With the fall of the Buddha Lord and the abduction of the Thief Saint, Mount Wuliang was destroyed.
A series of shocking news spread from the realm of the Divine Dynasty. Mount Wuliang had numerous disciples, and with the complex relationships backing these disciples, the news quickly spread throughout all the provinces and cities, drifting to the Imperial Capital millions of miles away and also reaching the Divine General Mansion in nearby Qingzhou first.
Inside the Divine General Mansion, everyone who learned of the news was shocked and appalled.
Was it not just announced that Mount Wuliang intended to execute the Thief Saint? How could it be that in the blink of an eye, the Buddha Lord had been slain?
And it happened on Spirit Mountain, no less. Who could be so audacious and so overbearing?
It wasn’t long before Li Muxiu also returned to the Divine General Mansion.
He had originally planned to abandon everything to save the Thief Saint, but now that Li Hao had dealt with it, there was no need to act according to the original plan. The Divine General Mansion still needed his protection.
When Li Muxiu arrived, everyone hurriedly questioned him if he was involved.
They all knew Li Muxiu was determined to go to the rescue, and although they had advised and tried to stop him, this time it seemed his second uncle had made up his mind, and no one could dissuade him.
Hearing their questions, Li Muxiu could only give a bitter smile. He was not capable of such feats, and without hiding anything, he briefly explained the situation to everyone.
The commotion Li Hao caused was too big to conceal; even a cursory investigation afterward would reveal the truth.
“What, Hao Er?!”
“He killed the Buddha Lord?”
“How could he have any connection with that notorious Thief Saint?”
Li Xuanli, He Jianlan and others, upon hearing Li Muxiu’s words, were stunned, then looked at him in disbelief.
If it hadn’t been Li Muxiu himself who spoke, they’d think it was all a joke; they couldn’t believe their ears.
Li Tian Gang in the crowd was struck with a sudden realization upon hearing Li Muxiu’s words. He remembered the disguised Thief Saint he had encountered at Heaven’s Gate Pass.
At that time, he had managed to drive the Thief Saint away without promoting the incident, nor did he tell anyone in the mansion. After all, it was a scandal. So, the others didn’t know that Li Hao had already colluded with the Thief Saint.
“Hao Er…”
Ji Qingqing’s face turned pale. As Li Tian Gang’s wife, she was quite familiar with the Dayu Divine Dynasty and understood the stature and identity of the Buddha Lord all too well. She couldn’t imagine the anger of billions of followers upon hearing the news of his killing.
These followers were connected to many different spheres; many high-ranking officials in the court were Buddhists, and if not the officials themselves, their families were believers.
Such entangled roots reflected the extensive and profound influence of the Buddhist community. Even members of the Imperial Family had to be polite when visiting Mount Wuliang.
Though it seemed a mere Jianghu power, in reality, it had already taken root within the government halls.
“I knew it, he was bound to cause a huge disaster one day!”
Li Tian Gang clenched his fists, his face grim: “Had I known it would come to this, I should have slain that thief right at the border!”
“If not for his merit in providing protection in the past, I gave in to a moment of soft-heartedness… this culpability should be mine to bear. If I had been more ruthless then, we wouldn’t be facing this now!”
He was filled with regret, knowing that even if he had faced a reputation of being unkind for killing the Thief Saint back then, it would have been better than the current situation.
“You knew all along?” The others also looked at him, stunned.
Li Tian Gang, unable to face them, looked towards Li Muxiu instead, his eyes showing a trace of resentment.
Li Muxiu saw his look and his expression changed slightly. Slowly, he turned away, aware that Li Tian Gang blamed him for having introduced Feng Boping to Li Hao, leading to today’s outcome.
“Although Hao Er has high achievement and status, that was the Buddha Lord…”
Ji Qingqing’s face was still pale. Although Li Hao had left the Divine General Mansion without their forgiveness, seeing him grow to his current status had brought her relief in addition to the pain and self-blame she felt.
She knew that even without the support of the Divine General Mansion, the child could still have a good life, which was not entirely a bad thing.
