172: Background from the Sky (Large Chapter)

"No, no!"

Du Futian feigned great shock upon hearing this;

Meeting everyone's puzzled gazes, he said solemnly, "Deacon Li, you are here representing the Star Protection Hall. Even if we have a personal friendship, it should be set aside. While on duty, we should use official titles... to avoid giving people something to talk about!"

"Uncle Du, there's no need to worry about that."

Seeing Du Futian's sensible attitude, Li Xing let out a slight smile.

Immediately, in front of several companions, he said in a serious voice, "Back then, if Uncle Du hadn't used a spirit returning pill to help my father escape while he was heavily injured, let alone whether my father could have successfully completed his mission, I, Li Xing, wouldn't be here today. Therefore, Uncle Du's kindness to my Li Family deserves to be honored by our Li Family as an esteemed guest, no matter when or where."

"Before leaving, my father specifically came out of the Star Protection Hall's meeting room to instruct me that I must be extremely respectful when I see Uncle Du and must never disgrace our Li Family's integrity. So, I, Li Xing, can certainly call you Uncle Du!"

Saying this, Li Xing glanced at the companions behind him.

Several people looked at each other and cupped their hands at the same time. "Du Family Head, there's no need to be so polite. Elder Li also often teaches us that enforcing the law requires warmth and that we shouldn't be mere tools of the law. Moreover, Du Family Head has not violated the laws of the Star River Ruins. Deacon Li is showing gratitude; there's no harm in him calling you Uncle Du."

"Good, good... With such talented young men in the Star Protection Hall, why should we worry about injustice in the Star River Ruins!" Du Futian laughed so hard he couldn't close his mouth, and he stopped being falsely polite. "Then Xiao Xing... shall we go inside and chat?"

Li Xing nodded and raised his hand. "Uncle Du, after you!"

Seeing this scene, the entire Du Family was in an uproar.

"Whoa, our Family Head actually has a connection with the Star Protection Hall?"

"More than just a connection. It looks like our Family Head saved an Elder of the Star Protection Hall back then, and now the Star Protection Hall is here to repay the favor!"

"As they say, the Family Head is truly... ahem, far-sighted. The Lin Family is going to take a big fall."

"Who told them to snatch our star vein and even kill Elder Du Bu in public? Did they really think our Du Family was a soft persimmon?"

Everyone discussed animatedly.

At this moment, the atmosphere inside the hall was serious.

"According to the contract from back then, it's finally our Du Family's turn to control the star vein. Who would have thought the Lin Family would refuse and even bring in a helper for support... That youth is so perverse; he first killed ten Elders of my Du Family, then broke into our home... and killed Du Bu right in front of me."

Du Futian embellished the situation while pretending to be sorrowful and helpless.

This made the Deacons of the Star Protection Hall filled with righteous indignation. "Breaking into someone's home at night to kill? Does such a lawless person still exist in the Star River Ruins?"

Li Xing raised an eyebrow and asked, "Uncle Du, why didn't you eliminate him then?"

"This..."

A flicker of guilt flashed in Du Futian's eyes as he sighed. "It's a long story... mainly because I've been cultivating my health and spirit all these years and had long ago let go of my killing intent... If I hadn't been bullied to such an extent, I wouldn't have sought the Star Protection Hall to uphold justice for us."

"I understand. My father is the same."

Li Xing nodded in agreement.

The next moment, he said solemnly, "Uncle Du, rest assured. Since we are here now, we will definitely seek justice for the Du Family."

At this time, Du Futian looked up with an air of understanding. "Even though I want to vent my anger, I don't know if that fellow's actions count as violating the law... Xiao Xing, Uncle Du doesn't want to make things difficult for you. If the Du Family causes you to be accused of abusing your power, we would rather not seek justice... We don't want to be unable to face your father in the future!"

"Du Family Head, you're overthinking it. The power of interpretation lies with us."

"It's been a long time since such a reckless youth appeared in the Star River Ruins. We also want to stretch our muscles a bit."

"..."

Li Xing also curled his lips into a smile. "This matter can be considered a violation of the law, or it can be considered not a violation. But Uncle Du, today, it must be a violation. My Star Protection Hall is taking charge of this."

"Good!"

Du Futian clenched his fists and looked at Li Xing with emotion. "Xiao Xing, the look between your brows really has the demeanor of your father back then!"

Li Xing was momentarily stunned. "Uncle Du, I was adopted."

"One takes on the color of one's company... the old saying is indeed true."

Du Futian quickly changed his tune.

"Please warm some wine for me, Uncle Du. I'll drink it upon my triumphant return."

Li Xing didn't waste any more words.

