The Name of Eternals

Chapter 217: A Slap to Li Tiangang's Face

Hearing Li Muxiu's words, Li Tiangang's expression changed. He immediately called out:

"Second Uncle!"

Li Muxiu raised his head and gazed deeply at him, saying: "He is my friend. Even in front of His Majesty, I would say the same. Our relationship is clean and straightforward. He has never done anything for the Li family, nor have I ever asked him to."

At this point, he seemed to remember something, his face showing a hint of discomfort:

"Except for asking him to look after Hao'er, but that was your child..."

Feng Boping interrupted, "Taking care of Hao'er was my own decision. It has nothing to do with your request, old man. Even if you hadn't asked, do you think I would have ignored him? Just for the seven years of fish he cooked for me, I would protect him with my life!"

Li Tiangang's eyes narrowed. Seven years?

So, Li Hao had been in contact with this thief for seven years already.

Thinking about his second uncle's preferences, he quickly deduced the general situation, sighing inwardly.

It seemed that Hao'er had been influenced from a young age.

"Leaving Hao'er at home was my biggest mistake and my deepest regret."

Li Tiangang took a deep breath and said to Li Muxiu, "Second Uncle, I won't hold you accountable for your influence on Hao'er, but now, as the True Dragon of the Li family, I order you to sever all ties with him immediately!"

Li Muxiu's face changed, anger and shock evident as he stared at him: "You dare order me as the True Dragon?"

"Yes."

Li Tiangang's expression was cold and serious, suppressing his inner fury:

"Second Uncle, don't forget the blood that flows through our veins and the surname we bear! Even though my father is no longer here to restrain you, our Li family's thousand-year rules have always been like this. Do you intend to rebel against them?"

Li Muxiu looked at him with a mix of shock and anger, but ultimately, disappointment filled his eyes.

He closed his eyes. After a long while, he opened them again, his gaze filled with indescribable pain and weariness. He spoke softly:

"I spent the first half of my life wandering, making many mistakes. I owe it to your father for leaving him to guard the city alone. I won't break the rules again. My life belongs to the Li family, and I will burn it for the Li family..."

His body trembled slightly as he turned to look at Feng Boping.

Their eyes met, and blood and tears welled up in Li Muxiu's eyes: "Old Feng..."

Feng Boping's body trembled slightly, but he managed a smile, saying: "Old Li, why are you crying at this age? Didn't I tell you? Even if we are separated by thousands of miles, we can still drink under the same sky. We must accept our fate..."

Li Muxiu's fists clenched tightly, his body shaking. His fists, known for their power and weight, couldn't shatter the chains of bloodline nor break the constraints of his heart.

Half a step to invincibility, but never truly invincible.

Once that half-step is taken, it can never be taken back.

"Second Uncle, this is for the best. Don't blame me for being heartless."

Li Tiangang said in a low voice.

Li Muxiu's back was full of sorrow, remaining silent.

Feng Boping smiled at Li Muxiu, then glanced at Li Hao's avatar with regret, saying, "But I promised Hao'er I would guard Tianmen Pass for three years..."

"That's unnecessary!"

Li Tiangang looked at him, his face darkening, and said coldly, "If you truly care about Hao'er, you should know that your notorious reputation will only burden him!"

"Do you want to destroy him? He is destined to inherit the title of True Dragon of the Li family and shine brilliantly. If people knew he was associated with you, what would they say?"

Feng Boping's lips trembled slightly, wanting to retort, but he only managed a bitter smile:

"You're right. I'm just a wandering soul in this world, unworthy of the grandeur of your General's Manor..."

He shook his head self-deprecatingly, looking at Li Hao's avatar with gentle eyes:

"Child, the path ahead is yours to walk."

"I can only accompany you this far."

Dark Li Hao stared at him, wanting to speak but not knowing what to say. In the end, he could only manage two words: "Don't go..."

Feng Boping's lips quivered, but he only smiled, then turned around, looking at the vast expanse and the direction of Cangya City.

His eyes flickered, but he said nothing as his figure suddenly disappeared.

With his Untraceable Technique, no one could stop him if he wanted to leave.

A gentle breeze brushed Li Muxiu's robe, lifting it slightly before letting it fall.

Li Muxiu stood silently, as still as a stone.

Li Tiangang glanced at him, understanding his second uncle's pain, and said softly, "Second Uncle, we should head to the Dragon City River of Death. I'll go ahead and check the situation..."

Li Muxiu did not respond.

But in the distance, a voice full of surprise and joy suddenly called out: "Second Brother, Tiangang?!"

Both men were startled. Even Li Muxiu raised his head sharply, looking towards the voice.

A figure in tattered gray robes, looking like a beggar with disheveled hair, but with a familiar face and a knife at his waist, was rapidly approaching. It was Li Xiaoran!

"Fourth Brother?!"

Li Muxiu was stunned.

