Douluo Continent: You become gods, I become immortals

Chapter 37 Li Yuntian's Clan

Hearing his wife mention their clansmen, Li Yuntian's lips curled into a cold smile, a glint of icy glint in his eyes: "Why bother with them? Those bloodsucking beasts, when we were down on our luck, they all avoided us like the plague, even helping the Po Yi Clan to kick us when we were down!"

"Once we've turned our lives around, they shamelessly come crawling back to us, begging for our mercy—do they really think I, Li Yuntian, don't hold grudges?"

His voice lowered, revealing an undeniable resolve: "If it weren't for the fact that the Li family had just been established and needed to cultivate good relationships..."

To build a good reputation, I won't even let them through the door!

"Now that the business has gone to the Spirit Hall, these parasites have lost their backing. What do I care about their lives?"

The tone shifted abruptly, and the stern look in Li Yuntian's eyes instantly softened. He stepped forward, opened his arms, and gently embraced Yang Wanqing, resting his chin on her hair. His voice became deep and tender: "Right now, I'm only focused on two things."

"First, naturally, is to improve day and night and break through the bottleneck as soon as possible." He tightened his grip on her arm and whispered in her ear.

"As for the second one—"

"You're so annoying!" Yang Wanqing blushed and lightly punched his chest, her expression a mix of coquettishness and reproach.

Li Yuntian hugged her even tighter, his voice filled with guilt and determination: "Wanqing, we were too busy with our affairs before. Now, with the Spirit Hall as our backer and Qingxuan's cultivation technique, we are safe and sound, with no more worries. For the rest of my life, I will make it up to you and stay by your side."

Yang Wanqing nestled against his warm chest, feeling the long-lost peace. Her eyes reddened slightly, and she finally nodded obediently: "Mmm."

A few days later, inside the Papal Palace.

Qian Xunji sat upright in his high position, holding a secret report in his hand, his brows slightly furrowed.

The paper recorded the numerous misdeeds of Li Yuntian's so-called "clan members"—relying on their connection with Li Yuntian, they ran rampant in Wuhun City, embezzling and accepting bribes, oppressing merchants and commoners, and even abducting women; they were utterly lawless.

"Your Holiness, what should we do with these members of Protector Li's clan? Should we—suppress them for now?" a trusted elder cautiously suggested.

After all, Li Yuntian was extremely popular in Wuhun City, and countless people had benefited from his kindness. Moreover, the Wuhun Hall's wealth had skyrocketed and its foundation had greatly increased due to the huge industries contributed by the Li family. It would seem somewhat inhumane to take action against his family members at this time.

Upon hearing this, Qian Xunji slowly put down the secret report and shook his head: "No need. The Spirit Hall has its own laws. Since they dare to act recklessly in Spirit City, they are courting death."

"You only need to enforce the law impartially, kill those who deserve to die, and expel those who deserve to be expelled, without showing any mercy!"

"But—in that case, I'm afraid Protector Li will be in trouble—" The subordinate was still somewhat hesitant.

Qian Xunji waved his hand, his gaze deep: "Go ahead and do as you please. Li Yuntian has already given me instructions. He won't interfere with any of these members of the Li family. We can deal with them as we see fit."

"Understood!" Upon hearing this, the elder no longer hesitated and took the order.

Over the next two days, the situation in Wuhun City changed dramatically. A large number of Li family members were stripped of their assets and expelled from the city; several heinous criminals were even killed on the spot by the enforcement team, their blood splattering everywhere!

In an instant, the previously arrogant and domineering Li family members were completely thrown into a panic.

"Elder Chief, what should we do! Qian Xunji is kicking us while we're down! He took our money and now he wants to kill our people!" A senior member of the Li family said angrily, his face pale.

"Yes! The Spirit Hall is so ungrateful! We have to go to the Pope's Palace to demand an explanation. Do they really think our Li family is easy to bully?" The crowd chimed in, shouting for resistance, their words filled with resentment and unwillingness towards the Spirit Hall.

The patriarch of the Li family sat quietly in the main seat, listening to the clamor of the crowd, and only sighed deeply.

He has lived for so long, he is not without experience.

The current situation is crystal clear: the Li family recognized by outsiders is the Li family with Li Yuntian in charge, not this rabble of people who rely on blood ties to bully others.

He had privately approached Li Yuntian, only to receive a cold and resolute reply: he had never acknowledged these so-called relatives.

The old patriarch opened his mouth at Li Yuntian's ruthlessness, but in the end, he said nothing.

After all, when Li Yuntian and his wife were in trouble, even the Po clan didn't ask them for help in finding Li Yuntian; they didn't care about them at all.

But they were greedy and took the initiative to approach him, revealing the possible hiding place of Li Yuntian and helping the Broken Clan to find him.

That was definitely a huge overreaction!

This also led to Li Yuntian being extremely indifferent to them, even heartless!

"Shut up, all of you," the old patriarch said in a hoarse voice, filled with endless exhaustion.

"Do you really think I don't know about the dirty deeds you've been doing behind the scenes? This outcome is entirely your own fault."

After saying that, he leaned on his cane, stood up shakily, ignored the resentful and unwilling looks from the crowd behind him, and left alone.

Inside the hall, only a group of helpless, defeated dogs remained, looking at each other in bewilderment, and finally, in a deathly silence, they dispersed.

A day later, the magnificent main gate of the Spirit Hall was already bustling with people.

The remaining forces of the Li family, still harboring resentment, gathered a large number of their members and knelt prostrate on the stone pavement of the square.

They were clearly prepared, not only shouting at the top of their lungs, but also bringing several emaciated children to the front row to cry, trying to create a tragic picture of a "wronged family being bullied".

"Ungrateful! How could the Spirit Hall treat the descendants of meritorious officials like this!"

"Crossing the river and then burning the bridge! Does His Holiness the Pope want to kill us to cover it up after taking the money?"

"Qian Xunji! You, as Pope, have the audacity to harm loyal officials! How dare you lead the soul masters of the continent!"

These hysterical shouts and curses quickly attracted the attention of passersby.

The pedestrians who were rushing by stopped in their tracks, and in an instant, the square was filled with layers of onlookers.

The crowd was abuzz with discussion, pointing and whispering, and the scene became chaotic for a time.

The silver-armored guards on duty frowned and were about to step forward to maintain order when the Li family members seemed to have found a get-out-of-jail-free card. Their wailing suddenly rose eight octaves, and some even pounded the ground, acting as if they had suffered a great injustice.

Left with no other choice, the captain of the guard left a few men to keep watch while he, with a solemn expression, passed through the many palace gates to report to the papal palace.

Inside the Papal Palace, Qian Xunji sat on the throne atop the high platform, his fingertips lightly tapping the armrest.

After hearing the guard's description, he was not angry at all. Instead, he let out a very soft sneer, and a cold mockery flashed in his eyes.

"An ant trying to shake a tree is overestimating its own strength."

Qian Xunji spoke calmly, "Since these bloodsuckers are so eager to die, then I will grant their wish. This will also serve as a way to thoroughly cleanse Protector Li's sect and eradicate these insidious pests!"

After saying that, he pulled out a scroll that had been prepared beforehand from the table. It was filled with detailed records of all the evil deeds committed by the Li family over the years.

He handed the scroll to the guard, his tone indifferent yet carrying an undeniable murderous intent: "Go outside and read everything on it aloud to everyone, word for word. After you're done, throw all these troublemakers into the lowest level of the dungeon."

"Yes, sir!" The guard took the scroll, feeling its heavy weight in his hand, and turned to leave.

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