Chapter 116: Friends

Liu Yuerong was momentarily speechless.

The child’s monstrous talent shattered all her words.

She knew no matter how much she spoke, it would be useless, and fury stirred within her.

“With Li Hao’s cultivation, isn’t it because Second Uncle and Fifth Uncle reversed heaven’s decree for him?” Liu Yuerong bit out.

Li Muxiu let out a bitter laugh. “My chance to reverse heaven’s decree was used long ago—Jianlan knows, Hefang knows. As for Old Five’s chance, he’s kept it unused—it’s his last resort, to reshape fate for a Li heir if none prove worthy.”

“Use it on Li Hao? Li Hao doesn’t need that chance!”

Everyone stared at Liu Yuerong. They knew that although Second Uncle Li Muxiu was eccentric, he never lied.

Feeling the weight of all gazes, Liu Yuerong suddenly understood what Li Hao had felt moments ago—she couldn’t help but smile bitterly at the irony.

Perhaps only she truly understood the child’s feeling—the despair.

But she would not admit it. “Second Uncle, no matter how you spin it, this is all empty words. Our Li family is vast—we must uphold evidence when enforcing justice.”

Li Muxiu said coldly, “I’ve heard of the poison Li Hao described. Once ingested, it’s undetectable unless examined immediately. It vanished decades ago—when the Five Divine Generals’ houses joined forces to crush it, even ancient clans participated. Not just the formula—every scrap of earth where it was made was turned to ash.”

“I never thought it still existed.”

The poison of Destroyed Divine Blood—ancient families feared it most, even the imperial court did.

Only the offspring of families that birthed Immortals could be targeted by it.

Other clans don’t even have Immortals—how can you destroy their Divine Blood if you don’t possess it yourself?

“Li Hao is clever. He’s found no evidence these years, and this poison leaves no trace. Unless you confess yourself, or we go to Wuliang Mountain and turn over the Buddha’s buttocks.”

“When you poisoned him, you must’ve anticipated the worst, didn’t you?”

Li Muxiu stared at her with a cold sneer.

The worst outcome was exposure—but exposure still meant no proof.

Liu Yuerong was shaken to her core, yet her face remained unchanged.

“Second Uncle, you hold high rank and power, but you can’t ignore evidence. I’ve never even heard of what you’re describing.”

“Then tell me—why would Li Hao falsely accuse you and not someone else?”

“Then you should ask Li Hao. I can’t fathom what I ever did to offend him.”

“Fine! Very fine!”

Li Muxiu laughed bitterly. But the woman refused to confess, and he had no proof.

Unless they went to Wuliang Mountain.

The only place she could have obtained it—only the Buddha Lord could have hidden it for so long without discovery.

“They say the Buddha saves all beings—what a joke. Does he bring disaster first, then pretend to save?”

Li Muxiu sneered. “You dare to meddle in my Li family’s True Dragon selection? From today, your son Li Qianfeng must choose: either live at Wuliang Mountain and never set foot in this house again—or stay here and never return to Wuliang Mountain. Pick one.”

Liu Yuerong’s face paled. “Second Uncle, you can’t decide this without evidence! You’re not even our True Dragon. Yes, you’re senior, but are you trying to bully a widow and orphan with your rank? How can Fengping rest in peace?”

“Silence!”

Li Muxiu roared. “When Fengping courted your Liu family, I opposed it! Your family has served as civil officials for generations—full of scheming tricks. I’ve despised you for years!”

“Second brother.”

Beside him, Chen Hefang’s expression changed slightly. “Today is about family matters. Don’t drag in outside affairs.”

Li Muxiu’s anger flickered, then he restrained himself.

Indeed, saying this aloud would offend both Wuliang Mountain and the imperial civil officials.

Only here, in his own family, could he speak freely.

He had to say it.

But with his realm, a few words were harmless—as long as he didn’t broadcast them.

“Even if you deny it all, I will uncover the truth about Li Hao. Until I do, your son won’t leave this house!” Li Muxiu snapped, pressing down on Liu Yuerong.

Liu Yuerong trembled. “Second Uncle, are you tormenting a widow and orphan? If you never find proof, will you keep Qianfeng locked away forever?”

Li Muxiu snorted. “If you’re afraid, confess now. Save everyone’s time.”

“How can I confess to something I never did?” Liu Yuerong cried bitterly.

Li Muxiu, tired of her, turned to the silent Li Tiangang beside him. “And you, Tiangang—you’re Li Hao’s father. You never cared for him since childhood. Has he ever resented you? Your service guarding the border—everyone knows your hardship!”

“Yet when this happened, you sided against Li Hao. What kind of father are you?”

Li Tiangang sat like a stone. After a pause, he said, “Second Uncle, Li Hao is willful. I disciplined him not because I distrust him—but because he disrespects elders!”

He looked up at Li Muxiu. “If he’d spoken to me respectfully, I’d have defended him. But he went straight for murder. Do you think that’s right?”

Li Muxiu roared, “With your attitude, how could Li Hao not see through you? Talking to you is useless!”

“You say you’ll defend him—how? Prove it now!”

Li Tiangang heard the sarcasm but kept his face grim.

“We’ll investigate step by step. If my sister-in-law is guilty, punish her by family law and imprison her.”

Li Muxiu sneered. “She’s a noble lady, First-Rank State Lady, equal in rank to Jianlan. By the time you finish your procedure, how many years will pass? Even if she finally confesses, what punishment can you give? You know the answer.”

