Li Chang'an acted as if there were no one else around.
In over a hundred years of handling the family's court affairs within the Immortal Suppression Department, he had never felt as unburdened as he did today.
"Being like that heartless, damn brat of mine... it really feels refreshing."
Li Chang'an let out a long breath.
In the past, no matter how furious he felt inside, he had always forced a smile to face a narrow-minded man like Wu Neng.
But today, that was no longer necessary.
Both he and Wu Neng were well aware of what had transpired at the Mountain of Esoteric Stratagems.
The rift between them had grown beyond any hope of healing, and he saw no further need to engage in false civility with Wu Neng.
"Li Chang'an, didn't you already return home?" Zhao Guang asked, silently praying in his heart that the Blue Moon Immortal Sect hadn't actually gone to the Azure Cloud Prefecture.
Whatever he feared, that was exactly what came to pass.
Li Chang'an moved with gentle deliberation, arranging the tea cups with meticulous care, his motions as graceful as if he were composing a painting.
"This humble one made a trip back home and couldn't wait to return here. I should have arrived in the Imperial Capital sooner, but unexpectedly, the Blue Moon Immortal Sect barged into my Azure Cloud Prefecture."
Hearing this, Wu Neng's eyes narrowed slightly. He then sighed,
"The Blue Moon Immortal Sect? My Department has some knowledge of them; that sect possesses two Void Refining cultivators.
I must also blame my own dereliction of duty. During the campaign at the Mountain of Esoteric Stratagems, Holy Monk Yidian rebelled.
To think he actually forged my orders and repeatedly sent back letters claiming that victory was already assured."
To the side, Zhao Guang pursed his lips.
Wu Neng continued to spout nonsense.
"Every message sent by my Immortal Suppression Department cultivators within the Mountain of Esoteric Stratagems was intercepted by that scoundrel, Holy Monk Yidian.
As a result, your Five Great Forces suffered heavy losses. This included your Li Clan; losing two Void Refining cultivators at the mountain is truly a loss of key pillars for our Imperial Dynasty."
"Chang'an, rest assured. The Immortal Suppression Department will not forget a single loyal subject who serves our Imperial Dynasty."
"Zhao Guang!"
The sudden call made Zhao Guang freeze for a moment. "Yes, Lord Commander."
"I want you to send a message to the Blue Moon Immortal Sect. If they attempt any misconduct in the Azure Cloud Prefecture, my Immortal Suppression Department will pay them a visit immediately!"
"Yes... Lord Commander." Zhao Guang's forehead furrowed tightly.
"There is no need for Lord Commander to concern himself with that."
Li Chang'an waved his hand.
"Petty scoundrels like the Blue Moon Immortal Sect... if more of them were to come, it might actually be a good thing for my Azure Cloud Prefecture.
I did not come here today to discuss the Blue Moon Immortal Sect. Rather, I am here to address the matter of my family elders losing their lives at the Mountain of Esoteric Stratagems, and the compensation the Imperial Dynasty owes us."
"Lord Commander, there is one thing you said that was correct: the responsibility lies with you."
Li Chang'an placed a jade slip on the table. "Lord Commander, have a look. If you find it reasonable, please send the compensation to my Azure Cloud Li Clan without delay."
"...."
Li Chang'an never beat around the bush. His meaning was crystal clear, causing Wu Neng's expression to change instantly!
Not mentioning it anymore... that meant the Blue Moon Immortal Sect had already been dealt with!
But Wu Neng had no time to dwell on that. He picked up the jade slip, the veins on his hand bulging visibly.
"Compensation: For the death of two Void Refining cultivators, we require two Supreme-grade Dharma Treasures, a number of Fourth Grade Spirit Medicines and Spirit Materials, and one Fourth Grade Spirit Item..."
"For the death of eight Divinity Transformation realm and forty-two Nascent Soul cultivators, we require four Low to Mid-grade Dharma Treasures, a number of Fifth Grade Spirit Medicines and Spirit Materials, and three Sixth Grade Spirit Veins..."
"We also require one Earth Tier Cultivation Technique to sustain our family's foundation..."
An astronomical price—an absolutely astronomical demand for compensation!
"Li Chang'an, are you here to make a fool of This Seat?" Wu Neng's expression gradually turned dark.
"Commander, oh Commander... only you truly know what you have done."
Li Chang'an didn't even spare Wu Neng a glance, simply toying with his teacup in silence.
"If too much is said, then that last shred of 'face' will be torn away completely. There are plenty of people in the Imperial City keeping an eye on you."
"You..."
Wu Neng had barely finished speaking.
Li Chang'an interjected,
"The Human Emperor has been ailing recently. My family's Great-Grandaunt was summoned to accompany me to the Imperial Capital and has already entered the Palace.
Furthermore, one of my family's Spirit Boats is currently en route to the Northern Border. Detained aboard that Spirit Boat is a member of the Blue Moon Immortal Sect, along with some 'friends' of my Azure Cloud Prefecture who received certain letters.
Before they arrived at my Azure Cloud Prefecture, some rather interesting events occurred—events I imagine the Lord Commander would find quite intriguing."
"Are you threatening me?" Wu Neng's face turned livid.
"I wouldn't call it a threat."
Li Chang'an slowly stood up, walked to the doorway, and paused.
He slowly raised his head to gaze at the spiritual energy drifting above the Immortal Palace.
There were clouds amidst the Heavenly Palace, yet the eaves of the Immortal Suppression Department blocked the bright radiance of the rising sun that pierced through them.
Only half of that brilliance illuminated his figure, leaving his expression cast in a gloomy shadow beneath the overhang.
"Lord Commander, you are the Master of the Immortal Suppression Department. Your strength is formidable, and I imagine there are few in the Imperial Dynasty who would dare to provoke you."
"But please remember this: even a rabbit will bite when cornered!"
"You may look down on me, Li Chang. Within this Department, I can bow and scrape before you, obeying your every command. But if you seek to harm the lives of my elders or endanger my family, I will risk my very life to tear you to pieces."
"Remember: if there is a next time, I will spend my entire life ensuring that you regret it."
Li Chang slowly walked away.
Zhao Guang stared at Li Chang'an in shock, wondering where this fellow had found such audacity.
In the Immortal Suppression Department, Li Chang had never once lost his temper with anyone, nor had he ever even raised his voice. Yet today... that killing intent was undeniably real!
"Bastard! Bastard!!"
The sounds of smashing and crashing rang out once more within the Immortal Suppression Department.
Zhao Guang lowered his head as he watched Wu Neng fly into a violent rage.
After a long while, Wu Neng walked over to the only table that remained intact.
Gritting his teeth, he picked up the jade slip and handed it to Zhao Guang.
"Go to the treasury. Give him whatever he wants."
"Lord Commander, this... this compensation... is simply too much."
Zhao Guang's eyes were filled with bewilderment.
He saw a look of helplessness in the Commander's eyes; he could not recall how long it had been since the Lord Commander had last yielded to anyone.
He only heard Wu Neng grit his teeth and say, "Give it to him!"
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