Volume 2 - Chapter 15: Chaos of War
To return so many techniques at once, it was clear how resolute that child was in severing his father-son relationship with Li Tiangang.
He Jianlan glanced at Li Tiangang, whose face had turned ashen, and sighed.
"Tiangang, you are, after all, his father. Don’t let your anger continue to escalate with Hao’er. If it weren’t for the open-mindedness of our elders, your marriage with Qingqing would have faced countless obstacles, and your child would have endured endless criticism."
“People always say Hao’er is blessed, but what blessings has he truly enjoyed? Born into a prestigious family with fine clothes and abundant food, yet neither you nor Qingqing ever stayed by his side. That child waited fourteen years for your return, only to encounter conflict after just a few days together."
"If this continues, your bond as father and son will truly be lost."
"Seventh Brother," Li Xuanli spoke, his gaze complex. "I’ve observed that child, Hao’er. He’s not as bad as you make him out to be. If that child were mine, I’d be overjoyed. He’s courteous and measured with others, far from being reckless. And as for that interrogation, you’ve seen the results yourself..."
At this point, his eyes flickered with realization, and he couldn’t help but sigh.
“Seventh Brother, regarding Rumeng being struck, you can’t blame Hao’er,” Li Fenghua interjected.
As he spoke, he glared fiercely at his wife, Wang Xiangru, beside him.
Wang Xiangru glared back, her expression defiant and unafraid.
Li Fenghua clenched his fists in frustration but eventually loosened them.
He recalled his father’s teachings: a man’s fists are meant to conquer the world, not to strike his wife.
Thus, he had endured for many years.
“Seventh Brother, even if you think Hao’er is too idle, his cultivation still surpasses his peers. Given his talent and the luxury of freedom, why push him so hard?” Jiang Xian’er said softly.
Listening to the persuasion from everyone, Li Tiangang remained silent, his face dark.
How could he not understand their words? He wouldn’t claim that he didn’t regret anything at this moment. Yet, every time he thought of that child’s cold expression, his anger would flare.
Especially after receiving those returned techniques. Such a resolute gesture—wasn’t he still Hao’er’s father?
Blood ties bind bones and sinews; even if he had misjudged, could the child draw his sword against him?
And all of this for some demonic beast? To turn against him for such a thing?
What place did the boy’s feelings for his father truly hold?
“Severing ties won’t be that easy,” Li Tiangang muttered.
He took a deep breath, his gaze turning sharp. “Though I don’t know how he obtained these techniques, the debt he owes to the Li family isn’t limited to this.”
“Three years guarding the border is no easy task. Liangzhou is about to fall into chaos!”
His words left everyone stunned.
Concerned for the countless citizens of Liangzhou, Li Xuanli couldn’t help but ask, “Seventh Brother, what do you mean by this?”
Li Tiangang glanced at him. Since the situation had reached this point, there was little reason to conceal certain classified reports.
Besides, he had been planning for some time now, and this conversation merely expedited his intentions.
“Do you know why I ordered the withdrawal from Tianmen Pass and brought Hongzhuang back?”
“That place has been guarded for years by Third and Sixth Brother. Our Li family has lost countless soldiers and shed rivers of blood there. Withdrawing the troops means abandoning everything!”
Li Tiangang’s expression turned ice-cold as he explained. “It’s not that I don’t want to hold it, nor that His Majesty is unwilling to defend it. It’s simply indefensible!”
“Beyond the borders of Liangzhou, demons have gathered, preparing to ignite a war. Tianmen Pass will be the first to bear the brunt, becoming the frontline!”
“In recent days, three Rivers of Death have appeared within Liangzhou, all at the Netherworld level. One city has already been overtaken and submerged by one of these rivers, with half its population wiped out overnight.”
“Currently, the elder generation of the Wang family has gone to contain this River of Death, hoping to temporarily dismantle it. Clearing a path is out of the question, but if the rivers can be completely destroyed, it will halt their spread for the time being.”
