The ruins of the City God Temple lay in silence, no one daring to respond, nor answer.
Those who were just about to kill Li Fan stopped in their tracks, hesitant to move forward.
"Such strong Sword Intent." The crowd looked at Li Fan, their hearts wary, afraid to act rashly lest Li Fan use them to sharpen his sword.
"Are you harboring someone else's Sword Intent?" The well-dressed young man looked at Li Fan, mana surging on his body, his hand twitching and a magical treasure appearing in his hand, prepared for any unforeseen events.
His name was Chen Yan, a member of the Chuzhou Chen family, already in the Fourth Realm with boundless prospects ahead, surely not to be ruined in Lin'an County.
Li Mountain might be powerful, but if defeated by a mere youth, it would be a monumental disgrace.
This Sword Intent was not something he could contend with, it must be the Sword Intent of a Great Sword Cultivator from Li Mountain.
"So what if it is?" Li Fan did not deny it, allowing the other to speculate.
"This Sword Intent can only protect you once, right?" He probed Li Fan.
"Enough to kill you." Li Fan responded coldly, leaving the Chen family youth speechless.
"County Magistrate Wang." Li Fan looked at the magistrate, a hint of provocation in his eyes, causing County Magistrate Wang to sour his face, mouth clamped shut.
You can lose face, but you can't lose your life.
Li Fan glanced around the crowd with a mocking gaze, and said, "So many came to attack today, I made note of all of you. My senior brother will visit someday, and perhaps then you all can spar with him in the way of the sword."
With that, he turned and walked off, ignoring everyone.
Everyone remained where they were, not daring to move, fearful that one impulsive act would lead Li Fan to kill them, costing them their lives and making it unjustifiable.
Li Hongyi seemed to want to follow, but was pulled back by Li Daoqing, thinking to himself how a daughter indeed becomes harder to retain as she grows.
Only when Li Fan's silhouette vanished did these people breathe a sigh of relief.
"Amitabha Buddha, this Master Li bears such heavy murderous intent, even harboring demon energy within him. I wonder from which sect such a calamity was taught to bring harm upon the world." The Wuxiang Monk clasped his hands together, an expression of majestic serenity on his face.
Li Hongyi glared over there, asking with evident disregard.
This monk is truly shameless, only dares to speak after he's gone.
Li Daoqing tugged his daughter's hand; how did this girl become so impulsive after hanging out with Li Fan for a few days?
Indeed, closeness leads to corruption.
"County Magistrate Wang, my daughter was ignorant and misled. In consideration of her meritorious service in uncovering the city god's actions, could Lord County Magistrate be lenient?" Li Daoqing looked toward Wang Yuan, and when Li Hongyi wanted to say something, she was glared back into silence by Li Daoqing.
"Brother Daoqing still needs to be strict in discipline." County Magistrate Wang's target was not Li Hongyi; she was of secondary importance, and he didn't want to offend Li Daoqing, so why not do him a favor?
"Thank you, County Magistrate Wang." Li Daoqing cupped his hands in a bow and said, "I shall take her back for strict discipline immediately."
With that, he pulled Li Hongyi away.
After the matter was concluded, everyone gradually dispersed, yet the surrounding townsfolk couldn't calm down for a long time; Lin He and his daughter Lin Min knelt on the ruins of the City God Temple, weeping bitterly.
If they had believed Li Fan that day, would it have led to a different ending?
Though Lin He was seasoned in the ways of the world, at this moment, how could he not see that the Chen family indeed had set up the trap back then? But so what? What could he do?
As Li Daoqing and Li Hongyi walked down the road, Li Hongyi remained silent, seemingly somewhat sullen.
"Blaming your father?" Li Daoqing asked.
Li Hongyi shook her head and said, "I am not an unreasonable person; I know that even if Papa you intervened, it would have been difficult to resolve. But, under this clear sky, can people really indulge in such reckless behavior, unchecked?"
Today it appeared there were many standing behind the City God.
Those who constructed the temple for him back then, surely had a hand in it too.
Li Daoqing sighed.
"Dad, did you know about this all along?" Li Hongyi suddenly asked.
"Knew a little, I suppose," Li Daoqing replied. "Hongyi, to survive in this world, you must learn to feign ignorance at times. I'm just an ordinary person, and my goal is to raise you safely to adulthood."
"Ordinary person?" Li Hongyi said, "If Dad you are ordinary, what about those imprisoned women, and the innocent people who unjustly died?"
"They are the pitiable people," Li Daoqing sighed. "Hongyi, the world is vast. I kept you from encountering those dark matters early on, hoping you wouldn't be tainted by a turbid world. What you saw today was just the tip of the iceberg, merely the visible part of the officials in broad daylight. There are still many in hiding, and among those cultivators, many could easily kill your father."
This time they were targeting Li Mountain, the masterminds hidden beyond sight, beyond his capacity to get involved.
The Chen family and the Lin'an County magistrate were merely minor characters designated to step forward.
Li Hongyi remained silent, recalling Li Fan's image: freewheeling, doing whatever he wanted, acting unrestrainedly.
