Don't Let Me Die with Regrets

Li Tiangang was somewhat incredulous that his father would actually slap him.

The Wenrou kindness on the other person's face just a moment ago was now replaced by Anger and heartache, their eyes filled with disappointment... disappointment?

Li Tiangang was pale. He knew he was not capable enough to take good care of the Divine General Residence and his brothers, but his father was not disappointed in him. Instead, he comforted him gently.

But now, he shows heartache and disappointment when it comes to Li Hao.

The burning pain on his face made Li Tiangang's consciousness somewhat dazed. It wasn't that the slap was particularly hard, but rather that the image of that Courtyard suddenly flashed through his mind.

The slap he delivered in anger.

The boy's gaze also seemed to be filled with disbelief.

Li Tiangang suddenly felt his heart clench, an indescribable emotion spreading through him, something he couldn't quite put his finger on, like... fear?

"Eldest Brother..."

Li Xiaoran hesitated, then stopped speaking and sighed inwardly.

He didn't want his Eldest Brother to know about this, but now that he does, it's too late for him to stop him.

Moreover, Li Tiangang also found it somewhat difficult to understand how he handled Li Hao's situation. Putting aside the child's Heavenly Talent, his temperament was not like what was said in the Lineage —undisciplined, dissolute, and unruly.

To be honest, it's at most just a matter of not paying attention to details.

Li Muxiu simply stood aside with a cold face, not saying a word, and even felt that the beating was a bit too lenient.

"No wonder I always felt a little awkward when that child looked at me. So that's why. He left the Li Family a long time ago. He... he doesn't want to acknowledge me as his grandfather..."

Li Tianzong's eyes welled up with tears, but on the way back, the child still greeted him affectionately.

Is it because you know he's about to disappear completely, and you don't want him to worry?

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

That child is so well-behaved!

Why did this happen? Why did this happen?!

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

Li Tianzong gritted his teeth, looking at Li Tiangang with Anger and heartache.

Li Xiaoran's expression changed slightly, and he quickly said, "Eldest Brother, this is too time-consuming..."

"It doesn't matter!"

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

Upon hearing this, both Li Muxiu and Li Tiangang's expressions changed. Li Muxiu quickly said, "Eldest Brother, don't be angry. I'll explain this to you slowly."

"Father, please don't be angry. You can hit me if you want, but please don't be angry," Li Tiangang said hurriedly, looking nervous, afraid that something might happen to Li Tianzong.

"Say it, say it right here!"

Li Tianzong gritted his teeth and roared angrily.

Li Tiangang never expected his father to be so angry. Since his father's death, no one had disciplined him. At this moment, the feeling of being disciplined as a child reappeared, just like the feeling he had when he made a mistake Martial Arts Arena and dared not return to the courtyard.

His expression changed, and he lowered his head, saying, "Father, please don't be angry. Let me tell you, this is also my fault. I was too impulsive..."

He recounted the story in detail.

Beside him, Li Xiaoran's face was extremely pale, feeling that every second was torture.

He knew that his Eldest Brother was using the last moments of his life to defend himself on this matter.

"... and then he was about to leave the Divine General Residence."

After hearing Li Tiangang's explanation, Li Tianzong's face turned grim, and he said to Li Muxiu beside him, "Is that so?"

Li Muxiu chuckled coldly, noticing the wink from the Fourth Brother beside him. He was somewhat surprised, but didn't think much of it and said:

"He was speaking from his own perspective. In his eyes, he returned from a bitter battle in Northern Yan only to find Hao'er carefree, idle, and not cultivating properly. But did he ever consider that Hao'er had already reached the Fifteen Li Realm at the age of fourteen, breaking the cultivation record of the Great Yu Dynasty!"

As he spoke, he added more, filling in the gaps in Li Tiangang's perspective.

The same event can be told differently by different people, and even if a wise person presents a relatively objective account, absolute objectivity is still difficult to guarantee.

After listening to their words and combining what he had seen and heard at the Mo River, Li Tianzong roughly Bai Yuan.

He was trembling with anger, unable to believe that the child had endured so much injustice.

"You actually let him leave the Li Family like that? Don't you know how much hatred my Li Family has attracted from Demon?"

"How could you be so stupid!"

Li Tianzong raised his fist and punched Li Tiangang hard in the chest, knocking him back several steps.

He conjured a Divine Sense Whip in his palm and lashed it across Li Tiangang, roaring, "I rarely hit you when you were young, yet you've committed such a grave mistake! You deserve to be punished!"

Li Tiangang's face was grim. He endured the pain but didn't utter a sound or dodge.

"Eldest Brother, don't overexert yourself."

Li Xiaoran couldn't help but say, "How about I do it?"

Li Muxiu couldn't help but glance at him. This Fourth Brother was actually more enthusiastic than him?

"Ignore it!"

Li Tianzong lashed out with his whip, glaring at Li Tiangang: "Tell me, do you know where you went wrong?"

Li Tiangang sadly raised his head, looked at him with pity, and said, "Father, please don't be angry. I know I was wrong."

