A person sacrifices himself to become a saint in a chaotic world of martial arts.

"Lord Su, we've arrived. Please alight from the carriage!"

The butler's voice came from outside the car, carrying just the right amount of respect, neither too loud nor too soft, reaching the carriage at the perfect moment.

Su Bai responded with an "Okay," and reached out to lift the carriage curtain. The moment the curtain was lifted, the afternoon sun poured in, casting a soft halo around his face and scattering fine golden light between his brows and eyes. He squinted slightly, then stepped down from the carriage. His feet landed on the bluestone ground with a soft thud, and he could feel the warmth of the sun-baked stone as his shoes touched the surface.

After standing still, he looked up and saw the main gate of the Li family's house.

The lintel was wide, over three zhang (approximately 10 meters) in height, imposing and grand, resembling a small city gate. Above hung a huge plaque, black with gold characters. Sunlight shone on it, making the two characters "Li Mansion" gleam brilliantly, the gold paint between the strokes so thick it seemed to drip. The calligraphy was powerful and vigorous, each stroke exuding the majesty and profound heritage of a powerful family, inspiring awe. On either side of the gate stood eight servants, each as upright as a pine tree, their eyes sharp as lightning. Although dressed as servants, their clothes were impeccably clean and new, the bluish-gray fabric gleaming finely in the sunlight, without a single wrinkle. Long swords hung at their waists, their scabbards black, their hands at their sides, standing ramrod straight and motionless, their eyes rarely blinking, like eight clay sculptures.

Su Bai paused slightly as he walked past them.

His gaze slowly swept across their faces. Though he couldn't discern their exact cultivation levels, the sharp aura emanating from them sent a chill down his spine—each and every one of them felt comparable to, or even surpassing, the constables of the county government. It was an aura honed through countless trials, a sharpness forged on the edge of a blade, the lingering power of survival from countless battles. Although their gazes weren't fixed on Su Bai, the invisible pressure was enough to make him involuntarily tense.

As expected of one of the four great families, even their gatekeepers are so capable.

He thought to himself, but remained outwardly calm. He withdrew his gaze and followed the butler into the Li family's gate.

The threshold was quite high, about half a foot wide, carved from a single piece of bluestone, its surface polished smooth as a mirror by countless footsteps. Su Bai stepped over it, and as his foot landed, the sole of his shoe lightly touched the stone surface, feeling its coolness.

The steward led him through a winding path, turning and twisting. The courtyard stretched deep into the distance, its corridors intricately carved with intricate patterns, the vermilion lacquer gleaming warmly in the sunlight. Along the way were artificial hills and ponds, exotic flowers and rare herbs, the air filled with a faint, fresh scent of grass and trees, occasionally mingled with a delicate fragrance drifting from somewhere else. Occasionally, servants would hurry by, heads bowed, their steps light as if walking on clouds. Upon seeing the steward, they would bow respectfully, only continuing on their way after he had passed, never daring to lift their heads.

After walking for about the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, and passing through three moon gates, we finally stopped in front of a large house.

The house, with its soaring eaves and intricate brackets, is magnificent in its grandeur. Layers of green-tiled roofs rise high, their eaves seemingly about to take flight. Strings of copper bells hang beneath the eaves, tinkling softly in the wind. Two large vermilion pillars stand before the entrance, each as thick as two people could encircle. Their surfaces are smooth as mirrors, reflecting images faintly. Each pillar rests on a carved stone base, intricately engraved with cloud patterns.

"Lord Su, please wait here for a moment." The butler turned around with a smile on his face, a smile that was just right, neither overly warm nor cold. "The Third Elder will be here shortly. The Third Elder is in charge of external affairs."

"Okay." Su Bai nodded, his expression calm.

For him, who he met with was not important; what mattered was what the Li family could give him.

The butler pushed open the door, stepped aside, and gestured for Su Bai to enter. The door creaked slightly as it opened, the hinges turning smoothly, indicating it was regularly maintained.

