Friends

Liu Yuerong was speechless.

The child's Prodigy Heavenly Talent shattered all her words.

She knew that no matter what she said, it would be useless, and she felt resentful.

"Hao'er has such cultivation, isn't it because of your Second Uncle and Fifth Uncle that you Defy Heaven and Change Fate for him?" Liu Yuerong said through gritted teeth.

Li Muxiu laughed in anger, saying, "I already used up my chance to Defy Heaven and Change Fate. Sword Lan knows this, and He Fang knows it too. As for Lao Wu's chance, he's been saving it for later. He's keeping it as a backup plan, waiting until none of the Li Family's descendants are capable enough to change his fate!"

"For Hao'er? Hao'er doesn't need this opportunity!"

Everyone stared at Liu Yuerong. They knew that although Li Muxiu's Second Uncle was rather eccentric, he wouldn't lie.

Feeling the gazes of everyone in the room, Liu Yuerong suddenly understood how Li Hao had felt when he faced such stares. She couldn't help but feel a bitter smile and a sense of irony.

At this moment, perhaps only she could truly understand the child's feelings, that sense of despair.

However, she wouldn't admit it outright, only saying, "Second Uncle, in the end, all of this is just talk without proof. Our Li Family is such a large Lineage, even the law requires evidence, right?"

Li Muxiu said coldly, "I've heard of the kind of poison Hao'er mentioned before. Once ingested, it's impossible to detect unless examined on the spot. This substance has been lost for many years. Back then, when the Five Divine General Residences joined forces to besiege it, many ancient Aristocratic Clan also participated. Not to mention the Pill Formula, even the land there was reduced to ashes."

"I didn't expect this thing to have survived."

The Poison Pill that destroys Divine Blood is something that ancient Lineage fear most, even the Imperial Family.

After all, only the offspring of Lineage that produce Immortality powerhouses could be secretly harmed by this thing.

Other Aristocratic Clan don't even have Immortality; if you want to destroy their Divine Blood, you'll have to possess it first.

"Hao'er is clever. We haven't been able to find any evidence all these years, and there's no evidence left for this item either, unless you admit it yourself, or we can go to Boundless Mountain and search under the Buddha Master's buttocks."

"You dared to poison him back then, you must have anticipated the worst-case scenario, right?"

Li Muxiu looked at her with a cold smile.

The worst-case scenario is that we're exposed, but even if we are, there's no evidence.

Liu Yuerong's heart trembled at his words, but her expression remained unchanged as she said:

"Second Uncle, you hold a high position and wield great power, but you can't do without evidence. I've never heard of any of what you're saying."

"Then tell me, why did Hao'er frame you instead of someone else?"

"Then you'll have to ask Hao'er. I can't figure out what I did to offend him."

"Great! Excellent!"

Li Muxiu was so angry he laughed, but the other party refused to admit it, and he had no evidence.

Unless, you go to Boundless Mountain.

The only way the other party could have obtained this item was through that place, and only that Buddha Master could have kept it hidden for so many years without anyone discovering it.

"Everyone says that Buddha saves all sentient beings, which is a joke. Does he inflict disasters first and then come out to save them?"

Li Muxiu sneered, "How dare you presume to interfere with the selection of the Li Family True Dragon! From this day forward, your son Li Qianfeng either goes to Boundless Mountain and never sets foot in our home again, or he stays here and never goes to Boundless Mountain again. Choose one!"

Liu Yuerong's expression immediately changed, and she said, "Second Uncle, you can't make this decision without any basis. Besides, you are not the Li Family True Dragon. Although you are of a higher generation, do you intend to use your seniority to bully us orphans and widows? How can Feng Ping rest in peace in heaven?"

"Shut up!"

Li Muxiu roared, "I never agreed to Feng Ping approaching your Liu Family in the first place. Your Liu Family has been civil officials for many years, and you're full of cunning schemes. I've long since had enough of you!"

"Second brother."

Beside her, Chen Hefang's expression changed slightly, and she said, "Let's only talk about family matters today, and not get involved in too much."

A flash of anger crossed Li Muxiu's face, but he managed to restrain himself.

