Chapter 12

"Can I teach you a lesson now?" With each sentence, Li Tianming’s Bloodfire Thorn would sweep across Li Zifeng’s body.

A trail of blood appeared, causing Li Zifeng to scream in agony, his face turning deathly pale.

"You’ve been doing evil outside, having a father who gave birth to you but didn’t teach you. I’ll teach you what rules are, so what?"

"Do you think, just because you’re the son of the city lord, you can do whatever you want? Do you think you can treat life as if it’s grass?"

"Brother will tell you, all men are created equal. If you overstep, you will face retribution. You called me a ‘stray dog,’ did you ever think of this day?"

"Today, I’ll show you what retribution is."

"Does this cut feel good?!"

After six sentences, six cuts were made, landing on his limbs and buttocks, not fatally but enough to make Li Zifeng wish he were dead, truly understanding what a lesson means!

Li Zifeng’s blue steel sword had long fallen to the ground, his face completely pale. In a short time, his cries of despair were so loud that everyone was shocked.

People didn’t expect that even this battle would be one-sided! Li Zifeng was completely helpless before him.

This was a crushing defeat!

The young man on the battle platform now had shaken everyone’s hearts.

Even more terrifying was that as Li Tianming thoroughly subdued Li Zifeng, a massive bird fell from the sky, almost entirely covered in blood—this was the Purple-Eyed Ming Bird!

As the Purple-Eyed Ming Bird lay on the ground, whimpering and trembling, a small yellow chick landed on its back, holding a mouthful of feathers.

It spat out the feathers and cursed, "You stinky, foolish bird, don’t you know how to take a bath? Your feathers stink, making me dizzy!"

This tiny, adorable creature had beaten a Purple-Eyed Ming Bird, which was dozens of times its size, which was truly unbelievable. Could this be what a first-stage Companion Beast could do?

People saw the irritable Li Tianming, his Bloodfire Thorn drenched in blood, and the arrogant little yellow chick. The entire city lord’s residence fell into an unprecedented silence.

People were silent because they didn’t dare to speak, as everyone was watching the city lord, Li Yanfeng’s reaction!

Today was supposed to be a joyous occasion, with the Yanhuang Academy final selection meant to bring good luck to Li Yanfeng. Who could have thought that such an event would happen?

Even if Li Tianming came to cause trouble, the key was that he actually crushed and defeated Li Zifeng.

At this moment, the entire venue was dead silent, with only Li Zifeng and his Companion Beast’s terrified cries.

Although they were both Li Yanfeng’s sons, the significance was entirely different. If Li Zifeng won the Yanhuang Order, it would bring good luck. But Li Tianming, the "laughingstock of Li Huocheng," defeating Li Zifeng and obtaining the Yanhuang Order, was like bringing bad luck.

So, this was like throwing feces in Li Yanfeng’s face. Whether it was smelly or shameful, only Li Yanfeng knew best.

In fact, Li Tianming also wanted to know how Li Yanfeng was reacting now. What about those who had laughed at him for the past three years? How were they reacting?

He most respected his mother. If she could be here, if she could see him standing up for himself, would she smile or cry?

He wanted to bring her, but he was afraid her body couldn’t handle it. There were too many people here who made her feel humiliated.

She hadn’t done anything wrong; the fault lay with the city lord’s residence and the selfish, cold-hearted Li Yanfeng!

This time, Li Tianming was standing up for her and for himself!

This time, it was to reclaim the dignity he had lost!

This time, it was to seek justice for himself!

Wei Jing’s dignity had been reduced to a laughingstock by a divorce decree, and Li Tianming’s dignity had been lost for three years. He would reclaim everything they had lost!

When he made many people fear him, he thought that if his mother saw this scene, she would surely cry. These were tears of relief, and life would be without regrets with such a moment.

No matter what challenges lay ahead, Li Tianming was ready to fight.

On this day, he was like a madman, though young, his divine might was already evident. From this day on, Li Huocheng’s history would remember this day!

As expected, after giving Li Zifeng six cuts, Li Yanfeng, who was on the Wind Listening Tower, finally stood up.

"Lord, quickly save Zifeng, quickly execute this rebellious son!" Lady Mo was already in tears, wanting to go up herself but not daring to.

Everyone was watching Li Yanfeng. On his joyous day, such an event was a slap in the face for the face-conscious Li Yanfeng.

After all, there were many distinguished guests in the Wind Listening Tower, and they were all watching. Even if they didn’t say anything in public, they would surely laugh about it later.