“At most, strip her title, reduce her to commoner status. Given our Li family’s merits and Fengping’s service, she’ll never face severe punishment.”

“So she’s punished—but still lives in the Divine General’s Mansion, enjoying wealth and honor for life. How could Li Hao swallow that?”

“So he breaks the law? He kills?”

Li Tiangang snapped his head toward Li Muxiu. “So I’m supposed to stand by and watch you kill this widow and orphan?”

“You—”

Li Muxiu roared. “You’re brilliant on the battlefield—why are you so stupid here? Punish her, kill her—it doesn’t matter. Just let Li Hao vent his anger. Is that so hard?”

“That rebellious brat would kill even me—he’s too volatile. I can’t appease him.”

Li Tiangang said, “I will investigate Li Hao’s case thoroughly. I will give everyone a full account. Our Li family will never pardon crime—or tolerate anyone.”

His meaning was unspoken but clear—he claimed the role of True Dragon, the true head of the family. Though Li Muxiu and Li Qingzheng held higher seniority, in family hierarchy, seniority commanded respect, not authority over the Clan Master.

Like the Emperor’s uncle is Imperial Uncle—but dare you instruct the Emperor? Then you’re sorry.

Li Muxiu’s face darkened. Li Tiangang had claimed his position—he could not defy it.

Otherwise, if age alone granted power, the Clan Master would be a farce.

Anyone who lived longest could seize control—creating a vicious cycle: everyone feared death, no one dared lead. How could a clan endure?

“If your father were alive, he’d be disappointed in you.”

Li Muxiu said no more, turned, and left with a sweep of his sleeve.

Even he had no power over Liu Yuerong. The Divine General’s Mansion must obey the law—she held the title of State Lady. The imperial legal process would take too long.

Punishing her under family law was possible—but only if Li Tiangang agreed. And now he refused.

“Yuerong, tell the truth. If you do, Qianfeng will still have a place in this house.”

After Li Muxiu left, Chen Hefang turned to Liu Yuerong, her expression grave.

Liu Yuerong said bitterly, “Mother… don’t you believe me either?”

Chen Hefang stared at her. Long moments passed.

Then she sighed deeply.

The battle between the Li father and son quickly spread throughout Qingzhou.

This great battle devastated the city, and many witnessed it firsthand; the news could not be concealed.

The Li family’s civil war spread quickly across Qingzhou.

The battle had shaken the city—many had witnessed it firsthand; the truth could not be hidden.

In teahouses and taverns, rumors swirled. With so many guests present during the True Dragon selection, details leaked.

Some were true, some false, some absurd.

Some claimed Li Hao seized the True Dragon title and sought to kill his brothers and father to unify the Li family.

Others said the Li youths drank too much, spoke foolishly, and sparked the conflict.

Some claimed Li Hao resented his father for being absent on the border for over a decade, and had drawn his sword in rage.

Even rumors spread that Li Tiangang had fathered a bastard child in Yanbei over fourteen years and secretly brought him home—only for his own son to discover it, triggering the father-son battle.

All theories seemed plausible, growing more fantastical with each retelling.

But no matter the tale, everyone wondered: what punishment would Li Hao face? Elders insisted that even if his father had a bastard, Li Hao had no right to draw his sword on his own father—it violated filial piety.

Others argued the boy was young, and everything could be forgiven.

Time passed swiftly. Two days later.

Amid the city’s roaring gossip, countless eyes turned toward the Divine General’s Mansion—its towering walls seemed to seal off all sight, forbidding intrusion.

For two days, the mansion remained utterly silent—like a tomb.

Rumors spread: the Xing Wu Hou was punishing his son severely.

…

Song Yufeng, clad in a white robe like a Daoist master, drifted in gracefully.

At Tan Gong Academy, by the Cold Pond.

Song Yufeng, clad in white robes like a Daoist sage, drifted silently toward the woman standing by the pond.

He looked at her, sighed, and stepped forward. “You’ve heard?”

Song Yufeng fell silent in mild astonishment; indeed, to one of the Four Standing Realm, Qingzhou City was laid bare.

Song Qiumo’s face was cold. “This city is tiny. I saw it with my own eyes—the hand that slew demons now struck his own son with brutal force.”

Song Yufeng fell silent. Indeed—for a Fourth-Stage cultivator, Qingzhou City was an open book.

And that day—he too had witnessed it.

[101] He sighed. “Such a prodigy, blessed by heaven—even if he erred, he doesn’t deserve this. I wonder what horrors your brother endured on the border to have such a temper.”

[102] “I don’t care what he endured,” Song Qiumo said coldly. “I only care that he walks out alive.”

Two "he"s, yet not the same person.

Song Yufeng sighed bitterly and said, "Even a tiger doesn't eat its own cub; you're overthinking this."

"Hmph, hard to say."

Song Qiumo glanced at him and said, "You didn't come here just to stop me, did you?"

"What nonsense."

Song Yufeng said helplessly, "He's at least a nominal instructor of my Tan Palace; I'm just going to visit him and gently urge him to return to class. Isn't that reasonable?"

Song Qiumo rolled her eyes, but her expression softened slightly. "If that's the case, let's not waste more time—let's go right away."

"Going is fine, but you must promise we'll only persuade him—we won't lay a hand on him. This is after all his family's affair," Song Yufeng hurriedly said.

"All you say is you still don't trust me."

"You're being too formal..."

"If he's your nominal instructor, why didn't you go before?"

"Didn't I say? I only help in times of hardship—I dislike adding flowers to brocade!"

(End of Chapter)