NOVPUB"The Li Family is making a move," the middle-aged man spoke up.
"Oh…" the elder’s face flashed with a harshness as he responded, "What are they up to now?"
"It seems they are targeting a young man named Lin Tian," the middle-aged man explained what he had learned, then fell silent again.
The elder, after hearing what the middle man had said, looked incredulous and asked, "Are you saying the Li Family had to ask Li Xiangjin to take action because of this young man named Lin Tian?"
"Yes," the middle-aged man nodded.
"Hehe… Interesting," the elder suddenly laughed and said, "This young man must be a Spiritual Warrior."
"According to the information, he should be. The Li Family sent several groups to deal with him, but they all ended up defeated by him. An ordinary person wouldn’t possibly have such strength," the middle-aged man speculated.
"Hmph… The Li Family has grown too powerful over the years. If it weren’t for us old folks still around, there’s no telling what they could do. It’s good that they’re learning a lesson, to let them know that Huaxia is not a place one family can dominate," the elder said, his face showing a hint of anger. "If it weren’t for Tieguai Li, just based on their actions, killing them all wouldn’t be considered too much."
The middle-aged man did not speak upon hearing this, as he didn’t have the standing to comment. Tieguai Li, mentioned by the elder, was no ordinary character; belonging to the same era as the elder, they had both been heroes on the battlefield against Japan, with Tieguai Li appearing in some of the most famous battles, holding an unshakeable position. To call him a founding elder was no exaggeration.
Unfortunately, heaven envies the talented. The hero didn’t die on that battlefield but was instead killed by his own fellow underground resistance members, leaving only his wife and child in the world.
After the founding of the nation stabilized, out of friendship for his old friend, the elder took special care of the Li Family, never imagining they would swell to such an extent.
"Keep an eye on that Lin Tian," the elder said to the middle-aged man, who did not respond. After a moment of silence, he spoke again.
"Yes."
"If possible, bring him into ’Nidhogg.’ I believe someone who dares to stand alone against the Li Family must be extraordinary, especially given the current unstable situation in the South Sea; we really need such talents," the elder proposed.
"Yes," the middle-aged man’s eyes flashed with surprise upon hearing this. He hadn’t expected the elder to consider bringing this Lin Tian into ’Nidhogg,’ an unprecedented move. ’Nidhogg’ was no ordinary organization. If the National Security Bureau was Huaxia’s overt spearhead, then ’Nidhogg’ was its covert dagger.
It was Huaxia’s top organization, featuring only the elite of the elite, never harboring underachievers.
The number of talented youths wanting to enter ’Nidhogg,’ and the countless high-ranking government officials recommending them, was unknown, but the elder had never once facilitated nepotism. Now, however, he was instructing to recruit a young man he had never met, which understandably shocked the middle-aged man.
Yet, shock aside, he would never refuse the elder; all he could say was "Yes," even if the elder ordered him to commit suicide on the spot, he would not hesitate.
...
At this time, in the southern military region of Huaxia, Li Xiangjin sat in his office dressed in military uniform, exuding a tough demeanor with his resolute face and slanting sword-like eyebrows, his gaze sharp and spirited.
However, his expression was now filled with distress. That evening, he had received a call from the Li Family in Capital City, from his older brother Li Xiangqian, who had asked him to take action against a young man.
Upon hearing this request, Li Qianjin’s initial response was to refuse, but when he heard his brother say that the Li Family might be destroyed without his intervention, he fell silent.
Li Xiangjin’s views on the Li Family differed from everyone else’s; he disliked, even detested the Li Family, which is why he had chosen to join the military, distancing himself from them.
Yet he was still a member of the Li Family. Now, hearing that the Li Family might be destroyed, outright refusal seemed inappropriate.
But agreeing would go against his convictions; the military was the nation’s sword, its protective shield- how could it be used for a single family’s interests? 𝖓𝖔𝖛𝔭𝖚𝖇.𝔠𝖔𝔪
As he rose through the military ranks, Li Xiangjin’s understanding of Huaxia deepened; he knew the terror of the nation all too well. Though the Li Family might appear strong on the surface, compared to the state, they were nothing. He had repeatedly warned his brother to keep a low profile and restrain themselves, but his warnings were ignored, his brother believing the Li Family to be all-powerful, even capable of contending with the nation.
Only he knew that if the Li Family really stood against the state, it would be like a mantis trying to stop a chariot, delusional to their own stature.
"Enough, I’ll help this one last time, and after that, the Li Family’s affairs are no longer my concern," Li Xiangjin sighed, sitting at his desk, admitting to himself that he was, after all, a member of the Li Family. He decided to grant their request one last time.
Having made up his mind, Li Xiangjin took out paper and pen to write a letter. Such matters were disgraceful and could not be discussed via military communications, so he had to use personal connections.
After finishing the letter, Li Xiangjin put it in his pocket and walked out of the office.
...
The following days were peaceful for Lin Tian; he didn’t deliberately seek trouble with the Li Family, spending his days leisurely, accompanied by Bai Xiaoluo.
He completely treated himself like a tourist in Capital City, eating and drinking daily.
It wasn’t that Lin Tian didn’t want to trouble the Li Family, but he had had no opportunity. In recent days, the Li Family members had been like turtles, holed up at home, none venturing out, and the rare few who did were unimportant, so Lin Tian genuinely had no chance to strike.
He wouldn’t just show up at their doorstep, right? Ever since he had left the Wang Family, Lin Tian had been wary; he wouldn’t commit such a foolish act.
"Where shall we go today?" Bai Xiaoluo, walking down the street and clinging to Lin Tian’s arm, sweetly asked.
These days, if anyone was the happiest, it would be her. Spending each day with Lin Tian, she felt like he was entirely hers, overflowing with joy.
Upon hearing this, Lin Tian’s face showed a bitter smile. Over the past few days, they had visited and played in all the places they could, and now he genuinely didn’t know where else they could go.
"You decide," Lin Tian responded.
"Hmm… then let’s go eat roast duck," Bai Xiaoluo thought for a moment before suggesting.
"…" Lin Tian’s mouth twitched upon hearing roast duck; they had almost gone every day to eat it, and although it was indeed delicious, even the tastiest food could become tiresome after too much.
