The Thunderous News from the Southern Heaven!
The Thunderous News from the Southern Heaven!
Li Youran looked pensive as he pondered. Then, he slowly nodded.
The Grand Preceptor Li's speculation was somewhat reasonable. But, he could have never guessed the real reason. In fact, his conjectures would only continue to deviate and distance from the truth as he'd follow his logic. That's because this Jun Moxie wasn't the same old Jun Moxie. In fact, there was a difference of sky and land between the two. Therefore, the very-base of Li Shang's theories were mistaken…
"Let your grandfather give you another advice regarding Jun Moxie—Don't try to pressure him too much if you don't have full confidence in landing the fatal blow." Li Shang's white eyebrows trembled as he smiled and continued, "You and the Li Family only wants more power. But, Jun Moxie doesn't desire power. In fact, he ignores power. Therefore, Jun Moxie doesn't have a substantive conflict with us. This is why the rivalry between you and Jun Moxie is different from the one between Jun Zhantian and me."
"He ignores power…? How can you be sure?" Li Youran's eyebrows shot up. [Who wouldn't want a high post, a generous salary, and authority over the Empire? Who doesn't envy the men who have power over thousands of men? Who isn't fascinated with waking up to the whole world in your hand, and an intoxicating beauty at your knee? Why does Jun Moxie have such an independent and unique character? Why doesn't he want this?]
He didn't believe it.
In fact, he couldn't believe a word of it!
"This is visible from every action and every move of Jun Moxie's. He doesn't care about anyone's opinion. Moreover, he's unlikely to care about honor or disgrace… or life or death. Thus, he doesn't care about glory or death. He has the ability to spend millions of taels by raising his hand, and he's also capable of living in unlimited luxury by merely smiling his way to wealth. He looks down on all men in the world in the true sense of it! He goes his own way, and does what he pleases. That youngster moves freely, and bodes no restrictions."
Li Shang sighed, "That's the kind of person he is! His goal is greater than yours. He is better than you. I don't wish to admit this. However, I have no choice but to do it!"
"He's better than me… better than me…" Li Youran slowly went over those words, and suddenly became bitter. [I've done my best to pursue what I desire… But, is my effort that dismissive in others' eyes?"
This was a mocking irony for someone as proud as Li Youran.
"Yes, he's better than you. I can see your ambitious… I can see them very clearly," Li Shang's sparse eyebrows budged lightly, "You've sought it your whole life… you want the throne of the world in the palm of your hands. You want to rule over all men… even if it's impossible. This wonderful taste of power is your goal, but it will also be your ruin. In fact, you will sacrifice anything for that wonderful feeling!"
"Yes!" Li Youran's eyebrows moved softly. His eyes were brimming with a bloody and murderous aura. "Everyone desires power. And, everyone must strive to improve. Emperors can change with time, and my chance can also come someday. And, I will unmask my potential if that happens. I will rise up to make my Li Family last for a thousand generations. I seek to establish the Li Dynasty the moment I see the chance!"
"However, what Jun Moxie pursues is detached from everything else! He wants to stand beyond imperial power… like the Silver Blizzard City, or the Xue Hun Manor… or even something higher! But, I don't know what that is…" Li Shang sighed. "And, His Majesty also sees this very clearly. Therefore, he's more tolerant than before. But, he's also thoroughly repentant," the Imperial Preceptor smiled.
"I can understand His Majesty being repentant when I listen to Grandfather's words. But, how is he much more tolerant than before? Was he that intolerant in the past?" Li Youran was puzzled. [What's the inside story here?]
The Imperial Preceptor smiled, but didn't answer that. Instead, he merely said, "Who knows the reasons and results? Whatever is between our Li and the Jun Family… is nothing more than a grudge between Jun Zhantian and me. There's no cause for conflict otherwise. And, we're getting old…"
"So, what grandfather means is…" Li Youran was somewhat puzzled. [My grandfather's tone suggests that he wishes for the deep hatred between our families to be let off even though it has been carried on for three generations?]
"You Ran, you must remember this… Dealing with the Jun Family means dealing with someone like Jun Moxie! Don't act unless you're sure you'll annihilate him with his entire family… And, make sure that you see Jun Moxie's corpse swaying before you with your own eyes…" Li Shang closed his eyes. He continued in a somewhat tired manner, "That's the only case in which you must make a move! But, don't act recklessly if you're not sure of it!"
"Then, that is when we will attack first…" Li Youran bowed his head. His soft hair draped over his face and covered it. However, his true expression weren't visible to anyone…
Li Youran was shocked inside. [What Grandfather said right now, and what he had said before, "Don't try to pressure him too much unless you have full confidence in landing the fatal blow…" These words have the same meaning. However, Grandfather emphasized them, and even spoke them twice!]
[What does this mean?] Li Youran had understood it very clearly.
[This explains grandfather's feelings… He believes that I won't be able to face Jun Moxie's counter-attack. Moreover, it'll be the end for our Li Family if he counter-attacks.]
However, Li Youran couldn't accept this point of view.
"Everything is still your plan. And, you should be better than me… no matter the manner in which you act. So, I can't issue my opinions. This family… relies on you! So, you do anything as long as you deem it fit. And, don't worry about my impressions."
