Just a simple sentence.
It instantly left Xin Guo dumbfounded.
Xin Guo never expected Li Tai'an to say something like that.
Based on Xin Guo's understanding of his grandfather,
his grandfather would never do such a thing.
But Li Tai'an's expression didn't seem like he was lying.
Xin Guo couldn't help but recall the first time he met Zhuge Heng.
Zhuge Heng had once told Xin Guo that
back then, Xin Guo's grandfather had defected from the Divine Court and caused immense losses to it.
However, Zhuge Heng later added that there had been internal disagreements within the Divine Court at the time, and Fang Qingdi was falsely accused of treason, which led to Fang Qingdi's fierce retaliation, and he was later exonerated.
Now, Li Tai'an had made such a statement.
Many things were already shrouded in mystery.
Good heavens, now Xin Guo only felt that the fog before his eyes had grown thicker.
Who was telling the truth, and who was lying?
Seeing the change in Xin Guo's expression,
Li Tai'an smiled again and said, "At least from what it looked like at the time, your grandfather did indeed switch sides in battle. But I've known your grandfather for so long, and I understand what kind of person he is. Anything he sets out to do, he will see through to the end. The fact that he suddenly pulled such a stunt at a critical juncture must have had his reasons! I trust his character!"
Xin Guo looked back at Li Tai'an, "Other reasons? What reasons?"
Li Tai'an shook his head and said, "You'll have to ask your grandfather himself. Over the years, I've re-examined many events from back then, carefully deducing every detail. If it weren't for your grandfather's actions back then, the world wouldn't be in its current state, and the Church wouldn't still be so overwhelmingly powerful!"
"I called you here for two things. First, I wanted to see Fang Qingdi's grandson. Second, I wanted to ask you, where is your grandfather? Of course, you can tell me, or you don't have to!"
Xin Guo answered truthfully, "I really don't know! He suddenly disappeared before!"
Li Tai'an held his wine glass, "Suddenly disappeared?"
Xin Guo nodded honestly.
Li Tai'an muttered, "That's strange then, where could he have gone?"
At this point, Li Tai'an seemed to recall something and looked at Xin Guo, "Before he disappeared, did anyone from the Church come looking for him?"
Xin Guo shook his head, "No."
"Was it that no one did, or that you didn't see them?"
"According to my memory, and my stereotypical impression of those people from the Church, if they had come looking for my grandfather, I would definitely remember what they looked like."
Li Tai'an laughed upon hearing this, "Never mind, let's not talk about that for now, let's eat!"
Li Bao'er had already brought the dishes over, and Xin Guo also quickly got up to bring more food from the kitchen.
It must be said, Li Tai'an's cooking was absolutely superb.
Xin Guo ate without reservation, downing three large bowls.
Li Bao'er ate her rice in small bites, "The rice seems a bit hard!"
Xin Guo ate heartily, "How is this rice hard? This rice is fantastic!"
During the meal, Li Tai'an didn't ask anything further about Xin Guo's grandfather. Old Master Li instead spoke a lot about the Taiping Group.
The Taiping Group was founded in the mid-last century, adhering to the principle that 'Heaven's Dao is incomplete, ordinary men must mend it; only for the common people, not for any master.'
At its peak, it had four tens of thousands of members. Later, it distinguished itself during The Chaos of the Gods, achieving exceptional military feats, including a victory where forty thousand Taiping soldiers defeated one hundred and twenty thousand Eternal Night Army. In the final decisive battle, the Taiping Group's forty thousand soldiers were reduced to only twelve thousand, with nearly thirty thousand dedicating their lives. However, all these achievements were later deliberately covered up after the internal power struggles within the Church.
Xin Guo took a sip of the rice wine personally brewed by Old Master Li, "Old Master Li, what about the leader of the Taiping Group?"
Li Tai'an took a sip of wine and let out a sigh, "The Old Leader also went missing after that internal conflict within the Church! Later, the Church infiltrated the Taiping Group, and the Taiping Group became a mess internally. A few of us old brothers discussed it, and since the war was over, we decided to furl the Taiping banner and disband the Taiping Group."