"What's the matter, thinking about that kid?" Li Daoqing asked, seeing his daughter's silence, smiling.
"I do somewhat admire his unrestrained freedom and ease," Li Hongyi replied.
"Fallen for him?" Li Daoqing looked at his daughter. This girl, going around causing trouble with that kid for two days, he could hardly imagine this happening before.
Li Hongyi's heart skipped a beat, a bit of alarm inside, "Dad, what nonsense are you talking?"
"Besides, you're older than he is," Li Daoqing stated.
Li Hongyi: "?"
"What do you mean, Dad?" Li Hongyi glared at her father, seeing him smiling intentionally at her.
"Not discussing anymore." Li Hongyi walked ahead, heart thumping.
How could she possibly like that guy?
His appearance... no.
His talent... also no.
His personality is awful.
Yes, bad character, likes to tease people.
But, does that count as a flaw?
Li Hongyi felt a bit unsettled.
What's happening to her?
"Why are you leaving?" Li Daoqing called out, "I mean, don't mind that he's younger than you, he's actually more stable than you think. Although he did those things, he does have the backing of Li Mountain disciples, while you were just following along without thinking."
Hearing her father's words, Li Hongyi then recalled how Li Fan repeatedly told her to leave, not sparing a glance at her before departing, clearly not wanting her to get into trouble.
Thinking of this, Li Hongyi's heart grew increasingly unsettled...
"Hongyi, why do you do these things?" Li Daoqing asked.
Li Hongyi considered for a moment, replying, "Because I feel like it."
"Hmm?" Li Daoqing watched his daughter with a smile and asked, "Whom did you learn it from?"
"Dad, shut your mouth."
She turned around and glared fiercely at Li Daoqing, spouting nonsense.
Li Daoqing stood there, completely dumbfounded.
Has she…?
Turned rebellious.
Yet, Li Daoqing grew somewhat worried.
Li Hongyi was nineteen this year, and never showed interest in anyone before, but that boy was different, though this girl might end up heartbroken.
The Li Mountain Sword Cultivators are not of the same league as the Chen family's prodigy Chen Luoyun.
Li Daoqing felt a headache coming on.
...
In the west of Lin'an County, Li Fan arrived at this area, where the streets remained bustling with people, seemingly unaffected by the demon turmoil.
Moreover, the buildings in this region were well preserved, at least Li Fan didn't see any destruction like in other places.
This area was close to Fulong Manor.
Rumors from the outside claimed that Fulong Manor was the culprit behind this demon chaos, yet it's untouched near Fulong Manor?
Li Fan found a restaurant, sat in a secluded corner, as usual ordering a pot of wine and a few small dishes; after the battle, he felt a bit exhausted, it was time to eat, drink, and find a place to rest.
As for that previous Sword Intent, it wasn't a bluff after all.
But his junior brother said, if he drew his sword, everyone who witnessed it must be killed, all must die.
How can he kill?
Let's not mention that there were many innocent people there, could he also kill Li Hongyi and her father, Li Daoqing?
It wasn't that ruthless.
He had to let them off for now.
His senior sister sent him down the mountain to slay demons, now it seems there's more to it; such a big affair, surely they don't expect this junior brother to handle alone?
He couldn't handle it anyway.
The City God's been killed to cover up, this blame was unlikely to be removed from Fulong Manor, and eventually, they're probably targeting Li Mountain.
Now, he needs to clarify the relationship between Li Mountain and Fulong Manor, and why his senior brother and sister never mentioned it.
With the dishes served, Li Fan poured himself a cup of wine and drank it all in one go, feeling a burning sensation within.
His junior brother said that swords and wine were the perfect pair.
Also beautiful women!
In life, one should use the quickest sword, drink the strongest wine, and sleep with the most beautiful women.
When his junior brother said this, he glanced at his senior sister... and got beaten up by her.
Li Fan thought at that time, in this Da Li world, who could have his senior sister, such an immortal beauty, accompany him for a drink? Even death would be worthwhile.
Even someone as proud as his junior brother had to suffer a beating.
As for him... doing laundry and cooking suited him better.
Have his senior sister accompany him for a drink?
He wouldn't dare think of it even if beaten to death.
He started to miss his senior brother and sister.
Just as Li Fan was lost in thought, the restaurant suddenly became agitated, everyone's gaze shifted toward the entrance, and Li Fan looked over, his eyes lighting up.
It was a woman, her long dress seemed adorned with gemstones, extremely alluring, with a long, white neck and collarbone exposed, a deep cleavage, and a skirt slit showing her long jade legs.
With peach blossom eyes, when she smiled, her charms were mesmerizing, captivating souls.
Her gaze scanned the restaurant, quieting the men there, their eyes fixated on her, but her gaze turned towards the corner, a bewitching smile appearing, and she walked in that direction.
"Hmm?" Li Fan was puzzled; why did it seem that she was looking at him?
As he was in a daze, a fragrant aroma wafted over, and the alluring woman stood before him.
This made Li Fan's expression strange; he just thought about wine and beauties, and a beauty appeared?