217-220

Chapter 217: Petty Thieves for Self, Grand Thieves for the World

Beyond the Hundred-Mile Expanse of Cangya City, Liangzhou.

A violent tremor echoed through the air as two streaks of crimson and azure clashed, their destructive force shaking the very earth. The residual heat from their battle shattered rocks and ignited the surrounding forest, engulfing the landscape in a raging inferno.

Boom!

A beam of azure light, shaped like a towering pagoda, descended upon Li Tiangang, aiming to crush him.

Li Tiangang's eyes flashed with the cold brilliance of lightning as he unleashed his crimson-blazing divine blade, its formidable power reverberating through the air. With a resounding clang, he deflected the azure pagoda.

However, the impact sent him reeling back several steps, his aura surging as he roared, "Order of All Things, Fire!"

Divine flames spontaneously erupted from the void, coalescing into a fiery dragon that pursued the azure figure.

The azure figure retreated swiftly, but with a sudden flicker, it vanished from existence before the dragon's fiery breath.

Before Li Tiangang could react, a hand slammed against his divine armor-clad chest. A torrent of energy exploded, sending him flying with a resounding bang, crashing into a nearby mountain peak.

Li Tiangang, his blood churning, struggled out of the rubble, his face grim.

He had long heard tales of the Grand Thief, Feng Bopíng, whose movements were lightning-fast, evading even the pursuit of experts at the Pinnacle Realm. Indeed, the legends were true.

"If I hadn't been tied down escorting Hao'er to Tianmen Pass, and if you were still at the Three-Immortality Realm, I would have given you a good thrashing back then!"

Feng Bopíng's figure materialized before him, his hand raising to once again summon the azure pagoda, suppressing and binding the fire dragon. He spoke calmly, "Unfortunately, you won't have that chance anymore."

Li Tiangang, now at the Four-Pillars of the Heart Realm, was a true dragon of the Li family. While his martial aptitude didn't match Li Junye's, he was still considered a top-tier talent among the nine sons. Outside the Divine General's Mansion, he would be a peerless prodigy.

Considering Feng Bopíng's numerous contributions, he hadn't truly used his full strength, merely intending to teach Li Tiangang a lesson.

"You're wrong! I'll have my chance!"

Li Tiangang's eyes were icy as he flicked his divine flame blade, launching himself forward in a series of steps.

This time, he took nine steps in rapid succession, pushing his aura to its peak and unleashing a force comparable to the Defying Fate Realm.

Feng Bopíng's expression turned cold. "Are you truly intent on fighting seriously? Then I'll have to discipline you properly on behalf of your elders!"

"You're not worthy!"

Li Tiangang roared, swinging his blade in a furious attack. The very air seemed to ignite as the blade's scorching wave withered and incinerated the vegetation within hundreds of yards.

Guided by his Dao's resonance, the blade's light arrived in an instant, striking towards Feng Bopíng.

But Feng Bopíng's figure vanished, completely ignoring the Dao's lock-on, leaving Li Tiangang's face contorted in surprise.

With a resounding boom, azure light flickered as Feng Bopíng reappeared behind Li Tiangang, like a phantom. The Art of No Trace, a technique he had created, was honed to perfection in his hands, nearing the threshold of the Pinnacle Realm.

His palm struck Li Tiangang's back with a powerful blow. But as if sensing the attack, a burst of fire erupted from Li Tiangang's back, forming a Great Blazing Luo Hand that met Feng Bopíng's palm.

Caught off guard, Feng Bopíng's face shifted slightly as he recoiled, then vanished in a flash, reappearing two or three miles away.

His palm was blackened, the blood vessels scorched and melting. Even as his body healed, blood continued to flow.

The intense heat of the Great Blazing Luo Hand had burned through his palm, searing his blood and reaching his heart and lungs, causing excruciating pain that spread throughout his body.

"Heh, a lifetime of stealing, and your cultivation is higher than mine, so what?"

Li Tiangang, seeing Feng Bopíng injured and frustrated, sneered. "I, Li Tiangang, have fought countless battles. My experience in killing enemies is beyond your comprehension!"

Feng Bopíng glanced at his charred palm, then fixed his gaze on Li Tiangang. "Then let's try again."

His robes billowed as he vanished without a trace.

Li Tiangang's pupils constricted as he scanned his surroundings, unable to locate Feng Bopíng.

A whistling sound suddenly erupted from behind him.

He smirked slightly, his back ablaze with flames. But the whistling sound vanished, only to reappear from the side.

Li Tiangang remained unfazed. He had anticipated that the attack from behind might be a feint. After suffering a setback from that direction, Feng Bopíng wouldn't be foolish enough to repeat it.

Therefore, the flames on his back were a mere pretense. His energy permeated his entire body, ready to be mobilized at any moment. When the whistling sound attacked from the side, he instantly unleashed his power, striking with the Great Blazing Luo Hand.

Boom!

Suddenly, a tremendous force slammed into Li Tiangang's back, a piercing sharpness penetrating his defenses. Even with his armor, his back ached as if his spine had been struck by a blade!

He leaned forward, retaliating with a furious palm strike.

But the whistling sound had already disappeared. As he turned to strike, a sharp sound assaulted his chest, sending him flying again.

Li Tiangang coughed up blood, tumbling through the air and crashing into the ravine below.

But in the next instant, he burst from the riverbed at the bottom of the ravine, his armor steaming with divine flames and water vapor. He glared furiously at his surroundings.

Soon, he spotted Feng Bopíng standing calmly on a leaf atop a tree branch.

"Is this your experience in killing enemies? In matters of insight into human nature, I have visited countless hidden realms of major sects throughout my life, never failing. How can you possibly understand?"

Feng Bopíng sneered, echoing Li Tiangang's earlier words.

Li Tiangang's eyes ignited with divine fire, flames erupting from his body. "You're seeking death!!"

He roared and charged, activating his nine-step flash, exploding with incredible speed towards Feng Bopíng.

Just then, a dragon's roar echoed from afar, followed by a golden sword light hurtling towards them.

Boom! The sword light struck the divine blade, sending sparks flying.

Li Tiangang turned his head to see Li Hao's clone pursuing them, his eyebrows furrowed in anger.

"Beast, how dare you help this rogue kill your father?!"

The Shadow Li Hao's face was cold and unyielding. He simply unleashed his power, controlling the divine sword to lock onto Li Tiangang, waiting for an opportunity to strike.

"Hao'er, go back," Feng Bopíng said, his face shifting slightly as he saw Li Hao's arrival.

The Shadow Li Hao shook his head. "I cannot leave you to face the intruder alone."

Li Tiangang, upon hearing this, burst into laughter. "What a fine 'intruder' indeed!"

As he spoke, the divine flames surrounding his body intensified, making him appear like a god of fire. He stepped towards Li Hao.

"I've tried to be good to you, I've tried to compensate you, but you've disappointed me time and again. You're truly a disappointment!"

Feng Bopíng, seeing his imposing aura, couldn't help but step forward, shouting, "Li Tiangang, what are you doing? Do you intend to destroy Hao'er's clone? If a great battle erupts here, and it somehow affects his true body, you will regret it!"

Li Tiangang's angry expression faltered slightly, his steps halting.

His face was grim, his anger surging, but he managed to restrain himself.

Martial clones come in many forms. Some can live independently but are extremely weak, merging with the true body to share memories.

Some can share the true body's vision, acting as scouts. Others are eternally linked to the true body by blood, influencing each other.

There are even demonic clones that share a life with the true body. These clones are incredibly powerful, but if a clone dies, the true body suffers severe injury, or even death!

Li Tiangang couldn't yet determine which type of clone Li Hao's was.

