Now That You Have Seen Me, Why Aren't You Kneeling?

"Old Feng."

Li Muxiu sat blankly in the courtyard, his mind buzzing, somewhat lost in thought.

He never imagined that his old friend, who had spent half his life wandering the world freely, would actually fall victim to the Buddhist Sect.

His Heaven and Earth Trace Erasing Art was something even he himself could not catch up with.

His Spirit Concealment Breath Holding Art allows him to transform into plants and trees, making him as elusive as a fish in the ocean, whether he enters a bustling city or a mountainous region.

Even the forbidden area of the imperial palace, guarded by a million imperial guards, could be entered and exited freely and silently.

But now, they've actually been caught by the Buddhist Sect.

The news came from Branch Family Disciple wedlock in Boundless Mountain, and it was absolutely true, leaving Li Muxiu no choice but to believe it.

Old Feng, how could you have fallen like that!

Li Muxiu slowly clenched his fists, his eyes welling up with tears, and the extreme pain spreading in his heart seemed to tear his chest apart.

He sat alone for the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, then got up and walked out of the courtyard.

He first went to the Ancestral Shrine and saw the fifth brother Li Qingzheng, sitting alone in front of the Go Board outside the Ancestral Shrine.

Li Qingzheng, who was playing chess alone, also looked over at Li Muxiu.

The two looked at each other, a hint of sadness flashing in their eyes, before they quickly composed themselves.

When they used to meet, that cheerful young boy was always by their side; now, he's gone.

"Second Brother, what brings you here?" Li Qingzheng forced a smile.

Li Muxiu's face was somber as he said, "Come and see our ancestor, please forgive me."

"Forgive me?" Li Qingzheng stared intently.

Li Muxiu slowly walked towards the Ancestral Shrine, his steps heavy and slow. When he crossed the Dao Gate, he Pause slightly, but in the end, he still stepped over the threshold.

Li Qingzheng didn't speak, but stared intently at him. He seemed to realize what his second brother, who had been rebellious in his youth and disliked by their father, was about to do.

"This unworthy descendant pays respects to our ancestors."

Li Muxiu arrived before the Golden Body statue, knelt on the Meditation Cushion, and gently kowtowed.

The memorial tablet swayed slightly, but no ancestor appeared. After all, appearing would require expending the power of a remnant soul, unless there was something important to report.

What is it?

A majestic voice rang out, but it was unclear which ancestor it belonged to.

In the previous battle of Qingzhou City, many ancestors burned their souls. Some dissipated, while others Heroic Soul away and fell into slumber. Now, only a few stronger Heroic Soul remain awake.

Li Muxiu's face trembled slightly, but in the end, he explained his purpose for coming.

"You want to leave the Li Family?"

The ancestor was shocked upon hearing Li Muxiu's words.

Hearing this, Li Qingzheng, who was standing next to him, was also stunned, and then stared blankly at Li Muxiu.

"You bastard, what are you saying?!"

Within the memorial tablet, another Golden Remnant Soul appeared, burly in stature, its face contorted with rage.

"Didn't you cause enough trouble when you were young? You've only been in charge of the Li Family for a few years, and you're already acting out again. Do you want me to slap you in front of our ancestors?!"

"Father."

Upon seeing the remnant soul, Li Qingzheng immediately changed from a sitting to a kneeling position, a rare hint of fear appearing in his aged eyes.

Even now, in his eighties, he still acts with the same trepidation as when he was a child in front of his father, a reverence that seems to be etched into his very bones.

Li Muxiu heard an angry voice coming from above. In a daze, it seemed as if cold snow was blowing around him. On that snowy night, he knelt in the Courtyard, outside the steps of the main hall, listening to his father's angry rebuke, his mother's pleas, and his other brothers and sisters pleading for him.

At that time, he was rebellious and resentful.

But years later, he had long since let go of the past, because he also realized his own mistakes.

That night, his Eldest Brother, whom he had envied since childhood, secretly brought him a bowl of hot braised pork noodles after their father left the dinner table.

Even now, many years later, it remains one of the most delicious foods he has ever eaten.

