"Wow, you’ve learned to lie now."
"Bold enough to do this at home—what would you dare outside? Confess everything! How have you been bullying her?"
Just as the culprit, Little Li, was about to experience the overwhelming "love" of his parents—akin to a landslide—Ying Bing lightly pursed her lips and spoke:
"Uncle, Auntie, he tricked me into calling him 'brother' last night."
"And what about that... dual cultivation?" Da Long still hadn’t loosened his grip on the rolling pin.
Li Mo sighed. "Dad, I told you, it’s a legitimate cultivation method, just like 'Sun-Moon Mutual Polarity.' Sure, they’re two separate sword techniques, but they still count as dual cultivation martial arts."
Well, "Phoenix Cries in Heavenly Marsh" was indeed a very proper technique.
Unless you looked at the third layer.
The couple turned to Ying Bing.
At least, that’s what Old Li and Madam Gu believed.
"So that’s how it is."
"Mhm, Bing’er never lies. It must be true. That’s more like it."
"Dad, Mom, I said the same thing earlier, but you weren’t having it."
"You also lied this morning, saying you got lost in the middle of the night. Did you really think such nonsense could fool your old man’s sharp eyes? My vision is as precise as a ruler!"
"Bing’er, have some congee. If Little Mo ever bullies you, tell us immediately—we’ll tan his hide."
"??? How would I dare bully her?!"
Li Mo was utterly bewildered. So now he was the outsider?
Where was the basic trust between parents and child?
And wasn’t he too old to be spanked?!
"Thank you, Uncle and Auntie."
Ying Bing responded earnestly, her beautiful eyes flickering with amusement as she glanced at Li Mo.
Perhaps recalling how often her disciplinary ruler had found its mark during their sword practice sessions.
As breakfast continued, Gu Xueqin added:
"It’s normal for young people to have youthful impulses. Da Long and I were the same at your age. But you must exercise restraint."
"We’ve been very restrained. Our interactions have always been proper."
Li Mo wore the expression of a true gentleman.
Wasn’t giving foot massages perfectly normal? How could that not be considered proper?
No sooner had he spoken than he sucked in a sharp breath. Looking down, he found a dainty boot pressing—and twisting—on his foot.
The owner of said boot was none other than the aloof "Frost Fairy," who was calmly sipping her congee.
"Little Mo, I’m talking to you. Why are you grimacing like that?"
"Tsk, this congee is too sweet. It’s making my teeth ache."
Just as Li Dalong opened his mouth to say more, footsteps echoed from outside, and a pair of official boots crossed the threshold.
It was one of his father’s long-time subordinates, who greeted him with "Boss Li" before lowering his voice to report.
"Boss Li, trouble—the Nian Beast is really at the Ying family’s old residence! It looks just like the one from ten years ago..."
"That beast actually returned?!"
Li Dalong shot to his feet, his expression grave.
"Wife, fetch my armor and weapon!"
With a solemn air, Old Li declared, "The blood debt from ten years ago will be repaid today. Slaying that beast will finally bring peace to Brother Ying and his wife in the afterlife..."
"Husband! Can you even fight it?"
"A man can’t say he can’t. I’ll fight with my life if I have to!"
Little Li and the "ice block" exchanged a glance before silently returning to their breakfast.
The subordinate, however, was baffled. Weren’t the two legendary prodigies—who had slain countless calamity beasts in the Southern Border and shaken the world—standing right here?
Why was Boss Li talking about risking his life? What kind of act was this?
"Ahem, Boss Li, I know you want to fight, but hold that thought."
"The Nian Beast is already dead. Someone killed it—I’m here to report so you can inspect the scene."
Just as the dramatic tension peaked, a bucket of cold water doused it.
Well... that was abrupt.
After his father left for the old residence, breakfast concluded. Gu Xueqin, along with the household maids, began cleaning and decorating the manor in preparation for the upcoming New Year.
Thanks to the two youngsters, the Li family’s status had risen, and this year’s celebrations promised to be lively.
"For the New Year, we’ll need new clothes. These two are growing so fast."
"Bring the lanterns—we’ll hang them extra high this year."
Just as Gu Xueqin finished instructing the maids, she turned to find Ying Bing standing nearby.
"Auntie, I’d like to hang one too."
Her voice was soft, gentler than usual.
Gu Xueqin was taken aback.
In previous years, the girl had always been even more withdrawn during the New Year, as if the festivities held no meaning for her. The couple knew why.
Yet now, she was actively participating. Had the sun risen in the west today?
"Of course, of course! Bing’er, let’s hang the lanterns together. May the coming year bring us prosperity."
This year, it seemed both youngsters had changed in their own ways.
Li Mo watched for a moment, about to join in, when he suddenly sensed movement from an object in his system space.
"Mom, I’ll be right back."
After a quick word, he retreated to a quiet spot and retrieved a beast token.
This was a summoning token from the Demon Calling Sect. After the Beast Hall Master, Luo Yexian, had been... persuaded (ahem, given a tour of the Myriad Phenomena Immortal Sect), he had handed it over.
He’d claimed that if the sect wished to maintain communication with the Immortal Sect, this token could be used for contact.
After verifying it carried no hidden traps, Li Mo had kept it.
"What does the Demon Calling Sect want now? Don’t they celebrate the New Year?"
As he flipped the token over, a faint glow emanated from it, accompanied by a slight warmth. A pulse of energy—detectable only to those with divine perception—rippled from it.
"Three days hence, the Holy Son and two Dharma Kings will arrive in the Eastern Wasteland Domain. They hold the Highest Immortal in great esteem and wish to meet in Ziyang Prefecture City to discuss matters of mutual interest. —Luo Yexian."
The Demon Calling Holy Son and two Dharma Kings?
Li Mo frowned, lost in thought.
The Holy Son had once topped the Hidden Dragon Ranking, only to be bested by the Great Yu Crown Prince. Rumors had circulated that he’d been slain—or perhaps he had truly died once, only to return through some sinister means years later.
This man wouldn’t be as easily fooled as Luo Yexian.
And with two Dharma Kings in tow—titles that clearly denoted high-ranking figures within the sect—this was no small matter.
"Are the Demon Calling Sect’s Dharma Kings all at the Dharma Body realm?"
"They’re definitely here to test the waters..."
"Should I go or not?"
After a moment’s deliberation, Li Mo made his decision.
If he refused, they wouldn’t simply give up. It was better to meet them on his terms now than risk an unexpected visit later. Besides, the matter of the "Power of the Multitude" would remain unresolved.
Better to face the thief now than live in constant worry.
Even if, technically, he was the thief...
Either way, setting a date meant he could prepare. He’d go, but he’d go ready.