Chapter 115 (1/2)

“You all should go rest. I’ll take care of her,” Li Yuewen said to everybody else then continued, “Elder brother, bring the others away to rest. I’ll keep watch over her here until she wakes up. I believe in her. She wouldn’t die that easily.”

Li Mingyu wanted to say something, but when he made eye contact with Camille, Camille nodded. “It’s no good waiting here anyways. Let’s just get some rest. Maybe by tomorrow this kid will be bouncing around, wanting me to make tea for her. Besides, she needs some peace and quiet.”

The last sentence made everyone agree to first leave the room to rest. Everyone else left with only Jean standing by the entrance, waiting.

Seeing Jean silently standing there, Li Mingyu couldn’t help but say, “Go and rest. You’ll be in the room next door. If anything happens, you can come over quickly.”

“No need, I will wait here until Miss wakes up,” Jean said a bit indistinctly, but his tone was incredibly resolute.

Seeing this, Li Mingyu could only leave.

“Master, master, the three Elders wanted to meet you after hearing of your return. They’re already waiting in the main hall,” a young maid hurried over, her tone a little worried. Everybody knew that those three old men were had been eyeing the position of Patriarch since forever, waiting for an opportunity. What were they going to try now?

Li Mingyu’s expression darkened. Of course he knew that those old foxes were looking for him for. He had spent a lot of energy and money on the journey to find the Azure Ripple blade, but had come back empty handed. It would be tricky this time without a proper explanation.

Li Mingyu nodded slightly. “I understand. You may leave. Tell the elders I will arrive immediately.”

“Yes, Master,” the maid replied with worry, then turned and left.

Li Mingyu looked back at the room at both Claire who was lying on the bed and Li Yuewen who was sitting nearby. He sighed, then turned and left.

Nobody knew, but at this time, Claire was battling the two forces within her body.

Master-servant contract? Nice try!

Li Mingyu sighed quietly, then headed to the main hall.

The main hall was well lit. Giant silver candlesticks hanging from the ceiling, all lit. Triangle candle holders also decorated the walls, each holding a lit candle. The Li clan could not afford beautiful ores any more, using candles for light instead. The formerly glorious Li clan was no more.

Three finely dressed old men sat at the top of the main hall, looking from above. Their clothes were decorated with beautiful, precious jewels, but they were from the past. They wore rings of all kinds of gemstones and sat with solemn expressions. Their appearances were all similar as they were all brothers of Li Mingyu’s grandfather. And sitting beside them were their sons and grandsons, all glowering at Li Mingyu. Li Mingyu sighed in his heart. These people, they just would not let go of Li clan’s former glory and all eyed his position. Until when would they accept reality?

“Mingyu, I trust you haven’t disappointed us with the results of your journey?” The eldest Elder who was sitting at the foremost smiled and said, but his smile was clearly fake. And his form of address was belittling Li Mingyu’s status, as if his status was higher than Li Mingyu. Li Mingyu was already the Patriarch, but none of the Elders addressed him like so. And they had such fake attitudes with all their niceties.

“That’s right, Mingyu, I believe you’ve returned with the Azure Ripple blade,” Second Elder said, also with a fake smile.

“You vowed that you would definitely find the Azure Ripple blade. That was the only reason why we lent you the Azure Ripple bronzeware to find the Azure Ripple pearl,” the third Elder smiled smugly, gazing profoundly at Li Mingyu.

The people standing next to the first Elder all watched Li Mingyu coldly, malice flashing through their eyes. They had seen Li Mingyu walk in without a sword and Li Yuewen didn’t have the sword either. With their personalities, there was no way the artifact would be stored in an interspatial ring. Judging from these facts, there absolutely did not find the Azure Ripple blade! Humph, what was their young and promising Patriarch going to explain himself? If it weren’t for the fact that they weren’t a match siblings, they would have used force to drive him off the Patriarch position long ago.

“I didn’t bring back the Azure Ripple blade,” Li Mingyu said softly.

The first Elder’s expression changed greatly. He furiously roared, “What?! Li Mingyu! Do you understand what you’re saying? The national martial arts tournament is happening two months later, a chance to take back the Li clan’s glory. But you said you didn’t bring back the Azure Ripple blade?!”

His address had now changed from Mingyu to Li Mingyu*. His aged face was now energetic and menacing.

*TL: Think of like “Joe” vs “Joe Smith”

The second Elder furiously slapped his chair’s armrest as bellowed, “How are you qualified to be our Patriarch?” His wrinkles became more pronounced.

“Li Mingyu, hand over the Azure Ripple bronzeware, hand over the Patriarch Seal!” The third Elder even stood up to yell. His entire body was shaking, as if he was doing a heroic deed.

But Li Mingyu was unaffected. “Forgive me for not being able to do so,” he said coldly.

“What?” Everybody’s expression changed. They never expected Li Mingyu to be so bold even though he had failed his task.