Volume 2 - Chapter 28: A Way Out
When Li Muxiu’s words fell, the expressions of those present shifted slightly. Some turned their gaze toward Li Tiangang, while others lowered their heads in silence.
Faced with Li Muxiu’s mockery, Li Tiangang remained unresponsive, maintaining a stoic silence.
Li Muxiu found his reaction surprising. He had expected his words to provoke an outburst of rage.
Had he regretted it?
A thought stirred in his mind. Suddenly, he heard He Jianlan’s voice: “Second Uncle, why don’t you take a look at this letter sent by Xuanli?”
Li Muxiu was taken aback. He glanced at He Jianlan and noted her peculiar expression. Without hesitation, he quickly unfolded the military report.
His pupils contracted slightly as shock flashed in his eyes.
That brat had actually slain three Immortal-stage Great Demons?!
Li Muxiu considered himself well-acquainted with Li Hao, but the boy’s rapid improvement still exceeded his expectations. In fact, it shattered the previously assumed limits of genius within the Great Yu Divine Dynasty.
Defeating all the Grandmasters under heaven was already astonishing enough, but now he had managed to kill three Immortal-stage demons, one of whom was a Young Demon King in the Undying Stage!
Had it not been for the report’s confirmation by numerous Grandmasters, Li Muxiu might have doubted its accuracy.
“Hao’er, Hao’er...”
Li Muxiu’s lips quivered slightly. At this moment, no one could match his inner turmoil. He seemed to glimpse the Li family entering an era of unprecedented glory.
However...
His gaze quickly dimmed, a pang of pain stabbing through his heart.
Turning angrily toward Li Tiangang, he saw the man’s silent demeanor. Li Muxiu was torn between anger and bitter amusement, but above all, he felt sorrow.
Blaming Li Tiangang was now meaningless; the question was whether that child would ever return.
“Dragon Sky Sword, that famous blade rumored to reside in the Imperial Treasury, is now in Hao’er’s hands. Was it granted by Emperor Yu? When did this happen?”
Gao Qingqing held the letter and murmured to herself.
Hearing this, Chen Hefang, seated nearby, was momentarily stunned, her thoughts turning to the sword Eternal Night.
If Eternal Night were now in that child’s hands, it would undoubtedly make him renowned throughout the world.
Yet, at present, Eternal Night lay dormant here, much like Xiao Jiu, quietly sealed in darkness.
The Hall of Deliberation descended into silence as everyone processed the news.
No one had expected that the boy, who had left the Divine General Mansion not long ago, would so quickly shake the entire world through his own strength.
Back then, Li Tiangang had angrily accused the boy of basking in the reflected glory of the Divine General Mansion. While the women present had remained silent, had they not internally acknowledged a degree of truth in those words?
After all, everyone here had basked in the thousand-year prestige of the Divine General Mansion. Even officials of higher rank treated them with courtesy because of this illustrious lineage.
But now, the world’s attention was no longer on the boy’s background. Instead, it was fixated on his unparalleled, monstrous talent.
“Tiangang, why aren’t you saying anything?”
Li Muxiu stared at Li Tiangang and said, “If you regret it, there’s still time to go to Tianmen Pass and apologize to that child. Don’t wait until the three years are up, when it will all be too late!”
Hearing Second Uncle’s words, the numerous noblewomen were momentarily stunned and turned their gazes toward Li Tiangang.
Slowly regaining his composure, Li Tiangang glanced at Li Muxiu. Observing the faint anger hidden in his uncle’s eyes, his lips twitched slightly.
“Second Uncle, you’ve seen that child’s talent. But do you approve of his behavior?”
“Hm?”
Li Muxiu frowned. “What do you mean?”
“Publicly suppressing a Buddha’s Son, disgracing Boundless Mountain, and forming enmity with the Boundless Buddhist Lord. Then there’s his subjugation of Grandmasters under heaven—how many connections and powers lie behind these Grandmasters? How many people has he enraged?”
Li Tiangang spoke slowly.
Li Muxiu retorted angrily, “What, should we let others trample all over us? Are you afraid?!”
“Afraid?”
