Chapter 0886: Chatting with Uncle Biao
Countless days later, the four banners arrived back at the Dragon's Fang Mountain Range.
Li Luo, Li Fengyi, and the other two reported the completion of the mission before dispersing their banners. The trip to the Dark Domain had taken almost an entire month, and they had encountered countless dangers. Everyone was weary and tired, thus it was time to allow them to recuperate for a period of time.
Li Luo then bade his farewells to the other three Banner Leaders before leading Li Lingjing and Li Feng towards Green Nether Peak.
When they arrived, they saw a familiar figure awaiting them. Li Rouyun.
"Aunt Yun." Li Li Luo glanced at her, and she quickened her steps towards them. On the way back, he had taken the initiative to inform her of Li Lingjing's recovery.
Li Rouyun doted upon Li Lingjing and treated her like a daughter. Even though she was busy managing the Green Nether Hall's affairs, she would still spend copious amounts of effort to obtain spiritual medicines to enable her to recover. Now that she had suddenly received news of Li Lingjin recovering, she was filled with both surprise and joy.
Li Luo also knew this point and naturally stood aside.
Li Lingjing, who was behind him, watched Li Rouyun quickly approach, her eyes welling up red as she huskily said, "Aunt..."
She similarly began to briskly walk towards her, directly entering her embrace.
Li Rouyun was similarly teary-eyed and constantly stroked Li Lingjing's head as she spoke. "The heavens have taken pity on you! You've finally recovered. These years have been so painful for me."
Li Lingjing tightly hugged Li Rouyun's waist, burrowing her face in her bosom as teardrops fell. "Aunt, I've missed you so much."
Even Li Feng sighed emotionally at this sight.
Li Luo was no exception, quietly standing aside and letting the two vent their emotions. A good while later, Li Rouyun dabbed at the edges of her eyes and a smile bloomed on her face.
"Li Luo, you really are my family's lucky star. Just a random trip to Western City and you managed to help her recover." Li Rouyun smiled.
Li Luo didn't exactly know how to reply. He had yet to explain the situation about the Soul Eater True Devil to her, but she was simply too happy right now. He didn't want to dampen her happiness, and perhaps it was too soon to do so.
Li Luo glanced at Li Lingjing. This situation was one that could not remain hidden forever. How the news would be broken to Li Rouyun would be a different matter altogether, and he was happy to leave it in Lingjing's hands.
"Aunt Yun, why don't you take Cousin Lingjing and City Lord Li Feng somewhere to rest? It's possible that tomorrow... they might have to meet the Respected Elder," Li Luo said.
Li Rouyun paused for a moment. "Meet the Lineage Chief?"
Li Luo nodded and did not say anymore, just waving his hand before he left for his own abode, leaving behind a wondering Li Rouyun.
With Li Luo's departure, Li Lingjing tightly clutched Li Rouyun and gave a forced smile.
"Aunt, let's go. Let me explain to you what happened."
When Li Luo arrived back at his lodgings, he saw a familiar figure before him. He had a greasy face that held a hint of ferocity. With a gleaming, pig-butchering knife by his side, this man just emanated a sense of brutality.
Ox Biaobiao.
"Uncle Biao, why are you here today?" Li Luo smiled with surprise.
Ox Biaobiao was currently sitting in the courtyard feasting and drinking before a table laden with delicacies. When he heard Li Luo's voice, he raised his head and beamed. "You brat, you're finally back. Get over here, I've prepared countless tonics and medicinal cuisines for you to replenish your weary body."
Li Luo grinned and sat down as he stared at the table full of food and sighed. "It's been a long time since I've personally tasted your handiwork, Uncle Biao. The Dragon Fang Lineage might be more powerful than House Luolan, but in terms of food, it simply can't compare!"
With that, he tucked into the food without further hesitation, gorging himself.
Ox Biaobiao was so flattered that he couldn't stop smiling, proudly replying, "That is the truth. There might be numerous experts here that are stronger than those of House Luolan, but when it comes to cooking dishes, I'm afraid there are almost none that are my equal."
Li Luo gave him a thumbs up in support.
Ox Biaobiao then pa.s.sed him a cup of wine as he sighed at Li Luo. "You went through so much danger to get me some medicine. You should have told me earlier, I would have accompanied you."
Li Luo was stunned by these sudden words before he recovered with a smile. "How did you find out?"
"When you were gone for so many days, I was naturally worried and went to look for Li Rouyun," Ox Biaobiao replied.
"Don't worry, Uncle Biao. My parents were simply too unreliable and left behind a mess for Sister Qing'e and I. If not for your unceasing protection, House Luolan would not have survived. This favor is something I've etched into my heart. I did not have the strength to repay you before, but now that I'm in the Dragon’s Fang Lineage, no matter the price, your recovery is the most important thing to me. I think this is something even my parents would agree with," Li Luo seriously stated.
