Chapter 210 - 209: The Old Ancestor is Furious

Chapter 210: Chapter 209: The Old Ancestor is Furious

After Liu Xiong left the study, Old Ancestor Li sat before his heavy desk, his chest heaving as he struggled to calm the raging fire within him. How dare that man be so arrogant! How dare he stand in the center of the Li family mansion and rashly announce his intention to marry his grandson yet didn’t take him seriously... utterly absurd!

Old Ancestor Li had initially thought that talking to Liu Xiong would at least clear up some of his doubts, but it only left him with more questions.

He knew almost nothing about Liu Xiong’s background, nor did he know his cultivation level. He didn’t know what kind of force could produce someone so young-looking and yet so powerful.

What frustrated him most was that Liu Xiong was relaxed throughout, not seeming bothered, leaving him with a terrible headache.

Old Ancestor Li sat alone for a while and made another decision. Since Liu Xiong refused to reveal the truth, he would go find Li Jain.

Surely his own grandson would be easier to question. At least, that was what he thought.

The Old Master could no longer remain seated. He summoned a clan guard and ordered him: "Bring Li Jain to the study immediately."

Li Jain arrived not long after being summoned. When he entered the study, his grandfather was already sitting at the table with an unpleasant expression.

Li Jain: "Grandpa, did you call me?"

Old ancestor Li poured himself a cup of cold wine, sipping it slowly to calm himself, then looked up at his grandson: "Xiao Jain, sit."

Li Jain sat down opposite him.

"I won’t beat around the brush." the old ancestor said, leaning forward: "Liu Xiong came here earlier today. I pressed him for his identity and background, but he dodged every question and shamelessly evaded my questions. You’ve been with him for a long time. Tell me the truth, who is he? Where did he come from?"

Li Jain paused, a thoughtful expression appearing in his clear eyes. "Grandfather, if you’re asking about his entire background, even I can’t give a complete answer."

The old ancestor frowned, his gray eyebrows furrowing tightly: "You don’t know? From what I heard he’d been with you for over a year now, and you don’t know his true identity?"

Li Jain said seriously: "I really don’t know much about him."

This question was even more difficult to answer. His understanding of Liu Xiong differed from that of others. There were aspects of Liu Xiong’s past that could not be easily explained in a few words.

For example, he has a high status in the Ghost Realm and the Underworld, but he wasn’t a real ghost. His constitution and energy characteristics were far from ordinary.

However, the situation was far more complex than that.

Although Liu Xiong had spent time in the Ghost Realm, he possessed none of the heavy, ghostly aura; even Li Jian could not fully tell exactly what kind of being he was.

Upon hearing this, Old Ancestor Li’s heart grew even heavier. A mysterious figure suddenly appeared, possessing strength far beyond this realm, yet with an unknown origin... Such a person was a wild card that could throw the entire South River City into turmoil.

"A mysterious powerhouse of unknown origin..." the Old Ancestor muttered to himself, rubbing his forehead. He took a deep breath, trying to calm his rising blood pressure, then looked up: "That’s not all. Do you know what that bastard said to me before leaving this room?"

Li Jie tilted his head slightly, curiosity flashing in his eyes: "What did he say?"

"He actually dared to say you’re his wife!" The old ancestor slammed his hand on the armrest, his voice rising in fury: "He said that once he marries you, he’ll tell me everything I want to know! Can you believe such a person?"

The old patriarch had expected Li Jain to be enraged, or at least embarrassed and disturbed at such a ridiculous statement.

However, Li Jain’s expression says otherwise. There was no anger or embarrassment on his face; instead, he had a warm smile on his lips, as his eyes sparkling with joy and excitement: "Is that really so?" Li Jain said softly, a hint of perceptible joy in his voice.

The old ancestor stared at him in disbelief: "You... What are you laughing at? Didn’t you hear what I just said?"

Li Jain calmly straightened his sleeves, looking directly at the old patriarch without hesitation: "Ancestor, you don’t need to be angry with me. Liu Xiong and I... we’re lovers."

"What?! What did you say?!"

Old Ancestor Li’s exclamation was like a bolt from the blue. He almost jumped up from his chair, his jaw agape, as his long silver beard trembled violently.

