Chapter 12: Do You Think You Are the Leader of the Dao Alliance?

Li Quzhuo and Li Zizai, the two young masters of the Li family of Taoyuan.

Like the Yang family of the Heavenly Eye, the Li family of Taoyuan is one of the top aristocratic families within the Taoist League. As a renowned family of artifact refiners, nearly half of all high-level magical treasures within the Taoist League come from the hands of the Taoyuan Li family.

Humans are gifted with intellect rather than physical strength, while demons are gifted with strength rather than intellect. For thousands of years, the reason humans have been able to stand their ground against demons is almost entirely due to their ability to utilize magical treasures. From this, one can see the importance of the Taoyuan Li family to the Taoist League.

"Brother Yang, forgive me for asking, but when you made your move at the wedding banquet, was it truly out of dissatisfaction with the Yang family, or..."

As he spoke, Li Quzhuo winked at Yang Qingyuan, leaving the latter feeling both amused and helpless. It is no wonder that Li Quzhuo grew up to be such a prankster; he was clearly a troublemaker even as a child. Is that really the kind of thing one asks in public?

"Enough, little brother. Such things are meant to be discussed in private, not asked here."

Compared to Li Quzhuo, Li Zizai’s temperament was significantly more composed. As he spoke, his gaze swept intentionally or otherwise toward the members of the Xiao family in the crowd. Given the importance of this Blue Sky Assembly, the Xiao family had naturally sent their younger generation to attend. Two members of the Xiao family were present: Xiao Tiansheng, who had already formed a grudge with Yang Qingyuan, and his younger brother, Xiao Tianhao. Yes, one of the future instigators of the incident at Mutian City, a poor soul destined to be toyed with by Li Muchen...

"Fair point. Haha, my apologies, Brother Yang. I meant no malice, just pure curiosity."

"I see."

Yang Qingyuan nodded. He knew that given the future personalities of these members of the Mask, they currently harbored no ill will toward him. Besides, with his own mental maturity, why would he bother arguing with a child?

"By the way, Brother Yang, I hear that later at the Blue Sky Assembly, in addition to viewing the secret transmissions of the League, there will be sparring matches among the younger generation. Do you have anyone in mind you’d like to challenge?"

"Sparring?"

Yang Qingyuan blinked in confusion.

"Yes, it’s an old tradition of the Blue Sky Assembly. Watching the secret transmissions is only one part of it. But truthfully, the sparring is nothing special; we kids just mess around in the ring to keep the old men happy. Otherwise, do you really expect us to fight to the death just to see who’s stronger?"

After saying this, Li Quzhuo leaned in close to whisper in Yang Qingyuan’s ear: "I should warn you, I don't know about the others, but I've heard that Xiao Tiansheng has been investigating you in secret. You ruined the Xiao family's plans at your wedding, and you publicly crippled one of their Obsidian Inspectors recently. They won't just swallow this insult, so you must be careful."

Yang Qingyuan’s heart tightened slightly, but he smiled at Li Quzhuo. "Thank you for the warning, Brother Li."

"Think nothing of it. Oh, and besides him, there is someone else who will likely look for you later."

"Who?"

"Brother Yitai, haha. Between us, he’s been waiting for this day for months."

"Li Quzhuo..."

"Hehe, Brother Yitai, my mistake!"

Yang Qingyuan glanced at Yang Yitai, who was struggling to maintain his composure. So, this little guy hadn't been "harassing" him lately because he was saving it for the Blue Sky Assembly. No wonder Yang Yitai had tried so many different ways to tempt him into attending when he had initially refused.

Fine, let them spar. One decisive strike can prevent a hundred future troubles! Otherwise, if Yang Yitai kept finding ways to "bother" him at home, it would be a constant headache.

Just as Yang Qingyuan and Li Quzhuo’s group were chatting and laughing, the signature nasal voice of Xiao Tiansheng echoed from behind.

"Yang Qingyuan, long time no see."

Yang Qingyuan turned to see Xiao Tiansheng looking at him with a smug expression. Beside him, a timid-looking young boy looked at the group with embarrassment.

"So it is Young Master Xiao. Long time no see. Still carrying that sword?"

"Aren't you just a servant of the Yang family? Since when does a mere servant have the qualifications to attend the Blue Sky Assembly?"

"Hey, Xiao Tiansheng, do you think you’re the leader of the Taoist League? You’ve got a lot of nerve!" Seeing this, Li Quzhuo stepped up for Yang Qingyuan without hesitation.

"Furthermore, Yang Qingyuan has always been of the Yang family bloodline; he has never been a servant!" Yang Yitai also stepped forward.

"Exactly, are you blind? Can’t you see the Heavenly Eye on his forehead?" Wang Quanzui added, hands on her hips, retorting sharply.

"You..."

Xiao Tiansheng’s face changed. The factions behind Wang Quanzui and the others were ones the Xiao family would not want to provoke individually, let alone collectively. He never imagined that in just a few months, Yang Qingyuan would have become so close with the second-generation heirs of the Taoist League, such as Wang Quanbaye and Li Quzhuo, leading him to humiliate himself once again.

Thinking of this, Xiao Tiansheng glared at Yang Qingyuan behind the group.

"Trash, only daring to hide behind women. Just watch, you won’t be smug for much longer. It won’t be long before I make you kneel and beg for mercy! Little brother, let's go!"

With that, Xiao Tiansheng turned and walked away with Xiao Tianhao.

"Idiot!"

Watching Xiao Tiansheng’s retreating figure, Li Quzhuo raised his middle finger without reservation and turned to pat Yang Qingyuan on the shoulder.

"Don't mind that mad dog. The Xiao family is always like this, relying on their clan’s control over the League’s surveillance duties to bite anyone they see. Hmph! Once our eldest brother succeeds as the leader of the Taoist League, let's see if they dare to be this arrogant!"

"Quzhuo..."

Wang Quanbaye gave Li Quzhuo a helpless look. The boy was great in every way, except for his lack of a filter...

Yang Qingyuan didn't pay it much mind. In truth, he wasn't particularly close to Wang Quanbaye’s group; at most, there was the connection through Yang Yitai. They only stood up for him because of the long-standing grievances the various families of the Taoist League held against the Xiao family. Yang Qingyuan was well aware of this and kept a clear head.

Therefore, after cupping his hands in gratitude to those who had spoken for him, he remained silent, quietly observing the others arriving for the Blue Sky Assembly.