The other two dishes were the Grilled Fish from the boy by the lake and the soup that the woman made for him when he was injured fighting a demon in his youth.

A taste I can never forget.

Thinking of that snowy night, and the disappearing figure of his Eldest Brother from Outside the Pass, Li Muxiu's eyes became even more moist. He bent his body tightly, pressing his forehead as close to the ground as possible, inhaling the dust from the ground into his nostrils with each breath, and could smell a strong dusty odor.

"Father, I have to do this. I promised my old friend, and I can't let him down..."

"But he's a thief!"

The Golden Remnant Soul Anger retorted, "Didn't you associate with enough scoundrels when you were young? They took advantage of your connections, used the name of my Divine General Residence to wreak havoc everywhere, and rampantly amassed wealth. Didn't you suffer enough losses?!"

"That was when I was young and ignorant, unable to understand people's hearts. But this time is different. He is different. Although he is a thief, he has never used the name of my Divine General Residence to cause trouble outside, nor has he ever sought personal gain or favors for himself. He is different..."

"But he's a thief!"

The Golden Remnant Soul roared, "If you were inherently good, how could you become a thief? Can someone who steals what others have worked hard for be a good person?"

Li Muxiu raised his head, his face streaked with tears, but his eyes were fixed on the figure with an angry expression, yet even more so, a look of sorrow and heartache.

"Father, there are eight million ways to live in this world, half righteous and half Evil Dao. Although he chose a different way of life than us, he never harmed the people, never bullied the weak, and never hurt me."

"Some wealthy nobles and aristocratic families demolish old Aristocratic Clan to build new ones, causing ordinary people to run around in circles. They use legitimate methods to amass wealth from the people, making them live a life of hardship and displacement. Their actions are no better than outright theft and robbery."

"Are you siding with thieves? I think you're going to become a thief yourself!"

Li Muxiu felt a bitter taste in his mouth. Suddenly, he remembered what his old friend had once said, and he whispered:

"He who steals the Heavenly Dao becomes a saint, he who steals the hearts of men becomes an emperor, he who steals a great nation becomes a marquis, he who steals a precious pearl becomes a thief... He has his own principles; he is different."

"You, you haven't changed at all! The Divine General Residence has just been ravaged by disaster, Demon are rampant, and that Desolate God has suffered a defeat. He will surely come back with a vengeance. If you leave the Divine General Residence now, how can you face your brothers? How can you face your mother?!"

Li Muxiu closed his eyes in anguish and kowtowed once more:

"I want to rescue him, but I don't want to involve the Divine General Residence. If the Divine General Residence is in trouble in the future, I will be the first to step forward and the first to fall!"

As he spoke, his forehead pressed completely against the ground.

The Golden Remnant Soul was furious and wanted to say something more, but was interrupted by another voice.

Let him go.

"Father!"

The Golden Remnant Soul turned its head and looked around, somewhat stunned.

Children carry too much burden. Don't deprive them of even the right to make friends. Isn't it also precious to be able to live up to friends' expectations and remain loyal to close friends?

The other, indistinct Golden Remnant Soul spoke gently.

Upon hearing this, Li Muxiu's forehead was wet from the ground.

He gritted his teeth and kowtowed Three Times forcefully. Then, he looked up at the majestic Golden Remnant Soul and saw that the other's expression was complicated, with grief and indignation in his eyes.

"Since your grandfather has said so, then go ahead. Don't say anything stupid like quitting the Divine General Residence. Just come back after you've finished your business. At worst, I'll risk my life to clean up your mess this time!" the Golden Remnant Soul said through gritted teeth.

Li Muxiu was startled and lowered his head, saying, "Your son will definitely return to apologize."

After saying this, he bowed deeply again, then quickly stepped out of the Ancestral Shrine, not daring to linger, for fear that the guilt in his heart would hold him back.

"Second brother, you must come back alive."

Li Qingzheng the message.

Upon hearing this, Li Muxiu didn't stop. He took out a Black Iron Mask from his Heaven and Earth Space and put it on.

