Transcending the Nine Heavens - Chapter 1496
Chapter 1496 The Sorrow of Li Xiongtu
Meng Huanhuan couldn’t help but blush and laugh, immediately believing that these people were indeed Li Xiongtu’s friends, as they spoke so familiarly with one another. Shyly, she said, “We are not yet married.” The implication was that calling each other sister-in-law and brother-in-law might not be appropriate.
Ao Xieyun exclaimed, “Li Xiongtu, you fool, such a beauty and you haven’t married her yet… I’m getting jealous just looking at her…”
Li Xiongtu instantly became anxious, stepping in front of Meng Huanhuan, and said, “Ao Xieyun, you scoundrel, you already have a harem at home…” He whispered to Meng Huanhuan, “You should go inside; these people are no good.”
Ao Xieyun and the others burst into hearty laughter, enjoying themselves immensely.
As Meng Huanhuan left, Li Xiongtu said, “Follow me.” He turned and left, with Mo Tianji and the others closely following him into a secret chamber within the courtyard.
“This secret chamber belongs to the Li family,” Li Xiongtu said solemnly, “It was originally monitored, but I destroyed those devices. The family didn’t say anything.”
Mo Tianji chose a chair and sat down, “What do you want to say?”
Li Xiongtu turned his back to the trio and said slowly, “I don’t know your purpose for coming, but I know for certain that you, Mo Tianji, have no good intentions!”
Mo Tianji just smiled and did not speak.
Ao Xieyun and Rui Butong were somewhat amused, it seemed that Mo Tianji’s cunning had deeply penetrated people’s hearts… even the honest Li Xiongtu knew he was up to no good.
“The current crisis facing the Li family is precarious, and the only one who can barely turn the tide or maintain this situation is you,” Li Xiongtu said, “I never deny this; but, I want to know, what do you really want? If it’s just to use the Li family’s resources and leave them to perish after they’ve been used up, then I’ll escort you out right now.”
“Since it’s destined to perish eventually, the process doesn’t matter,” Li Xiongtu continued, “In consideration of our acquaintance, I won’t make things difficult for you.”
Mo Tianji smiled lightly, “I genuinely want to help the Li family through this crisis. Although we have our own interests at stake, there is no benefit for us if the Li family ultimately perishes!”
Li Xiongtu revealed a cold smile at the corner of his mouth and said, “In fact, you are the real Nine Tribulations, right?”
Mo Tianji was taken aback for a moment, then broke into a smile, “They say Li Xiongtu is naive, but it seems rumors cannot be trusted.”
Li Xiongtu angrily said, “I don’t have a damn clue! It’s only recently that someone asked me about this matter; I finally understood that my family treated me so well and took such good care of me in the past because they suspected I was one of the Nine Tribulations!”
Mo Tianji sneered, “Did you deny it?”
“Yes! I denied it!” Li Xiongtu angrily said, “I am not one of them, so why can’t I deny it?”
Mo Tianji sneered, “Well, did anyone believe you?”
“No!” Li Xiongtu said dejectedly, suddenly spinning around, “All of this is because of you! Or rather, because of you alone! No one else could have set up such a vicious hidden trap at that time!”
“Now, no matter how much I deny it, no one will believe me!”
Li Xiongtu bitterly said, “I’ve only known about this for a mere three days since I found out; but I can still guess that you’ve been scheming and planning for so long, you definitely wouldn’t let the Li family be destroyed, and now, as expected, you’ve come!”
He scoffed, his blade-like gaze staring at Mo Tianji, mockingly saying, “And you even came as a savior!”
Mo Tianji suddenly felt a surge of imposing aura, “You’re quite shameless!”
The trio of Mo Tianji were somewhat surprised. They didn’t expect Li Xiongtu to have such deep feelings for the Li family.
Li Xiongtu took a deep breath and said, “The Li family has nurtured me, and I cannot be ungrateful. If you want to use and harm the Li family, then you’ll have to step over my corpse, Li Xiongtu!”
Mo Tianji’s expression gradually turned serious, “I can’t guarantee anything… However, if you insist, I will do my best and if it is possible for a positive outcome… I will try to make sure the Li family doesn’t suffer that badly.”
Li Xiongtu stared at him for a while and said, “I believe you!”
A strange light flashed deep in Mo Tianji’s eyes, “You are so loyal to the Li family, but… the Li family may not truly trust you, do they?”
Li Xiongtu angrily said, “What kind of talk is that? The Li family has treated me with great kindness, providing me with almost all their precious resources, and their high regard for me is evident to all. There may be reasons of interest, but they treat me as family, Li Xiongtu! What do you know? Don’t measure others’ hearts with your petty mind!”
Mo Tianji let out a long sigh, feeling inexplicably powerless.
Looking at Li Xiongtu’s eyes, there was a hint of pity.
“I must repay the Li family’s treatment of me as a national hero with my life!” Li Xiongtu’s strong body stood upright, his thick eyebrows and tiger-like eyes shining, “As a man, one should remember the source of water, be grateful and repay kindness! Only in this way can one live up to their proud character and not be ashamed of the heavens and earth! In life or death, I have no regrets!”
Mo Tianji let out a deep sigh in his heart.
Li Xiongtu was undoubtedly a heroic figure, but his overly straightforward character was destined to bring him sorrow this time.
Could it not be reversed?
