CHAPTER 76: CHAPTER 76: TO MARRY OR NOT TO MARRY?

"The Li Family’s influence and power in the Central Capital are significant. Although they have many competitors in both the Celestial Patrol Department and business, none are considered life-or-death enemies."

Li Mo said, "After all, those who could be considered their enemies never ended well. Over the years, the Li Family has remained as steady as a mountain, with outstanding disciples emerging one after another."

"The only ones who could be considered life-or-death enemies are the Zhao Family, once renowned in the Central Capital for their Blazing Fire Spear, known as Heaven-Burning Fire and One Spear Breaks the Sea."

"The Zhao Family has always passed down their lineage in a single line and has few members. Sixty years ago, the Zhao Family Ancestor stepped into the Half-Step Celestial Human realm, shaking the Central Capital with his reputation."

Lu Chengfeng raised an eyebrow, "Half-Step Celestial Human? Does this mean the Zhao Family has a Divine Skill legacy?"

Li Mo said, "That’s where the problem lies. The Zhao Family’s Blazing Fire Spear has been passed down for hundreds of years and is a Secret Skill, yet no Divine Skill has ever been heard of."

"Many speculate that the Zhao Family Ancestor obtained a fortuitous opportunity."

"At the time, the Zhao Family and the Li Family were good friends. The original wife of the Li Family’s old master was the Zhao Family Ancestor’s direct sister. When it came to the second generation, Li Xiaotian even formed a brotherhood with Zhao Chengzong, the then patriarch of the Zhao Family."

"But no one expected that not long after the Zhao Family Ancestor broke through to the Half-Step Celestial Human, he suddenly died violently, drawing the attention of countless people."

"Many openly and secretly pressured the Zhao Family, wanting to seize the Divine Skill that had produced a Half-Step Celestial Human."

Lu Chengfeng could imagine the terrifying allure of the Divine Skill, especially after losing a Half-Step Celestial Human strong person. It would be nearly impossible to protect the Divine Skill.

Li Mo continued, "At the time, the Zhao Family’s direct lineage only had the Zhao Family patriarch Zhao Chengzong and his father Zhao Chuan’yi."

"Zhao Chuan’yi’s martial arts aptitude was mediocre. He spent his whole life in hard practice but never trained in the True Intent of the Martial Path."

"Therefore, while the Zhao Family Ancestor was alive, he focused all his efforts on his grandson Zhao Chengzong, even allowing him to inherit the patriarch position immediately after he came of age."

"Not long after the Zhao Family Ancestor’s death, those who had gained nothing despite resorting to all means broke into the Zhao Family at night, turning the entire Zhao Family upside down."

"Zhao Chuan’yi was killed on the spot. Zhao Chengzong used the Fake Death Secret Technique to escape but lost all his martial arts."

Li Mo’s voice grew colder, and the incident made him unable to help but think of himself.

"Zhao Chengzong risked his life to ring the Heaven-Shaking Drum of the Celestial Patrol Department in broad daylight, forcing them to intervene and investigate the truth."

"In the end, Li Xiaoyun of the second Li Family generation stood up to take all the blame, was forced to resign from all positions in the Celestial Patrol Department, and handed over a large amount of resources and wealth to avoid the disaster."

"And the Zhao Family affair was left unresolved under the indulgence of many prominent figures."

Lu Chengfeng couldn’t help but sneer, "The so-called Celestial Patrol Department seems undeserving of its name. Though the name is impressive, it is still just a puppet and tool in the hands of powerful figures."

Li Mo said, "It’s the same everywhere in the world. Whether it’s the Celestial Patrol Department or the North and South, despite different names, at their core, it’s survival of the fittest."

"After Li Xiaoyun shouldered those charges, the Li Family flourished in the subsequent decades, receiving strong support from the Celestial Patrol Department. The Li Family’s old master and Li Xiaotian were continually promoted within the Celestial Patrol Department."

"To this day, they have become a prestigious family in the Central Capital."

Lu Chengfeng nodded, "Junior Brother, please continue."

