Chapter 43

Originally, Li Yunxiao was to be led to a secluded place to convey the message, but unexpectedly, he was grabbed and taken along. The black-clothed man said bitterly, "Young Master Yunxiao, it's me."

He pulled off his black mask, revealing a face filled with helplessness, and was bitterly smiling.

Li Yunxiao's eyes narrowed slightly, and he said, "Oh, it's Li Xian. Why are you not with Uncle Four? What brings you to find me?" Li Xian was a distant relative of the Li family, with considerable strength, and was thus promoted to serve under Li Bai-feng, one of Li Yunxiao's cousins.

Li Xian's eyes showed shock as he said, "Young Master Yunxiao, it turns out the rumors about you are true! Defeating the peak Ninth Star Warrior Lan Xuan in one move, and curing the princess with the golden needle acupuncture, Young Master Yunxiao has been hiding so deeply, making everyone suffer!"

Li Yunxiao said lightly, "Get to the point."

Li Xian said, "Will you be attending the royal banquet tonight?"

Li Yunxiao looked at him indifferently, clearly lacking patience, "If you keep rambling, I'll leave."

Li Xian then shook his head and laughed bitterly, "Young Master Yunxiao, you know the current situation of the Li family. The rumors about you have been causing a stir and have already caught Li Yi's attention. Uncle Four received news that if you attend the banquet tonight, he will definitely try to target you. Now is not the time to confront him, so Uncle Four hopes you will avoid it tonight to prevent a conflict with Li Yi."

Li Yunxiao smiled coldly, "Boring, a mere puppet, I have never taken him seriously." His eyes narrowed, and he said coldly, "But if he doesn't know his place and jumps in front of me, I won't mind crushing him to pieces."

Crushing him to pieces...

Li Xian shook his head, thinking that Young Master Yunxiao was indeed still too young. He said solemnly, "Li Yi is far from as simple as he appears. He now has almost the entire Li family under his control. Young Master Yunxiao has been patient for so long, don't rush into things! Uncle Four and several elders are secretly planning. We will fight this villain when the time is right!"

Li Yunxiao sneered, "A mere adopted son of the Li family, who was given the Li surname for his good service, can he really cause such a stir?"

Li Xian said seriously, "Young Master Yunxiao must not underestimate him. Li Yi is not only powerful himself, but there is definitely a force supporting him from behind! Grandfather is also concerned about Lord and Young Master Yunxiao, which is why he has not acted yet. As long as Young Master Yunxiao avoids his sharp edge, once Uncle Four and Grandfather are ready, we can eliminate these scoundrels in one fell swoop."

He was referring to Li Yunxiao's father, the Flying Dragon General Li Changfeng.

"Hmph, I have no interest in your childish games. As for the force behind Li Yi, I can't say much, but at least the current king is definitely involved. Otherwise, how could a family of renowned generals, with the old man at the peak of the Four Symbols Realm, be controlled by a mere puppet?"

Li Yunxiao's words left Li Xian speechless, his forehead drenched in cold sweat.

He had been following Uncle Four Li Bai-feng for some time and had heard some intelligence. It was only recently that Li Bai-feng mentioned that the king might be involved. At the time, everyone was shocked beyond belief, but Li Yunxiao had guessed it so easily...

He exclaimed, "Young Master Yunxiao, how did you guess?"

Li Yunxiao said calmly, "It's obvious. The old man has the highest military merit and commands a hundred thousand troops, guarding the western border. Inside and out, the entire kingdom's military is almost our private army. If you were the king, could you sleep soundly? The rapid rise of the Lan family in recent years is also a pawn the king uses to check us. But even so, Qin Zheng is still uneasy, creating Li Yi as a puppet. With him dividing the Li family from within and checking my father far in the west, this is the situation the king wants to see."

"This..." Li Xian's heart was in turmoil, amazed that Li Yunxiao could see through the complex situation so clearly. He asked, "Do we just let ourselves be captured?"

Li Yunxiao smiled indifferently, "You don't need to worry about that. Go back and tell Uncle Four to relax and do what he needs to do. This matter will be handled by the old man and my father. The current situation is good. The king is content, so he won't cause us trouble. If he doesn't cause us trouble, the old man and my father will be content. We've finally achieved a balanced and harmonious situation, so don't mess it up."

Li Xian's eyes nearly popped out, shocked, "Do you mean... this matter..."

"Enough!" Li Yunxiao waved his hand impatiently, "I have no interest in your affairs, but if Li Yi doesn't know his place, or if Qin Zheng is tired of being king, I won't mind... giving him a new position."

"Whoa!"

Li Xian was so shocked he almost fell over, gasping for air. His mind buzzed as he watched Li Yunxiao's disappearing figure, completely stunned!