Grand Preceptor Li tiredly closed his eyes, and waved his hand, "You only need to remember two things in the current situation—don't disobey His Majesty, and you must be very careful with Jun Moxie. Have full control. Don't provoke these two. And, everything should be alright. Then, your efforts will surely pay off for our Li Family. In fact, they will take us to great heights."
Then, Grand Preceptor Li became silent, and this conversation between the grandfather and grandson came to an end.
It was merely early winters at the moment. But, a brazier was still raised inside Li Shang's room. Li Youran had always felt warm when the brazier was lifted. However, he felt cold this time… And, it was because of this conversation. In fact, he felt very cold.
This cold feeling left his usually upright figure to curl up shivering. And, he couldn't help but lean close to the brazier.
The complicated expression on his handsome face revealed that he was in deep thought. After all, he couldn't accept that he would… lose. [Could I be so much worse than him? I've been trying so hard, but it still hasn't made much of a difference?! I haven't had the time to think about this aspect much. But, how has Jun Moxie already surpassed me by so much?]
[Is he that fierce? Is he so hard to rival?] Li Youran sighed deeply.
Li Shang closed his eyes, and reclined on his couch. His heart could only sigh as he wondered what his grandson might be thinking. He had obviously understood it clearly. His grandson could depend on him for aid when it came to analyzing the pros and cons. However, Li Youran could only rely on him when it came down to it…
"I have a report for the Lord Young Master. The Head of the Meng Family—Meng You Wei wishes to meet with the Lord Master," a voice reported from outside.
"Tell him that the Grand Preceptor is unwell, and needs to rest. So, the Grand Preceptor can't meet anyone. Young Master has gone out, and hasn't returned…" Li Youran's replied in a weak voice.
Meng You Wei must've arrived to unite with the Li Family so that they could discuss how they should deal with the Jun Family. But, Li Youran didn't wish to hear the words, "Jun." Therefore, everything must wait until the storm of his heart had come to pass…
He looked at the three files on Jun Moxie, and smiled bitterly. Then, he suddenly picked the sheets, and threw them open into the fire of the brazier. The fire roared, and the flames soared inside the room. The temperature inside the room also rose as a result.
However, Li Your Ran's face was increasingly being filled with frustration. The flame illuminated his face in a deep red color. It was a somewhat strange color…
There was a sound of flapping wings in the sky. Then, someone informed, "Young Master, the report on the army returning from Southern Heaven City is here."
Li Youran tossed the remaining sheets into the brazier. His movements were neither too fast… nor too slow. He then dully replied, "Come in! Read it aloud!"
"Yes!" A big person cautiously entered. He did the usual ritual, and opened the letter he held, "There was an incident on the ninth day of the army's return march. They were hindered by the Silver Blizzard City's Second Elder—Xiao Buyu. He had five other Spirit Mystic elders, the Seven Swords, and two Heaven Mystic experts along. Furthermore, Xiao Han challenged Jun Wuyi to a death-match."
Li Shang's eyes suddenly opened wide, and he sat up straight. Li Youran stopped tossing the papers, and became completely still as well. The big man was shocked by this, and didn't read any further.
"Go on," Li Youran clenched his teeth.
"Jun Wuyi defeated Xiao Han, and the latter was crippled in the fight. The Seven Swords fought the Eight Great Master—Solitary Eagle. The Great Master went on to defeat the Seven Swords. And, Xiao Buyu fought Jun Moxie in this battle…"
"Xiao Buyu fought Jun Moxie…?" Li Youran trembled as he raised his head to look up at that man.
"Yes. Xiao Buyu fought Jun Moxie, but he was no match for Young Master Jun. Then, Jun Moxie used some evil scheme, and made Xiao Buyu strip in public. This shamed him to an extent that he killed himself. Jun Moxie's sword also decapitated Xiao Fengwu. And, he also cut the legs of the Silver City's Eighth and Ninth Elders. Moreover, Jun Moxie pierced the Sixth Elder's chest. Jun Moxie took on four of Silver City's Spirit Mystic experts by the end of it, and he came out on top. Everyone from the Silver Blizzard City…"
Li Youran didn't hear whatever was informed after this part since his mind had spiraled into a great shocked. His eyes went dark, and only that single piece of information was left to resonate in his mind, "Xiao Buyu fought Jun Moxie, but he was no match for Young Master Jun. Then, Jun Moxie used some evil scheme, and made Xiao Buyu strip in public. This shamed him to an extent that he killed himself. Jun Moxie's sword also decapitated Xiao Fengwu. And, he also cut the legs of the Silver City's Eighth and Ninth Elders. Moreover, Jun Moxie pierced the Sixth Elder's chest. Jun Moxie took on four of Silver City's Spirit Mystic experts by the end of it, and he came out on top."
[Jun Moxie took on four of Silver City's Spirit Mystic experts, and came out on top.]
[Jun Moxie took on four of Silver City's Spirit Mystic experts, and came out on top.]
It seemed that his ears had been filled with the sound of a thunderclap. It was like his soul had flown out of his body, and had transcended to the clouds. Li Youran swayed a bit, and his right hand grasped at something in order to steady himself. The thick pile of papers he held dropped from his hand, and landed into the brazier. This stack of paper landed on top of the raging flames inside the brazier. And, this gave rise to a plume of thick black smoke!