Chapter 182 - 126: Interrogating the Demoness, Cultivators

Li Chang’an answered casually, "It’s alright!"

He didn’t tell Tian Fugui the truth.

But this time, Tian Fugui surprisingly brought it up himself. "Mmm, you need to study, but you can’t neglect your martial arts either!"

At this, he sighed, shaking his head with a hint of regret. "A while ago, I was even considering sending you to the Martial Champion Scholar’s mansion to become his apprentice. I never imagined he’d just die like that. What a good man the Martial Champion Scholar was... That Demon Sect is truly detestable! They all deserve to die!"

Li Chang’an felt that Tian Fugui had changed, becoming more youthful and full of life.

So, he pulled a familiar guard aside and asked, "What’s wrong with my father? Why does he support my martial arts training now?"

The guard grinned, flashing a set of white teeth. "It’s all thanks to you, Young Master. Our cultivation has improved recently, and we helped the master drive away all the other landlords around the Tian Family Manor. The Tian Family is now the sole landlord in the surrounding villages and towns. The master is feeling quite pleased with himself!"

Li Chang’an finally understood.

’That makes sense. Only land and silver coins could make a man of property change his mind.’

Tian Fugui had gained land and silver coins through the might of his guards, so he changed his opinion of the Martial Dao. He no longer clung to the dogmatic belief that all other pursuits were base and only scholarly pursuits were noble.

He nodded and praised them, "You did well. But remember, don’t harm the innocent or bully the common folk. If I catch you, or even hear of it—a life for a life, and debts must be paid!"

The guard bowed obsequiously, grinning. "You have always been a great teacher to us, Young Master. How would we dare!?"

Li Chang’an nodded.

He then casually gave them some pointers on their cultivation.

Then, he turned to leave.

However, just before he left, he remembered the disaster that was supposed to befall him at the age of eight. That year, a group of so-called heroes from the Jianghu would "rob the rich to feed the poor."

His parents would be casually murdered by those so-called heroes.

Because of this, Li Chang’an turned around and went back into the manor. He asked Tian Fugui about the rent he charged the local tenants, and only after confirming that it wasn’t too harsh did he finally head back to the county town.

...

The bumpy ride finally brought him to the Champion Scholar’s Mansion.

Li Chang’an stepped out of the carriage. Just as he was about to head inside, he saw a woman standing by the entrance. She was dressed in black, her features exquisite yet cold.

Though she wore different clothes and her hair accessories had changed, Li Chang’an recognized her at a glance. She was the Demoness from the Demon Sect who had killed Cao Shu.

The Demoness sized Li Chang’an up and down, then smiled. "Well, look at you, little brother. You’ve certainly been in the spotlight lately."

"Let me correct you on one thing. I’m not ’little,’ and nothing about me is little," Li Chang’an retorted, not bothering to hide his displeasure. He then added coolly, "Besides, however much I’m in the spotlight, how could it possibly compare to the glory of your Demon Sect?"

The Demoness paid no mind to Li Chang’an’s barbed words.

She walked up to Li Chang’an, bent down, and hooked his chin with her finger. She smiled. "I hear you’re planning to participate in the Liyang Dynasty’s Martial Arts Examination?"

’So this Demoness really has been watching me in secret.’

Li Chang’an narrowed his eyes. A flicker of killing intent sparked within him, but he didn’t let it show. Instead, he asked, "And what if I am? What if I’m not? You didn’t show yourself just to silence me, did you?"

The Demoness lowered her finger and laughed. "Others may not know how terrifying you are, but I do. If I wanted to silence you, would I have appeared before you so brazenly?"

"Then what do you want?"

The Demoness crossed her arms and said coolly, "Naturally, I’ve come to make you an offer. If you’re willing to join my Demon Sect, I can have the Sect Leader appoint you as a Protector!"

’A Demon Sect Protector. Sounds like cannon fodder.’

Li Chang’an’s lip curled in a sneer. He shook his head. "Sorry, not interested. If that’s all you have to say, you should get out of my way before I’m tempted to kill you."

Seeing that Li Chang’an was completely unmoved, the Demoness frowned, clearly displeased with his indifferent reaction. "What? You’re not satisfied with this offer? Based on the age you present to the world, you’re only six years old. A six-year-old Protector of the Demon Sect has a very high chance of becoming an Elder in the future. It’s not even entirely impossible for you to become the Sect Leader!"

Clearly, she had investigated Li Chang’an’s background after their last encounter.

Although she still believed in her heart that Li Chang’an was an old monster who had practiced a Rejuvenation cultivation technique, she didn’t dwell on the matter.

The offer sounded tempting.

But Li Chang’an knew it was just empty words.

The Sect Leader of the Demon Sect was a Female Demon at the Martial Arts Mythical Realm, a Martial Artist who stood at the very pinnacle of this world. For Li Chang’an to become the Sect Leader of the Demon Sect, he would have to defeat her first.

By then, it would be far too late.

Seeing that Li Chang’an remained unmoved no matter how she tried to entice him, the Demoness finally grew annoyed. She raised her eyebrows and snapped, "I am Ran Qingqiu, one of the six great Saintesses of the Demon Sect! The fact that I came to invite you personally is already giving you tremendous face. Don’t be so shameless as to refuse my kindness!"

Li Chang’an rolled his eyes.

He was originally preparing to attack, but a new thought struck him. He asked, "Have you people ever heard of Cultivators?"

"Cultivators?" The Demoness, Ran Qingqiu, sounded puzzled. After a moment, she scoffed, "What? You want to pursue Cultivation? In your dreams!"

Li Chang’an had asked this question many times in the past.

But the answers he received were always vague.

’I can’t believe this Demoness from the Demon Sect actually knows something.’

’Then again, the Demon Sect is one of the three greatest powers in this world. It’s only natural that they’d have information unknown to ordinary people!’