It was soon evening, and the palace gates were bustling with important ministers and pillars of the state.

Many students from Jialan Academy also came with their elders to the banquet, a perfect opportunity for these people to socialize and strengthen their relationships.

"Yunxiao?"

Chen Zhen and Han Bo came together. Their families were also important military figures. Due to their dissatisfaction with the king's attitude towards the Li family, they rarely attended such banquets, usually sending their children to handle the formalities.

"Where have you been, Yunxiao?" Chen Zhen punched Li Yunxiao's shoulder hard.

His face changed instantly, looking at his red and swollen fist in shock, "Yunxiao, what's wrong with your body? It's as hard as iron, my hand is swollen!"

Li Yunxiao smiled faintly, taking out two Chongyuan Pills from his ring and giving one to each of them, "These two Chongyuan Pills should allow you to break through to the Warrior stage after taking them."

Chen Zhen exclaimed in disbelief, "How is that possible? I've only opened four pulse wheels."

Han Bo looked at the Chongyuan Pill, surprised, "Is this really a Chongyuan Pill? Yunxiao, don't fool us. I've seen Chongyuan Pills, most are grayish-white, and the best quality ones are milky white. How can they be transparent like glass beads?"

Li Yunxiao laughed, "If you don't want to eat them, give them back. These were refined by Master Zhang Qingfan."

"What?!" The two were stunned, carefully examining the pills and then carefully putting them away in a jade box.

Han Bo suddenly said mysteriously, "Yunxiao, is Master Zhang and Master Xu's sudden announcement of seclusion related to you?"

Li Yunxiao was surprised, "Oh? They are in seclusion? Why do you say that?"

Chen Zhen was stunned, "Heaven, you didn't know such a big news! Where have you been? Their seclusion coincides with the princess's recovery, and Master Zhang gave you the Chongyuan Pill, so we guessed it might be related to you."

Li Yunxiao smiled without a word. It made sense that Zhang Qingfan and Xu Han were in seclusion. He had answered all their long-standing questions and doubts that day, and they needed time to ponder them.

"Yunxiao, let's go in. It seems everyone is here," Han Bo urged.

"Wait a bit, I'm waiting for someone."

"Waiting for someone? Who?"

"Ah, they're here."

Finally, Meng Wu and her brother appeared in the distance. Everyone was surprised. Chen Zhen stared at Meng Wu, who was dressed beautifully, and frowned, "This beauty looks familiar?"

Meng Wu's new look caught everyone's eye. She usually dressed plainly, working hard to earn money, and had no time or money to dress up. Today, she looked like a fresh and elegant water lily, making everyone feel refreshed.

"Ah, it's you!" Han Bo recognized her, surprised. He suddenly understood, pointing at Li Yunxiao and laughing, "No wonder you've been missing for days, no wonder you didn't know about the masters' seclusion. Yunxiao, are you feeling okay?"

Chen Zhen also recognized Meng Wu, surprised, "A short and flat-chested girl can look so beautiful when dressed up? Wow, Yunxiao, your eyes are sharp! You can even find a beauty like this!"

Meng Wu's face turned red, and she was unusually nervous. Coming to the palace was something she had never even dared to imagine. Looking at the dreamlike carriages outside, she felt as if she were in a dream.

Li Yunxiao smiled, "Let me introduce you again. This is my friend Meng Wu. This is her brother, and my new disciple, Meng Bai."

"Disciple?" Han Bo was shocked, "Yunxiao, you really go to any lengths to pursue a girl!"

Meng Bai was furious, "So you took me as a disciple to pursue my sister?"

"Meng Bai!" Meng Wu, already blushing from the teasing, was even more embarrassed by Meng Bai's words, and stomped her feet in anger.

The five of them laughed and entered the palace. The banquet hall was located in a beautiful garden. Although it was early spring and the flowers had not yet bloomed, the air was fragrant, and the garden was a picturesque scene, making Meng Wu and her brother feel dazzled.

The banquet hall was already filled with various wine tables, arranged according to rank, stretching over a hundred meters. Many people had already taken their seats, chatting and laughing.

In the main hall, there were only two rows with eight seats, each with additional seats for attendants. Only the most powerful figures in the kingdom could enter the main hall.

Although Zhang Qingfan had given Li Yunxiao an invitation, it did not specify a seat. In the main hall, the Li family's seat was already occupied by a handsome young man in fine clothes, chatting and laughing. Li Bai-feng, Li Yunxiao's cousin, was sitting behind him.

When the five of them entered, they immediately attracted everyone's attention. Not only were they all teenagers, but Li Yunxiao, the capital's rumored waste, had recently gained a significant reputation. He had not only defeated the so-called genius Lan Xuan in one move but also cured the princess's illness with golden needle acupuncture.

He was bound to be one of the main characters today.