But now, Li Hao’s achievements and honors might all be stripped away from him!
A third-rank duke held high status, but compared to the influence of the Buddha Lord, it was far too lacking.
Even Li Tian Gang’s current status as a second-rank duke couldn’t contend with the Buddhist community.
Though the Buddha Lord held no official court title, religious influence was extraordinary.
“How could Hao Er be so foolish, to do this for a thief.”
Li Xuanli expressed his deep sorrow, knowing that despite Li Hao’s achievements and status, it was unlikely he could be saved now.
He Jianlan’s expression was one of forlorn, saying, “That child is warm-hearted; whoever treats him well, he reciprocates. He has always been like that… always been like that…”
“I’ll go to the Imperial Capital to seek help from my elder brothers, to plead with our father, the emperor, on his behalf.”
Jiang Xian’er immediately declared, picking up her skirt and stepping out of the council hall.
Li Xuanli opened his mouth as if to speak but didn’t stop her. At this point, they could only hope that His Majesty would show leniency for Li Hao’s past deeds in saving Liangzhou and Qingzhou…
“I used to discipline him, thinking I was wrong, that I was too strict. All of you spoke for him, supported him, but now he has indeed made a grave mistake, one even we cannot cover up!”
Li Tian Gang clenched his fists, the grinding of his molars audible: “Although he has exceptional talent, the stronger his power, the greater his mistakes. If he still bears the Li name, the glory of our ancestors will be ruined because of this!”
Hearing his words, Li Xuanli and the others looked troubled, and He Jianlan retorted angrily:
“Are you still blaming us? Without Hao Er, Qingzhou would already be in a crisis!”
Li Tian Gang this time did not back down but glared back at her with a furious expression:
“I have never denied his merits, but he could have done better!”
“You never raised him a day; how can you demand better from him?!” He Jianlan shot back furiously.
Li Tian Gang, equally enraged, retorted: “Do you think Qingqing and I wanted to be separated from our own child? Weren’t we acting for the sake of the family, for the common people? Outsiders might not understand, but can’t you?”
“But Hao Er is innocent; what wrong has he done…” He Jianlan’s face also turned a shade of iron blue.
“Enough, stop talking!”
Li Muxiu’s face was overcast as he said, “Instead of arguing here, we might as well think about how to relay a message to His Majesty, asking him to show leniency to Hao Er on account of the millennium of service from the Li family.”
“Second Uncle is right, I understand how you all feel. Right now, the most urgent task is to help Hao Er,” Li Xuanli also hurriedly said.
Li Tiangang glared at Li Muxiu. He had great respect for this second uncle, but the latter had repeatedly supported Li Hao and even facilitated Li Hao’s acquaintance with the Thief Saint. With his own moral standing compromised and setting a bad example for Li Hao, deep resentment had long settled in his heart.
But at this moment, he still held himself back.
“Such a matter would require the Ancestor’s Heroic Spirits to intervene personally, considering their status as founding Divine Generals. They would have to give some face to our family,” Gao Qingqing said, strategizing for her husband as well.
However, after she finished, her face was full of worry; she knew this would risk the Li family’s thousand years of glory.
Upon hearing Gao Qingqing’s words, everyone exchanged looks and fell silent.
“I agree,” Li Muxiu spoke first in a low voice.
After speaking, he glanced at Li Tiangang and then at Li Xuanli.
Li Xuanli hesitated, not speaking immediately but looking towards the others. Now that he held the title of True Dragon, he felt an immense burden on his shoulders and did not dare to make a mistake.
“Big Brother, please save Hao Er.”
Seeing Li Xuanli hesitating, Ji Qingqing’s tears fell, and she was about to kneel to him.
Li Xuanli’s expression changed, and he quickly supported her, “Younger sister-in-law, don’t be like this. I didn’t say I wouldn’t save him. Hao Er has been kind to me, and to the Li family, we will certainly do our utmost to help.”
Li Tiangang also quickly held his wife back and said, “Qingqing, don’t make it difficult for Big Brother; I understand his predicament.”