The room was elegantly furnished, with a rosewood table in the center. Its surface was finely grained and gleamed with a dark red luster, the corners covered with exquisite copper. Four chairs flanked it, their backs carved with flowing lotus scrolls, the lines smooth and lifelike, the armrests worn smooth and shiny. Several landscape paintings hung on the walls, their ink washes creating a serene and profound atmosphere, the signatures of several unfamiliar names. The room was bright and clean, sunlight streaming through the carved window frames, casting dappled shadows on the floor that trembled gently with the swaying of the branches outside. A faint scent of sandalwood filled the air, its subtle fragrance permeating the nostrils and bringing a sense of tranquility.

As soon as Su Bai sat down, he heard light footsteps coming from the back room.

The footsteps were neither hurried nor slow, each step steady and evenly spaced, as if measured with a ruler. Then, an elderly man with white hair slowly walked out from the back hall.

The old man was slender yet not frail, his back ramrod straight, like a bamboo stalk. His beard and hair were all white, like frost and snow, neatly combed, not a single strand out of place. His face was kind, his forehead broad and full, with deep wrinkles at the corners of his eyes—the marks of time—that did not make him appear old, but rather added a touch of wisdom. He wore a dark gray robe, the hem of which hung down to cover his feet, and a black silk sash was tied around his waist, from which hung a piece of mutton-fat jade, swaying gently with his steps. His gait was steady, each step seemingly measured, landing silently.

He had a smile on his face, a smile as warm as a spring breeze, with the corners of his eyes slightly curved and the corners of his mouth just the right amount of upward curve, making people feel good at first sight.

"Hello, my surname is Li, Li Yuanhong, and I am the third elder of the Li family." The old man's voice was gentle, with a touch of elder's kindness, and he nodded slightly as he spoke. However, his seemingly cloudy eyes suddenly lit up at this moment, as if two beams of light flashed, and his sharp gaze swept over Su Bai—from face to shoulder, from shoulder to waist, from waist to toe, as if he wanted to see through the man from the inside out.

"This must be Lord Su."

That gaze, seemingly casual, was as sharp as a blade, carrying the scrutiny and insight of someone long accustomed to high positions. When it landed on Su Bai, Su Bai's heart skipped a beat, his back involuntarily tensed for a moment, and even his breathing slowed down.

This is a master, an absolute master.

Su Bai immediately stood up, his movements swift and decisive, the hem of his robes rising and falling gently with each step. He clasped his hands in a fist salute, leaning slightly forward, neither humble nor arrogant: "Greetings, Third Elder. In front of elders, you may simply address me as Su Bai."

"Hehe, I'm being presumptuous, please just call me Young Master Su." The Third Elder waved his hand with a smile, his attitude becoming increasingly amiable, the sharpness in his eyes also subsiding, returning to a gentle and calm demeanor. "Young Master Su, please come inside."

He turned slightly to the side, raising his hand in a gesture of invitation. The curve of his outstretched hand was just right, showing both courtesy and dignity. His hand was very well-maintained, with smooth skin and neatly trimmed nails.

Su Bai nodded and sat down again with him.

As soon as they sat down, a servant in blue robes entered quietly carrying a tea tray. The servant's head was slightly bowed, and his footsteps were so light they were almost silent, as if he were walking on cotton. He gently placed two cups of hot tea in front of them, his movements careful and deliberate. The tea swayed gently in the cups without spilling a drop. The teacups were celadon, their glaze warm and jade-like, the walls so thin they were almost transparent, allowing a glimpse of the tea's color. The tea was clear, a pale golden color, the tea leaves unfurling in the cups, standing upright, swaying gently with the ripples. Wisps of steam rose, carrying a delicate tea aroma that filled the nostrils and invigorated the senses.

The Third Elder picked up his teacup, supporting the bottom with his left hand and holding the lid with his right, his movements elegant and composed. He first gently stirred the floating tea leaves with the lid, the movement slow and rhythmic, the leaves swirling in the tea. Then he lowered his head and took a sip, making a soft slurping sound as the tea entered his mouth, his Adam's apple bobbing slightly. Immediately afterward, he raised his gaze, looking out the window, seemingly lost in distant memories, his eyes becoming somewhat unfocused.