In the Li family’s secret chamber.
Li Wubo’s expression was somewhat abnormally excited. Looking at the ten people in front of him, he said, “This time, although the Li family has fallen into an unprecedented crisis, we also have a truly unprecedented opportunity bestowed upon us!”
Li Jue’s eyebrows furrowed, seemingly having some comprehension.
No one else spoke, just watching Li Wubo.
“Among the Nine Tribulations, four are now in our family; and they are clearly here to help us. We must seize this opportunity.”
“Perhaps after the battle in the Northwest, the Li family will cease to exist; but now is still our chance!”
Li Wubo said up to this point, somewhat excitedly gasping for breath.
An elder hesitated and asked, “What does the family head mean?”
A glint flashed in Li Wubo’s eyes, “What I mean is… the Nine Tribulations, as the name suggests, can only have nine people, but it also must be nine people; there has never been a case where someone among the Nine Tribulations died halfway through, but, in any case, even if one dies, another must be filled in to make up the number of Nine Tribulations.”
“Everyone should not deny this point.” A cold glint flashed in Li Wubo’s eyes.
“Yes, logically speaking, it should be like this.” Everyone slowly nodded.
“What if that Ao Xieyun or Rui Butong were to die in the battle against the Eight Great Clans?” Li Wubo said sinisterly.
Everyone frowned, involuntarily thinking about it.
“Father, we absolutely cannot do this!” Li Jue hurriedly spoke up, “These two people absolutely cannot die!”
“Hm?” Li Wubo looked at his son in surprise, never expecting that the first to jump out and oppose would be the son who was most enthusiastic about this matter.
“First, they are here to help us; if they die, even if we aren’t implicated, they will still suspect and resent us.”
Li Jue said.
Li Wubo slowly nodded.
“Secondly, there cannot be people with the same surname among the Nine Tribulations. Since Li Xiongtu is already here, there definitely cannot be a second person with the Li surname.” A cold light flashed in Li Jue’s eyes.
“You mean…” Li Wubo asked.
“What I mean is… even though Li Xiongtu also has the Li surname, ultimately, he is not one of our Li family! If the Li family is really destroyed, Li Xiongtu may establish a new Li family, but that won’t be our Li family!”
“But, according to the ancient legend, the surnames of the Nine Tribulations are determined early on!” Li Jue pursed his thin lips, revealing a cruel curve, “Now that the Sword Master of the Nine Tribulations has obtained the seventh fragment of the Nine Tribulations Sword, the Li family has long been confirmed, so this ‘Li’ cannot be changed!”
Li Wubo slowly nodded, his gaze deep.
“In that case… why not advance that plan you mentioned last time, Father.” Li Jue gritted his teeth and said word by word, “Let Li Xiongtu die!”
Upon hearing this, everyone trembled and looked up.
“Brilliant!” The elder who had spoken before praised, “The ‘Li’ cannot be changed, but the person can! This could be considered a substitution!”
Li Wubo pondered.
“Father, ever since Li Xiongtu arrived in the Upper Three Heavens and entered our family, wasn’t it for this purpose? We treated him extremely well; all resources were at his disposal. Now, it’s time for him to do something for the family; even if it costs him his life, it is only just!”
Li Jue said sinisterly, “Wouldn’t we… slaughter a fattened pig? Are we willing to watch someone who doesn’t belong to our Li family achieve eternal glory just because of the surname ‘Li’, while our entire family is dragged into it, without our share?”
Li Wubo seemed indecisive, looking at everyone, “The meaning of the elders is…”
Everyone’s eyes were filled with eagerness, “The young master is right!”
“Ancestor, what do you think?” Li Wubo looked at the Third Ancestor, Li Qingliu.
Li Qingliu, with his flowing white beard, had a conflicted expression on his face. After considering it for a long time, he slowly said, “Even the fattest water… shouldn’t flow to others’ fields; let alone the matter of the family’s bloodline inheritance…”
Li Wubo took a deep breath, “Since it is so, let’s settle on this! However, this matter must be done discreetly and seamlessly. If we expose any flaws… I’m afraid it would be counterproductive and end up very unfavorable!”
“Of course!” Everyone rubbed their hands in excitement.
“Jue, you should interact more with those people during this period and establish a good relationship!” Li Wubo said indifferently.
“Yes!” Li Jue suddenly stood up, his eyes filled with excitement.
“I’ll find a way to separate Li Xiongtu… or…” In Li Wubo’s hawk-like eyes, a sharp light flickered as he slowly said, “Yes, he has used so many resources of our Li family. Now, the goal has appeared, and the Nine Tribulations have been confirmed, the ‘Li’ surname cannot be changed… It’s time for him to pay the price!”
——
On the second day, Mo Tianji was still studying the map and reviewing information about various snow mountains, committing it all to memory.
At this moment, someone came to report, “Diwu Qingrou has launched another attack. This time, the three major families are advancing on three fronts. The family head invites Mr. Mo to discuss the matter!”
Mo Tianji put away the map, closed his eyes to think for a while, and murmured, “So soon.”
He left with Ao Xieyun and Rui Butong.
As they stepped out the door, they unexpectedly found that Li Xiongtu was not present. Waiting outside was Li Jue, the eldest son of the Li family.
“Where is Li Xiongtu?” Mo Tianji’s eyes flashed with a hint of gloom as he asked indifferently.
