Chapter 1216: Trap?
When faced with Li Hongque's sudden fury, Li Zhihuo felt a little surprised. However, he understood something from her words.
"Is Li Hongyou Cousin Yuanzhen's child?" Li Zhihuo asked as he looked at Li Hongli.
Li Hongli hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Her mother was one of Father's concubines. When she was young, her mother took her away and left the Dragon's Blood Lineage to lands unknown."
Li Zhihuo now knew what was going on. Li Hongque had spoken like she had chased the mother and daughter away, and not so much that it was a willing departure.
The conflict between the two parties likely ran much deeper than he expected.
Judging by this, it seemed unrealistic that they would be able to poach her. Perhaps Li Hongyou had joined the Dragon's Fang Guardians precisely to take revenge on Li Hongque and Li Yuanzhen.
"A lower ninth-grade Crimson Heart Vermilion Fruit resonance? If she breaks into the Duke Stage, she will definitely cause a lot of trouble for the Dragon's Blood Guardians," Li Zhihuo remarked dryly.
"Hmph! Does she think that breaking into the Duke Stage is easy? What sort of cultivation resources do you think that lowlife earned on her own? I bet she can’t even afford a low-grade Foundational Spirit Treasure!" Li Hongque snorted coldly.
Li Zhiqiu helplessly shook his head. "A lower ninth-grade talent lacking a Foundational Spirit Treasure shouldn't have too much trouble constructing a Duke Bergfried. At the most, she will just have to consume some of her underlying potential."
He knew that Li Hongque was unhappy, which was why he had spoken harshly about Li Hongyou.
Li Zhiqiu then turned towards Li Zhihuo. "If you can't get Li Hongyou to join the Dragon's Blood Guardians, then you definitely cannot let her remain in the Dragon's Fang Guardians. The Dragon's Blood Guardians might be stronger than the Dragon's Fang Guardians now, but we must act with caution. They have the addition of a Ten-Pillar Duke Bergfried Duke, and more variables might appear in future. Thus, we need to do our best to reduce the odds of something unexpected happening."
His expression turned cold as well. Their family had paid a heavy price, all in order to push Li Zhihuo into the position of Grand Guardian General. They held great hopes for him, and perhaps with the aid of the Lesser Sacred Seed, he would become a high-grade Duke and possibly advance into the King Stage. The investment he had received was a huge gamble, so how could they let their plans be ruined so easily?
Li Zhihuo saw Li Zhiqiu's serious expression. He understood where he was coming from, and he fell silent momentarily before asking, "What do you plan to do, then?"
"Even if Li Hongyou does not agree, the blood of the Dragon's Blood Lineage flows in her veins. That is an unchangeable fact. From the ancient times till today, just when has someone from the Dragon's Blood Lineage joined the Dragon's Fang Guardians? I will transmit news of this back to the lineage and also inform Cousin Yuanzhen. He is Li Hongyou's father, so he will naturally discipline her. At that time, we can exert heavy pressure and at the very least force her out of the Dragon's Fang Guardians."
Li Hongque’s expression turned ugly when she heard those words. "There is no need to inform my father. I'll visit this wretch myself and give her a piece of my mind and force her to leave. If she takes the initiative to leave the Dragon's Fang Guardians, then so be it. If she holds onto an illusion of being able to stay, I wouldn't mind ending her with my own two hands."
This was an ugly secret of her family, and if it were to be revealed to the world, Li Yuanzhen would similarly be displeased whilst the Dragon's Blood Lineage would become the butt of everyone's jokes.
Li Zhihuo thought about it momentarily before tactfully reminding her, "It would be great if you could speak to her first. There is no need to be overbearing. It’ll be good if she joins the Dragon's Blood Guardians. Remember, everything is for the guardians."
As the Guardian General, he would naturally want to recruit talented individuals. He wouldn't mind if Li Hongyou was willing to be used by him. Seeing Li Zhihuo attach so much importance to the recruiting of Li Hongyou caused Li Hongque's eyes to turn even more icy. That said, she did not retort, merely clenching her fists as she nodded.
Li Hongli sighed in her heart. She understood her older sister's temper much too well. She had always treated Li Hongyou and her mother arrogantly. The Guardian General’s request for Li Hongque to lower herself and invite Li Hongyou into the Dragon's Blood Guardians was, frankly, never going to happen.
Li Hongyou had been invited to join the Dragon's Fang Guardians, which showed that Li Luo had taken action as well. She had once looked down on him, but she no longer dared to at this point.
Li Luo's miracles had forced Li Qingfeng, the former leader of the Twenty Banners, into a state of despondency, much less her.
She knew that if Li Hongque targeted Li Hongyou, Li Luo wouldn’t sit by idly, knowing his personality.
At that point in time, a battle would very likely break out.
Li Hongli glanced at Li Zhihuo. They were worried about Jiang Qing'e and Li Hongyou, but no one seemed to be concerned about Li Luo. They had to know that when he had entered the Twenty Banners, in terms of power, he was even weaker than now, relatively speaking. And how had their generation ended up?