Seeing that Li Tiangang still possessed some reason, Feng Bopíng secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He quickly addressed Li Hao, "Hao'er, listen to me, go back."

"I cannot leave," the Shadow Li Hao replied.

Li Tiangang, upon hearing this, couldn't help but laugh. "A Divine General of the Li family, conspiring with a thief, and protecting him so fiercely. You truly are a fine son!"

Feng Bopíng said angrily, "Be quiet. Hao'er is no longer your son. When he left your Li family, didn't you agree to a three-year period? What right do you have to criticize him?"

"This is a matter of the Li family. If it weren't for your protection of Hao'er, I would have already taken serious action!"

Li Tiangang's gaze was icy as he looked at Feng Bopíng. "Interfere in the affairs of the Divine General's Mansion again, and you will face dire consequences!"

"I will take care of Hao'er's matters, and if you disagree, I will teach you a lesson until you do!"

Feng Bopíng's face was filled with anger.

Li Tiangang's eyes suddenly turned cold. Just as he was about to speak, a whistling sound echoed from the distant horizon.

The sound was incredibly loud, causing all three to turn their heads.

They saw a figure in a dark-black robe swiftly approaching.

"It's you two," the figure said, his face changing slightly upon seeing Feng Bopíng and Li Tiangang.

Feng Bopíng, upon seeing the newcomer, was also startled, but his body relaxed. He said coldly, "You finally showed up. Your own nephew, you should discipline him yourself!"

As he spoke, he shielded Li Hao's clone behind him and took a step back, moving away from Li Tiangang.

Li Tiangang, upon seeing the figure, was stunned, his face changing. "Second Uncle, why are you here? What about the Divine General's Mansion..."

"Hao'er?" Li Mu Xiu interrupted him, staring at the Shadow Li Hao shielded by Feng Bopíng. His face quickly became excited. "When did Hao'er escape? Wasn't he in the River of Death? Where's Fourth Brother?"

Feng Bopíng sneered. "He hasn't escaped yet. This is merely Hao'er's clone."

Li Mu Xiu was momentarily stunned. Upon hearing the word "clone," it was like a bucket of cold water poured over his head, instantly extinguishing his excitement.

He looked at Li Tiangang, then scanned the surroundings, his face darkening. "I sensed the energy fluctuations from afar. What's going on here? Were you two fighting?"

Li Tiangang, seeing Li Mu Xiu's reaction, sensed that Feng Bopíng and his uncle were acquainted. A surge of anger rose within him. He gritted his teeth.

"Second Uncle, I respect you as my father's brother, as my uncle! They say you were reckless in your youth, but now that you're old, are you still so foolish?"

Li Mu Xiu's face changed. "How dare you speak to me like that! We are simply old friends, and our relationship has never affected the Divine General's Mansion. Do I need your permission to do things?"

"I don't care what you do otherwise, but you've dedicated yourself to the family by guarding the Divine General's Mansion all these years, and I've witnessed it. But you've actually befriended a thief!"

Li Tiangang's fists clenched in anger. "And you've even dragged Hao'er into it, corrupting him. Second Uncle, how could you be so foolish?"

Li Mu Xiu's face turned red with anger. "Li Tiangang! I'll say it again, he's not a thief. Petty thieves steal for themselves, grand thieves for the world. Your Uncle Feng's actions are worthy of the title of 'Saint'!"

"As for your claim that he's dragged Hao'er into it, that's utter nonsense. Hao'er is incredibly talented. The one who truly harmed Hao'er is you!"

"Are you saying he robs the rich to help the poor?"

Li Tiangang sneered. "Don't give me that 'Uncle Feng' nonsense. There are many ways to help the world. Slaying demons, joining the army, defending the borders – which of those isn't a way to serve the country and the people? Why does he choose to steal?"

Feng Bopíng said coldly, "That's right, Old Li. Don't call me uncle. I don't deserve to be called uncle by a true dragon of your Li family!"

Li Mu Xiu knew that his old friend was upset. Seeing Li Tiangang's sneer, he sighed. "Tiangang, you've been training in the courtyard since childhood, and later led troops into battle. You've experienced too little of the world, and too much of the court. You don't understand the grievances and hatreds of the world. If they could be righteous and heroic, who wouldn't want to leave behind a good name?"

"There are countless hardships in the world, and you haven't tasted them. But you should understand them, instead of looking down from your lofty position in the court."

Li Tiangang said coldly, "Out of respect for his protection of Hao'er, I can let him off. But he must never approach Hao'er again. Second Uncle, you should know that if people find out that our Divine General's Mansion is associated with the Grand Thief, how will the other Divine General's Mansions, and even the Emperor, view us?"

Li Mu Xiu remained silent.

He naturally understood this, which was why he only interacted with Feng Bopíng in private.

Initially, they didn't know each other's identities and enjoyed their conversations, becoming friends. Later, they revealed their true identities.

But how could they sever their relationship just because of their identities?

Thus, despite the difficulties and worries, their friendship didn't diminish. In fact, over the years, it had grown even stronger.

Hearing Li Tiangang's words, Li Mu Xiu sighed. As a child, he was not favored, and he developed resentment. If only he weren't a member of the Divine General's Mansion, he thought. Now, he felt a similar sentiment resurface.

However, he now carried too many burdens, no longer the carefree youth who could ride his horse through the world, disregarding everything, and wandering wherever he pleased.

"My relationship with Feng is a private matter, you shouldn't interfere," Li Mu Xiu said coldly to Li Tiangang.

Li Tiangang said coldly, "Second Uncle, you should know the consequences if this matter is exposed. This isn't your private affair, it concerns the entire Li family. Do you want to shame the ancestors of the Li family?"

Li Mu Xiu's face changed slightly, looking a bit unsightly.

"I've known Feng for sixty years, and I know his character..." Li Mu Xiu said.

But before he could finish, Li Tiangang interrupted him. "I don't want to discuss his character with you. I only know that if he's associated with our Li family, it will be detrimental to both sides! Even if he's a good person, so what? Can I explain it to you, can I explain it to everyone else?"

Li Mu Xiu's face changed, realizing that his explanation was merely an attempt to avoid the issue.

"Old Li, if it really doesn't work out, let's just stop associating with each other. We can still drink under the sun and moon, even if we're separated by the vast expanse of the sky," Feng Bopíng said.

He knew that his identity being exposed would lead to this moment, and he didn't want to see Li Mu Xiu in a difficult position.

Li Mu Xiu trembled slightly, turned to look at his old friend, his eyes filled with sorrow. He shook his head slowly.

"I've severed enough ties. I don't want to sever any more!"

(End of Chapter)

Chapter 218: A Slap for Li Tiangang

Upon hearing Li Muxiu's words, Li Tiangang's expression changed, and he immediately exclaimed:

"Second Uncle!"

Li Muxiu looked up, gazing deeply at him, and said:

"He is my friend. Even before the Emperor, I would say the same. My relationship with him is pure and innocent. He has never done anything for the Li family, and he has never asked anything of us."

Pausing for a moment, as if recalling something, his face turned grim:

"Except for entrusting him to take care of Hao'er. But he's your son..."

Feng Boping interrupted, "Taking care of Hao'er was my own choice. It has nothing to do with whether you, old geezer, entrusted me or not. Even if you hadn't said anything, would I have ignored Hao'er? Just for the seven years of fish he grilled for me, I'll protect him for the rest of his life!"

Li Tiangang's eyes narrowed slightly. Seven years?

So, Li Hao had been in contact with this legendary Thief Saint for seven years.

Considering his second uncle's penchant for unconventional pursuits, he quickly deduced the general situation, sighing inwardly.

It seemed Hao'er had been influenced from a young age.

"Keeping Hao'er at home was my greatest mistake, and my biggest regret."

