Volume 3 - Chapter 22: Li Tiangang's Wrath - Part 1
Liang Province, along the Dragon Pass Path...
Draped in the Marshal's golden armor, Li Tiangang galloped forward at full speed.
Although Liang Province was currently at peace, the threat of a major battle breaking out at the River of Death near Dragon City loomed ever-present. Thus, he had not yet removed his armor.
Years had passed since Li Tiangang last set foot on the Dragon Pass Path, and nostalgia welled up in his heart. As his eyes scanned the clean, empty road, a hint of surprise crossed his face.
Since his third and sixth brothers had fallen defending the Dragon Pass Path, the demons here had grown increasingly rampant. Travelers venturing near the border were frequently attacked, indicating that many demons had already infiltrated from both sides of the Dragon Pass Path into the region.
Even so, he could not fault Li Hongzhuang, who had succeeded in guarding this area. His younger sister, despite being a woman, not only took up arms but also faced the relentless demon forces outside Tianmen Pass, where three powerful Demon Kings held sway. To merely hold the pass was already a tremendous feat.
The annual military reports spoke volumes about the immense sacrifices and difficulties of guarding this area.
This was one of the reasons for the decision to pull back the defensive line and abandon Tianmen Pass.
Initially, he had intended for that child to come and experience the peril of the battlefield, but who could have anticipated that the pass, on the verge of being abandoned, would now become the safest place in all of Liang Province?
Even during such calamities—where millions of demons gathered into an army—they chose to avoid its route, opting to attack from elsewhere instead.
Li Tiangang's eyes glimmered faintly. Gazing at the ancient road lined with verdant cypresses, he felt a mix of astonishment and a subtle sense of pride.
As he thought of the face he was soon to see, his gaze grew fervent. Though it was only his clone, when he had previously witnessed Li Hao risking his life to lure away three Demon Kings, a pang of heartache had gripped him. After all, Li Hao was his and Qingqing's only son.
Whenever others marveled at Li Hao's extraordinary talent and brilliance, he maintained a composed and even cold demeanor outwardly. Yet, deep inside, he could not help but feel immense pride and satisfaction.
That was his son—Li Tiangang's son!
"Guest, care for some tea?"
A cheerful voice interrupted Li Tiangang's thoughts.
Walking at a steady pace, he noticed a tea stall by the roadside and raised an eyebrow slightly.
"Old man, with no patrols along the Dragon Pass Path and demons lurking nearby, you dare to set up a stall here?" he remarked.
The tea stall owner chuckled. "General, you're talking about how things used to be. It's different now. Don’t you know? Ever since Major General Haotian began overseeing Tianmen Pass, no demon has dared set foot here. If you ask me, even the Imperial Capital might not be this safe!"
Li Tiangang's eyes narrowed. "Old man, you're getting on in years. Be careful with your words about the Imperial Capital in the future."
Realizing his slip, the tea stall owner quickly plastered on a sheepish grin. "Yes, yes, I spoke out of turn. General, would you like some tea?"
"Even if there are no demon attacks, there’s hardly anyone here. How do you make a living?"
Li Tiangang glanced down the desolate Dragon Pass Path, pondered for a moment, then casually tossed a silver ingot onto the stall.
Though a general, he had the habit of carrying some money with him. From a young age, his father, Li Tianzong, had taught him that as a Great Yu general, one must never take from the people lightly. Otherwise, what would separate officers from bandits?
"This is too much, too much!"
The tea stall owner, flustered by the silver, hurriedly tried to return the excess.
But Li Tiangang had already strode off without looking back. "Keep it."
"But General, I haven’t even served you tea yet!" the old man called out.
"Drink it yourself," Li Tiangang replied over his shoulder.
As the golden-armored general disappeared into the distance, the old tea stall owner polished the silver and tucked it into his pocket with a broad smile.
"A man full of killing intent, yet kind at heart..."
...
In front of Cangya City...
Li Tiangang stood before the grand and imposing new city, his gaze sharp. The city walls were adorned with fluttering flags, bearing a familiar emblem of might and renown.
Traveling along the Dragon Pass Path, he had spotted similar battle flags sporadically. He surmised it was likely these flags that kept the area so tranquil.
