Everything for the Family

After returning to Green Maple Valley, Li Xinge summoned the First Elder that very night.

He informed him about the Zheng Family's intention to arrange a marriage alliance with the Li Family.

Upon hearing this news, the First Elder chuckled and said, "Patriarch, this is wonderful news! It's great news for our Li Family."

Who wouldn't want to ally themselves with the foremost aristocratic family in Baihe County?

"The person I've chosen for this marriage alliance is Xingcong."

The First Elder's expression flickered for a moment, a fleeting change.

But Li Xinge caught it clearly.

However, Li Xinge didn't utter any dismissive nonsense about refusing just because he disagreed. Instead, he simply looked at the First Elder with calm eyes.

"This old man has no objections," the First Elder said calmly.

"It's just a bit of a hardship for my cousin."

"You speak too kindly, Patriarch. What hardship is there? For the Zheng Family's legitimate daughter to marry Xingcong is practically a downward match. I should be happy, not upset."

"Besides Xingcong, there really aren't any suitable marriage candidates in the clan. Either their status is too low, or their talent isn't enough. I can't help it. We cannot afford to offend the Zheng Family, and besides, this is a good thing for the family."

Li Xinge rarely offered such an explanation.

He held genuine respect for the First Elder.

Without the First Elder's full support, his position as Patriarch wouldn't have been so stable.

"Patriarch, you don't need to say more. I understand your difficulties. It's all for the family."

"Yes, it's all for the family!"

The two exchanged a knowing smile.

Green Maple Valley, a large courtyard in the central core of the Li Family residence. This was the First Elder's dwelling.

Back in his courtyard, the First Elder instructed the butler beside him, "Go and summon Xingcong for me."

"Understood."

A short while later.

A young man, gentle and refined with an extraordinary aura, entered, led by the old butler.

"Afu, you may leave now."

"Yes, Master."

The old butler closed the door and respectfully withdrew.

Inside the room, only the First Elder and Li Xingcong remained.

"Grandfather, why have you summoned me so late? Is something the matter?" Li Xingcong asked, a hint of confusion in his voice.

"There are a few things I need to discuss with you."

"Please proceed, Grandfather."

"No rush. I see you seem to be on the verge of a breakthrough?" the First Elder asked, sensing the sharp aura emanating from Li Xingcong.

Hearing his grandfather's question, Li Xingcong smiled and said, "I haven't disappointed your expectations. Within a month, I am confident I can break through to the Body Realm."

The First Elder nodded with satisfaction.

He was extremely pleased with this grandson, both in terms of talent and conduct. His regard for him even surpassed that for his own sons.

If nurtured properly, he might very well become a trusted aide to the Patriarch in the future.

He, after all, was getting old.

"It's good that you're about to break through, but remember, cultivation cannot be rushed, nor can you become complacent or arrogant."

"I will remember your teachings, Grandfather," Li Xingcong replied solemnly.

"That's good."

"On my way here, Uncle Fu mentioned that the Patriarch just summoned you?" Li Xingcong asked curiously.

When the topic of the Patriarch arose, a spark of excitement flashed in Li Xingcong's eyes.

Normally, the First Elder would have chided him a few words, but today, he was surprisingly calm.

"That's right. After returning from the Zheng Family, the Patriarch told me something. This matter concerns you." The First Elder's tone was grave.

"It has to do with me?"

Li Xingcong was startled, thinking that he had been diligently cultivating recently and hadn't made any mistakes.

Then what could this matter related to him be?

I couldn't find it by searching the book title, maybe try searching the author, perhaps the name was just changed!

Could it be something that required the two great titans of the Li Family to discuss overnight?

A trace of unease suddenly rose in Li Xinge's heart.

"The Patriarch has arranged a marriage for you. It's with the legitimate daughter of the Zheng Family."

The First Elder said in a calm tone.

Li Xingcong's expression froze, and he stood there stunned.

After a long while.

Li Xingcong finally came to his senses, his eyes reddening slightly as he said, "Among so many disciples in the clan, why choose me specifically?"

"Because your status is high and your talent is good. Only you would not disgrace the Zheng Family's reputation."

"Grandfather, but the eldest young lady of the Qi Family and I are deeply in love. In my heart, there is only her."

The First Elder's gaze suddenly turned cold.

He reprimanded angrily, "The men of my Li Family do not indulge in romance!"

The First Elder's fury caught Li Xingcong somewhat off guard.

Over the years, although the First Elder had been strict with him, he had never once lost his temper like this before.

He knew his grandfather was truly angry.

Li Xingcong knelt on the ground with a thud.

"Please, Grandfather, calm your anger. Grandson knows he was wrong."

Looking at his most beloved grandson in such a state, a trace of unwillingness flashed through the First Elder's heart.

But he quickly suppressed this unwillingness.

"This is the Patriarch's decision. Xingcong, in the Li Family, no one can disobey."

"Even me?"

Li Xingcong said with a bitter smile.

"Even me, no exception."

The First Elder said indifferently.

Li Xingcong knelt on the ground, thinking of the young man who was even younger than him, and felt a chill in his heart.

That young man, who was clearly his cousin, had now reached a height that he could never reach.

His words, even his grandfather, whom he admired and respected immensely, dared not disobey.

"What if I refuse?"

Li Xingcong trembled.

"I will turn the Qi Family into ruins."

The First Elder said coldly.

Li Xingcong's heart turned cold. He looked at the First Elder in disbelief. At this moment, he realized how unfamiliar his grandfather seemed to him.

"Don't blame me, and don't blame the Patriarch."

The First Elder stood up, his hands behind his back, and slowly walked in front of Li Xingcong.

"You were born into the Li Family, and from birth, you have enjoyed wealth and status beyond the reach of ordinary people. Where does the wealth of our Li Family come from? It was earned by generations of Li Family ancestors sacrificing themselves!"

"Where do your current cultivation resources come from? It's our Li Family, with swords, with blades, with blood, fighting desperately to obtain them!"

"In the battle against the Mangshan Su Clan, dozens of people died. Were they not members of my Li Family? Were they not someone's children? Were they not someone's parents?"

"Look at the Patriarch. He is even two years younger than you, yet he has already experienced one battle after another. Who was he fighting for? For himself?"

"No! He was fighting for the Li Family. With his talent, where in this vast world could he not go?"

"What our Li Family gave him was not glory and wealth, but a burden!"

As he spoke, the First Elder's eyes turned red at some point.

He remembered all the clan members who had died for the Li Family.

Among them were his elders, his siblings, and his nephews and nieces.

Those familiar faces could now only lie quietly in the ancestral land.

Some, not even a single bone could be found.

"Without them, perhaps my Li Family would have already collapsed, and you might just be a dry bone in a pile of weeds. Where would you get the right to be here indulging in romantic sentimentality!"

This sentence seemed to have exhausted all the First Elder's strength.

His waist suddenly hunched over significantly.

Li Xingcong knelt on the ground, motionless, like a statue.

Inside the house, an eerie silence fell.

After a long pause.

A hoarse voice rang out, "Grandfather, I'm sorry, I was wrong."

Can't find it by searching the book title? Try searching for the author, maybe they just changed their name!

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