Ye Qingwu was startled and protested, "Elder Miao Ke! What are you saying? Marry me off to this person? No way! Absolutely not!" Miao Ke snorted, "Nonsense! Master Li, at his young age, is already a Three-Crystal Fighter. His future achievements are boundless. If he is willing to marry you, it would be a great fortune for you. What are you fussing about?"
Ye Qingwu pouted, looking aggrieved, but her eyes were filled with anger when she looked at Li Yi. The other young members of the Li family, including Li Nanna and Li Bing, looked at Li Yi with peculiar expressions. Li Nanna just frowned at Ye Qingwu without saying much, as if she had anticipated Ye Qingwu's refusal. Li Bing's eyes flashed with sadness but quickly looked away when she met Li Yi's gaze.
Li Han simply smiled, seemingly indifferent, tapping his fingers lightly on the table next to him, producing crisp sounds. At this moment, numerous eyes were on Li Yi, understanding that if he agreed to such a condition, his future would indeed be limitless. However, contrary to everyone's expectations, Li Yi slightly smiled and said, "Elder Miao Ke... I think it's best not to agree to this condition. Although Ye Shao warmly invited me, and I was tempted... times have changed! Back then, I wanted to accept Ye Shao's offer because he valued me, a nobody... But now, with Ye Shao's untimely demise, how can I take advantage of this opportunity? Those who know might say nothing, but those who don't might think I'm exploiting a deceased friend for unspeakable goals! So, I appreciate Elder Miao Ke's kindness, but please let everyone here be my witness, I will not accept such conditions, not today, nor in this lifetime."
Miao Ke was slightly taken aback, not expecting someone to refuse such generous conditions. Ye Qingwu was also surprised, as she was usually the one rejecting others, and had never been rejected herself. She felt an indescribable sensation, unable to unleash her anger, just standing there dazed.
As for Li Yi, he only sneered inwardly, knowing full well that Ye Qingma died by his own hands. If this were known, the Li family would be doomed. He had no confidence in keeping this secret under the scrutiny of the Ye family and the Beidou Sect. Knowing that Ye Qingma left many things in his possession, Li Yi had no intention of joining another sect or family and being at their beck and call.
After a moment, Miao Ke shook his head, sighed, and said, "It's a pity then... I will report today's matters truthfully to the Ye family ancestor. Should the ancestor command it, I hope Master Li will reconsider then... As for today, we shall take our leave." Ye Qingwu frowned and started to speak, but Miao Ke's look silenced her. Li Yi casually said, "Since you've come, how can you leave empty-handed... Let me accompany you to the back mountains of our Li family. We can't bear the burden of suspicion."
Ye Qingwu's eyes flickered slightly, and after some contemplation, Miao Ke nodded, "Very well then... Li family head, please forgive any offense." Li Han laughed, "Of course! I've been refusing previously because my son Li Yi was cultivating inside, and I was genuinely afraid of causing trouble. Now that Yi'er is out, it's only right for Elder Miao to investigate."
"Please, this way!"
......
"Whoosh whoosh whoosh—" Several figures crossed the semi-air of the back mountains of the Li family, landing gently on the ground. Leading them was Li Han, who looked around the once-beautiful back mountains, now turned desolate. He sighed, "My ancestor chose this place for the Li family's millennium foundation not only for its rich natural energy and defensible terrain but also for its scenery. To think it has come to this..."
Miao Ke looked around and chuckled, "It seems there won't be any clues in the back mountains. Even if there were, they're likely destroyed by now... But don't worry, Li family head. The Ye family doesn't suspect you. We just couldn't rest easy without checking."
Li Han waved his hand, "No problem at all... Given the current situation, even suspicion from Elder Miao Ke would be understandable."
Miao Ke shook his head, shifting the topic from the incident to the large hole in the mountainside, "I've seen much in my time, but a situation like this... it could only occur from a magical beast transforming, or from a King-level Fighter or higher using a high-level fighting skill. And the level of this skill is beyond my imagination... It seems there's a reason for Master Li's rapid rise."
Li Yi was prepared for this situation. He smiled faintly and said, "Elder Miao Ke jests... The situation wasn't caused by me, but rather as a consequence of the old master demonstrating fighting skills for me..."
"Demonstrating fighting skills!?" A flash of understanding crossed Miao Ke's eyes. Though he wanted to ask further, he wisely chose to keep silent. At his level, he understood that those nearly invincible old monsters occasionally took disciples or imparted lessons to those they deemed worthy. But it was better not to delve too deep into such matters, as angering those old monsters could lead to unimaginable consequences. This realization prompted Miao Ke to consider leaving. He now understood Li Yi's purpose in inviting him here – not to prove anything, but to exert pressure on him and the Ye family. It seemed to suggest that if Li Yi had wanted to kill Ye Qingma, he wouldn't need to be secretive with such a powerful backer. After all, such a powerful being, capable of causing such destruction, was rare even in the Tianfeng Empire.
"Has Elder Miao Ke noticed anything amiss?" Li Yi asked, seeing Miao Ke's prolonged silence. Miao Ke shook his head and glanced at the silent Ye Qingwu. He then said with a light smile, "No... with this, the Li family is free from suspicion. I will report the situation truthfully... Thank you for today, Master Li Han and Master Li Yi."
Li Han laughed, "Not at all! Why don't you two stay for a meal before leaving?"
"No need," Miao Ke coldly declined, "And thank you, Master Li Yi, for the reminder. I almost forgot that besides our young master, there should be two more bodies. Some people seem to have calculated everything very well... treating me like a fool!"
"In that case, I won't insist on you staying," Li Han replied, bowing slightly.
Miao Ke nodded and looked at Li Yi again. "If Master Li Yi ever visits the capital, you are always welcome at the Ye family... Now, we shall take our leave." After exchanging a glance with Ye Qingwu, the two of them headed towards the exit, seemingly towards the direction of the Long family's residence.
After they left, Li Han sighed and felt Li Yi's presence, saying, "It seems you've implicated Dragon Fei in this for no reason today, haven't you?"
Li Yi touched his nose. "Why do you say 'again'?"
Li Han laughed. "What do you think? Aren't you going to explain to your father?"
Li Yi replied indifferently, "There's not much to explain. I just figured that Dragon Fei and Long Aotian would keep the bodies of Ye Qingma's two guards. Given the Ye family's way of doing things, they wouldn't leave such important evidence at the Long family's place. The Long family is in for a big trouble this time... but not enough to be destroyed... The Ye family, however, is not easy to deal with..."
"How so?" inquired Li Han.
Li Yi replied, "Let's not talk about Miao Ke, who seems close to breaking through to King-level. But Ye Qingwu is not simple... I think she's about my age and is already a Four-Crystal Fighter. Such talent is indeed terrifying! The four great families truly live up to their reputations."
Li Han rolled his eyes inwardly, thinking: 'This terrifying kid, who are you to judge others?'
"Right..." Li Han suddenly said, "There's something I need to warn you about..."
"What is it?" asked Li Yi.
"It's not me, but the two elders of our family who asked me to remind you... Whatever fighting skills you're practicing, do it deep in the mountains. If you can't find a place, the elders will provide one. But please don't practice in the family's back mountains again... Our Li family doesn't have so many back mountains for you to destroy!"
Seeing Li Han's half-smiling face, Li Yi awkwardly laughed, "Of course... this time it was unexpected... I wouldn't have practiced the fighting skill here in such a rush otherwise." Li Yi's expression then became serious, "By the way, father... After Ye Qingwu and Miao Ke's visit today, the matter of Ye Qingma can be considered closed. With my hint, as long as the Ye family isn't foolish, they won't trouble the Li family anymore... unless they have some evidence. So, we don't need to worry about this anymore... My question for you is, what do you think the chances are of the Nalan family calling off the marriage on their own?"
Li Han's expression changed slightly, and after a sigh, he said, "As expected... you're still going to pursue this, aren't you? I told you, son, why are you making such a big fuss in the back mountains of the Li family? It doesn't seem like your usual behavior... To be frank, the chance of them calling off the marriage is less than ten percent..."
"Less than ten percent?" Li Yi pursed his lips, "Then, I'll have to think of another way..."
Li Han frowned, "Yi'er, I know you're hiding something, and you're probably capable of taking on a Warrior-level fighter, but the Nalan family head is a genuine King-level fighter... If you go like this..."
Li Yi smiled faintly, "Father, don't forget, I have a good teacher..."
Li Han was momentarily startled, then laughed bitterly, throwing an object to Li Yi, "Our Li family has some foundations in Yunshui City. With this, you can mobilize all of the Li family's forces there... This is the only help I can offer you!"
Li Yi caught it and saw a small iron token with a large "Li" character inscribed on it. "Then, I thank you, father, for your support..."