145. Give me a step up

Chapter 145: Give me a step up

Hearing Li Muxiu's words, the others in the room reacted subtly, some glancing at Li Tiangang, others lowering their heads in silence.

Li Tiangang did not react to Li Muxiu's taunts; he remained silent.

Li Muxiu, somewhat surprised by this, had expected his words to provoke an angry outburst.

Had he regretted it?

A thought struck him just as he heard He Jianlan speak, "Second Uncle, you should read this letter from Xuanli."

Li Muxiu, surprised, glanced at He Jianlan and noticed her peculiar expression. He quickly unfolded the military report.

His pupils dilated slightly, revealing a hint of astonishment.

That brat actually killed a Great Demon of the Three Immortals Realm?!

Li Muxiu prided himself on understanding Li Hao well, but now, the boy's rate of improvement was beyond his imagination, once again pushing the boundaries of talent in the Great Yu Divine Dynasty.

Defeating all the grandmasters was already impressive, but now he could kill a Three Immortals Demon King, and it was even an Undying Realm Little Demon King!

If the report hadn't mentioned multiple grandmasters witnessing it, Li Muxiu would have suspected a mistake.

"Hao'er, Hao'er..."

Li Muxiu's lips trembled slightly, his heart more excited than anyone else's, as if he could see the Li family approaching its most glorious era.

However.

His eyes soon dimmed again, a pang of pain striking his heart.

Turning angrily towards Li Tiangang, seeing his silent demeanor, he felt a mix of anger and despair.

Blaming Li Tiangang was now meaningless; he wondered if the boy would ever return.

"Longxiao Sword, that famed weapon is said to be in the royal family's treasury, yet now it's in Hao'er's hands. Did the Emperor grant it? When did this happen?" Gao Qingqing murmured, holding the letter.

Hearing this, Chen Hefang, seated nearby, was momentarily stunned, suddenly thinking of the Yongye Sword.

If Yongye were in that child's hands, it would surely gain fame with him.

But now, Yongye lay dormant here, just like Xiao Jiu, quietly sealed in darkness.

The council hall fell into silence as everyone absorbed the news.

None had expected that the boy who had left the Divine General's Mansion not long ago would soon shock the world with his abilities.

When Li Tiangang had angrily scolded the youth, claiming his success was due to the Divine General's Mansion, none of them had spoken, but they had all silently agreed to some extent.

Everyone present had basked in the glory of this millennia-old legacy. High-ranking officials treated them with respect, all because of the Divine General's Mansion behind them.

But now, people's focus was no longer on the youth's identity but on his extraordinary talent!

"Tiangang, why aren't you speaking?"

Li Muxiu looked at the silent Li Tiangang, saying, "If you regret it, there's still time to go to Tianmen Pass and apologize to that child. Don't wait until three years have passed, and everything has become empty talk!"

Hearing their second uncle's words, the many wives in the room were stunned and looked at Li Tiangang.

Li Tiangang's eyes slowly regained focus. He glanced at Li Muxiu, noting the anger hidden in his eyes. His lips twitched slightly:

"Second Uncle, you've seen the child's talent, but do you approve of his actions?"

"Hmm?"

Li Muxiu frowned, "What do you mean?"

"Humiliating the Buddha's disciple in public, shaming Wuliang Mountain, making enemies with the Buddha Lord, and suppressing all the grandmasters in the world — how many connections and influences do these grandmasters have? How many people can he anger?"

Li Tiangang said slowly.

Li Muxiu angrily replied, "Are we supposed to let others bully us? Are you scared?!"

"Scared?"

Li Tiangang shook his head slightly. "Second Uncle, you lost to my father in the competition for the True Dragon position. Grandfather's choice was correct; your sense of the bigger picture is lacking."

"Are you lecturing me?!" Li Muxiu's eyes filled with cold anger.

Li Tiangang looked at him calmly and said, "Our Li family respects the royal family but fears no one else. Wuliang Mountain interfered in our family's affairs, and I haven't settled that score yet!"

"These grandmasters and their connections mean nothing against my Fa Character Camp and Yuan Character Camp."

"Who dares to speak a word against us outside the Divine General's Mansion?"

Li Muxiu coldly replied, "Then what did you mean by your earlier words?"

Li Tiangang said, "I never doubted Hao'er's talent, but his actions are too extreme and reckless!"

"He's still young, and I can forgive many things, but forgiveness doesn't mean allowance and indulgence, or he'll become like you all."

"If he can't accept any criticism, what kind of success can he achieve?"

"Take this incident, for example."

He picked up the letter and tossed it to Li Muxiu, saying, "If the Buddha's disciple provoked him, defeating him would be enough. This would gain him fame, and even if the opponent was angry, they wouldn't retaliate immediately. If they did, people would see Wuliang Mountain as petty."

"But by humiliating him, if they retaliate later and the matter is exposed, people will find it justified!"

"The same goes for the grandmasters. They are nothing in front of the Li family, but dealing with their underhanded schemes every day is exhausting."

"He always chooses the worst option when better ones are available!"

Li Tiangang stared at Li Muxiu, saying, "This is the flaw you've pampered into him. His actions indeed vent anger and feel satisfying, but what about the consequences?"

"A child can be willful, but adults must learn restraint!"

