Li Xiangyi rubbed his earlobe after hearing this, smiling on the surface while feeling rather guilty inside. Without answering, he stood up and waved his hand to call the waiter over to order a few more dishes.
Shan Gudao's smile still lingered, but Lord Sesshomaru caught an increasingly heavy stench emanating from this man. For the first time, he lifted his gaze and shot a cold, scrutinizing glance at him.
Shan Gudao shivered involuntarily all over. The smile vanished from his face in an instant, and his right hand tightened around the hilt of his sword as he stared at Lord Sesshomaru with taut vigilance.
Seeing this reaction, Lord Sesshomaru withdrew his gaze indifferently, picked up a piece of osmanthus cake, and continued tasting it, as though he had merely cast a passing glance at an ant by his feet.
As the man looked away, Shan Gudao quietly let out a breath of relief, instantly feeling an immense wariness toward him. He guessed this must be the disciple of some reclusive master who traveled under an alias.
Along with that breath of relief came a rising surge of humiliation. Such a person! This kind of arrogant genius was every bit as unlikable as Li Xiangyi!
Li Xiangyi, Lord Sesshomaru! You are the mere ants; I, Shan Gudao, am of noble imperial blood! One day... just you wait!
With these thoughts, Shan Gudao's expression slowly smoothed back into a smile. He looked at Li Xiangyi, who had just sat down, and said in a gentle voice, "Junior brother, you and Brother Sha go ahead and eat. I'm a bit tired from the journey, so let's set off together tomorrow."
Looking at his senior brother's gentle smile, Li Xiangyi was momentarily unsure whether his senior was bothered by Brother Sha's attitude. But upon second thought, his senior brother was not that kind of person; it was surely just fatigue from the long journey catching up with him, so he simply nodded without further comment. Seeing this, the sense of shame hidden deep within Shan Gudao's eyes only grew heavier.
Seeing his senior brother walk away, Li Xiangyi looked at Brother Sha, who was dining with complete composure, and finally couldn't help asking, "Brother Sha, do you... dislike my senior brother?"
Lord Sesshomaru raised his eyes slightly. "To me, humans..." He had originally intended to say that these insignificant humans were simply not worthy of his attention, but recalling his own actions moments before, he swallowed the words back. After a brief pause, he said, "His aura is a foul, chaotic mix of resentment, jealousy, and the bloody stench of slaughter."
With just that single sentence, he said no more. At these words, Li Xiangyi froze instantly. He raised his eyes toward the room where his senior brother had gone, his right hand tightening involuntarily. Brother Sha never disdained to evaluate people or matters lightly; whatever he spoke of was certain to be something he had genuinely perceived.
Yet... Brother Sha's assessment of his senior brother was far too severe...
His senior brother had grown up alongside him, shielding him since childhood, and their bond had always run deep. He simply could not believe his senior brother was a despicable person.
At that thought, Li Xiangyi looked at Lord Sesshomaru and asked again, "Brother Sha, is it only my senior brother who gives you this feeling, or do most humans carry this kind of aura in your eyes?"
Lord Sesshomaru lifted his gaze slightly. "Humans are inherently weak creatures brimming with all manner of sordid, negative emotions."
Hearing this reply, Li Xiangyi thought of how a Great Yokai had always viewed mortals. The human heart was complex, naturally overflowing with tangled, negative emotions. This did not prove his senior brother's character, and he couldn't help letting out a sigh of relief. Yet, these words had nonetheless left a lingering trace in his heart!
That afternoon, Shan Gudao rested in his room. Since Qingfeng Town bustled with martial artists and boasted a dedicated horse market, Li Xiangyi suggested they go pick out a horse for the remainder of their journey.
Lord Sesshomaru had no interest in mindless beasts and wished to avoid the trip, but he couldn't shake off Li Xiangyi's insistence that "the horse bought for Brother Sha must be the fiercest and most pleasing to his eyes." In the end, he was dragged along to the horse market anyway.
The scents in the horse market were far too chaotic, forcing Lord Sesshomaru to hold his breath. He felt a fleeting regret for being far too indulgent with this human! Yet, in the end, he still hadn't shaken off the hand gripping his sleeve.