"Young Master Su," he began slowly, his voice deep and resonant, as if coming from afar, carrying the weight of time, "My Li family originated eight hundred years ago. Back then, it was the previous dynasty, a time of turmoil and numerous heroes rising up. It was thanks to an ancestor who rose to the rank of Marquis that my Li family established its foundation. Generation after generation, we have weathered countless storms and ups and downs. Although we have declined somewhat now, we are still doing alright, at least we have managed to maintain our family business..."

The third elder spoke eloquently, recounting the founding of the family and the rise and fall of each generation, from family rules to the current situation, from ancestral glory to present difficulties. His pace was neither hurried nor slow, his voice neither loud nor soft, his words revealing a deep affection for the family. When he spoke of triumphs, his face lit up with pride; when he spoke of the lows, he sighed and shook his head. As he spoke, his gaze would sometimes fall on the window, sometimes on the teacup, his fingers occasionally gently stroking the rim of the cup until it gleamed.

Su Bai didn't want to interrupt, so he could only hold his teacup, nodding occasionally in agreement and offering a few words of flattery. He would take a sip of tea, nod, and say something like, "I see," "The Third Elder is right," or "The Li family is indeed well-established." He maintained a perfectly attentive expression, his eyes focused, but in his heart, he was secretly calculating—this Third Elder was definitely not just chatting idly; he must have something else in mind.

And so, the Third Elder spoke for almost half an hour. The shadow of the sun outside the window quietly shifted, moving from the threshold to beside the table leg. The tea in the teacup was refilled twice, each time by the servant in blue who silently entered, silently refilled the cup, and silently withdrew.

Finally, he changed the subject.

He placed the teacup on the table, the bottom of the cup making a soft "tap" as it touched the surface, a sound that was particularly clear in the quiet room. He raised his gaze, which fell on Su Bai's face, his eyes now filled with scrutiny and deeper meaning. His brows twitched slightly, and his previously relaxed expression became somewhat serious.

"Young Master Su, I never expected you to be able to kill An Wu'ou at such a young age. You truly are a young hero." He paused, his gaze growing even deeper, as if trying to see into Su Bai's heart. "But I see you seem somewhat weak—have you ever considered finding someone to help you?"

Upon hearing this, Su Bai was taken aback.

His hand holding the teacup paused slightly, causing the tea inside to swirl gently, creating tiny ripples. He quickly realized—was the Li family trying to recruit him?

Upon further reflection, he understood the key to it.

His excuse might fool outsiders, but An Wu'ou was personally injured by a member of the Li family. The Li family must have been fully aware of An Wu'ou's injuries at the time. They knew the extent of his injuries and how much fighting strength he still possessed better than anyone else. It couldn't be hidden from the Li family's eyes. That's why the Li family saw his talent and potential, and thus decided to recruit him.

If it were someone else, they would probably have accepted the offer from the four great families on the spot, and would have been eager to kneel down and pledge their loyalty.

After all, this is the Li family, one of the four great families alongside the Ning family from which Ning Yuechan originated. In some ways, if he were to side with the Li family, it would be far better than side with Ning Yuechan. No matter how talented Ning Yuechan is, she is ultimately just a daughter of the Ning family, and a woman at that. How much say can she have in the family? How many resources can she be given in the future? The Li family, on the other hand, is a true behemoth.

Unfortunately, Su Bai already had a plan in mind.

He felt that relying on Ning Yuechan was enough. Besides, it seemed he didn't need to rely on anyone else; he had his own path to follow.

Su Bai put down his teacup, the bottom landing softly on the table, yet carrying an undeniable firmness. He calmly cupped his hands in a respectful gesture, the movement small but resolute.

"I'm afraid I can't accept the Third Elder's kind offer. I only wish to serve in the Zhenfu Division, to do my duty to the best of my ability, and I dare not have any other thoughts."

