Light Fortress
Chapter 523 - 121 Destiny’s Golden Thread_2

Chapter 523: Chapter 121 Destiny’s Golden Thread_2

Having said that,

the man paused for a moment and said calmly, "It’s just that I am truly disappointed with some of them."

Some of the "members" within the Elder Council were personally selected by him.

Owing to ill health, he had begun preparing for a "successor" early on... However, as things stood, even though he wielded great power as the "Li Family Master," he was still a patient who could not step down from his sickbed, and his overly gentle demeanor did not possess any real "deterrence."

In his final moments, he saw several of those he had promoted standing in camps where they should not be.

Li Qingsui followed her father’s gaze.

Her vision blurred with tears.

What she looked upon was a haze.

The little girl silently clenched her teeth and her fists.

"If it’s possible, be a kind person, but do not be overly kind," The Li Family Master said with a smile. "To become the Family Head... being soft-hearted and tender will not suffice."

Having said this,

he turned his head to look at Gao Tian and instructed softly, "After I die... everything should follow the Li family rules. As for those who do not follow the rules, you deal with them as you see fit. But if there are any who play by the rules, you can keep them. Promise me, stay by Qing Sui’s side and ensure her safety. Only with you there can she be safe."

Gao Tian was stunned.

He saw the gathering of people outside the sickroom, their expressions already very gloomy.

If it weren’t for today’s circumstances... he might have already taken action.

His stay with the Li Family was all because the Family Master had been kind to him!

With his strength, any Extraordinary Force in the Five Continents would hold him in high regard... Gao Tian had already thought about the worst outcome of this storm. It would just be those people trying to harm the Miss.

Then he would take direct action!

He had no attachments, being a loner—

He could disregard both the Li Family and the East Continent Federation!

And now... upon the Family Master’s deathbed, with him deliberately giving such instructions, Gao Tian could only suppress his anger and agree.

"...Yes."

The Li Family Master saw that Gao Tian had agreed to his request and smiled.

He knew what kind of man Gao Tian was.

His word was his bond.

The words he spoke, he would never go back on.

In fact, it was precisely because he understood this too well... that he gave these instructions. He didn’t want to see an old friend being hunted by the Li Family. No matter how strong Gao Tian was, he was ultimately just one person, unable to fight against the profound heritage of the five great families.

Moreover,

if after his death, the Li Family was to face an unprecedented storm,

he was unwaveringly certain that his daughter would win the final victory in this struggle.

Having spoken so much, as if using up all his strength, the Li Family Master propped himself up on the bed and slowly sat upright, weakly waving his hand, signaling Gu Shen to come closer.

His voice, still with a smile, had become very weak.

"Gu Shen... come here, I have something to tell you..."

Gu Shen stepped closer.

He looked at this man who had once held great sway over Changye, now emaciated and yellow-skinned, and couldn’t help feeling a pang of sorrow.

In this world, even heroes... in the end, cannot avoid becoming a mound of yellow earth.

"From the first day you entered Changye... I began to keep an eye on you..."

This was Gu Shen’s first meeting with the Li Family Master.

He could tell that there was an appreciative smile in the man’s eyes.

Though they had never met before,

it felt as though they had known each other for a long time...

Thinking back, when he first came to Changye, all five major families had arranged meetings, but in the end, only the "Li Family’s" was successful.

If all of this was by design, then the person who arranged this meeting knew him very well.

"To not witness the ’Divine Embryo’ hatch... is truly a pity," the Li Family Master said softly with a hint of profound regret in his voice, speaking in a hoarse whisper audible only to himself and Gu Shen, "Qingci is a good girl, she deserves a glance at the outside world. After all, it took her ten years just to have a chance to meet you."

He was concerned that he did not know how much Li Qingci had sacrificed.

Before his death, he revealed the cost of the Prayer Technique for Miss Qingci.

"I am aware of that,"

Gu Shen spoke softly, "I will deal with those Black Flowers on Divine Temple Mountain."

The conversation having reached this point, the Li Family Master already sensed something and did not continue further. Instead, he slowly extended a withered hand, and as he leaned forward, he placed it on Gu Shen’s shoulder, gently and firmly patting it.

The meaning behind that pat,

was like... you’ve done well.

And also like... thank you.

At last,

"You also know..."

"Those all too eager to jump forward... are nothing but..."

"The dregs and the wretched..."

The master’s voice grew fainter and weaker.

"Consider for a moment... what makes them dare to come forward..."

Gu Shen’s pupils constricted slightly.

The Li Family Master smiled and lay back, resting upon the bed, heaving a long sigh and then closing his eyes, like a weary traveler finally finding a place to rest.

He then fell asleep.

And slept forevermore.

...

...

The Li Family Master’s funeral was held at Qingzhong.

This was his last wish, to have his body buried in the tombs of Qingzhong after his death.

To lie with Li Qingci’s father, the former Divine Temple Guardian, together in their final resting place.

Many people came to the Outer Tomb.

They came to bid farewell to the master on his final journey, a "leader" worthy of respect who had led the Li Family through tough times under the suppression of the other four families. Over these years, the Li Family had come to be considered the most mysterious fifth family.