"What's wrong?"

Li Tianzong said angrily.

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

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

"You really, really disappointed me..."

His expression was sorrowful, the whip in his hand vanished, and he said bitterly, "It's all my fault for dying so young, for not raising you properly, for not being a good role model as a father..."

"Father, you've done more than enough!" Li Tiangang's expression changed, and he quickly said.

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

"How could my Li Family have such Vicious Woman, and she's even the wife of my second son? The Liu Family, when they married into the family, were quite obedient, treating me and your mother with courtesy and consideration in every way, and I couldn't see a trace of malice in them."

"With my husband dead in World War II, she actually had such thoughts? How could such a tragic thing happen to my Li Family!"

He lowered his head, looking bitterly at Li Tiangang: "What good will it do to hit you, Heavenly Gang? You should know that some mistakes are absolutely unforgivable. Once made, even if you regret it deeply, you can never make amends!"

Li Tiangang hurriedly said, "Father, please don't be angry. I will go find Hao'er. There's still time! I can still make it!"

Looking at his tense and fearful expression, Li Tianzong felt a pang of sorrow in his heart.

He knew that his child was an extremely filial son, which made him Anger as he whipped the child, but also caused him immense heartache.

Non-Contention, hated his ignorance, yet also felt pity for his obedience and filial piety. Li Tianzong's feelings were extremely complicated. He sighed deeply and said in a low voice:

"I was planning to go home and visit, but now it's probably too late."

Li Xiaoran shuddered, noticing that Li Tianzong's figure had faded considerably, and couldn't help but exclaim, "Eldest Brother!"

Li Tiangang and Li Muxiu were both stunned. When they heard Li Xiaoran's sorrowful cry, their blood seemed to Solidification for a moment.

It was as if all the blood had flowed backwards to the brain and then frozen, a Chill that made the two of them shiver involuntarily.

"Eldest Brother?"

Li Muxiu suddenly noticed that his Eldest Brother's figure was much fainter than before.

His heart skipped a beat, and he said, "Eldest Brother, what do you mean? You... you can't go back to the Lineage?"

He suddenly realized something, turned sharply to Li Xiaoran, and hurriedly said, "Fourth Brother, what's going on? Tell me, what's going on?!"

"Father?"

Li Tiangang stared blankly at Li Tianzong, stunned on the spot.

He wasn't stupid. That short sentence, coupled with Li Xiaoran's reaction and Li Tianzong's current state of weakened Heroic Soul, immediately filled him with a sense of fear.

"My Eldest Brother has been imprisoned in the Mo River for too many years and has been deeply corrupted by the Mo River. Although he has now escaped, he can only barely manage to go home for a quick visit."

Li Xiaoran said sorrowfully, "But now, Eldest Brother... can't go back!"

His unwavering conviction, which he had held onto for so many years in the Mo River, was about to vanish here, and he felt a heartache so intense that he could hardly breathe.

Upon hearing his words, both Li Muxiu and Li Tiangang froze on the spot as if struck by lightning.

They had thought that Li Tianzong's trip would bring him relief, allowing him to return to the Ancestral Shrine, be properly cared for on his memorial tablet, and be seen more often in the future...

But now, is this the last time we'll see each other?!

"Eldest Brother..." Li Muxiu trembled all over, staring blankly at Li Tianzong, as if his body had lost blood and warmth, and he felt cold in his hands and feet.

"Father!"

Li Tiangang's pupils contracted, his mind buzzed, and he felt dizzy. At the funeral, he had cried until his eyes were red in front of his father's half-body. Now, he had to watch his father disappear before his eyes?!

Was it because of what I just did?

He felt his heart pounding and convulsing, with a tearing, stabbing pain.

Don't be sad.

Seeing their sorrowful expressions, Li Tianzong calmed down, though a hint of bitterness still lingered on his face.

"I never expected this to happen. Oh well, second brother, remember to give my regards to your Eldest Sister-in-Law. Tell her I'm leaving first, and that she should take care of herself. If she misses me, she can go to the mountain we used to sit on; the cicadas she hears will be my greeting..."

With a weary look in his eyes, Li Tianzong began to give his final instructions here.

His words made Li Muxiu tremble all over, overflowing with sorrow, unable to utter a single word.

"Father, it's all my fault. I made you angry. It's my fault, it's all my fault..."

Li Tiangang suddenly knelt down in front of him, and abruptly raised his hand, slapping himself hard across the face.

He slapped repeatedly, using fiery power in his palms, until his face bled.

After slapping him several times, he finally looked at Li Tianzong, his eyes filled with tears:

Tell me, how can I take you back?

Seeing his appearance, Li Tianzong couldn't help but sigh and said, "The one you're taking back isn't me, it's your son. You don't need to be sad. With my current strength, I can still make it home, but... there's no need."

He took a deep breath and said, "I previously intended to pass on my power to Hao'er, but he refused. Now, I'm passing this power on to you. Go and bring Hao'er back immediately, at all costs, no matter what happens, you must bring him back!"

"If anything happens to him, I will die with my eyes open in disbelief!"