"Oh, a portion of the people remained. Those were spineless individuals who eventually became the Church's pawns, which is to say, the Church's Light-Guard Corps. You're from the Ninth Division, so you'll definitely encounter them in your dealings later. If you do, beat them to death. If you can't beat them, just tell them my name, say I told you to do it. If they still dare to fight, tell me, and I'll personally take action!"
Upon hearing this, Xin Guo immediately beamed, "If you say so, Old Master, I'll really go for it!"
Li Tai'an said boldly, "My word is my bond; I, Old Li, never go back on my promises!"
At this moment, Li Tai'an felt that drinking from a wine glass wasn't satisfying enough, so he switched to a large bowl. Xin Guo poured a drink for Li Tai'an, "Old Master Li, have you never thought about re-recruiting people and finishing what you started?"
Li Tai'an took a big gulp of wine, wiped his mouth, and said, "Damn it, how could I not think about it? I dream about it! This old man has been on battlefields for decades, and I've never suffered such indignity. My only wish now is to see the Church utterly destroyed before I die! To personally plant the Taiping Group's flag on the Pope's head!"
"But all of this relies on strength. No matter how tough your words are, if your fists aren't hard, it's all useless! If the scene of the eighteen armies gathering again were to reappear, this old man would definitely regroup and charge into the Church's Holy Temple!"
Li Tai'an held his wine bowl, his eyes slightly raised, looking into the distance, his expression a mix of reminiscence and a touch of helplessness.
After emptying the wine in his bowl, Li Tai'an turned to look at Xin Guo and Li Bao'er, "I believe you've both seen the Church's actions. They are dictatorial, arrogant, and unpopular. Given time, the scene of the eighteen armies storming the Church will surely reappear. If I don't live to see that day, then this task will fall to you two! When you pay respects to me then, remember to tell me this news!"
Li Bao'er looked up at Li Tai'an, "Grandfather, please don't say such things!"
Xin Guo recalled Zhuge Heng's previous words, combined with Jiang Xiaocha's joining of Spark, and the attitude of various forces towards the Church. Not only them, but as soon as Xin Guo's power grew, the first thing he would do would be to take on the Church.
"Old Master Li, that day won't be too far off!"
Li Tai'an laughed heartily, "Boy, if that day truly comes, would you dare to lead people to storm the Church?"
"What's there to be afraid of?"
Li Tai'an said boldly, "Good! Boy! That statement from you is enough! That Ye fellow hasn't been living comfortably these past years either. He protected you so much, and a few days ago, he used you to have that white-haired boy trick the Church. He most likely wants you to do this. As long as you dare to sound the charge, this old man will lead the old brothers of the Taiping Group to be the first to attack!"
The atmosphere was right, and Xin Guo also raised his wine bowl, "Old Master Li, I toast you!"
"Haha, good!"
The old man and the young man drank two bottles in a row.
Afterward, Li Tai'an brought out more of his homemade wine.
"Come, boy! Let's drink this! I brewed it myself, it's not strong!"
"If you feel a bit dizzy, it's normal, a breath of fresh air will fix it!"
"How did you end up sleeping under the table, boy?"
When Xin Guo woke up, it was already noon the next day.
Because he still had to go back for his aunt's burial.
Xin Guo bid farewell to Old Master Li. Before he left, Old Master Li gave Xin Guo a ring.
"Wear this ring. If you encounter anyone from the Taiping Group in the future, they will make things convenient for you!"
"Thank you, Old Master Li!"
Li Bao'er sent Xin Guo to the airport.
He had originally wanted to visit Li Bao'er's father, but it was delayed.
Li Bao'er ate potato chips, wiggling her small mouth like a little rabbit, "It's okay, Xin Guo, you can come again later!"
Xin Guo contacted Jiang Xiaocha, and Jiang Xiaocha was also preparing to return.
The plane landed, and Xin Guo took a car home.
But as soon as he pushed open the door, Xin Guo froze.
There was someone sitting in the living room.
Xin Guo's grandfather!