Chapter 1196: Meeting A King
Chapter 1196: Meeting A King
Everyone on the platform fell silent momentarily.
Whether it was Li Qingpeng, Li Jinpan, or any of the heavenly-prided upper-grade Dukes, they were all similarly shell-shocked by Li Luo’s blunt introduction of Jiang Qing’e.
Triple ninth-grade light resonances? Reaching the Duke Stage at an incredibly young age? Furthermore, she walked the Path of Ascension with her Ten-Pillar Duke Bergfried?
Anyone who possessed just one of the above would be considered a peerless genius that stood head and shoulders above their generation. Yet all three were found on a single individual. This was something that the Bloodline of Heavenly Emperor Li had never seen in their youths.
Li Jinpan was the first to recompose himself, and his expression turned complex. “Elder Brother, this scene seems a little familiar.”
Li Qingpeng nodded in agreement. Of course it seemed familiar. This was basically a repeat of how Li Taixuan had first introduced Tan Tailan when they arrived at the Dragon’s Fang Lineage.
However, the only difference was that both of them had just stepped into the Duke Stage then.
When they first met Tan Tailan, they were shocked beyond words. They felt shame simply being in her presence, as they had been outshone in terms of talent and appearance. It was as if Tan Tailan was the direct descendant of a Heavenly Emperor. When Li Taixuan and Tan Tailan stood beside each other, it was like the perfect pair coming together, giving off a dazzling aura that surpassed all others.
Li Qingpeng felt as though he could see Tan Tailan and Li Taixuan behind Jiang Qing’e and Li Luo.
“It seems you’re truly your father’s son. However, you’re even luckier than your father.” Li Qingpeng sighed. He considered Li Luo lucky because when Li Taixuan had first brought Tan Tailan back, things were not great. The Bloodline of Heavenly Emperor Li and the Bloodline of Heavenly Emperor Qing had reached a verbal agreement on a marriage. Alas, Li Taixuan was young and rebellious, disdainfully abandoning Qin Lian and choosing to leave home entirely. He then proceeded to court Tan Tailan openly for all to know and brought her back after the marriage had fallen through.
At that point, Tan Tailan never even got to meet Li Jingzhe. Li Taixuan’s actions had undoubtedly challenged his prestige as the Lineage Chief, and he was put in a tough spot, forced to explain himself to the other Lineage Chiefs. More importantly, he had himself agreed to the marriage with Qin Lian.
Thus, the atmosphere within the lineage was not pleasant in the least.
It was then that the seeds of a bitter fruit were sown.
Li Qingpeng and Li Jinpan were lost in thought momentarily. They had been reminded of the tenuous emotions during that time.
Jiang Qing’e walked forth and bowed respectfully at this point. “Greetings, Eldest Uncle and Second Uncle. I am Jiang Qing’e.”
Although the engagement contract had been returned to her and there was no physical evidence of their relationship, the two knew deep down that such a document didn’t mean much. Thus, to everyone on the outside, Li Luo was truly her fiance.
Since these two were Li Luo’s direct relatives, Jiang Qing’e would naturally treat them with the respect they deserved.
When Li Jinpan and Li Qingpeng saw this, they hurriedly stretched their hands out and lifted her back up. At the same time, their expressions turned warm and gentle. “Qing’e, is it? There’s no need to be so polite. We’re all family after all.”
“Li Luo is a mischievous and naughty brat. I can’t believe he tried to cause trouble when introducing you. We need to teach him a lesson later.” Li Jinpan grinned.
Jiang Qing’e smiled sweetly. “He was just cracking a joke with his elders.”
At the same time, she glanced at Li Luo. Just who didn’t know that this fool had a penchant for cracking perverse jokes? Although his expression was calm, his eyes glinted haughtily, clearly looking to bask in his splendor.
Li Qingpeng and Li Jinpan helplessly replied, “He’s the spitting image of his father after all.”
However, anyone could tell that they were very satisfied with her. At the same time, they found it inconceivable that such a frightening genius had come from an outer divine continent.
Li Luo had picked up an amazing bargain.
At this point, Ox Biaobiao and Li Rouyun both looked at Jiang Qing’e in surprise. “Qing’e, you actually broke into the Duke Stage?”
“Yes, I broke through after the mission,” she replied.
The two sucked in breaths of air in surprise. This sort of speed was more than remarkable.
As the group continued to speak, Li Hongyou made her way down from the flying ship. She stood behind them, hesitating and wondering if it was appropriate to step forward.
That said, she had her own unique charm. Adding on the fact that she possessed the Crimson Heart Vermilion Fruit resonance, she emitted a mystifying fragrance that led all who inhaled it to feel entranced by her.
