Sacrificial Artifact System: From Bell-ringer to the Ancestral Patriarch of the Sect-Chapter 27 Divisions

They had been eating and drinking until the evening before Li Qian and his six companions left East Chen Restaurant, preparing to stay at a nearby inn for the night before returning to Divine Sword Sect tomorrow.

"Young Master."

Just as they left the restaurant, suddenly a young servant clad in blue approached, "The master asks for your return."

"Tell him, I do not plan to go back."

Li Qian shook his head.

Saying so, he left.

The young servant in blue didn't know what to do and could only hurry back to the Li residence.

"Good-for-nothing! Over three years away from home without any news, now back in Baibi City and still not returning, am I supposed to personally invite him back?"

Inside the Li residence, as soon as Second Master Li Donglin heard the report from the servants, he angrily slapped the table.

"My lord, don't be angry, Qian is just being capricious for a moment."

A woman walked in and spoke gently.

"This is not just a moment of capriciousness, it's been over three years, I think he's gone completely wild, thinking I can't control him anymore."

Li Donglin said angrily.

He was originally happy to know that his son was spotted in Baibi City.

After all, he had been worried for over three years.

But now he was extremely angry.

Regarding this son, he considered himself very attentive, arranging for family tutors and scholarly studies, so he could also pursue a career in officialdom in the future.

But this son, instead of learning, preferred fighting with spears and sticks, unwilling to follow his arrangements, and was very rebellious.

"Old Xu, take some men and help me bring him back."

Li Donglin suddenly stood up and said to the butler standing at the door.

"My lord, why don't you first have a good talk with Brother Qian..."

The woman hurriedly advised.

"Madam, I know you mean well for him, but he does not appreciate your kindness. After being wild for three years, he must be disciplined properly."

Li Donglin waved his hand, taking the stance of a family head.

The woman, seeing this, felt it was not good to say anything more.

When Li Donglin left with others, a cold glint flickered in her eyes.

Li Qian was the legitimate eldest son, the primary heir to the family business.

This way, her son would have to stand aside.

Only by driving away Li Qian, could her son naturally inherit everything from Li Donglin, including the connections in the official circles.

....

At the inn.

Li Qian was just about to start his cultivation when he heard a clamor outside.

It didn't take long before the door was pushed open, and then Li Donglin, along with a group of house servants, barged in.

"Li Qian... come back with me."

When Li Donglin saw Li Qian standing, he was originally going to flare up, but his tone softened.

Over three years without seeing him, this son who had caused him so much worry, seemed much taller and sturdier.

He couldn't help but think of his wife's last words on her deathbed, asking him to take good care of Qian.

"Since leaving Li Family, I never intended to return, nor will I compete with Li Kun for anything in the family..."

Li Qian stated calmly.

Li Kun was his half-brother by the same father but different mothers, who had become a Scholar four years ago and was even taken as a Registered Disciple by the great scholar Chu Xun. Without any accidents, it would not be difficult for him to pass the Scholar examinations.

For the scholarly Li Family, his previous self's lack of scholarly achievements was naturally like a mess that couldn't be supported.

But in fact, his previous self's disdain for studying was entirely due to the various schemes of his formidable stepmother, eventually leading to a strong rebellious mentality in his former self and frequent conflicts with his father, Li Donglin.

This was indeed his predecessor's issues, not related to him.

"You rebellious child, you really want to kill me with anger."

Upon hearing what Li Qian said, Li Donglin, who still harbored a bit of guilt, was immediately filled with rage, "In these three years, your stepmother has been very concerned about your safety, and since Kun has already achieved the title of Scholar, he's not likely to compete with you for the family assets... It seems I've been too indulgent with you before. From today onward, I need to discipline you properly."

Saying so, he gestured with his hand, "Tie this rebellious child up and take him back."

Several house servants, upon hearing the master's command, charged forward like ferocious wolves and tigers.

Although these house servants were not martial artists of any rank, they had trained, and with their robust physiques, they looked very formidable.

Just as the house servants rushed forward, Li Qian merely waved his hand gently, and the servants tumbled and rolled together in a heap.

"Father, this is the last time I'll call you father... Do not think of imposing your ideas on me anymore, I will make my own decisions in life."

Li Qian said indifferently.

He then reached out to grab, and a treasured sword lying on the table soared into the air and landed in his hand, then he moved swiftly and dashed out of the room.

Not long after, the sound of horse hooves arose; it was indeed Li Qian riding away from the inn.

Li Donglin's face looked even worse; he cared deeply for this son, so how had things come to such a pass where his son was unwilling to even return home?

Several Inner Sect Disciples who came upon hearing the noise were quite surprised; they also realized that Junior Brother Li seemed to have fallen out with his family.

"Gentlemen, I wonder if you are accompanying my son?"

Seeing these Inner Sect Disciples, Li Donglin hurriedly stepped forward to ask.

"We dare not claim to be 'gentlemen'; we are Divine Sword Sect Inner Sect Disciples, and Junior Brother Li was with us on an escort mission."

Liu Hui among the disciples quickly responded.

Since it was Junior Brother Li's father, he spoke with a bit of extra politeness.

"Divine Sword Sect?"

Li Donglin was greatly shocked.

As a martial arts sect famous across three provinces and twelve counties, the Divine Sword Sect was renowned and esteemed in Baibi City.

"My son Li Qian, he is an Inner Sect Disciple of the Divine Sword Sect?"

He couldn't help but ask.

"Yes."

Liu Hui nodded.

He was curious as to how this family of Junior Brother Li knew nothing about this.

Li Donglin felt conflicted; he knew well the significance of being an Inner Sect Disciple of the Divine Sword Sect.

He remembered hiring a martial master in the city to assess Li Qian's root bone... the assessment was that his root bone qualifications were mediocre, and even if he pursued the martial path, the hopes were slim.

A major martial arts sect like the Divine Sword Sect has very high requirements for their disciples' root bone qualifications, so how could his son qualify to be an Inner Sect Disciple?

Could it be that the martial master was mistaken?

With these complex feelings, Li Donglin returned to the Li Family residence.

The lady of the house came to greet him, "Master, isn't Qian still unwilling to come home?"

Actually, she was quite pleased inside.

Li Qian's unwillingness to return would only deepen the rift between father and son, making it harder to reconcile.

"He..."

Li Donglin shook his head, "My lady, he has become an Inner Sect Disciple of the Divine Sword Sect."

The lady was startled, saying with a bewildered face, "Inner Sect Disciple of the Divine Sword Sect? How can that be... wasn't there a martial master who assessed his root bone, saying that Qian's qualifications were very mediocre?"

"I'm also puzzled, but the few Inner Sect Disciples who came with him have already confirmed it."

Li Donglin said.

Actually, he felt quite pleased inside.

This son was disobedient and did not follow the path of the Imperial Examinations as he wished.

But to become an Inner Sect Disciple of the Divine Sword Sect... clearly, this path was much better.

The Li Family, known for its scholarly background, had also considered nurturing its own martial artists.

For a family to truly grow strong and powerful, the best solution is to pursue the martial path.

Taking the path of civil bureaucracy through the Imperial Examinations is far too narrow.

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In times of chaos... such a scholarly family would hardly be able to protect itself, losing all power and possibly facing ruin in an instant.

But pursuing the martial path is extremely difficult.

The requisite root bone qualifications are just the first barrier.

Moreover, martial resources are monopolized by the dominant martial powers.

Having a powerful martial artist in the family, especially one who is a disciple of a major sect like the Divine Sword Sect, undoubtedly opens a new grand avenue for the Li Family.

....