Chapter 738: Securing the Position for Father

Li Li Jingzhe's words fell into the ears of everyone present, causing them to involuntarily feel a bit stunned, and then one gaze after another turned toward Li Luo.

A son earning merit in place of his father? How exactly would he earn it?

Li Luo himself, as the person involved, was also a little dumbfounded. He hadn't expected Li Li Jingzhe to steer the conversation onto him, but just as the others were bewildered about one point, he likewise didn't know — what kind of merit could he, a mere Fiend Palace realm cultivator, earn for Li Taixuan?

Li Li Jingzhe smiled and said to Li Luo, "Go to the Qingming Banner, rely on your own strength to ascend to the position of Great Banner Leader, and then bring the Qingming Banner back to the height it once had. That is the merit. If you can do it, the position of Grand Hall Master of Qingming Hall will still be reserved for your father. How about it?"

Li Luo blinked. Knowing his old man's temperament, whether or not the position of Grand Hall Master of Qingming Hall existed was probably something he couldn't care less about.

"If you can ultimately accomplish it, not only can the position of Grand Hall Master be preserved, but I can also permit a portion of the treatment and resources enjoyed by the Grand Hall Master of Qingming Hall to be directly allocated to you, because after all, your share of the merit is in there as well."

In Li Li Jingzhe's deep and wise eyes, there seemed to be a hint of a smile: "Resources and treatment at the Grand Hall Master level, even if it's only a portion, would still be an extremely considerable sum for you. I think you'll be very satisfied when the time comes."

"How about it? Are you willing to give it a try?"

Holy crap?

Li Luo's eyes went wide, his heart surging with hot blood. The Grand Hall Master was the highest-ranking position in the Dragon Fang Lineage below the Lineage Leader, and the resources and treatment it could enjoy would make even a titled Marquis strong expert's heart stir. If a portion of that were allocated to him, would he still have to worry about not having enough resources?

This old man is way too reliable! This is practically finding a fancy excuse to get resources for him!

Li Luo's heart was shaken, but a brilliant smile quickly surfaced on his face, and then he said with passionate fervor: "Old man has treated me with kindness as heavy as a mountain. We are a loving father and a filial son. For old man's sake, even if it's a mountain of blades or a sea of flames, this son of his will go through it for him!"

Li Li Jingtao and Li Li Fengyi, who were at the side, glanced at him, feeling like you were clearly about to refuse just now? How did you suddenly become so impassioned?

Li Li Jingzhe nodded and praised, "It's good that you have this heart."

At this moment, the others also came back to their senses, especially the one named Zhong Zhong Yushi, the Second Hall Master of Qingming Hall. His expression looked somewhat stiff, and he couldn't help but say: "Lineage Leader, this... wouldn't this once again leave Qingming Hall without a master for a long time? The longer this drags on, the more unfavorable it is for Qingming Hall."

"It won't be long either, at most two years. If in two years Xiao Luo cannot bring the Qingming Banner back to its former height, then I will immediately revoke Taixuan's position as Grand Hall Master," Li Li Jingzhe said.

The corner of Zhong Zhong Yushi's mouth twitched, and his gaze subtly glanced at Zhao Zhao Xuanming. The latter gave an imperceptible shake of his head. Today's matter could only end here. After all, the Lineage Leader had already revealed his intention, and if they continued to pester, it would actually be inappropriate.

Seeing this, Zhong Zhong Yushi could only withdraw his gaze and nod with difficulty, but as his gaze lowered, a dark shade inevitably flashed through his eyes.

Two years to bring the Qingming Banner back to its former height? Relying on this Fiend Palace realm Li Luo? His current strength, even whether he could steadily hold onto the Banner Leader position of the Qingming Banner was already a problem, and they still expected him to become Great Banner Leader?

Although the Three-phase is indeed very strong, perhaps because of the limitations of cultivation resources in the Outer Shenzhou, the current Li Luo is only at the Fiend Palace realm. At this age and at this level, although he is definitely not falling behind, compared with the top figures of each Banner, there is still a considerable gap.

So in Zhong Zhong Yushi's view, Li Li Jingzhe's use of Li Luo as a pretext this time was nothing more than wanting to stall for another two years.

So be it, he'll just wait a little longer. If by then this Li Luo still can't achieve any results, he'll use that as a pretext to make trouble. At that time, even the Lineage Leader probably wouldn't be able to continue showing favoritism.

Thinking this in his heart, he calmly stepped back two paces.

Naturally, the others had no objections either, so this matter was considered settled just like that.

"Xiao Luo will rest for two days first, then go report to the Qingming Banner. You all make arrangements for him." Li Li Jingzhe looked toward Zhong Zhong Yushi and Li Li Rouyun — they were the current Second Hall Master and Third Hall Master of Qingming Hall.

"Yes."

Several Hall Masters all responded in assent.

"That's all for today."

Once all matters were properly arranged, Li Li Jingzhe waved his hand and dismissed everyone.

"Xiao Luo, you and Li Jingtao, Li Fengyi stay behind to keep me company for a meal and have a chat."

Li Li Jingtao and Li Li Fengyi exchanged a glance, both understanding that the old man was mainly going to talk with Li Luo, and the two of them were just accompanying, but they still obediently nodded in agreement.

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"Father, let us keep you company too," Li Li Qingpeng said with a smile.

"You all should go do whatever you need to do. I have nothing to say to you all. Having the younger generation is enough."

Li Li Jingzhe shook his head, his waving hand carrying a hint of distaste.

Li Li Qingpeng and Li Li Jinpan exchanged a glance, could only nod helplessly, then took their leave along with the others.