He had forcefully elevated himself to the top of the Green Nether Banner and even wrested the position of Dragon's Head away.
Thus, Li Hongli felt that the one who would pose the biggest threat to the Dragon's Blood Lineage was actually Li Luo! That brat was the most terrifying one for sure!
......
Heavenly Dragon City's South District, Dragon Fang Gate
The area was vast and the streets were lined with numerous pavilions and manors. There were also countless watchtowers where people sat cross-legged. They were guards, attentively observing the area around them and remaining vigilant.
Impressive drill grounds could be seen in every direction and powerful people were exchanging blows in them, so the sounds of fighting echoed in the air.
Dragon fang flags littered the area, emanating a sharp air as they dappled in the wind.
The entire area around the Dragon Fang Gate had a fierce and murderous aura, condensed as a result of the numerous generations of Dragon's Fang Guardians having made this their home.
This made the Twenty Banners truly seem almost naive and childish in comparison.
The Twenty Banners were like the cadet corps, while the Heavenly Dragon’s Five Guardian Armies were the iron-blooded soldiers of the Bloodline of Heavenly Emperor Li who could conquer in its name.
Who knew how many Dukes had fallen to this army over the many generations it had been active.
It was said that during its most prosperous era, the combined efforts of the Five Guardian Armies had actually slain a King. This was the might of a Heavenly Emperor power.
As they went deeper into Dragon Fang Gate, the environment started to change. Eventually, they saw a lush, green peak that stood tall, surrounded by countless courtyards and drill grounds. The mountain was quite tall, and it was capable of providing a breathtaking view of the entirety of Heavenly Dragon City.
Under Li Foluo's guidance, Li Luo and the rest entered the Dragon Fang Gate. After which, he made arrangements for the injured Ox Biaobiao and Li Rouyun to be treated before leading the trio over to a field beneath the central peak.
When Li Luo landed, he glanced at the field and noticed that countless individuals garbed in black were standing at attention. They emanated a faintly murderous air as they looked forward with fierce eyes.
On an individual basis, most of the Dragon's Fang Guardians were at the Heavenly Pearl Tier, but some of their hands were stained with the blood of Dukes. In terms of temperament and morale, they were capable of striking fear even in cultivators at the Greater Heavenly Resonance Tier.
They were the Dragon's Fang Guardians.
Li Luo carefully sized them up. He noticed some familiar faces as some of them were elites from the Twenty Banners.
Zhao Yanzhi, Li Shi, Mu Bi—the three who had followed him in the Green Nether Banner—were also there.
Their gazes met Li Luo's and looks of excitement stirred on their expressions. However, Li Foluo was strict with his men, so they did not dare to make a single sound.
"Greetings, Guardian General!" the entire field of ten thousand cried out in unison, their joint voices booming like thunder and causing the ground to quake.
On the field were several stone steps, each one with a stone seat. Clearly, the one at the top belonged to the Guardian General.
Beneath him were two seats, and two people were already occupying them. Further beneath them were another four individuals.
Those seats naturally belonged to the Dragon Fang Envoys and the Four Grand Commanders.
As Li Foluo led the trio down, his stern face didn't reveal any trace of emotion. At the same time, he did not delay and went straight to the topic at hand.
"There are some new arrivals to the Dragon's Fang Guardians. I have called you all to see them. However, things are a little different today."
Li Foluo pointed towards Li Luo. "This is Li Luo. I believe many of you have heard of him. He is the Dragon's Head of the most recent generation and has aided the Dragon's Fang Lineage in obtaining prestige after countless years of being trodden upon. I believe none of you have anything to say about his contributions?"
Numerous gazes turned towards Li Luo. A moment later, they cupped their fists and respectfully saluted him with a bow.
Li Luo was a little astonished by this sudden action, but just as he was about to speak, Li Foluo explained, "The Five Guardian Armies are one entity, but competition is stiff. You have led the Green Nether Banner to suppress the other four lineages and have also won much honor for the Dragon's Fang Guardians. Thus, this deserves our bow."
Li Luo could only helplessly receive this.
"Now you are part of the Dragon's Fang Guardians, and you have expressed your interest in becoming a Grand Commander even though you're only at the Greater Heavenly Resonance Tier.”
Li Foluo then turned towards the four and continued, “Now, out of the four of you, who is willing to relinquish their role?"
Li Luo felt his scalp turn a little numb. Li Foluo clearly had a rock for his brain. What Grand Commander would casually hand their position over to a newcomer?
He was basically stirring up trouble with his question!
Just as Li Luo felt a little helpless yet again, awaiting the four Grand Commanders' fury, the four of them briefly glanced at each other. A moment later, the one sitting at the end stood up and let out a hearty laugh.
"Dragon's Head Li Luo, if you feel that the position of the fourth Grand Commander is not too low, then I'll temporarily give my seat to you."
Li Luo stared at the man who had given up his position in surprise. This all felt a little unbelievable. Wasn't this too easy? Was this a trap?