133. The Trial of Liu Yuerong

Chapter 133: The Trial of Liu Yuerong

As the scrolls of martial arts were taken away by the elders, Li Tiangang also escorted everyone out of the courtyard. He then returned to his study to pick up the interrogation report he had been reading earlier. This was his second time going through it, ensuring there were no omissions.

Not long after, he finished reading it for the second time.

Li Tiangang stood in silence, staring at the training ground in the courtyard. There stood a dragon-sinew straw target, now tattered and covered in snow.

Thud! An arrow suddenly struck the center of the dragon-sinew target, its tail trembling slightly.

"See, I told you I could hit it!"

A child jumped excitedly, shouting in delight.

"Haha, not bad. With more practice, you might even surpass Second Brother," a young man with a sword at his waist said with a smile.

"Already surpassed. Seventh Brother's archery talent is better than mine," a tall, thin young man said with a smile, patting the child's head.

"Come on, you shot a big demon's head from thirty miles away. The entire army saw it," the swordsman said with admiration.

The tall, thin young man smiled without speaking. He then produced a curved knife from behind his back, saying to the child, "Last time, you said you wanted your own treasured blade. Look at this."

The child's eyes lit up with surprise and joy as he took the curved knife. "Second Brother, did you buy this for me?"

"No, I made it for you from the teeth and scales of a giant dragon I hunted," the swordsman said enviously.

"Thank you, Second Brother!"

The child was thrilled, playing with the curved knife in his hand.

From another part of the courtyard, the cry of a child rang out, strong and clear.

Both young men turned to look, smiling.

"Little Jiujiu wet the bed again."

They walked over, the child following them, their figures gradually fading into the distance.

The images of the past faded away, leaving behind the silent courtyard and the snow-covered target. The new dragon-sinew target had become old and worn.

The joyful voices were long gone, only the target remained, but those who shot arrows at it never returned.

Li Tiangang's hands clenched slightly. He took a deep breath and turned to leave the Shanhe Courtyard.

Yu Xuan and Li Fu wanted to follow but were stopped by his raised hand.

He didn't say a word, just walked with his hands behind his back, disappearing into the falling snow outside the courtyard.

Before long, Li Tiangang arrived at the Shuihua Courtyard.

He pushed open the door, and the guards at the entrance were stunned, their eyes showing a bit of fear. They quickly saluted.

Li Tiangang walked into the courtyard, where the sound of sword practice filled the air. A young man was practicing his swordsmanship.

The young man noticed him and stopped, his gaze cold and filled with anger.

Li Tiangang glanced at him and then continued towards a pavilion.

There, a graceful woman in a green dress stood by the railing, watching the young man practice.

Li Tiangang entered the pavilion from the side, and although the woman's expression didn't change much, her slightly pursed lips revealed her inner turmoil.

The pavilion fell into silence.

After a while, Li Tiangang spoke first, "Second Sister-in-law, the interrogation results have reached me. You personally signed off on them. Is there anything you want to add?"

Liu Yuerong remained still for a moment, then slowly said, "What do you want me to say, Tiangang? Do you want me to kneel and apologize to you or your son? Do you want him to kill us?"

As she spoke, she turned to face Li Tiangang, her black eyes staring at him.

Li Tiangang was silent for a moment before saying, "Since Second Sister-in-law admits to the charges, I will handle it according to the law."

"According to the law..."

Liu Yuerong's eyes filled with anger and hatred.

"Using the Thousand Spike Soul Gu to force a confession, I would have died in that prison if I hadn't confessed. Tiangang, you are ruthless. You're ruthless to your son and to us, an orphaned mother and child. Do you think you're worthy of your deceased brother?"

Li Tiangang looked at her face filled with anger and hatred, falling into silence.

How many times had he seen her with his second brother, always so gentle and smiling, always bringing him snacks and gifts from the market?

Back then, they were young, their faces full of carefree joy and ambition, unable to hide any secrets.

Now, as they stared at each other, it was hard to see into each other's hearts.

Time had changed everything.

"Second Sister-in-law, according to the national law, your title as a First Class National Lady will be stripped, demoting you to a commoner," Li Tiangang said, taking a deep breath. "According to family law, you intended to harm the legitimate heir, which would typically result in exile or death. But considering Second Brother's past contributions, you will remain in the Shuihua Courtyard. As long as the Li family stands, you will have a life of wealth and honor."

"A life of wealth and honor!"

Liu Yuerong's eyes were filled with hatred.

"Feng Ping was foolish. His talent was no less than yours, Tiangang. Qianfeng has divine blood. When he married me, he was already a Three Immortals. But he was foolish enough to block a sword for you, and even after being seriously injured, he still went to the front lines, leaving nothing but bones. He died when Qianfeng was just born!"

"He was born without a father!"

Li Tiangang's chest rose and fell slightly, silent like a stone.

