Chapter 1199: Guardian General
"Challenge the Guardian General?"
Li Jingzhe was a little taken aback when he heard that. Then he laughed out loud. "You’re truly ambitious and self-confident!"
"I enjoy challenges," Jiang Qing'e replied calmly as she looked back into the eyes of the Dual Crowned King sitting before her.
If she became the Guardian General, she would be the most authoritative figure in the entire Dragon's Fang Guardians. In that case, no matter what Li Luo did, no one would dare to utter a word.
"Although you've formed a Ten-Pillar Duke Bergfried, you shouldn't underestimate others. Li Foluo is a fourth-grade Duke in the late stages. His foundation is immense. If you're able to forge a second Duke Bergfried, you might actually stand a chance."
There was a hint of appreciation in Li Jingzhe's eyes. If anyone else had said that they wanted to challenge a fourth-grade Duke as a first-grade Duke, people would think they were too arrogant and were overestimating themselves. However, Jiang Qing'e had unrivaled talent. She had the right to hold such wild thoughts.
Nonetheless, the gap between a first-grade and a fourth-grade was far too large. It was the difference between a lower-grade Duke and a middle-grade Duke.
This was not a gap that could be easily closed.
"You're also new here. You've not built a reputation for yourself yet, so even if you defeat Li Foluo, people may not be completely convinced. Instead, it will cause unrest among them, affecting the rest of the Dragon's Fang Guardians," Li Jingzhe continued.
He was not unhappy to see Jiang Qing'e going after the Guardian General. It was simply the fact that World End's River Region was full of dangers. It was not a wise idea to cause such a big change upon their arrival.
Li Luo quickly nodded when he heard this. "Sister Qing'e, there is no need to rush. With your capabilities and a little more time, the Guardian General seat will definitely be yours."
Looking at the reactions from the two of them, Jiang Qing'e nodded slightly. She did not insist anymore.
However, it would still be nice to get a feel for Li Foluo’s power in order to prevent any unnecessary troubles for Li Luo and herself in the future.
Li Foluo, who had been sitting steadily at the top of the Dragon's Fang Guardians, had no idea that a newcomer who had yet to join was already coveting his position.
In order to establish their authority, others would usually kill the chicken as a warning for the monkeys. However, Jiang Qing'e was planning to kill the tiger as a warning for the monkeys.
"Indeed. Also, Grandpa, there's still the matter with Li Hongyou," Li Luo said with a smile as he pointed to the other side of the table. Li Hongyou had been sitting there without making a sound all this while, as though she was invisible. As soon as Li Luo mentioned her, she hurriedly cupped her hands together respectfully. She did not dare to look directly at Li Jingzhe. In the past, she had only seen the Lineage Chief of the Dragon's Blood Lineage from afar. Even her father had to be careful and respectful in front of the Lineage Chief. She understood that it was all thanks to Li Luo that she was able to sit here and enjoy a meal personally prepared by a King.
She also knew that whether or not she could enter the Dragon's Fang Guardians depended on Li Jingzhe. If he didn't agree to it, she wouldn’t be able to accomplish her goals. Thus, without his support, she would never be able to fulfill her promise to her mother.
Having a lower ninth-grade Crimson Heart Vermilion Fruit resonance wasn’t helpful at all in this situation. Without Li Jingzhe's support, she would pose no threat to the powerful Dragon's Blood Lineage.
Li Jingzhe looked over at her nervous face. "You're the daughter of Li Yuanzhen from the Dragon's Blood Lineage, correct?"
Li Hongyou nodded.
"Li Yuanzhen is a promiscuous man with many wives, and yet he is also cold and unfeeling. Since Li Luo brought you here, you'll be considered a member of the Dragon's Fang Lineage from now on," Li Jingzhe said indifferently.
However, his simple words were enough to cause a look of gratitude to appear in Li Hongyou's eyes. This meant that he did not mind the potential troubles that could come along with accepting her.
Since she was now part of the Dragon's Fang Lineage, she would no longer need to be afraid of Li Yuanzhen.
"You can join the Dragon's Fang Guardians with Li Luo and the rest," Li Jingzhe continued.
