Chapter 36: The Family Heirloom and Three Secret Manuals

"Huff."

Li Dao exhaled a long breath toward the chest. The layer of dust on top scattered to the floor as he set the box down.

Finding the latch, he reached out and pinched it; under his immense strength, it shattered into pieces. He then opened the box.

As the lid lifted, a faint, metallic scent of blood drifted into his nostrils.

Looking inside, he saw a dark, heavy halberd over three meters long lying quietly in the box. In the remaining space, there were three yellowing, ancient books.

"Old man, these things have finally come into my hands after all."

He reached out and stroked the cold surface of the halberd, murmuring to himself.

During the founding of the Great Qian Dynasty, the Li family had been granted a first-rank marquis title based on their military merits. They were a family of generals; every head of the Li family was trained in martial arts from childhood and, upon reaching adulthood, would automatically become a commander in the Great Qian military.

Because of this, although the Li family had reached its tenth generation since the founding of the dynasty, they had fallen to a third-rank count. This was because, during that time, only a few family heads had become generals, performing enough meritorious service to maintain or even elevate their rank.

Of course, not every generation of the Li family could become a general.

To become a military commander in Great Qian, there was a prerequisite: one's cultivation level had to meet the standard. The Li family could skip many formalities to directly become a commander, but it was all predicated on having cultivation. The higher the cultivation, the more troops one could command. Without cultivation, one could only enlist as a minor, administrative officer.

This was why Li Dao's father in this life had tested his aptitude so early; he wanted to lay a good foundation for his son. However, it was unexpected that Li Dao was completely unable to cultivate.

Yet, Li’s father was broad-minded. Upon learning his son could not cultivate, he did not force him, choosing instead to let him enjoy a peaceful life. As long as the Li family could be passed down, having one "useless" family head did not matter, provided the next generation could take over.

But Li’s father had not expected to die in an accident, unable to personally raise his grandson. And his own son had nearly died in a place like the death row camp.

Stroking the halberd in the box, Li Dao could not help but recall his childhood.

Before his memories had been fully restored, he was not entirely a spoiled playboy. Before his aptitude was tested, his father had been very strict with him—waking early, sleeping early, exercising, practicing calligraphy, and writing poetry; he was raised to be an all-rounder. At that time, his resolve had been firm. After learning his father was a general, he had also fantasized about becoming a commander, leading troops to kill the enemy, and building a legacy.

Unfortunately, everything changed the moment he was found to have no cultivation aptitude.

Li Dao glanced at the halberd and reached out to grasp it. He discovered that the material was cold to the touch, similar to the black iron saber at his waist, but its texture was even finer. He then remembered his father once saying that this family heirloom was forged from ten-thousand-year black iron.

The halberd was eleven feet long—three point two meters in common parlance—entirely jet black, and engraved with dragon patterns. Thus, it was known as the "Dragon-Pattern Halberd."

Li Dao tried to weigh it and found that the Dragon-Pattern Halberd was no ordinary weapon. Perhaps due to its material, it weighed at least two hundred jin. To use this halberd on the battlefield, one needed a strength of at least a thousand jin, and to wield it with ease required at least three thousand jin of force.

No wonder his father had said in his childhood that among all the past heads of the Li family, only the founding ancestor could use the Dragon-Pattern Halberd with ease. Unless one was born with divine strength and practiced body-tempering techniques, it was impossible to use it. An ordinary innate martial artist would find it difficult to wield such a weapon based on physical strength alone.

Returning the Dragon-Pattern Halberd to the box, he shifted his gaze to the three books.

Picking them up, he saw they were titled:
"Peerless Halberd Technique"
"Tyrant Tiger Heart Method"
"Buddha Art of War"

One was a martial skill, one was a cultivation method, and one was a military treatise. Li Dao had impressions of these three books; they were the exclusive secret manuals of the Li family. However, it was said that these three books were easy to learn but difficult to master, and few could truly grasp them completely.

Taking a look, Li Dao placed the books back into the box and closed it.

"It is time to go."

Li Dao relit three sticks of incense, knelt respectfully before the ancestral tablets, then turned, picked up the box, and walked out of the ancestral hall.

