Family Management Game In Immortal Continent Chapter 856: What The Li Clan Truly Is

All his life as a commander, Dongfang Liancheng could never have foreseen himself reduced to such a pitiful condition today.

The ferocity of Li Tianyue's sudden retaliation had caught him off guard, as had the rapid actions of her followers.

Facing death without fear, they formed the final true fighting force left in the Eastern Border.

His gaze swept over the generals around him; every face bore doubt, their determination clearly shaken.

However, the group under Tang Miao's lead simply watched as if they were outsiders to the scene.

In a twist of fate, their side controlled eighty percent of the troops assembled there.

"Old General." Tang Miao noticed the doubt flickering in Dongfang Liancheng's eyes.

His eyes tightened just a bit.

"Issue the command, please. General Yue has lost her mind. Any more delay, and even more troops might fall under her influence."

His words barely finished when others in the group voiced their support one by one.

Balancing the risks, one side held eighty percent of the Eastern Border's forces, while the other consisted of Li Tianyue's battle-hardened veterans.

The crisis hung heavy in the air.

With a heavy sigh, Dongfang Liancheng prepared to raise his hand and signal the advance.

Down on the field, Li Tianyue lifted her right arm a touch, her eyes brimming with sorrow.

All along, she had offered Dongfang Liancheng an opportunity.

Should he retain any fondness for his former loyalists, he would have turned over Tang Miao and his allies ages ago.

Yet, sadly, he hadn't.

"Seize them!" Dongfang Liancheng signaled the assault with a wave, already averting his gaze, unwilling to witness it.

"Understood!"

Under Tang Miao's guidance, the soldiers dispersed to their positions, faces twisted in savage smirks.

They had felt secure throughout; they trusted Dongfang Liancheng to back them fully!

They ruled this Eastern Border as its rightful owners, with all within it theirs by right!

Moments later, the arrays sprang to life.

Spiritual power-infused arrows poured from the sky like shooting stars, lighting up the heavens as they descended on Li Tianyue's army!

"Old General!!!"

Still, a dozen soldiers stayed rooted, dropping to their knees in Dongfang Liancheng's direction.

They hoped only that this veteran commander, ever focused on the big plan, might halt the killing of the faithful.

But regretfully, the sole unmovable presence was that towering, crushing barrier of might.

"Hahaha!"

Out of nowhere, booming laughter echoed.

Dongfang Liancheng's brow creased as he caught sight of a golden glow afar, speeding in from the Northern Border's way.

It turned out to be Li Kuangren, the same youth who had sharply confronted him in the Military Administration Hall!

...

Conflict had erupted at last.

Li Kuangren stared at the execution site, battered by surges of Spiritual power.

His aunt's men deployed arrays to hold off the assault, with nonstop blasts shaking the ground.

His icy stare cut through the turmoil like it was nothing, landing him right in front of Dongfang Liancheng.

Before this longtime guardian of the Eastern Border for three centuries, Li Kuangren offered zero deference.

"Old fool, you'd better order your men to halt."

"Insolence!!!"

One general snapped at Li Kuangren in anger, only for Dongfang Liancheng to cut him off at once.

Taking in the mocking expression on Li Kuangren's features, Dongfang Liancheng looked toward the fray below.

A sharp pang hit his chest.

"Li Kuangren, what do you intend by this?"

"Three hundred years watching over the Eastern Border has muddled your thoughts.

For your precious 'greater picture,' you've lost sight of justice—so I'll show it to you!

With my aunt unable to get fairness from you here, my Li family will take it into our own hands!

To you, my Li Clan means less than this scum, so today I'll force you to see."

"What the Li Clan really stands for!"

These words drained the color from Dongfang Liancheng's face in shock.

The Li Clan dominated the Southern Border. Should they call in the Wu Clan from the south, alongside outright revolt, disaster on an epic scale would follow.

Yet such a thing couldn't happen.

The Li Clan remained steadfast in loyalty always.

Prefecture Lord Li Dalong and the Li family's numerous members valued their country and land most of all.

