Chapter 374: Since you have seen me, why do you not kneel?

"Old Feng."

Li Mu sat blankly in the courtyard, his mind buzzing, feeling somewhat lost.

He never imagined that this old friend, who had roamed the world with such carefree spirit for half his life, would actually fall into the hands of the Buddhist sect.

His Heaven and Earth Traceless Art was something even he himself could not catch up to.

His Divine Concealment and Breath-Restraining Art allowed him to transform into grass and trees; whether entering a bustling city or mountains and rivers, he was like a fish in the sea, impossible to track.

Even the forbidden grounds of the Imperial Palace, guarded by a million imperial guards, were places he could come and go from freely, without a sound.

Yet now, he had actually been caught by the Buddhist sect.

The news came from the junior disciples of Mount Wuliang; it was absolutely true, and Li Mu could not help but believe it.

Old Feng, how could you have fallen! Li Mu slowly clenched his fists, his eyes moist, and the extreme pain spreading bit by bit in his heart seemed as if it would tear his chest apart.

He sat alone for the time it takes to burn half a stick of incense, and then, he stood up and walked toward the outside of the courtyard.

He first came to the ancestral hall and saw the fifth brother, Li Qingzheng, sitting alone before the chessboard outside.

Li Qingzheng, who was playing against himself, also looked over at Li Mu.

The two looked at each other, a trace of sorrow flashing in their eyes, and then they immediately restrained their emotions.

In the past, when they met, that cheerful young figure was by their side most of the time, but now, he was gone forever.

"Second Brother, how do you have time to come over?" Li Qingzheng squeezed out a smile.

Li Mu's expression was somber as he said, "I came to see the ancestors and ask for their forgiveness."

"Forgiveness?" Li Qingzheng narrowed his eyes.

Li Mu walked slowly toward the ancestral hall, his steps heavy and very slow. When he crossed the threshold, his steps paused slightly, but in the end, he stepped over it.

Li Qingzheng did not speak, only stared at him intently. He seemed to realize that this Second Brother, who had been rebellious in his youth and not favored by their father at home, was now about to do something again.

"Unworthy descendant pays respects to the ancestors of all generations."

Li Mu came before the golden-bodied spirit tablets, knelt on the prayer mat, and kowtowed gently.

The spirit tablets swayed slightly, but no ancestor appeared; after all, appearing required consuming the power of a remnant soul, unless there was a major matter to report.

"What matter?"

A majestic voice emerged, not knowing which ancestor it was.

During the previous battle in Qingzhou City, many ancestors burned their souls; some dissipated, while others had their remaining heroic soul power wither and fell into a deep sleep. Now, only a few stronger heroic souls remained awake.

Li Mu's face trembled slightly, but in the end, he explained his intent.

"You want to leave the Li Clan?"

Hearing Li Mu's words, that ancestor was shocked.

Li Qingzheng, who was nearby, was also stunned upon hearing this, and then stared blankly at Li Mu.

"Scoundrel, what are you saying?!"

From within the spirit tablets, another golden remnant soul figure emerged, with a burly build and a face full of rage:

"Was your mischief in your youth not enough? You've only been guarding the Li Clan for a few years, and you're starting to act up again. Do you want me to whip you in front of all our ancestors?!"

"Father."

Seeing this remnant soul, Li Qingzheng hurriedly changed from a sitting posture to a kneeling one, a rare look of panic appearing in his aged eyes.

Even though he was over eighty years old, in front of his father, he was still as trembling as he was in his youth, as if the awe was carved into his bones.

Hearing the angry voice from above, Li Mu vaguely felt as if a cold blizzard were blowing around him. On that snowy night, he had knelt in the courtyard, outside the steps of the main hall, listening to his father's angry rebukes inside, as well as his mother's pleas and his other brothers and sisters begging for him.

And at that time, he was rebellious and unyielding, harboring resentment.

But many years later, he had long since let it go, because he himself had been wrong too.

That night, the eldest brother he had envied in his childhood had secretly brought him a bowl of hot braised pork noodles after their father left the dinner table.

Recalling it many years later, it was still one of the most delicious foods he had ever eaten.