Shortly after, he found the genealogy in his father’s former study and took it with him. Beyond these items, the sprawling An-Yuan Count's manor held little value. The rest could be left behind; as long as these items remained, the Li family could be rebuilt sooner or later.

Soon, Li Dao found Jiu'er again.

"Lass, it is time for us to go." Li Dao said as he pushed the door open.

"Yes, Young Master." Jiu'er ran to the cabinet, opened it, and pulled out a pre-packed bundle. It seemed she had already prepared to leave.

"Let’s go."

"Yes."

...

Not long after, outside the An-Yuan Count's manor, a team of people arrived with tools. Their presence attracted many onlookers, as it seemed many knew the manor was destined for disaster today.

Passersby began to gossip.

"Tsk, tsk, the An-Yuan Count's manor is in for a rough time today."

"More than just rough. With the Prime Minister's residence making a move, there will be no An-Yuan Count's manor in the Imperial Capital from now on."

"Serves them right. Who told that playboy to ruin Princess Mingyue's reputation? It’s luck that they weren't all executed."

"True, but it's a pity."

"Pity what?"

"A pity that the capital loses something to talk about. Without the manor, who will those scholars have to curse?"

"Now that you mention it, I suddenly feel the Prime Minister's residence is actually doing them a favor."

A man in a butler’s uniform stepped out from the Prime Minister’s team, commanding, "Everyone, go in together! Smash everything inside and out. Do not leave a single thing intact!"

"Yes!"

At the command, the group charged into the manor. Soon, several servants began smashing the vermilion gates, and within moments, they were reduced to splinters.

Seeing this, the butler looked satisfied and continued to command, "The rest of you, hurry up! Smash everything inside that is still whole."

After speaking, he glanced at the two stone lions outside the gate and sneered. He walked up to one and struck it with his palm. A visible burst of true qi erupted, and the stone lion shattered instantly. He then used the same method to smash the other.

Seeing this, someone in the crowd exclaimed, "As expected of the Prime Minister's residence, even a random butler has Innate Realm cultivation."

Another added, "What is the Innate Realm? I heard the Prime Minister's residence is full of experts, including those at the Grandmaster Realm."

Meanwhile, in a secluded alley to the side of the crowd, Li Dao and Jiu'er stood watching the scene.

"These people are too much!" Jiu'er’s eyes were red, filled with indignation. Seeing her home being destroyed by others, it was hard not to feel heartache.

Li Dao shook his head, placed a hand on Jiu'er's head to comfort her for a moment, and said slowly, "It is just reality. Do not be sad."

If it were the Li Dao from before his memories were restored, he might have been angry, perhaps even rushing out to fight them to the death. But after his memories were restored, coupled with his training in the death row camp, he saw everything clearly. Regardless of the place, it was a world where the strong prey on the weak.

Today, his manor was weak, and being destroyed by the Prime Minister's residence was only because he was too weak. But equally, one day when he was strong, the Prime Minister's residence would also deserve its fate.

"Let's go. We should leave before the Prime Minister's residence decides not to let it rest and starts targeting the people of the house as well," Li Dao said.

Hearing this, Jiu'er set aside her sorrow and asked, "Young Master, where are we going now?"

Li Dao touched the box on his back. He suddenly recalled what Wei Yun had once told him and placed his hand on Jiu'er's head. "Jiu'er, tell your young master the truth—do you still want to return here in the future?"

"I..." Jiu'er looked at the courtyard being smashed in the distance, then turned back, looking at her young master with worry. "I am afraid for you, Young Master."

Clearly, she knew how illicit her young master's identity was.

Li Dao saw through the little girl's mind, shook his head, and smiled faintly. "Your young master will be fine. You just need to tell me if you want to come back."

"I do!" This time, Jiu'er gave a firm answer.

For her, life had two stages. One was the painful time fleeing famine with her parents, where she was the only survivor. The other was after being picked up by her young master in the capital, where she was fed, clothed, and teased and pampered by him. One could say this second life was her most precious memory, all of which had occurred within the An-Yuan Count's manor. Naturally, she wanted to return.

