Chapter 605: Chapter 604: No Trouble
Liu Zheng smiled, "It was just that I ran into an acquaintance, and now the matter has been resolved."
He recounted the enmity between him and the Liu Family, saying, "This time I went to town to take care of some business, and by the way, check on the old man to see if he has left anything behind."
"Oh, so that’s what happened..."
Li Qingluan cautioned, "Then, Young Master, you must be careful. After all, the Li residence is not that simple."
Liu Zheng replied, "Rest assured, I have a plan."
Li Qingluan said, "Then, Young Master, I’ll retire to my room to rest first." She remembered something and added, "Young Master, about that banquet, shall we..."
Liu Zheng replied, "Don’t worry, just proceed with the arrangements as usual, no need to change anything."
"Understood."
Li Qingluan said, "Young Master, please be careful yourself."
After speaking, she turned and left.
Liu Zheng stood still, his face dark and unsettled as if he was pondering something. After a long while, he finally said, "It seems it’s time to pay a visit to that uncle."
He turned and walked towards the back courtyard.
In the back courtyard, there were two pavilions, one was the room occupied by Li Yuanba, and the other was Li Qingluan’s boudoir.
When Liu Zheng pushed the door and entered, he saw Li Yuanba sitting cross-legged, his eyes tightly closed.
Liu Zheng sighed softly and took a seat on the bed.
Although Li Yuanba was a fool, he was someone utterly obsessed with cultivating. To maintain such alertness without sleeping was indeed admirable.
He handed a pill to Li Yuanba and said, "Big brother, take this medicinal pill. It’s good for your recovery."
Li Yuanba opened his eyes, glanced at Liu Zheng, and swallowed the pill.
Liu Zheng continued, "I plan to leave the Li residence tomorrow. Would you like to accompany me?"
Li Yuanba shook his head, "I don’t like bustling places. If you have to leave, just go by yourself."
Liu Zheng replied, "I still need your help, but if you are unwilling to go, I won’t force you."
"Hmph!"
Li Yuanba snorted, "You’re just thanking me for helping you with a minor trouble, what’s there to thank?"
Suddenly recalling something, his face showed a peculiar expression, "Young Master, did you just kill those guards?"
Liu Zheng replied, "That’s right."
"Are you insane?"
Li Yuanba’s eyes widened, "They were the guards of the Li residence, and you’re just a visiting Young Master. Doing this won’t just get you hunted by the Li Family, but it will also implicate us servants."
Liu Zheng smiled slightly, "Do you know why they caught me?"
Li Yuanba shook his head.
Liu Zheng said, "Because I killed their relatives!"
"What?!"
Li Yuanba was shocked, his mouth agape and his face full of astonishment.
Liu Zheng stated, "They wanted to kill me, so how could I not fight back?"
Li Yuanba frowned, "The guards of the Liu Family are extremely ferocious. You are seeking your own death!"
Liu Zheng said, "That’s why I need your help. You are the big brother I respect the most. If you don’t go, then I’ll have to venture out alone."
Li Yuanba said, "Alright, I’ll follow you!" Although he didn’t understand Liu Zheng’s thoughts, he had full trust in Liu Zheng and agreed without further question.
Early the next morning, Liu Zheng and Li Yuanba left the house.
They didn’t go directly to the town; instead, they began roaming the streets.
Li Yuanba was dressed in coarse cloth, his figure skinny as if just skin and bones, appearing sickly and extremely feeble, as though a gust of wind could knock him over.
Liu Zheng also looked unwell, his complexion pale.
"Young Master, what has happened to your health?" Li Yuanba couldn’t help but ask, "Could it be you fell ill after catching a chill last night?"
Liu Zheng gave a wry smile, "I also don’t know, it’s rather complicated."
"Oh?"
Li Yuanba looked at Liu Zheng with confusion.
Liu Zheng said, "I’ve been busy dealing with town affairs these past few days and have not had the chance to speak with you about this matter, but now it wouldn’t hurt to discuss it." He thought for a moment and continued, "Here’s what happened: last night, I encountered a group of people who wanted to capture me as a slave, but after I defeated them, they brought a bunch of guards to try to enslave me again. Unfortunately for them, I am no longer the Liu Zheng of the past; my strength has far surpassed my previous limits!"