At that moment, the guards atop the city walls noticed Li Tiangang's Marshal’s armor and immediately recognized him. Shocked, one of them leaped down from the wall and respectfully approached.
"Greetings, Marshal!"
Li Tiangang nodded slightly. "Where is Li Hao?"
The guard flinched. Within the city, everyone referred to him as Major General Haotian, and mentioning his original name was forbidden.
Yet the Marshal before him was none other than the famed Duke of Xingwu, also known as the Xingwu Grand Duke.
"Are you asking about Major General Haotian’s true form, or...?"
"What do you think?"
Li Tiangang interrupted coldly.
The guard’s face tightened. Realizing his foolishness, he recalled that Major General Haotian had earned incredible war merits in Liang Province—stories that had even reached the Imperial Capital. Everyone knew his true body wasn’t here. How could the Xingwu Grand Duke not be aware of that?
"Major General Haotian is inside the city..."
"Take me to him," Li Tiangang ordered.
The guard bowed respectfully and led the way.
Li Tiangang followed, but his steps were slow, allowing him to observe the surroundings. Along the way, the city's prosperity struck him.
Shops, street vendors, and even lavishly dressed noble youths mingled harmoniously with commoners, exuding an atmosphere of peace and stability.
The guards escorting him quickly matched his pace, taking note of his deliberate inspection.
Such prosperity and order rivaled that of major provincial capitals.
However, as passersby began noticing the golden-armored Marshal, their curious stares and hushed discussions grew.
Li Tiangang frowned slightly at the attention, his mood souring. Without a word, he ascended into the air and gestured for the guards.
"Lead the way," he commanded.
The guard immediately joined him, flying at full speed. They reached the city center, where an open courtyard appeared—a space resembling the City Lord's residence.
Buildings around them were meticulously aligned and strikingly grand, but the open area itself featured a simple, low-fenced courtyard. Modest in appearance, it nonetheless had guards stationed outside, lending it a certain air of authority.
"Is that where he lives?" Li Tiangang asked, frowning. "If there’s time to build homes for civilians, why not construct a proper City Lord’s residence?"
The guard respectfully answered, "Marshal, Major General Haotian mentioned that an old friend of his preferred this small courtyard, so he kept it unchanged."
Li Tiangang raised an eyebrow, recalling his son's unrestrained personality. With a sigh, he thought to himself that, even here at the border, that carefree nature had remained unchanged.
It’s often said that habits not addressed in youth last a lifetime. He knew by now that Li Hao's character was likely set, and any efforts to change it would be futile.
Yet, considering Li Hao’s renown and the achievements he had brought to Liang Province, Li Tiangang felt there was no need to dwell on it further.
They soon landed in front of the courtyard.
"Who is this?"
The two guards standing at the entrance of the small courtyard were members of the Haotian Army, consisting of martial artists and masters from various provinces. While they were familiar with basic military protocols, their knowledge of broader military matters was limited.
Seeing Li Tiangang’s imposing attire, they were struck by his impressive presence but did not immediately recognize him.
"This is the Xingwu Grand Duke, Marshal of Xingwu!" the escorting guard promptly announced.
Li Tiangang's frown deepened, a trace of displeasure crossing his face. He had just been considering that perhaps Li Hao’s relaxed personality wasn’t worth correcting, only to see that same attitude reflected in his son’s troops.
If his identity couldn’t be recognized here, it would be easy for these soldiers to offend officials from other high-ranking houses.
Moreover, he wondered how they could handle battle if they lacked this fundamental knowledge. While he knew his son’s strength was remarkable, he couldn’t expect him to handle everything on his own, especially if he were to take on the title of True Dragon.
If the True Dragon had to handle every conflict personally, even ten lives wouldn’t suffice.
The two guards, startled by the introduction, quickly composed themselves.
Though they hadn’t recognized Li Tiangang, the title of Marshal Xingwu had long been famous across the northern territories of Yanbei. They immediately understood that the middle-aged man before them was none other than Li Hao’s father.
If you’d like to read more chapters (over 989 chapters) without waiting for daily updates, just click HERE or the button below! Once you join, you’ll gain early access to all the chapters.
