Han Li gently unrolled the scroll in his hand, revealing a painting several feet long. A man in a blue robe was vividly depicted, smiling as if looking directly at him—it was none other than Han Li himself.
After gazing at the painting for a long while, Han Li sighed softly and rolled it back up.
After a moment of contemplation, he fixed his gaze on the woman and asked slowly, “May I ask why your grandmother left behind a portrait of me? Was there some deeper meaning behind it?”
The woman hesitated, then cautiously replied, “Senior Han, before answering, may I ask if you still remember the promise you made to Miss Xin back then?”
“Of course I remember. You know about this?” A flicker of surprise crossed Han Li’s face.
“Actually, my family has lived here all these years because I insisted on it, and the reason is somewhat related to you, Senior. However, until you fulfill your promise to Miss Xin, I must beg your pardon for not revealing the full truth.” The woman stole a glance at Han Li, her heart uneasy as she spoke tactfully.
With a soft *thud*, Han Li wordlessly retrieved a square wooden box from his storage pouch and tossed it onto the table.
“This…” The woman was startled, unsure of his intentions.
“No need for alarm, Fellow Daoist. Inside is the head of the Fu Family’s patriarch. I’ve already wiped out the entire main branch of the Fu Family. The remaining peripheral members will never be able to re-establish the Fu Family in Yuanwu Country. Does this count as fulfilling my promise?” Han Li said calmly.
“What? The Fu Family’s patriarch has been slain by you, Senior?” The woman’s face was filled with shock.
She glanced at the box, gritted her teeth, and opened the lid. A wave of blood scent assaulted her senses.
“It really is the Fu Family’s patriarch. I once caught a glimpse of this villain from afar in the past.” Though her face paled, she recognized the face in the box, her expression a mix of astonishment and joy.
“Since I acted just a few days ago, the news should have spread by now. You can verify it by asking around among acquaintances or in the market,” Han Li said with a faint smile.
“Then, Senior, you brought the head here to…” The woman suddenly understood.
“Indeed. I came specifically to pay my respects to Miss Xin and Fellow Daoist Qi. After all, I’ve had few friends in my life, and now that I’ve avenged them, it’s only right to honor their memory.” Han Li’s voice grew somber, his expression sincere.
“Miss Xin and Young Master Qi would be overjoyed in the afterlife. Senior, please wait a moment—I’ll return shortly.” The woman’s expression darkened briefly before she hurriedly excused herself.
Han Li nodded curiously as the woman left the room again.
This time, she went behind a pavilion, dug beneath a large tree, and retrieved a pale green jade box. Carefully carrying it back, she placed it on the table before Han Li.
“And this is?” Han Li narrowed his eyes, waiting for her explanation.
“Senior Han, before Miss Xin passed away, she left a final request—to entrust the contents of this box to you, but only after you fulfilled your promise and wiped out the Fu Family. My grandmother was Miss Xin’s personal maid, so the task fell to her. That’s why she remained here all these years, never moving elsewhere, in case you ever returned. Decades passed without your return, so she passed the duty to me and even left behind your portrait to avoid missing you. Now that you’ve fulfilled your promise, it’s my duty to hand this over to you, as per Miss Xin’s wishes. It’s a weight off my shoulders.”
The woman spoke calmly, her expression easing as if relieved of a long-held burden.
Han Li was visibly moved. After glancing at the box, he swept it with his spiritual sense, revealing a flicker of surprise before calmly picking it up and opening the lid.
Inside lay a pale cyan jade slip, sealed with a yellow talisman. Faint silver restriction runes shimmered on the box’s surface.
The woman across from him stared at the jade slip with undisguised curiosity.
“What? You’ve never looked at this before?” Han Li asked, raising his head.
“To be honest, Senior, since Miss Xin didn’t forbid us from viewing it, my grandmother did take a peek out of curiosity. But after just a brief glance, she vomited blood three times and fell unconscious for a full day and night. After waking, she immediately sealed the jade slip with a high-grade restriction talisman, forbidding any descendants from looking. Though I was curious, my cultivation is far inferior to hers, so I never dared to try.”
Han Li nodded and, without another word, blew gently on the jade slip. A wisp of azure light escaped his lips, effortlessly peeling away the talisman.
The woman was stunned. She had once tried to remove the talisman herself but found it immovable as a mountain. Yet this Senior Han had dispelled it with a single breath—his power was truly unfathomable.
*If he was already at Foundation Establishment back then, and now he’s wiped out the Fu Family and slain their patriarch, his cultivation must at least be at late Core Formation—if not Nascent Soul!* Awe filled her heart.
Han Li reviewed the jade slip expressionlessly. With a flash of azure light, it vanished from his hand.
“Indeed, the contents are of great use to me. I’ll accept them without reservation. However, I feel somewhat guilty that you’ve waited so long for me. Do you live here alone?” Han Li asked casually as he stored the jade slip.
“Not at all. My husband is also a cultivator, though his aptitude is poor—about the same as mine. Our son, however, is young and has decent spiritual roots. But without guidance or access to a sect… Senior, might you…?” Her heart raced as she spoke haltingly, hoping her son could become his disciple.
“No need to say more—I understand.” Han Li cut her off with a wave.
Her heart sank, but then he continued, “Since you’re Xiao Mei’s descendant and have safeguarded this for me, I won’t take disciples, but I can give your son a chance at Foundation Establishment.” He produced three small vials and pushed them toward her. “This is a Foundation Establishment Pill and two bottles of Qi Condensation aids. Whether he succeeds will depend on his fortune. If he does, joining a major sect or clan should be within reach.”
“A Foundation Establishment Pill?” Overjoyed, she thanked him profusely, her earlier disappointment forgotten.
“By the way, while eliminating the Fu Family, I also killed two cultivators from the Demon Flame Sect. Though I’m unafraid of them, I’d rather avoid trouble. Does your husband know about my past?” Han Li’s tone shifted abruptly.
“Senior, rest assured. My grandmother made me swear never to speak of this to anyone, not even my husband or son, to avoid causing you trouble. I’ve kept this secret faithfully.”
“Good. I trust you’ve been discreet. Now, I’ll pay my respects to Miss Xin and Fellow Daoist Qi before taking my leave.” Han Li rose to his feet, satisfied.
“Ah! You’re leaving so soon? My husband and son will return shortly—”
Before she could finish, a white flash erupted behind her. With a soft *thud*, she collapsed unconscious. Han Li, prepared, flicked his sleeve, releasing a wisp of light to cushion her fall.
The white light dissipated, revealing Silvermoon in her fox form, her dark eyes gleaming mischievously.
“Master, why knock her out? Was she a threat, or… did you take a liking to her?” Silvermoon teased with a sly grin.
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