He politely declined, but his tone was firm and unwavering, his gaze calmly meeting that of the Third Elder.

Upon hearing this, the Third Elder's expression remained unchanged, his smile still on his face, as if he had expected this remark. He picked up his teacup, took another sip slowly, the tea making a soft sound as it entered his mouth. After setting down the teacup, he wiped the corner of his mouth with his fingertip, the movement slow, as if he were considering something.

"Young Master Su, you may want to reconsider." He raised his gaze, looking directly at Su Bai, his eyes filled with a hint of pressure. "I know you seem to have some connection with Ning Yuechan of the Ning family? But my Li family can offer far more than she can. What the Ning family can give her, they may not be able to give you; but what my Li family can give you is absolutely beyond your imagination."

As he spoke, his gaze was fixed on Su Bai's eyes, his tone carrying a certainty, even a hint of barely perceptible threat. Those eyes were no longer gentle, but rather revealed a shrewd calculation.

However, Su Bai shook his head, his movements light yet resolute. His face showed no sign of wavering, his gaze calm and unwavering as he met the Third Elder's eyes.

"No, thank you very much, Third Elder. I appreciate it."

The Third Elder's smile froze for a fleeting moment. The stiffness was so brief it was almost imperceptible unless one looked closely. The muscles at the corner of his mouth twitched slightly, then he lowered his eyelids, concealing the fleeting emotion in his eyes. He picked up his teacup and took another sip, this time taking longer than before, his Adam's apple bobbing twice. After setting the teacup down, he lightly tapped the table with his fingers—once, twice, three times—the soft tapping sound of his knuckles against the surface remarkably clear in the quiet room.

"Young Master Su, there's no need for such a resolute refusal." His tone remained calm, but carried a hint of admonition. His smile had faded slightly; though the corners of his mouth still curved upwards, the smile had vanished from his eyes. "Disagreement today doesn't mean disagreement in the future. The doors of the Li family are always open to Young Master Su."

He paused, then looked up again, his gaze landing on Su Bai's face, his eyes burning with a intensity that seemed to scorch her.

"If you're willing to come, my Li family is willing to marry one of your direct descendants to you, and we can even help you reach the True Qi Realm as quickly as possible. As for the resources you need for your future cultivation levels, we will absolutely not shortchange you. You can think carefully about whether the Ning family can provide you with such conditions."

Upon hearing this, Su Bai's heart stirred slightly.

His eyelids twitched slightly, his eyelashes fluttered, but he quickly regained his composure. The conditions weren't bad; in fact, they were quite generous. He knew very well what a direct descendant woman meant. It meant truly integrating into the Li family, becoming a member, no longer an outsider. And the True Qi Realm—that was a realm countless martial artists dreamed of. With the Li family's resources, how many detours could he avoid?

But his face remained calm, showing no sign of wavering. He cupped his hands again, his movements still respectful, his attitude still firm, and even his tone remained unchanged.

"Thank you for your kind offer, Third Elder. I will consider it further when I return."

It was still a polite refusal, still watertight.

The Third Elder's smile finally faded. His expression darkened slightly, and although the corners of his mouth still managed a forced upward curve, the smile was stiff and strained. The gentleness in his eyes was gone, replaced by a hint of coldness. He lowered his eyes and tapped his fingers on the table twice more, this time harder, the sound more muffled, carrying a hint of displeasure.

"Alright then." His voice lacked warmth and gained a touch of detachment; even his tone had become flat, as if he were a different person. "Young Master Su can return anytime. In that case, let's give this gift to Young Master Su. My Li family's treasures are all written down here; take a look for yourself."

He took out a folded piece of paper from his sleeve and casually handed it to Su Bai. The action was so casual that it was almost perfunctory. When he handed the paper over, his hand was not even fully straightened, and his fingertips drooped slightly, as if he were giving something away.

Su Bai accepted the paper with both hands. The paper was slightly cool to the touch, with deep creases, clearly indicating that it had been folded and kept in his sleeve for a long time, and the edges were already a little frayed. He unfolded it and scanned it from top to bottom, reading it line by line.