Taking a deep breath, Li Tiangang said to Li Muxiu, "Second Uncle, I won't hold you accountable for your influence on Hao'er. But now, I demand you, in the name of the True Dragon, to sever all ties with him. You are never to associate with him again!"

Li Muxiu's face changed, and he looked at him in shock and anger. "You dare order me with the True Dragon's decree?!"

"Indeed."

Li Tiangang's expression was cold and serious, suppressing his anger.

"Second Uncle, don't forget the blood that flows through our veins, and the surname we bear! Although Father is no longer with us, no one can restrain you. But the Li family's thousand-year-old rules, passed down through generations, must be upheld. Do you intend to defy them?"

Li Muxiu looked at him with a mixture of shock and anger, but ultimately, his eyes were filled with disappointment.

He closed his eyes, and after a long moment, opened them again. His gaze held an indescribable pain and weariness. He said in a low voice, "I've been reckless in my first half of life, and made many mistakes. I failed your father, leaving him to guard the Dragon City alone. I won't break the rules anymore. This life was given to me by the Li family, and I will burn it for the Li family..."

His body trembled slightly, and he slowly turned to face Feng Boping.

Their eyes met, and tears welled up in Li Muxiu's eyes. "Old Feng..."

Feng Boping's body trembled slightly, but a slow smile spread across his face. "Old Li, why are you crying at your age? Didn't I tell you, even if we are separated by vast distances, we can still share the sun and moon? Gathering and parting are beyond our control. We're both at an age where we should accept our fate. Just accept it..."

Li Muxiu's fists clenched tightly, his whole body trembling. His fists were strong and powerful, known as the Fist Saint, yet they couldn't shatter the shackles of blood, couldn't break the bonds of his heart.

A step away from invincibility, yet not truly invincible.

That half-step forward could never be retracted.

"Second Uncle, this is for the best for both of you. Don't blame me, Li Tiangang, for being heartless."

Li Tiangang said in a low voice.

Li Muxiu's back was stooped with age, and he remained silent, saying nothing.

Feng Boping smiled at Li Muxiu, then glanced at Li Hao's shadow clone, his eyes filled with regret. "But I promised Hao'er that I would guard the Heavenly Gate Pass for three years..."

"Unnecessary!"

Li Tiangang looked at him, his expression not as pleasant, and said coldly, "If you truly care for Hao'er, you should know that your reputation is tarnished. Continuing to entangle yourself with him will only bring him burdens!"

"Do you want to ruin him? He will inherit the Li family's True Dragon legacy and shine brightly. If people know you are associated with him, how will they talk about him?"

Feng Boping's cheeks twitched slightly. He wanted to retort, but the words caught in his throat. He simply chuckled softly.

"Indeed, I am just a lone traveler in this world. I cannot compare to the splendor of your Divine General's Mansion, nor can I aspire to such heights..."

He shook his head in self-deprecation, looking at Li Hao's shadow clone and whispering, "Hao'er has grown up. He no longer needs anyone to take care of him. If he can return from the River of Death, no one will dare to invade the Heavenly Gate Pass. And if someone does, I'm afraid this old man will be useless. It would have to be a being of the Eternal Dao Realm..."

He muttered to himself, then smiled again, gazing at Li Hao's shadow clone with gentle eyes.

"Child, you must walk your own path from now on."

"Our journey together ends here."

The shadow clone of Li Hao stared blankly at him, wanting to speak but not knowing what to say. Finally, he uttered two words, "Don't go..."

Feng Boping's lips trembled slightly, but he merely smiled. Then, he turned, glanced at the vast and boundless sky, and looked towards the distant direction of Cangya City.

His eyes flickered slightly, but he said nothing. His figure suddenly stepped out, vanishing into thin air.

The Art of Vanishing Without a Trace. If he wished to leave, no one could stop him.

This technique was created by him, and combined with his martial arts, he could utilize it to its fullest potential.

A gentle breeze swept past, like a small hand tugging at Li Muxiu's robe, causing it to flutter before falling back down.

Li Muxiu stood like a stone, silent and motionless.

Li Tiangang glanced at him, knowing his second uncle must be in pain. He said softly, "Second Uncle, we should go to Dragon City and the River of Death. I'll go ahead and check the situation there..."

Li Muxiu didn't respond.

But from a distance, a whooshing sound suddenly echoed, accompanied by a surprised voice:

"Second Brother, Tiangang?!"

Hearing this voice, both of them were shaken. Even Li Muxiu abruptly looked up towards the source of the sound.

A figure was seen speeding towards them, clad in tattered gray robes, looking like a beggar. His hair was unkempt and messy, but his face, and the blade at his waist, revealed his identity: Li Xiaoran!

"Fourth Brother?!"

Li Muxiu was stunned.

Li Tiangang was also taken aback, momentarily doubting his own eyes. He focused his divine light, confirming that it was indeed his fourth uncle!

He had returned? And here?

"Hao'er?"

While Li Tiangang and Li Muxiu were in shock and disbelief, Li Xiaoran saw the shadow clone of Li Hao beside them, and he was momentarily stunned, almost shouting in surprise. But quickly, he noticed something was off about Li Hao. His aura wasn't as strong.

And he was dressed neatly, unlike the tattered state he was in when they parted.

Before Li Hao was chased to the River of Death, he had endured the Liangzhou War, his hair stained with the blood of demonic beasts, and his clothes torn and tattered from the battle.

"Why are you the only one back? Where's Hao'er?!"

Li Muxiu confirmed that it was indeed Li Xiaoran, and in his stunned state, he couldn't help but ask urgently, his eyes widening as if all the blood in his body was tense.

Li Xiaoran regained his composure and quickly replied, "Second Brother, don't get excited. Hao'er is fine. He still has unfinished business, just one step away from clearing the River of Death. He's currently heading to the Great Wilderness Heaven."

At this point, he glanced at Li Tiangang, hesitating whether or not to say anything.

After all, the Ancient Saint Clan, the Ji family, was a sensitive topic.

Li Tiangang had been fighting in Yanbei for over a decade. After the war ended, he had heard about the situation, knowing it was related to the Ji family woman.

"He went to the Great Wilderness Heaven?"

Li Muxiu was stunned, but hearing that Li Hao was safe, his tense body slowly relaxed. He immediately asked, "The Great Wilderness Heaven is so dangerous. What is he doing there? How long will he be gone?"

"He should be back soon." Li Xiaoran replied.

He just needed to send the Ji family elder back to the Ancient Saint Clan's territory, which shouldn't take much time.

Seeing that the two wanted to ask more about Li Hao, he smiled and said, "Is that a shadow clone of Hao'er beside you?"

"Yes."

Li Tiangang nodded. Hearing that Li Hao was fine, his expression relaxed, but hearing that he had gone to the Great Wilderness Heaven, his face changed. His mind instantly flashed to the woman, his wife.

His heart skipped a beat. Could it be that the child had gone to find his mother?

During the father-son battle in Qingzhou, he later heard that the reason Li Hao slapped Li Rumeng was because she insulted his wife and revealed the truth about his wife to him.

"This child..."

He gritted his teeth, his face tightening with worry.

The Ancient Saint Clan, the Ji family, was a place even he dared not visit, let alone Li Hao.

"Let's not talk about Hao'er for now. Look who I brought back for you."

Li Xiaoran said to the two of them.

As soon as he finished speaking, a voice echoed in the ears of Li Tiangang and Li Muxiu:

"Tiangang, Second Brother..."

Hearing this old and familiar voice, Li Tiangang and Li Muxiu were both stunned, their hearts pounding in their chests. They looked up in astonishment, and saw a ghostly figure emerge from behind Li Xiaoran.

