Li Ci and Madam Tong stared at each other, unable to understand the deeper meaning behind those words for the moment. In truth, Li Xiu had committed countless injustices and deserved no pardon, so it could hardly be called atoning for his sins on his behalf. But since I had assumed his identity, it was only right that I bring his life to a close for him. This was purely my personal compensation to Li Xiu.
Having secured the Celestial Heart Abbey's promise, Li Ci was naturally overjoyed. Although my baffling remark had confused him for a moment, he soon said, "Looks like you're not completely useless after all. So what do you plan to do next, hmm?"
Madam Tong immediately rolled her eyes at her husband and said coldly, "You made a fuss for several days and accomplished nothing. Instead, you ended up battered and disgraced by several major and minor sects, forcing you to sit there with all that strength and not make a single decision—let alone deal with that mother and son! But now that Xiu'er has stepped in, he's solved half the problem at once. If you want to ask him what to do next, can't you ask nicely? What do you mean by 'hmm'?"
"Tsk, why bring them up at a time like this? Forget it if you're not going to say anything!" Li Ci clicked his tongue irritably, gave me a deep look, and left.
Madam Tong immediately glared angrily at Madam Fang and Li Long as well. Gritting her teeth, she said to me, "Madam Fang and Li Long have been coveting our Lishui Abyss for more than a day or two. In all the years you were gone, her maternal family kept worming its way into our Lishui Abyss. Hmph, did they