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

Chapter 137 Li Yuehu Returns

Meanwhile, outside the north gate of Fengshan County.

A swift horse galloped out, its hooves pounding through the puddles on the official road, splashing mud everywhere. The mud splattered onto the withered grass by the roadside, then dripped down from the tips of the leaves.

Li Yuehu's face was gloomy, like the sky pressing down from above. He spurred his horse on at full gallop, the muscles on his cheekbones taut, his lips pressed into a pale line.

Behind him, his attendant Li Yao frantically whipped his horse in pursuit, the horse panting heavily, foaming at its mouth and nose. Finally managing to catch up with his young master, Li Yao gasped, "Young master! Slow down! Be careful!"

Li Yuehu didn't answer, but instead lashed out with his whip again. The whip cracked in the air, and his horse, in pain, spurred its horse forward, veins bulging on its neck, and galloped even faster.

Li Yao inwardly groaned, fine beads of sweat appearing on his forehead, whether from anxiety or exhaustion, he couldn't tell.

Ever since returning from Fenjiang County, the young master has been like a different person. He has a gloomy face all day long, his eyes have sunken, and he doesn't say much.

This morning, he didn't even have breakfast. The bowl of thin noodles sat on the table, steaming hot, until it became oily, but the young master didn't even glance at it.

Suddenly, he ordered his men to prepare horses and leave the city, and no one could stop him.

After running for about half an hour, the horses gradually slowed down. Both horses were panting heavily, their nostrils flaring, and fine beads of sweat seeping from their coats.

Li Yuehu reined in his horse and stopped it on a dirt slope by the roadside. He sat on the horse's back, his chest heaving, his breathing heavy. The veins on the back of his hands were bulging, and his knuckles were white from clenching his fists.

Li Yao finally caught up, cautiously observing his young master's expression. The young master's profile was taut, with a ridge bulging on his jawbone—his teeth were clenched too hard.

Li Yuehu gazed at the distant, rolling mountains, their outlines obscured by a hazy mist.

He suddenly spoke, his voice a little hoarse: "Li Yao, tell me, did I do something wrong?"

Li Yao was stunned, his body stiffening on his horse: "What does the young master mean by ————?"

"Su Bai," Li Yuehu uttered the name, his tone carrying an indescribable complexity.

He squinted, his pupils reflecting the blurry silhouettes of distant mountains. "I underestimated him."

Li Yao didn't dare to reply, but just lowered his head and stared at the mane on the horse's neck, which was wet with sweat.

Li Yuehu remained silent for a long time, recalling his conversation with his father the night before.

Those words, and the expression on his father's face when he spoke, were etched into his mind like a knife carving.

In the study, the candlelight flickered. The candlelight cast long and short shadows on the walls.

Li Chongshan, the head of the Li family, sat behind his desk, dressed in a casual crimson robe, his temples already showing signs of frost.

He held a teacup in his hand, looked at his most valued son, and slowly said, "Yuehu, do you know what is most important for a scion of a noble family in navigating life?"

Li Yuehu lowered his head, his gaze fixed on the tips of his boots: "Please enlighten me, Father."

"Gentle." Li Chongshan picked up his teacup, gently blew on it, and tiny ripples appeared on the tea. "What makes a noble family stand in the world is not brute force or power, but people. He who wins the hearts of the people wins the world, and the same applies to noble families. Treat others with gentleness and handle affairs with tact, and you will make many good friends and few enemies."

As he said this, he looked up at his son, his gaze both gentle and sharp.

Li Yuehu raised his head, seemingly wanting to say something but then stopping himself.

The candlelight reflected on his face, casting flickering shadows that made his expression appear somewhat unpredictable.

Li Chongshan seemed to read his mind, setting down his teacup. The bottom of the celadon cup touched the rosewood tabletop with a very soft "tap." He changed the subject: "But—"

—

This turn of events invigorated Li Yuehu, and he instinctively straightened his back.

"If the feud truly reaches a point where it's impossible to resolve, then we must be decisive." Li Chongshan's gaze suddenly sharpened, like two drawn swords. "Strike with thunderous force, eradicate the root of the problem, and leave no future trouble. Gentleness and decisiveness may seem contradictory, but they are actually two sides of the same coin."

Knowing when to be gentle and when to be ruthless is the foundation of a noble family's character.

When he spoke the last few words, his tone slowed down, emphasizing each word as if he wanted to nail each one into Ji Zi's heart.

Li Yuehu felt a chill run down his spine and bowed, saying, "Your son remembers." His voice was somewhat strained, and his Adam's apple bobbed up and down.

"That Su Bai—" Li Chongshan pondered for a moment, tapped his fingers lightly twice on the desk, and glanced at the flickering candlelight. "You can decide for yourself."

That concludes the recollection.

Li Yuehu gripped the reins tightly, the leather straps leaving deep marks on his palms. A fierce glint flashed in his eyes, and a faint, eerie fire seemed to burn deep within his pupils.