This mask is a Divine Weapon that can conceal his Aura, revealing only a pair of bloodshot, wet eyes. The sadness in his eyes gradually fades, replaced by a sharp and frenzied Killing Aura.

At this moment, he suddenly felt a pang of regret. Why hadn't he been so resolute in stopping the boy from leaving home two years ago and sought justice for him on the spot?

The entanglements of the Divine General Residence ultimately held him back.

Boundless Mountain is located on the border of Qing Prefecture.

However, this border region is within the territory, and although it is the border area between two states, it is prosperous and thriving.

The continuous Mountain Range form ridges, with peaks upon peaks, shrouded in mist.

On the majestic mountain peaks, Buddhist bells are struck, producing a long and melodious sound.

Stone slabs pave the paths throughout the mountains, like white dragons that stretch and converge from the peaks, extending in all directions like a spider web.

This extended land is also known as the Brahma Pure Land World.

Worshippers from all over came in an endless stream. Horse-drawn carriages sped from muddy sections and dusty dirt roads to repaired stone slab roads. This difference made distinguished guests from all over feel good. The closer they got to the peaks, the more they heard the chanting of Buddha's name coming from each peak. They felt as if they were entering a pure land, and all their distracting thoughts disappeared.

Golden Buddha Light, faintly visible, emanated from some of the Main Peak shrouded in Cloudmist; these were the luster of the Buddhist Sect Divine Weapon.

At this moment, news of Boundless Mountain had only recently spread, and people who had come from all over the country were still on their way.

Above Qing Prefecture, a crimson figure, enveloped in raging Blazing Flame, roared towards them.

Soon, the Crimson Flame figure swept through and entered this Buddhist Sect preaching ground.

In the surrounding cities and Townships, Buddhist temples stand tall.

Previously, Demon invaded Qing Prefecture, but this area remained unscathed. The Demon, while not provoking the Divine General Residence, also provoked Boundless Mountain, one of the top forces of the Great Yu.

This has made people in the surrounding cities and Townships within hundreds of miles more devout Buddhists and grateful for the Buddha Master's protection.

Whoosh!

Li Hao and the Candlelight God crossed the outer mountain gate directly, and a Divine Array appeared, blocking their way.

However, the Candlelight God used his Dao Domain to cover and conceal his Aura, allowing him to pass directly through the Divine Array without being rejected.

Li Hao then used his Dao Domain to cover Evening Primrose, allowing them to easily enter the formation.

Once inside the teleportation Divine Array, a vast expanse of peaks stretched before them, shrouded in Cloudmist, while in the distance, a towering, colossal mountain stood amidst the surrounding peaks.

That is the Spirit Realm Divine Mountain where the Buddha Master resides.

The Candlelight God rode on fire with all four hooves and roared away.

At the same time, in the Divine Mountain and Spirit Realm, the Buddha Master, seated on the Purple-Gold Lotus Platform, Pause abruptly amidst the golden Buddhist inscriptions surrounding him.

He slightly opened his eyes and looked outside the Spirit Realm Buddha Hall, seemingly seeing the uninvited guest through layers of obstacles.

"The guests have arrived; please go and greet them."

The Buddha Master's eyes shone with a golden wheel, and he spoke with a calm smile.

The three Bodhisattva beside him were slightly taken aback, chanted Buddhist prayers in response, and then flew out of the Spirit Realm Buddha Hall. Their Divine Soul soared into the air, and they immediately sensed a powerful aura rapidly approaching from afar.

"The Candlelight God!"

"It's that boy."

"He actually came."

The three Bodhisattva exchanged a glance. Lin Wujing's eyes widened slightly, a hint of surprise appearing in them, but he quickly smiled.

Unexpectedly, the young man actually came for a thief; the Buddha Master was correct.

Three figures flashed out instantly and disappeared from the Divine Mountain.

At the same time, Li Hao sat on the back of the Candlelight God, crossing numerous mountain peaks and rushing towards the Spirit Mountain.

"Stop!"

Suddenly, three figures arrived in an instant and blocked the way in front of the Candlelight God.

