Li Wuya's words did indeed startle Old Master Li. However, he was unwilling to exchange Li Changlin or Li Changmu for Li Sanlang. He knew his own sons well enough. The second and third sons lacked the abilities of the eldest son. If they were sent to the battlefield, their deaths would be inevitable.
He couldn't bear to watch his two sons die!
Old Master Li suppressed his fear, steadied himself, and refused to be intimidated by a little girl. He pondered for a moment before saying:
"Wuya, your father is no longer with us. I understand that you're feeling upset. I'll pretend those threatening words you said earlier were just meaningless words."
"Now, go back and take care of your mother. I'll pretend nothing has happened, and in the future, your second uncle and third uncle will still help take care of all of your siblings."
Seeing Old Master Li putting on a façade of false kindness, Li Wuya was truly disgusted. She looked at him as if he were an idiot, "Are you out of your mind?"
With that, she narrowed her eyes.
"Perhaps you think I was just bluffing earlier?"
Old Master Li looked at Li Wuya but didn't say anything.
Indeed, he did think that now.
In his mind, Wuya was just a ten-year-old girl. Despite her tough talk, could she really dare to commit patricide?
Li Wuya's lips curled into a cold smile. Without another word, she walked over to Li Changlin, who was leaning against the wall. She lifted her foot and stomped down ruthlessly on his right leg.
"Crack~"
The sound of bones breaking echoed.
Li Changlin's mouth opened wide, about to let out a cry, but Li Wuya struck a pressure point to silence him.
Li Wuya looked coldly at Old Master Li, "Do you still think I was just speaking without any intention?"
Old Master Li was stunned, and the rest of the Li family was equally dumbfounded.
Li Wuya stared at Old Master Li, "Are you ready to come with me to the garrison now?" As she spoke, she placed her foot on Li Changlin's other leg.
"You can keep hesitating and delaying if you want. I'm just not a patient person. While you're waiting, I might lose my patience and 'crack'—break your second son's other leg."
"By then, he will truly become a useless sack lying on the kang forever."
"If your second son's two legs aren't enough to make your decision, no worries. You still have another son. Once your son is gone, you'll have a bunch of grandchildren left."
Trembling, Old Master Li pointed at Li Wuya, "You... you're a villain!"
Li Wuya sneered, "Compared to all of you, I'm quite inferior." With that, she increased the pressure of the foot on Li Changlin's leg.
"Are you sure you want both his legs crippled?"
"No!"
Old Master Li shouted, stopping Li Wuya, "I'll go to the garrison with you, I'll go!"
Hearing this, Li Changmu's face turned pale.
If his younger brother's leg was broken, he would be the one to go to the garrison.
Old Master Li was utterly shaken. He had no choice but to accompany Li Wuya to the garrison. He thought of the way Wuya had broken his second son's leg earlier—so unhesitatingly, and as if crushing an ant. Even now, he still felt a lingering fear.
Worried that taking too long might prevent them from changing the conscription, Li Wuya entrusted Li Qilang with looking after Jin Yue'e and brought Old Master Li with her toward Xining City.
Once they left, chaos erupted in the Li family courtyard.
Those who had been silent before, like Old Madam Li, now wailed and screamed, accusing Li Wuya of wanting to kill them.
Li Qilang's eyes turned cold as he saw this. After glancing back at Jin Yue'e, who was sleeping soundly, he locked the door and left.
The commotion in the Li family yard quickly caught the attention of many. At the same time, news about Li Changsen not being Old Master Li and Old Madam Li's biological son began spreading throughout the village.
For a while, everyone in the village was talking about the Li family.
Meanwhile, to hasten the process of changing Li Sanlang's name and remove him from conscription, Li Wuya went to the innkeeper at the post station to borrow a horse.
Jin Yue'e was diligent and straightforward in her work at the post station, never taking advantage. The innkeeper had a good impression of her, so he didn't make things difficult and lent a horse to Li Wuya.
"I don't know how to ride a horse!"
"Also, it's almost getting dark. Even if we go to the garrison now, they won't pay us any attention. Wuya, listen to me, let's go tomorrow."
On the way, Old Master Li tried to find ways to delay their journey whenever he could.
However, Li Wuya paid no attention to his attempts. She forcefully made him mount the horse, used a silver needle she had with her to prick the horse's rear, and the horse carried Old Master Li straight towards Xining City.
By the time they reached Xining City, the city gates had already been closed.
"I told you we should have come tomorrow."
Li Wuya coldly looked at Old Master Li, "You better pray that we can get my brother back. Otherwise, I promise you that both of your sons will have a hard time."
Old Master Li's heart trembled, "Wuya, we are family. Don't shout about fighting and killing for no reason."
"Family my foot!"
Li Wuya exploded in anger, "Are we really a family with you? Even at this point, you can say that with a straight face. You and Old Madam Li truly are a perfect match—one shameless, the other sinister."
Hearing this, Old Master Li panicked once again.
How could Li Wuya be so certain that Changsen wasn't their biological son?
Did they find out something?
No, it couldn't be.
Old Master Li shook his head. It must be because Li Sanlang had been sent to the garrison, and this stirred up resentment in the eldest son. That's why he had these thoughts.
No, he couldn't let things continue like this.
He had figured out that Li Wuya was an unscrupulous devil who would stop at nothing. While they still shared blood relations, they could at least have some leverage over her. But if there was no blood connection, he didn't even want to imagine what she might do.
"Go to the horse farm and see my brother."
Li Wuya didn't care about what Old Master Li was thinking. She took him straight to the horse farm, but unfortunately, they didn't find Li Sanlang there.
The reason was that after Li Sanlang was reported to the garrison by the Li family, he had already been taken away by soldiers.