Li Yuanba exclaimed in surprise, "You’ve already broken through to the Martial Emperor Realm?!"
Liu Zheng nodded slightly.
"My heavens!"
Li Yuanba said in astonishment, "To reach the Martial Emperor Realm in such a short time is simply miraculous!"
"Isn’t that the truth?"
Liu Zheng’s face bore a proud look as he continued, "Big brother, do you know who that uncle is?"
"That uncle?"
After thinking for a moment, Li Yuanba said, "I recall there’s a big shot named Li Xuanba, a local hero who’s revered as a guardian deity of our Liu Family. But Li Xuanba has a fiery temper, quick to draw his sword and hack at people the moment any disagreement arises. He’s said to be a villain beyond redemption. If you were to seek refuge with him, I worry you’d suffer terrible abuse."
Liu Zheng replied, "So you think I should go to him then?"
"Yes, I think that’s about right," agreed Li Yuanba with a nod.
Liu Zheng smiled and said, "Let’s go see him, then."
The two went directly to find the uncle, Li Xuanba, at his residence.
"Boom!"
With a loud crash, Liu Zheng and Li Yuanba smashed against the wall and flew in, spitting blood.
Li Xuanba was sitting on a wicker chair eating breakfast. At the sight of Liu Zheng and Li Yuanba, he was taken aback and angrily exclaimed, "What are you two good-for-nothings doing barging into my house? Get out! Don’t block my meal!" He slammed his palm on the table, shattering bowls and chopsticks into dust.
Liu Zheng snorted coldly, "Li Xuanba, you are my father’s son, which makes me your brother. How can you curse at us? Is this how you treat your elder brother?"
"Elder brother?!"
A cold gleam flashed in Li Xuanba’s eyes as he spoke chillingly, "You are enemies of Li Xuanba, foes of the Liu Family! How dare you affront the Li Manor, you deserve death!"
With a wave of his sleeve, he commanded, "Someone, throw them out!"
"Hold on!"
Liu Zheng said, "I’ve come on behalf of my mother to seek an audience with my father. Do you know who he is?"
Li Xuanba replied with disdain, "I don’t care who your father is. Anyone who dares harm my people is to be killed without mercy!"
Liu Zheng smirked, "And what if my father refuses to see you?"
A trace of astonishment flickered in Li Xuanba’s eyes as he coldly retorted, "If my father refuses to see me, then I have no choice but to kill you!"
Liu Zheng said, "Fine, in that case, I shall reveal the truth!" He pulled out a jade token from his bosom, tossed it onto the table, and declared, "Look closely, this is my father’s Token. Do you recognize it?"
Li Xuanba’s expression changed, and as his gaze settled on the Token, he scrutinized it carefully. His pupils contracted as he cried out in shock, "The personal attendant token of my imperial father?"
Liu Zheng smiled and said, "It seems you’re still quite astute."
Li Xuanba fell silent for a while before he spoke through gritted teeth, "Fine! Then take me to see our father!"
Liu Zheng replied, "No, you must first arrange accommodations for me, otherwise, I will not take you to see our father."
Li Xuanba’s expression darkened as he grunted, "Are you threatening me?"
Liu Zheng responded, "You can take it that way."
"Fine, I’ll have my servants take you!" The viciousness spread across Li Xuanba’s face as he said, "Just don’t disappoint me!"
Liu Zheng reassured, "Don’t worry, you won’t be disappointed." He turned and walked towards the house.
Li Xuanba’s eyes glinted with malevolence as he said, "Liu Zheng, don’t be too arrogant. Your day of tears will come eventually!"
Ignoring him, Liu Zheng strode into the house and instructed the servant, "Take me to my father first."
The servant questioned, "Young master, didn’t you say you didn’t recognize the uncle? Why are you calling him ’father’ now?"
Liu Zheng replied, "My father is Liu Zheng. Haven’t you heard about my story? Then why don’t you call me ’uncle’ too?"
The servant hesitated, "This..."
Liu Zheng stated flatly, "You need not worry about such things; just do as you’re told. Moreover, you must not divulge this matter to anyone, or you’ll bear the consequences!"
"Yes!"
