Seeing Sun Ergou drenched in cold sweat, Han Li knew the time was right. His expression softened as he prepared to offer some benefits.
“Alright, continue being your Boss Sun. I won’t seek you out unless something important arises. But since we part today with no certainty of meeting again, take this and keep it safe. If you leave descendants, they may use this to seek me out. Should any of your descendants be willing to serve me, I will ensure their prosperity for life.”
As he spoke, Han Li took out a blank talisman paper and tore it crisply in two with a sharp “shhh” sound. He handed one half to Sun Ergou and kept the other.
Sun Ergou was first astonished, then overjoyed. He fell to his knees before Han Li and kowtowed three times resoundingly. Lifting his head with utmost seriousness, he said, “Thank you for your great kindness, young master! Rest assured, the Sun lineage under me will henceforth pledge generations of loyalty to you, never to betray. Otherwise, may we suffer the calamity of annihilation.” After these words, he kowtowed once more before rising with deep respect.
Han Li was slightly taken aback. While he had intended to win Sun Ergou over, he hadn’t expected a mere promise to evoke such profound gratitude.
After a moment’s reflection, he understood. In the mortal world, lineage and clan prosperity were paramount. His promise secured the Sun family’s wealth and status for generations, making Sun Ergou’s sincere allegiance natural. Over the years, Han Li had never issued harsh commands, reinforcing that continued service was the best choice for Sun Ergou’s descendants.
Pleased by this realization, Han Li knew genuine loyalty would yield far better results than half-hearted compliance.
“Good. Since you pledge true allegiance, I shall grant you further rewards. Take these two bottles of pills. One treats all manner of internal and external injuries—it can save anyone clinging to life. The other is the detoxifying pill I gave you earlier, effective against a hundred poisons. Keep it to preserve your life.”
With a flip of his hand, two small porcelain bottles appeared in his palm, which he casually tossed to Sun Ergou.
Sun Ergou was endlessly grateful, convinced he had made the right choice.
After a few more instructions, Han Li departed gracefully from the Siping Gang headquarters under Sun Ergou’s respectful send-off.
*This backup plan may yet prove useful someday*, Han Li mused silently.
Standing on the street outside, he glanced up at the fully darkened sky—the perfect time to visit the Li residence. With a swift movement, he soared into the air on his artifact, arriving above the Li compound in moments.
Under the cover of night, Han Li descended effortlessly, casting several concealment spells before vanishing soundlessly into the estate.
Drawing on his experience infiltrating the Xinwang Manor, he adeptly used a Soul-Stabilizing Talisman to subdue a skilled “expert,” then employed Soul-Control Art to inquire about the Five-Colored Sect Leader’s whereabouts.
To his delight, the sect leader was not in the heavily guarded inner quarters but in a side courtyard, discussing matters with his second son.
Once he learned the courtyard’s location, Han Li mercilessly incinerated the man with a fireball. Since the guard had heard his voice and words, leaving no witnesses was prudent.
Han Li then navigated past numerous sentries, overt and covert, arriving before a sizable courtyard.
To his surprise, four men in white stood motionless before the closed gate. Their bulging temples and sharp gazes marked them as martial arts masters.
Frowning, Han Li recognized them as the sect leader’s personal guards. Their presence confirmed the leader was inside.
With a cold glance, Han Li flashed before them. The guards startled, but before they could react, he split into four illusions, each delivering a light palm strike.
Silently, they collapsed, each with a glistening ice spike through the heart, their bodies coated in frost.
Expressionless, Han Li incinerated the corpses with fireballs and pushed open the wooden gate, striding into the courtyard.
Earlier, he had scanned the entire Li compound with his spiritual sense and found no cultivators, putting him at ease to unleash his killing intent.
*It seems the Five-Colored Sect Leader is fated to die by my hand*, he thought.
He had resolved to eliminate everyone in the courtyard upon entry. Leaving survivors risked exposure to the Ling Beast Mountain cultivators—no trivial matter.
Stepping into the courtyard with murderous intent, Han Li froze at the scene before him.
A young woman cradled a two- or three-year-old girl, softly singing a lullaby. Though her face was bowed, her voice overflowed with tenderness and love, palpable even to Han Li.
This unexpected sight drained most of his killing intent, leaving him uncertain.
*This must be the young mistress*, he realized. *Why didn’t Sun Ergou mention they had a child?*
Having entered without concealment, the woman noticed his presence despite her lowered head.
She stopped singing and said irritably, “Didn’t I say to stay outside? You’ll wake Yingning.” She looked up coldly, mistaking Han Li for one of the guards.
When their eyes met, both gasped in shock.
“You?”
“What are you doing here?”
…
The woman’s stunningly beautiful face darkened, shifting uneasily with a panicked, almost guilty expression, as if caught in an affair.
Han Li felt no amusement, his own expression grim.
After a long pause, he exhaled softly and said coldly, “Should I call you Senior Sister Mo, or Madame Li? Senior Sister Mo Yuzhu!”
This young woman was the eldest of the Mo sisters, the peerless beauty who had once captivated the young masters of Jiayuan City.
Though now a married woman, her breathtaking beauty remained undimmed, exuding a charm that could drive men mad.
At Han Li’s words, Mo Yuzhu turned pale, swaying as if about to collapse with her child.
“Yuzhu! I heard an outsider’s voice! Who are you talking to?” A familiar voice came from inside, noticing the commotion.
The door opened, revealing a white-haired old man and a youth in his thirties.
The youth was the same Li whom Han Li had briefly encountered at the “Xiang Family Tavern” that afternoon. The old man had snow-white hair and a ruddy complexion, kind-eyed yet with a flicker of strangeness as he saw Han Li.
“Is this the Five-Colored Sect Leader?” Han Li asked Mo Yuzhu coldly.
But Mo Yuzhu, clutching her daughter tightly, stared wordlessly at Han Li, refusing to speak.
“Who are you? What have you done to my wife?” The youth, stunned to see a young man in the courtyard, grew furious upon hearing Han Li address Mo Yuzhu by name. He stepped forward, ready to teach Han Li a lesson.
But the sect leader stopped him, saying calmly, “Act your age! Don’t be impulsive. Anyone who could bypass Li Da and the others unnoticed is no ordinary foe. Don’t fall for provocation.”
*Age indeed brings wisdom*, Han Li thought. The sect leader’s caution showed his exceptional mind.
Had he been a Foundation Establishment cultivator, Han Li would have been deeply wary, considering him a formidable opponent. But as a mere mortal, no amount of cunning could make him a threat in the face of absolute power.
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