Indeed, if he were to say these words, he would offend both Boundless Mountain and the civil officials in the imperial court.

They only talk about it within their own Lineage.

I just had to get this off my chest!

However, given his level of understanding, saying a few words is nothing, as long as he doesn't publicize it too much.

"Even if you deny it outright, it's useless. I will definitely investigate Hao'er's matter thoroughly. Until I find out the truth, your son can forget about leaving!" Li Muxiu said angrily, putting pressure on Liu Yuerong.

Liu Yuerong said in a trembling voice, "Second Uncle, are you bullying us, a widow and her orphan? If you never find out the truth, are you going to forbid Qian Feng from going out to cultivate for the rest of his life?"

Li Muxiu sneered, "If you're scared, just tell us yourself, so as not to waste everyone's time."

"How can I admit to something I didn't do?" Liu Yuerong said sadly.

Seeing this, Li Muxiu was too lazy to waste any more words with her. He glared at Li Tiangang, who was sitting silently to the side, and said:

"And you, Heavenly Gang, as Hao'er's father, Hao'er Hao'er resented you? You guarded the frontier; everyone knows how hard you've worked to earn that credit!"

"But with such a big thing happening, you're standing against Hao'er. How can you be a father?"

Li Tiangang remained silent as a stone for a moment before finally saying, "Second Uncle, Hao'er is unruly. I disciplined him not because I completely distrust him, but because he is utterly disrespectful to his elders!"

At this point, he looked up at Li Muxiu and said, "If he had spoken to me properly, I would have sought justice for him, but he went straight for the kill. Do you think that's right?"

Li Muxiu retorted angrily, "With your attitude and temper, do you think Hao'er wouldn't see through you? What's the point of talking to you!"

"You say you're seeking justice for him? How are you going to seek justice? Now you show me!"

Li Tiangang sensed the sarcasm in his words, but still maintained a stern face and said:

"Naturally, we will conduct a thorough investigation and interrogation. If my second sister-in-law is truly guilty, we will punish her accordingly and then impose Family Law by banning her from public life!"

Li Muxiu sneered, "This Vicious Woman is Imperial Order Lady, First Rank State Lady, equal in status to Sword Lan. If you go through the proper procedures for interrogation, how long will it take? Even if she finally confesses, what crime will she have committed? Don't you know?"

"At most, she'll be stripped of her title of Lady of the State and demoted to a commoner. Considering the merits of my Li Family and Feng Ping's contributions, there's absolutely no way she'll be given a harsher sentence!"

"In this way, although she has been punished, she will still live a life of wealth and luxury in the Divine General Residence. How could Hao'er possibly swallow this insult?"

"So, he's going to break the law and kill people?"

Li Tiangang suddenly looked at Li Muxiu and said, "So, I'm going to just stand by and watch them, a widow and her child, be killed by him, and do nothing?"

"You!"

Li Muxiu angrily said, "You're quite smart when it comes to leading troops in battle, so why are you making such a stupid mistake in this matter? Punishment or execution, all you need to do is let Hao'er vent his anger. Is that so difficult?"

"That rebellious son even dared to kill me; he has a terrible temper, I can't tolerate him."

Li Tiangang snorted coldly and said, "Second Uncle, I will investigate Hao'er's matter thoroughly and give everyone an explanation. Our Li Family will never forgive any criminal, nor will we tolerate anyone!"

Although he didn't say it explicitly, his words hinted at the True Dragon of the Lineage —he was the one in charge this generation!

Although Li Muxiu and Li Qingzheng held higher positions, within the Lineage, their seniority was at most respected, but they could not surpass the clan leader.

Just like the emperor's maternal uncle is the emperor's brother-in-law, but if you want to give the emperor advice? Then I'm sorry.

Li Muxiu's face was grim; given Li Tiangang's status, he couldn't disobey him.

Otherwise, the elders would have the final say, and the so-called clan leader would be a joke.

After all, whoever survives to the oldest age and the longest can take over the reins. This inevitably creates a vicious cycle where everyone is afraid of death and no one is willing to fight. How can Aristocratic Clan lineage be passed down?

"If your father were still alive, he would be disappointed in you too."