His hand landed on Li Tiangang, his gaze becoming exceptionally serious as he stared intently and asked, "Did you hear me?"

Li Tiangang trembled, his eyes reddening as he said, "I can't take your power. Go back and see your mother; she misses you terribly..."

"As a young man, stop being so fussy."

Li Tianzong waved his hand, interrupting him, and said, "Stop following your rules. Back then, you disregarded your whole family's objections and even broke military regulations and Family Law rules for Qingqing. Now, for Hao'er, your own son, you should fulfill your true responsibilities as a father!"

"You must remember, you are first a son, then a husband, then a father, and only lastly a subject, a general, and a citizen!"

Li Tiangang was shaken. Looking at Li Tianzong's solemn and serious face, he realized that he might really be wrong.

His father was never wrong. His heart was filled with sorrow as he said, "Father, I know everything. Please stop. I don't need your power. Just go back and see her one last time, please!"

"As long as you can bring Hao'er back, my Li Family will surely prosper, and the Great Yu Dynasty will surely return to its golden age. I have seen that golden age..."

A faint golden light and a hint of reminiscence flickered in Li Tianzong's eyes, as if he could see that distant, magnificent scene. "If you want me to truly see my hometown, go find Hao'er. Even if it's just to apologize to him, even as a father, you should bow your head when you're wrong. He's your own child, what are you afraid of?"

Li Tiangang was overwhelmed with sorrow and nodded repeatedly, "I've heard everything, Father. Please, stop talking and go back to see him!"

Li Tianzong raised his hand to wipe away his tears, smiled, and then said:

"You must live on, my child..."

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

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

"Father!"

Li Tiangang shouted in a panic.

But Li Tianzong's figure had already disappeared into the white light and could not be seen.

Li Muxiu and Li Xiaoran stepped forward simultaneously and shouted, but only Li Tianzong's voice echoed in the Void:

"Second brother, Fourth Brother, the Lineage is counting on you. Let's be brothers again in the next life... Heh, I probably won't have a next life. You two must live well and live on in my place."

"Heavenly Gang, open your mind and don't waste my power!"

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

A vast power poured in, enveloping his entire body.

"We must... bring Hao'er back..."

"Otherwise, I will die with my eyes open in disgrace..."

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

A vast and boundless power suddenly spread out, transforming into a golden pillar of light that reached the heavens, enveloping Li Tiangang within it.

The beam of light lingered for a long time before slowly shrinking and finally transforming into a golden vertical beam of light before completely dissipating.

"Eldest Brother!!"

Li Xiaoran Anger, his voice hoarse and echoing throughout the Heaven and Earth like that of a wounded wild beast.

Li Muxiu shout, but no sound came out. He felt as if his throat was being squeezed. He stared blankly, tears welling up in his wrinkled eyes.

Only the clamorous wind remained between Heaven and Earth, drifting endlessly.

After a long while, Li Tiangang's body trembled slightly, and Awakening from the inheritance.

He immediately looked up and around, but did not see Li Tianzong. He clutched his chest in pain, the pain just like when his wife Ji Qingqing left him in Northern Yan.

Just like at the funeral, witnessing my brothers being buried together in one coffin.

The pain was so intense I could hardly breathe.

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

The hand that had just been Wenrou patting his shoulder had completely disappeared.

"Father, Heavenly Gang is wrong! Come out! Come out and hit me!!"

Li Tiangang roared in grief.

But the surroundings were empty and there was no echo.

Li Xiaoran seemed to be provoked by Li Tiangang's words. He suddenly looked at him, then rushed over and kicked him in the chest.

With a loud bang, the violent force was unleashed, sending Li Tiangang's body crashing into a distant Mountain Peak.

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

"It's all your fault, it's all your fault! Why did you do this to Hao'er? Why did you let your Eldest Brother die here? Why?!"

He threw punches like a madman, each one landing squarely on Li Tiangang's face, mouth, and nose, leaving his fists covered in blood.

"Do you know how much your Eldest Brother wants to go home? Do you know? Do you know?!"

"That was his obsession! Do you know what an obsession is? It's the thing you most want to do in your last moments before you die!!"

"Eldest Brother clearly came out, he clearly already came out, why, why!!"

Li Xiaoran roared like a madman, his fists flailing wildly.

Li Tiangang was beaten so badly that his skin was torn and his Immortality body was ruptured, oozing a large amount of blood.

He wanted to fight back, but when he heard Li Xiaoran 'Anger roar, those words pierced his heart like sharp knives. He Time Stop and just let the other party swing his fists and feet.

The mountain collapsed, the ground caved in, and Li Xiaoran knocked Li Tiangang into a deep pit tens of meters underground, cracking the ground along the way.

"That's enough, Fourth Brother."

Suddenly, Li Muxiu appeared and grabbed Li Xiaoran's waving arm.

Li Xiaoran, disheveled and looking like a madman, raised his head, tears streaming down his face, and croaked, "Second Brother, even Eldest Brother's Heroic Soul has vanished..."

"He doesn't even have a chance to be reincarnated..."

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