Li Tan turned to the crowd and asked, “Anyone else不服?”
(Note: The term “不服” is kept in pinyin as it appears to be a direct quote or a culturally specific expression that may not have a direct English equivalent in this context. If more context is provided, a more precise translation could be offered.)
A murmur rippled through the crowd, but no one dared to voice further dissent, after all, even Li Hantian had backed down.
Li Tan ordered, “Then it’s settled. Go prepare yourselves now; assemble here in a quarter of an hour.”
The nine young people who had gathered dispersed amidst chattering, while the unconscious Li Kang was taken by servants to the family physician for treatment. He definitely couldn’t attend tonight’s special training, so only eight people went to prepare.
“Brother Li Tan, what are we going to do later?”
After everyone had left, Li Jiaying asked curiously.
Li Tan replied somewhat seriously, “We’re going to have special training, it will be extremely tough. Jiaying, can you endure it?”
Li Jiaying nodded firmly.
“I can endure it!”
Li Tan didn’t offer any encouragement but continued, “It’s really difficult, it might hurt a lot. Are you really able to endure?”
Li Jiaying noticed Li Tan’s rare serious expression, hesitated briefly, but then nodded decisively without hesitation.
“I really can endure it! Really!”
Li Tan showed a slightly gratified expression. At that moment, Li Zhen leaned close to Li Tan’s ear and asked, “Tan’er, what exactly are your plans? You wouldn’t mind telling your father, right?”
Indeed no big deal, so Li Tan stated directly.
“Going to Zhuixian Domain.”
“Huh?”
“Going to Zhuixian Domain for training.”
Li Zhen seriously doubted whether his ears were malfunctioning. He was in a daze, eyes wide enough to fit a pot inside, so Li Tan explained, “The only way to quickly enhance strength within a day is this.”
Li Zhen hurriedly shook his head.
“No no, this isn’t even about enhancing strength anymore. Going to Zhuixian Domain at night is practically suicide!”
“Just the outskirts.”
“This isn’t about whether it’s the outskirts or deep inside—if anything happens—”
“Dad, rest assured, if I dare to bring them in, naturally I have confidence in ensuring safety.”
Li Zhen twitched his lips, squatted down, and facing the curious-faced Li Jiaying, asked, “Jiaying, why don’t you wait another couple of years?”
“No, no, Jiaying wants to go with her brother.”
Li Jiaying rejected the suggestion decisively.
“It’s not too late in another couple of years. You’re still so young. Why are you in such a hurry?”
“Because…” “Hmm?”
“Father has been so gloomy lately. If Jiaying can enter Feiyu Sect, father will be happy.”
Li Zhen froze.
Li Tan froze.
“Alright, Jiaying can go with Tan’er.” Li Zhen said as he stood up, then quietly entrusted Li Tan, “Tan’er, Jiaying is in your hands.”
Li Tan nodded solemnly.
Li Zhen cast a worried glance at Li Jiaying for a moment, then turned and left. The remaining two waited quietly, and without realizing it, Li Jiaying leaned closer to Li Tan.
The sun shifted westward, and dusk approached.
Li Tan shouted at the scattered youths, “Looks like everyone’s here. Let’s move out, follow me.”
“Wait a second.”
Li Hantian, wearing tight black clothes and carrying a long sword, shouted.
“What is it?”
Li Tan turned to look at him.
When Li Hantian saw Li Tan’s face, he recalled what had just happened, and the loss of his fifty silver dollars made his heart ache again. However, despite his resentment, he could only restrain himself now. Taking a deep breath, he asked, “Where exactly are we going?”
Li Tan said, “Zhuixian Domain.”
Li Hantian looked at the sky, then angrily questioned, “It’ll be completely dark soon, and even the killers will come out to hunt. How dangerous could it get? Why are we going there?”
“…” Li Tan.
Li Tan said, “Why ask so much?”
“You’re telling me not to ask too much?”
Li Hantian’s face darkened. He pointed at Li Tan with his finger, “If I hadn’t asked and just blindly followed you, I might have ended up dead with no intact body left!”
Li Tan sneered slightly and said, “You’re scared?”
Li Hantian instinctively refuted, “How could this young master ever be scared?”
But as soon as he finished speaking, he realized something was off and, gritting his teeth, changed his words, “Don’t change the subject. Exactly why are you going there?”
Li Tan indifferently uttered two words: “Practical combat.”
“What practical combat?”
“Combat with ferocious beasts.”
“Say it again.”
“Are you deaf?
How could you not hear clearly when I speak so loudly?”
Li Hantian’s face immediately turned as purple as an eggplant, “Damn, are you messing with me?”
Li Tan somewhat impatiently said, “Who has the time for that? So, after saying all that, what exactly are you going to do?”
“If you don’t give me a good reason, not a single person are you taking with you!”
As Li Hantian’s words fell, the other seven people also loudly began to protest.
Li Tan somewhat impatiently explained, “I will guarantee your safety.”
“You say you guarantee it and we should believe it?
Have you ever been to Zhuixian Domain? Do you know how dangerous it is there?”
“Even powerful cultivators wouldn’t dare to casually go to Zhuixian Domain at night. What do you rely on to guarantee our safety?”
“This is going too far. Are you actually a spy sent by the Lin family to sabotage us?”
“…” Li Tan glanced at Li Jiaying and mockingly looked around at the several agitated people, “A few grown men aren’t as brave as a little girl. Li family, how tragic you are.”
Upon hearing this, Li Hantian frowned, “You’re taking Jiaying along?”
Li Tan somewhat unpleasantly thought, If it weren’t for your fathers, why would I bother training you guys?
So he glanced at him and said, “Why ask so much? It’s none of your business. Anyway, whoever wants to come, step forward now. No waiting after the time is up.”
The protesting voices had turned into curses. Li Jiaying listened, angry and puffing her cheeks in protest, but her voice was instantly drowned out.
“It’s okay.”
Li Tan gently protected Li Jiaying and coldly scanned the surroundings.
“Is there anyone?”
No one responded.
“Is there anyone?”
Still no one answered.
“Last time. Is there anyone?”
Still, no one stepped forward.
Li Tan looked around disappointedly amidst the curses, then turned and left.
Just at that moment, a timid voice faintly sounded.
“I… I’ll go.” The noisy voices immediately stopped. Everyone instinctively looked toward the source of the sound. A boy dressed in plain white clothes, with a shy gaze, hunched his shoulders and stepped forward.
Li Tan looked at him in surprise and asked, “What’s your name?”
“Li Xiu.”
“Who’s your father?”
“Li Chenglie.”
“Why do I have no impression of my third uncle’s son? Anyway, I’ll ask you one thing. They all dare not step forward. Why are you willing to step forward?”
Li Xiu stammered in reply, “Be… because I want to become stronger and join Feiyu Sect.”
“Haha, you joining Feiyu Sect? Don’t daydream!”
“Want to become stronger?
Grow up first, hahaha!”
“One dares to believe such words. One fool and another idiot, a perfect match.”
“…”
“Be quiet!”
Li Tan shouted loudly. All those speaking suddenly felt a chill down their backs and obediently shut their mouths.
Li Tan carefully examined Li Xiu. “Step forward.”
After a moment of silence, he added, “If you can endure until the end, I guarantee you’ll become a mighty hero.”
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage