Chapter 1117: Li Hongyous Past
Chapter 1117: Li Hongyou's Past
Li Luo was surprised by the sudden arrival of Li Hongyou, and her follow up question left Li Luo flabbergasted.
Although Li Hongyou was only ranked tenth in the Upper Hall, she was extremely popular. In fact, she was comparable to the top three. Everyone, including Wu Changkong, wanted to get into her good books. This was because Li Hongyou possessed the Crimson Heart Vermilion Fruit resonance, an extremely rare support-type resonance. With her presence, the team's strength would be boosted significantly. As such, she was the most popular choice for a teammate, and it was also why Li Luo was shocked by her offer. There were people lining up just to get her on her team! Why would she even bother with him?
There was nothing about him that could attract Li Hongyou.
Feng Lingyuan, Deng Changbai, and the rest were taken aback too. Feng Lingyuan had tried to get on good terms with Li Hongyou on multiple occasions, but the latter had always responded coldly. Why had she decided to move in on Li Luo all of a sudden?
Meanwhile, Deng Changbai glanced at Li Luo's handsome face as he muttered to himself, "Damn it. Is this a perk of being good-looking?"
Feng Lingyuan rolled her eyes at him. Based on her understanding of Li Hongyou, she was confident this was not the case. Li Hongyou was not bothered by the shocked gazes that surrounded them. She looked at Li Luo and revealed a faint smile, then she said, "Shall we step aside for a moment?"
There was no reason for Li Luo to turn such an opportunity down, so the two walked a short distance away for some privacy.
As the surroundings were filled with dense white fog, there was always the risk of Others hiding within, so they did not move too far away.
"Senior Hongyou."
Li Luo stood and stared at the familiar, charming face in front of him. He asked her directly, "Why do you want to team up with me? Under normal circumstances, shouldn't you be looking for Senior Feng Lingyuan instead?"
Li Hongyou pondered in silence for a while before asking, "You're the grandson of the Lineage Chief of the Dragon's Fang Lineage, right?"
Li Luo smiled. "Yes. My grandfather is Li Jingzhe, the Lineage Chief of the Dragon's Fang Lineage. My father is Li Taixuan and my mother is Tan Tailan. I don't believe there is anyone else who would dare to brandish their identity so flagrantly, right?"
He was the beloved descendent of a Heavenly Emperor. If anyone else attempted to impersonate such an identity, would the Bloodline of Heavenly Emperor Li to let it slip?
Li Hongyou's red lips moved gently as she responded in a calm voice, "If we solely look at our bloodlines, I am from the Bloodline of Heavenly Emperor Li too. However, I am not a member of the Dragon's Blood Lineage."
Li Luo was even more surprised to hear this piece of news. This was utterly unexpected. Why would someone from the Dragon's Blood Lineage travel all the way to the Heavenly Origin Ancient College just to cultivate?
He stared at Li Hongyou's charming face for another moment before he finally understood where the familiar feeling he felt from her came from. He hesitated a little and asked, "How are you related to Li Hongli?"
Li Hongyou's face turned dark as soon as she heard that name. It was only a while later that she replied, "We're sisters with the same father but different mothers. She's the beloved girl from the main family, whilst I am the abandoned one with no background to speak of."
From her tone, Li Luo could tell that there was more to this than met the eye. However, that was to be expected. Li Hongli's father was a respected elder with significant status in the Dragon's Blood Lineage. It was normal for someone like him to have multiple wives and, as a result, multiple kids. It was likely the reason why Li Hongyou was unable to live in the Dragon's Blood Lineage and had ended up all the way in the Heavenly Origin Ancient College.
"In that case, I should be addressing you as 'cousin,'" Li Luo said jokingly. He did not probe further.
Li Hongyou shook her head. "It's best that you refer to me as your senior. I don't wish to be reminded of my position in the Dragon's Blood Lineage."
Li Luo was at a loss for words. He could tell from the look in her eyes that she really loathed the Dragon's Blood Lineage.
"Alright, Senior Hongyou." Li Luo nodded. "But why do you want to work with me if you dislike the Dragon's Blood Lineage so much?"
Li Hongyou replied calmly, "Let's make a deal."
"What sort of deal?"
Li Hongyou slowly explained, "I will help you through this mission. In return, I'll go back to the Dragon's Fang Lineage with you after all this is over. I would like it if you put in a good word for me and recommend my entrance into the Dragon's Fang Guardians then."
Li Luo was startled. "You want to join the Dragon's Fang Guardians?"
She belonged to the Dragon's Blood Lineage, so she belonged in the Dragon's Blood Guardians rather than the Dragon's Fang Guardians. Besides, they would surely welcome her with open arms, given her outstanding abilities.
Li Hongyou's eyes shrank a little. Li Luo noticed that her slender fingers had tightened up into a clenched fist. Green veins began to appear on the back of her white hands.
"I have an older sister named Li Hongque. She's the beloved older sister of Li Hongli. I assume she has assumed the position of Grand Commander in the Dragon's Blood Guardians at this point. She's also considered one of the top talents in her generation. I would like to enter the Dragon's Fang Guardians and borrow their strength to compete against her."
Li Hongyou's voice remained aloof and emotionless, but Li Luo could faintly sense a hint of vengeance tinged within those words. It was clearly directed at her older sister, Li Hongque.
"Are there any grudges between the two of you?" he asked.
A cold mocking smile surfaced on Li Hongyou's lips. "She bullied my mother and I relentlessly throughout my childhood. My ruthless father only watched it all happen indifferently. In the end, my mother was forced to take me away from the Dragon's Blood Lineage in order to protect me. She had to endure a lot of hardships in order to raise me. Two years ago, she finally exhausted herself and passed away. Even in the face of death, she reminded me not to provoke them, but I won't take this lying down. Back then, Li Hongque even slapped my mother arrogantly and drove us out of the house. Now that my mother has passed away, I have nothing holding me back. I will return this humiliation regardless of the price."
Li Hongyou's voice had remained flat as she spat those vicious words out. However, the hatred within left Li Luo silent.
He had not expected such a story behind Li Hongyou. It was a dog-eat-dog world. However, there was nothing surprising about such a scenario in large families; it was a common sight.
The mother and daughter were cruelly driven away when they were young. They could only rely on each other for the years to come. In the end, the mother passed away and the daughter was left all alone. Alas, it was a truly tragic tale.
"As Li Hongque is in the Dragon's Blood Guardians, I'll have to borrow someone's strength if I want revenge. Joining the Dragon's Fang Guardians is the perfect choice. However, the Dragon's Fang Guardians may not necessarily agree to it, given my special background. I'll need you, as the grandson of the Lineage Chief, to support me. Based on my understanding of that cold father of mine, he will surely fly into a rage once he learns about this in the future. He'll surely try to pressure the Dragon's Fang Guardians to discard me."
Li Hongyou stared at Li Luo. "Ordinary people are unable to stand up to him. However, your background is special. If you're willing, you'll be able to protect me."
Clearly, Li Hongyou had done her homework. She was well aware of Li Luo's position in the Dragon's Fang Lineage. He was the beloved grandchild of Lineage Chief Li Jingzhe and was so well loved that he even got to hold onto the position of Main Hall Master of the Green Nether Banner. With Li Luo's support, Lineage Chief Li Jingzhe would surely pay no attention to her father's incensed words and opinions.
After all, even though her father held a high position in the Dragon's Blood Lineage, he was nowhere near as influential as Li Jingzhe.
"Once I've fulfilled my wish, I can stay in the Dragon's Fang Lineage and listen to your orders if you don't find it too troublesome. If you prefer, I can leave the Dragon's Fang Guardians and the Bloodline of Heavenly Emperor Li as well. How about that?"
Li Luo looked into Li Hongyou's eyes. She looked as cold as usual, but at this moment, it seemed that there was a hint of pleading deep within her eyes.
Li Luo pondered for while before he replied with a smile, "It will be a blessing for us to recruit such an elite into the Dragon's Fang Guardians. We have always been at odds with the Dragon's Blood Guardians, and I believe you will be able to fulfill your wishes when you join us, Senior Hongyou."
He extended his hand out to Li Hongyou and continued with a bright smile, "It is not appropriate to say this during a mission from the college, but I'll say it anyway. Welcome to the Dragon's Fang Guardians."
Li Luo directly glossed over the matter. Regardless of whether it was Li Hongyou's decision to join the Dragon's Fang Guardians or the pressure coming from her father in the future, none of it mattered.
After all, he was the beloved Third Young Master of the Dragon's Fang Lineage.
Li Hongyou tightly clenched hands slowly relaxed. She looked at Li Luo's smile and paused for a moment. Then she extended her hand and shook Li Luo's hands lightly.
"In that case, I'll listen to you from now on, Junior Li Luo."