He indeed underestimated Su Bai.

I thought he was just a lucky pretty boy who got lucky and managed to get on Ning Yuechan's good side.

In the Fenjiang County incident, Su Bai not only escaped unscathed, but also took over Qingyuan County. Such skill and cunning are beyond the reach of ordinary people.

Since an enmity has been formed, it cannot be allowed to remain.

Li Yuehu took out a waist token from his pocket. It was made of bronze, about the size of a palm, and had the character "Li" engraved on it.

The handwriting was ancient and simple, the strokes deeply recessed, and the edges smoothed and shiny from being rubbed. This was his father's token, which could mobilize some of the Li family's power.

When Li Yao saw the waist token, his expression changed, and his eyes widened: "Young master, what is this—"

"Go back to the city immediately and find Divine Blade Fang Yueyuan." Li Yuehu handed the waist token to Li Yao, his fingers gripping the bronze piece until his knuckles turned white. "Tell him to take this token and guard the official road from Fengshan Prefecture to Qingyuan County. Su Bai will definitely pass through there today; have him seize the opportunity to kill him."

Li Yao's hand trembled, and he almost missed catching the waist token.

The bronze tablet weighed heavily in his palm, its icy touch sending chills down his spine. "Young Master, this—this is the patriarch's token. You're using it to kill Su Bai? This, this—" His voice trailed off, the last few words barely audible.

"What do you know!" Li Yuehu said coldly, his voice like a knife tempered with ice. "If Su Bai is not eliminated, he will surely become a future threat. Fang Yueyuan is a master of the mid-stage of the True Qi Realm, and his swordsmanship is superb. Killing Su Bai would be more than enough for her."

When he said the word "kill," the muscles in his cheeks twitched violently.

"But—" Li Yao wanted to persuade him again, his lips moving, and fine beads of sweat appearing on his forehead.

Li Yuehu raised his hand to stop him, but the hand paused in mid-air before suddenly pressing down: "Go quickly. Remember, this matter must not be made public." His gaze was like a nail fixed on Li Yao's face, making Li Yao's spine go cold.

Li Yao looked at the young master's gloomy face. His once handsome face was now covered with a layer of gray, his eyes were sunken, and his bones were prominent.

Knowing that further persuasion would be futile, he could only clasp his hands in a fist and reply, "Yes." His voice was so low it was like a mosquito's hum.

He turned his horse around and galloped towards the city. The sound of hooves was rapid, gradually disappearing at the end of the official road.

Li Yuehu stood alone on the earthen slope, gazing northward.

The wind blew from that direction, stirring his robes, making the hem flutter.

His figure appeared particularly solitary in the hazy sky.

Su Bai, don't blame me.

If you have to blame someone, blame yourself for being too smart.

As darkness fell, dark clouds surged in from the west, as if someone had splashed thick ink on the horizon.

The clouds grew thicker and lower, pressing down as if it were about to rain. The wind carried a dampness, feeling cool on my face.

On the official road, Su Bai's carriage continued its rumbling journey. The wheels left two deep and shallow ruts on the road, winding into the distance.

Sun Hou glanced at the sky, then at the gray road ahead, and turned back to say, "Sir, it's about to rain. Why don't we find somewhere to take shelter up ahead? I remember there's a teahouse a few miles away—"

The carriage curtain was lifted slightly, and Su Bai peeked out to look at the sky. The leaden-gray clouds in the sky churned like a pot of boiling water.

He looked at the road ahead again. The official road stretched straight into the distance, and the trees on both sides swayed their bare branches in the wind.

"No need to avoid it," he said calmly, as if he were talking about something perfectly ordinary. "Keep going, we need to get to the prefectural government today."

Sun Hou responded and spurred his horse on. The whip cracked in the air, and the chestnut horse pricked up its ears and quickened its pace.

The carriage sped up, heading towards Fengshan Prefecture under the gloomy sky. The rumbling of the wheels was particularly clear on the empty official road.

Further behind, a figure with a long sword at his waist was rushing along the official road.

The man was agile and moved with lightning speed; with each step he took, he could cover several feet.

He was dressed in a black, close-fitting outfit, the hem of his clothes fluttering straight in the wind.

The knife at his waist had a black, dull scabbard, yet it exuded a chilling killing intent.

The cloth strips wrapped around the handle of the knife were worn white, indicating that it was an old item that had been used for many years.

His face was mostly obscured by shadows, revealing only a resolute chin and tightly pursed lips.

His lips were thin, pressed into a line, exuding a fierce and ruthless aura.

The Divine Blade is Square and Full Moon.

Mid-stage True Qi Realm.

A name that would terrify most people.

His footsteps echoed on the official road, raising a fine dust that quickly disappeared behind him.

The sky grew increasingly gloomy, with dark clouds rolling in and occasional muffled thunder rumbling across the horizon.