The powerful physique, the kind face, left them speechless, as if they were in another world.

"Father?"

Li Tiangang's pupils constricted, stunned for a moment before rubbing his eyes vigorously.

When he saw clearly again, all the thoughts that had been swirling in his mind vanished in an instant. Tears welled up in his eyes:

"Father!!"

He fell to his knees, prostrating himself before Li Tianzong, tears streaming down his face.

"I am unfilial, I am incompetent, I failed to bring you back sooner!"

Li Muxiu stared blankly, his eyes slightly red. "Big Brother, have you been freed from the River of Death?"

Li Tianzong quickly raised his hand, helping Li Tiangang to his feet. In response to Li Muxiu's question, he smiled and nodded. "That's right. I am free now. I can come home!"

Li Muxiu's aged body trembled slightly. He clenched his fists, gritted his teeth, and lowered his head.

Time seemed to shed its outer layers. This weathered old man, at this moment, was like the spirited young man in his brocade robes, his shoulders shaking as he seemed to suppress a sob in his throat, but his voice was choked with emotion:

"Big Brother, it was all my fault. I was too playful, and I left you alone to guard Dragon City. I killed you!"

"All these years, I should have been the one suffering in the River of Death. It was me..."

Li Tianzong was slightly startled. He gently raised his hand and patted Li Muxiu's shoulder.

Seeing his brother, with whom he had grown up, now tearful, his eyes also became slightly moist, but he quickly suppressed his sadness, smiling gently.

"As the True Dragon, the battle of Dragon City should have been my responsibility. It's not your fault. Even if you had been there, we would have both died there."

"It's a good thing you weren't. Fourth Brother told me that the Li family has been relying on you to hold it together. You are the Li family's anchor..."

He paused, then smiled. "Do you remember when Father beat you and made you kneel in the courtyard for three days and three nights? When I secretly brought you food, I told you that, besides me, you might be the most capable one in the Li family. You haven't disappointed me."

Li Muxiu was stunned, looking into his eyes, brothers meeting in a gaze.

They were both old men now.

But the wind of time seemed to have swept back, blowing them back to their youth...

Just like in that courtyard, in the scorching summer, the elder brother practicing martial arts at the wooden stake, and the mischievous younger brother sitting by the pond.

The elder brother's gaze was as gentle as it was back then, and the mischievous younger brother, with his arms crossed, stubbornly turned his head away.

But now, this faded gaze, meeting in this moment, dissolved all words.

Li Muxiu wept uncontrollably. This veteran warrior, who had crawled out of a battlefield of a hundred thousand demonic corpses without shedding a single tear, was now sobbing uncontrollably.

The knot and scar in his heart, that had been there for so many years, vanished in this moment.

It turned out that Big Brother had never blamed him...

Li Muxiu's body trembled slightly, but slowly, he regained his composure, wiping away the tears on his face, a rare blush appearing on his old face.

He quickly changed the subject, remembering the important matter at hand, and hurriedly asked, "Big Brother, how were you freed? Didn't you say you had to clear the River of Death? And you just said it wasn't cleared yet..."

"It's a long story."

Li Xiaoran said from the side, "But in short, we have Hao'er to thank. It was his help that allowed Big Brother to escape."

At this point, his heart ached slightly. Although he had escaped, it was also a form of demise.

But on his way back, Li Tianzong had instructed him not to tell anyone about this. Li Tianzong just wanted to come home and take one last look, then leave quietly.

"Thanks to Hao'er?"

Li Muxiu was stunned, then he thought of the child's repeated actions that had surprised him. His heart stirred, his eyes filled with both relief and tenderness.

"Hao'er?"

Li Tiangang heard Li Xiaoran's words, and his body, which had just risen, was shaken. "What does this have to do with Hao'er?"

"A lot!"

Li Tianzong took over the conversation, chuckling. "Fourth Brother told me that Hao'er is your son, Tiangang. You really gave me a wonderful grandson! He's incredible!"

Li Tiangang was stunned. He never expected that even his father would be so fond of the child. Was he really... that good?

"That child doesn't understand the rules, he's naturally carefree. Did he offend you?"

Li Tiangang asked, cautiously.

At this moment, he was no longer the general and marshal wielding the divine blade, but a son before his father.

Li Tianzong was startled, and laughed. "What are you talking about? Hao'er is a lively and lovely child. He's proficient in everything, from music and chess to calligraphy and painting. His martial arts talent is comparable to that of an ancient saint reborn. In the history of my Great Yu Dynasty, spanning thousands of years, he's considered a top-tier prodigy!"

"And he's very sensible. He's not unruly. While the Li family needs rules, family is family, and the nation is the nation. There's no need to be rigid about everything at home."

Li Tiangang's heart was shaken. He was speechless for a moment.

If it were someone else, he might not have listened, but since his father said so, he suddenly began to doubt whether he had been wrong all along.

Had he... been too harsh on the child?

Or perhaps, had he meddled too much?

Everyone who had interacted with the child seemed to admire him. Was it because of his status in the Divine General's Mansion, or was it simply because of the child himself?

Li Tiangang's thoughts raced, and the memories of his interactions with Li Hao since his return from Yanbei flashed through his mind.

But before he could reflect further, Li Tianzong said gently, "Fourth Brother told me that after Little Nine left, you took over as the True Dragon of the Li family. You've had a hard time these past years."

Li Tiangang snapped out of his thoughts. Hearing this gentle concern, he felt as if his blood was trembling.

He fell to his knees again before Li Tianzong, weeping uncontrollably and bowing his head.

"Father, Father, I am incompetent. I am not worthy of being the True Dragon of the Li family. Third Brother, Sixth Brother, they're all gone. I failed to take care of them, I failed to protect this family!"

His shoulders trembled. He hadn't cried when the Liangzhou border was breached, and his tears had dried up in Yanbei and at the Li family funeral.

But now, he was crying like a child again.

Li Tianzong was slightly startled. He had asked Li Xiaoran about the family situation on the way back. Six of his nine children had died in battle. Some, like the eldest and second, had died while he was still in the Divine General's Mansion.

He hadn't expected that the others would die one after another after he left.

Seeing Li Tiangang's heartbroken sobs, his eyes also filled with deep sorrow, but he quickly suppressed it, smiling gently and pulling Li Tiangang up.

"Child, don't blame yourself. It's my fault as a father. If I hadn't been in trouble in Dragon City, if I had reached the Eternal Dao Realm earlier, you wouldn't have had to suffer."

"Father, how can you blame yourself? You were already strong enough."

Li Tiangang couldn't help but say. His emotional outburst was temporary. Years of war had taught him to quickly control his emotions.

He wiped the tears from his face and grabbed Li Tianzong's ghostly arm. "Now it's alright, you're back. When I reach the Eternal Dao Realm, I'll go and bring Little Nine back!"

Li Tianzong saw that he had regained his confidence and spirit, and a smile appeared on his face. He patted Li Tiangang's shoulder.

"I know you can do it. Hao'er has inherited the True Dragon legacy, hasn't he? Give him a few more years, and Hao'er will surely lead our Li family to exterminate all the demonic beasts and restore the Li family to its ancestral glory!"

Li Tiangang's face changed slightly when he heard this, and he nodded. "When he returns from the Great Wilderness Heaven, I will have him inherit the True Dragon legacy."

"He hasn't inherited it yet?"

Li Tianzong was slightly surprised. Inheriting the True Dragon legacy is best done at a young age. At fourteen or fifteen, with the help of their ancestors, their cultivation speed increases dramatically, allowing them to quickly overcome the prodigy stage and become true powerhouses.

"He was supposed to inherit it, but Tiangang chased him away."

Li Muxiu, who had been standing to the side, spoke up unexpectedly.

