Chapter 1208: A Trap?

Facing Li Hongque's sudden fury, Li Zhihuo was somewhat surprised, but from her words, he did manage to pick up on a few things.

"That Li Hongyou, she's also Cousin Yuanzhen's child?" Li Zhihuo looked toward Li Li Hongli and asked.

Li Li Hongli hesitated for a moment, then nodded and said, "She was born of Father's concubine, but when she was young, her mother took her and left the Dragon Blood Lineage, whereabouts unknown."

Li Zhihuo understood. Judging from Li Hongque's reaction, it was likely that back then, Li Hongyou and her mother had been forced out by her rather than simply leaving on their own.

The conflict between the two sides ran deeper than he had imagined.

So it seemed that hoping Li Hongque would lure Li Hongyou over with family ties was unrealistic. In fact, perhaps Li Hongyou had joined the Dragon Fang Guard precisely to get revenge on Li Hongque and even Li Yuanzhen.

"A Lower Nine-Redemption Red Heart Vermillion Fruit Phase—if she manages to break through to the Marquis Realm, then she will be capable of causing us Dragon Blood Guard some trouble," Li Zhihuo said slowly.

"Hmph, breaking through to the Marquis Realm isn't that easy. That cheap maid wandering outside, what cultivation resources could she possibly have? She probably can't even afford a single low-grade Foundation Establishment spiritual treasure!" Li Hongque said coldly.

Li Li Zhiqiu shook his head helplessly and said, "A Lower Nine-Redemption talent, even without a Foundation Establishment spiritual treasure, forging a Marquis Platform won't be too much of a problem—at most it will just consume some potential."

He knew Li Hongque was simply in a foul mood and talking tough on purpose.

Li Li Zhiqiu looked toward Li Zhihuo and said, "If we really can't lure this Li Hongyou over to the Dragon Blood Guard, then we absolutely cannot let her serve the Dragon Fang Guard."

"Although I know the Dragon Blood Guard is stronger than the Dragon Fang Guard, everything must be handled with caution. Now that the Dragon Fang Guard has gained a Jiang Jiang Qinge with a Ten-Pillar Golden Platform, who knows what variables may arise in the future, so we cannot afford any more variables."

His expression was somewhat cold and stern, because their faction had paid an enormous price for Li Zhihuo's bid for the "Great Wei Venerate," and they had high hopes for Li Zhihuo—only hoping that Li Zhihuo could obtain the "Minor Saint Seed," ascend to a Upper-Grade Marquis in the future, and even attempt to charge at the King level.

This investment was a high-stakes gamble; they had already put down their stakes, so how could they allow anyone to destroy it so easily?

Seeing Li Li Zhiqiu's solemn expression, Li Zhihuo understood his thoughts and fell silent for a moment before saying, "Then what do you want to do?"

Li Li Zhiqiu said indifferently, "Even if Li Hongyou refuses to acknowledge it, the blood of the Dragon Blood Lineage flows in her veins—this is an irrefutable fact. Since ancient times, when has there ever been a precedent of a Dragon Blood Lineage member joining the Dragon Fang Guard?"

"I will report this matter back to the Dragon Blood Lineage, and at the same time notify Cousin Yuanzhen. He is Li Hongyou's biological father, so naturally he can discipline her."

"When the time comes, under layers of pressure, at the very least we must drive this Li Hongyou out of the Dragon Fang Guard."

Hearing this, Li Hongque's expression turned somewhat unpleasant, and she said, "Let's not inform my father for now. I'll go meet this cheap maid later and give her a good scolding and threat. If she has any sense and withdraws from the Dragon Fang Guard on her own, then so be it. But if she's truly clinging to some unrealistic fantasies, then I'll have to personally finish off this disgrace to the family!"

After all, this was their family's scandal. If it blew up too big, Li Yuanzhen's face would suffer, and the other families of the Dragon Blood Lineage would have a good laugh.

Li Zhihuo thought for a moment and tactfully reminded her, "It would be good for you to go communicate with her first, but there's no need to be too overbearing. If we could bring her into our Dragon Blood Guard, it would ultimately be a good thing. Everything should be done with the greater interests of the Dragon Blood Guard in mind."

As the Commander of the Dragon Blood Guard, Li Zhihuo naturally wanted to gather talent. If Li Hongyou could be of use to him, he wouldn't mind sincerely inviting her.

Seeing the weight Li Zhihuo placed on Li Hongyou in his words, the icy chill in Li Hongque's eyes grew even thicker. However, she did not retort in the end, merely clenching her five fingers tight and nodding with a dark expression.

Li Li Hongli sighed inwardly. She knew her elder sister's temper all too well. Moreover, Li Hongque had always lorded it over Li Hongyou and her mother since childhood. For the Commander to expect Li Hongque to humbly invite Li Hongyou into the Dragon Blood Guard was simply a pipe dream.

Li Hongyou's entry into the Dragon Fang Guard this time was clearly orchestrated by Li Luo. As for this person she had once looked down upon, the current Li Li Hongli no longer dared to do so.

Because over the past year or more, the many miracles Li Luo had created had even made Li Li Qingfeng, once the number one person of the Twenty Banners, feel a sense of defeat—let alone her?

If Li Hongque truly wanted to target Li Hongyou, then with Li Luo's temperament, how could he sit idly by?

When the time came, it would likely be another dispute.

Li Li Hongli glanced at Commander Li Zhihuo. They had spent the whole time worrying about that Jiang Jiang Qinge and Li Hongyou, yet no one thought of Li Luo. But one should remember that when Li Luo first entered the Twenty Banners, his presence was even weaker than now—and what happened in the end?

He had single-handedly taken the Green Underworld Banner, ranked at the bottom, and led it to become the number one among the Twenty Banners.

So, in Li Li Hongli's view, among the three, the one who should be regarded as the Dragon Blood Lineage's greatest threat was Li Luo.

That guy was the most terrifying one.

The southwestern corner of Tianlong City, Dragon Fang Gate.

This place occupied an extremely vast area, with pavilions and estates standing in great numbers, and watchtowers spread throughout. On each watchtower sat figures with focused expressions on guard duty, observing all directions and maintaining vigilance.

Majestic training grounds could be seen everywhere, with many imposing figures clashing within them. The sounds of sparring and combat rang out to the heavens.

Banners of the Dragon Fang, emanating sharp auras, fluttered in the wind.

The entire Dragon Fang Gate area exuded a fierce, bloodthirsty air—a presence condensed through generations of Dragon Fang Guards training here.

Compared to this place, the previous Twenty Banners did indeed seem far more green and immature.

If the Twenty Banners were merely a fledgling scout troop of fresh recruits, then the Tianlong Five Guards were truly a hardened military force capable of expanding territory and waging campaigns in all directions for the Li Li Tianwang bloodline.

Throughout the ages, under the iron hooves of this army, who knew how many Marquis-level powerhouses had perished.

It was even said that in the most prosperous era of the Tianlong Five Guards, the five guards working together had once slain a King-level powerhouse.

This was the foundation of a King-level power.

The deeper one went into Dragon Fang Gate, the terrain gradually rose, until at last a green peak could be seen standing tall, surrounded by numerous estates and training grounds. The green peak was extremely high, overlooking the entire Tianlong City with a perfect view.

Under Li Foluo's lead, Li Luo and his group entered Dragon Fang Gate smoothly. Li Foluo first arranged for the injured Niu Niu Biaobiao and Li Li Rouyun to be settled, then without pausing, hurried along with Li Luo, Jiang Jiang Qinge, Li Hongyou, and others to a plaza at the foot of the green peak.

When Li Luo's figure landed, he saw a dense, orderly array of figures standing on the plaza. Their bodies emanated a bloodthirsty air, and their gazes were sharp and fierce.

Although judging from individual strength, many in the Dragon Fang Guard were only at the Tian Zhu Jing, in their hands might be stained the blood of Marquis-level powerhouses. Hence this aura and morale—even ordinary Da Tian Xiang Jing experts would feel dread within.

This was the Dragon Fang Guard.

Li Luo carefully surveyed the area. As his gaze swept past, he first spotted some familiar figures—those were elites selected from his cohort of the Twenty Banners.

Zhao Zhao Yanzhi, Li Shi, Mu Bi and other old subordinates who had followed him in the Green Underworld Banner were also among them.

Their gazes met Li Luo's, and their faces were filled with excitement and eagerness. However, constrained by Li Foluo's strict military discipline, none dared to make a sound.

"Greetings, Commander!"

The moment Li Foluo's figure appeared, the countless figures present shouted in unison, their voices like thunder, causing the plaza to tremble.

The plaza steps descended from high to low, each level furnished with a stone seat. Clearly, the highest stone seat belonged to Commander Li Foluo.

Below Li Foluo were two more stone seats, currently occupied by two figures. Further below were four more stone seats, each with someone seated upon it.

Clearly, those on the stone seats were the current Dragon Fang Guard's two Dragon Fang Envoys and four Great Commanders.

Li Foluo brought Li Luo and the three others down, his cold, stern face showing no extra expression. Without any dawdling, he went straight to the point.

"Today new members are joining the Dragon Fang Guard, so I have summoned you all to bear witness together."

"However, they are somewhat different."

Li Foluo pointed at Li Luo and said, "This is Li Luo. I imagine you are not unfamiliar with him. He is the Dragon Head of his cohort of the Twenty Banners, and he helped our Dragon Fang Lineage reclaim the Dragon Head position after many years. His achievements need no further words, do they?"

In the Dragon Fang Guard, countless sharp gazes turned toward Li Luo. The next moment, they all cupped their fists and, with a thunderous sound, bent at the waist to give Li Luo a half-bow salute.

Li Luo was rather taken aback by their gesture. Just as he was about to speak, Li Fuluo said, "Although the Five Guards of the Heavenly Dragon are one body, the competition among them is extremely fierce. You led the Qing Ming Banner to overpower the other four branches, which can be considered a display of might for our Dragon Fang Guard. So this merit deserves this salute."

Li Luo had no choice but to accept it helplessly.

"Although Li Luo's current strength upon entering the Dragon Fang Guard is only at the Da Tian Xiang Jing, his ambition lies in the position of Commander. Among the four of you, who is willing to yield a seat?" Then Li Fuluo looked directly toward where the four commanders sat and spoke.

Li Luo felt his scalp prickle at the words. Li Fuluo, you really are a block of stone. Who would easily give up a commander's seat to a newcomer like him?

Asking that is practically stirring up trouble!

While Li Luo felt helpless in his heart and began waiting for the wrath from those four commanders, he instead saw the four of them exchange a glance. Then the figure seated at the lowest seat stood up, and a hearty laugh rang out at the same time.

"If Li Luo Dragon Head does not find this fourth-seat commander's position too low, then please sit in my seat for now."

Li Luo stared blankly at the man who had stood up to yield his seat, and for a moment felt it was a bit hard to believe. Had it really been this simple and smooth to take the position?

This must be a trap, right?!