The paper listed several items: a hundred-forged steel knife, a mid-level martial arts manual, several silver notes, and some medicinal herbs and utensils. The names were written in dense scribblings, but they were all ordinary items.

After reading it, he understood the situation.

Calling it a treasure is actually an exaggeration.

The most valuable item among them was comparable to a hundred-forged steel sword, or perhaps a mid-level martial arts manual. He glanced at the amount of silver notes; it was only a thousand taels, not even enough to buy a decent weapon. The medicinal herbs and utensils were also common goods, readily available in any pharmacy. These things would be rare treasures for ordinary people, enough to make them happy for a long time. But for the prestigious Li family, it was far too meager, practically like giving alms to a beggar, even less than that.

Su Bai knew perfectly well that this was because he had refused the offer, so the reward had been reduced. If he had accepted, he would probably be facing a different list right now, containing truly valuable items.

He didn't seem to care, his expression remaining unchanged. His gaze lingered on the paper for a moment before finally pointing to the hundred-forged steel sword. His finger landed on the name and gently tapped it.

"This will do." He handed the note back to the Third Elder, his expression indifferent, his tone as calm as if he were remarking on the pleasant weather.

The Third Elder took it, glanced at it, and casually placed it on the table as if it were just a piece of waste paper. He nodded and called out towards the door, "Someone come here."

The sound wasn't loud, but it carried clearly and echoed throughout the room.

Soon, someone pushed open the door and entered. It was a burly man, around thirty years old, with broad shoulders and a face full of menacing features. He held a long sword in both hands; the scabbard was jet black, completely undecorated, extremely plain. But the blade was long and narrow, and the scabbard was slightly bulging, clearly indicating that the sword inside was not thin and was quite heavy. The man walked up to Su Bai, presented the sword with both hands, his eyes lowered, and remained silent.

Su Bai took it. It felt heavy in his hand, several pounds heavier than an ordinary knife, at least twenty or thirty kilograms. He gripped the hilt, which was wrapped in coarse cloth, rough to the touch and non-slip. He drew it out slightly, a glint of cold light escaping from the scabbard, illuminating his face, chilling and intimidating, causing him to squint. Faintly visible on the blade were layers of forging patterns, as fine as ripples on water—the unique marks of steel forged a hundred times, the imprint left by countless hammer blows.

He sheathed his sword with a soft, clear, and lingering "clang" as it returned to its original position. Then, he casually put the sword into his holster, his movements clean, swift, and decisive.

"Farewell." He stood up, cupped his hands in a respectful bow, his movements still meticulous and his manners impeccable, his waist bent at just the right angle.

The Third Elder merely nodded slightly, not even bothering to rise. He sat there, picked up his teacup, his gaze fixed on the tea, as if the tea itself was more interesting and flavorful than Su Bai. His fingers held the lid of the cup, gently stirring the floating tea leaves, his movements leisurely and nonchalant.

When they left, the Li family no longer treated them with the same courtesy they had received upon arrival.

Although outward etiquette remained, a young servant led him outside, but this was merely a guide; the servant remained silent, never even glancing at him. As they passed through the courtyards and corridors, no one bowed; the servants walked past him, their gazes fixed straight ahead, as if he didn't exist. When he reached the gate, the carriage that had brought him was nowhere to be seen, even its tracks blown away by the wind. The servants at the gate still stood ramrod straight, but none of them looked at him; their gazes were fixed on empty space, as if he were nothing more than a passing breeze.

Su Bai stood outside the Li family's gate and glanced back at the gleaming golden plaque.

The sunlight still shone on it, and the two characters "Li Mansion" still gleamed brightly, their golden light almost painful to the eyes. A slight smile appeared at the corner of his mouth, so faint as to be almost invisible, and then vanished as if it had never existed.

He turned around and strode away.

The sound of footsteps faded into the distance on the bluestone pavement, one step at a time, even and firm. The sound grew fainter and fainter, until it finally disappeared at the end of the street.