Cultivation Begins from Infancy - Chapter 262

Volume 3 - Chapter 23: The Ancient Ji Family - Part 1

“You are...”

When Li Tiangang saw Feng Boping suddenly appear, his gaze sharpened. He had long known that there was someone at the Fourth Pillar Realm by Li Hao’s side, quietly supporting him. This mysterious protector was the reason Li Hao had been able to establish himself so firmly upon arriving at Tianmen Pass.

It must be this person before him.

Li Tiangang carefully scrutinized Feng Boping, his expression shifting abruptly. With a mixture of shock and fury, he exclaimed:

“You’re the Thief Saint?!”

Feng Boping had deliberately avoided showing himself earlier, unwilling to reveal his presence. After all, in the vast Li family, the only connections he had were with Li Hao and Li Muxiu.

But stepping forward now had become unavoidable. Since he had chosen to emerge, he was prepared for his identity to be exposed.

“It’s me,” he replied.

“So, it’s you who’s been shadowing Hao’er in secret?!”

Li Tiangang was stunned, his eyes wide with anger. “What is your intention? What are you planning?”

Feng Boping sneered coldly. “Without me, your son wouldn’t have even made it to Tianmen Pass alive. Do you know how many pairs of demonic eyes were viciously watching him the moment he stepped out of your Li family’s gates? You pushed a fourteen-year-old child out into the world without a second thought. Do you even know what he has endured?”

“He carries the wrath of every demon and fiend your Li family has provoked over centuries!”

“He’s bearing the hatred meant for your family! Without me, your son would have died a long time ago!”

“And you ask what my intentions are? My only intention is to ensure that he lives—with his head held high!”

Li Tiangang roared, “But if it weren’t for you, Hao’er wouldn’t have dared to leave the Divine General Mansion in the first place! It’s your protection that gave him the audacity to be so reckless, even daring to defy me!”

Feng Boping chuckled bitterly. “Even if he stayed at the Divine General Mansion to survive, would he have followed your orders? You’ve been absent in Yanbei for over a decade! Did your son ever fall short in comparison to others during that time?”

“Does he need your guidance? Does he?!”

Li Tiangang flinched slightly at Feng Boping’s nearly roaring words. Indeed, the years he spent in Yanbei had left him with guilt toward Li Hao.

In terms of talent alone, his son was second to none.

But precisely because of that, he felt the need to guide him onto the right path.

“You’re a thief. What would you know about principles, ethics, loyalty, or filial piety?” Li Tiangang’s gaze turned icy as he stared at Feng Boping. “Do you think ability alone is enough to win respect? Even as an official or a general, relying solely on force to suppress subordinates will only lead to betrayal on the battlefield!”

“Officials are stronger than commoners, but officials are the boat, and the people are the water. Water may be soft, but it can overturn a boat!”

“Even the current emperor rules with a balance of kindness and might. What is brute strength without virtue?”

Feng Boping laughed, his tone laced with disdain. “Are you talking about yourself? Can’t you see? Whose banner flies across the turbulent Liang Province today?”

“And whose name do the people praise endlessly?”

“Is it yours, Li Tiangang? Or the Li family’s?”

“Or is it the name Hao’er carved out with his own hands?”

Li Tiangang roared in fury, “That’s exactly why I’m here! Whose name is on that banner? It can’t possibly be yours!”

Feng Boping smirked. “The name on the banner belongs to its maker. Can’t you see that? Or do you still think it’s the work of some reclusive master? Even if such a person existed, why would they help Hao’er? Have you thought about that?”

Li Tiangang froze, countless thoughts racing through his mind. For a moment, he was at a loss for words.

Feng Boping, seeing his silence, sneered.

“Even if such a master exists, do you think they’d assist Hao’er out of respect for your Li family? If your family had that kind of influence, why did six out of nine sons die in battle without any such help?”

Li Tiangang’s face darkened. Yet, he had to admit that there was some truth in Feng Boping’s words.

“Did Hao’er really make it himself?”

Li Tiangang stared at him, suppressing his anger for now.

Feng Boping sneered twice but did not answer.

Li Tiangang, observing his expression, didn’t press further. Instead, he felt a mix of astonishment and excitement building within him.

If his son truly created it, no matter how he mastered such a secret technique, this ability would be invaluable in defending the borders of Great Yu against demons and fiends in the future.

If the banners could be mass-produced, combined with the Li family’s prestige, they could protect the entire Great Yu Divine Dynasty!

“Was it really your own creation?”

Li Tiangang’s gaze shifted past Feng Boping to the shadowy projection of Li Hao.

The shadow of Li Hao coldly replied, “It’s none of your business. Leave!”

Even knowing that this was merely a projection, not his real son, Li Tiangang felt a flicker of anger at such rudeness coming from his son’s face.