Li Tiangang shook his head slightly. “Second Uncle, the reason you lost to my father in the competition for the True Dragon position was that Grandfather’s decision was correct—your sense of the bigger picture is truly lacking.”
“You’re lecturing me?” Li Muxiu’s eyes blazed with icy fury.
Li Tiangang gazed at him calmly and said, “Our Li family respects the Imperial Clan but has no need to fear anyone else. That Boundless Mountain dared interfere in our family’s affairs—I haven’t even settled that score yet!”
“The Grandmasters of the world and their vast networks—under the iron hooves of my Law Battalion and Yuan Battalion, what do they amount to?”
“Who dares utter a word outside the gates of my Divine General Mansion?”
Li Muxiu said coldly, “Then what do you mean by what you just said?”
Li Tiangang replied, “I’ve always acknowledged Hao’er’s extraordinary talent. But his actions are far too extreme and reckless!”
“He’s still young, and there’s much I can forgive. But forgiveness doesn’t mean indulgence. Otherwise, wouldn’t I be no different from all of you?”
“If he cannot tolerate even the slightest criticism, how can he amount to anything?”
“Take this incident, for example...”
He picked up the letter and flung it in front of Li Muxiu. “When the Boundless Mountain’s Buddha’s Son provoked him, he could have defeated him and made a name for himself. Even if the other party grew furious, they wouldn’t retaliate immediately. And if they did, when the matter came to light, others would see the Boundless Mountain as petty.”
“But by humiliating him so thoroughly, if they do seek revenge and the incident is exposed, others will find it justifiable!”
“The same goes for the Grandmasters. They are nothing compared to the Li family on the surface, but who can guard against their underhanded schemes? Should we expend energy dealing with their tricks every day?”
“There’s always a better way, but he consistently chooses the worst!”
Li Tiangang locked his gaze on Li Muxiu and said, “This is the flaw born of the indulgence you’ve all showered upon him. His actions may be satisfying, even exhilarating, but what about the consequences?”
“A child can afford to be willful, but as adults, we must learn restraint!”
“Releasing anger without consideration for the aftermath—if he were to bear the title of the Li family’s True Dragon, every one of his actions would represent the Li family’s stance!”
“It would appear as though the Li family were intentionally suppressing Grandmasters under heaven, forcing them to bow low!”
“The will of the people is like water: while it can carry a boat, it can also capsize it!”
“The world reveres our Divine General Mansion not merely for our defense of Great Yu or for the blood we shed on the battlefield, but also because we have never oppressed the common people nor abused our authority.”
“To put it bluntly, violence can suppress rebellion, but only magnanimity can win hearts!”
“He is destined to lead armies and wage war. Second Uncle, you must have heard stories of certain generals who abused their subordinates and met their end at the hands of their own soldiers, their throats slit after a drunken outburst?”
Li Muxiu froze, taking a deep breath. “Well said. You indeed treat your soldiers and subordinates with generosity. Your heart encompasses all of Qingzhou’s people. Why can’t it also accommodate one child—especially when that child is your own son!”
“Because he is my son, he must be different,” Li Tiangang replied firmly, each word carrying weight.
Li Muxiu chuckled bitterly. “He saved the people of Dayue City. Before that, he rescued the citizens of Cangyu City, earning him a noble title. Did you accomplish such feats at fourteen? How do you know he hasn’t already won the hearts of the people, hasn’t gained their admiration?”
“The people are water; the Grandmasters are hands. Water flows as the hands guide it,” Li Tiangang responded coldly.
Li Muxiu stared at him intently. “So, what are you saying? Are you really going to wait for three years to pass?”
Li Tiangang glanced at him, then shifted his gaze to the letter on the table. After a moment’s silence, he finally spoke.
“With your old friend’s assistance and his own strength, holding the line at Tianmen Pass won’t be difficult.”
“But now that he’s killed the Young Demon King of Myriad Mountains, the Myriad Mountains Demon King won’t let this go easily. Even with your friend’s protection, if they rally other demon kings to avenge their kin, he’ll face great danger.”
Li Muxiu raised an eyebrow. “I didn’t think you’d consider that possibility.”
Ignoring his uncle’s sarcasm, Li Tiangang said, “I’ll write him a letter. He’s young and impulsive, so I’ll give him a way out.”