Though Lord Sesshomaru's demonic power was currently sealed, if he did not deliberately suppress the aura of a Great Yokai, beasts could easily distinguish it. The moment he let slip even a sliver of his presence, the surrounding horses trembled so violently in their hindquarters that only one large, date-red steed with smooth fur, snow-white hooves, and bright, eager eyes remained standing, full of restless spirit.
Finally, under Lord Sesshomaru's cold, handsome glare, Li Xiangyi successfully purchased this magnificent beast, touted as the "king of horses" in this market, for a mere seventy taels of silver—and the horse dealer even threw in a complimentary bag of bean cakes...
As he watched the two handsome young men who had supposedly "snagged a great bargain" walk away, the horse dealer rubbed his forehead and happily tucked away his freshly acquired silver. That stubborn, prickly horse was finally sold off! These two young lords didn't look like locals; a horse that refused to carry cargo, balked at pulling carts, and constantly dug up its tethering stakes would certainly never be returned. His commission for this deal was safely in hand!
Today... truly was a fine day indeed!
With the horse purchased, the two spent the rest of the afternoon strolling through town. Li Xiangyi bought Brother Sha two sets of fresh undergarments and robes. Smitten by the fine apparel, the young man couldn't resist buying a matching set for himself, and he didn't let any of the tempting pastries or candies slip past either, filling his arms to the brim.
When the two returned to the inn in high spirits, Li Xiangyi pulled out the money pouch their master had given him and counted the funds, instantly freezing in utter shock!
Five... five hundred taels of silver notes were down to... just three? And aside from that... there were only a little over sixty taels of loose silver left.
The young Jianghu newcomer taking his first steps into the world felt as though he had been struck by lightning. Not even ten days had passed... and silver... was it really spent this fast? It seemed that while punishing evil and promoting good, he would have to work hard to earn some silver.
Thus, that evening, Li Xiangyi knocked on his senior brother's room to ask for the quickest way to earn money in the martial world. Upon learning that it was capturing notorious criminals from the bounty boards, he returned to his room and lay down in full satisfaction...
The events Li Xiangyi encountered after descending the mountain continually shattered his understanding of the martial world. On the third day of traveling with his senior brother, Shan Gudao had originally planned to take Li Xiangyi to Yangzhou City to broaden his horizons—a place teeming with martial heroes and many acquaintances of his. However, while heading eastward, they caught wind of news that the Three Dongling Gangs had launched a siege against the Longmadao He Family.
Hearing this news at a roadside tea stall, Li Xiangyi turned to Shan Gudao beside him and asked, "Senior brother, if my information is correct, hasn't the Longmadao He Family long since washed their hands of the martial world and retired? What is the meaning of this siege?"
Shan Gudao pondered for a long while before replying, "I imagine the Three Dongling Gangs have an old grudge with them. The Longmadao He Family never made their fortune through clean means anyway, and they are hardly decent folk. This is simply a matter of settling old scores, so we needn't concern ourselves with it!"
Li Xiangyi shook his head. "The He Family has retired from the martial world for years, and their entire clan is filled with the old, the weak, and the young—countless innocents. The Three Dongling Gangs have always had a reputation for being ruthless and unforgiving. No, Senior Brother, Brother Sha, we have to go take a look."
Lord Sesshomaru nodded. Li Xiangyi was forging his own path of strength, and he never opposed choices of this kind.
Seeing Li Xiangyi's resolute expression, and then glancing at Lord Sesshomaru who had already agreed, Shan Gudao found himself unable to utter a refusal with righteousness looming before them. Yet, while Lord Sesshomaru and Li Xiangyi entered the town to gather information, he slipped into a fabric shop.
The three galloped on horseback, and with half a day's journey remaining before reaching the western outskirts of Kaifeng City where the Longmadao He Family estate was located, Shan Gudao reined in his horse. He attempted to dissuade his junior brother, who was looking at him in confusion, "Xiangyi, this is your first time descending the mountain for real experience, and Brother Sha is also new to the martial world. There is bound to be risk in this endeavor. It's enough for your senior brother to go—you two shouldn't tag along and risk your lives!"
