Chapter 233: Chapter 28: Offer a Way out (Additional update 19/25 for monthly ticket)
Hearing Li Muxiu’s words, the others slightly changed color, some looking towards Li Tiangang, while others simply kept their heads down without speaking.
Facing Li Muxiu’s mockery, Li Tiangang had no response; he just remained silent.
Seeing his reaction, Li Muxiu was somewhat taken aback; he had thought his words would enrage the other party.
Was it regret?
His heart stirred, and suddenly, he heard He Jianlan say, “Second Uncle, please take another look at this letter sent by Xuan Li.”
Li Muxiu was surprised and glanced at He Jianlan, noticing a strange expression on her face; he quickly opened the military report.
Soon, his pupils contracted slightly, and a trace of horror appeared in his eyes.
That damn brat actually killed three Immortal Great Demons?!
Li Muxiu felt he knew Li Hao well enough, but now, this young man’s rate of improvement still surpassed his expectations, or rather, broke the talent ceiling of the Dayu Divine Dynasty once again.
Defeating all the grandmasters in the world was already incredible enough, yet he was also able to kill three Immortals, and they were the young kings of the Unwithering Realm to boot!
If it hadn’t been for the numerous grandmasters witnessing the event as written in the report, Li Muxiu would have suspected a mistake in the intelligence.
“Hao Er, Hao Er…”
Li Muxiu’s lips trembled slightly, feeling more excited than anyone in this moment, as if he could see the Li Family approaching its most glorious zenith.
However.
His gaze quickly turned sorrowful again, and his heart ached.
Turning his angry gaze towards Li Tiangang, seeing the other’s silent demeanor, he felt both frustrated and amused, but above all, saddened.
Blaming Li Tiangang was already meaningless; he didn’t know if that child would ever turn back.
“The Dragon Soar Sword, that famous blade is said to be in the imperial treasury, yet now it’s in Hao Er’s hands—is it a gift from Emperor Yu, and when did this happen?”
Gao Qingqing murmured to herself while holding the envelope.
Hearing this, Chen Hefang, who was sitting beside her, was taken aback and immediately thought of Eternal Night.
If Eternal Night were in that child’s hands now, it would certainly become renowned with him throughout the world.
But now, Eternal Night lay dormant here, like Xiaojiu, lying quietly in the dark, sealed in dust.
Silence fell upon the council hall; everyone remained quiet, digesting the news.
No one had anticipated that the child who had just left the Divine General Mansion would shock the entire world in the blink of an eye.
Back when Li Tiangang furiously scolded the youngster, accusing him of leveraging the Divine General Mansion’s reputation, although they remained silent, deep down, did they not have some measure of agreement?
Every person present, basking in the glory of a millennium, watched as dignitaries of higher rank treated them with the utmost respect, was it not because of the Divine General Mansion that stood behind them?
But now, the focus wasn’t on the youngster’s identity anymore but on his talent, which was preposterously monstrous!
“Tiangang, why are you silent?”
Li Muxiu looked at the silent Li Tiangang and said, “If you regret it now, it’s still not too late to go to Heavenly Gate Pass and apologize to that child. Don’t wait until the three years are over and by then, everything becomes empty talk!”
Hearing this from the Second Uncle, many of the ladies were momentarily stunned, involuntarily turning to look at Li Tiangang.
Li Tiangang slowly came back to his senses. He glanced at Li Muxiu and saw the anger hidden in his eyes; his lips twitched slightly:
“Second Uncle, you’ve seen the kid’s talent, but do you approve of his behavior?”
“Hmm?”
Li Muxiu’s brows furrowed slightly: “What do you mean?”
“Publicly suppressing the Buddhist Child, disgracing Mount Wuliang, becoming enemies with the Buddha Lord, also suppressing the grandmasters of the world—how many connections and powers lie behind these grandmasters, how many people can he offend?”
Li Tiangang said slowly.
Li Muxiu retorted angrily, “Are we to let others bully us without resistance, are you afraid?!”
“Afraid?”
Li Tiangang shook his head slightly: “Second Uncle, the reason you lost to my father in the competition for the True Dragon was because Grandfather’s choice was right; your sense of the bigger picture really isn’t enough.”