He immediately led his companions away from the Du Family and flew straight toward the Lin Family.

Inside the main hall of the Du Family.

A crowd of Elders swarmed in.

"Family Head, why didn't you mention this connection with the Star Protection Hall earlier?"

"No wonder the Family Head was so calm that day; you had already thought of a way to deal with it."

"Now that kid and the Lin Family are finished. Once the Star Protection Hall is alarmed... so far, no force has had a good ending!"

The Elders were all smiles, unable to hide their excitement.

In contrast, Du Futian said calmly, "It's just some friendship. In this life, who doesn't have a few powerful friends? Just because I saved an Elder of the Star Protection Hall, should I shout it to everyone all day... that the Star Protection Hall owes me a favor?"

"Yes, yes, yes. The Family Head's lesson is correct."

"It must be said that the Family Head is steady and remains calm in the face of danger. We still have much to learn."

"If Du Bu had even half, no, a tenth of the Family Head's wisdom, he wouldn't have ended up with his head separated from his body."

Facing the crowd's flattering remarks;

Du Futian only showed a smile of certain victory and then commented, "Noisy."

On the other side.

On their way to the Lin Family, Li Xing and the others suddenly stopped at a corner.

"Senior Brother Li, we should be able to take down that kid, right?"

Someone inquired.

Li Xing raised an eyebrow and looked over. "Take down what? You think you're such a great fighter? What's the use of being able to fight... Out in the world, it's all about your f*cking background!"

The person who was scolded shrank his neck;

At this time, a slender female cultivator asked, "Senior Brother Li, what should we do?"

"Du Futian, that old fox, is insidious and cunning. Every ten years, he sends someone to give my father a spirit returning pill, claiming he's afraid my father's old injuries will flare up. But damn it, would an Elder of the Star Protection Hall like my father be short of a spirit returning pill?" Li Xing said sharply, "He clearly wants to remind my father not to forget the life-saving favor from back then."

"There's such a thing?"

"You all underestimate that old fox."

Li Xing snorted coldly and analyzed, "He has maintained this favor for decades, and now he's using it because of a youth. Things are definitely not that simple... First, check that person's background and the recent situation between the Du Family and the Lin Family, then we'll make a plan."

"As expected of Senior Brother Li, your head is much better than theirs." That female cultivator's eyes sparkled as she praised Li Xing, not forgetting to put down the others.

This made the others look displeased, but they didn't dare to argue.

As Deacons of the Star Protection Hall, although some of them got in through connections, every one of them had undergone professional training, so gathering information was no problem at all.

Before long.

The group had a general understanding of the situation.

"Damn, he really is an old fox... He didn't say they destroyed the other party's statue first, nor did he say that youth might have experts secretly protecting him."

"No wonder he dared to break into the Du Family to kill and even claimed he would kill one person a day... He probably has a significant background!"

"It seems Du Futian didn't dare to act and wants to use our Star Protection Hall as a tool!"

"Senior Brother Li, what should we do now?"

"..."

Meeting the gazes of the crowd, Li Xing waved his hand. "Don't rush me. I'm thinking about how my father instructed me... As the saying goes, hearing is false, but seeing is believing."

"Let's go, we'll meet him first... Remember to use the Secret Voice Technique for easier communication."

Whoosh whoosh whoosh—

The group set off for the Lin Family... "Young Master Chen, the people from the Star Protection Hall are here."

Lin Tang came to inform him.

Chen Qingxuan said calmly, "Let's go. Take me to see what kind of force this Star Protection Hall is."

Before long.

The group gathered in the main hall of the Lin Family;

At this moment, the Lin Family members had already been dispersed. After all, staying was useless and would only scare them.

[Is he the youth who broke into the Du Family to kill?]

[He indeed looks young, but why do I feel an indescribable pressure?]

Looking at the walking-in Chen Qingxuan, Li Xing and the others communicated via secret voice.

Chen Qingxuan just gave them a casual glance and calmly sat in the main seat. "Are you the Deacons of the Star Protection Hall?"

[Usually when we visit some forces, those people are incredibly nervous... Why is this kid so calm? He's not just pretending, is he?]

[He doesn't look like he's pretending. He probably has a background backing him up.]

[Senior Brother Li, I feel like we've lost the initiative... What should we do?]

[Don't panic, I'll control the rhythm.]

Li Xing gave a light cough and pretended to be relaxed. "What? Aren't you going to invite us to sit down first?"

Hearing this, Chen Qingxuan slightly raised an eyebrow. "And you are?"

"My name is Li Xing. My father is Li Erhe... an Elder of the Star Protection Hall!" Li Xing didn't hide anything. After all, his identity was a plus.

