Watching Duan Chengpeng being carried away, Li Tianquan’s heart, instead of settling down, felt even more suspended. He was indeed restless, so he rose to meet the enigmatic persuader.
The man was a slender, middle-aged individual with a well-groomed short beard. Seeing Li Tianquan enter, he put down the jade ornament he was fiddling with and smiled, “Elder Li, why such a panic?”
Li Tianquan steadied himself, and with a wry smile, he said, “This matter is too significant. How can I find peace? Will the promise remain unchanged?”
A hint of displeasure flashed across the man’s face as he said, “I, Liao, am of little significance. Elder Li may choose not to trust me. But the seal I brought is genuine, something you personally examined. Therefore, my words are the will of that great one. Moreover, those words were personally given by the lord, and I did not alter a single word.”
Li Tianquan forced a smile, “That’s good, that’s good! It’s not that I’m being overly cautious; it’s just that the Zhao faction acts too brazenly. If they were to really make a move, it would be a disaster.”
Liao, the middle-aged man, seemed indifferent. He stroked his beard and said, “No matter how arrogant the Zhao faction is, they must follow the rules. This empire does not belong to them.”
“Yes, yes,” Li Tianquan nodded, feeling a bit more at ease.
The middle-aged man gave him a sidelong glance and said, “The great one’s word is gold, known throughout the land. Yet, despite this, Elder Li seems hesitant. Isn’t that a bit unreasonable?”
Startled, Li Tianquan stammered, “What else do I need to do?”
The man replied calmly, “It’s quite simple. Just hand over the Mirror Water Cleansing Essence to me. Then, I’ll leave, and there will be no evidence of its existence in your hands. Even if the Zhao faction blames anyone, it won’t be you.”
Li Tianquan forced a smile, “Let me think about it.”
Liao said with a sardonic smile, “At this point, what more do you need to think about? Could it be that you believe there’s still a chance for reconciliation with the Zhao faction? However, the urgency is not on me but you. Establishing a new family is not just talk. You need territory, people, resources, and military power. Even that great one only has two such territories. How many are vying for them!”
With that, Liao bowed, indicating his dismissal, “Take your time, Elder Li. No need to rush.”
Li Tianquan responded, “Thank you for the reminder. I will give you a reply soon.”
After Li Tianquan left, Liao’s face darkened. He hadn’t expected his tactic to fail. He cursed, “Cowardly fool.” After his moment of rage, he pondered briefly and then left hurriedly.
Not long after, Liao appeared outside the base prison. He had changed his appearance, even his aura. He showed a token to the guard, who let him in without hesitation.
Entering the prison, Liao waited for the warden and made a mysterious gesture. The warden’s expression flickered, then normalized. He called a guard to lead Liao to several cells.
The prison, deep underground, was simple yet robust, heavily guarded. Liao moved silently, pausing occasionally before finally reaching a special cell. This cell, fortified with origin arrays, was comfortable compared to others. Duan Chengpeng lay unconscious on the bed, his body exuding a faint medicinal scent, indicating he had been treated.
Liao paused in front of the cell, discreetly shooting a gray needle of origin energy into Duan Chengpeng’s body. The guard beside him noticed nothing.
“Done, let’s go,” he said, and followed the guard out.
The path from the secret chamber to his office was short, but to Li Tianquan, it felt endless. In his mind, Duan Chengpeng’s words echoed, “The Fourth Young Master’s shot hasn’t been fired yet!”
Finally back in his office, Li Tianquan stood, staring at a painting on the wall, struggling internally.
The new family lands were usually located in turbulent border regions. These lands were strategically positioned, with an imperial garrison nearby, making it easier to provide reinforcements. That great one promised to provide elite troops for three years, helping Li Tianquan survive the initial challenges.
Such favorable conditions were impossible to ignore. Though the risks remained, the opportunity was undeniable. Li Tianquan, as the second elder, couldn’t lack the courage.
But Li Tianquan sensed something more. Why would that great one offer a valuable territory for a mere life?
The value of the territory far exceeded the Mirror Water Cleansing Essence, even with a Heaven Cloud Smoke Pearl added.
There was an unwritten rule: if a clan moved to the border, past grievances had to be set aside. This meant Li Tianquan, if he accepted, would be safe from retaliation for years. However, if the future king, Zhao Jundu, ignored the rules, would that great one protect him?
Zhao Jundu had already broken the rules for Qian Ye. This uncertainty made Li Tianquan indecisive.
The Mirror Water Cleansing Essence in the hidden cabinet felt like a volcano, suffocating in its presence.
Suddenly, the office door opened, and a cold gust swept in, chilling Li Tianquan.
Before he could turn, Li Kuanglan’s voice rang out, “Second Elder, what’s troubling you?”
Li Tianquan turned, forcing a smile, “Nothing, a small matter. Nephew, why are you here?”
“Here to pick up something.”
Relaxing slightly, Li Tianquan asked, “What’s so important that you need to come personally?”
“I have to take it myself,” Li Kuanglan replied coolly.
“Ah, what is it? If you need help, just say.”
Li Kuanglan’s lips curled, “I need your help. I want the Mirror Water Cleansing Essence.”
“The Mirror Water Cleansing Essence?!” Startled, Li Tianquan composed himself, “Why do you need it? For…”
“For Qian Ye, exactly,” Li Kuanglan interrupted.
Li Tianquan, shocked, said, “Kuanglan! Do you know that Qian Ye will become a formidable enemy? How can you give him such a treasure? You’re acting foolishly!”
Li Kuanglan’s brows raised, “The essence belongs to Qian Ye. I’m just retrieving it. Is there anything more you want to say, Second Elder?”
“You…” Li Tianquan noticed the change in address. He hardened, “Circumstances change. The essence, though Qian Ye’s, is not yet his. Such a decision requires the patriarch and the empress’s approval.”
Li Kuanglan’s hand rested on his sword, “You won’t give it, huh? Let’s see how many moves you can withstand against my Cold Moon Cage Sword!”
Li Tianquan was alarmed. Despite his superior origin power, Li Kuanglan, wielding a divine weapon and skilled in sword techniques, would likely win. Plus, hurting Li Kuanglan, a figure of special status, was risky.
“Kuanglan, this recklessness will not go unpunished by the patriarch and the empress!” Li Tianquan shouted.
Li Kuanglan sneered, “I’ll handle my sister. You don’t need to worry. Besides, your position as Second Elder is questionable. Step aside!”
A blue line of light, sharp and icy, shot towards Li Tianquan’s forehead.
Taken aback, Li Tianquan used all his strength to dodge, narrowly avoiding the strike. The blue light continued, cutting through the wall and opening the hidden cabinet.
Li Kuanglan stepped forward, took the Mirror Water Cleansing Essence, and left without a glance.
Li Tianquan stood, staring at the empty cabinet, feeling his power and influence slipping away.
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