“The demons aim to use Liangzhou as a breach point to invade Great Yu.”
“For years, the demons have treated Great Yu as their banquet, regarding the citizens across our vast territory as mere prey. They’ve been biding their time for this opportunity. Just recently, the Xia family suffered devastating losses—two Fourth Pillar Realm demon kings broke into their territory, and an elder of the Xia family perished in the battle!”
Hearing Li Tiangang’s shocking revelations, everyone was horrified.
The most sensitive intelligence network of the Li family was under Li Tiangang’s control. No one expected so many grave events to be unfolding outside.
“Tiangang, if Liangzhou is so dangerous, why would you send Hao’er...” He Jianlan finally snapped back to her senses, asking urgently.
Li Tiangang’s expression turned grim as he said coldly, “I intended to temper his stubbornness. Who would’ve thought that a Fourth Pillar Realm cultivator would secretly protect him, defying me at every turn!”
He cast a sharp glance at Li Muxiu.
Li Muxiu erupted in anger, his face flushed red. “Without the protection of someone at the Fourth Pillar Realm, do you really think Li He alone could keep your son safe?”
“Don’t forget, the boy’s talent has already been exposed. The demons that hold grudges against our Li family would never sit idly by as he grows stronger!”
“At a time when he needs protection most, you cast him out of Qingzhou, out of our stronghold, leaving him exposed to the elements. Are you trying to get him killed?!”
Li Tiangang, unable to suppress his fury any longer, bellowed, “If not for your indulgence, would Hao’er be in this situation today? Would he leave home over such trivial matters? Now he even dares to sever ties with me?!”
“You!”
Li Muxiu trembled with anger, his face turning red, unable to speak.
"Tiangang, Second Uncle meant well. You can’t speak to him like that," He Jianlan said urgently, her expression slightly changing.
The others glanced at Li Muxiu. While the old man had spent most of his years in the Divine General Mansion, his younger self had caused quite a stir, even clashing with their father. As a result, most of them had mixed feelings about him, neither too fond nor too distant.
Over the years, only He Jianlan had maintained a closer relationship with Li Muxiu, understanding his temperament better than the others.
The rest didn’t know whether to intervene.
Li Tiangang restrained his temper, realizing that his earlier tone had indeed been inappropriate. Taking a deep breath, he turned to Li Xuanli, his fifth brother. "Fifth Brother, I was going to discuss this with you in a few days, but since we’re already on the subject, I intend to send you to Liangzhou to assess the situation. When the demons launch their large-scale invasion, I’ll lead the troops myself."
Li Xuanli nodded solemnly. "No problem. Leave it to me. I’ve been resting and recovering these past years, and I’m ready. Truthfully, I should have gone to fight in the Yanbei battle back then."
Li Tiangang shook his head. "You and I don’t need to differentiate like that."
Hearing this, Li Xuanli’s eyes reddened slightly, but he suppressed his emotions and said nothing more.
Li Fenghua stepped forward. "Seventh Brother, let me know if you need my help."
"Eighth Brother, just focus on guarding Cangzhou. That’s the territory Little Nine fought with his life to reclaim—it cannot fall," Li Tiangang said gravely.
Li Fenghua nodded slightly, understanding the importance of his assignment. Over the years, he had devoted himself to defending Cangzhou, rarely returning to the Divine General Mansion. This dedication, however, had come at the cost of neglecting his children’s upbringing, leaving them overly pampered by their mother.
Now, upon returning home, he found it increasingly challenging to discipline them. His wife, emboldened by her family background in the Wang clan, was unafraid of him.
Witnessing the confrontation between Li Tiangang and Li Hao, Li Fenghua couldn’t help but empathize, sensing a similar helplessness in his own role as a father.
"Fifth Brother, prepare to depart soon and familiarize yourself with the situation. As for Tianmen Pass, leave it be," Li Tiangang instructed.
Li Xuanli hesitated momentarily. "What about Hao’er?"
"He has the protection of a Fourth Pillar Realm cultivator. If the situation becomes critical, he’ll naturally return unless he truly wishes to court death," Li Tiangang said coldly.
Li Xuanli’s expression changed slightly but he sighed inwardly, choosing not to say more.
"Esteemed Elders, take these techniques to Tingyu Pavilion," Li Tiangang said, cupping his hands toward the family elders.
The elders nodded lightly, avoiding involvement in Li Tiangang’s family affairs. Over the years, they had adhered strictly to their duties.
"What about these three secret techniques?" one elder asked hesitantly.
Li Tiangang’s expression darkened as he recalled the message written in the letter.
"What’s the matter with the secret techniques?" He Jianlan asked curiously.
The elder responded gently, "Madam, Young Master Li Hao seems to have stipulated that if we archive these three techniques, we must ensure that Li Qianfeng is not permitted to learn them. Only under such conditions will he allow the techniques to be included."
Everyone froze, exchanging looks of surprise. It seemed the boy still harbored resentment over this matter.
The conflict between father and son had originated from this issue, so it was no wonder he had held onto it.
"Alternatively," another elder added, "he is willing to let Qianfeng study the techniques, but only if Qianfeng renounces his claim to the Li family’s True Dragon position."
He Jianlan turned to Li Tiangang. "Is this true?"
Li Tiangang’s face darkened further as he nodded.
The group exchanged uneasy glances. Fortunately, Liu Yurong wasn’t present at the moment; if she heard this, she would undoubtedly burst into a fit of rage.
"This boy certainly has a sharp sense of calculation," He Jianlan remarked with a faint smile.
Li Tiangang snorted coldly. "Using three secret techniques to coerce us? Preposterous! Such a calculating mind—he hardly resembles a child!"
"He’s clever, but you call him calculating," Li Muxiu retorted sharply.
Li Tiangang furrowed his brow but said nothing.
Li Xuanli pondered aloud, "Hao’er’s actions don’t appear to be a threat. This is more akin to an open stratagem. If Qianfeng does learn the techniques and inherits the True Dragon position, these techniques, originating from Hao’er, might very well contain hidden traps. Should Qianfeng ever face Hao’er in battle, he could be defeated with a single move."
"Even if Qianfeng does study them, he won’t carry the prestige of the True Dragon. In essence, if he learns these techniques, he’ll forever be under Hao’er’s thumb."
"What about the rest of us?" Wang Xiangru interjected, her face tense. She had hoped her children might have a chance to study them.
Li Xuanli gave her a sidelong glance. "The others are far behind Hao’er in ability. Whether they learn these techniques or not makes little difference."
Hearing this, Wang Xiangru’s face turned sour with embarrassment, yet she couldn’t refute his words.
Among the younger generation, only the personal disciple of the Boundless Buddhist Lord showed any potential to catch up to Li Hao.
The rest, even if given flawless techniques, would still be no match for him due to the immense gap in cultivation.
Nevertheless, her heart simmered with resentment.
Time would tell. A head start didn’t guarantee a lasting lead. Once bottlenecks were reached at higher levels, decades of stagnation could erase any early advantage.
Though her children were not particularly outstanding, the combined resources of the Wang and Li families gave them an edge. In the future, they might still compete with him.
...
Feeling slightly more at ease, she dismissed Li Xuanli in her mind, though her gaze remained cold.
"Since that’s the case, we should accept the techniques. The benefits outweigh the drawbacks. Whether Qianfeng chooses to study them or not will be his decision. If he does, he’ll have to accept being overshadowed by Hao’er. If not, he can pursue other techniques."
"Exactly. Tingyu Pavilion has countless secret techniques. Mastering one to perfection can still rival ten thousand techniques."
After some discussion, the group ultimately decided to accept the three secret techniques.
Li Tiangang, seeing their consensus, agreed and said nothing further.