Before the ancestor could recover from this sudden shock, Li Jain leaned forward slightly, his tone earnest yet relaxed: "Grandfather, are you sure he said he wanted to marry me?"

"You, you foolish, shameless brat!" Old ancestor Li’s face turned from pale to deep red, his chest heaving as if he were about to cough up blood: "He called you his wife, and instead of being angry, you happily asked me if he would marry you?! Are you insane?!"

"Grandfather, marriage is a serious matter, but if he really said that, then you’ll soon have a powerful son-in-law."

"GET OUT!" Old Patriarch Li roared, his aura exploding in a sudden wave that blew open the wooden doors of the study. He snatched a porcelain teacup from the table and threw it toward the floor near Li Jain’s feet: "Get out of my sight before I break your legs myself! Out!"

Li Jain blinked, he stood up and stepped back to avoid the splashing wine. He cupped his hands respectfully, bowing slightly: "Grandfather, please take care of your health. I shall take my leave. Let’s continue this conversation another day."

Turning around, Li Jain walked out of the study with unhurried steps.

Standing on the stone path outside in the cool evening air, Li Jain paused and glanced back at the shut doors of the study, hearing the faint sound of his grandfather grumbling and slamming items on the desk inside.

Li Jain shook his head helplessly. Why did Grandfather suddenly fly into such a rage? Was it not just a simple conversation? He sighed lightly, deciding that the old man was simply stressed from recent events, and made his way back toward his own courtyard.

If Liu Xiong wasn’t so mysterious, the old ancestor wouldn’t have had a problem to have such a powerhouse as a son-in-law.

...

In the western pavilion of the Li resident, a crisp sound of steel slicing through the air echoed across the courtyard.

Li Yiwei stood with his arms crossed behind his back, his sharp eyes fixed on a young boy practicing sword stances in the center of the yard.

The boy was thirteen years old, wearing a silver-white martial robe tied tightly at the waist. His features bore a striking resemblance to Li Yiwei. Sharp brows, clear dark eyes, and an innate air of strict discipline. This was Li Xuefeng, the eldest son of Li Yiwei and the most promising sword talent among the fourth generation of the Li family.

Swish! Swish! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Li Xuefeng executed a swift three-stage thrust, his small sword burning with a small thread of blue spiritual force. The blade stopped precisely an inch above a wooden target, creating a clean, silent air-blade that split the target in two.

"Stop," Li Yiwei spoke in a cool voice.

Li Xuefeng immediately withdrew his blade, holding it horizontally behind his back as he bowed to his father: "Father. How was my execution of the Falling Plum Sword Technique?"

Li Yiwei walked over, his heavy footsteps sounding on the stone tiles. He extended two fingers, lightly tapping his son’s wrist and adjusting his elbow downward by half an inch: "Your form is solid, and your control of spiritual energy is commendable for your age. However, your mind is distracted. You are rushing the third turn because you are trying to force power into the blade, rather than letting the sword flow naturally with your breath."

Li Xuefeng lowered his eyes slightly, exhaling softly: "Father speaks the truth. I was thinking about the events of the past few days."

Li Yiwei picked up a wooden practice sword from a rack nearby and held it loosely: " Matters concerning your third uncle? So, you also notice the shift in the family’s balance?"

Li Xuefeng nodded slowly: "Yes, Father. The branch elders in the western wing have been talking about Third Uncle. Some say he is selfish, while others say his potential is unmatched. Even the younger clan disciples are talking about how the Third Uncle handed out precious pills to those he favored."

Li Yiwei looked at his son, his expression dark and contemplative. He swung the wooden sword casually, creating a breeze that rustled the bamboo leaves above them.

"Xuefeng," Li Yiwei said, his tone serious and measured. "Do not pay attention to the bitter chatter of those who lack vision. Your Elder Gu and his group are shortsighted fools who only see immediate benefits without understanding real strength. Your Third Uncle Jain has broken through to the Divine Power realm with an Immortal Foundation, and his skill in alchemy is enough to move major sects. In terms of strength and contribution, he has already established his place at the core of this clan."

Li Xuefeng looked up, surprise flashing across his young face. He knew his father had always been proud and competitive, never easily yielding to anyone in the younger generation. To hear his father praise Li Jain so candidly was unexpected.

"Father... do you not mind that Third Uncle has surpassed you?" Li Xuefeng asked cautiously.