Li Tianzong was startled and looked at him in confusion.

Li Xiaoran's face changed slightly. On his way back, he had deliberately avoided mentioning the matter between Li Hao and Li Tiangang. He didn't want his brother's spirit to dissipate with worries and concerns, with this matter weighing on his mind.

"Second Brother, what are you talking about?" Li Tianzong asked in doubt.

"Big Brother, ask him yourself."

Li Muxiu took a deep breath. He wanted to taunt Li Tiangang, but considering that his brother had just returned and father and son were finally reunited, there was no point in being sarcastic. He restrained himself.

"Tiangang?"

Li Tianzong looked at his son.

Li Tiangang, facing his gaze, didn't try to hide anything.

"Father, when Hao'er was born, Yanbei was in turmoil, and I was sent to fight there. I thought it would be best to leave him in the mansion to cultivate, with Big Sister-in-law and the others taking care of him. But in the years that Qingqing and I were away, the child picked up some bad habits."

He continued, "He spent his days neglecting his duties and not cultivating properly. When I returned and tried to discipline him, he drew his sword against me. We even fought a battle, and in the end, he left home in a huff, coming to the Heavenly Gate Pass to fight with me..."

"You're lying!"

Li Muxiu, who had already restrained his anger, exploded. He roared, "What's wrong with Hao'er? Big Brother said himself that he's proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. He may enjoy those things, but he's never let them interfere with his cultivation!"

"Isn't his cultivation high enough? He's far superior to his peers!"

"He's only fifteen, fifteen years old, and he's already at the Three Immorality Realm, capable of slaying demon kings. Who else in the world can do that?!"

"You and your wife have been away from him for over a decade. Hao'er was poisoned by the Liu family and his divine blood was ruined. He hasn't even had a chance to take revenge, and you, because of Little Eight's daughter's complaints, you slapped him. You didn't even listen to his explanation. You call that discipline?!"

"All these years without your discipline, has Hao'er been any worse than others?!"

Hearing Li Muxiu's angry outburst, Li Tiangang's face changed slightly. He felt like he'd heard it before. He said,

"But if he had devoted all the energy he spent on music, chess, calligraphy, and painting to cultivation, he would have cultivated even higher!"

"Then you shouldn't eat or sleep either, just cultivate for me day and night!"

Li Muxiu roared, "He's your son, not a wooden puppet, not a stone. He's a living, breathing being!!"

Li Tiangang opened his mouth slightly, but he was speechless.

Li Tianzong, hearing the two arguing, quickly understood the situation. His face turned grim. "What happened next? How did Hao'er end up running away from home?"

"Of course, he was driven away by his so-called 'discipline'."

Li Muxiu glared at Li Tiangang, his eyes filled with sadness. He still remembered that snowy day:

"That child said he no longer wanted to be a Li. He'd rather die outside than in the Divine General's Mansion!"

"He didn't want to be beaten to death by his own father!"

Li Tiangang roared, "How could I ever want to beat him to death? I was just trying to teach him a lesson..."

A crisp slap interrupted him.

Li Tiangang's head tilted to the side. He was shocked and stunned for a moment before turning his head. He saw his father, Li Tianzong, whose figure was faintly translucent, filled with anger.

"How could you force that child to say such a thing!"

"How heartbroken must that child have been to say something so painful!!"

Li Tianzong was so angry that his whole body trembled as he looked at him.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter 219: Don't Let Me Die with Unclosed Eyes

Li Tiangang couldn't believe it. His father had actually slapped him.

The gentle, loving expression that had been on his father's face a moment ago was now replaced by anger and heartache, his eyes filled with disappointment… Disappointment?

Li Tiangang's face turned pale. He knew he was lacking in ability, that he hadn't taken good care of the Divine General's Manor, hadn't looked after his brothers well. But his father hadn't been disappointed in him for that; instead, he had comforted him with warmth and kindness.

Yet now, regarding the matter of Li Hao, his father was showing him heartache and disappointment.

The burning pain on his cheek made Li Tiangang's mind hazy. It wasn't that the slap had been particularly hard, but suddenly, images from that courtyard flashed through his mind.

The slap he'd delivered in anger.

The boy's eyes, filled with disbelief.

Li Tiangang felt a sudden constriction in his heart, an indescribable emotion spreading through him. He couldn't put a name to it, but it felt like… fear?

"Big Brother…"

Li Xiaoran hesitated, unable to continue. He sighed inwardly.

He hadn't wanted Big Brother to know about this, but now that he did, it was too late to stop it.

Moreover, Li Tiangang's handling of the Li Hao situation was something he found difficult to understand. Never mind the boy's exceptional talent, his temperament didn't match the family's portrayal of him as frivolous, dissolute, and unruly.

At most, he could be described as unconventional.

Li Mu Xiu simply stood there with a cold face, saying nothing. He even thought the slap had been too light.

"No wonder that child's gaze felt a little off when he looked at me. The reason was here all along. He had already left the Li family. He… he didn't want to acknowledge me as his grandfather…"

Li Tianzong's eyes welled up. But on the way back, the child had clearly called him with affection.

Was it because he knew his grandfather was nearing his end, so he didn't want him to worry?

Though he had no physical body, Li Tianzong felt a sharp pain in his heart.

That child was so considerate!

Why was this happening? Why was this happening?!

"You… you tell me in detail, exactly what happened. I need to know everything!"

Li Tianzong gritted his teeth, his gaze filled with anger and pain as he looked at Li Tiangang.

Li Xiaoran's face changed slightly. He quickly said, "Big Brother, this will take too long…"

"It doesn't matter!"

Li Tianzong gritted his teeth. "If I don't get to the bottom of this, I won't rest in peace!"

Hearing this, both Li Mu Xiu and Li Tiangang's faces changed. Li Mu Xiu quickly said, "Big Brother, don't get worked up. I'll explain it to you slowly."

"Father, don't be angry. You can hit me if you want, just please don't get angry." Li Tiangang hurriedly said, his expression tense, afraid that Li Tianzong might suffer some setback.

"Speak, speak here!"

Li Tianzong angrily commanded through gritted teeth.

Li Tiangang hadn't expected his father to become so enraged. Since his father's death, no one had disciplined him. Now, that familiar feeling of childhood discipline returned, like when he made mistakes during training in the martial arts arena and shrunk back, afraid to return to the courtyard.

His face shifted, and he lowered his head, saying, "Father, please calm down. I'll tell you everything. This is all my fault. I was too impulsive…"

He recounted the events in detail.

Beside him, Li Xiaoran's face was extremely grim. He felt every second was an agonizing torment.

He knew that Big Brother, using the last of his life force, was trying to clarify the matter.

" …And then he was going to leave the Divine General's Manor."

After Li Tiangang finished, Li Tianzong's face darkened. He turned to Li Mu Xiu and said, "Is that how it is?"

Li Mu Xiu gave a slight sneer. Noticing the signal from Fourth Brother, he was a little surprised but didn't think much of it. He said:

"He's telling it from his own perspective. In his eyes, he returned from the arduous battles in Yanbei only to find Hao behaving carelessly and idly, neglecting his cultivation. But did he ever consider that Hao had reached the Fifteen-Mile Realm at the age of fourteen, breaking the cultivation records of the Great Yu Dynasty!"

He then added some details, filling in the gaps that Li Tiangang's perspective had missed.

The same event, narrated by different people, yields different results. Even if a wise person presents a relatively objective account, absolute objectivity is hard to achieve.

Li Tianzong, after hearing what the two of them had to say and combining it with what he had seen and heard in the River of Death, had a general understanding of the situation.

He trembled with rage, unable to believe that the child had endured so much hardship.

