Li Bing

Li Yi frowned subtly at the expression on the face of the young man before him. This youth, Li Chen, with a seemingly casual smile, was the grandson of the Third Elder of the Li family. Li Chen and Li Yi were said to have an excellent relationship, aside from the fact that Li Chen was one of the talented individuals in the family while Li Yi was notoriously known as a waste. Li Chen was perhaps the one closest to Li Yi in the entire Li family. Li Yi had even realized that the incident where he forced himself on the Mo family's young mistress had significant connections to Li Chen. Pondering this, Li Yi responded with a slight smile, "Third cousin, what brings you to me today?"

Li Chen's gaze reluctantly left the slender waists of a few clan girls. Licking his lips, he wore a lecherous expression and said in a low voice, "Cousin Li Yi, it's not that I haven't been looking for you these days, but the Patriarch had ordered that no one should disturb your secluded cultivation in the back mountain, punishable by family law. So, you've been rather wronged these days. But..." His face betrayed an expression that every man would understand, his voice dropping even lower, "This year's clan assembly brought several pretty cousins from the collateral branches. How about joining me in building some relations with them after the assembly? After all, we are from the main family... They... Hehehe…"

Li Yi chuckled inwardly at Li Chen's lecherous demeanor, wondering if it was genuine or an act. Regardless, such behavior had indeed lowered many people's guard against him in the family. Li Yi responded with a casual smile, "Let's talk about it later. If we both lose to our opponents, those cousins probably won't be interested in associating with us."

Li Chen was momentarily taken aback before laughing, "Seems like cousin Li Yi, you have indeed grown up. You're right, if we lose, those high and mighty ones wouldn't bother with us, so..." He shook his head as if lamenting but also seeming pleased at his cousin's growth. Despite Li Yi's internal scoffing, he continued the casual conversation with Li Chen.

"Eh, she's back too?" Li Chen's expression suddenly changed, revealing a look as if he had seen a ghost. "Who?" Following Li Chen's gaze, Li Yi was slightly startled and then let out a wry smile. They saw a tall and beautiful woman in white clothes, with a long sword hanging at her waist. Her beauty was striking, but what was more noticeable was the cold expression on her face, as if the air around her was frozen by her chilly aura. She stood there, making the surrounding clan girls pale in comparison. Young men with lecherous expressions tried to approach her but were met with cold rebuffs.

"Li Bing..." Li Chen struggled to utter the name, his face showing evident fear, "This crazy woman, wasn't she supposed to be studying at Roland Academy? Why is she back for this boring clan assembly? Rumor has it, she's already formed a Qi whirlpool and might be the first of our generation to become a Fighter. If we encounter her in the ring, better just give up... This crazy woman…" As Li Chen uttered the name, Li Yi's expression became even more intriguing. If his merged memories were correct, this Li Bing was Li Yi's unrequited first love... Back then, a young Li Yi and Li Chen had sneaked into the back mountain to peek at cousin Li Bing bathing, only to be chased for over a month. If not for Li Han's intervention, they might have been turned into mincemeat. Clearly, the past event had left a deep impression on Li Chen, causing him, the self-proclaimed playboy, to be scared even after so many years.

"Aren't people over twenty not allowed to participate in the clan assembly?" Li Yi asked with a wry smile. "How should I know?" Li Chen also appeared puzzled, "If I remember correctly, this crazy woman is already over twenty years old. Her participating in the clan assembly today…" He was interrupted as his facial muscles twitched, his fear transforming into a fawning smile. Li Bing, who was not far off, seemed to have noticed Li Yi and Li Chen. Hesitating for a moment, she approached them with a cold sneer. Standing before them, her emotionless eyes swept over the two before she coldly said, "So it's you two. It seems the family is declining more and more, to the point where even wastes like you can participate in the clan assembly. I don't know if that's fortunate or unfortunate."

Li Chen coughed, his gaze dropping to the swell of Li Bing's chest, and said in a flattering tone, "Cousin Li Bing, you're joking. We can't compare to you... But we still have to participate in the clan assembly, as it's the family's rule, so…"

Li Bing snorted, barely glancing at Li Chen, her gaze instead landing on Li Yi. Suddenly, she sneered, "Li Chen is one thing; after all, he's considered a genius in our Li family. But Li Yi, I didn't expect the most famous waste of Wanchao City to attend the clan assembly. Aren't you afraid of embarrassing our Patriarch?" Li Bing's condescending tone irked Li Yi. He hummed lightly, his eyes briefly scanning Li Bing's statuesque and perfect face, and then he smiled slightly, speaking softly, "Cousin Li Bing, if I remember correctly, you once said something..."

Li Bing, apparently not expecting Li Yi to talk back, looked him up and down with a flicker of surprise in her eyes. Clearly, she hadn't expected this famously useless cousin to have changed so much. She took a deep breath and asked indifferently, "What did I say?" Li Yi glanced at Li Chen and then said with a smile, "Cousin Li Chen must also remember. Back then, cousin Li Bing said... If either of us two wastes could defeat her, she would do anything we asked. I just wonder if you still remember that promise, cousin."

Li Chen's smile froze, and he couldn't even force a laugh. Li Bing's face slightly changed, and a chill seemed to emanate from her, freezing everything around her. Li Yi's words had clearly irritated her. But being a proud person, Li Bing stared at Li Yi and said slowly, "Of course, I remember! What kind of person am I, Li Bing, to go back on my words? Li Yi, if you can defeat me now, you can ask for anything! But if you lose, even our Patriarch won't be able to save you!"

Li Yi, seemingly admiring Li Bing's angry demeanor, flashed an attractive smile and said, "Then I look forward to facing you on the stage." Li Bing was even more annoyed by his attitude, but in such a setting, she had to restrain herself. If this provocation had happened elsewhere, she might have already drawn her sword. Watching Li Yi's changed demeanor, Li Chen was internally shocked, never expecting Li Yi to so easily provoke Li Bing. Feeling the tension, Li Chen was like an ant on a hot pan, struggling to find words, when suddenly the Fourth Elder called out a name from the stage. Li Chen, as if granted a reprieve, hurriedly said, "It's my turn to go on stage. Cousin Li Bing, cousin Li Yi, please continue, don't mind me…" Without finishing his sentence, he quickly dashed towards the stage, as if lacking the courage to stay a moment longer.

With a cold snort, Li Bing's hand, which had been gripping the sword hilt, relaxed. She glanced at Li Yi and said in a low voice, "Little brat, it seems you've grown somewhat over the years. But a waste is always a waste, that will never change. If you're wise, you should leave the Li family of your own accord. Wanchao's Li family is no place for a waste like you!" Having said this, as if releasing a pent-up breath, Li Bing's expression returned to its usual indifference. She turned and disappeared into the crowd...

Li Yi touched his nose with amusement, pondering whether it was astonishment or reflection. With his experience, he could tell that the impression young Li Yi had left on Li Bing was not just profound, but more than that...