266

Chapter 266: Dismiss the True Dragon

Li Hao rose, quickly tidied himself up, and headed to the Li Family Divine General Mansion with the Candle Flame God and Xiyan. He came to retrieve his conferral decree and official seal, as the old master mentioned that the couple refused to hand them over. Therefore, he had to come in person.

Standing once more before the grand and magnificent Divine General Mansion, Li Hao looked up, his eyes lingering on the large gilded characters. Memories of the past flashed through his mind, but they all settled quietly in his heart.

News of Li Hao's arrival quickly caused a stir in the mansion. He Jianlan and others personally came to the gate to welcome him.

Upon explaining his purpose, the slight anticipation in He Jianlan and the others' hearts quickly turned to disappointment.

He Jianlan led Li Hao to the Changchun Courtyard, treating him as a distinguished guest. With her white and delicate hands, she personally brewed tea for him and sent someone to inform Li Tiangang in the Shanhai Courtyard to bring Li Hao's belongings.

Upon hearing that Li Hao had arrived, the other wives in the mansion also hurried over, knowing that this young man's farewell today might mean many years before they would see him again, or perhaps never.

The usually quiet Changchun Courtyard became lively in an instant.

The message reached the Shanhai Courtyard, where Li Tiangang, having knelt in the ancestral hall all night, had just returned.

Last night, he intended to inspect the military situation in various parts of Qingzhou after visiting the ancestors, but once he entered the ancestral hall, he did not leave.

He truthfully reported all events to the ancestors, without excuses, aware that he indeed had faults. His face was filled with sorrow and regret as he recounted everything.

The ancestral spirits were shocked and furious, eventually turning sorrowful. They couldn't believe that such a prodigious talent from the Li family was driven out by his own parents.

In the dark night, angry roars were contained within the ancestral hall.

Only Li Qingzheng, sitting outside the hall under a newly blossomed peach tree, heard the anger. He had brought back a few jars of wine from Yunxia Tower, drinking alone.

He listened to the scolding and rebukes of the ancestors but felt no joy, only a dead calm, like a lifeless lake.

He stared at the bright moon, watching the lights in the Divine General Mansion, where the warmth contrasted sharply with the darkness.

The liquor he drank poured into his mouth and seeped out from his eyes.

Li Tiangang, dragging his weary body back to the Shanhai Courtyard, saw his wife, who seemed to have stayed up all night, looking haggard. His heart ached again.

But before he could sit, he received the message from Changchun Courtyard.

Upon learning that Li Hao had arrived, he felt a brief joy, but when he heard that Li Hao had come to take his official seal and decree, his joy was extinguished like cold water, replaced by sorrow.

He went straight to Changchun Courtyard.

Hearing the news, Ji Qingqing's empty eyes filled with wet tears again. She quickly got up and flew directly towards the Changchun Courtyard.

In the Changchun Courtyard, Li Yuanzhao, Li Wushuang, and others quickly gathered. Seeing the young man surrounded by elders, the scene seemed the same as always, only more enthusiastic.

Li Hao chatted and laughed with He Jianlan and the others, answering their questions about his future plans.

Li Hao simply said he planned to travel, to see the mountains and rivers, and the scenery of different places.

Upon hearing his words, Li Xiaoran, sitting on the eaves, felt bitter. If the boy were still a member of the Li family, these words would evoke fond memories of his youthful wanderings. But now, the boy had no home to return to.

The light conversation in the hall was interrupted by the arrival of Li Tiangang and Ji Qingqing, who rushed over one after another.

Li Xiaoran's bitter smile faded, and the light conversation inside also quieted down, with everyone's eyes on Li Tiangang. He Jianlan's gaze lowered, noticing Li Tiangang's empty hands, and her face changed, asking:

"Tiangang, where are Li Hao's things?"

Li Tiangang seemed not to hear her, walking straight into the hall, his eyes only on the young man.

The pain in his chest felt like a fiery knife, burning and cutting. He gritted his teeth and took a deep breath, saying:

"What must we do for you to forgive me and your mother?"

Li Hao frowned slightly and said:

"I have said we have no relationship anymore. Stop claiming to be my parents."

"Your mother had no choice. Do you want my life in exchange?!"

Li Tiangang gritted his teeth.

Li Hao's frown deepened, his eyes growing colder:

"I've said it before, the past is gone. In the future, the mountains are mountains, the seas are seas, you are you, and I am me. Haven't I made myself clear?"

"Do you know how much we have suffered? Your mother weeps every day, and we are in constant pain!"

Li Tiangang's eyes were red, his sorrowful gaze filled with anger.

"…"

Li Hao looked at him quietly, realizing that this man had never changed. Despite his remorse and sorrow, he still hadn't truly listened.

Li Hao's heart remained calm. If they wouldn't listen, he wouldn't speak further. He picked up his teacup and took a sip.

He Jianlan, sensing the tension, stood up, her emotions stirred:

"Tiangang, why are you saying this? Our pain cannot compare to Li Hao's. He nearly died several times!"

Li Tiangang's face changed, his eyes filled with sorrow. "But what can we do?"

He Jianlan gritted her teeth:

"Hasn't Li Hao made it clear? He has no relation with you anymore. He came to take what belongs to him, the honor he earned in Liangzhou. Did you bring it?!"

