"So it is your parents," the elder said, his expression shifting slightly. It seemed Li Xuan was here for revenge.
Chen Siming, standing nearby, turned to Li Xuan and spoke, "Young Master Li Xuan, your Li family and our Chen family were once both part of Qingcheng. It is understandable that there were some grievances. Regarding your experiences, this old man can only ask for your understanding here."
Li Xuan nodded slightly. Even within Qingcheng, the Zhao, Qian, Sun, Li, and Wang families were constantly at odds. Some casualties were inevitable amidst their open and secret conflicts. Furthermore, more than ten years had passed. Li Xuan had no intention of causing trouble for the Chen family because of this.
Besides, the true culprit behind it all was Li Wentian, whom Li Xuan had already slain. It wouldn't feel right to trouble the Chen family. Moreover, the purpose of this trip was to find out where the bodies of his parents were.
"Patriarch Chen, I have not come here because your Chen family was involved in my parents' deaths. I want to know if my parents were alive or dead after entering the Chen family's ambush. If they died, where are their bodies?" Li Xuan asked.
"Bodies?" Chen Siming frowned slightly and then looked at the elder who had spoken earlier. "Great Elder, were they collected after the incident?"
Chen Sijing shook his head slightly. "Young Master Li Xuan, your parents did indeed enter our Chen family's ambush and were indeed gravely injured. However, they did not die in battle. I still remember the message transmitted by the disciples of our clan, stating that a beam of white light enveloped them before they disappeared. This matter was too bizarre, which is why I still remember it."
Li Xuan's brows furrowed. If what Chen Sijing said was true, then the whereabouts of his parents would likely remain a cold case with no leads.
"Brother Xuan, he is not lying. It seems Aunt and Uncle have divine protection," Li Yao said, glancing at Chen Sijing before looking at Li Xuan.
Li Xuan rubbed his forehead in resignation and nodded. "Very well. Since we cannot ascertain what happened back then, let us leave it at that for now."
"Patriarch Chen, everyone, I apologize for the disturbance," Li Xuan said, standing up and cupping his fists towards Chen Siming and the others. He then nodded at Li Yao.
As Li Xuan and Li Yao departed, Chen Siming and Chen Sijing exchanged glances and breathed a collective sigh of relief.
"Great Elder, why did you never report on that matter from back then?" Chen Siming asked after taking a deep breath.
Chen Sijing gave a wry smile. "At that time, our Chen family and the Li family were evenly matched, and the Li family was not a local force in Qingcheng. Our two families engaged in covert reconnaissance, and casualties were inevitable. Moreover, it was not a major incident. Even I only heard about it and didn't pay much attention."
Chen Siming sighed, realizing that if Li Xuan hadn't come looking, he probably wouldn't have paid attention to these matters either. Fortunately, Li Xuan was reasonable; otherwise, the Chen family might have faced utter destruction today. Thinking of this, Chen Siming felt immense relief.
Within Anqing City, Li Yao took Li Xuan's hand and whispered, "Brother Xuan, I believe the truth will eventually come to light. Although we don't know if Aunt and Uncle are still alive, perhaps we'll find a way to know in the future. If they are truly alive, they will surely come back to find you, Brother Xuan."
Li Xuan nodded, then composed himself, patted Li Yao's head, and looked at the noodle stall at the foot of the city. "Yao'er, let's go eat noodles."
"Okay," Li Yao replied obediently, nodding. Being with Li Xuan was what made her feel most content.
Soon, two bowls of steaming hot noodle soup were served. Li Xuan handed Li Yao chopsticks, and they began to eat.
"Yan Ge, this Suqing City is not fun at all." A group of six or seven people approached from a distance. The man leading them was tall and handsome. Beside him, a woman with heavy makeup walked in a manner that suggested she desperately wanted to cling to the man.
Zhuang Yeyan smiled faintly, feeling the woman's deliberate closeness, and became somewhat distracted. If they weren't on the street, Zhuang Yeyan would have thoroughly "enjoyed" this woman. However, in the next moment, Zhuang Yeyan's gaze shifted towards the wall, his eyes lighting up.
The woman saw this and looked up, a hint of jealousy flashing in her eyes.
"I never thought such a beautiful woman, like a fairy, could be found in this small Suqing City," Zhuang Yeyan said. He pushed the woman in his arms aside, tidied his clothes, and strode forward.
"Miss, my name is Zhuang Yeyan. May I have the honor of sitting here?" Just as Li Xuan finished his noodles and was about to order another bowl, a voice suddenly rang out. Li Xuan looked up to see a man gazing intently at Li Yao.
Li Xuan was stunned. Was this guy trying to make a move on Li Yao? Li Xuan then looked at Li Yao. Indeed, after not seeing her for over two years, Li Yao had become even more beautiful. Moreover, with the completion of the Fusion Technique, Li Yao possessed an ethereal, pure beauty.
"Brother, are you done eating?" Li Yao ignored Zhuang Yeyan and looked up at Li Xuan, asking softly.
Li Xuan glanced at Zhuang Yeyan, then at Li Yao, and smiled. "I was planning to order another bowl, but let's go eat roast meat instead. Brother's roasted meat is top-notch."
"Okay," Li Yao nodded and stood up. She placed a low-grade spirit stone on the table and, linking arms with Li Xuan, headed towards the city gate.
"Young Master, they're leaving the city." Two miles outside the city gate, Li Yao suddenly said to Li Xuan, "Brother, they're catching up."
Li Xuan gave a wry smile. "Little sister, aren't you planning to do something?"
Li Yao shook her head. "Brother, I am your sister."
"Alright, alright, who told me to be your brother," Li Xuan said, flicking Li Yao's nose. He stopped and turned around to wait.
In less than half a minute, Zhuang Yeyan, his followers, and the woman caught up. Seeing that Li Xuan and Li Yao had stopped to wait, a flicker of surprise crossed Zhuang Yeyan's eyes before he quickly concealed it.
"I didn't expect to encounter you again, Miss. We truly have fate. Miss, do you have time to accompany me on a tour of the mountains and rivers?" Zhuang Yeyan asked with a smile.
Li Xuan felt a pang of pity for Zhuang Yeyan, but he also found such people extremely detestable. Li Xuan and Li Yao had completely concealed their auras, appearing as ordinary mortals. Anyone else might have been in trouble today.
Furthermore, Li Xuan could discern Zhuang Yeyan's strength. To reach the peak of the Martial Emperor realm at such a young age, he must have a powerful background. But to Li Xuan, he was completely insignificant.
"I say, why are you so hypocritical?" Li Xuan sighed helplessly and continued, "Go away. My sister doesn't fancy you. Also, if you continue to follow us, you'll face the consequences."
Zhuang Yeyan's expression darkened. He then let out a cold laugh. "Interesting, interesting. A mere mortal dares to threaten this young master! I'd like to see how you make me face the consequences!"
Li Xuan shook his head, a headache forming. In the next instant, his body vanished. Then, a scream was heard, followed by a figure being violently thrown into the air.
"This is the consequence!"