"Releasing anger without care, if he were carrying the True Dragon identity of the Li family, his actions would represent the Li family's stance!"

"It would seem like the Li family intends to suppress all grandmasters, making them unable to raise their heads!"

"Public opinion is like water; it can carry a boat but also overturn it!"

"People respect the Divine General's Mansion not only because we guard Great Yu and shed blood on the battlefield but also because we never bully civilians or abuse our power."

"Simply put, force can suppress rebellion, but only magnanimity can win hearts!"

"He will lead armies in the future. You've heard stories of generals who mistreated their subordinates, only to have their throats slit in their sleep, haven't you?"

Li Muxiu was stunned, taking a deep breath, "Well said. You indeed have enough magnanimity for your soldiers and subordinates, and your heart can encompass all the people of Qingzhou. So why can't you make room for one more child, especially since he's your own son!"

"Because he's my son, he's different." Li Tiangang said each word deliberately.

Li Muxiu laughed, saying, "He saved the people of Da Yue City and previously saved Cangyu City, earning a noble title. Did you have such achievements at fourteen? How do you know he hasn't won the people's hearts and love?"

"The public is like water, and grandmasters are like hands; the water can be directed by the hands. Sometimes the flow of water depends on how the hands move." Li Tiangang coldly replied.

Li Muxiu glared at him, "So, what do you mean? Do you really want to wait for three years to pass?"

Li Tiangang looked at him, then at the letter, and after a moment of silence, he said slowly,

"With the help of your old friend and his own strength, guarding Tianmen Pass is not difficult."

"But now that he's killed the Little Demon King of Ten Thousand Mountains, the Ten Thousand Mountains Demon King won't let him go. Even with your old friend's protection, it's hard to ensure his safety. If the Demon King allies with other demon kings to avenge his son's death, he'll be in great danger."

Li Muxiu raised an eyebrow, saying, "I didn't think you'd consider that."

Ignoring the sarcasm, Li Tiangang said, "I'll write a letter. He's young and impetuous; I'll give him a step down."

Li Muxiu secretly breathed a sigh of relief, saying, "Since you've decided this, I suggest you go personally."

"No time."

Li Tiangang shook his head slightly, tapping his fingers on the table:

"Second Uncle, don't forget what we were discussing. Liangzhou is vast, and the demon calamity appearing in Da Yue City shows these demons are restless. I need to visit Dayu Prefecture and see the Emperor."

Li Muxiu frowned, considering his temperament. If he went personally, it might backfire.

So, he didn't insist.

Regardless, the willingness to apologize was a good sign.

He sighed inwardly, then thought of Feng Boping.

He could almost imagine his old friend's smug expression.

He felt a pang of annoyance, thinking Feng Boping must have known about Li Hao's situation but didn't tell him, likely to see his surprised reaction now.

"Old rascal, I'll get you next time." Li Muxiu thought.

...

...

Wuliang Mountain, Pure Land of Brahma.

In the depths of the mountains, within the highest Pure Land.

Golden Buddhist light shone everywhere, with steps leading up from the secular world to the mountain's foot, where people, both humble and noble, came to burn incense and pray.

At the peak, within a Pure Land bathed in spiritual light and protected by formations.

Wuliang Buddha sat on a lotus throne, his expression serene and compassionate. Beside him were two Bodhisattvas, one being Lin Wujing, the other a female Bodhisattva with a calm demeanor but a slightly furrowed brow.

Kneeling before them were several figures, including two Buddha disciples.

"I am aware of the events in Liangzhou."

Wuliang Buddha's voice was warm, resonant but not harsh, gentle like water:

"The talent of that youth is unparalleled, the greatest in Dayu. Your defeat at his hands is not something to dwell on. It was destined."

The two disciples, Qin Wuque and Li Qianfeng, felt a jolt of realization, mixed with shame and a touch of relief and bitterness.

As prodigies, their defeat was humiliating. Hearing their master imply they were outmatched comforted them slightly.

"Golden Vajra."

Wuliang Buddha spoke softly, "You have three years. Stay on the mountain and cultivate. If you reach the Heavenly Human Realm, you will have a chance to compete with him for the True Dragon position. If not, remain in my sect as an Arhat Bodhisattva, free from worldly entanglements. The Divine General's Mansion guards the people; our sect saves all beings."

Li Qianfeng, heart trembling, bowed deeply:

"Yes, Master."

Beside him, Qin Wuque, eyes dim with bitterness, brightened slightly, questioning the Buddha:

"Master, I am unworthy. The youth's mastery of martial arts is terrifying. Even if Golden Vajra reaches the Heavenly Human Realm, can he still be defeated?"

His question was not one of doubt but seeking an answer. He knew the Master had reasons for his words.

"The world's strength has no set rule. Flowers bloom in March and fall in September. If you can bloom in September, does it matter if you're less vibrant?"

"Dragons, though powerful, cannot cross rivers; birds, though weak, can traverse mountains."

Wuliang Buddha said softly, "Everything has its order. Talented individuals face great adversity; overreaching leads to downfall. That child's path is already perilous."

They were confused, not understanding. Did it mean Li Hao's arrogance would lead to his downfall?

"Go now and meditate. Overcome your inner demons to continue progressing."

"Remember, all perceptions are illusions; all worldly actions are dreams. Only through transcendence can you truly understand!"