Chapter 119: Father and Son by Blood

Chu Bing instantly teleported to the back of Chancellor Li’s courtyard. Behind was a garden. In the garden, a man dressed in a simple white robe was practicing swordsmanship. It was none other than Li Haoran.

His swordsmanship was fierce and sharp; every move looked remarkably familiar. Chu Bing immediately recognized it—it was the technique she had taught Li Haoran! Judging by his demeanor, he was already quite skilled. She wondered how many times he must have practiced each day to reach this level.

“Who’s there?” Li Haoran’s ears twitched at a faint sound. He suddenly turned and looked toward the thicket behind the flowerbed.

Startled, Chu Bing hadn’t expected Li Haoran’s skills to have improved so swiftly. Hesitating for a moment, she tore through the thicket and stepped out.

Li Haoran pointed his long sword at her. “Who are you? How did you get here?”

Chu Bing was momentarily stunned, then realized she was still wearing a mask. Li Haoran hadn’t recognized her. She ran her fingers across her face, peeled off the mask, revealing her true face.

Li Haoran’s sword clattered to the ground. “Miss Chu?”

He stared at her in disbelief, confirming that she was a living person and not a dream. In just a few steps, he reached her and gripped her shoulders tightly.

“How did you come here? I... I thought I’d never see you again.”

Chu Bing pushed him away with a hint of disdain. “What’s wrong with you? You disappeared without a word. Do you know how much hardship I endured to find you?”

She had come close to death many times! Recalling all she’d been through, tears of bitterness welled up in her eyes. It had been unbearably difficult.

Li Haoran was taken aback. He hadn’t expected that Chu Bing would cross mountains and rivers to search for him. As a young woman, he wondered how she had managed the journey.

“Miss Chu, you’ve worked hard!” Li Haoran’s eyes were full of emotion.

Chu Bing curled her lips and glanced around to ensure no one was nearby. Then she said, “I came with your eldest brother this time. See if you can let me stay by your side? I have nowhere else to go, and I’d like to guide you in your martial arts, just like before.”

She hesitated to outright say she wanted to teach him, unsure if he would believe her.

Without hesitation, Li Haoran agreed. “I spend my days here at the estate practicing martial arts. If you could guide me, that would be perfect!”

His tone was sincere. He still remembered Chu Bing’s mysterious lightness skill and formations. If he could master those two arts...

His eyes lit up.

“Haoran, who are you talking to?”

Just as Chu Bing breathed a sigh of relief, a dignified figure approached. He walked steadily, wearing a simple blue robe, yet exuded an undeniable aura of authority that commanded respect without anger. Chu Bing instinctively held her breath.

This was Chancellor Li.

As he neared, Chu Bing quickly turned and pressed the mask back onto her face. Her real face was too striking; she feared it might cause trouble.

The chancellor was about forty or fifty years old, and his features bore a seven or eight-tenths resemblance to Li Haoran’s, but he carried a more imposing presence. His eyes were sharp and deep, intimidating anyone who dared meet his gaze.

Behind him followed Li Mohan and several soldiers, each holding a spear. Chu Bing could have sworn their spears were pointed in her direction.

“Father! This is...” Li Haoran, excited, began to introduce Chu Bing, but Li Mohan interrupted softly, “She is my maid, named Hongxiu. I asked her to fetch some food from the kitchen, but she must have gotten lost.”

Li Mohan’s tone was calm, as if speaking of a trivial matter.

Li Haoran frowned slightly, casting a questioning glance at Li Mohan before turning back to look at Chu Bing.

Though Chu Bing didn’t understand Li Mohan’s meaning, she felt in her heart that he would not harm her. She subtly nodded to Li Haoran.

Li Haoran’s eyes flickered, and he quickly added, “This little maid really was asking for directions. Brother, when did you arrive?”

He smiled and walked beside Li Mohan, giving his shoulder a hearty pat. His tone was warm and friendly. “I was getting bored here alone. It’s good you came to keep me company!”

“Nonsense!” Chancellor Li glanced at Chu Bing. She looked ordinary at most, somewhat pleasing but not remarkable, so he paid her no special attention. Instead, his gaze fixed on Li Haoran. “Your eldest brother is busy with serious matters. There’s no time for him to accompany you here.”

Though he was scolding Li Haoran for being childish, his eyes were undeniably gentle.

Chu Bing shrank back unnoticed, quietly observing the trio before her.

Li Haoran had once said their father favored the eldest and second sons, yet now she saw that Chancellor Li seemed to care more for Li Haoran.

However, his favoritism toward Li Mohan was undeniable.

“You’re barely younger than your eldest brother, yet you waste your days playing around. If you continue like this, what kind of example is that? You will stay in this estate, and you shall not leave until you complete the tasks I assign.”

Chancellor Li spoke sternly to Li Haoran without expression.

Li Haoran’s face darkened. “Father, when will I finish these tasks? You might as well let me work alongside my eldest brother…”

“No,” Chancellor Li refused immediately.

Li Haoran’s expression soured.

“Your eldest brother is skilled in martial arts, so I let him handle matters outside. I feel at ease. In your current state, going out will only get you killed!” Chancellor Li said coldly.

He was unaware that, deep down, he was not truly concerned for Li Mohan’s safety.

Li Mohan remained expressionless, silent, as if unrelated to the father and son before him.

Chu Bing watched silently, suddenly feeling a pang of sympathy for Li Mohan.

Not being blood-related truly made a difference.

As if sensing her gaze, Li Mohan suddenly looked toward her.

Chu Bing quickly averted her eyes. She hadn’t forgotten what had happened in the carriage.

“Mohan, how many days will you stay at the estate this time?” Chancellor Li asked as the three of them walked toward a nearby pavilion.

Li Haoran walked behind, glanced at Chu Bing, and signaled her to leave quickly.

Chu Bing hesitated. She wanted to stay and see what Chancellor Li’s true intentions were toward Li Haoran.

Perhaps she could openly remain by Li Haoran’s side.

But she glanced at Li Mohan.

If Li Mohan didn’t want Chancellor Li to know her true identity, there must be a reason.

Better to return for now. Tonight, she would quietly seek out Li Mohan and Li Haoran to carefully inquire about their plans.