The question made Guan Long's brows crease at once.
Of course, he already knew. Lan Yueli had reported the duel to him in detail. At first, he too had been astonished. Who would have thought that Li Yun, a boy of such a young age, was already at the late stage of the Marrow Cleansing Realm, capable of cutting down Zhao Xiaotian, who was at the peak of the same realm? Yet, on further reflection, it wasn't entirely unbelievable.
For a youth who was already a senior pharmacist, shattering expectations seemed second nature. Miracles clung to Li Yun like a shadow.
Still, if Bai Xueqin had called him here to bring this up, then it was clear Zhao Lieyang had already voiced his grievance.
But why involve him? Guan Long was Pavilion Master, yes, but what did Zhao Xiaotian's death have to do with him? Did Zhao Lieyang actually expect him to bear responsibility?
A faint flicker of irritation passed over his face as he shot Zhao Lieyang an unfriendly glance. If the Zhao patriarch thought he would extract compensation from him, then he was gravely mistaken.
"I am aware of this matter," Guan Long finally said, the warmth gone from his voice.
Zhao Lieyang had been carefully watching every change in Guan Long's expression. When he noticed that cold edge settle onto the Pavilion Master's face, his heart gave a sudden tremor. Could it be… Li Yun truly is connected to him?
Bai Xueqin noticed it as well, but unlike Zhao Lieyang, she only smiled. "Hehe, yes. Patriarch Zhao's son was killed on the stage by Li Yun. Naturally, Patriarch Zhao is furious and demands an explanation from the Li family. But before that…" her eyes gleamed with faint amusement, "he wished to confirm a certain rumor. He has heard that Li Yun is Pavilion Master Guan's illegitimate son. I would like to know if this is true or false."
Even Bai Xueqin herself couldn't deny her curiosity. For someone of her station and strength, there were few things in Azure Wind City that still stirred her interest. But this rumor? If Guan Long truly had an illegitimate son, it would certainly shake the city's inner circles, and it was far too amusing not to press. She studied Guan Long intently, her gaze sharp yet playful.
"What?" Guan Long's aura surged at once, pressing down heavily on the room.
"Li Yun, my illegitimate son?" His expression darkened like storm clouds gathering over the sea.
So this was why he had been summoned? To answer such absurd gossip? His face grew taut, his complexion turning ugly.
"This is utter nonsense!" he snapped. "Since when did Li Yun become my illegitimate son? What preposterous drivel!"
His eyes blazed as he turned on Zhao Lieyang. "Patriarch Zhao, where did you hear this ridiculous rumor? Do you not know who Li Yun is? He is the son of Li Tian and the direct grandson of Li Zhen! Do you need me to spell out the Li family's bloodline for you?"
The Pavilion Master's anger crackled tangibly in the air, and his already poor impression of Zhao Lieyang sank further still.
"This… Pavilion Master Guan, please, calm yourself. It's only a rumor, nothing more. I merely wished to confirm it, to prevent any unnecessary misunderstandings." Zhao Lieyang bowed his head quickly, his tone carrying both apology and explanation.
When he heard Guan Long's sharp denial, a faint sigh of relief escaped him. That denial was proof enough, Li Yun could not possibly be Guan Long's illegitimate son. If he truly were, Guan Long would never have brushed it off so strongly.
No father would outright deny his own blood in such a situation, not when someone openly voiced their intent to harm him. Guan Long would have warned him directly to keep his hands off Li Yun. But now… now it was certain. Li Yun had no such backing.
"Calm down, my ass!" Guan Long's eyes flared wide, his voice booming through the chamber like thunder. "Patriarch Zhao, you know very well the rules of the Treasure Pavilion. Zhao Xiaotian may be your son, but he willingly stepped onto the fighting stage, and he was the one who provoked Li Yun first! Under those rules, life and death are decided by one's own strength. In such circumstances, you have no right to cause trouble for Li Yun, or the Li family."
"Pavilion Master Guan, I understand," Zhao Lieyang replied, his voice trembling, his face flushed red as blood rushed to his head. His entire body quivered, though it was hard to tell whether it was from genuine grief or simply a show of fury. "But Li Yun was far too ruthless! He didn't just defeat Xiaotian, he killed him! If he had only been beaten, I would have held my tongue. But Xiaotian… Xiaotian was my only child…"
His voice cracked at the end, carrying both rage and anguish.
"Patriarch Zhao," Guan Long's tone grew colder, his brows knitting into a hard line, "so you are truly set on killing Li Yun?"
"I must." Zhao Lieyang clenched his fists, his jaw tight as he ground out each word. "If I let this go, others will say the Zhao family cowers before the Li family. I cannot allow that shame to taint my name."
"Hmph!" Guan Long's voice was a whip crack, his aura spilling out and pressing against the room. "Li Yun is an honorary pharmacist of my Treasure Pavilion. If you dare to lay a hand on him, I will never allow it."
The words were sharp, unyielding. It was as good as a declaration: to harm Li Yun was to make an enemy of Guan Long himself.
In truth, Li Yun had not yet been made an honorary pharmacist. Their relationship with him was one of cooperation, and while the Pavilion did indeed intend to extend such an offer, the matter had not been made official. But Guan Long had no intention of explaining that. Zhao Lieyang had gone too far, so Guan Long simply threw the weight of his authority down to shield Li Yun.
"Honorary pharmacist?" Zhao Lieyang's expression darkened, his lips curling into a sneer. "Heh… Pavilion Master Guan, I have always shown you respect. But if you insist on blocking me from avenging my son, then you will find that I will not back down so easily."
The words dripped with defiance. Zhao Lieyang feared Guan Long, yes, but his hatred for Li Yun burned hotter than his fear. If pushed to the edge, he would gamble everything.
"Patriarch Zhao," Guan Long's eyes narrowed dangerously, his aura condensing into a crushing pressure that made the air tremble, "are you threatening me?"
The room seemed to darken, two forces locking horns, neither willing to yield.
"Gentlemen!" City Lord Bai Xueqin's voice cut through the tension like a blade. Her brows furrowed as she rose from her seat, one hand lifting in a graceful yet commanding gesture.
Both Guan Long and Zhao Lieyang turned toward her immediately.
This was the City Lord's Mansion. No matter how heated their quarrel, no matter how deep their grudges, to clash here would be crossing a line neither of them could afford.
"Enough," Bai Xueqin said firmly, her gaze sweeping over the two men. "Listen to me. How about we let each of you take a step back on this matter?"
"City Lord…" Zhao Lieyang's jaw tightened, his face grim, but Bai Xueqin's tone allowed no room for argument.
"Patriarch Zhao, Azure Wind City is under my governance. I will not allow large-scale conflicts to erupt here over personal grudges. I suggest you consider carefully before testing my patience," she spoke, her words edged with steel.
Seeing the faint spark of anger in her eyes, Zhao Lieyang swallowed his protest and fell silent.
"I will send someone to summon Patriarch Li," Bai Xueqin continued. "Let us see if the Li family is willing to provide some form of compensation to the Zhao family."
At her order, a guard was called in and dispatched immediately to fetch Li Jinyun, head of the Li family.
Zhao Lieyang's face darkened, but he said nothing further. To press the issue now would mean not only offending Guan Long and the Li family, but also openly defying Bai Xueqin herself. That was a risk the Zhao family could not shoulder.
Half an hour later, Li Jinyun arrived at the City Lord's Mansion. The guard hadn't explained the reason for his summons, but the moment Li Jinyun stepped inside and saw Zhao Lieyang waiting, he immediately understood, it was about Li Yun killing Zhao Xiaotian.
"Greetings, City Lord. Greetings, Pavilion Master Guan," Li Jinyun said with a respectful cupped-hand salute toward Bai Xueqin and Guan Long.
As for Zhao Lieyang, he didn't even glance in his direction. The feud between the Li and Zhao families was already as deep as fire and water. Now that Li Yun had slain Zhao Xiaotian, their enmity was irreconcilable. Offering pleasantries would be nothing but hypocrisy.
"Patriarch Li, please sit," Bai Xueqin said politely, gesturing to the seat before her.
"City Lord, you summoned me. May I ask what matter requires my presence?" Li Jinyun asked directly as he settled down.
"Hmph!" Zhao Lieyang gave a cold snort, his glare sharp and unrestrained.
"It concerns Patriarch Zhao's son," Bai Xueqin said, her voice calm yet commanding. "He was killed by your Li Yun. I have called you both here today to mediate this matter, to ensure it does not escalate any further."
"This matter…" Li Jinyun's eyes narrowed slightly.
Inwardly, however, his heart surged with a hidden satisfaction. Zhao Xiaotian's death had tilted the balance. Among the three great families of Azure Wind City, the Li family had always been the weakest, even somewhat beneath the Zhao family. But now… with Zhao Xiaotian gone, the scales were beginning to shift.