Chapter 113: To Hell with Father and Son
"Do you want to die? It won’t be that easy. Even if I have to cripple you, I’ll strip away this rebellious nature of yours! Otherwise, when you descend into madness in the future, how could I, Li Tiangang, face the world with honor?"
Li Tiangang spoke coldly, his gaze sharp as a blade.
He raised his hand, and a surge of power swept outward.
The range of his indomitable divine will rapidly extended, enveloping the Divine General Mansion. Moments later, two chains shot out from a dim dungeon within the mansion, speeding through the air.
The chains streaked across the skies above countless households, appearing like two black comets falling from the heavens, before landing in front of Li Hao.
"I originally wanted to make amends with you, but after all these years of indulgence and pampering, even if I must break my promise, I’ll first crush your rebellious spirit!"
Li Tiangang’s tone was icy. "Don’t forget what I am. For someone as unruly as you, I have more than enough ways to break that defiance!"
"Li Tiangang!!"
Li Qingzheng’s eyes widened with fury as he stormed forward. His aged face was flushed with anger, his blood surging. "What are you doing? Are you really going to torture your own son?!"
"Fifth Uncle!"
Li Tiangang’s expression shifted slightly before he barked angrily, "This is my family matter. Stay out of it!"
"You—you're trying to kill me with rage!"
Li Qingzheng pointed a trembling finger at him, shouting angrily, "You’ve just returned from the borderlands—was showing off your power there not enough? Must you now throw your weight around here too?!"
"All these years, you haven’t cared to see Hao’er even once. Now that you’re back, the first thing you do is demand he change this and that. Have you gone mad?!"
"Fifth Uncle, enough!"
Li Tiangang’s face was as cold as frost. "I’ve been tolerating it all this time. Over the years, you and Second Uncle spoiled this brat, nurturing his rebelliousness. I didn’t want to bring it up since you were acting on my behalf. But do you think your indulgence hasn’t led to today’s disaster?"
"Hao’er’s behavior today—daring to attack me—is a direct result of your sheltering him! Do you not see what he’s become? He’s just gained a seat among the True Dragons, and with this meager strength, he dares to act so arrogantly!"
"If he reaches the Three Immortals realm or even steps into the Fourth Pillar stage in the future, I fear that even you uncles will be trampled underfoot. He’d likely even dare to smash the ancestral shrine!"
"You, you..."
Li Qingzheng trembled all over, his eyes glaring with rage, but he was momentarily lost for words.
Accuse them of sheltering Li Hao?
How absurd!
Other than him and the Second Uncle, who else in this vast mansion has cared for this child?
And what crimes had the child ever committed?!
"You’re simply beyond reason!" Li Qingzheng gritted his teeth.
His years of tempered demeanor now gave way to genuine anger. If not for the ancestral shrine, the foundation of their family for a millennium—more important than even the Listening Rain Pavilion—he would have stepped forward to teach this nephew a harsh lesson on behalf of his deceased elder brother.
"Step aside!"
Li Tiangang’s face was murderous, no longer sparing Li Qingzheng another word. To him, everything the latter said was merely excuses for Li Hao’s behavior.
"Fifth Uncle, move aside. Don’t let this mad dog break your oath of peace."
Li Hao’s voice came from behind Li Qingzheng.
Li Qingzheng’s body trembled slightly. His expression shifted as he turned to look at Li Hao, who was covered in blood, his clothing in tatters, and his entire body riddled with wounds. The elder’s gaze filled with heartache and sorrow.
"Hao’er, just yield. Admit your mistakes!"
"After all, you are father and son. All it takes is an apology."
Father and son?!
Li Hao laughed, his voice echoing loudly.
But the laughter abruptly ceased.
"Fifth Uncle, move aside," Li Hao repeated firmly.
Li Qingzheng’s expression turned grim. After a moment of hesitation, he finally stepped aside.
There was no longer anything between father and son.
Li Tiangang’s imposing figure and piercing gaze were now fully visible before Li Hao.
Li Tiangang spoke coldly, "Fifth Uncle was right. We are father and son. Although it’s too late for you to admit your mistakes now, if you do, I’ll spare you the torture today."
Li Hao laughed again, then spat out a mouthful of blood.
"To hell with your ‘father and son’ nonsense!"
Li Hao roared in defiance.
Because of such ideas, because of this millennium-old tradition, the child buried deep within his heart had harbored hope for those distant frontier parents for fourteen years.
And it was this very concept of filial piety and etiquette that had driven him into today’s desperate, battered state!
Hearing the boy’s furious roar, the expressions of those present subtly changed.
Li Qingzheng hesitated, about to speak.
Li Tiangang’s face darkened with rage, his fury palpable. "You’re a beast!!"
The chains on the ground sprang into action. The ends of the chains revealed sharp, sickle-like blades that shot forward with murderous intent.