"Thank you very much, Lineage Chief!" Li Hongyou replied politely.
Then she looked over to Li Luo and whispered, "Thank you, Junior Li Luo."
She knew that the usually stern Li Jingzhe was only being this amicable because of him.
Otherwise, the Dragon's Fang Guardians would not have accepted someone who would potentially bring them trouble.
Li Luo smiled at Li Hongyou to calm her down.
"Please be extra careful when you arrive at World End's River Region. It is a complicated place filled with all kinds of dangers. Even Dukes can find themselves in a pinch if they are not careful. The challenges that you will encounter there will be much harder than any you've faced so far. The World End's River Region is a special location. All of the major powers of the Heavenly Origin Divine Continent have stationed their forces over there. In a way, it acts as a stronghold to defend the Heavenly Origin Divine Continent. Without it, Others would be able to cross the World End's River wantonly, invading the Heavenly Origin Divine Continent and causing large-scale Other Disasters. In fact, such an incident has happened before. Back then, it caused widespread death and destruction, and the cost has been etched into the minds of all the major powers. This is why we must always remain vigilant. Fortunately, it is extremely challenging for Others to cross the World End's River, especially those that are more powerful. The stronger they are, the more difficult it is for them to cross the river. Otherwise, that place would have turned into the main battlefield against the Others," Li Jingzhe explained.
Li Luo and the other two nodded seriously.
It did not matter too much for Li Luo since his goal for entering the Dragon's Fang Guardians was to reach the Duke Stage as fast as possible and remove the curse that had been limiting his lifespan.
"Someone will explain the detailed situation when you arrive." Li Jingzhe paused for a moment at this point. He looked over at Li Luo and Jiang Qing'e and continued, "Since the two of you are only engaged, it means you've not held your wedding, right?"
The sudden change in topic caught Li Luo and Jiang Qing'e completely off guard.
A smile appeared on Li Jingzhe's aged face as he continued, "In that case, do you want to hold your wedding in the Dragon's Fang Lineage?"
Li Luo did not know whether to laugh or cry at his suggestion. Who could have guessed that Li Jingzhe would try to rush them into getting married?
At this point, a red blush appeared on Jiang Qing'e’s face. Despite her personality, she was still a little shy when it came to such matters.
She did not know how to answer, so she looked to Li Luo for help.
Li Luo smiled. "Grandpa, we aren’t in a rush to get married. Sister Qing'e and I truly love one another. You don't have to worry that she'll run away."
Li Jingzhe took a deep look at Li Luo. This kid was still too young to understand. An engagement was ultimately just an agreement. It would be much safer for them to seal the deal.
Li Luo continued, "Besides... we want Father and Mother to be around for the wedding."
Hearing this, Li Jingzhe turned silent for a moment. He sighed and commented, "Indeed, they should be around for such an occasion."
The two of them were stuck in the Nobles' Battlefield, so it was indeed a little inappropriate for Li Luo to hold his marriage now.
After Li Jingzhe stopped pushing the matter, Li Luo and Jiang Qing'e secretly heaved sighs of relief. They agreed that now was not the right time.
"Let's eat. You can come visit more over the next few days. After you leave, things will become really quiet over here," Li Jingzhe said.
Li Luo nodded and smiled. They finished the meal together, and Li Jingzhe seemed to be particularly happy. Li Luo drank a few more cups of wine with him.
When it was deep into the night, Li Luo stood up to take his leave. Li Jingzhe did not stop them. After all, they needed a good rest after so many days of traveling.
Li Jingzhe then sat in his small courtyard and watched the trio disappear into the distance. He held onto his wine cup and stared at it in a daze for a moment.
If he had set down his pride and done all of this back then, would the ending have been different? As he remained lost in his memories, he took a sip from his cup and let out a soft sigh.
After which, he placed his cup on the table, and his eyes gradually lit up.
"Qing'e is really talented. Seeing someone with triple ninth-grade light resonances is extremely rare. She must also have been following Taixuan and Tan Tailan since she was young. And that blank palace Little Luo was born with..."
Gradually, Li Jingzhe's eyes turned more serious.
"What exactly did Taixuan and the rest discover in the ruins of the Sacred Void Resonance Sect?"