Chapter 917: The Conflict Between Filial Piety and Righteousness

"To put it simply, Ye Yi and I cannot be separated."

Seeing Ling Feng's surprised expression, Mu Qianxue bit her lip lightly, unsure how to explain further.

Ling Feng rubbed the bridge of his nose before realization struck him. No wonder he had rarely seen Mu Qianxue wield a weapon, the little black cat in her arms was her weapon all along.

He couldn't help but wonder where Mu Qianxue came from to possess such a miraculous spirit animal companion.

"Big Brother Ling, for this match, I will fight with everything I have." A glint of determination flashed in Mu Qianxue's eyes. "Because I promised I would protect you, just like how you once protected me! I know you have a wager with Yan Jinghong, so I won't let you lose. Never!"

"We won't lose."

Ling Feng met her gaze, deeply moved.

Time passed, yet Li Bufan, who was never late, still hadn't arrived even after fifteen minutes.

"What's going on? Where's Bufan? I thought he was just delayed, but it's been fifteen minutes already. We need to leave soon!"

Ye Nanfeng grew increasingly restless as Li Bufan failed to appear.

𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

Gu Tengfeng and Gong Cheng also wore grave expressions.

Li Bufan was a crucial member of their team. Without him, their chances of victory would diminish significantly.

"Brother Feng, don't tell me this was your doing again?" Yu Sixian chuckled. "Bufan might usually be the quiet type, but he's never the type to drop the ball at a critical moment!"

"No. The finals are a single decisive match. Why would I arrange for Bufan to disappear?"

Ling Feng rolled his eyes. It seemed his sudden disappearance during the Four Major Academies' Sword Team Grand Tournament finals had left his teammates traumatized.

"Then what's going on? If Bufan isn't here..."

Gong Cheng's expression grew even more solemn. Even Vice Director Tong Chengtai was beginning to lose his composure.

At such a crucial moment, the Tianfeng Sword Team was missing a member?

Just as Tong Chengtai was about to ask Ling Feng and the others about Li Bufan's whereabouts, a clear shout echoed, putting everyone's hearts at ease.

At the end of the crowd, Li Bufan strode forward, his posture as straight as a sword's edge, and quickly rejoined the team.

His elder brother, Li Buju, followed closely behind. Watching Li Bufan return to the team, he let out a soft sigh.

"Bufan, where did you run off to? You made me worried sick!"

Ye Nanfeng patted his chest, pretending to be frightened.

"It's nothing." Li Bufan shook his head, offering a faint smile before standing quietly with his arms crossed, appearing no different from usual.

However, Ling Feng could sense something hidden beneath his calm exterior.

Li Bufan wouldn't be late without reason. There had to be more to it.

Yet Ling Feng trusted his comrade completely.

"Good, now that Bufan is here, let's give it our all together!"

Gu Tengfeng laughed heartily, extending his hand first.

One by one, Ling Feng, Mu Qianxue, Jiang Xiaofan, Gong Cheng, Li Bufan, and Ye Nanfeng stacked their hands together. Today, they would fight with everything they had.

"

Sigh

..."

Among the crowd, Li Bufan's elder brother, Li Buju, sighed again, murmuring to himself, "Little brother, must you really defy grandfather's wishes?"

As it turned out, two hours earlier...

Under the cover of night, when the air was cool and still, Li Bufan had been meditating in his room, refining the medicinal strength of the Sacred Dragon Tyrant-Blood Pill, when Li Buju suddenly appeared, saying that grandfather had summoned him.

Though puzzled by the late-night summons, Li Bufan followed Li Buju back to the Grand Commandant's residence.

What Grand Commandant Li said next nearly made Li Bufan jump out of his skin.

"Grandfather, you want me to skip the finals?"

Li Bufan stared at Grand Commandant Li, disbelief written across his face.

"Bufan, you're still too young." Grand Commandant Li shook his head with a sigh. "I know you must think I'm being hypocritical right now, but you don't understand what the Royal Sword Team represents. If you were just an ordinary student, it wouldn't matter. But you are my grandson, Li Zhongdao's descendant!"

"Every move you make reflects upon our family."

Grand Commandant Li's voice was grave. "The Fourth Prince has always been ambitious. Though I hold the rank of one of the Three Lords, I am still a subject of the Mo family. How can a subject oppose his master? Think carefully. If the Fourth Prince sees you as an enemy, he will see our entire family as one. The Li family's standing could be shaken because of this. And if the Fourth Prince ascends the throne in the future, what fate do you think awaits us?"

"Moreover, Yan Jinghong is backed by the Empress Dowager's faction. Offending both the Fourth Prince and the Empress Dowager, have you considered the consequences?"

Grand Commandant Li sighed deeply. The higher one's position, the more cautious one had to be. Otherwise, countless eyes in the royal court would be eager to take his place.

"Grandfather, I don't understand your reasoning, just as you don't understand mine!"

Li Bufan's expression remained resolute. "The Fourth Prince is cruel and tyrannical, unfit to rule a nation. If he dares to move against our family in the future, then we rebel!"

"You!" Grand Commandant Li's face darkened, and he slapped Li Bufan across the face. "You unfilial wretch! How dare you speak such treasonous words!"

"Grandfather, all I know is that today, I

will

compete. And I

will

win. I

must

win!"

Li Bufan dropped to his knees, kowtowing three times before Grand Commandant Li. "Grandfather, if you believe I will bring disaster upon you, then disown me. From this moment on, I am no longer a descendant of the Li family. That way, even if the Fourth Prince seeks trouble, he cannot lay a finger on you, Grand Commandant Li!"

"You disgrace! What nonsense are you spouting?"

Grand Commandant Li was furious. Li Bufan was the most outstanding descendant of their family. How could he say such things?

"Little brother!" Li Buju hurried forward, gripping Li Bufan's shoulders. "Don't act recklessly!"

"I, Li Bufan, live with a clear conscience! Ling Feng has done more for me than I can ever repay." Li Bufan clenched his fists. "At this moment, I will never betray him!"

Grand Commandant Li was so furious he nearly exploded. "If you dare step out of this door today, the Li family will no longer acknowledge you as one of our own!"

Li Bufan kowtowed once more, his teeth gritted. "Filial piety and righteousness cannot both be served. Grandfather, forgive your grandson for being unfilial today! After the match, I will return to seek your punishment!"

With that, Li Bufan wiped the tears from his eyes and stormed out of the Grand Commandant's residence.

"Little brother!" Li Buju glanced at Grand Commandant Li before chasing after him. His younger brother was far too impulsive.

Watching Li Bufan leave, Grand Commandant Li seemed to age decades in an instant. "Filial piety and righteousness cannot both be served? Li Zhongdao, you've grown old. Old and foolish!"

The next moment, a steely glint returned to his eyes. "Fine. Whether it's offending the prince or the Empress Dowager, so be it. Bufan, go pursue your path. I, Li Zhongdao, have weathered half a lifetime of battles. I'm not so easily toppled!"