Li Hao roared, trying to resist. But with his Yin-Yang Dual Meridians drained and the Seven Phoenixes Lighting Lamps dormant, his strength was utterly depleted. His arms were barely raised before the chains bound him.
The sickles pierced through his shoulder blades, pinning him like a condemned criminal.
The force yanked Li Hao’s body backward, flinging him to the ground before being dragged back to land at Li Tiangang’s feet.
"I’ll make you admit your wrongs!" Li Tiangang’s eyes blazed with wrath, his gaze like divine fire.
But at that moment, an enraged roar erupted from the horizon.
"Li Tiangang!!!"
Before the voice arrived, a mighty gale surged down from the heavens, sweeping through the area with crushing pressure, scattering debris and dust in all directions.
A figure descended in an instant, landing between the father and son. The man immediately picked up the boy from the ground and cradled him in his arms.
"Hao’er!!"
The newcomer was none other than Li Muxiu. He had rushed back to Qingzhou City, hoping to witness the ceremony where Li Hao would inherit the True Dragon honor. Instead, he was met with this horrific scene.
With his extraordinary senses, he could perceive the entire city.
Looking at the boy in his arms, whose breath was weak and body was on the brink of collapse, Li Muxiu’s eyes filled with unspeakable grief. His hair, as white as snow, fluttered wildly despite the lack of wind, and an anger that had been buried for sixty years erupted like a volcano.
"Hao’er, don’t be afraid. I’m here now. You didn’t have anyone to stand up for you before, but now your Second Uncle will!"
Feeling the warmth of those arms, Li Hao’s weary heart seemed to loosen slightly, as if a long-held tension had finally relaxed.
Seeing his Second Uncle’s furious expression, Li Hao managed a faint, bitter smile and said weakly, "I’m sorry, Second Uncle. I was planning to wait until the guests had left before seeking vengeance. I didn’t want to disgrace the Li family, but in the end, I still caused the Li family to lose face."
Their battle had shaken Qingzhou City. News of this would undoubtedly spread far and wide.
Hearing Li Hao’s words, Li Muxiu felt a pang in his heart. Though he didn’t know the full details of what had transpired, he had spent years by Li Hao’s side at the lakeside, watching him grow, talking with him countless times. How could he not understand this child’s character?
"Hao’er, say no more. Second Uncle will make things right for you. Even if your father were here today, I’d still seek justice for you!"
Li Muxiu’s voice trembled with suppressed fury.
Hearing these words, Li Tiangang’s face darkened further, especially when his Second Uncle mentioned his late father.
With a flicker of anger in his eyes, Li Tiangang said, "Second Uncle, it’s you, isn’t it? You’re the one who spoiled Hao’er all these years!"
Li Muxiu gently placed Li Hao down, his eyes filled with sorrow as he examined the boy’s injuries. The chains that had pierced through his shoulders had lodged deeply, and Li Muxiu dared not remove them rashly, fearing they might cause further damage.
Standing up, he turned to Li Tiangang, his expression filled with rage, and bellowed, "Yes! I spoiled him. So what? Are you going to punish me too?!"
Li Tiangang’s face turned grim, his tone heavy with reproach. "Second Uncle, although you are my elder, and I am grateful to you for raising Hao’er, your indulgence has caused him to become what he is today. You bear responsibility for this!"
"Grateful? Who wants your gratitude?!"
Li Muxiu roared in fury. "You and your wife were stationed at the borderlands. If I hadn’t spoiled Hao’er, would you have done it?!"
Li Tiangang clenched his teeth. "Second Uncle, don’t let your anger cloud your judgment. My stationing at the borderlands was by imperial decree, to protect the people living there. Do you expect me to abandon the lives of countless civilians for the sake of one child?!"
Li Muxiu’s expression faltered slightly. As someone born into a family of generals, he could not deny the importance of duty.
Common folk might prioritize their families before their duties, but the Divine General Mansion could not afford such a luxury. After all, without their sacrifices, the existence of countless families would be impossible.
"Even so," Li Muxiu retorted angrily, "what crime could Hao’er have committed that would warrant such cruelty from you?!"
Li Tiangang sneered coldly. "Just after earning the title of True Dragon, he dares to attack his elder brother and even plot patricide. He’s relying on his talent to act recklessly. Did he ever consider that his talent is a gift from me? Though he hasn’t awakened divine blood, no son of the Li family is born untalented!"
"He’s exceptional among his peers because of the blood of me and Qingqing that flows through his veins!"
"He reached the Fifteen-Li realm at the age of fourteen because of the resources of the Li family!"
"He’s able to wield these unparalleled techniques because of the Li family’s teachings!"
"Without the Li family, what would he have?!"
Li Muxiu shouted back, "He’s your son! Isn’t it his right to enjoy these things?!"
"And besides, Hao’er hasn’t even consumed that many of the family’s resources over the years. Everything he’s achieved is through his own efforts!"