Li Tianming could feel two burning gazes from the Wind Listening Tower, burning into his body.

He let go of Li Zifeng, who fell to the ground at his feet, then got up like a stray dog and fled from the Wind Listening Tower, ignoring the Purple-Eyed Ming Bird.

His body left a trail of blood on the Wind Listening Tower, clearly visible from the Wind Listening Tower.

Li Tianming looked up, meeting Li Yanfeng’s gaze. Their eyes collided, and this was Li Tianming’s proudest moment.

Because only this time, their eyes were on equal footing!

Just from his eyes, he couldn’t see Li Yanfeng’s anger and irritability, but he guessed that the other party wasn’t feeling good. This man, no matter the situation, would always uphold his face.

"Li Tianming, when heaven is about to confer a great responsibility on a man, it first exercises his mind with suffering, toughens his sinews and bones, exposes his body to hunger, and subjects him to extreme poverty, and confounds his undertakings. Your performance today is worthy of these words. Three years of hardship have not defeated you."

People thought Li Yanfeng would explode, but they underestimated his composure. He praised Li Tianming in this way, acknowledging his resilience. After all, he was his son, and it wasn’t too embarrassing.

"Thank you for the praise." Li Tianming gazed at him, having called him father for nearly twenty years, but today he couldn’t call him that anymore.

In fact, when he returned from Yan Capital and told Li Yanfeng about his being framed, and Li Yanfeng responded with silence, he knew that he wouldn’t offend the Lei Zun Manor and wouldn’t stand up for him.

At that moment, Li Tianming was utterly disappointed. He never expected his father to be such a person.

Even though he was high and mighty, controlling Li Huocheng, he chose silence and abandoned Li Tianming, and by extension, Li Tianming’s mother.

Such a selfish father was hard to speak of.

That divorce decree was the most decisive action of his life. He remembered every word on it clearly.

Respect each other as guests, stab you in the back?

Li Tianming admitted he was this man’s son, but from now on, he didn’t want any connection with him.

A simple "thank you for the praise" was like a declaration of estrangement.

"What do you want for defeating Zifeng?" Li Yanfeng didn’t intend to tear things apart here, so his tone was calm, showing that he treated his children fairly.

But everyone knew he had already married someone from the Lei Zun Manor. Li Tianming and the Lei Zun Manor had deep enmity, and Li Yanfeng had made his choice three years ago. Not killing Li Tianming today was for his own face!

On the wedding day, the elder son defeating the younger son and being executed by the father would be a laughingstock!

"I want the Yanhuang Order, and I want you to send me out of Li Huocheng, just like four years ago, repeating it once. After that, I will never set foot in Li Huocheng again." Li Tianming’s voice was loud and firm.

He finally had the right to say this.

Getting the Yanhuang Order was to return to the Yanhuang Academy, for revenge, and to treat his mother.

Having him sent away was for dignity. He had said before that he didn’t want to leave this place like a stray dog with his mother because of that divorce decree!

When he said this, everyone was shocked.

"He lost his Companion Beast and regressed in cultivation, not meeting the Yanhuang Academy’s standards, and now he wants to return?"

"What for? He’s a laughingstock at the Yanhuang Academy. Lin Xiaoting and Mu Qingqing are geniuses of Tianfu, far superior to him. Isn’t he afraid of embarrassing himself again?"

"But it’s clear he doesn’t want to stay in Li Huocheng and doesn’t expect to mend relations with the city lord."

"Yes, wanting the city lord to send him away is probably to leave with dignity. This is understandable from his perspective."

"Understand what? I think he brought this on himself. If he hadn’t been so bold and harassed Lin Xiaoting’s woman, would he have destroyed himself? The city lord lost face because of him! The city lord did nothing wrong; he brought this on himself! If I had such a son, I’d be ashamed too!"

Anyway, everyone had the right to express their opinions.

We’ll see.

Now, everyone was waiting for Li Yanfeng’s decision.

He narrowed his eyes and said, "You only have a first-stage Companion Beast. Your strength is the result of training with the Golden Feather. Your talent is limited to the Beast Pulse Realm. Even if you defeat Zifeng and get the Yanhuang Order, the Yanhuang Academy won’t accept you."

He was telling the truth. A first-stage Companion Beast tamer could never break through to the Spirit Source Realm.

"That’s not your concern. I won the final selection, so I should get the Yanhuang Order. After that, I’ll take responsibility for myself. Since the city lord has stripped me of my status, we have no further connection. If I embarrass myself, it won’t affect you. It’s a win-win for both of us." Li Tianming said.

