"Fate…" Li Yuanjiao muttered to himself as Li Tongya sheathed his sword, fastening the Qingche Sword to his waist for the first time. With a serious expression, he said, "Yuanjiao… the family will need your care from now on. If I go and do not return, you must lower your head and endure for a while. With the Xiao Family supporting us, at worst, we can cede Mount Huazhong and Mount Yuting; it is of no great consequence."1

Li Yuanjiao felt as though the sky was darkening and the world was collapsing around him. He said hoarsely, "Ancestor… the family… the family cannot do without you!"3

Li Tongya slowly shook his head and spoke gently, "Xuanling is likely beyond saving, and Xuanfeng is stuck at the southern border. Let your father manage the marketplace; he should not come back and complicate matters…"0

"You, Yuanxiu, and Yuanping are all capable of managing the family. You must...9