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“You’ve truly, let me down…”
His expression was one of desolate sorrow, as the whip in his hand dissipated, he said bitterly, “It’s all because I died early, and didn’t properly educate you, didn’t set a good example as a father…”
“Father, you’ve already done enough!” Li Tiangang’s face changed, and he hurriedly said.
But Li Tianzong looked up, finding it laughable yet also feeling sad, and he said:
“To think that the Li Family has such a venomous woman, and she’s even the second brother’s wife. When she married into the Liu Family, she was compliant and respectful towards your mother and me, never showing any ill intent.”
“The second brother died in battle, and yet she conceived such thoughts. It’s tragic that such a thing could happen in the Li Family!”
He lowered his head, looking at Li Tiangang with bitterness, “What good will punishing you do, Tiangang? You should know, some mistakes are absolutely forbidden, and once made, no amount of regret can ever make amends!”
Li Tiangang quickly said, “”Father, don’t be angry anymore, I will find Hao Er, it’s not too late, I can still make it in time!”
Li Tianzong looked at his nervous, fearful expression and couldn’t help but feel waves of heartache.
He knew that his child was very filial, and though it angered him to lash out with the whip, it also cut him like a knife.
Angry at their lack of initiative, hating their foolishness, yet cherishing their obedience and filial piety, Li Tianzong was overwhelmed with complex emotions. He sighed deeply and said with downcast spirit:
“I had intentions of going home for a visit, but now, it seems there is not enough time.”
Li Xiaoran was shocked, looking at the fading figure of Li Tianzong, unable to hold back, he exclaimed, “”Big brother!”
Li Tiangang and Li Muxiu were both startled, and upon hearing Li Xiaoran’s mournful call, their blood seemed to freeze for a moment.
It was as if all their blood had rushed to their brains and then frozen over, a chill caused both men to shiver uncontrollably.
“Big brother?”
It was then that Li Muxiu suddenly noticed that his eldest brother’s figure was much more ethereal than before.
His heart trembled and he asked, “”Big brother, what do you mean by that? Can’t you, you can’t return to the family?”
With sudden realization, he turned to look at Li Xiaoran and hurriedly demanded, “”Fourth brother, what’s happening, tell me, what is going on?!”
“Father?”
Li Tiangang just stood there, staring blankly at Li Tianzong, rooted to the spot.
He wasn’t slow-witted; that brief statement, combined with Li Xiaoran’s reaction, plus the sight of Li Tianzong’s now spectral presence, immediately filled him with fear.
“Big brother has been trapped in the Mo River for too many years, deeply eroded by its power. Although he has escaped now, he can barely make it home for a final glance.”
Li Xiaoran said wistfully, “”But now, big brother… can’t make it back!”
Years of staunch resolve kept in the Mo River were now dissipating here, leaving him feeling so heartbroken he could hardly breathe.
Li Muxiu and Li Tiangang, upon hearing his words, were thunderstruck, standing still as statues.
They had thought that with Li Tianzong’s release, he would be able to return to the ancestral shrine, to rest in the family tablets, and that they would be able to see him often in the future…
But now, this was the last time?!
“Big brother…” Li Muxiu shook uncontrollably, staring blankly at Li Tianzong, feeling as if he’d lost all blood and warmth, chilled to the bone.
“Father!”
Li Tiangang’s pupils constricted, his head buzzed noisily, feeling as if the world were spinning. At the funeral, he had wept until his eyes were red over his father’s half-corpse, and now, was he to witness his father’s dissipation before his very eyes?!
Was it because of his earlier action?
He could feel his heart beating, twitching, with a tearing pain that felt like it was ripping apart.
“Don’t be sad anymore.”
Li Tianzong, looking at their saddened faces, managed to calm himself, though his expression still carried a hint of bitterness:
“I never expected such a thing to happen, well then, second brother, remember to say hello to your sister-in-law for me, tell her I left first, and for her to take good care of herself. If she misses me, let her go to the mountain we often sat upon, and the chirping of the cicadas will be my greeting to her…”
Li Tianzong spoke with an aged gaze, beginning to make his final arrangements here.
His words made Li Muxiu shake with uncontrollable sorrow, not able to utter a single word.
“Father, it’s all my fault, I made you angry, it’s all my fault, my fault…”
Li Tiangang suddenly fell to his knees in front of him, and abruptly raising his hand, he fiercely slapped his own cheek.
He continued to slap himself, using his power of flames on his palm, actually causing his cheek to bleed.
After several sharp slaps, he then looked up at Li Tianzong, his eyes brimming with tears:
“Tell me, what must I do to bring you back?”
Seeing his state, Li Tianzong couldn’t help but sigh and said, “”What you need to bring back is not me, it’s your son. And you shouldn’t be sad, with my current strength, I can still hold on until I reach home, only… there’s no need anymore.”
Taking a deep breath, he said, “”I planned to pass on my strength to Hao Er, but he refused. Now, I will pass this power to you. Go immediately and bring back Hao Er, at any cost, no matter what happens, you must bring him back!”
“If anything happens to him, I will never rest in peace even in death!”
His palm landed on Li Tiangang’s body, his eyes became extremely serious as he gazed, “Did you get that?”
Li Tiangang was jolted to attention, his eyes red as he said, “”I can’t take your power, you should go have a look home, mother misses you too…”
“Stop being a mama’s boy.”
Li Tianzong, with a large wave of his hand, interrupted him and said, “”Forget your rules, back when you defied the entire family for Qingqing, even breaking military rule and the family code, now for Hao Er, your own flesh and blood, you should take up the real responsibility of a father!”
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