“Are you lecturing me?!” Coldness and rage surged in Li Muxiu’s eyes.
Li Tiangang calmly looked at him and said, “Our Li Family respects the imperial family, of course, and naturally need not fear anyone else. Mount Wuliang meddling in our family affairs behind the scenes, I haven’t even settled this account yet!”
“What’s the status of the world’s grandmasters and their numerous connections beneath the iron hooves of Fazi Camp and Yuan Camp?”
“Who would dare speak half a word against my Divine General Mansion?’
Li Muxiu coldly said, “Then what do you mean by your previous words?”
Li Tiangang replied, “I have said that Hao Er’s talent is sufficient; I have never felt his aptitude was lacking. But his way of doing things is too extreme and reckless!”
“He is still young, and there is much I can understand, but understanding does not mean allowing and indulging, or else wouldn’t that be the same as you all?”
“If he can’t accept even a hint of criticism, what future can he have?”
“Take this incident, for instance.”
He picked up the envelope in his hand and tossed it in front of Li Muxiu, saying, “That Buddhist Child from Mount Wuliang provoked him; defeating him would have been enough to raise his reputation. Even if the other party was angry, it would not lead to immediate retaliation, or at least, if they retaliate later, others would only think Mount Wuliang was petty.”
“But with such humiliation, once they retaliate, and it becomes public, others will find it justified!”
“And the same goes for the world’s grandmasters, on the surface, they are nothing before the Li Family, but what about their scheming in the shadows; must we always be vigilant against these underhanded tactics?”
“He always has better options, but he always picks the worst one!”
Li Tiangang gazed at Li Muxiu, saying, “This is the problem with how you’ve spoiled him. His actions really let off steam, truly exhilarating, but what about the consequences?”
“Children can act willfully, but as adults, we must learn restraint!”
“To release anger recklessly, without regard for consequences, if he were carrying the identity of the Li Family’s True Dragon right now, his actions would represent the Li Family’s stance!”
“The Li Family deliberately took the opportunity to suppress the martial heroes of the world, preventing these grandmasters from raising their heads!”
“Public opinion is like water; water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it!”
“The world reveres our Divine General Mansion, not just because we defend Dayu, not just because we shed our blood on the battlefield, but also because we never oppress the common folk; we never bend the law for personal gain.”
“Put plainly, force can suppress rebellion, but it takes a truly broad heart to win over the people’s hearts!”
“He is destined to lead armies and wage wars. Second Uncle, you’ve also heard of generals who, by often beating and berating their subordinates, get their heads chopped off by those very men when drunk, haven’t you?”
Li Muxiu was taken aback, he took a deep breath, and said, “Well said. You do indeed possess a broad enough heart for your soldiers, for your subordinates, and you could bear the entire population of Qingzhou in your heart, so why can’t you make room for one more child, especially when he’s your own son?”
“Because he’s my son, he is different,” Li Tiangang spelled out word by word.
Li Muxiu began to laugh and said, “He saved the people of Dayue City and previously saved Cangyu City, for which he was ennobled. Did you have such merits when you were fourteen? And how do you know that he does not have the people’s hearts or the world’s adoration?”
“Common folk are the water, and grandmasters are the hands; water can be led and directed by the hands. Sometimes, the way the water flows depends on how the hands move it,” Li Tiangang said coldly.
Li Muxiu stared at him: “So, what do you mean, you really want to wait three more years?”
Li Tiangang glanced at him, his gaze moved to the letter in front of him, and after a moment of silence, he slowly said:
“With the help of your friend, combined with his own strength, guarding Heavenly Gate Pass indeed presents no difficulty.”
“But now that he has killed that small Demon King of Wan Shan, the Demon King of Wan Shan won’t easily let him off the hook. Even with the protection of your old friend, it is difficult, and if other Demon Kings join forces to avenge their child’s death, it could be very dangerous for him.”
Li Muxiu arched an eyebrow and said calmly, “I thought you wouldn’t consider that.”
Li Tiangang ignored his sarcasm and simply said, “I will write him a letter. If he’s young and impetuous, then I’ll give him a way out.”
Li Muxiu breathed a sigh of relief internally and said, “Since you have the intention, I suggest it would be better for you to go in person.”
“I don’t have the time.”