"If it weren't for you, he wouldn't have died. If he hadn't died, after Xiao Jiu died, he would be the true dragon of the Li family!"

"If he were alive, you wouldn't bully an orphan and widow. If he were alive, I wouldn't have had to poison your monstrous son!"

"This is all your fault!"

Liu Yuerong's emotions were on the verge of collapse, her cries filled with anger and sorrow.

Outside the courtyard, a young figure suddenly appeared, standing between Liu Yuerong and Li Tiangang, his eyes filled with cold fury.

"I will take responsibility for my mother's actions. You can't punish her!"

Li Qianfeng said coldly.

Li Tiangang looked at those cold eyes, feeling a stab of pain. Those eyes looked familiar; he had seen them recently.

By seniority, he should call him uncle.

But the boy's eyes were filled with indifference, even hostility.

Liu Yuerong quickly pushed Li Qianfeng away, her face pale. "Don't involve yourself. This has nothing to do with you. Go away!"

Li Tiangang had already seen that Liu Yuerong's confession wasn't just due to the interrogation's torture. She didn't want to involve her son further, knowing no one believed her innocence.

"Tiangang, you can imprison me, but Qianfeng is innocent. He's still young and knows nothing," Liu Yuerong said angrily.

"I will act fairly. Qianfeng did nothing wrong. As long as he doesn't break any laws or family rules, I won't interfere," Li Tiangang said calmly.

Hearing this, Liu Yuerong relaxed, her shoulders shaking as she cried and laughed.

"Feng Ping, you have a good brother..."

Her words were filled with both sarcasm and sadness.

Li Tiangang remained silent, looking deeply at her and then at the young man.

"Qianfeng, the result of the True Dragon competition doesn't count. You and Hao'er can compete again. I'll give Hao'er three years, and you the same. If you can defeat Hao'er in three years, the True Dragon position is yours."

Li Qianfeng's body trembled, staring at him.

"Really?"

Li Tiangang didn't repeat himself. The boy didn't even call him uncle, showing their emotional distance. He had no more warmth left.

Liu Yuerong, however, knew Li Tiangang well enough to trust his words. She laughed, saying, "Tiangang, after Father left, you haven't changed at all. Your son won, but who can beat that monster?"

"Even if you have a bit of favoritism, why not just give him the True Dragon position? Why go through this unnecessary trouble? You Li family men are all stubborn, incredibly stupid!"

Li Tiangang looked at her, his emotions already calm.

"Maybe. But the people of Dayu need such stubborn men. Your Liu family scholars are clever, but what have they done over the years? They have embezzled, relying on the Li family's protection to evade taxes. Did you think I didn't know?"

Liu Yuerong's face turned pale.

"If you don't want people to know, don't do it."

Li Tiangang turned and left the Shuihua Courtyard.

The captain of the guards approached, bowing to receive orders.

"Seal the courtyard. She is not to step out."

Li Tiangang gave the order and walked away.

...

In the Piaoxue Courtyard.

After returning, Li Xuanli asked his wife, Gao Qingqing, to prepare his things, planning to leave for Liangzhou as soon as possible. Speed was crucial, and with the potential demon threat in Liangzhou, he didn't intend to stay home long.

"Father, are you going to Liangzhou to fight demons?"

Three figures entered the main hall, and Li Wushuang's eyes lit up.

"Yes."

Li Xuanli smiled at his three children, motioning them closer.

"When I'm gone, listen to your mother. Don't be naughty, understand?"

"Father, are you going to Tianmen Pass to guard with him?" Li Wushuang asked quickly.

Li Yun and Li Zhining also looked at their father expectantly.

"Tianmen Pass?"

Li Xuanli was surprised but understood who she meant. His expression changed slightly, and he sighed.

"I'm going to the Liangzhou Li family camp. Tianmen Pass is a dangerous border. The army has withdrawn, and I don't know when that child will return. Hopefully, he won't stay for three years. If demons invade, it will be very dangerous there..."

He spoke, his face full of worry.

Li Wushuang and the others were surprised, their eyes showing concern.

"Father, if Liangzhou is dangerous, you should inform him, right?" Li Wushuang frowned.

Li Xuanli nodded slightly. "Once I reach Liangzhou, I'll send a military report to warn him. It's best if he returns directly. That child is stubborn. What can't be resolved between father and son?"

Gao Qingqing rolled her eyes at him. "Don't meddle in their business. Just take care of yourself in Liangzhou. If you write to him, tell him his Fifth Aunt has his favorite beef jade pastries waiting for him at home."

Li Xuanli nodded, smiling as he held his wife's hand.

Then he turned to his children. "The world is unstable now, with demons causing trouble. Don't be arrogant with your skills. Stay humble."

"Father, I want to go to Liangzhou," Li Wushuang said.

"Me too," Li Yun added.