Li Muxiu felt a slight relief and suggested, “Since you’ve decided this, I think it would be better for you to go in person.”
“No time,” Li Tiangang replied with a slight shake of his head, his fingers tapping the table. “Second Uncle, don’t forget what we were just discussing. The expanse of Liang Province is vast, and the recent demon scourge in Dayue City proves these demons are growing restless. I need to visit Great Yu Province and meet the emperor regarding this matter.”
Li Muxiu frowned at him, then, recalling his nephew’s temperament, realized that Tiangang’s personal visit might backfire. He decided not to insist.
At least the willingness to compromise was a good start.
He sighed inwardly and thought of Feng Boping.
He could almost picture his old friend’s smug grin and teasing words.
That old rascal must have known about Li Hao’s situation long ago but chose not to inform him, simply to enjoy his current shock.
“Old fox, just wait until we meet again. Let’s see how I deal with you,” Li Muxiu muttered to himself.
...
...
Boundless Mountain, Brahma Pure Land
Deep within the peaks, atop the supreme spiritual mountain of the pure land...
Golden Buddhist light illuminated everything. A staircase led from the mundane world to the foot of the mountain, where the destitute and the noble alike came to burn incense and pray.
At the summit, within a sacred area cloaked in a barrier of spiritual light, the Boundless Buddhist Lord sat serenely on a lotus platform. His expression was gentle and compassionate.
Flanking him were two Bodhisattvas. One was Lin Wujing, while the other, a woman with a tranquil demeanor, furrowed her brows ever so slightly.
In the Buddhist hall before them, several figures knelt in the divine light. Among them were two Buddha’s Sons.
“I am aware of the events in Liang Province,” the Boundless Buddhist Lord said, his voice soft yet resonant, like a temple bell—sonorous without being harsh, warm and fluid.
“That boy’s talent is extraordinary, unparalleled throughout the ages. Your defeat at his hands need not dishearten or sadden you. Everything is preordained.”
The two Buddha’s Sons, Qin Wuque and Li Qianfeng, shuddered at his words. While they felt even more ashamed, they also experienced a sense of relief and bitterness.
Both were peerless geniuses, yet their crushing defeat made it clear that they couldn’t stand on equal footing with their opponent.
“Qian Kun Vajra,” the Boundless Buddhist Lord said softly, “there are still three years. You shall remain on the mountain to cultivate diligently. If you reach the Heaven and Man Realm, you will have another opportunity to contend for the True Dragon position. If not, you shall stay under my tutelage as an Arhat Bodhisattva, free from the entanglements of mortal karma. The Divine General Mansion protects the people, and our Buddhist Sect also saves the living.”
Li Qianfeng trembled and lowered his head in a deep bow. “Understood, Master.”
Beside him, Qin Wuque, whose eyes had been dim with bitterness, now looked at the Buddhist Lord with a glimmer of curiosity.
“Master, this disciple is unworthy. That boy’s mastery of Grandmaster-level martial arts is terrifying. Even if Qian Kun reaches the Heaven and Man Realm, I fear he still won’t be his match, will he?”
His inquiry wasn’t one of doubt but a quest for clarity. He knew his master’s words carried profound meaning.
“In the mortal world, strength and weakness are never fixed. In spring, flowers bloom; in autumn, they fall. Even if your bloom is less brilliant, does it matter?”
“A dragon-elephant may be powerful, but it cannot cross a river. A small bird may be weak, yet it can traverse mountains and rivers.”
The Boundless Buddhist Lord continued in his soft voice, “Everything in this world follows its destined course. Heaven envies those with great talent; extremes invite destruction. That boy’s talent is indeed remarkable, but the path he treads is fraught with peril. It is destined to be a difficult journey.”
The two Buddha’s Sons were puzzled, not understanding his meaning. Was he implying that Li Hao’s arrogance would lead him to ruin?
The Boundless Buddhist Lord’s voice remained calm. “You may go now. Reflect deeply and overcome the demons within your hearts. Only then can you continue to advance.”
“Understand this: all thoughts are but illusions, all worldly deeds but dreams. Only through such understanding can one attain transcendence.”