The other two were the grilled fish from the boy by the lake and the soup that woman had made for him when he was injured while slaying demons in his youth.

Tastes he could never forget.

Thinking of that snowy night, he thought of the eldest brother's figure dissipating outside the pass. Li Mu's eyes became moist again. He bent his body tightly, pressing his forehead infinitely close to the ground, and as he breathed, he inhaled the dust from the ground into his nasal cavity, smelling a heavy scent of earth.

"Father, I have to do this. I promised that old friend, and I cannot let him down..."

"But he is a thief!"

The golden remnant soul said angrily: "Was it not enough that you associated with those scoundrels in your youth? They used your connections, borrowed the name of my Divine General's Mansion to wreak havoc everywhere, and amassed wealth rampantly. Have you not suffered enough losses because of them?!"

"That was because I was young and ignorant, and did not understand the human heart. But this time is different. He is different. Although he is a thief, he has never borrowed the name of my Divine General's Mansion to cause trouble outside, nor has he sought profit or convenience for himself. He is different..."

"But he is a thief!"

The golden remnant soul said angrily: "If his nature were pure and good, how could he have fallen into being a thief? Stealing the fruits of others' hard work—can such a person be a good person?"

Li Mu raised his head, his face already streaming with old tears, but his eyes stared straight at the figure full of rage, yet more full of sorrow and heartache: "Father, there are eight million ways to live in this world, half righteous and half evil. Although he chose a different way of living than ours, he has never harmed the common people, never bullied the weak, and never harmed me."

"Some noble families and clans, with their magnificent facades, tear down the old to build the new, making the common people run back and forth, using righteous methods to collect the wealth of the people, leaving them destitute for a lifetime. Their conduct is not even as good as direct stealing."

"Are you speaking for a thief? I think you are about to become a thief yourself!"

Li Mu felt bitter, and in his mind, he suddenly thought of what that old friend had once said. He whispered:

"Those who steal the Heavenly Dao are sages; those who steal the human heart are emperors; those who steal great nations are marquises; those who steal hooks and pearls are thieves... He has his own principles. He is different."

"You, you really haven't changed at all. Now that the Divine General's Mansion has just suffered a disaster, with demons running rampant, and that Desolate God having lost the battle, he will surely come back. If you withdraw from the Divine General's Mansion at this time, how can you face your brothers? How can you face your mother?!"

Li Mu closed his eyes in pain and kowtowed again:

"This son wants to go and save him, just not wanting to implicate the Divine General's Mansion. If the Divine General's Mansion is in trouble in the future, I will surely be the first to step out and the first to fall!"

As he said this, his forehead was pressed completely against the ground.

The golden remnant soul was furious and wanted to say something more, but was interrupted by another voice.

"Let him go."

"Father!"

The golden remnant soul turned his head to look, somewhat stunned.

"The children carry too much. Do not let the children not even have the right to make friends. Being able to not let down a friend and being loyal to a close friend—is that not also rare and precious?"

That other blurry golden remnant soul said in a gentle voice.

Hearing this, Li Mu felt the ground in front of his forehead become damp.

He gritted his teeth and kowtowed three loud times. Then, he raised his head to look at that majestic golden remnant soul, seeing the other's complex expression, his eyes filled with both grief and heartache.

"Since your grandfather has said so, then go. Don't say any more stupid things about withdrawing from the Divine General's Mansion. Come back when you are done. At worst, this time, I will use my own life to clean up your mess!" the golden remnant soul said through gritted teeth.

Li Mu felt a shock in his heart and lowered his head: "This son will surely return to ask for forgiveness."

After speaking, he bowed deeply again, then flew rapidly out of the ancestral hall, not daring to linger, fearing that the guilt in his heart would hold back his steps.

"Second Brother, you must come back alive."

Li Qingzheng sent a voice transmission.

Li Mu heard it, but his steps did not stop. He took a black iron mask from his storage space and put it on his face.

This mask was a divine weapon that could conceal his aura, revealing only a pair of bloodshot, wet red eyes. The sorrow in his eyes gradually receded, becoming sharp and filled with mad killing intent.