Li Zhining didn't speak but looked at his father with big, hopeful eyes.

Li Xuanli rolled his eyes, feeling his words were wasted. "I can't take care of you. Don't cause trouble."

"Father, they can't go, but I can," Li Wushuang said, betraying her siblings. "I need to train. The True Dragon competition showed me how far behind I am. I need to hunt demons and train!"

Li Yun and Li Zhining looked at their sister, feeling betrayed.

They felt like they were just there to make her look good.

Li Xuanli heard his daughter's determination and thought for a moment. "Alright, with your skills, it will be good for you to see the army."

"Father..."

Li Yun and Li Zhining protested.

"Don't even think about it."

"Father, you're playing favorites!"

"Yes, I am. If you disobey, I'll spank you!"

...

Liangzhou, Tianmen Pass.

In the small courtyard within the pass.

As the fire died down, Li Hao saw that Song Qiumo and Feng Lao had finished eating. He smiled, patted his back, and stood up.

"The weather is nice today. Shall we go for a walk and kill some demons?"

Song Qiumo was puzzled. "You just got the sword manual. Aren't you going to practice?"

"Practicing the sword is best done in real combat," Li Hao smiled.

"I think you just want me to help kill more demons," Song Qiumo said, seeing through him but not angry.

"Just to work off the food," Li Hao smiled.

"Alright, I've been bored here. I'll go with you," Song Qiumo said.

Feng Boping said indifferently, "With her by your side, that's enough. I won't go."

Li Hao knew the old man wanted to stay and guard the pass, so he nodded. He took the Dragonshao Sword from Ren Qianqian.

"Can I go too?" Ren Qianqian asked quickly.

"You're too weak. Stay here and train. When you break through, I'll send you to the martial temple," Li Hao said.

Ren Qianqian nodded, knowing she was too weak to keep up.

Li Hao, with the little white fox on his shoulder, walked out of the camp, sword in hand. He released his spirit, scanning the area around Tianmen Pass.

Soon, he found some demons forty miles away.

With Song Qiumo by his side, Li Hao had no fear of a four-rank demon king attack. He charged ahead with his sword.

With a hiss, the Dragonshao Sword shot out like a long rainbow, cutting down several demons in the forest from twenty miles away.

The sword light was white, like a silver dragon, slicing through the demons as if through tofu, annihilating their souls.

The demons didn't even know what happened.

Li Hao flew over mountains and forests, leaving behind the bodies of countless demons.

He aimed to clear the area of demons, making it a forbidden zone for them.

Song Qiumo followed him, rarely needing to intervene. She knew Li Hao wanted her there just in case of a demon king attack.

Li Hao killed demons with his sword, using his fishing line and hook to gain fishing experience.

After several days, the area within a hundred miles of Tianmen Pass was free of demons. Li Hao had gained 20,000 fishing points, still 80,000 short of the 100,000 needed for the next level.

He began clearing areas further away.

...

A thousand miles from Tianmen Pass.

At the peak of a great mountain surrounded by mountains was a dojo.

The dojo was shrouded in mist, with morning bells ringing.

On the large dojo sat numerous figures in plain robes, with top knots like immortal priests.

But on closer inspection, these figures had horns or scales on their heads.

Their robes had holes for various tails. Their clasped hands were human or clawed.

This was the Dragon Mountain Dojo.

In the back of the dojo, an old man in a robe sat meditating by a waterfall.

Suddenly, he opened his eyes, a cold light flashing.

"What brings you here?" he asked coldly.

Behind him, a seductive woman in a red dress appeared, half of her face marked with flower-like patterns. She smiled seductively.

"Dragon Lord, I heard your disciples fell at Tianmen Pass. Such a pity," she said softly.

"Are you here to fight?" the old man asked coldly.

"I'm here to comfort you. How could I anger you?"

The woman smiled innocently, blinking. "I'm here to ask if you've considered our proposal. Will you join our army? It's a rare opportunity."

The old man frowned, silent.

"What are you worried about? The real person of the Qiandao Palace won't come out."

The woman said softly, "Otherwise, the capital would fall to ashes."

"This is a rare opportunity. These humans expanded recklessly, pushing us to the edges of the wilderness. We should have fought back long ago!"

Her face showed a hint of killing intent.

The old man slowly said, "If we attack Liangzhou, which direction will you take?"

"Originally, we planned to attack directly from Tianmen Pass."

The woman smiled seductively.

"But recent intelligence suggests the Li family in Qingzhou is in turmoil. The greatest talent in Dayu's history has left home and been exiled here. He is protected by a fourth-rank master. You must have encountered him."

"So, continuing from Tianmen Pass would mean facing a fourth-rank master early, causing unnecessary losses."

"We've changed our route."

"This pass has become a hard bone. We'll bypass it, flatten Liangzhou, and then deal with this small pass. It will be nothing then."