He walked alongside Li Mo, talking as they descended the mountain.

Li Mo said, "Due to the Celestial Patrol Department’s esteemed reputation among the people of the Central Capital, its leader is referred to as the Heaven-Suppressing King, who patrols all directions and personally took Zhao Chengzong as a disciple."

"Although it was only in name, Zhao Chengzong’s life was saved. After experiencing this incident, he became disheartened and lived in debauchery in the brothel, no longer caring about worldly affairs."

"Several years later, a courtesan gave birth to his son, named Zhao Tianyou. This person had extraordinary martial arts talent, having already practiced the Blazing Fire Spear to the Twenty-Fourth Layer twenty years ago."

"Then... he was crippled, repeating the fate of his father, losing all his martial skills, and became a complete wreck, lingering in the red-light districts."

"The Li Family is most likely behind this. On one hand, to prevent the Zhao Family from rising and seeking revenge; on the other hand, they were still not giving up on that Divine Skill."

"Because the Li Family’s old master has reached the end of Mortal Martial Arts, and without the Divine Skill, he can go no further."

Lu Chengfeng’s lips slightly curved, "This is indeed a good candidate. Does Zhao Tianyou have any wives or concubines, and did his father leave him any concubines?"

Li Mo thought for a moment before saying, "Zhao Tianyou’s father Zhao Chengzong naturally had wives and concubines before. Later, during the family’s extermination, they were all killed, and he did not remarry afterward."

"Growing up in a brothel with a complicated background, Zhao Tianyou didn’t have anyone willing to marry their daughter to him. He only had a few close ones in the brothel. It’s said he redeemed a courtesan a few years ago, making her his mistress, but I’m not very clear on the specifics."

"Besides that, there is another special person in the Zhao Family now—the maidservant who used to be around the Zhao Family Ancestor. The Zhao Family Ancestor took pity on her and gave her the status of a concubine."

"During the family’s extermination, she happened to be out visiting her relatives, escaping the calamity."

"Now, sixty years have passed, and she is over eighty years old."

Lu Chengfeng’s pupils suddenly contracted, but his lips also twitched slightly. He just felt his head swell, "Has she really lived until now and not been killed?"

"I also find it strange. There must be something fishy here," Li Mo said with some doubt. "Even if she is powerless and poses no threat to those people, being someone who was once close to the Zhao Family Ancestor, she might be a crucial clue to finding that Divine Skill."

"How could those people ignore her?"

Lu Chengfeng didn’t speak upon hearing this. At this moment, his mind was occupied with a complex struggle.

"Marry the over eighty-year-old matron or not?"

The thought of marrying an over eighty-year-old matron made him shiver all over, just feeling disgusting and no longer clean.

But if he didn’t marry...

She was the concubine of a Half-Step Celestial Human realm strong person.

Before being able to take down his beautiful mentor, she was simply his greatest treasure.

Lu Chengfeng’s mind was wracked with an intense inner conflict, "A real man must be adaptable, must endure humiliation and bear heavy loads..."

Not long after, he and Li Mo returned to the Immortal Encounter Palace.

"Junior Brother, you’ve worked hard on this trip. Rest well for a few days, as we might have a big move soon."

"Yes, Senior Brother." Li Mo agreed, cupped his hands in a salute, and then left. He did not stay on Jade Immortal Peak but remained with Luo Yong on Bixiao Peak.

Lu Chengfeng was about to head to his residence when he saw Cai Xia approaching in a goose-yellow tight-fitting dress, draped with a light silk shawl embroidered with golden butterflies.

"Young Master, the Palace Master requests your presence."

Lu Chengfeng paused, "Master is calling for me? Cai Xia, do you know what the matter is?"

He spoke as he followed Cai Xia towards Zhu Yuxian.

Cai Xia slightly moved her lips, wanting to speak but hesitated, finally just saying, "I heard that Zhou... seems to have pulled through and just woke up this morning."

Lu Chengfeng’s face suddenly turned cold, "I see. Thank you for letting me know, elder sister."