132. War

Chapter 132: War

Returning so many techniques at once shows how determined that child is to sever ties with Li Tiangang!

Seeing Li Tiangang's dark face, He Jianlan sighed and said:

"Tiangang, after all, you are his father. Don't hold grudges against Hao'er. If not for the open-mindedness of our elders, your marriage to Qingqing would have faced countless obstacles, and your children would have been subjected to all kinds of criticism."

"Everyone says Hao'er is lucky, but where is his luck? Although he was born into a prestigious family with riches, you and Qingqing have never accompanied him. That child waited fourteen years for you, and just after a few days of reuniting, you two had such a big fallout."

"If this continues, your father-son relationship will truly be over."

"Old Seven."

Li Xuanli's eyes were complex as he said, "I've observed Hao'er. He's really not as bad as you say. If he were my son, I would be overjoyed. He treats people with proper manners, never reckless. Besides, you've seen the interrogation results..."

He paused, eyes flashing with a trace of realization, then sighed.

"Seventh Brother, you can't blame Hao'er for that slap Yunmeng received," Li Fenghua couldn't help but say.

As he spoke, he glared fiercely at his wife, Wang Xiangru.

Wang Xiangru returned his glare, unafraid.

Li Fenghua, filled with anger, clenched his fists but eventually released them.

Recalling his father's teaching, a man's fists are meant to conquer the world, not to hit his wife.

This was why he had endured for so many years.

"Seventh Brother, even if you think Hao'er is carefree, his cultivation is undeniably ahead of his peers. Given his talent and the ability to enjoy life, why push him so hard?"

Jiang Xian'er said gently.

Listening to everyone's persuasion, Li Tiangang kept a stern face, not speaking.

How could he not understand these words? He did feel a bit of regret, but every time he thought of that child's cold face, he became furious.

Especially returning these techniques, such a resolute attitude—he's his father!

Blood is thicker than water. Even if he misjudged, could the child just draw a sword on him?

And all over some beast, breaking ties with him.

How much affection does that child really have for his father?

"Severing ties won't be easy."

Li Tiangang took a deep breath, eyes cold, "I don't know how he got these techniques, but what he owes the Li family is more than this."

"Three years guarding the border is no small matter. Liangzhou is about to erupt in chaos!"

His words left everyone startled.

Concerned for the millions in Liangzhou, Li Xuanli asked, "Old Seven, what do you mean?"

Li Tiangang looked at him and decided there was no need to keep some secrets anymore.

Besides, he planned to address this soon anyway.

"Do you know why I ordered the retreat from Tianmen Pass and called Hongzhuang back?"

"That place has been guarded by our Third and Sixth brothers for years. We've sacrificed countless soldiers and shed so much blood there. Retreating would mean abandoning everything!"

Li Tiangang's eyes turned icy and stern, "It's not that we don't want to defend, nor that His Majesty doesn't want to, but it's indefensible!"

"Liangzhou's border is gathering monsters, preparing to wage war. Tianmen Pass will be the first barrier!"

"Recently, three Dead Rivers appeared in Liangzhou, all of Ghost King level. A city was affected, half of it disappearing overnight, with countless casualties."

"The Wang family elders have gone to destroy these Dead Rivers, hoping to temporarily stop their spread."

"The monsters plan to use this opportunity to invade Daxia through Liangzhou."

"These monsters have long eyed our Daxia, seeing our vast lands as a feast and our people as food. Recently, the Xia family suffered heavy losses, with two Four Realm monster kings invading, causing the death of one of their elders!"

Everyone was shocked by these revelations.

The core intelligence network of the Li family, controlled by Li Tiangang, revealed alarming events outside.

"Tiangang, if Liangzhou is so dangerous, why send Hao'er there?" He Jianlan asked, concerned.

Li Tiangang coldly replied, "I intended to toughen him up. Who knew he had a Four Realm protector, defying me!"

He glanced at Li Muxiu.

Li Muxiu angrily retorted, "Without a Four Realm protector, do you think Li He alone could protect your son?"

"Don't forget his talent is now known. Enemies of our Li family won't just watch him grow strong!"

"At his most vulnerable, you pushed him out of Qingzhou, out of our stronghold, into the wilderness. Are you trying to get him killed?!"

Li Tiangang, suppressing his anger, retorted:

"If not for your spoiling, would Hao'er have run away? Would he have the nerve to sever ties now?!"

"You!"

Li Muxiu, face red with rage, trembled, unable to speak.

"Tiangang, the second uncle means well, you shouldn't speak like this." He Jianlan, pale, intervened.