At this moment, he suddenly felt a sense of regret: why, two years ago, when that boy stepped out of the house, had he not been able to stop him so resolutely and demand justice for him on the spot?

The ties of the Divine General's Mansion had, after all, weighed him down too. ……

……

Mount Wuliang is located on the border of Qingzhou.

But this border area is in the direction of the interior; although it is a place where two provinces meet, it is prosperous and flourishing.

The continuous mountain ranges form ridges, with peaks piled upon peaks, and mist drifting about.

On the towering mountain peaks, Buddhist bells are struck, emitting a distant and lingering sound.

Throughout the mountain peaks, stone slabs paved the paths like white dragons, winding and converging from every direction, extending into the distance like a spiderweb that stretched toward all sides.

And this extended area is also known as the Brahma Pure World.

People coming from all over to worship Buddha are endless. Carriages gallop from muddy sections and dusty dirt roads onto the well-maintained stone-paved roads. This difference makes noble guests from all over feel favorable. As they get closer to the peaks and listen to the Buddhist chants coming from each peak, they have even more of a feeling of entering a Pure World, and their distracting thoughts are restrained along with it.

Wisps of golden Buddhist light, appearing and disappearing, shine out from some of the main peaks in the clouds; that is the luster of Buddhist divine weapons.

At this moment, the news from Mount Wuliang has only just spread, and people rushing from all over to hear the news are still on the way.

And in the sky above Qingzhou, a crimson figure, wrapped in raging flames, comes whistling and galloping.

Soon, this red-flamed figure sweeps in, entering this land of Buddhist preaching.

In the nearby cities and towns, Buddhist halls stand tall everywhere.

Previously, demons invaded Qingzhou, but this area was safe and sound. The demons did not come to provoke Mount Wuliang, one of the top forces of the Great Yu, while provoking the Divine General's Mansion.

This also made the people in the cities and towns for hundreds of miles around believe in Buddha even more, grateful for the protection of the Buddha Lord.

*Whoosh! * Li Hao and the Candle Zhu Huoshen's figures directly crossed the outer mountain gate, and a divine array appeared, blocking them in front.

But the Candle Zhu Huoshen used its Dao Domain to cover them, restraining its aura, and directly shuttled through the divine array without being rejected.

And Li Hao used his Dao Domain to cover Xi Yan, allowing them to enter the array easily.

After shuttling through the divine array and entering, before them were vast peaks, with clouds and mist permeating, and in the distance, a huge, towering mountain peak stood amidst the surrounding peaks.

That is the Spirit Realm Divine Mountain where the Buddha Lord resides.

The Candle Zhu Huoshen's four hooves stepped on fire, whistling away.

At the same time, in the Spirit Realm of the Divine Mountain, the Buddha Lord, sitting on a purple-gold lotus throne, had the golden Buddhist texts circling around him pause suddenly.

He opened his eyes slightly and looked outside the Spirit Realm Buddhist Hall, seemingly seeing the uninvited guests through layers of obstacles.

"Guests have arrived. You go and welcome them."

The Buddha Lord said with a calm smile, the golden wheel in his eyes turning.

The three Bodhisattvas beside him were slightly startled, chanted the Buddha's name in response, and then flew out of the Spirit Realm Buddhist Hall. Their divine souls hovered in the air, and they immediately sensed the powerful aura whistling rapidly from afar.

"Candle Zhu Huoshen!"

"It is that boy."

"He actually really came."

The three Bodhisattvas looked at each other. Lin Wujing's eyes were slightly startled, a look of surprise appearing in them, but it soon turned into a smile.

He did not expect that the boy would really be willing to come for a thief. The Buddha Lord had indeed guessed correctly.

The three figures flashed out instantly and disappeared from this divine mountain.

At the same time, Li Hao sat on the back of the Candle Zhu Huoshen, crossing many peaks and rushing rapidly toward that Spirit Mountain.

"Stop!"

Suddenly, three figures arrived in an instant, blocking the front of the Candle Zhu Huoshen.