Li Tiangang was also shocked, suspecting he was seeing things. He focused his gaze, confirming it was indeed his fourth uncle!

He's back? How did he get here?! "Hao'er?"

As Li Tiangang and Li Muxiu were still in shock, Li Xiaoran noticed Dark Li Hao, hesitating before almost shouting with joy. But he quickly realized something was off. This Li Hao's aura wasn't as strong.

Moreover, his clothes were clean, unlike the tattered state they had last seen.

"Hao'er, how did you get here? Where is Hao'er?"

Li Muxiu, confirming it was indeed Li Xiaoran, asked urgently, his eyes wide with tension, his whole body taut.

Li Xiaoran snapped out of it, hurriedly saying, "Second Brother, don't get excited. Hao'er is fine. He has one last task to complete before he can clear the River of Death. He's heading to the Great Wilderness now."

He glanced at Li Tiangang, hesitating whether to mention the sensitive matter of the Ancient Saint Clan of the Ji family.

Li Tiangang, having fought in Yanbei for over ten years, had heard about the situation and knew it involved the Ji family's daughter.

"He went to the Great Wilderness?"

Li Muxiu was stunned but relaxed upon hearing Hao'er was safe. He quickly asked, "The Great Wilderness is so dangerous. Why is he going there? How long will he be?"

"He should be back soon." Li Xiaoran replied.

He just needed to send the old man from the Ji family back to their ancient clan, which shouldn't take too long.

Seeing the two still wanting to ask more about Li Hao, he smiled and said, "Isn't this Hao'er's avatar?"

"Yes."

Li Tiangang nodded. Hearing that Li Hao was safe, he too relaxed, but his face changed hearing he went to the Great Wilderness, thinking of his wife.

His heart skipped a beat. Could the child be looking for his mother?

Previously, during their battle in Qingzhou, he heard that Li Hao slapped Li Rumeng because she insulted his wife, and he learned about his wife's situation.

"This child..."

He gritted his teeth, his face tightening with worry.

The ancient Ji family was not someone even he dared to confront, let alone Li Hao.

"Let's not talk about Hao'er. Look who I brought back."

Li Xiaoran said to the two.

As he spoke, a voice entered Li Tiangang and Li Muxiu's ears:

"Tiangang, Second Brother..."

Hearing the familiar and aged voice, both men were stunned, their hearts pounding as they looked up to see a familiar yet spectral figure emerging from behind Li Xiaoran.

That robust body, kind face, left them dumbfounded, as if seeing a ghost.

"Father?"

Li Tiangang's eyes widened, rubbing his eyes hard.

Seeing clearly, all his previous thoughts vanished. His eyes filled with tears:

"Father!!"

He dropped to his knees in midair, tears streaming down his face: "I've been unfilial, incapable, unable to bring you back sooner!"

Li Muxiu stood there, his eyes reddening: "Big Brother, have you escaped the River of Death?"

Li Tianzong raised Li Tiangang, smiling at Li Muxiu: "Yes, I am free now and can go home!"

Li Muxiu's old body trembled, clenching his fists, his voice choked with sobs:

"Big Brother, it was my fault back then. I was the one who played around, leaving you alone to guard Dragon City. I caused your death!" "All these years, it should have been me suffering in the River of Death. It's my fault..."

Li Tianzong gently patted Li Muxiu's shoulder, his eyes moistening as he saw his brother's tear-streaked face, saying softly: "As the True Dragon, I was meant to lead the Dragon City battle. It had nothing to do with you. Even if you had been there, we both would have died."

"Fortunately, you weren't. Old Fourth told me you've been holding the family together. You are the pillar of the Li family..."

He laughed softly: "Remember when Father used to punish you? I told you back then, other than me, you might be the most capable one in the Li family. You haven't let me down."

Li Muxiu stood there, looking at his brother's eyes, feeling transported back to their youth...

Just like in that courtyard during a hot summer, the eldest brother practicing martial arts, and the second brother playing by the pool.

That gentle look from the eldest brother, while the mischievous second brother sulked, arms crossed, pretending to be angry.

Now, this aged glance brought all those words back to life.

Tears streamed down Li Muxiu's face, this battle-hardened old man who had survived countless battles, wept uncontrollably.

The long-held guilt and scars in his heart dissolved in this moment.

Big Brother never blamed him...

Li Muxiu's body trembled, but slowly, he regained his composure, wiping his tears, showing a rare blush on his old face.

Quickly, he remembered the important matter and asked: "Big Brother, how did you escape? Didn't you need to clear the River of Death? You mentioned it wasn't cleared yet..."

"It's complicated."

Li Xiaoran said, "But essentially, thanks to Hao'er, Big Brother could escape."

He felt a pang of sorrow, knowing the escape was temporary, leading to eventual disappearance.

But Li Tianzong had asked him not to reveal this, wishing to see home one last time in peace.

"Thanks to Hao'er?"

Li Muxiu was stunned, but thinking of the many surprises that child had brought, his heart filled with pride and affection.