“But Hao Er…” Ji Qingqing wept, “Who understands the difficulties that child is facing now…”
Li Tiangang’s face changed, and he clenched his teeth, looking at Li Xuanli, “Big Brother, I will go and speak to the Ancestor myself about this.”
Li Xuanli gave him a look, fell silent for a moment, and then nodded slightly.
“He’s gone mad, he’s no longer a member of the Li family. Do you really intend to sacrifice the thousand years of the Li family’s honor for him?”
Beside, Wang Xiangru exclaimed angrily.
The others glanced at him, and Li Muxiu said somberly, “Don’t forget, you owe Hao a life as well.”
“I owe you nothing; I owe him nothing. My father has also come to Qingzhou; it’s just that he was a little late,” Wang Xiangru retorted angrily.
He Jianlan stared at her for a while, then scoffed and turned to Li Tiangang, “Go now, before the Imperial Decree comes down. By then, it will be too late.”
Seeing no opposition from anyone else, Li Tiangang breathed a sigh of relief, quickly got up, and rushed toward the ancestral hall.
When he reached the ancestral hall, Li Tiangang didn’t even bother to greet Li Qingzheng, but swiftly entered, knelt three times, and bowed nine times before reporting the situation.
“Undutiful descendent dares to ask the Ancestor to intervene and beg mercy for my son.”
Li Tiangang banged his head on the ground.
In the ancestral hall, a multitude of tablets stood tall, trembling slightly.
The ancestors had heard everything Li Tiangang had said.
The roots of Mount Wuliang were deep, and many were aware, not daring to provoke Mount Wuliang lightly in their lifetimes; they had not expected that the youth who had left the Li family would have slain the Buddha Lord!
The Heroic Spirits chattered among themselves, knowing this move would mean using all of the Li family’s favors to absolve another’s sins.
Many agreed, but some hesitated and disagreed.
After a short debate, the many ancestors fell silent, turning their gaze to the Golden Body.
Upon it, the figure of Li Tianyuan emerged. He fell silent for a moment, then slowly said,
“I cannot intervene in this matter.”
Hearing these words from the Li family Ancestor, Li Tiangang was shaken and looked up hurriedly, “Ancestor…”
“Previously, I spared no effort to harm my Divine Soul, attempting to shape a True Dragon Soul for him, but he refused.”
Li Tianyuan’s voice was deep as he said, “If even this could not sway him, it’s clear that the child has resolved to leave the Li family. He is no longer one of our family. Therefore, I cannot sacrifice the efforts of your descendants for generations on his behalf.”
Li Tiangang was stunned, his gaze somewhat vacant, “But…”
He said the word but found himself unable to continue.
Yes, that child had severed the blood ties and had nothing to do with the Li family. What right did he have to ask the Ancestor to disperse the glory of the Li family’s millennium for him alone?
In the end, it was his own fault.
The fault at the war in Northern Yan, the fault in…not being able to keep him in line.
“I understand.”
Li Tiangang’s face turned ashen, and he slowly stood up, bowing deeply, “It is all Tiangang’s fault, failing to teach my son well and almost causing trouble for the family.”
With that, he slowly turned to leave.
After Li Tiangang left, Li Qingzheng, who had overheard, couldn’t help but step forward, “Ancestor, but that child has done a great service for our Li family. If it weren’t for him in Qingzhou…”
Li Tianyuan fell silent for a moment and sighed, “I am of course aware of that. If it had been the previous Emperor, I might have said a few words, a sacrifice of all of the Li family’s glory and favor might not be necessary, but with the current Emperor, I am not familiar with him. If I intervene, it will be the entire Li family at stake…”
“Your generations of sacrifices I cannot ignore; the child is too young, too hot-headed…”
Saying this, he sighed and continued,
“But the Emperor won’t execute him, he will at most strip him of his official rank. If he encounters misfortune in the future, help if you can, try to repay…”
With those words, his figure returned to the Golden Body.
Li Qingzheng was stunned, then his face took on a sorrowful expression, and he laughed mockingly at himself, his eyes filled with desolate sadness.