Li Tiangang slightly shook his head, tapping his fingers on the tabletop:
“Second Uncle, let’s not forget what we were just discussing. The Liangzhou Territory is so vast, and that the demons have appeared as far as Dayue City shows that they can no longer restrain themselves. I need to go to Dayu State to see His Majesty.”
Li Muxiu frowned and looked at him, then remembering his temperament, a direct confrontation might backfire.
He no longer insisted.
No matter what, his willingness to compromise was a good thing.
He sighed internally, and then his thoughts turned to Feng Boping.
In his mind, he could almost see the face and smile of that old friend.
And instantly, he felt a wave of irritation.
That guy must have known about the situation with Li Hao but chose not to inform him, probably just waiting to see him panicked now.
“Old guy, wait until I see you next time, see how I deal with you,” Li Muxiu thought to himself.
…
…
In Mount Wuliang, the Brahma Pure Land.
Deep among the peaks, within the highest Pure Land of Spirit Mountain.
The golden light of the Buddha shone far and wide, and there are stairs leading from the secular world, but only to the foot of the mountain, for those suffering commoners and influential dignitaries to come and burn incense to pray to the Buddha.
At the summit, within a Pure Land covered in the light of spiritual energy and barrier arrays,
The Infinite Buddha Lord sat serenely on a lotus pedestal, his demeanor gentle and compassionate. To his left and right were two Bodhisattvas, one was Lin Wujing, and the other Bodhisattva, a woman, her expression tranquil, yet at the moment, her brow was lightly furrowed.
Before them, in the shining light of the Buddha hall, several figures were kneeling, including two Buddha’s disciples.
“I am already aware of what happened in Liangzhou,”
The Infinite Buddha Lord spoke in a gentle tone, his voice ringing like a great bell but without being deafening or harsh, as smooth as flowing water:
“That young man’s talent is unprecedented, the first of Dayu. It is no shame for you to be defeated by his hands; do not be irritated, nor should you take it to heart. All is predetermined.”
The two disciples were Qin Wuque and Li Qianfeng.
At the words of their teacher, the Buddha Lord, both felt a shock in their hearts, filled with shame, but at the same time, also somewhat relieved and sorrowful.
They were each a prodigy, and yet they had been soundly defeated. Listening to the teacher, it seemed to imply they were simply not in the same league as their opponent.
“Qiankun Vajra.”
The Infinite Buddha Lord said softly, “There are three years left. Stay on the mountain and cultivate earnestly. If you can step into the Heavenly Human Realm, you will have a chance to compete with him for the True Dragon status. If you don’t enter the Heavenly Human Realm, then live peacefully at my side as an Arhat Bodhisattva. The karma of the world need not touch you. The Divine General Mansion you defend is the commoners; my Buddhist teachings, too, are salvation for all living beings.”
Li Qianfeng was shaken and bowed his head deeply in worship:
“Yes, teacher.”
Next to him, Qin Wuque, his eyes tinged with bitter melancholy, suddenly brightened as he looked towards the Buddha Lord in confusion:
“Teacher, I am incompetent. The young man’s Grandmaster Martial Realm is extremely formidable. Even if Qiankun steps into the Heavenly Human Realm, I fear it may not be enough to overcome him?”
His question was not a doubt but a plea for an answer. He knew that the teacher’s words to Li Qianfeng had a reason behind them.
“Strength in this world has no constant rule. Flowers bloom in March, and they wither in September. If you can find your bloom in September, even if it’s not as dazzling, what harm is there?”
“The Dragon and Elephant are strong but cannot cross the river. Birds, though weak, are not hindered by a thousand mountains and rivers.”
The Infinite Buddha Lord said softly, “There are rules in this world. Heaven envies the gifted, and too much rigidity leads to breaking. That child has potential, but he has already stepped onto a dead-end path, his journey will surely be difficult.”
The two were puzzled, not understanding what he meant. Was he saying that Li Hao was too arrogant, attracting a path that leads to death?
The Infinite Buddha Lord said softly, “You may go now. Contemplate well and free yourselves from your inner demons, then you may advance further.”
“Know that all thoughts are like illusions; all worldly actions are like dreams. Only by recognizing them as such can one be liberated!”