Shocking News

"So, what you mean, Family Head, is..." the second elder hesitated.

"For now, let's just watch," Li Han said gravely. "Remember, keep a low profile these days. I've heard that people from the Ye family in the imperial city are coming in a day or two. Don't stir up trouble, especially you! Understand?" Li Han's playful glance swept over Li Yi, who felt a slight jolt in his heart, realizing that his adoptive father wasn't unaware of everything. Li Yi could only nod slightly, "Yes... Father..."

"Good that you understand," Li Han nodded. "You three go down and make arrangements. Keep the family members from reaching out too far." The three elders stood up, bowed slightly, and then retreated slowly.

In the study, only the father and son remained. Li Han's enigmatic gaze slowly swept over Li Yi, who felt his heart racing. Finally, Li Han asked indifferently, "Ye Qingma is really dead?"

Li Yi's breath hitched, but he soon replied with a light chuckle, "Father, you're joking with me again. Whether Ye Qingma is dead or not... I'm not quite sure. You know, I've been cultivating these past few days and was only awakened by Cousin Li Bing today."

"Is that so?" Li Han nodded slightly. "But, the day you met him at Tianxiang Tower, he threatened you, and that same night he died... If you say it's unrelated to you, how many people would believe that?"

Li Yi took a deep breath. Indeed, considering this point, he was the most likely suspect. But simultaneously, because of his age and level, the suspicion might be reduced. But his father's words indicated he must know something. Li Yi could only nod innocently, "I've confirmed it. Ye Qingma is dead beyond doubt."

"Good... After all, if we offend the Ye family and get caught, our Li family can't bear their wrath. Yi'er, I'm not saying you did wrong, but I want to tell you, whatever you do in the future, make sure you cover your tracks well. One careless move can lead to disaster. Remember, you're not just yourself; you carry the burden of the entire Li family and hundreds of people. Do you understand?" Li Han said with a rare seriousness.

Li Yi touched his nose, replying solemnly, "I understand, Father. The loose ends have already been taken care of. The only one who might suspect me is probably Long Aotian... But, I think he doesn't have the guts to betray me."

"Is that so?" Li Han looked at Li Yi with a half-smile. "Then, the incident in Blood Wolf Town was also arranged by you? Yin Tianjie died at your hands?"

Li Yi knew denial was pointless and sighed lightly, "Yes..."

"Did you cover your tracks?"

"Father, please rest assured. The Dragon family can't swallow Blood Wolf Town."

"That's good," Li Han nodded slightly, his heart mixed with emotions. After a moment, he scolded with a smile, "You little devil, not to mention Ye Qingma, even with Yin Tianjie, I wouldn't be sure of killing him. But you, on the other hand, managed to eliminate him easily... However, I don't quite believe you did it all on your own. Tell me the truth... did you encounter some fortuitous event apart from cultivating the technique left by your mother? Did you meet a good teacher or inherit something from a predecessor?" Li Han probed.

Li Yi didn't expect his father to be so astute. Concealing it now seemed pointless. He sighed, "Yes, I did have a bit of a fortunate encounter and met a decent teacher... As for Ye Qingma and Yin Tianjie, I didn't have the strength to kill them easily. It was the teacher who intervened."

"That strange technique you use, was it taught by him?" Li Han asked casually, sipping tea.

"Yes," Li Yi responded lightly. "But if you're interested, Father..."

"No need!" Li Han waved his hand. Although he was indeed interested in Li Yi's technique, he wouldn't risk offending Li Yi's mysterious teacher. "But if you have a chance, try to invite your teacher to our Li family. As a father, I should thank him properly."

Li Yi shook his head, "Father, my teacher is a bit peculiar. Meeting him is probably not possible... But rest assured, if he had any ill intentions towards me, he could have taken my life easily. Why would he bother nurturing me so attentively?"

Li Han nodded, then tapped the desk, "In that case, let it be. But Yi'er, since you have a teacher now, perhaps you shouldn't go to the God Sacrifice Ritual."

Seeing Li Han's concerned expression, Li Yi shook his head helplessly, "I'm afraid that's not possible. The teacher has already instructed me to cultivate at the site of the God Sacrifice Ritual. It will be highly beneficial for my breakthrough to Warrior. There, I can shorten a lot of time..."

