Chapter 57: The main guest becomes an escort?

Outside, he looked calm, but inwardly, Li Gengxin’s thoughts were already racing.

Could it be a misunderstanding?

In the past, the Li Clan indeed had only two notable geniuses. But now, there was his son

Li Wei was not an adult either. By all measures, he was also a young talent.

Could Wang Zongyao actually be looking for Wei’er?

But how would Wei’er have come into contact with someone like Wang Zongyao?

Or perhaps the person Wang Zongyao wanted to see really was Li Wujie?

Either way, this was undoubtedly good news.

Li Gengxin did not point out the possible misunderstanding. Instead, he smiled and asked, “So Lord Wang wishes to meet Wujie now?”

“Exactly,” Zhu Yan said with envy. “Your Li Clan is truly blessed. To catch the eye of someone from the Inner House of Western Mansion… soaring to greater heights is just around the corner.”

“That’s also thanks to Lord Zhu’s kind words before Lord Wang,” Li Gengxin said smoothly, offering a flattering remark that left Zhu Yan quite satisfied.

Turning his head, Li Gengxin called to a disciple, “Go. Summon the third young master, Li Wujie.”

The disciple was about to leave when Li Gengxin paused, then added after a moment’s thought, “Bring Li Wei as well.”

“Yes.” The disciple acknowledged and hurried off.

Zhu Yan glanced sideways and asked, “Patriarch Li, this Ryan… if I remember correctly, he’s your son? Wasn’t he born unable to cultivate?”

As he spoke, he discreetly observed Li Gengxin’s expression. Seeing no sign of discomfort, Zhu Yan relaxed and continued, “Then why invite Li Wei as well?”

Li Gengxin replied calmly, “My son Wei’er has lived a rather lonely childhood due to his condition and has rarely seen the wider world. Wujie is still young, too. I thought it would be good for them to accompany each other. Let Wei’er broaden his horizons, and with a familiar face beside him, Wujie might feel less nervous. What do you think?”

Zhu Yan considered it briefly, then nodded. “Very well. He can come along. But let me say this first. Li Wei must know his limits. I won’t be responsible if he offends someone.”

“Rest assured,” Li Gengxin said confidently. “Wei’er is very steady.”

“That’s good,” Zhu Yan nodded.

Before long, Ryan and Li Wujie arrived at the main hall together. When the disciple went to summon them, the two had been training nearby, so they came at the same time.

“Li Wei greets Father.”

“Wujie greets the Patriarch.”

They spoke in unison.

“Good.” Li Gengxin nodded, then gestured toward Zhu Yan. “This is Lord Zhu Yan, the governor of Fengyue City. Pay your respects.”

“I greet Lord Zhu.”

“I greet Lord Zhu.”

Again, they spoke together.

Zhu Yan first examined Li Wujie. Though young, the boy carried himself with confidence rather than childishness. His cultivation had already reached the nine-star Warrior realm. At such an age, with such strength and bearing, his future was indeed promising.

Zhu Yan nodded inwardly, feeling quite satisfied. This only reinforced his belief that Li Wujie was the one Wang Zongyao wished to see.

Then, Zhu Yan’s gaze shifted to Ryan.

The moment he looked over, his expression changed.

Ryan was fairly handsome, but not strikingly so. His build was slightly lean, perhaps because he had once been unable to cultivate. At first glance, he seemed ordinary.

But standing there, an invisible pressure radiated from him.

A dense, chilling killing intent lingered faintly around his body.

Even Zhu Yan, an Exalt-rank expert, felt his heart tighten slightly, an instinctive sense of unease rising within him.

Moreover, Ryan’s eyes were calm and steady, filled with confidence. He stood straight as a pine, giving off a feeling of unyielding resolve, like a deep abyss whose depths could not be seen.

This presence… was terrifying.

Is this really the person said to be a waste and who couldn’t cultivate?

How could he possibly be someone who “couldn’t cultivate”?

Zhu Yan was utterly baffled.

The youth standing before him carried an aura far more imposing than many veterans who had trained for decades. That calm gaze, that steady bearing, the faint yet chilling pressure that lingered around him… none of it belonged to a so-called waste.

If this were someone unable to practice, then what were all those who struggled their whole lives?

Zhu Yan was so shaken that he momentarily lost his composure.

“What’s wrong?” Li Gengxin asked when he noticed Zhu Yan’s stunned expression.

“No… nothing at all,” Zhu Yan replied hastily, forcing himself back to his senses, though the doubt in his heart only grew deeper.

Seeing this, Li Gengxin followed Zhu Yan’s gaze to Ryan and instantly understood. A trace of pride surfaced in his eyes, and the corners of his mouth curved upward.

His son’s transformation was too great. Not only his strength, but his temperament had changed completely. That faint killing intent, tempered through real danger, was not something ordinary people could hide. Anyone with discerning eyes would be startled upon seeing him.

With such a son, how could Li Gengxin not feel proud?

In his heart, he silently thought of the man who had once left home far away, and confidence surged within him.

Look at our son now. One day, he’ll surely bring you back.

“Father,” Ryan said, amused by the strange atmosphere, “you called us here today for…?”

Li Gengxin laughed awkwardly. “Ah, right. Look at me, getting old and forgetful. It’s like this. The examiner who came to Fengyue City this time wishes to meet Wujie. So Lord Zhu came to bring him over. I thought it would be good for you to accompany him as well, to broaden your horizons.”

“Meet Wujie?” Ryan froze slightly. “The examiner?

Wasn’t the examiner Wang Zongyao?

Why would he want to see Wujie?

“Me?” Li Wujie was also stunned. He had no idea who this examiner was, let alone why he wanted to meet him.

“Enough thinking,” Li Gengxin waved his hand. “You’ll find out once you go.”

Zhu Yan also nodded. “Since everyone is here, let’s not delay. Brother Wang has probably been waiting for some time.”

With that, the group set off.

Ryan and Li Wujie followed Zhu Yan through the Western Mansion residence, winding through several courtyards before finally arriving at Wang Zongyao’s quarters.

The moment Wang Zongyao saw Ryan, his eyes lit up.

After only a few days, Ryan seemed almost like a different person. When they first met, Ryan had just returned from the Forest of Death, dusty and travel-worn. Now, clean and refreshed, dressed neatly, his natural bearing stood out even more.

Before, he looked like a talented but simple youth.

Now, he carried the air of a true young master, refined yet deep, making people instinctively fond of him.

“Brother Wang,” Zhu Yan said respectfully, “I’ve brought Li Wujie.”

Then, after a brief pause, he added, “This is Li Wei, Patriarch Li’s son. Wujie is still young, so I let him accompany him.”

“Huh?”

Wang Zongyao was momentarily dumbfounded.

What is Zhu Yan thinking?

He had clearly wanted to see Ryan. How had Li Wujie suddenly become the main guest, with Ryan as an “escort”?

Before Wang Zongyao could ask, Ryan subtly shot him a look, then stepped forward and bowed politely.

“Li Wei greets Lord Wang.”

Seeing this, Li Wujie hurriedly followed suit. “Li Wujie greets Lord Wang.”

“Uh…”

Wang Zongyao glanced between the two brothers, momentarily at a loss.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep