CHAPTER 439 (1)

When Lu Qing heard the elegantly dressed young man mention the name Li Weitian, he finally understood why he had felt a sudden ripple in his spirit earlier.

Back then, in the Jade Transformation Chamber, he had obtained the inheritance jade slip left behind by Li Weitian.

It had provided him with immense assistance at the start of his cultivation journey, making it a favor he could never forget.

Originally, Lu Qing thought that, after so many years, all matters related to Li Weitian had long since faded into obscurity. He never expected that some descendants of Li Weitian’s family had survived to the present day.

Hearing the young man in fine clothing mention that the small family had committed a crime, Lu Qing realized it was time for him to repay this thread of karma.

While Lu Qing pondered, the conversation at the inn continued.

“Li Weitian?”

A trace of confusion appeared on Yan Canghai’s face, as it was evident he had never heard of the name.

“It’s no surprise that Fourth Brother doesn’t know of him. This Li Weitian lived seven or eight hundred years ago, long before the Yan family ascended to power.

I only learned about him by chance after deliberately investigating. That’s how I came to know a bit about his deeds,” the elegantly dressed young man said with a faint smile.

“Seven or eight hundred years ago?”

Realization dawned on Yan Canghai. He thought to himself, even though he had been away from the royal capital for years, if someone extraordinary had appeared during that time, he wouldn’t have been completely unaware.

Out of curiosity, he asked, “What made this Li Weitian so special for you to pay him such attention?”

“Li Weitian was an unparalleled expert in his era.

It’s said that his cultivation had reached the peak of perfection, and as the Guardian of the Nation for Ji Kingdom, he wielded a single sword to suppress all the Precelestial Realm experts of the surrounding nations. None could lift their heads in his presence.

He was undoubtedly one of the strongest figures in the world at that time. Even in Zhongzhou, few could rival him.”

“Such a mighty figure!”

Yan Canghai was visibly shaken but quickly regained his composure.

“‘Ji Kingdom’? Doesn’t that mean...?”

“Yes, exactly,” the young man in fine attire nodded. “Ji Kingdom was the predecessor of our current Yan Kingdom.

Back then, Ji Kingdom was one of the most powerful states in the eastern region. A significant part of that strength came from Li Weitian.

However, after Li Weitian disappeared, Ji Kingdom gradually declined. After struggling for more than a hundred years, it eventually fell apart, with most of its territory coming under the Yan family’s rule, leading to the establishment of Yan Kingdom.”

“To think such history existed,” Yan Canghai murmured.

“The map I hold was obtained from the descendants of Li Weitian’s family.

During his prime, Li Weitian was unmatched in martial prowess. However, he was also known for his fiery temperament and love of battle.

As the Guardian of Ji Kingdom, he once challenged all Precelestial Realm experts in the surrounding nations. Even when they refused to leave their homes, he would forcefully visit their doors to duel them.

The records say he never suffered a single defeat in those battles, earning him the title of invincible.

Yet, this very personality made him many enemies. After Li Weitian disappeared, his family naturally became the target of retaliation.

Although Precelestial experts could not act directly against ordinary mortals, under their influence, the Li family quickly declined.

Eventually, they vanished from the world. At the time, many believed a Precelestial expert had secretly eradicated the entire Li family.

However, I recently discovered that the Li family had not been exterminated.

Instead, they chose to scatter and hide, changing their names and living in remote mountains and rural areas to avoid detection.

Through this, they managed to survive, though their numbers dwindled to only a few dozen over centuries of war and turmoil.”

Hearing the young man’s account, Yan Canghai felt an indescribable emotion. Even the most glorious aristocratic families could not withstand the ebb and flow of time, rising and falling like the tides. 𝐫𝘢ΝọBЕŜ

However, what piqued his interest more was another matter.

“If the Li family has long hidden their identity, how did you come to know all this and obtain that map?”

“It was quite the coincidence. Recently, I took a new concubine.

While we were out strolling one day, a troublemaker collided with us. I was so angered that I seized his entire family, intending to have them imprisoned and executed.

It turned out that this troublemaker was the son of the current head of the Li family.

To save their lives, the Li family patriarch handed over the map and revealed their family’s origins.

The map is said to have been left by Li Weitian himself before his disappearance.

I was intrigued and decided to unravel the map’s secrets. If it truly leads to some treasure, it would make an excellent gift for my father’s birthday.”

The young man’s words sounded pleasant, but knowing his disposition, Yan Canghai easily discerned the underlying deceit.

He sneered, “Troublemaker, you say? I’m guessing the woman was already married, and you forcibly took her as your concubine because of her beauty?”

The young man didn’t deny it and replied indifferently, “Being chosen by me is her fortune. To enjoy wealth and luxury is far better than marrying into a small family.”

“And after unlocking the map’s secrets, what will you do with the Li family?” Yan Canghai asked.

“If the treasures satisfy me, I might consider sparing their lives. Otherwise, everything will proceed according to the law,” the young man said with a faint smile.

Yan Canghai smirked in disdain, knowing his seventh brother all too well. “According to the law” would ultimately mean whatever he decided.

“Fourth Brother, now that I’ve been so forthcoming, could you introduce me to Zhi Yue?”

Yan Canghai pondered for a moment before replying, “I can mention it to Zhi Yue, but I can’t guarantee he’ll agree to meet you.”

“As long as you’re willing to bring it up. I’ve heard that the people of Tianji Tower love uncovering the world’s mysteries. This map may hold clues to why Li Weitian vanished centuries ago.

A man like Zhi Yue would surely be intrigued by the final whereabouts of such a peerless figure,” the young man said with confidence.

Yan Canghai remained silent. However, inwardly, he doubted Zhi Yue would entertain his seventh brother, knowing the latter’s character.

At this moment, the young man turned his gaze toward Wei Dazongguan.

“You must be the steward of the Wei family, correct?”