Li Han's eyes flashed with surprise. Warrior! When he himself broke through to the Warrior level, he was nearly thirty years old. But looking at Li Yi now, he seemed confident of achieving it soon. "Well then, be careful," Li Han finally said.

But recalling how he transformed from a nobody to a Fighter in just three months, the idea of him breaking through to Warrior seemed highly plausible. This peculiar thought left Li Han feeling helpless, leading him to nod slightly, "If your teacher has instructed so, then let it be... In the next few days, I'll inform the Martial Deity Hall. Since you're going, prepare well. You don't need to worry about family affairs for now; others will handle them. Focus solely on your cultivation."

"There's another matter..." After hesitating, Li Han spoke softly, "You saw Bing'er today, didn't you?"

Li Yi nodded, "I saw Cousin Li Bing."

"Did she... tell you anything?" Li Han's expression was curious.

"Tell me what?" Li Yi was confused.

Li Han scrutinized Li Yi carefully and, after confirming his ignorance, hesitated before speaking, "Normally, I wouldn't interfere in young people's affairs, but this time... I can't just stand by... Well, if that girl doesn't want to say it, let me do it."

"Do you know why Bing'er returned this time?" Li Han asked solemnly.

Li Yi chuckled bitterly, "Father, just speak directly. Don't beat around the bush."

"Alright, I'll be direct," Li Han nodded. "Originally, Bing'er was studying at Roland Academy, and she couldn't graduate without advancing to Warrior... But this time is a special case..."

"So what exactly..." Li Yi started.

"This time," Li Han continued slowly, "Bing'er's parents, who were high-ranking members of our Li family, perished on a mission a few years ago... But while they were alive, they arranged a marriage for Bing'er. This time, she has actually returned to get married..."

"Crack—" The teacup in Li Yi's hand turned to powder in an instant, a bizarre feeling overwhelming him, leaving him inexplicably flustered. After a moment, he took a deep breath, "When is she getting married?"

"In a month," Li Han replied.

"Who is the groom..." Li Yi inquired.

"Nalan He of the Nalan family in Yunshui City, over a hundred miles away from Wanchao City..."

"I see," Li Yi stood up slowly. "Thank you, Father, for telling me about this today."

Li Han chuckled bitterly, "Yi'er, I should have let Bing'er tell you... But she's always been obedient and stubborn... I was afraid she'd never say, and you don't usually involve yourself in family matters. If you only found out a month later, who knows what you might do, so I had to... But boy, I must warn you, don't think about solving the problem by getting rid of Nalan He. You must know, big families value face. If Nalan He dies, Bing'er might just end up a widow there, and calling off the marriage is unlikely... So, don't do anything rash!"

Li Yi smiled faintly, "Father, rest assured, I have a month. Why would I act rashly... That icy woman willing to get married is a good thing. Why would I interfere? Father, you worry too much!" After finishing, Li Yi stood up, bowed slightly, and rushed out of the study like a whirlwind.

Seeing his reaction, Li Han wore a bittersweet expression. His beloved son was becoming more and more enigmatic. "Well, children have their own luck... I can't control this anymore!"

As he finished speaking, Li Han grabbed a letter on the desk, crumpling it into countless pieces. In the fragments, the name 'Nalan' could faintly be seen...

"This damned woman! This damned woman! This damned woman!" Li Yi muttered angrily, although he had only met this icy woman twice. For some reason, hearing this news made him feel an uncontrollable rage. His first impulse was to find her and teach her a harsh lesson.

Returning to his room, Li Yi paced restlessly in the Li family courtyard, his natural aura deterring everyone, from the younger generation to the guards, who steered clear of the angry young master. After circling around for a while without finding anyone, his frustration grew. Finally, he grabbed a passing guard and demanded, "Have you seen Li Bing?"

"Miss Li Bing is... in the back mountain..." The guard, sensing Li Yi's urgency, didn't dare to waste words.

"The back mountain? Good!" Li Yi sneered, darting towards the back mountain. A few guards gathered, whispering, "Why is the young master so furious?"

"Did Miss Li Bing offend him?"

"Seems like they've been at odds for a long time... I heard Miss Li Bing mocked him before the clan conference, but who would've thought Li Yi would become so powerful? She must be regretting it now!"

"Shh, quiet, Nana is coming... Don't talk too much..."

As they spoke, Li Nana turned the corner, noticing Li Yi's fleeting figure and frowning thoughtfully...