Li Muxiu said no more, tossed out a sentence, and turned to leave.

Even he was helpless against Liu Yuerong. The Divine General Residence had to abide by the law, and since she was Imperial Order Lady, going through the court's legal procedures would take too long.

As for severely punishing him according to Family Law, that's feasible, but it requires Li Tiangang's approval. Now that he doesn't agree, it's all useless.

"Yuerong, you should tell the truth about this matter. In the future, Qian Feng will still have a place in the manor."

After Li Muxiu left, Chen Hefang looked at Liu Yuerong, whose expression was very serious.

Liu Yuerong said bitterly, "Mother, don't even you believe me?"

Chen Hefang stared at her for a long while before letting out a deep sigh.

The news of the battle between the Li Family father and son quickly spread throughout Qing Prefecture.

The battle affected the city, and many people witnessed it firsthand; the news could not be concealed.

The Restaurant and teahouses were buzzing with discussion, and with so many guests present when the True Dragon Selection, all sorts of rumors leaked out.

Some of these messages are true, some are false, and some are outrageous.

Some say that Li Hao seized the True Dragon, intending to kill his brothers and father, and unify the Li Family.

Some people also said that the Li Family's son drank too much during the banquet and talked nonsense, which led to the conflict.

Another version of the story is that the other party resented his father for Border Defense for more than ten years and thus drew his sword in Anger.

There are even rumors that Li Tiangang had a son born out of wedlock in Northern Yan for fourteen years and secretly brought him back to China. His son discovered this, which led to a major battle between father and son.

In short, all the claims seem to have some basis, making people believe them and making them seem more and more fantastical as they are spread.

Regardless of which version of events is true, given the magnitude of the battle and the fact that it involved father and son, everyone is speculating about what punishment Li Hao will ultimately receive.

Some elderly people said that even if their father brought back an illegitimate child, they should not have drawn their swords against their father, as it would be unethical and extremely unfilial.

Some say the child is still young and everything can be forgiven.

Time flies, and two days later...

Amidst the city's buzzing discussions, countless gazes were cast toward the Divine General Residence, its high walls seemingly isolating everything and forbidding any prying eyes.

For two days, the mansion remained completely silent, as if dead.

Then news spread that the Marquis Xingwu was severely punishing his own son.

The Tan Palace Academy stands by the Cold Pond.

Song Yufeng, dressed in a white robe, arrived gracefully like a Daoist priest.

He looked at the woman standing by the Cold Pond, gave a bitter laugh, and stepped forward, saying, "You've heard about it?"

"It's not just hearsay."

Song Qiumo said coldly, "This city is tiny. I saw it with my own eyes that day; that demon-slaying hand was truly ruthless when it hit his own son!"

Song Yufeng was slightly speechless. Indeed, from the perspective of the Four Establishments Realm, Qingzhou City was completely visible.

And on that day, he had witnessed it with his own eyes.

With a sigh, Song Yufeng said, "Such Qilin Child is a favored son of Heaven. Even if he makes a mistake, it shouldn't be this bad. I wonder what that Marquis Xingwu went through at the Border Pass to have such a temper."

"I don't care what he's been through, I just want him to come out alive," Song Qiumo said coldly.

The two "he"s are not the same person.

Song Yufeng smiled wryly and said, "Even tigers don't eat their cubs, you're overthinking it."

"Hmph, hard to say."

Song Qiumo glanced at him and said, "You didn't come here to stop me, did you?"

"What's going on?"

Song Yufeng said helplessly, "He is, after all, a registered teacher of my Sandalwood Palace. It's reasonable for me to go and visit him, and also persuade him to come back to class, right?"

Song Qiumo rolled her eyes at him, but her expression softened slightly. She said, "In that case, let's not wait any longer. Let's Past as soon as possible."

"Past is fine, but you have to promise that we're only going to persuade them, not take action. After all, this is their family matter," Song Yufeng quickly said.

So, you still don't trust me, do you?

"You're being too polite by saying that..."

"Since he's your registered tutor, why didn't you go before?"

"As I said, I can only offer help in times of need, not add to someone's already good fortune!"