A heavy rain is coming.

The night wind swept across the official road, swirling up the withered leaves in the post station courtyard and making them dance in front of the fire.

Li Yuehu sat on a soft stool, his fingertips tracing the edge of a celadon teacup. The tea had long since cooled, but he was completely unaware of it.

The firelight danced on his face, shading his otherwise handsome features with a stark contrast of light and shadow, revealing an unyielding, sinister aura between his brows and eyes.

"Young Master, it's late and the dew is heavy. Why don't you come inside and wait?" Li Yao bowed and approached, holding a dark cloak in his hands. "Fang Yueyuan's departure will take at least an hour."

"What do you know?" Li Yuehu interrupted him, his voice not loud, but it immediately silenced Li Yao.

A few sparks popped in the fire.

Li Yuehu stared at the cluster of leaping flames, his mind repeatedly replaying the scenes from those days in the government prison.

The dark and damp cell, the rats crawling over his feet, the rotten prison food, and the watchful eyes of the jailers—Li Yuehu, the eldest son of the Li family of Fengshan County, when had he ever suffered such humiliation?

And all of this is thanks to Su Bai.

The teacup tilted slowly in his hand, and the cooled tea soaked the ground.

"Young Master, your hand—" Li Yao whispered a reminder.

Li Yuehu looked down and realized that tea had splashed onto his hands.

Instead of being annoyed, he revealed a slight smile, a smile that, illuminated by the firelight, carried an indescribable chill.

"How many moves do you think Fang Yueyuan will need to take down that mad dog?"

Li Yao's eyes darted around, and he quickly said, "Master Fang is a veteran expert in the mid-stage of the True Qi Realm. His divine blade is unmatched in Fengshan County, and he is a well-known figure in the surrounding counties. He has even defeated someone in the late-stage of the True Qi Realm."

"Who does Su Bai think he is? I reckon Fang Yueyuan will arrive soon; one strike and that kid will be begging for mercy."

"Beg for mercy?" Li Yuehu chewed on those two words, a hint of pleasure flashing in his eyes. "Why would I need him to beg for mercy?"

He stood up, walked to the fire, pulled out a burning piece of firewood, and watched the flames lick the air.

"I want him to kneel before me. I want him to know what happens when you offend the Li family. I want him to pay back tenfold, a hundredfold, for those days in jail."

The firewood spun slowly in his hands, sparks falling.

Li Yao shuddered, but still forced a smile: "Young Master is right. That Su Bai is blind to dare to oppose you. He deserves what he got today."

Li Yuehu didn't speak again, but just stared at the flames, as if imagining some extremely pleasant scene.

Four guards were scattered throughout the courtyard.

Three burly men at the Divine Strength Realm stood guard near the courtyard gate, their gazes sweeping warily across the dark official road; another middle-aged man at the early True Qi Realm stood three steps behind Li Yuehu, his hand on the hilt of his sword, his aura concealed.

They were servants of the Li family and knew the young master's temperament well.

The young master was in high spirits at the moment, and no one dared to make a sound to disturb him.

The night breeze grew cooler.

Li Yuehu took a sip of tea and cast his gaze toward the darkness at the end of the official road.

"Judging by the time, it should be about time."

The moonlight, as white as frost, blanketed the official road.

The carriage rumbled forward, its wheels rolling across the road, the sound carrying far in the silent night.

The locust trees lining the road cast dappled shadows, which slid across the canopy as the carriage moved forward.

Sun Hou sat on the carriage shaft, holding the reins in his hand, his eyelids beginning to droop.

He blinked hard, shook his head, and forced himself to clear his head.

Inside the carriage, Su Bai sat cross-legged.

He did not light a lamp, his eyes were slightly closed, and his breathing was long and steady.

The slight jolts of the carriage had no effect on him; his internal energy circulated slowly and continuously.

Suddenly, he opened his eyes.

From behind the official road came the sound of rapid hoofbeats.

Su Bai's eyes flashed, then returned to calm as he slowly closed them.

Sun Hou also heard the commotion and turned around to look.

Under the moonlight, a dark figure on horseback was rapidly closing in, the rider crouching low, almost becoming one with the horse's back. The speed was so great that in the blink of an eye, it had closed to within twenty feet.

"Who's in such a hurry in the middle of the night?" Sun Hou muttered, subconsciously pulling on the reins, trying to move to the side of the road.

Before the words were even finished, the figure on horseback suddenly leaped into the air!

Under the moonlight, a bright blade of light ripped through the night sky, carrying an incomparably sharp killing intent, and slashed towards the carriage in mid-air!

"Oh no—!" Sun Hou cried out in surprise, his whole body frozen on the carriage shaft.

The blade flashed like a bolt of lightning, and amidst the surging of true energy, the curtain of the carriage was torn apart by the strong wind, and the tattered cloth flew like butterflies.