Li Hao's eyes turned cold, seeing clearly that they were three Four Standing Realm powerhouses, which were the Bodhisattvas of Mount Wuliang.

It is said that Mount Wuliang, besides the Buddha Lord, has five Bodhisattvas, all of whom are Four Standing Realm.

"Who is your Excellency?"

Lin Wujing pretended not to recognize him and asked with a smile.

Li Hao looked at this Bodhisattva who had stood on Li Qianfeng's side at the True Dragon Banquet and said coldly: "Qingzhou suffered such a great demon disaster, right near your Mount Wuliang, and you actually don't recognize me?"

Lin Wujing's expression changed slightly, revealing a look of sudden realization, and he said: "So it is General Hao Tian. No wonder you look somewhat familiar. I wonder what business you have coming to my Mount Wuliang?"

"Fuck your mother!"

Seeing the other party playing dumb, Li Hao directly cursed angrily: "You know perfectly well what you are asking. Don't block the way. Where is the Buddha Lord?"

The expressions of the three Bodhisattvas all changed. They did not expect this boy to have such a fiery temper, not showing any courtesy at all. If it were anyone else coming here, they would at least have to say some nice words.

"Could it be that General Hao Tian is not here to watch the beheading of that thief, but wants to plead for him?"

Lin Wujing narrowed his eyes and said: "General Hao Tian, your status is different now. Do not ruin yourself."

Li Hao stared at him and said: "When you captured him from Tianmen Pass, did you not know my relationship with him? Stop playing the fool!"

"General Hao Tian, please watch your language. This is the Pure Land of my Buddhist sect. Do not be too rude," a Bodhisattva beside him said with a cold face.

"Get lost!"

Li Hao glared angrily, his Dao Domain suppressing them, directly shaking the other party back hundreds of meters, causing them to spit out a mouthful of blood.

"When treating friends, I drink wine, compose poems, and treat them with courtesy. When treating you bald donkeys, even cursing you dirties my mouth!"

"General Hao Tian, do not forget your status. Do you want to stir up trouble for a thief?"

"Then let's see if you are worthy of being trouble!"

Li Hao's eyes turned cold, and a wave of might shook out. With a *bang*, the three people, including Lin Wujing, all turned pale, feeling an unimaginable might suppressing them, having a feeling that they were about to kneel on the spot.

Their hearts were terrified. Although they knew this boy was extremely terrifying and not someone they could block, only after experiencing it personally did they know how great the gap between them was.

Moreover, this boy was fierce and violent, not showing any courtesy at all, simply acting lawlessly.

With one glance of intimidation, he shook back the three Bodhisattvas. Li Hao did not waste any more words or linger, driving the Candle Zhu Huoshen to rush in front of the Spirit Mountain Spirit Realm.

He saw that the Supreme Buddhist Hall was magnificent and grand, with a solemn and grave aura.

Li Hao's eyes were cold. He could feel a vast aura restrained inside, entrenched within, as deep as an abyss, emitting a pure and masculine aura.

"Stop, this is the Pure Land of my Buddhist sect. Even if you are a general of the imperial court..."

In front of the Buddhist sect, four guardian figures saw Li Hao descending from the sky with a fierce aura and hurriedly stepped forward to block him, shouting sternly.

"Since you know my status, you dare to block me rudely? Get lost!"

Li Hao's eyes turned cold, and he stepped forward directly. His might swept out, forcing the four guardians against the walls of the Supreme Buddhist Hall, like a great wind suppressing them, making them unable to move.

Then, Li Hao swept up the fallen leaves on the ground and stepped into the Buddhist hall in one stride.

Standing at the entrance, he seemed to block all the light shining into the Buddhist hall.

And he also saw the Buddha Lord sitting majestically and hugely on the purple-gold lotus throne in front.

Their eyes met—one pure and gentle, showing no thoughts, seemingly never to be angered, while the other had sharp eyes, not concealing his mood at this moment in the slightest.

"General Hao Tian."

The Buddha Lord smiled softly.

"Buddha Lord, I am a duke of the imperial court. Since you have seen me, why do you not kneel?!"

Li Hao's eyes were cold.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 376 =====