In fact, for a young man to speak to Li Yanfeng on equal terms, his courage alone was worthy of respect.

Few in Li Huocheng dared to negotiate with Li Yanfeng like this, especially on his wedding day.

"It seems Li Tianming will achieve his goal."

"This guy’s actions today are truly unbelievable."

"To be honest, he’s quite principled."

Those who had mocked and ridiculed him had long stopped. Even if he wouldn’t be part of Li Huocheng anymore, the past ridicule would fade.

"Father, the Yanhuang Order is mine, not his!" Li Zifeng struggled to stand, his face pale and extremely nervous.

"Lord, since it’s come to this, why not ignore the rumors and just get rid of him..." Lady Mo whispered in Li Yanfeng’s ear.

"Get out." Li Yanfeng glanced at her, said one word, and scared her into the corner.

This scene made everyone understand that Li Tianming’s performance and demands were like slaps in Li Yanfeng’s face!

In front of everyone, it seemed Li Yanfeng could only comply with his demands.

To force Li Yanfeng to this extent, Li Tianming was indeed remarkable, even if his future was limited. At this moment, he felt more grand and bold than Li Zifeng!

"Please, city lord, give me the Yanhuang Order, and send us out of the city!" Li Tianming narrowed his eyes. This was his most intense response to the divorce decree. Those who knew the truth understood what Li Tianming wanted!

"Please give me the Yanhuang Order! Send us out of the city!" He emphasized, each word hitting everyone’s hearts like a hammer!

This bold defiance gave a sense of unparalleled courage!

But Li Tianming needed it, and his mother needed it even more. She had come to Li Huocheng with great fanfare, and she couldn’t accept leaving in misery when she was old and dying!

As a son, having Li Yanfeng send them off was more important than getting the Yanhuang Order!

When he said these words, he thought of that woman. She was still in the courtyard, but she mustn’t be sleeping. She was anxiously waiting, her hands tightly gripping the railing, perhaps pacing in the courtyard, or maybe she hadn’t said anything, but she couldn’t bear to be driven out of Li Huocheng like this.

Think of how she came here with such glory. When she was young, who could compare to her beauty?

So many vows turned to nothing when she fell ill. Li Yanfeng hid, marrying multiple wives to strengthen the family, breaking his vow of fidelity. No matter how powerful he was, was he really a man?

What he pursued was only face, reputation, power, and strength!

"Please, city lord, send us out of the city!" Li Tianming said one last time, his burning eyes piercing the air, burning into Li Yanfeng’s face.

This was their unprecedented eye contact!

Perhaps in his eyes, Li Tianming saw the words "rebellious son," but he found it laughable.

Under such pressure, he had defeated Li Zifeng fairly and deserved the Yanhuang Order!

At this moment, Li Yanfeng suddenly smiled.

His smile seemed to perfectly defuse all of Li Tianming’s attacks, making his passion and courage dissipate like smoke.

He smiled, then gestured to Liu Qing, who came to his side.

Her graceful figure leaned against Li Yanfeng, her every move captivating the entire city. Such a beautiful woman was the absolute focus wherever she went, with a fiery charm that girls couldn’t emulate.

"You speak." Li Yanfeng said calmly.

"Okay."

Liu Qing smiled gently, looking at Li Tianming. Her lips parted slightly, her eyes speaking volumes, a single blink sending waves of charm like peach blossoms onto Li Tianming.

"Li Tianming, young people shouldn’t be too hasty." Liu Qing said softly, her voice beautiful but not vulgar, elegant and graceful.

"What do you mean, Lady?" Li Tianming didn’t care about this young woman who had replaced his mother. As someone from the Lei Zun Manor, he couldn’t have a good impression of her.

"I mean, the Yanhuang Academy final selection isn’t over yet. There’s another young genius from Li Huocheng who hasn’t appeared yet." Liu Qing smiled.

This statement left everyone, including Li Tianming, in confusion and doubt.

How could there be someone else?

Could it be Liu Qing herself? Impossible, she was well over twenty and at least in the Spirit Source Realm.

Then, who could it be?

...

I have something to do at 12 PM, so I’m updating early today. There will be another update at 8 PM.

During the new book period, I’ll update steadily, keeping some drafts ready to go all out when the book is promoted, so more people can see it. I hope everyone understands.

Let’s stabilize the book first, don’t rush.