As a father, I just want to quietly watch you live a long life Chapter 1535 - 409: The Great Elder Sheds His Confucian Robe to Reveal the Hunting God—Go Forth, Xi Xi; Only When the Young Eagle Leaves the Nest Does It Learn to Fly...

Walking alongside National Master Xie Yushen, the Sword Guard Ning An found himself unable to suppress his curiosity and asked a question.

"He will agree; His Majesty will not refuse," the National Master replied calmly.

"The Emperor requires Li Che's cooperation to dismantle the Qian Yuan Divine Sect... To achieve this, sacrificing a few trivial assets is of no consequence," the National Master noted with indifference.

"Furthermore, do you truly believe our loss was that catastrophic? While Gu Changqing, Bai Buxi, and Zhao Chunqiu have fallen, they were merely Divine Sect Masters. In truth... their demise has a negligible effect on the Imperial Court." Xie Yushen smiled, appearing entirely unbothered.

Ning An was momentarily stunned before his eyes widened in realization: "Does that mean... National Master, you anticipated this outcome all along?"

Xie Yushen gave a slow shake of his head. "From His Majesty's perspective, perhaps. But for me, a loss is a loss. I have indeed suffered a most humiliating defeat."

"The Underworld... they surpassed my calculations."

"As for that Li Half-Saint—or rather, Master Li—he is remarkably resolute and truly powerful to have navigated such a Divine Tribulation with such ease..." Xie Yushen’s eyes narrowed slightly.

"Is he truly nothing more than a Horse Face?"

Speculations were already forming in Xie Yushen’s mind. When facing a Divine Tribulation, particularly a Saint Hand tribulation like the heaven and earth tribulation, a powerful physical body provides a massive advantage.

Xie Yushen shook his head again, his expression growing more profound.

"The opening campaign of mountain-cleaving and sect-breaking must be a success..." He let out a long breath.

A flicker of melancholy crossed Xie Yushen’s features. "Heavenly Defect and Earth Defect... how could they have turned traitor?"

"The sole explanation for such betrayal is if they were dragged into the Underworld's Fengdu. If so, the Underworld Yama might have successfully swayed them..."

"Does the Underworld truly grasp the secrets of Heavenly Defect and Earth Defect's lineage?" Xie Yushen squinted thoughtfully.

The Underworld was a faction shrouded in enigma. They left no footprints, possessed no traceable history, and seemed to manifest from the void itself, acting as avatars of the Abyss and the Netherworld.

Slaughter was the defining characteristic of the Underworld, a relentless cycle of killing that never wavered. To the public, they were synonymous with savagery, bloodlust, madness, and death.

"Senior, the Underworld is unparalleled in the art of assassination... I urge you to remain on high alert." Xie Yushen suddenly recalled a chilling detail.

A sudden, bone-chilling shiver ran through his entire frame. He turned toward a specific point in the empty air and made a deeply respectful gesture, speaking with absolute sincerity.

"I understand."

"Do not fret. My Dao Yun remains anchored to you; I shall personally guarantee your safety." A faint, ethereal voice drifted from a shimmering ripple in the void.

Despite receiving this vow from a Divine Tribulation Cultivator, Xie Yushen could not find peace. Looking back at the Underworld’s previous strikes, he couldn't help but remember the Noble Princess Consort Ji, who had been torn apart in the Divine Capital.

He felt a sudden, icy dread.

"Assassination..."

"Would the Underworld actually target me?"

"Does the Underworld... truly possess such audacity?!"

...

...

Attempting to consolidate the Heaven and Earth Qi Fortune for Qian Yuan was a task of monumental difficulty. If the Equal Heaven Temple failed in the past, could the Qian Yuan Divine Sect truly succeed now?

During its golden age, the Equal Heaven Temple controlled half the globe, exerting such pressure on the reigning Dynasty that it was nearly suffocating. Their power was staggering. Li Che found it impossible to believe that the Equal Heaven Temple hadn't attempted to seize the world's Qi Fortune back then.

Since they ultimately failed, there had to be a hidden force—a power far beyond his current reach—that had crushed them. If Li Che intended to shield the Qian Yuan Divine Sect and plunder the Qi Fortune of the other Divine Sects and the Imperial Court, he would inevitably collide with that same power.

"I must continue to grow stronger," Li Che sighed.

After his sigh, however, Li Che instinctively rubbed his temples. Why did he seem to possess the same rebellious streak as Xi Xi? He was supposed to be nothing more than a quiet, law-abiding Wood Carver!

Over the following days, Li Che dedicated himself entirely to Xi Xi and Zhang Ya. Whatever Xi Xi desired, her parents provided without hesitation.

If Xi Xi craved braised pork, Zhang Ya would prepare it immediately; if she wanted to go out, Li Che would join Zhang Ya in strolling through the bustling streets of Qianyuan Taoist City with their daughter. They cherished these moments of family unity.

Li Che eventually broached the subject of letting Xi Xi gain real-world experience with Zhang Ya. To his surprise, Zhang Ya’s perspective mirrored that of Fang Hanshu. It seemed Fang Hanshu had already discussed the matter with her while Li Che was in seclusion.

"Xi Xi isn't like other seven-year-olds. She is a genius, a Divine Child, the leader of the pack... her future is destined for greatness."

"As things stand in the martial world, very few possess the skill to rival her," Li Che said, trying to comfort his wife.

"Husband, I know that. I understand it all," Zhang Ya replied, her voice trembling. "I just can't bear to let her go. She is so young to be wandering the martial world. What if she goes hungry? What if she catches a cold or gets bullied? We won't be there to protect her. She'll be so far away, and we'll be helpless to assist her."

As she spoke, Zhang Ya began to sob. Li Che gently stroked her hair and pulled her close, allowing her to rest her head on his shoulder.

Even if many of her fears were exaggerated, weren't these the natural anxieties of any parent whose child was leaving home?

"Have no fear. Remember your husband's strength; I will always be there, watching over Xi Xi from the shadows," Li Che said with a reassuring smile.

Zhang Ya looked up, her eyes red-rimmed. "But what if..."

"What if the Qian Yuan Divine Sect cannot survive this trial? If the Imperial Court destroys it and we... if we die, what will become of Xi Xi?"