As a result, the group immediately noticed her, and their expressions changed.
What was going on? Wasn’t one fiancee enough? Why was there another one? Was this brat Li Luo even more audacious than his father?
They could not discern the relationship between Li Luo and Li Hongyou, or between her and Jiang Qing’e. Thus, they did not say anything, leaving it up to Li Luo to explain.
Li Luo magnanimously helped her down like the gentleman he was before he explained, “Eldest Uncle and Second Uncle, this is Li Hongyou, a member of our lineage. She plans to enter the Dragon’s Fang Guardians in the future. Oh, and she has a lower ninth-grade Crimson Heart Vermilion Fruit resonance.”
When Li Qingpeng heard her name, he was a little surprised yet again.
“Li? And Hong is your middle name? What is your relationship with the Dragon’s Blood Lineage’s Li Yuanzhen?”
Li Hongyou first respectfully greeted him before she coolly replied, “In terms of our blood ties, it can be said that he’s my father. However, I’m the bastard daughter of a concubine. My mother and I were forced to leave by an evil woman when I was young, and she took me to faraway places.”
Li Jinpan and Li Qingpeng shot each other a look. She truly was a descendant of Li Yuanzhen.
The fact that she had followed Li Luo back to the Dragon’s Fang Lineage and wished to join the Dragon’s Fang Guardians implied that she had her own plans.
If Li Yuanzhen found out, he would definitely explode into a rage.
The two of them were unwilling to deal with a troublesome matter that would create a rift between the two lineages. However, seeing as Li Luo was the one who had brought her back, they would have to show him a little face. Li Luo was no longer a child, so they assumed he understood just how thorny this situation was.
“This sort of thing has to receive the Respected Elder’s approval. As it is, we are heading to the back mountain. The Respected Elder has already heard of your arrival and is awaiting you there.”
Li Luo nodded. Li Jingzhe was the heavens in the Dragon’s Fang Lineage, so as long as he approved of it, it would happen.
Thus, Li Luo said farewell to Ox Biaobiao and Li Rouyun before the group flew into the skies, heading straight to the back mountain.
On the way there, Li Luo found out from Li Qingpeng that Li Jingtao and Li Fengyi had already joined the Dragon’s Fang Guardians and were no longer on the mountain.
This wasn’t at all surprising as he had been gone for almost half a year.
The Twenty Banners had chosen a new round of leaders, and those who were older had undergone trials to see if they were capable of entering the Dragon’s Fang Guardian reserves. The rest were dispatched across the vast territories of the Dragon’s Fang Lineage.
The group gradually approached the bamboo thicket on the mountain before they descended and approached on foot.
After trekking through the bamboo forest for a bit, they came across bamboo that radiated spiritual light. In the middle of a clearing surrounded by the special bamboo was a quiet abode surrounded by a small garden. Li Qingpeng and Li Jinpan immediately retracted their smiles and their expressions turned respectful.
Li Hongyou was especially nervous, so her fists were tightly clenched. The Dragon’s Fang Lineage’s Lineage Chief was someone who truly held power in the Bloodline of Heavenly Emperor Li. His might was absolute in his lineage, and even her father would not dare to act presumptuously before him.
Jiang Qing’e’s expression had turned serene, but her slightly curled fingers revealed a trace of her inner feelings. She was not afraid of Kings, but this was Li Luo’s grandfather and also her Master’s father.
This man was Li Taixuan and Li Luo’s most important family member.
At this point, Li Luo stretched his hand out and grabbed Qing’e’s slightly cold hand.
She tilted her head slightly and was faced with Li Luo’s bright smile. She knew that he was demonstrating his intent before he approached the Lineage Chief.
Thus, she no longer felt any hint of nervousness and criss-crossed their fingers.
The group climbed up the steps and finally arrived outside the little garden that surrounded the abode.
When they arrived in the bamboo garden, they saw a wizened old man cutting at the bamboo shoots with his head hunkered down.
Li Luo was the first to call out to him. “Grandfather.”
Li Jingzhe casually waved in their direction, but he did not even raise his head. Instead, his aged voice rang out.
“Bring the guests in, I’ll cook a meal for you. The two of you can leave.” The latter sentence was clearly meant for Li Qingpeng and Li Jinpan.
The two coughed slightly in response and then smiled. With that, they turned to leave.
When they were a fair distance away, Li Qingpeng let out a hearty laugh and said to Li Jinpan, “The Respected Elder is making amends for all that happened in the past. That meal… was originally meant for Third Brother and Sister.”