Hearing this, Li Dao stroked the little girl's hair and chuckled. "Then let us go to a place where we can one day walk back into this capital with our heads held high."

Jiu'er looked surprised. "Young Master, is there really such a place?"

Li Dao smiled slightly. "Your young master, I... I crawled out of such a place before."

Jiu'er looked puzzled. "Young Master, why 'crawled'?"

Li Dao shook his head, not explaining why. But in his heart, he thought silently, *Because for ordinary people, that place is hell!*

"Alright, let's go."

"Yes, Young Master."

The sounds of destruction continued outside. In the alley, two figures—one tall, one small—gradually walked into the depths of the alley until they vanished from sight.

...

The Tie family estate.

Two beautiful figures sat under a pavilion in a courtyard. One, a young woman with a mature temperament, sat on a stone stool, quietly brewing tea. The other, a slightly more youthful girl, crouched down, teasing the fish in the pond with a twig.

Suddenly, footsteps were heard.

Not long after, a man in his forties with a loyal and honest appearance knelt on one knee outside the pavilion steps. "Subordinate Tie Xin pays respects to the Third Miss."

Tie Sanniang sat in the pavilion without even looking at him. She poured herself a cup of tea, sipped it with her red lips, and nodded in satisfaction before turning her gaze to the man.

"How is the investigation going?"

Tie Xin bowed his head and said in a deep voice, "Reporting to Third Miss, everything has been investigated. All the traitors are being held under guard."

"And the other matter I asked you to investigate?"

"Investigated. The eldest and second young masters have been very close to the Third Prince recently. At the same time, we discovered some friction between the Fourth Prince and the Third Prince."

Tie Sanniang paused. "Alright, I understand."

Tie Xin asked, "Third Miss, how should we deal with those traitors?"

"Let them walk slowly on their final road."

"Understood, Third Miss."

"Alright, you may withdraw."

"This subordinate takes his leave."

Tie Sanniang did not look up, but bowed respectfully before turning to leave.

After he left, Biyou'er, who had been playing, came over and asked curiously, "Miss, do you suspect the eldest and second young masters of setting an ambush for you?"

"What is that head of yours thinking?" In front of Biyou'er, Tie Sanniang was no longer as sharp, her tone softening significantly. "I do not suspect those two fools."

"That's true." Biyou'er giggled. "Although the two young masters are foolish, idle all day, and are always being bullied by you, they are still very fond of you, their younger sister."

Hearing this, a trace of a smile appeared in Tie Sanniang's eyes. Outsiders said she, a daughter, had stolen the spotlight from her two brothers, and there were rumors that she wanted to kick them out to monopolize the Tie family's assets. Only she knew that everything she had achieved was given to her by her brothers, and no one knew how they really treated her.

She didn't care about these reputations, though; after all, in her eyes, a bad reputation was better than a good one, especially as a woman.

But she became troubled again. Thinking of the report, she said to Biyou'er, "Go tell those two fools not to talk about me outside."

Her tone then shifted, cold and sharp. "Also, notify our people below to cut off half of the Fourth Prince's business, and cut off the Third Prince's business entirely."

Biyou'er was stunned. From the previous report, she understood that the incident on the road back to the capital was related to the Fourth Prince, so why was she doing the opposite now? She couldn't help but ask, "Miss, why?"

Tie Sanniang gave a light huff. "Because their intentions are different. The Fourth Prince is targeting the Third Prince, while the Third Prince is plotting against my two foolish brothers. Although they are good for nothing, plotting against them is targeting our Tie family. It is because of him that the later events occurred. If I don't target him, who else?"

Biyou'er furrowed her brows. "But the Fourth Prince targeted you, Miss. Is that all the punishment he gets?"

"Who said so?"

"Then, Miss, you mean..."

"The Tie family is the Tie family; I am me. My revenge must be carried out by my own hands."

Hearing this, Biyou'er silently mourned for the Fourth Prince. She vaguely remembered what the last person her lady had dealt with personally looked like. It seemed that he and his entire family had been tricked into the extreme north.

Tie Sanniang patted Biyou'er's shoulder. "Alright, go pass on the instructions. This afternoon, accompany me to the palace to see how Mingyue is doing."

"Understood, Miss."