Feng Boping’s eyes grew cold as he said, “What’s the point of these questions? Hao’er’s life and death remain uncertain. Even if he created the banner, what of it?”

“If he’s dead, it all amounts to nothing!”

Li Tiangang’s expression shifted slightly as he replied in a cold voice, “You underestimate the Li family’s foundation. With my Fourth Uncle, who is highly familiar with the River of Death, and Hao’er’s combat prowess, as long as he’s cautious, he won’t face danger.”

“I’ve already stationed hundreds of thousands of troops outside Dragon City by the River of Death. Once they emerge, I’ll ensure their safe return!”

“You, a wandering thief, wouldn’t understand the power of connections and heritage!”

Feng Boping trembled with anger but refrained from arguing further.

He, too, hoped that the Divine General Mansion’s foundations were as strong as Li Tiangang claimed. That way, Hao’er would return safely.

“Let’s hope your Divine General Mansion lives up to its reputation,” Feng Boping said with a cold snort, flinging his sleeve. “I have no desire to quarrel with you. But if you wish to fight, this old man will oblige. Don’t think of harming Hao’er any further!”

“Back at the gates of your Divine General Mansion, I chose not to reveal myself to avoid tarnishing your Li family’s reputation. But here and now, your arrogance will find no quarter!”

“So I should thank you instead?” Li Tiangang sneered. “A thief who sows chaos wherever he goes—who sent you here? What did you receive in return for meddling in the Li family’s affairs? Hasn’t Hao’er been led astray by you?”

“Haha…” Feng Boping let out a bitter laugh. “I formed an instant bond with Hao’er. You claim I’ve manipulated him?”

“Isn’t that the truth? If it weren’t for you, Hao’er would still be in the Divine General Mansion. When he was ambushed by demons outside the city, Li He would have brought him back!”

Li Tiangang’s voice turned icy. “You keep saying you’re acting for Hao’er’s sake, but this is a matter between father and son. What right do you, an outsider, have to interfere?”

“And what standing do you have to meddle in the affairs of the Divine General Mansion? Hao’er is our family’s future True Dragon. What are your intentions?”

Feng Boping’s face twitched slightly as if he wanted to lash out, but the words “What right do you, an outsider, have” stopped him.

Thinking of his own rootless existence, drifting through life like duckweed, he let out a self-deprecating laugh.

“It doesn’t matter what you think. The accusations I’ve carried throughout my life far surpass this petty slander—just meaningless noise,” Feng Boping said, his tone calm as he fixed his gaze on Li Tiangang.

“But today, as long as I’m here, don’t even think about harming Hao’er!”

“You really think you’re a match for me?”

Li Tiangang narrowed his eyes. “I’m not unreasonable. Were it not for the fact that you’ve indeed protected Hao’er, I would have captured you and sent you straight to the imperial prison long ago!”

“Is that so? Then come and try,” Feng Boping retorted with a faint smirk. “It’d be quite the merit for you—a feat that could raise your noble rank from Third-Class Duke to Second-Class Duke.”

A mocking smile played at the corners of his lips. “I’ve long wanted to see whether the so-called True Dragon of the Li family can truly stand against an old thief like me!”

A hum echoed suddenly.

The Dragon Sky Sword quivered, hovering before Feng Boping. Its hilt faced him, while the blade pointed directly at Li Tiangang.

The shadowy form of Li Hao seemed to sense the surging power between the two men. Taking a step forward, he stood beside Feng Boping, his voice cold and resolute. “Intruders will be executed without mercy!”

Li Tiangang’s face darkened as he saw the hovering divine sword and Li Hao’s projection standing protectively by Feng Boping’s side. A flash of blood-red fury crossed his eyes.

“Say that again?!”

Feng Boping noted the power stirring within the shadowy Li Hao and glanced at the Dragon Sky Sword hovering nearby. A fleeting trace of satisfaction crossed his expression before he composed himself.

“Hao’er, stay here. I’ll handle this,” he said softly, stepping forward. “Li Tiangang, do you dare face me outside?”

“Hmph, a scurrying rogue dares speak to me this way?”

Li Tiangang’s eyes locked onto Feng Boping. In the next instant, the figures of both men vanished from the courtyard.

“Uncle Feng!”

Ren Qianqian’s face paled as she saw Feng Boping and Li Tiangang disappear. She cried out in alarm, her voice trembling.

But the world around her remained silent, with no trace of the two men. Suddenly, the faint rumble of battle could be heard from a great distance.

The two combatants had deliberately moved far from Cangya City, their clash already carrying them across countless miles.

With a swift movement, the shadowy projection of Li Hao took a step forward and pursued them.

“Young Master!”

Ren Qianqian called out anxiously, but all she could see was the Dragon Sky Sword transforming into a streak of golden light, following Li Hao’s projection as both disappeared into the horizon.

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