Li Hao's eyes turned cold as he recognized the three powerful figures at the Fourth Stage of the Four Establishments Realm, who were also Bodhisattva of Boundless Mountain.

I heard that besides the Buddha Master, there are five Bodhisattva in Boundless Mountain, all of whom are in the Four Establishments Realm.

Who are you?

Lin Wujing pretended not to recognize him and asked with a smile.

Li Hao looked at the Bodhisattva who had stood up for Li Qianfeng at the True Dragon Banquet and said coldly, "Qing Prefecture has suffered such a great Demon Calamity not far from your Boundless Mountain, and you don't even recognize me?"

Lin Wujing's expression changed slightly, revealing a look of sudden realization. He said, "So it's General Haotian. No wonder you look familiar. May I ask what brings you to my Boundless Mountain?"

Fuck your mother!

Seeing that the other party was feigning ignorance, Li Hao angrily retorted, "You know the answer already! Don't block my way! Where is Buddha Master?"

The three Bodhisattva' expressions changed. They hadn't expected this young man to have such a fiery temper, showing no courtesy whatsoever. If it were anyone else, they would at least have said something nice.

"Could it be that General Haotian didn't come to witness the thief's execution, but rather to plead for his life?"

Lin Wujing squinted and said, "General Haotian, your status is different now. Don't make a mistake."

Li Hao stared at the other party and said, "When you captured him from Heaven's Gate Pass, didn't you know about my relationship with him? Don't play dumb!"

"General Haotian, please watch your words. This is a sacred Buddhist Sect site. Do not be rude," a Bodhisattva said coldly from the side.

"Roll!"

Li Hao glared angrily, unleashing his Dao Domain suppression, which sent the opponent flying hundreds of meters away, spitting out a mouthful of blood.

"I treat my friends with respect, drinking wine and composing poetry; but to you bald monks, even insulting you would dirty my mouth!"

"General Haotian, don't forget your place. Do you want to stir up trouble for a thief?"

"Then let's see if you're worthy of being a source of trouble!"

Li Hao's eyes turned cold, and an aura of power emanated from him. With a loud bang, the three people, including Lin Wujing, turned pale. They felt an unimaginable power pressing down on them, as if they were about to kneel down on the spot.

They were horrified. Although they knew this young man was extremely terrifying and beyond their ability to stop, they only realized the true extent of the gap between them after experiencing it firsthand.

Moreover, this boy was fierce and violent, showing no courtesy whatsoever, and acting utterly recklessly.

With a single glance, Li Hao intimidated and repelled the three Bodhisattva. Without further ado, he rode the Candlelight God to the front of the Divine Mountain Spirit Realm.

The Supreme Buddha Hall, resplendent in gold, exuded Aura of solemnity and grandeur.

Li Hao's eyes were icy cold. He could sense a vast and powerful Aura contained within, deep and profound like Abyssal Sea, radiating a pure and masculine Aura.

"Halt! This is a sacred Buddhist Sect sanctuary. Even if you are a general of the imperial court..."

Buddhist Sect, four guardian figures saw Li Hao descending from the sky with a menacing aura and hurriedly stepped forward to stop him, shouting sternly.

"Now that you know who I am, you dare to stop me so rudely? Get out!"

Li Hao's eyes turned cold, and he stepped forward, his imposing aura sweeping across the area, forcing the four protectors against the wall of the Supreme Buddha Hall. It was as if a strong wind was pressing down on them, rendering them unable to move.

Then, Li Hao swept up the fallen Falling Leaves and stepped into the Buddhist hall.

He stood at the doorway, seemingly blocking out all the light that would otherwise stream into the Buddhist hall.

He also saw the Buddha Master sitting on the Purple-Gold Lotus Platform in front of him, his body enormous and imposing.

Their eyes met; one was pure and gentle, revealing no thoughts, seemingly incapable of anger, while the other's gaze was sharp, making no attempt to conceal his current mood.

"General Haotian."

The Buddha Master smiled softly.

"Buddha Master, I am Gong-rank Noble of the court. Now that you have seen me, why do you not kneel?!"

Li Hao's eyes were icy cold.