Li Xiangyi shook his head and said solemnly, "The Shaoshi Sword in my hand exists precisely for fairness and justice. The Longmadao He Family washed their hands of the pugilistic world long ago, yet the Three Dongling Gangs are using the pretext of suppressing bandits while actually coveting the He Family's extraterrestrial Yuntie. This matter—I, Li Xiangyi, am determined to meddle in!"
With a face full of worry, Shan Gudao urged him once more, "Xiangyi..."
Lord Sesshomaru didn't believe for a second that this scum genuinely cared about Li Xiangyi. He spoke in a cold voice, "Noisy! Let's go!"
Li Xiangyi and Lord Sesshomaru spurred their horses onward. Watching Lord Sesshomaru's back, Shan Gudao knew by now that the man was merely crippled, but the sheer intimidation the fellow had inflicted on that first day ran too deep. He dared not fall out with him right now, so he could only grit his teeth and follow closely behind.
As the sound of hoofbeats faded into the distance, a strip of fabric lying on the ground was picked up by a hand, followed immediately by red fireworks bursting across the sky one after another...
Before the trio even entered the He Family estate outside the city, Lord Sesshomaru caught the rich stench of blood. Frowning, he reined in the large horse the human had named "Taxesue" and stopped outside the gates.
Sensing it as well, Li Xiangyi quickly leaped off the horse and bounded into the estate with a few agile leaps, closely followed by Shan Gudao.
The main gates stood wide open. All along the way—on the doors, walls, eaves, and stone piers—blood was splattered everywhere. Corpses of people slain by swords and blades littered the ground, with severed limbs and arms scattered about. Among the dead were old men, children, and women; by their attire, there were servants and maids, young masters and misses, lords and ladies...
Li Xiangyi felt a momentary wave of dizziness wash over him. The scene felt chillingly familiar. Shaking the thought from his mind, he pressed forward, checking along the way to see if anyone still lived...
Yet all the way to the main courtyard, among the seventy-six members of the household and servants, not a single soul remained alive!
Looking at the bodies blanketing the ground, Li Xiangyi's face was filled with unbearable sorrow. At that moment, a middle-aged man in deep blue brocade robes, clutching a long saber, lay sprawled upon the steps of the main hall. He drew a long, ragged breath, struggling desperately to crawl into the room before collapsing out of sheer exhaustion. Suddenly, a young child darted out from the room, flung himself over the man's body, and wailed in piercing grief, "Wake up! Wake up, Dad!"
Seeing this, Shan Gudao strode forward to prop up the man, who had regained consciousness and was gasping heavily, and asked with concern, "Family Head He, hold on!"
The He Family Head looked at his youngest son, who was weeping tears of bitter anguish, and then at the newcomers, realizing they belonged neither to the Three Dongling Gangs nor to the other unknown faction. Seeing that the two men possessed upright features and knowing his time was running desperately short, he looked up with a tear-streaked face and pleaded in an earnest, trembling voice, "Two brave warriors, He begs you—please, take my young son to his maternal grandfather's family in Luoyang City."
Li Xiangyi looked down at him with a solemn expression. "Rest assured, we will—"
At that exact moment, Shan Gudao abruptly cut him off with an urgent voice, "Junior brother!"
Li Xiangyi snapped his head toward him, but Shan Gudao refused to meet his gaze, pressing on on his own, "I've heard that the He Family possesses a piece of extraterrestrial Yuntie that is both supremely pliable and fiercely strong..."
Hearing these words, Li Xiangyi stared at his senior brother in utter disbelief...
A heavy weight sank into the He Family Head's heart upon hearing this, yet having no other recourse, he fixed his gaze upon the white-robed young martial artist and said, "Two heroes, as long as my son arrives safely, he will naturally reveal the whereabouts of the Yuntie!"
Li Xiangyi spoke in a deep voice, staring intently at his senior brother. "There is no need for that. Taking advantage of someone's misfortune is not something a hero would do!"