"Li Erhe... Elder of the Star Protection Hall?"

Chen Qingxuan nodded as he noted down the name.

Little did he know.

This action made several people's scalps tingle.

[Senior Brother Li, he seems to be trying to remember if he knows your father!]

[No, I feel like he's noting down the name. Senior Brother Li, you don't think he's planning to find an Opportunity to... mess with your father, do you?]

[...]

Li Xing's face was covered in dark lines;

Even if his IQ was high, he couldn't withstand the influence of his "pig teammates."

At this moment, the more he heard, the more flustered he became. He hurriedly said, "Uh... how should I address Your Excellency?"

"You don't recognize me?"

Chen Qingxuan instinctively asked back.

After all, the Star Protection Hall coming to the door must be related to the Du Family, so they naturally should have investigated him.

The next moment, he said directly, "Whatever. You're here because of the Du Family, right? Let's keep it short. What's your stance on this matter?"

As soon as these words were spoken;

Li Xing and the others' expressions became even worse.

[Holy crap, Senior Brother Li... Is he threatening us?]

[Good grief, what is this person's background? Knowing we're from the Star Protection Hall... he still wants to tell us how to do things?]

[It's over. We might have provoked someone we shouldn't have.]

Listening to his companions' discussions and guesses, Li Xing became increasingly uneasy. He forced a smile and said, "Young Master Chen, don't misunderstand. Today we are mainly here to understand the situation. As for the outcome... we need to return to the Star Protection Hall to discuss and decide. Today we're just here to get the facts."

"Good!"

Chen Qingxuan although some surprise, but also very cooperative, directly recount the events;

To be honest, unless absolutely necessary, he didn't want to make enemies easily. It would be best if this matter could be handled properly.

And the sequence of events was not much different from what Li Xing and the others had investigated;

After finishing, Chen Qingxuan added, "To be honest, if I hadn't considered the laws of your Star River Ruins that night, according to my habit, I would have definitely wiped out the Du Family directly to eliminate future troubles. But since I've come to the Star River Ruins, as the saying goes, 'when in Rome, do as the Romans do.' I'm also willing to play within the rules you've set... In this matter, I have already shown the maximum amount of tolerance."

As soon as these words were spoken,

Li Xing and the others became even less calm.

[Wiping out a Family... he actually says it's a habit... Could it be he does this kind of thing often?]

[Wait, did he just say 'your Star River Ruins'... Could he be from a higher Prefecture?]

[No wonder he's so fearless. Senior Brother Li, this person's background is probably even more terrifying than we imagined. That old fox Du Futian set us up!]

[...]

At this moment, Li Xing was already a bit disoriented. "Uh... Young Master Chen, today we were just getting the facts. We won't disturb you any longer... Farewell."

Li Xing braced himself and cupped his hands;

Having said that, he led his companions away as if they were escaping.

Leaving Chen Qingxuan and Lin Tang in the main hall, looking at each other in bewilderment;

What was the situation?

Chen Qingxuan asked in disbelief, "Miss Lin, your law enforcement team in the Star River Ruins... is clearly very reasonable and humane. Why did you describe them as so terrifying before?"

"Huh?"

Lin Tang still felt like she was dreaming.

Only after pinching her thigh hard did she snap out of it. "I only heard about it... I've never dealt with the Star Protection Hall before... Everyone says they are heartless and help the wicked. I didn't expect that before handling a matter... they would conduct such a responsible investigation."

"This is good, then. It saves a lot of trouble."

Chen Qingxuan was also happy for the ease.

On the other side.

After leaving the Lin Family, Li Xing and the others only dared to stop after running all the way out of Dragon City.

"Senior Brother Li, I felt at least three top-tier experts locking onto us from the shadows just now."

"Right? I had that feeling too, as if the moment we had any intention of harming him... our heads would be twisted off in the next second."

"The calm confidence that kid showed in front of us clearly means he has an extraordinary origin. He has more pressure than the princes of the Cloud Kingdom. He's definitely not from our Star River Ruins."

"..."

Li Xing patted his chest with lingering fear. "How could such a dragon among men come to our Star River Ruins?"

"Maybe he's here for a visit, or maybe he's looking for some Opportunity... Anyway, we can't afford to provoke him."

"Senior Brother Li, what should we do now?"

"Go back to the Star Protection Hall and plan carefully!"

Li Xing made a prompt decision.

Such a big matter... was no longer something a small Deacon like him could handle... Du Family.

Inside the main hall.

An Elder rushed in to report: "Family Head, the people from the Star Protection Hall have left the Lin Family... but they didn't deal with that kid, nor did they return to our Du Family... they just left Dragon City directly."

"What?"