He was just thinking about having Li Yaowen intervene to make these two emotionally detached descendants more obedient...
On the screen.
Li Yunbing appeared behind the three children. This time, they had evidently grown accustomed to Second Grandfather's unpredictable appearances and turned to look at him.
But, It wasn't just Second Grandfather. There was also a middle-aged woman sitting in a wheelchair. Strands of white playfully peeked through her black hair, and although her face had wrinkles, one could still see the beauty she possessed in her youth. She wore a white robe, and at a glance, one could sense that she was a woman of knowledge and refinement.
She had a very kind and benevolent air, making those who saw her feel instantly at ease. She was a rare gem of a person in this world.
A gentle voice, like the spring breeze of February, spoke, "Winter arrives."
The three children recognized her as their Fourth Great-grandaunt, the one the elders in Green Valley Town called the kindest Fourth Miss, Li Yaowen.
She even remembered the names of everyone in Green Valley Town when it was still a village. Whenever any household encountered trouble, Fourth Great-grandaunt would be the first to resolve it.
But the rumors about Fourth Great-grandaunt's notoriety outside must be false.
Just as they were about to speak to their Fourth Great-grandaunt...
With a single word, "Winter arrives," three more ice sculptures were added to the Thunderfire Cave. These were the three children, their faces full of anticipation as they tried to speak to the rarely seen, kind elder, but were frozen in an instant. They remained in the posture of stepping forward to respectfully greet Li Yaowen, their expressions a mix of nervousness and affection.
"Fourth Aunt, do you want to see Third Uncle and Second Aunt?"
Li Yunbing was not surprised by Fourth Aunt's actions. He admired her greatly. Moreover, the idea of having the demon cultivators tease these three children to accelerate their growth was something he had learned from her.
Li Yaowen shook her head. "No need," she said. "Second Sister and Third Brother are both in the midst of their breakthroughs. I'll take these three children away. It's time for them to venture out with their parents and learn how we Li family members conduct ourselves."
"Yes, Fourth Aunt."
Li Yunbing didn't dare say more, but he knew in his heart that Fourth Aunt didn't want to see Third Uncle's crazed appearance and Second Aunt's current aged state.
Just like back then, when he was learning from Fourth Aunt, during the war between the two sects, when Third Uncle was frantically forging, he saw Fourth Aunt sigh for the first time.
When Second Aunt came to the Thunderfire Demonic Cave, it was also the first time he saw Fourth Aunt weeping.
"Yunbing," Li Yaowen said, "you have managed the Thunderfire Demonic Cave well these past years. You have the talent to be a leader. I will have someone inform your elder brother; I believe he will be proud of you."
Li Yaowen offered these words of praise before departing.
Hearing this, Li Yunbing smiled faintly. "Thank you, Fourth Aunt," he replied. "This is what I should do."
Watching Fourth Aunt depart in her wheelchair, carrying the three frozen children, Li Yunbing felt no emotional stirrings within him.
After so many years of controlling power from behind the scenes, he had already developed the aura of a leader. What hadn't he seen?
Now, everyone in the Thunderfire Cave treated him as their leader. Every member of the Demon Subduing Alliance obeyed his commands. He had heard countless flattering words.
Such praise was nothing to him. Even if his family members called him a genius, he would simply brush it off with a smile, just like now.
To be excited about this would be too childish.
He hadn't walked far, when a demon cultivator bowed to Li Yunbing.
Li Yunbing patted the demon cultivator's shoulder and said casually, "Yes, good. My Fourth Aunt just praised me."
"Um... huh?"
Li Yunbing finished speaking and left, leaving the demon cultivator staring blankly at the retreating figure of the Saintess's apostle, who held sway over the Demon Cave. In the past, this person had always been incredibly imposing and intimidating, seemingly harboring schemes and plots at all times. Even demon cultivators felt like they were walking beside a ferocious tiger when near him.
But now...
"Why is he skipping away? Is he possessed?"
Soon after, within the Thunderfire Cavern, Li Yunbing, dressed in a purple robe, with a goatee and streaks of white in his middle-aged hair, walked through the cave. Although he tried to maintain an authoritative expression, his steps unconsciously grew lighter and quicker.
He told everyone he met, "My Fourth Aunt praised me."
Then, he knocked on the cave dwellings of Li Yaotie and Li Yaoqing and shouted loudly.
"Third Uncle, Fourth Aunt praised me!"
"Second Aunt, Second Aunt! Fourth Aunt said I have the talent to be a leader!"
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