"Since they are so unreliable, as the son, I have to naturally do my best and wholeheartedly find a solution for you, Uncle Biao!"
Upon hearing these heartfelt words, Ox Biaobiao gave a radiant smile. He did not say any more, only shoveling more food onto Li Luo's plate. A hint of warmth could be seen on his ferocious demeanor.
"When your injuries have recovered, I hope that you'll become a Green Nether Hall Master. Of course, if you don't wish to be burdened, you're free to also leave and perhaps find some old friends. I'll fully respect your decision," Li Luo continued.
Ox Biaobiao nodded. "I do have some things from the past that I wish to deal with. However, there is no rush. Staying in the Green Nether Hall for a period of time and helping you out is fine. Once you've taken control of the hall, it will not be too late for me to go."
He did not say much more. He held out his hand, and a mysterious, rhombus crystal appeared, immediately causing worldly natural energy to surge.
The crystal exuded a mystical sort of charm, and anyone who gazed upon it would naturally feel a deep longing towards it.
"You previously entrusted me with this Divine Matter. Now that my recovery is imminent, I will return it to you," Ox Biaobiao said.
Li Luo stared blankly at the Divine Matter. It was an object that all Dukes held an infinite desire for. Back when they were in the Xia Kingdom, every single Duke had coveted this object, and its mere existence had placed House Luolan in danger.
On the other hand, Ox Biaobiao had very willingly surrendered it back to him.
"Uncle Biao, to be honest, this object isn't very useful to me," Li Luo said.
"Not today, but it will be in the future. I have languished for countless years, so even if you were to give it to me, it would be squandering a treasure." Ox Biaobiao laughed.
"Your parents obtained it from an ancient remnant many years ago, so it should belong to you. However, I'd recommend that you not leave it on your person. It is an alluring object to any Duke, and keeping it would only put you in danger."
Li Luo looked at Ox Biaobiao's expression and understood his intentions. He carefully received the object and stowed it away.
It was as Ox Biaobiao had said. The object was simply too precious, and Dukes would waver in front of it, especially those that had the possibility of breaking into the King Stage. If they knew about this, it would be difficult to avoid malicious intentions, so he simply could not keep it with him.
Thinking about it quickly, he decided to ask Li Jingzhe to safekeep the item. He was his grandfather and a King, so he would not covet the Divine Matter. And after investigating Ox Biaobiao's situation, he naturally knew of its existence.
"Was it because of this that my parents were chased down in the ancient remnant by the Bloodline of Heavenly Emperor Qing?" Li Luo frowned as he thought about it.
Divine Matter was a peak-grade treasure, but the Bloodline of Heavenly Emperor Qing was extraordinary themselves. It couldn't possibly be because of this that two Heavenly Emperor powers were on the cusp of war, right?
"The situation at that time was extremely complex. The two parties had acc.u.mulated too much enmity... The Divine Matter did not possess such enthralling desire to cause it." Ox Biaobiao sighed as his gaze quickly swept the area before he continued in a low voice, "I think that your parents obtained something even more miraculous. As for what it is, I'm afraid no one else but the two of them would know. The Bloodline of Heavenly Emperor Qing probably felt the same way and thus pursued them relentlessly."
Li Luo's gaze shrank. Just what could his parents have obtained in the ancient remnant that could exceed even the Divine Matter in value? His heart trembled, but Li Luo firmly squashed this feeling down. He glanced at Ox Biaobiao, and they no longer raised the topic again.
Instead, he continued to ravenously stuff himself. When he could eat no more, he patted his stomach with a satisfied look and reclined on his chair.
"Uncle Biao, I'm reminded of the times back in House Luolan..."
Li Luo comfortably raised his head as he watched the gradually ascending moon. Although the conditions here in Dragon's Fang Mountain far surpa.s.sed anything he could ever imagine at House Luolan, his heart would never forget that tiny manor that he called home. It brought him a sense of comfort like nothing else could.
Ox Biaobiao similarly sighed and then smiled. "It’s a pity that the headquarters turned into a breeding ground for the Others."
Li Luo's eyes turned into slits as he thought about the individual who had left the deepest impression on him, his gaze turning murderous.
Shen Jinxiao.
That d.a.m.n beast. It was his machinations that caused House Luolan to fall and even forced Sister Qing'e to ignite her Heart of Light, forcing the two of them to part.
This enmity was deeply etched into his heart.
Yet at the same time, Li Luo couldn't help but to think of that beautiful woman and sigh.
“Sister Qing'e, are you doing well at the Hallowed Coruscation Ancient College?”