Otherwise, he never would have moved against Li Tianyue this day!

With that realization, Dongfang Liancheng exhaled in relief, offering a wry smile.

"Young Kuangren, this old man never wanted it to reach this point, but your aunt won't yield to logic.

That said, take comfort—your aunt remains safe.

I'll escort her to the Imperial Capital for judgment.

I'll petition the Capital to weigh her service; worst case, they'll remove her rank.

You have to see, this old man..."

"I don't see it."

Li Kuangren's features hardened with icy wrath.

"You're still holding onto delusions. Do you really think our honor makes us easy targets?"

"You..."

Dongfang Liancheng wanted to continue, but a rushing soldier's call broke in suddenly.

"Report, Old General! Word from the Imperial Capital's Ministry of War!"

"Old General! Word from the Crown Prince and the Imperial Preceptor!"

"Fourth Prince... Fourth Prince has struck!

His follower, the White Qilin, vows that though a million might perish in combat, they'll save General Yue and her soldiers and return them to Duskwild Prefecture!"

"...."

Reports kept coming, wiping Dongfang Liancheng's thoughts clean.

Li Kuangren let out endless sneers.

...

Far up in the Heavenly Palace.

Li Yuanshang gripped the ancestor spirit tablet at his neck, his facial muscles quivering fiercely.

"Don't worry, Old Ancestor. How could High Ancestor Tianyue let trash like Dongfang Liancheng and his lot push her around?

I'll curse his lineage eight generations deep!

Should High Ancestor Tianyue take any injury at all, just say so, Old Ancestor, and I'll force the whole Eastern Border to starve on weeds!"

Finishing his vow, he released the tablet.

Sweat soaked Li Yuanshang, his frame shaking all over.

For years, tales of High Ancestor Tianyue's famed glory in the Eastern Border had reached his ears.

Her name echoed across the realm; she inspired awe in the youth of his generation.

Countless of his kin, since childhood, dreamed of emulating High Ancestor Tianyue—guarding their land and serving the realm.

Yet none imagined the High Ancestor endured such hardship in the Eastern Border!

Soon enough, officials in robes burst in, frantic and disordered.

These came from the Ministry of War.

Border incident dispatches had come their way early, and they knew this capital tycoon had stormed in raging.

The Ministry of War dared offend far too few.

Arms, supplies, healing elixirs, charms... all war essentials relied on external aid.

As they faced Li Yuanshang, each Ministry of War bureaucrat flashed a shameless, fawning grin.

"Isn't this Nephew Yuanshang? I..."

"Who calls me nephew?"

Faces among them shifted instantly.

Li Yuanshang frequently shared feasts with these elite officers and nobles, ever keeping a polished, tactful front.

Never before had they witnessed his fury so beastly.

Li Yuanshang squeezed his tiny eyes to narrow lines.

"Fine. Excellent. My Li Clan Chamber of Commerce and the Hall of Heavenly Principles fork over heaps of taxes yearly.

Word is, much feeds your Ministry of War.

I stay silent on your spending of my coin usually, but now you're turning it against my High Ancestor?"

"This..." The officials went ashen.

"Nephew Yuanshang, your High Ancestor is the one in revolt..."

"Revolt?!!"

Li Yuanshang exploded in anger.

He swung a kick at the loose-tongued Ministry of War officer.

The fellow probably had combat prowess, but he wouldn't evade.

The blow landed true, hurling him three meters back, as the rest sweated coldly.

Li Yuanshang raged on, "Revolt, nonsense! That robe of yours means nothing to me. One command from me strips you bare!"

"My relative is Min Nantian. Push me, and I'll drag him in. Dispatch the order now—I demand Dongfang Liancheng halts, and all culprits face penalty!"

"This..." The officials' looks soured.

Min Nantian led the Min Clan.

Should he seek their end, no appeal would save them.

"Hurry up?" Li Yuanshang mimed another strike, sending the bunch retreating in haste.

"What are you waiting for—scram and relay the message already?!"