"You actually let him leave the Li family like that? Don't you know how much resentment and hatred the Li family attracts from demons and monsters?"

"How… how could you be so foolish!"

Li Tianzong raised his fist and struck Li Tiangang hard on the chest, sending him stumbling back several steps.

He condensed a whip of divine energy in his palm and lashed it at Li Tiangang, angrily shouting, "When you were young, I rarely beat you, yet you've committed such a grave error. You deserve to be punished!"

Li Tiangang's face was grim. He endured the pain but didn't utter a word, nor did he flinch.

"Big Brother, don't overexert yourself."

Li Xiaoran couldn't help but say, "Perhaps I should take over?"

Li Mu Xiu couldn't help but glance at him. This Fourth Brother seemed more eager than he was.

"Don't interfere!"

Li Tianzong continued to lash out, glaring at Li Tiangang. "Tell me, do you know where you went wrong?"

Li Tiangang raised his head with a pained expression, looking at his father with concern. "Father, please don't be angry. I know I was wrong."

"Where did you go wrong?"

Li Tianzong roared.

"I shouldn't have been so impulsive. I was wrong. I will definitely bring Hao back and treat him well." Li Tiangang immediately replied.

Li Tianzong raised the whip again, but seeing the heartache in his son's eyes, he couldn't bring himself to strike again.

"You have truly… disappointed me…"

His expression was sorrowful. The whip dissipated in his hand as he said bitterly, "It's all my fault for dying too early. I failed to properly educate you, failed to set a good example for you as a father…"

"Father, you've already done enough!" Li Tiangang's face changed, and he quickly spoke.

Li Tianzong, however, looked up, finding it both laughable and heartbreaking. He said:

"My Li family, to have such a venomous woman, and the wife of my second son, no less. When the Liu family married into our family, they were docile and respectful towards me and your mother, showing no ill intentions."

"The second son died in battle, and she harbored such thoughts. How could such a tragic thing happen to my Li family!"

He lowered his head, looking at Li Tiangang with bitterness. "What good is beating you? Tiangang, you should know that some mistakes are unforgivable. Once made, even if you regret them deeply, you can never make amends!"

Li Tiangang hurriedly said, "Father, don't be angry. I will find Hao, everything can still be salvaged. I can still fix it!"

Li Tianzong, seeing his son's anxious and fearful expression, felt a pang of sorrow.

He knew that this child was exceptionally filial, which made his heart ache even as he lashed out in anger.

He was angry at his son's lack of judgment, hated his foolishness, yet he also felt pity for his obedience and filial piety. Li Tianzong's emotions were a complex mix. He sighed deeply and said dejectedly:

"I had planned to return home to visit, but now, it seems I won't be able to."

Li Xiaoran shuddered, seeing that Li Tianzong's form had become much fainter. He couldn't help but say, "Big Brother!"

Li Tiangang and Li Mu Xiu were both startled. When they heard Li Xiaoran's sorrowful call, the blood in their bodies seemed to freeze.

It was as if all their blood rushed to their brains and then turned to ice. A wave of coldness made them shiver involuntarily.

"Big Brother?"

Li Mu Xiu suddenly noticed that Big Brother's form was much fainter than before.

His heart skipped a beat. He said, "Big Brother, what do you mean? You… you can't return to the family?"

He suddenly realized something and quickly looked at Li Xiaoran, urgently asking, "Fourth Brother, what's going on? Tell me, what's happening?!"

"Father?"

Li Tiangang stared blankly at Li Tianzong, stunned.

He wasn't stupid. Those few words, along with Li Xiaoran's reaction and Li Tianzong's current ethereal form, filled him with a sense of dread.

"Big Brother has been trapped in the River of Death for too many years, suffering severe erosion from the river. Though he has escaped now, he can only barely manage a visit home."

Li Xiaoran said mournfully, "But now, Big Brother… can't return!"

The obsession that had sustained him for years in the River of Death was about to dissipate here. He felt a pain in his heart that made it hard to breathe.

Li Mu Xiu and Li Tiangang, upon hearing his words, were struck like lightning, rooted to the spot.

They had thought that Li Tianzong's ordeal was over, that he would be able to return to the ancestral shrine, to be nurtured by the spirit tablet, and that they would be able to see him often in the future…

But now, this was their last encounter?!

"Big Brother…" Li Mu Xiu trembled, staring blankly at Li Tianzong, feeling as if his body had lost its blood, its warmth. His limbs felt icy cold.

"Father!"

Li Tiangang's pupils constricted, his mind buzzing, feeling a sense of dizziness. At the funeral, he had cried his eyes out over his father's half-corpse. Now, he was about to witness his father dissipate before his very eyes?!

Was it because of his earlier outburst?

He felt his heart pounding, spasming, a tearing pain.

"Don't be sad."

Li Tianzong, seeing their sorrowful expressions, calmed down somewhat, though his face still held a hint of bitterness.

"I never expected this to happen. Oh well, Second Brother, when you get back, remember to greet your sister-in-law for me. Tell her I've gone ahead. Tell her to take care of herself. If she misses me, let her go to the mountain where we used to sit. The cicadas she hears will be my greeting…"

Li Tianzong's eyes were filled with weariness as he began to make arrangements for his passing.

His words made Li Mu Xiu tremble, his sorrow overflowing, unable to utter a single word.

"Father, it's all my fault. I angered you. I'm not good enough. I'm not good enough…"

Li Tiangang suddenly knelt before him, raising his hand and slapping his own cheek hard.

He struck repeatedly, using his flame energy in his palm, causing his face to bleed.

After several slaps, he looked at Li Tianzong, his eyes filled with tears.

"Tell me, what can I do to bring you back?"

Li Tianzong, seeing his appearance, couldn't help but sigh. "It's not me you need to bring back, it's your son. You don't need to be sad. With my current strength, I can still manage to reach home, but… it's not necessary."

He took a deep breath and said, "Earlier, I intended to pass on my strength to Hao, but he refused. Now, I'll pass it on to you. Go immediately and bring Hao back. Spare no expense, no matter what happens, you must bring him back!"

"If anything happens to him, I won't rest in peace!"

He placed his hand on Li Tiangang's shoulder, his gaze becoming exceptionally serious. He stared intently and asked, "Have you understood?"

Li Tiangang shuddered, his eyes red. "I can't take your strength. Please go back and take a look. Mother misses you too…"

"As a man, don't be so sentimental."

Li Tianzong waved his hand, interrupting him. "Don't cling to your rules anymore. For Qingqing, you were willing to defy your family, even break military law and family rules. Now, for Hao, he is your own son. You should fulfill your true responsibilities as a father!"

"You must remember that you are first a son, then a husband, then a father, and finally a minister, a general, and a citizen!"

Li Tiangang's heart was shaken. Looking at Li Tianzong's solemn and serious face, he realized that he might have truly erred.

His father's words were never wrong. His heart was filled with sorrow, and he said, "Father, I understand now. Please don't say any more. I don't want your strength. Please just go back and take a look. I beg you!"

"As long as you bring Hao back, the Li family will surely flourish, and the Great Yu Dynasty will surely return to its former glory. That era of prosperity, I've seen it…"

Li Tianzong's eyes flickered with a faint golden light and a look of reminiscence, as if he were seeing that distant prosperous scene. "If you want me to truly see my hometown one last time, go and bring Hao back. Even if you have to apologize to him, even as a father, if you're wrong, you should apologize. He's your own child. What are you afraid of?"

Li Tiangang's heart was overflowing with sorrow, and he nodded repeatedly. "Child understands, Father. Please don't say any more. Go back and take a look!"

Li Tianzong wiped away his tears, gave a slight smile, and then said:

"You must live on, child…"

At this moment, he was not only a grandfather but also a father.