Shan Gudao calmly turned to look at his junior brother, replying gently, "I was merely concerned that this object might fall into the hands of villains, which is why I asked." With that, he turned back to the He Family Head, his expression radiating righteousness. "Family Head He, please rest assured, we will safely escort your young master to his maternal grandfather's home in Luoyang!"
Hearing this, Li Xiangyi let out a breath of relief and nodded resolutely toward the He Family Head!
Looking down at his weeping youngest son, the He Family Head raised a trembling hand to stroke the boy's cheek. "Rui, put away your childish tears and be strong! From now on, the He Family rests upon your shoulders. Don't try to avenge your mother and father; Dad only wishes for you to live well. Follow this young hero—he will take you to your grandfather's house..."
By this point, the He Family Head could no longer sustain himself. Fresh blood continuously gushed from his mouth, and his gaze toward his youngest son slowly drifted out of focus. His hand dropped heavily, striking the ground, while his lips continued to murmur faintly, "Live well..."
Parents' love for their children runs deep; with their dying breath, their only wish is simply for their child to live on safely...
Shan Gudao's expression remained completely unmoved by the sight, yet Li Xiangyi felt as though a voice echoed persistently in his ears, speaking those very words to him—telling him to live well...
The He Family Head was dead. He Sanlang seemed to mature in a single instant, his tender face hardening with a trace of grim resolve. Wiping away his tears, he bowed deeply to Shan Gudao and Li Xiangyi, his voice terribly hoarse as he said, "Thank you both for your help. He Rui is endlessly grateful!"
Without saying much more, Li Xiangyi simply patted his shoulder. "I'll go find people to help tend to the remains first. Once you reach your grandfather's house and have your elders' support, you can return to handle the funeral rites."
Hearing this, He Sanlang shed another round of tears, stubbornly wiping them away from his face. He had heard the entire conversation between these two men and his father just moments earlier, and the look he gave Li Xiangyi carried a deeper, genuine trust. He simply nodded and bowed deeply to him once more.
Watching from the side, Shan Gudao seethed with hidden hatred, the look he cast toward the young boy stained with a hint of murderous intent. It was always like this—whenever Li Xiangyi was around, everyone favored him; whenever he was present, others failed to notice him at all...
Stepping out of the estate, Li Xiangyi looked at Lord Sesshomaru's lingering gaze, and the complicated emotions in his heart dissipated somewhat. He had originally intended for Brother Sha to accompany him, but for some reason, he suddenly recalled Brother Sha's evaluation of his senior brother, and then thought back to the words his senior had just uttered. Turning his gaze back toward the corpses carpeting the courtyard, he stood in silence for a long while before walking over to Lord Sesshomaru.
Sensing the lingering trace of sorrow radiating from Li Xiangyi, and catching sight of his tightly furrowed brows, Lord Sesshomaru took the rare initiative to ask, "What has happened?"
Taking a long, deep breath, Li Xiangyi replied in a low voice, "Inside, seventy-eight members of the He Family, save for a single child, were all slaughtered... Brother Sha, I just feel that for the sake of a little greed and a thin veneer of justification, human lives are treated with such utter contempt, and the innocent are slaughtered like grass. A martial world like this is simply too unbearable!"
Looking at his sorrowful face, still tinged with youthful innocence, Lord Sesshomaru for the first time did not find human compassion laughable. Fixing his gaze on him, Lord Sesshomaru suddenly asked, "Li Xiangyi, why do you pursue strength?"
Startled that the Great Yokai would ask him such a question, Li Xiangyi pondered it for a long time. He thought of the moment he picked up his sword, of his master and mistress, of Brother Sha, of the common folk he had seen upon descending the mountain, and of the murdered old and young of the He Family...
He raised his gaze to the sky. The sun and white clouds dotted a clear, serene blue expanse. The sorrow on his face vanished completely, gradually replaced by a resolute expression. Looking earnestly at Lord Sesshomaru, he said, "Brother Sha, with strength, I can wield the sword in my hand to protect those I wish to shield. With strength, I can wield my sword to speak for the weak and admonish the strong! I will use my sword to uphold justice, punish the wicked, aid the downtrodden, and set the martial world right!"