides, how could he admit it? After all, your mother was nothing more than a barbarian savage…”
Slap!
The sound rang out sharply.
Li Hao struck her so swiftly that a red handprint instantly appeared on her face. Blood trickled from the corner of her mouth, and one of her teeth flew out.
“Li Hao!!”
Li Jiangying, startled out of his daze, erupted with fury. Seeing his younger sister injured, he glared daggers at Li Hao, his soul aspect manifesting above him.
Unlike other family members, Jiangying’s inherited soul aspect was not from the Li family ancestor but from the Wang family. As such, he could attack Li Hao without breaking any heart oaths.
However, as he prepared to lash out, he felt the cold, oppressive aura emanating from Li Hao’s eyes. The overwhelming killing intent made his body freeze in place, his breath catching in his throat.
The memory of Li Hao’s near-fatal strike against Li Qianfeng flashed through his mind. Even with Qianfeng’s status as the Boundless Buddhist Lord’s disciple, it hadn’t stopped Li Hao from acting decisively.
Would Li Hao hesitate to deal with him?
The absence of family elders nearby—most of whom had gone to the Qinglian Courtyard—only deepened his unease.
“You!”
Li Mingguang, recovering from the shock of Li Hao’s sudden attack, clenched his fists. The speed of Li Hao’s slap had far exceeded his expectations, even faster than his assault on Li Qianfeng earlier.
Now fully realizing his cousin’s strength, Mingguang’s anger blazed in his eyes.
“You truly think I wouldn’t dare to act against you? If I had known you were like this, I would have entered the competition myself!”
Li Hao’s patience had worn thin. Coldly, he replied, “If you wanted to compete, you should have done so. Don’t act as though you handed me this seat!”
Mingguang was momentarily speechless, his face darkening.
Li Hao turned his icy gaze to Li Rumeng.
“Insult my mother again, and I’ll make sure you regret it for the rest of your life.”
The sheer menace in his tone left Rumeng trembling. Her once-spoiled arrogance evaporated as fear took its place.
Li Hao had no intention of lingering on this matter. He walked away, dismissing the gathered crowd. To him, whatever information Rumeng had was likely overheard from her mother, the Wang clan matron.
If he wanted the truth, he could ask his father—or even better, Second Uncle or Fifth Uncle.
The narrative he’d been told as a child was likely a lie.
The thought enraged him. As her son, how could he have been kept in the dark about his mother’s origins when outsiders knew the truth?
His expression cold, Li Hao strode toward the Qinglian Courtyard.
If they managed to heal Li Qianfeng, so be it. But once the truth of the poisoned pill was revealed, he would ensure Qianfeng was crippled before everyone’s eyes.
He wanted his second aunt to witness the utter ruin of her meticulously groomed son!
The oppressive aura radiating from Li Hao caused those present to exchange uneasy glances. None dared to block his path.
They had expected explanations, perhaps even repentance. Instead, Li Hao had dropped the pretense entirely, making it clear he had no regrets.
...
“Brother Hao…”
Bian Ruxue stood near the banquet table, watching his retreating figure with a sense of estrangement.
The figure before her now felt like a stranger.
Defying her master and ruthlessly attacking others were traits that didn’t align with the gentle warmth she remembered.
The Li Hao in her memories was someone who brushed everything off lightly, treating everyone with kindness.
But now…
As Li Hao left the courtyard, Ren Qianqian clutched the black sword case tightly and hurried after him.
The young girl’s heart pounded in confusion, the abrupt changes leaving her reeling.
Yet the weight of the sword case reminded her of her duty. As Li Hao’s sword servant, she couldn’t leave his side.
...
...
In the Qinglian Courtyard.
The family physician had arrived—an elder of Li Qingzheng’s generation, though born of a concubine branch with average talent for cultivation.
That branch of the family specialized in medicine, passing their skills down through generations. Despite their lower status, they held a place of respect within the estate.
At this moment, the physician, assisted by Lin Wujing and the matriarch’s intervention, applied the finest medicines from the Li family’s treasury.
Li Qianfeng’s injured left eye was stabilized, his bleeding stemmed, and his brain unscathed.
However, for the eye to fully heal, he would need to reach the Three Immortals Realm, where severed nerves and tissues could regenerate.
Though the procedure was dangerous, the outcome was favorable. Once the wound healed, the eye socket would scab over in a few days.
The physician bowed to Chen Hefang and departed without prying further.
As he exited the courtyard, he crossed paths with Li Hao.
“Was he healed?” Li Hao asked.
Recognizing Li Hao as one of the Li family’s distinguished young masters, the physician, assuming he was inquiring out of concern, smiled.
“The injury is stabilized. In two days, the wound should fully scab over.”
Li Hao nodded, knowing Lin Wujing’s intervention had prevented greater harm. A single eye injury wouldn’t be enough to cripple someone with Li Qianfeng’s potential. With his talent, achieving Three Immortals Realm was highly probable, allowing him to eventually regain his sight.
...
...
In the courtyard, as Li Qianfeng’s injuries were treated, Liu Yurong stood nearby, clutching a handkerchief tightly. Her palms were slick with cold sweat, and her face was drawn with worry.
The treatment process, though fraught with tension, ended successfully.
Liu Yurong’s motherly concern was evident in every word she spoke to her recovering son.
Chen Hefang observed quietly, her thoughts weighed by the unfolding events.
As Li Hao recalled each moment of his first year, the gathered crowd exchanged looks.
Though the memories he described were distant and obscure, his vivid recounting brought fragments of the past to life.
The boy truly remembered events from when he was only a year old!