"Hao'er?"

Li Tiangang, just standing up, was startled: "What does Hao'er have to do with this?"

"It has everything to do with him!"

Li Tianzong smiled: "Old Fourth told me, Hao'er is your son, Tiangang. You've given me a great grandson, truly remarkable!"

Li Tiangang was dumbfounded, unable to believe even his father admired that child so much. Was he really that exceptional?

"He doesn't follow the rules, is unruly. He didn't offend you, did he?"

Li Tiangang asked cautiously, now a son before his father, not a general.

Li Tianzong laughed, "What are you saying? Hao'er is lively and adorable, skilled in every art, with unmatched martial talent. He's a top genius in our dynasty's history!"

"And he's very well-behaved, not unruly. Rules are necessary, but family is family. At home, we don't need rigid adherence to everything."

Li Tiangang was stunned, lost in thought.

If someone else had said it, he might not have believed it, but his father's words made him question himself.

Had he been too harsh on the child?

Everyone who knew him seemed to admire him. Was it because of his status, or the child's own merit? Li Tiangang's mind raced, recalling his interactions with Li Hao since returning from Yanbei.

But before he could dwell on it, Li Tianzong gently said: "Old Fourth told me, since Ninth passed, you've become the True Dragon. It must have been hard on you."

Li Tiangang, hearing the warm concern, felt a shiver through his blood.

He knelt again before Li Tianzong, crying:

"Father, I'm unworthy. I couldn't protect our family, I failed Third Brother, Sixth Brother..."

He sobbed, tears long dried up in Yanbei and at Li family's funerals, flowing again.

Li Tianzong, hearing of his other children's fates from Li Xiaoran, felt a deep sorrow but hid it with a smile, gently lifting Li Tiangang:

"It's not your fault, my son. I failed as a father. If I hadn't fallen at Dragon City, if I had reached the Peace Dao stage sooner, this wouldn't have happened."

"Father, you've been strong enough."

Li Tiangang said, quickly regaining control from years of war.

Wiping his tears, he grasped Li Tianzong's ethereal hand: "Now that you're back, once I reach the Peace Dao stage, I'll bring Ninth Brother back too!"

Seeing his son's renewed spirit, Li Tianzong smiled, patting his shoulder:

"I know you can do it. Hao'er will lead our family to victory, restoring our ancestral glory!"

Li Tiangang's face changed slightly, nodding: "When he returns, I'll let him inherit the True Dragon title."

"Not inherited yet?"

Li Tianzong was surprised, as early inheritance was beneficial for growth and strength.

"He was supposed to, but Tiangang drove him away."

Li Muxiu suddenly spoke up.

Li Tianzong looked puzzled.

Li Xiaoran's face changed, having avoided mentioning Li Hao and Li Tiangang's issues to keep his brother's last moments worry-free.

"What do you mean?" Li Tianzong asked.

"Big Brother, ask him yourself."

Li Muxiu sighed, wanting to mock Tiangang but holding back for the family's sake.

"Tiangang?"

Li Tianzong looked at his son.

Li Tiangang, not hiding anything, said:

"Father, when Hao'er was born, Yanbei was in turmoil. I was sent there, leaving him to train at home. In our absence, he developed many bad habits."

"He didn't focus on training. When I returned and disciplined him, he drew his sword on me. We fought, and he left in anger, coming to Tianmen Pass..."

"That's nonsense!"

Li Muxiu's restrained anger erupted, shouting:

"Hao'er has no bad habits! He's skilled in arts and never let it affect his training!"

"His martial prowess far exceeds his peers!"

"At fifteen, he's already at the Three Immortals stage, capable of slaying demon kings. Who else can do that?!"

"You two weren't there for years. He was poisoned by Liu and lost his divine blood, yet hasn't sought revenge. And because of one complaint from Eighth's daughter, you slapped him without hearing his side, calling it discipline?!"

"Has he been any less capable without your discipline?!"

Li Tiangang's face changed, feeling familiar, saying:

"If he focused entirely on training, he'd be even stronger!"

"Then you stop eating and sleeping, train non-stop!"

Li Muxiu retorted: "He's your son, not a wooden puppet, not a stone. He's flesh and blood!"

Li Tiangang was speechless.

Li Tianzong, hearing their argument, understood the situation, his face darkening: "So why did he leave?"

"Driven out by his 'discipline.'"

Li Muxiu glared at Tiangang, recalling that snowy day:

"He said he no longer bore the Li name, preferring to die outside than in the General's Manor!"

"He didn't want to be beaten to death by his own father!"

Li Tiangang angrily replied: "I'd never beat him to death. I was just teaching him..."

A crisp slap cut him off.

Li Tiangang, shocked, turned to see his father's furious expression.

"How could you drive him to say such things?!"

"How hurt must he have been to say such heart-wrenching words?!"

Li Tianzong trembled with anger.