When Li Li Rouyun was leaving, she told Li Luo that she would take Seeing Niu Niu Biaobiao, who was waiting outside, to Qingming Hall first to make some arrangements.

After everyone departed, Li Li Jingzhe's stern expression softened a little. He revealed a fairly gentle smile toward the three juniors, then led the three of them to his residence in the mountains — a small courtyard within a bamboo forest, secluded and simple.

Li Li Jingzhe personally dug up some fresh, tender bamboo shoots in the bamboo forest, then went to the kitchen and made some simple, light dishes.

He also brought out carefully brewed Bamboo Heart Wine.

"This Bamboo Heart Wine needs to be made by injecting the wine liquid into these spirit bamboos just as they sprout. Ten years — bitter; fifty years — astringent; a hundred years — sweet."

"Back then, that boy Taixuan was mischievous. To find a hundred-year bamboo, he nearly turned over half my bamboo garden. There was a period when I was so angry I forbade him from coming near here."

Li Li Jingzhe's aged face carried a trace of a smile. One could tell he was in a very good mood today.

Li Li Jingtao and Li Li Fengyi's expressions were slightly complicated. From Li Li Jingzhe's words, they could both clearly sense the deep affection the old man held for their Third Uncle. This affection appeared noticeably thinner when directed at Li Li Qingpeng and Li Li Jinpan.

Perhaps this is how families work. Originally, Li Li Qingpeng, as the eldest son, had a high probability of receiving this favor, but he himself didn't have particularly high talent, so after the initial joy of having a son, Li Li Jingzhe's feelings gradually became much more indifferent.

Li Li Jinpan, the second son of the family, had it the worst. His own talent was a bit better than Li Li Qingpeng's, but only marginally so, and on top of that he was the second child, so he was probably the easiest to overlook.

And Li Taixuan was the third, the youngest in the family, and possessed unrivaled talent. He instantly became the darling of the entire family, his status extraordinary. Even Li Li Jingzhe, with his stern temperament, couldn't help but lavish him with much affection. Clearly, Li Taixuan was the successor the old man favored most, the future candidate for Dragon Fang Lineage Leader.

Li Li Jingtao and Li Li Fengyi actually felt the same way. After all, Third Uncle's temperament and talent were both dazzlingly brilliant, countless times stronger than their own father's. It's just a pity that back then, something like that happened...

The four of them gathered around a small table, and the atmosphere was rather warm.

However, Li Li Jingtao and Li Li Fengyi were clearly a bit constrained. Instead, Li Luo, who had returned for the first time, appeared more at ease, occasionally clinking cups with the old man, chattering away with a grin about his childhood in the House Luolan Mansion. And every time this happened, the old man listened very attentively.

This difference was mainly because Li Li Jingtao and Li Li Fengyi, having grown up under Li Li Jingzhe's strictness, had developed an innate awe of him. Under this emotion, some nervousness and walking-on-eggshells were inevitable.

Li Luo was only meeting Li Li Jingzhe for the first time, didn't understand his temperament, and hadn't personally experienced the old man's authority, so he mostly treated him as just a somewhat special elderly man.

This small gathering, because of Li Luo's presence, ultimately didn't end up feeling too dull.

But Li Li Jingtao and Li Li Fengyi still couldn't stay long. After finishing the light vegetarian food the old man had made, they quickly found an excuse and slipped away.

When they left the small courtyard, even Li Luo could sense their tense bodies finally relaxing.

Li Li Jingzhe also watched the two juniors leave. The expression on his aged face faded a little. Gripping his wine cup, he drained it in one gulp, then said to Li Luo with self-deprecation: "This old man of mine is quite an annoyance to people."

"Years of accumulated authority make even First Uncle and Second Uncle tremble with fear, let alone Big Brother and Second Sister. I'm only taking advantage of the fact that I've just come back and am not yet familiar with your authority, old man. Otherwise, once I get familiar with it later, there'll probably be a lot of pressure too," Li Luo said with a smile.

Li Li Jingzhe was silent for a moment, then said: "Then it's better not to get familiar. It's rare for someone to come here and keep me company. From now on, if you have time, you can come here anytime."

Li Luo smiled and nodded in agreement.

Li Li Jingzhe looked at Li Luo's youthful, handsome face and said with a smile: "You really do look just like your father."

"He even has a bit of the old man's flair." Li Luo said shamelessly.

Li Li Jingzhe's smile on his face deepened. He poured himself a cup of wine, reached out and grasped it, his gaze lingering on Li Luo for a few seconds, then said, "There are no outsiders here, so stop calling me 'old man.'"

Li Luo was momentarily stunned. He could feel the hopeful look in the old man's eyes. At this moment, the old man seemed to be neither a king-level powerhouse nor the esteemed lineage leader of the Dragon Fang Lineage, but simply a father constantly longing for his wandering child to come home.

Li Luo's mind flashed with his old man's face, then he picked up his wine cup and clinked it against the old man's.

"Grandson Li Luo, greets Grandfather."

Li Li Jingzhe laughed, the wrinkles on his aged face all blooming open, and a hearty laughter rang out in the courtyard.

The laughter carried out of the bamboo grove. Li Li Jingtao and Li Li Fengyi, who had not yet gone far, also heard it. They sighed softly, somewhat envious of Li Luo's courage. It wasn't that they didn't want to casually accompany Li Li Jingzhe; it was just that the stern face Li Li Jingzhe wore in their childhood had truly left them with quite a psychological shadow.

"Forget it, with little brother keeping Grandfather company, we can take it easy too."

The two exchanged a glance, then suddenly quickened their pace of leaving. Since Li Luo was so likable, the heavy task of keeping the old man company from now on could be handed over to him, sparing them from always being coerced by their own father with a stick to come over.