Others looked at Li Muxiu. Although this elder stayed in the Shenjiang Mansion, his past actions had strained relations with their father, leading to mixed feelings among them.

Only He Jianlan was close to him, understanding his temper.

Others were unsure how to mediate.

Li Tiangang, controlling his anger, took a deep breath and turned to his fifth brother, Li Xuanli:

"Fifth Brother, I intended to discuss this later, but given the situation, I plan to send you to Liangzhou to assess things. I'll lead the army when the monsters attack."

Li Xuanli nodded seriously, "Understood, leave it to me. I've rested enough since my injury, and I should have gone to the last battle in Yanbei."

Li Tiangang shook his head, "No need for such distinctions."

Li Xuanli, eyes moist, held back his emotions.

Li Fenghua offered, "Old Seven, let me know if you need anything."

"Eighth Brother, guard Cangzhou well. It's a place Xiao Jiu reclaimed with his life, it cannot be lost," Li Tiangang said sternly.

Li Fenghua nodded, understanding. This was why he diligently guarded Cangzhou, rarely returning to Shenjiang Mansion.

His absence led to his children being overly spoiled by his wife. Upon his return, disciplining them became nearly impossible.

Moreover, his wife, relying on her Wang family background, showed no fear of him.

Thus, witnessing Li Tiangang's conflict with Li Hao, he felt a deep sense of empathy, naturally siding more with Li Tiangang, understanding his paternal frustration.

"Alright, Fifth Brother, prepare and set off soon. Early assessment is key. Don't worry about Tianmen Pass."

Li Tiangang instructed.

Li Xuanli hesitated, "What about Hao'er..."

"He has Four Realm protection. If things go wrong, he'll return unless he seeks death!" Li Tiangang coldly stated.

Li Xuanli's face changed slightly, but he sighed inwardly, saying nothing.

"Elders, take these techniques to Tingyu Tower."

Li Tiangang respectfully said to the elders.

They nodded lightly, uninterested in the family drama, having always been dutiful.

"What about these three absolute techniques..."

One elder hesitated.

Li Tiangang remembered the letter, his face darkening.

"What about the absolute techniques?" He Jianlan asked, puzzled.

The elder, gentle in tone, replied, "Madam, Young Master Li Hao stated that if we record these absolute techniques, we must ensure they are not learned by Li Qianfeng."

Everyone was stunned, exchanging glances, surprised he still remembered this.

However, considering the conflict over this matter, it was understandable.

"Additionally, an alternative is for Qianfeng to learn these techniques but never inherit the Li family's True Dragon position," another elder added.

He Jianlan looked at Li Tiangang, "Is this true?"

Li Tiangang nodded grimly.

They exchanged looks, relieved Liu Yuerong wasn't present, or she'd be furious.

"This child has calculated everything," He Jianlan smiled faintly.

Li Tiangang snorted, "Using three techniques to coerce us, he's cunning, not childlike!"

"He's clever, not cunning!" Li Muxiu couldn't help but argue.

Li Tiangang frowned but remained silent.

Li Xuanli pondered, "Hao'er's move isn't a threat. He's using an open strategy. If Qianfeng learns these techniques and becomes the True Dragon, he'll always be inferior to Hao'er. If they duel, Qianfeng would be defeated instantly."

"Even if Qianfeng learns, he won't have True Dragon's authority, becoming a tool for Hao'er."

"What about others?" Wang Xiangru asked, worried for her children.

Li Xuanli glanced at her, "Others... the gap is vast. Learning or not makes little difference."

Wang Xiangru felt humiliated but couldn't argue.

Among the next generation, only the Buddha's disciple might catch up to Hao'er.

Others, even with flawless techniques, couldn't match Hao'er's vast lead.

But she still harbored some resentment.

Time levels all differences. Current gaps might close over decades of stagnation at high levels.

Her children, though not outstanding now, had the combined advantages of Wang and Li families, something Hao'er couldn't match, offering future rivalry potential.

Thinking of this, she felt a bit better, but when she looked at Li Xuanli, she found him less pleasing to the eye and let out a cold snort in her heart.

"After all, the benefits outweigh the drawbacks. Whether or not Qianfeng chooses to practice them is up to him. If he does, it means he is willing to be overshadowed by Hao'er. If he doesn't, he can always choose to practice other absolute techniques."

"Exactly. The Tingyu Tower has many absolute techniques. As long as he masters another one and perfects it, it can also break all other techniques."

After some discussion, everyone agreed that they should accept the three absolute techniques.

Seeing this, Li Tiangang also had the same intention and said no more.