222: Chapter 2: The Half-Cut Retainers

Feeling a headache, Meng Li realized he had overexerted his mind. He had to stop the idea of further optimizing the remaining Cultivation Techniques and instead closed his eyes to rest.

Not long after he closed his eyes, there was a knock on the door.

At the same time, A Bi's soft voice came from outside: "Young Master, Third Brother Bao and Fourth Brother Feng are here."

"They heard you were awake and asked for an audience."

"Also, Cousin Miss is here as well."

"They are in the front hall. Would you like to see them?"

Meng Li tidied himself up slightly, got out of bed, walked to the door, and opened it, saying, "Let's go."

A Bi lowered her head and softly complied, heading to the front hall with him.

On the way, Meng Li compared his memories and suddenly discovered something—the characters and forces under him were different!

According to the original demi-gods and semi-devils, Murong Fu had Four Great Family Generals, ranked in order as Deng Baichuan, Gongye Qian, Bao Butong, and Feng Boe. All four were recruited by Murong Bo and were fiercely loyal, respectively managing Qingyun Manor, Chixia Manor, Jinfeng Manor, and Xuan Shuang Village under Canhe Village.

But in the 2003 TV version of demi-gods and semi-devils, which was this world, there were no Deng Baichuan or Gongye Qian.

Correspondingly, there were no Qingyun Manor or Chixia Manor under Canhe Village.

This was equivalent to being cut in half!

However, the impact wasn't significant.

Because Meng Li had no intention of restoring the kingdom at all.

He hadn't seriously held the profession of Emperor, but he had experienced it indirectly in his previous life, and there was nothing good about it.

Furthermore, to restore the kingdom, the Murong Family's foundation was completely insufficient.

Although after generations of effort, the Murong Family had many industries and was wealthy and worry-free, compared to the cost of raising a banner for rebellion and restoration, it was just a drop in the bucket.

Claims about the people's hearts and such were also illusions.

The Murong Family's most glorious period was only when they established the state of Yan during the era of partitioned kingdoms; they hadn't even managed to unify the world.

Now, the kingdom had been gone for many years, so it was impossible for the people's hearts to be with them.

Although he had become Murong Fu in this life, he had memories of three lifetimes. Only if his brain were broken would he work himself to death for such an ethereal goal.

With that time, he might as well collect "stamps." After all, he was currently the head of the Murong Family.

Setting a small goal: first, master the Family's inherited secret techniques, the Mixed Finger Technique and Shifting Stars, then tackle the Martial Arts in Huanshi Shuige.

Extract the essence to further supplement the Universal Treasure Sutra.

As for the Martial Arts of the Xiaoyao Sect, there was no rush. He was currently eighteen, and it was still early before the plot officially began.

Having made up his mind, Meng Li arrived at the front hall with A Bi.

Upon arrival, he saw two men, one fat and one thin, and a young girl.

Among them, the fat man with a full beard was Bao Butong.

The thin one with a long lock of hair on one side of his face was Feng Boe.

The girl wore a pink ruqun and was as delicate as carved jade, like a budding flower of worldly wealth. One could tell at a glance she was a beauty in the making.

She was Wang Yuyan, currently only nine years old.

Meng Li suddenly understood why the original Murong Fu could refuse her, even though in this version, Wang Yuyan would grow up to look like a Heavenly Immortal.

They were nine years apart!

A three-year gap is a generation; this was three generation gaps. Their thoughts were not on the same level at all.

Not to mention Murong Fu was under Family discipline, single-mindedly thinking of restoration.

If not for the "filter" of his memories, Meng Li would only see her as a little girl.

Wang Yuyan did not know his inner thoughts.

As soon as she saw him, she lifted her skirt and jogged over, asking in a clear voice while looking him up and down, "Cousin, are you alright?"

Meng Li shook his head, half-squatted, and rubbed her little head. "I'm fine, I made you worry."

Facing Meng Li's sudden head-pat, Wang Yuyan was stunned for a moment, then her eyes curved into crescents as she said, "It's good that you're fine."

"Third Brother Bao and Fourth Brother Feng have something to talk to you about. You should discuss serious business with them first."

Meng Li nodded and said, "Alright, then you go find A Zhu with A Bi to play. I'll come find you after I'm done."

Wang Yuyan's eyes brightened slightly, and she readily agreed, "Okay."

With that, she left with A Bi.

Meng Li stood up and sat in the main seat. Without much pleasantry, he spoke directly to Bao Butong and Feng Boe: "Tell me, what brings you here?"

Feng Boe cupped his hands and said, "Young Master, it's nothing major. We just heard you were awake and came to take a look."

As soon as he finished, Bao Butong shook his head and said, "Not so, not so. We clearly have business. Even if it's a small matter, you can't lie to the Young Master."

Meng Li's eyes narrowed slightly, and his lips pursed. He looked at the two without speaking, his whole being naturally imposing, radiating the majestic aura of a superior.

Bao Butong and Feng Boe instantly felt an invisible pressure rushing at them. Their bodies felt heavy, and they couldn't help but be secretly alarmed.

Previously, after being nurtured and with the support of his background, Family status, and Martial Arts, Meng Li already had a certain aura. But because he was young and lacked depth, it wasn't obvious. Only when he was occasionally angry would they feel the suppression of a lord over his subjects.

But now, Meng Li had awakened the memories of three previous lives.

He had not only been the number one in the world but had also held great power.

Although his identity had changed, the foundation accumulated through those experiences and years remained.

At this moment, his natural majesty gave Bao Butong and Feng Boe a feeling of authority even greater than that of Murong Bo.

In just a breath or two, Feng Boe could no longer withstand the pressure. He lowered his head slightly and said, "Please forgive me, Young Master. I didn't intend to hide it. It's just that this matter isn't large; it can be resolved as soon as you wake up."

Bao Butong said, "It's like this: those small fry nearby heard that the Family Head and the Madam had passed away and that the Young Master was ill, so they started having other ideas."

"Old Feng and I originally intended to handle it, but halfway through, we heard you were awake, so we came to visit."

Only then did Meng Li understand.

The "small fry" Bao Butong spoke of referred to other forces near Suzhou.

After development, the Murong Family was dominant in Suzhou, but there were still other forces nearby.

These forces were not large, and there were no decent experts among them.

Let alone when Murong Bo was still around, even if he hadn't fainted due to Awakening his memories, they wouldn't have dared to have any wicked ideas about the Murong Family.

The reason was simple: the gap in martial power was too great.

Never mind him taking action; even Bao Butong and Feng Boe were enough to suppress them.

However, the two were only the Murong Family's retainers and couldn't be the backbone.

Therefore, those forces became restless when Murong Bo faked his death and Meng Li was unconscious.

Although there were still the two barriers of Bao Butong and Feng Boe, when a whale falls, all things flourish; the temptation was too great.

If the Murong Family fell, it would be enough to gorge everyone.

But since Meng Li had now safely awakened, they would likely all give up their ideas.

However, this matter wasn't over.

Meng Li thought for a moment and instructed, "Then you two go and handle it. Use the right amount of discretion; just making an example of them will suffice."

It wasn't that he was soft-hearted, but rather that such people were everywhere and could never be completely killed off.

"Yes."

Bao Butong and Feng Boe agreed, cupped their hands with some excitement, and left to carry out the order.

Meng Li noticed their excitement but didn't pay much attention.

One of these two was a contrarian, and the other was a fight enthusiast; handling this kind of matter was right up their alley.

Once the matter was handled, Meng Li stood up and headed to the Listening Fragrance Pavilion...