Hearing this news, Li Wuya took a deep breath for a long while before suppressing her irritation and anger.
Old Master Li, on the other hand, heaved a sigh of relief. However, he didn't dare to show it, as he could tell that Li Wuya was on the verge of exploding.
Soon, Li Wuya led Old Master Li back to Xining City and stationed themselves at the city gate overnight. When the gate opened the next day, they entered the city and headed straight to the garrison.
At the garrison, as soon as Li Wuya explained their purpose, the soldier on duty informed her that once the name had been reported, changes were no longer possible.
Due to the urgency of the battle at Dieling Pass, Li Sanlang had been incorporated into a fighting squad right after being brought here yesterday. After the morning drill, he was to be sent to Dieling Pass.
With their last hope shattered, Li Wuya felt like she was suffocating with anger.
Her father was missing, his life and death unknown, and now they were dragging her younger brother, who wasn't even fifteen yet, into this mess?
Old Master Li noticed that the way Li Wuya looked at him was as though she were looking at a dead man. This terrified him, and he quickly started thinking about how to appease her.
Soon, Old Master Li turned to the soldier and said, "Gentlemen, could we see my grandson, please?" Sanlang is a sensible boy; he won't let Wuya do anything reckless.
Li Wuya snapped back to reality and added, "My father is Li Changsen. He used to be a small flagbearer at the garrison."
Hearing the name Li Changsen, the soldier's attitude visibly improved, "So you're Li Small Flag's family. I used to serve under him. Just wait a moment, I'll ask for you."
In a short while, Li Sanlang, wearing a military uniform, emerged.
"Brother!"
Li Wuya rushed forward, looking at the ill-fitting uniform on Li Sanlang. Her face was filled with self-blame.
If she hadn't gone to Tianchi Peak, and if she had returned home earlier, the Li family wouldn't have been able to scheme against Li Sanlang.
Li Sanlang's eyes were bloodshot, indicating a lack of sleep. The pain on his face couldn't be concealed either. He urgently asked, "I heard that mother fainted. Is she okay?" He didn't even spare a glance for Old Master Li.
Old Master Li knew he was in the wrong and didn't dare to greet Li Sanlang.
Shaking her head, Li Wuya reassured him, "Don't worry, Mother is fine."
Only then did Li Sanlang breathe a sigh of relief. Ever since he was taken away from the horse farm by the garrison yesterday, his heart had been heavy.
Hearing that Jin Yue'e was alright, Li Sanlang's expression eased a bit. He also took the opportunity to comfort Li Wuya, "Wuya, they just said that father went missing. I believe father. Father will be alright."
"After we return home, tell Mother the same thing. Let her rest assured. We'll wait for Father to come back together."
Li Wuya nodded, "I also don't believe that father is really in trouble."
At this moment, the sound of assembly rang out from the garrison.
The soldier on duty immediately urged Li Sanlang to hurry back.
Li Wuya's expression turned anxious. She grabbed Li Sanlang and whispered, "Brother, how about I take you and we run away?"
Li Sanlang was somewhat amused by her suggestion. He knew his sister was worried about him, so he gently said, "If I run away now, I'll be considered a deserter. Deserter has no future."
Li Wuya fell silent for a moment, then glanced at Old Master Li and through clenched teeth said, "Brother, I want to kill someone."
Li Sanlang was startled. He held Li Wuya's shoulders and made her look into his eyes, "Wuya, listen to me. Don't think like that, and don't even think of doing something like that."
Li Wuya was adamant, "Are we just going to let it go? The Li family exploited your father for his entire life, and now they're causing harm to you. Why should we stand for it?"
Li Sanlang knew his little sister's vengeful nature and was afraid she might do something reckless. His expression turned serious, "Wuya, if you still recognize me as your brother, promise me."
Li Wuya looked at Li Sanlang sceptically, "Brother..."
Taking a deep breath, Li Sanlang continued, "I know they're detestable, but we can't ruin ourselves because of them."
"Wuya, think of it this way— we're porcelain, they're rocks. There's no need to collide head-on with them."
Li Wuya sneered, "We're not porcelain, we're diamonds. Even if we crush rocks, the diamond won't be harmed."
Li Sanlang didn't understand what a diamond was, but he got Li Wuya's point.
"Wuya, words can be dangerous. Brother hopes that our family can stand upright in the world in the future. No matter where we go, we should hold our heads high."
"Promise me, don't do anything foolish for unworthy people, okay?"
Li Wuya was extremely unwilling in her heart. She looked at Li Sanlang but couldn't nod.
"The soldier, didn't you hear the assembly call? Hurry to the training ground."
A shout came from the garrison, and Li Sanlang couldn't stay any longer. Although he didn't leave immediately, he stubbornly gazed at Li Wuya until she reluctantly nodded her head. Then he turned and went back to the garrison.
"Wuya, don't worry. Brother will be fine. After training in martial arts for so many years, I've never been in a real battle. Going to Dieling Pass will help me see if my skills are real or just empty techniques."
Watching Li Sanlang's figure disappear, Li Wuya silently stood at the entrance of the garrison for a long time, reluctant to leave.
The soldier on duty felt sorry for her. After thinking for a moment, he reminded her, "Little miss, if you're really worried about your brother, go back and gather some money. Buy more medicinal supplies for him."
"I've heard that the situation at Dieling Pass is really intense, and casualties are high."
Hearing this, Li Wuya gradually snapped back to reality. After expressing her gratitude to the soldier, she quickly left.
As for Old Master Li, he had already slipped away while Li Sanlang and Li Wuya were talking.
He had no choice. He was truly afraid to be alone with Li Wuya, so he took the opportunity when she wasn't paying attention and fled.