Li Xiao's admonition

The next day.

Li Xiao kept what had happened in Luoyang City in mind.

The Li Lineage now blazed like the sun at its zenith, having become the foremost power in the Upper Realm, but its growing strength had also brought many problems.

He personally presided over the Li Lineage's internal affairs, and he believed no one would-or would dare to-do anything that harmed its prestige or interests.

But the Li Lineage had numerous subordinate forces, and he could not oversee them all individually. His only option was to keep the person in charge of each subordinate force in check.

So today, he had summoned all the Li Lineage disciples.

On the Li Lineage's vast training grounds, its disciples stood densely packed together.

Li Xiao looked down at them with a piercing gaze and slowly began to speak.

"There is something I need to impress upon all of you today."

"The Li Lineage has now become the foremost power in the Upper Realm, with the Four Symbols Sects beneath its feet, and it has numerous subordinate forces. When the forest grows large, all kinds of birds turn up. Recently, I discovered that quite a few subordinate lineages have been using the Li Lineage's name to commit evil outside. One of them even targeted me."

Li Xiao's voice echoed across the entire training grounds. After a moment of silence, the crowd below erupted like a boiling pot.

"Which lineage was stupid enough to do that? Is the Li Lineage's name something you can use as you please?"

"When profit comes first, kid, you're still too green."

"Exactly. The mountains are high, and the emperor is far away. Who can keep them in check? If it were me, I might have done the same."

"Who says so? Didn't one of them end up targeting the young master? What luck."

The Li Lineage disciples chimed in, one after another.

"Young master, which blind lineage dared target you? I'll wipe them out for you."

Below, Li Dan spoke up angrily.

Li Xiao smiled and said slowly,

"No need. That lineage no longer exists."

"As expected of the young master."

"Good riddance. We can't let those people ruin the Li Lineage's reputation just like that."

Below, many disciples were indignant, but a few kept their heads lowered, their expressions shifting uncertainly, with no telling what they were thinking.

Li Xiao swept his gaze over everyone and continued.

"I believe there are quite a few cases like this. The reason I gathered everyone today is to resolve this matter."

As Li Xiao's words fell, everyone below straightened and listened attentively for what came next.

"The Li Lineage's dignity and reputation cannot be ruined like this, and the Li Lineage will not allow anything like this to happen again."

Li Xiao spoke in a grave voice, then continued,

"So I have decided that, starting today, Gu Chungang, Liu Sanniang, Du Dehai, and Undying Man will also serve as the Li Lineage's law enforcers. The Shadow Killing Pavilion will be responsible for thoroughly investigating this matter. Root out all these woodworms. Leave not a single one."

Below, the four who had been named looked somewhat excited. Finally, some fucking work. They hurriedly answered and accepted the assignment.

"We shall obey the young master's command."

Li Xiao rubbed his brow, then waved his hand.

"Dismissed, dismissed. If you run into any difficulties, come to me at any time."

"Farewell, young master."

Inside the Li Lineage courtyard.

Li Chen patted his son's shoulder and teased him,

"You little brat, you're looking more and more like a lineage head. You struck just the right bearing today."

Beside him, Li Kuangfeng spoke somewhat hesitantly,

"Xiao'er, aren't you being too idealistic about this? Such things are inevitable in any great lineage. If something like this happens again in the future, what will you do?"

Not a ripple showed on Li Xiao's face as he replied calmly,

"Then I'll kill again. If it happens yet again, I'll dismantle all the Li Lineage's subordinate forces. As long as I'm here, the Li Lineage won't fall."

Hearing this, everyone looked silently at Li Xiao and said nothing more.

With that said, Li Xiao headed toward his eldest uncle's courtyard.

"System, can Tong'er's sacred physique really awaken early?"

"Young master, when have I ever lied to you? Just rest assured."