Although Yang Haoran had forcibly dragged Li Honghan outside, his fury remained as unstoppable as an erupting volcano. It had been his father's decision, yet he felt as though he had lost everything: Western Sichuan, his position, his power, his dreams! He had long regarded himself as the future master of Western Sichuan. Yet before his wish could be fulfilled, his father intended to give away everything that should have belonged to him. How could Li Honghan accept that?
Yang Haoran dragged Li Honghan into the neighboring courtyard. Li Honghan wrenched his arm free and roared, "You're an outsider! You have no right to interfere in our family's affairs!"
Yang Haoran sighed. "Brother, although I am an outsider, the Commander-in-Chief's kindness to me weighs as heavily as a mountain. I would walk through boiling water and fire for the Li Family, even at the cost of my life."
Li Honghan had always been on good terms with Yang Haoran. Those words had merely slipped out in a moment of anger, and he regretted them almost as soon as he spoke. Turning away, he slammed his fist into a tree. Thud! The bark caved in, and leaves fluttered down from the violent impact. His face twisted with anguish as he lowered his voice. "Haoran, you're not me. How could you understand my pain? Father wants to send the Prince of Zhou back to Great Kang and lead us in bowing our heads as its subjects!"
Behind Li Honghan, Yang Haoran gasped. "What? Impossible! How could Godfather make such an unwise choice? In the past, Western Sichuan was strong and Great Kang weak. Had we submitted with Western Sichuan then, we would have been valued. We might even have enjoyed wealth and glory and lived out our lives in peace. But with