Zhang Tiepeng's gaze was somewhat unfriendly.
It had been several days, and he still hadn't found Zhang Sangou and the other person, which made him feel like something had gone wrong.
Li Ping'an glanced sideways and said, "Since you have something to ask me, is this your attitude?"
"Hmph~" Zhang Tiepeng snorted lightly, "You're a good-for-nothing, what kind of attitude do you expect?"
Li Ping'an said, "Kneel down, kowtow respectfully, and call me 'Grandpa'."
Zhang Tiepeng's eyes slightly chilled, and he lowered his voice, "You're looking for death!"
Li Ping'an tugged at his collar and said, "I don't want to live anymore, just kill me. Pull out your sword and chop it at Grandpa's neck."
"I beg you, hurry up and chop, hurry up and kill me."
Zhang Tiepeng truly had murderous intent.
But he didn't dare, at least not now, absolutely not.
Forcibly suppressing the anger in his heart, Zhang Tiepeng said coldly, "Li Ping'an, don't you dare act like a rogue in front of me. Zhang Sangou and Zhang Shulin went to Da Huai Village a few days ago. Have you seen them?"
"I have," Li Ping'an replied, then continued, "They're dead. I beat them to death."
After speaking, he strode away.
Staring at Li Ping'an's retreating figure, Zhang Tiepeng's killing intent grew stronger, "Let's see how long you can keep acting so cocky!"
Zhang Tiepeng naturally didn't believe Li Ping'an's words, and no one would.
City Lord's Mansion.
When An Lan saw Li Ping'an return, he led him to a quiet room.
Noticing An Lan's solemn expression, Li Ping'an asked, "Father-in-law, is something wrong?"
An Lan closed the door tightly and said, "You're aware of the war situation on the East Border side. I believe Ruoyi has also told you some rumors, right?"
"Mm," Li Ping'an nodded.
An Lan spoke, "There's something you need to be prepared for: those rumors are not just rumors, but facts."
"A few days ago, I arranged for a few of my trusted subordinates to investigate the situation in the East Border. They found two of your father's former subordinates there."
"Those rumors were spread by them. They personally witnessed the Imperial Advisor attacking your parents and killing all the personal guards!"
Li Ping'an was silent.
An Lan continued, "Although those two weren't your father's personal guards, their brothers were, and they also died at the Imperial Advisor's hands five years ago."
"They want revenge, and they also know some secret things."
Li Ping'an asked, "What secret?"
An Lan said, "There seems to be an ancient ruin beneath Stone Forest Valley, protected by a Formation. The Imperial Advisor wants to use countless nights of blood to contaminate that place and destroy the Formation."
"Your father was killed by the Imperial Advisor to silence him precisely because he discovered this."
Indeed,
Stone Forest Valley had a problem.
Li Ping'an said, "What Father-in-law said isn't entirely correct. Besides the Imperial Advisor, the Crown Prince is the true culprit in this entire matter."
An Lan frowned slightly and mused, "The Crown Prince must have been misled by the Imperial Advisor."
Li Ping'an chuckled, "Father-in-law, I understand you. After all, as a subject, there are many things you cannot say, many things you cannot admit."
"However, the culprit must die. Even if the current Emperor harmed my parents, I would find a way to kill them."
He paused slightly.
Li Ping'an continued, "Father-in-law, you don't need to be troubled. I don't need your help and won't put you in a position of disloyalty."
An Lan spoke, "If the Crown Prince's actions were publicized, no one would be loyal to him."
"The reason I'm telling you these things isn't to say you should seek revenge now, but to encourage you to work harder and wait for a future opportunity."
"I understand," Li Ping'an nodded gently.
An Lan continued, "Ruoyi was taken to Xianyan Sect to Cultivate. She will find a way for you to condense a Spiritual Root. You must not act impulsively."
"Your unexpected acquisition of a first-grade corn spirit in the mountains proves that you have an immortal destiny. Everything must wait."
"Understood," Li Ping'an nodded again.
After a conversation.
Li Ping'an left the City Lord's Mansion.
He went to the street, bought many things, and headed to Da Huai Village.
Now he knew the truth of the matter and who his enemies were, but his strength was still insufficient.
If he rushed forward rashly, not only would he fail to get revenge, but he would also lose his life for nothing.
Da Huai Village.
Heihe and Niuniu guarded the farmland.
Seeing Li Ping'an, they both hopped and ran over. Li Ping'an took out the food he bought, "Little guys, eat your fill."
"Woof woof~"
Heihe immediately bit into the roasted chicken, wagging its little tail so hard it couldn't stop.
It got dark.
Li Ping'an took Heihe and Niuniu to the spiritual field, then came back to guard this side.
Several days passed, and everything was peaceful.
After Li Ping'an used the Rain Summoning Technique to water the forty acres of corn, he left Heihe to guard the farmland. He then took some horse manure to fertilize the spiritual field.
Although the smell wasn't pleasant, the harvest was great.
Just watering and fertilizing these two acres of spiritual field earned him another 120 Cultivation points, bringing his total available points to 390. His spiritual power value was only 37,600 points remaining.
After a brief thought.
Li Ping'an kept 10 points for backup, and the remaining 380 points were used for his strength and defense values.
(Ding: 190 Cultivation points deducted, strength value increased by 1900, total value 4610)
(Ding: 190 Cultivation points deducted, defense value increased by 1900, total value 4610)
His body trembled slightly.
A profound Qi enveloped his entire body, his strength rapidly increasing, and his flesh and blood seemed to have undergone a thousand refinements, becoming even more solid.
His combat power increased again, reaching 1423 points!
Compared to Cultivators, this was the strength of True Spirit Realm Fourth Stage, making him a top expert among the younger generation in Tiankui City.
Coupled with the power of the Desolate Ancient Heaven-Overturning Hoe, it would be even more formidable...
The night was hazy.
The chirping of unknown insects was a bit annoying.
Just as he was getting sleepy, Heihe came to Li Ping'an and tugged at his hair.
Li Ping'an opened his eyes, "What's wrong?"
Heihe didn't make a sound, but kept shaking its little head violently towards the direction outside the tent.
This meant there was a situation!
Li Ping'an looked out and saw a black-clad figure rushing towards them.
"Another assassin."
Li Ping'an held his sickle and hid behind the tent. Heihe was too dark; it slipped out of the tent and stood with Niuniu.
The person approached.
Although he was dressed in black and his face was covered, Li Ping'an immediately recognized him from his eyes and eyebrow shape, and he shouted, "Zhang Tiepeng, what do you want to do?!"
This sudden sound made Zhang Tiepeng's body tremble, clearly startled.
"Clang~"
Without a word, he drew his battle sword and charged over.
"Moo~"
Niuniu let out a low sound, its head slightly lowered, and it charged forward to ram him.
Looking at Heihe again, this fellow was fast, silent, and in the darkness, it was truly difficult to catch.
"You're looking for death!"
Zhang Tiepeng said coldly, spiritual power surging, and a ripple of spiritual patterns appeared on his sword edge as he suddenly slashed down.
"Woof~"
Heihe seized the opportunity to attack, immediately biting Zhang Tiepeng's sword-wielding wrist.
Despite its small size, it erupted with terrifying biting force. The moment its dog mouth closed, it actually bit off the hand directly!
"Ah~"
Zhang Tiepeng screamed. Spiritual power surged in his left palm, and he suddenly slapped at Heihe, but Heihe swiftly darted away, dodging the attack.
"Bang~"
A muffled sound rang out.
With Niuniu's headbutt, Zhang Tiepeng was immediately sent flying, his internal organs shaking, and he coughed up large mouthfuls of blood...