As he spoke, the light emanating from his entire body suddenly intensified, like a blazing white light that enveloped Li Tiangang.

"Father!"

Li Tiangang cried out in alarm and panic.

But Li Tianzong's figure had already vanished into the white light, impossible to see.

Li Mu Xiu and Li Xiaoran both rushed forward to call out, but only Li Tianzong's voice echoed in the void:

"Second Brother, Fourth Brother, the family depends on you. Let's be brothers in the next life… heh, I probably won't have a next life. You must live well, live for me."

"Tiangang, open your mind, don't waste my strength!"

Li Tiangang was heartbroken, but he could only grit his teeth and open his mind.

A vast power surged into him, enveloping his entire body.

"You must… bring Hao back…"

"Otherwise, I will die… with unclosed eyes…"

Li Tianzong's voice finally faded into Li Tiangang's ears.

The vast and boundless power suddenly expanded, transforming into a towering golden pillar of light that enveloped Li Tiangang.

The pillar of light lingered for a long time before slowly contracting, finally turning into a golden vertical ray of light that completely dissipated.

"Big Brother!!"

Li Xiaoran roared in grief and anger, his voice like a wounded beast, hoarse and echoing through the heavens and earth.

Li Mu Xiu wanted to shout, but he couldn't make a sound. It felt as if his throat was being squeezed. He stared blankly, tears welling up in his wrinkled eyes.

The only sound left in the world was the wind, whistling incessantly.

After a long time, Li Tiangang's body trembled slightly, waking up from the inheritance.

He immediately looked around, but he couldn't see Li Tianzong's figure. He clutched his chest in agony. This pain was like when his wife, Ji Qingqing, had left him in Yanbei.

Like when he witnessed his other brothers being buried at the funeral.

Painful enough to make it hard to breathe.

He cried out in grief, but there was no response.

The hand that had just been gently patting his shoulder had completely vanished.

"Father, Tiangang was wrong. Come out, come out and hit me!!"

Li Tiangang roared in grief.

But the surroundings were empty, silent.

Li Xiaoran, however, seemed to be provoked by Li Tiangang's words. He suddenly turned to look at him, then rushed forward, kicking him in the chest.

With a loud bang, the violent force sent Li Tiangang crashing into a nearby mountain.

Before Li Tiangang could crawl out of the dust, Li Xiaoran pounced on him, punching him in the face and smashing his head into the rubble.

"It's all your fault, all your fault. Why did you treat Hao like that? Why did you let Big Brother die here, why?!"

He went berserk, raining punches on Li Tiangang's face and nose, his fists covered in blood.

"Do you know how much Big Brother wanted to go home? Do you know, do you know?!"

"That was his obsession, you know what obsession is? It's the thing you want to do most before you die!!"

"Big Brother was finally out, he was finally out, why, why!!"

Li Xiaoran roared in a frenzy, his fists swinging wildly.

Li Tiangang was beaten mercilessly, his skin torn and flesh bleeding. His immortal body was shattered, oozing a large amount of blood.

He wanted to fight back, but hearing Li Xiaoran's angry roar, those words pierced his heart like daggers. He stopped resisting for a moment, allowing the other's fists to rain down on him.

Rocks crumbled, the ground caved in. Li Xiaoran beat Li Tiangang into a deep pit dozens of meters deep, the surrounding ground cracked along the way.

"Enough, Fourth Brother."

Suddenly, Li Mu Xiu appeared, grabbing Li Xiaoran's swinging arm.

Li Xiaoran, disheveled and frenzied, looked up at him with tears streaming down his face, hoarsely saying, "Second Brother, Big Brother's even lost his spirit…"

"He doesn't even have a chance to be reborn…"

His voice wasn't a roar but a mournful cry of despair and heartbreak.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter 220: Regret Too Late

Li Muxiu's body trembled slightly, but he stood firm, saying nothing.

Li Xiaoran struggled with his arm, but couldn't break free. He glanced at his second older brother, only to see the deepest sorrow in his eyes. His heart jolted, and a sliver of clarity returned to his mind.

Seeing Li Tiangang, his eldest brother, lying beneath him, his breath fading, his body drenched in blood, Li Xiaoran fell into a daze. Finally, he slumped down in despair and buried his head in his hands, overcome with grief.

He knew his eldest brother would never return.

All these years guarding the River of Death, repeatedly attempting to breach the barrier, what was it all for?

Wasn't it to bring his eldest brother home?

But now, it was all too late…

"AAAAH!!"

Li Xiaoran howled towards the heavens, tears of blood streaming down his face.

Li Muxiu remained silent, standing like a statue. The wind from beyond the border swept past the three of them, then drifted away as lightly as a feather.

A long, long time passed…

Li Muxiu looked at Li Tiangang, who still lay in the deep pit, his face covered in blood and water. "Are you planning to lie there for the rest of your life? If you're not dead, get up."

Li Tiangang's body trembled slightly, then he slowly sat up, wiping the blood and tears from his face.

He looked at Li Xiaoran, who was slumped in a dejected heap nearby, and at Li Muxiu, whose expression was devoid of emotion. Grief welled up within him, but he held it back. He knew he was still the True Dragon of the Li family.

And as the True Dragon, he had to endure. Everyone else could fall, but the True Dragon could not. This was the responsibility he bore.

"I'm going to find Hao'er."

Li Tiangang climbed to his feet, swaying precariously for a moment before regaining his balance. He quickly circulated his vital energy, repairing his body.

Taking a deep breath, he gritted his teeth. "I will bring Hao'er back. Then, I will pass on the True Dragon legacy to him. Father envisioned a prosperous era, but I, Li Tiangang, am incompetent and fear I cannot fulfill his wish. I can only entrust it to Hao'er."

Li Xiaoran remained in a numb stupor, his gaze fixed on the distance, devoid of any change, as if he hadn't heard a word.

Li Muxiu, his face expressionless, said, "Now that the fourth brother has emerged, it's a good opportunity to counterattack the River of Death demons outside the border. Don't you intend to take command?"

Li Tiangang looked at him, unable to discern his inner thoughts from his unchanging eyes. He let out a mocking laugh. "I'm not indispensable. Fifth brother is there to hold the fort, along with the two princes, and you are lurking in the shadows… Father was right. I broke the law for Qingqing, and now, for Hao'er, I can do it again!"

"I am his father. What does it matter if I break the law once more for him?"

Li Muxiu's eyes slowly shifted, fixated on him, a chill gradually creeping into their depths. "If you had possessed this mindset earlier, why would we be in this situation today?"

Li Tiangang's heart ached. He lowered his voice. "Second Uncle, I acted rashly and impulsively before. I hurt Hao'er's heart, and I hurt yours. Please give me a chance to make amends, will you?"

Li Muxiu observed his humble demeanor, the emotionless mask he had worn finally cracking, revealing waves of sorrow and pain.

"Your father died here. Can you make amends for that?"

The simple question struck Li Tiangang like a hammer blow, freezing his blood.

A departed soul, like a scattered spirit, how could one make amends for that?

He understood what Li Muxiu meant. One cannot mend the loss of life. And what about a broken heart? How could one mend that?

The thought sent tremors through his body. He had fought for years in Yanbei, never flinching, yet now he felt a chilling fear and dread.

Could it be that the mistakes he had made were beyond repair?

"No, Hao'er is my son. Though I struck him, Father had also struck me. Did I ever resent him? We are father and son! He will forgive me…"

Li Tiangang mumbled.

"When your brother hit you, it was because he loved you. You had made a mistake. He had high hopes for you. Sometimes, he'd hit you, punish you, and your other brothers would secretly worry about you."