Hearing his sister-in-law's stern words, Li Tiangang trembled, his sorrow deepening.

He looked at He Jianlan, then at Li Hao, who was drinking tea without speaking, and gritted his teeth:

"If you have let go of the past, then why are you here?"

Li Hao set down the teacup, his expression calm:

"Because I've let go, I am here."

These words pained everyone, showing that Li Hao had truly let go.

But it also made them feel even more distant from him.

Li Tiangang's face darkened:

"Do you want me to beg you? Fine, I beg you to come back, alright?"

He Jianlan's face changed, and she angrily said:

"Is this how you beg someone?"

Li Hao slightly shook his head, signaling He Jianlan not to be angry. He turned to Li Tiangang seriously:

"Stop the nonsense. Aren't you a law-abiding man? I have no relation with the Li family anymore. What does it mean for you to withhold my seal and decree?"

Li Tiangang's face darkened. He was deeply conflicted, able to analyze battles but finding family matters chaotic.

He knew that handing over those items would sever their bond.

"Child…"

Ji Qingqing stepped forward, her face full of tears, wanting to plead.

But seeing her tear-streaked face, Li Hao frowned, stood up, and said:

"Forget it. If you won't give them, I don't want them."

He turned to He Jianlan and the others, bowing:

"Haotian bids farewell to all. Thank you for your past care. May we meet again if fate allows."

He deeply bowed to He Jianlan, then walked past Li Tiangang and Ji Qingqing.

"Stop!"

Li Tiangang called out urgently.

"Li Hao!"

Ji Qingqing cried out in pain, trying to follow but was blocked by Li Hao's domain.

Li Hao didn't stop until he saw the stooped figure at the gate.

His stern expression softened, and he said quietly:

"Uncle Zhao, why didn't you come last night? I was waiting to toast you."

The steward Zhao wiped away tears and forced a smile:

"Young master, I had too much work and couldn't attend. Please forgive me."

Li Hao guessed the reason and didn't mind, smiling:

"I'm no longer the young master of Shanhai Courtyard. Just call me 'young man' from now on."

The steward Zhao shook his head slowly:

"You will always be my young master."

Li Hao's lips moved, seeing the sincerity in Zhao's eyes, and didn't correct him. He raised his hand, summoning a demon king's heart from the space:

"This demon heart has life-extending and rejuvenating effects. Take it."

"Young master, I can't accept such a treasure…" The steward Zhao declined.

Li Hao handed it to him:

"It's not a treasure. I even find it too fishy to cook. I have plenty. If it runs out, I'll kill more."

The steward Zhao choked up, seeing how Li Hao still viewed prized items lightly, valuing simple matters deeply.

"Child…"

Li Hao patted Uncle Zhao's shoulder, thinking of Li Fu, who died in Liangzhou, and felt a pang of regret.

As he left, he saw Li Xiaoran on the opposite eaves. He nodded and smiled at the old man who had fought beside him.

Li Xiaoran nodded slightly, his thoughts hidden.

As Li Hao reached the steps, Li Yuanzhao and Li Jianming hurried forward. Before they could speak, golden lights came rushing from the distance.

The golden lights were the ancestral spirits of the Li family, coming from the ancestral hall.

Leading them was the towering figure of Li Tianyuan, whose spirit was much larger than the others.

Seeing the ancestral spirits, everyone knelt in shock.

The house servants, hearing the calls of the young masters and mistresses, knelt as well.

"Ancestor?"

He Jianlan and the others hurried out, kneeling in awe.

Inside, Ji Qingqing and Li Tiangang saw this and quickly knelt.

Only Li Hao remained standing before the ancestral spirits, surprised.

"Child."

Li Tianyuan looked at Li Hao gently:

"I've heard about your situation. Your parents wronged you. We've reprimanded them, but we cannot replace their compensation. Could you stay for the sake of the rest of the Li family?"

Li Hao remained calm:

"The Li family has treated me well, and I haven't forgotten. Whether mountains or rivers, we can meet again anywhere. There's no need to stay in the Li family."

Hearing this, the ancestral spirits showed various expressions, some sorrowful, some sighing, knowing they couldn't change his mind with words alone.

"We have revoked your father's True Dragon title for his faults, despite his achievements. From today, he is no longer the True Dragon."

Li Tianyuan declared.

The courtyard fell silent in shock. They didn't expect Li Tiangang's True Dragon title to be revoked by the ancestors personally.

Usually, such severe punishments were for grave errors, but Li Tiangang, despite his contributions, lost his title.

They understood the gravity of driving Li Hao out of the family.

Ji Qingqing glanced at her husband, who looked sorrowful, seemingly expecting this.

Li Hao remained unaffected, as he had already moved on.

"Even without Li family blood, we can make an exception and make you the True Dragon, providing all resources to help you advance to the Dao Realm!"

Li Tianyuan announced seriously.

The other ancestors, aware of this decision, looked at the lone young man with hope.

Inside, He Jianlan and the others were stunned. They could understand revoking Li Tiangang's title but were shocked by the unprecedented offer to make Li Hao the True Dragon, even without blood ties.

They all looked at Li Hao, full of hope.