The sorrow in Li Muxiu's eyes was hard to conceal. "But Hao'er? He was poisoned. Was it his fault? Did you ever truly care for him? Did you ever get to know him? What kind of dishes did he like? Which streets in the city did he enjoy visiting? Do you even know?"

"You only wanted him to bear the weight of the Li family. Don't you realize how heavy a burden that is? When your father chose Little Nine as the True Dragon, do you know how heartbroken he was? He couldn't sleep properly for months!"

Li Tiangang was stunned. His father… was he saddened by Little Nine inheriting the True Dragon legacy?

"If you truly cared for Hao'er, why would he leave? That child remembers every kindness, no matter how small!"

"He has seen through you. That child is far more intelligent than you imagine. You treat him like a child, but Hao'er is far more exceptional than other children. I treated him like an old friend. How could you belittle him so, treat him with such stubbornness?"

Hearing Li Muxiu's anguished words, Li Tiangang's heart trembled. An indescribable emotion surged through him, like a fearsome hand clutching at his heart.

Before, he might have thought Li Muxiu was biased towards the child. But after all that had happened, the saving of Liangzhou, the Haotian banners fluttering everywhere, the tales of the boy's prowess from the mouths of the demons, he had already surpassed them, these seasoned generals who had fought for years, even surpassing them!

At fifteen years old, he had reached such a level. Even his most proud younger brother, Little Nine, was completely overshadowed by Li Hao's talent.

Now, even his deceased father favored the boy so much that he was willing to pass on his power to him, urging him to bring Li Hao back. This realization struck him like a bolt of lightning, tearing away the veil of prejudice that had clouded his vision.

At that moment, he finally understood. He was wrong.

He had been too focused on enhancing the child's strength, neglecting his feelings.

"I… I must go find him…"

Li Tiangang clenched his fists, his eyes slightly reddened. "He will forgive me. We are father and son. He won't hold a grudge forever…"

"If he truly held a grudge, there might be a chance to mend things. But I fear that the child… might not even resent you."

Li Muxiu's eyes held sadness. "You never truly took his leaving home seriously. But do you know that he waited for you in that courtyard for fourteen years? What did he get for it? He left the Li family and faced countless dangers. Did he almost die? We don't know any of that."

"But he reached this level of cultivation in just one year. Without the fear and pressure of facing death, how could he have transformed so rapidly?"

"Do you treat life and death like a game?"

"Can't you imagine the despair and anger one feels when facing death? When will you truly understand that you have already lost him?"

With a resounding boom, Li Tiangang's mind was struck as if by five thunderclaps. He was stunned, frozen in place. He had truly lost his child?

His pupils constricted, his breath seemed to stop. He roared, "No, it's impossible! He wouldn't truly leave! I will bring him back!"

As he spoke, he strode towards the exit.

But Li Muxiu stepped in front of him.

"How will you bring him back? With brute force?"

Li Muxiu stared at him intently. "When your brother's spirit was still present, I didn't say these things. I didn't want his final moments to be filled with despair. But I know that child's temperament. You no longer have a chance!"

"No!"

Li Tiangang roared at him, his eyes bloodshot, tears rolling down his cheeks. "We are father and son!"

"Father and son? Your father-son bond is shallow. You barely saw each other for years, and it was shattered by your slap!"

"Do you know why Hao'er confronted the poisonous woman only after you returned? It was because he thought you were on his side. Because when he was a child, you risked your life to slay a great demon for him, you gave him blood to build his foundation. He remembered that kindness!"

"Even though your letters were infrequent, your distance great, that little bit of warmth sustained Hao'er until now."

"But you destroyed it with a single slap!"

Li Muxiu said sadly, "When I saw Hao'er return the demon king's blood to the Divine General's Mansion, I knew that your bond was broken. Hao'er would never return…"

Li Tiangang stood there, stunned, as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over him, his whole body numb.

Besides blood, their father-son relationship was built on that single act of slaying a demon and offering blood?

His body swayed, feeling unsteady.

He looked at Li Muxiu, his eyes filled with sadness and despair. "Second Uncle, what should I do? You wouldn't want to see Hao'er truly leave, would you? What can I do to make him forgive me?"

Li Muxiu saw the panic in his eyes. In the past, he would have felt a surge of anger, wanting to lash out with harsh words. But now, he felt a deep sense of desolation, like ashes to his heart.

"The most hurtful thing in the world isn't being unable to do something."

"It's being able to do it but choosing not to."

"With your insight, with your wisdom, you could have handled these things properly. But your prejudice, your coldness towards Hao'er, made you believe you were choosing the easiest path, using military training to mold your child…"

"That's what hurts the most."

"Second Uncle, stop, I know I was wrong. Just tell me, how can I bring him back?" Li Tiangang said in agony.

Li Muxiu's face remained impassive.

He had said so much, and yet, a tiny spark of hope remained in his heart, a hope that he could awaken Li Tiangang with his words, make him truly understand. If that happened, there might be a sliver of a chance to bring Li Hao back.

"Perhaps, as your father said, only if you truly apologize to him will there be the slightest chance,"

Li Muxiu murmured softly.

He took a deep breath, looking at Li Tiangang, who was filled with grief and remorse. "But whether you can do it, that's hard to say. Whether Hao'er will forgive you, I don't know. After all, you hurt him deeply…"

"I understand. I will find Hao'er. No matter what happens, even if he draws his sword against me again, I will let him strike. As long as he is willing to come back!"

Li Tiangang declared forcefully.

Seeing his determination, Li Muxiu fell silent for a moment, a faint glimmer of hope flickering in his heart, but mostly, it was filled with regret.

If only he had acted sooner, why would things have come to this?

His eldest brother could have returned home for a visit…

His heart ached with sorrow, and he no longer felt like speaking.

Li Tiangang looked at him, then at his fourth older brother, Li Xiaoran, who was still in a daze, unresponsive. His heart was heavy. He remembered his father's last words, and he could not let his father die in vain!

"Father, I will bring Hao'er back. I will take him to the ancestral hall to see you!"

Li Tiangang knelt on the ground and kowtowed three times to the spot where Li Tianzong had last disappeared.

Then, wiping away the tears from his eyes, he stood up and addressed Li Muxiu and Li Xiaoran. "Second Uncle, Fourth Uncle, I entrust the matter of the River of Death outside the border to you. This time, I fear I must fail in my duty. Let me fight for Hao'er!"

Seeing that they remained unmoved, his heart sank. He knew they were still immersed in their father's passing and were deeply disappointed in him.

But as he was about to leave, the previously unresponsive Li Xiaoran suddenly spoke, "I'll go with you."

Li Tiangang's body jolted, his eyes welling up again. He gritted his teeth and turned to bow deeply.

"Thank you, Fourth Uncle, but Tiangang can go alone. The child has gone to the Ji family. The Ji family is an ancient sacred clan. More people won't help. I am Qingqing's husband. Perhaps the Ji family, out of respect for that connection, will show some leniency."

Li Xiaoran ignored him and simply stood up.

Li Muxiu, however, spoke, "Fourth brother, let him go alone."

Li Xiaoran paused, looking at him.

"He's right. The Ji family's power, if they intend to harm Hao'er, no one can stop them…"

Li Muxiu's eyes seemed to have aged considerably. He whispered, "Hopefully, they will consider Hao'er their nephew and not kill him…"

Upon hearing this, Li Xiaoran glanced at the blade in his hand and lowered his head in silence.

Li Tiangang's heart skipped a beat. He had heard from his wife that the Ji family had extremely strict rules, forbidding intermarriage with outsiders. His union with Qingqing had been a violation of the Ji family's taboos. The child going to the Ji family now was likely to face great danger.

He couldn't dwell on it any longer. He immediately said, "Second Uncle, Fourth Uncle, I