Chapter 110: Greatest Love, Deepest Hatred — The Heaven’s Mandated Emperor
“Senior Brother, you would never guess the outcome of my trip.”
Li Sifeng looked at Li Qingqiu and spoke seriously.
His hands clasped around his wine bowl as if to warm them.
Li Qingqiu stared at him calmly and said, “With you being so roundabout, it’s obvious—you didn’t exterminate the Pei Clan. You’re not even angry. Seems you’ve eaten their honeyed dates instead.”
Li Sifeng’s expression stiffened.
“Listen to me first. When I’ve finished, you can decide whether to scold me or not!”
Li Qingqiu wasn’t angry.
He knew Li Sifeng’s temperament too well—narrow-minded, and since the Pei Clan had harmed him so cruelly, if he could let it go, there had to be a reason.
He noticed Li Dongyue entering the courtyard and beckoned her over.
Li Sifeng turned his head.
When he saw Li Dongyue, his eyes rolled slightly, and he no longer rushed to speak.
When Li Dongyue sat beside Li Qingqiu, Li Sifeng began to explain everything in detail.
“I headed straight for Zhenyang Imperial City, but on the way, I heard that the Pei Clan had migrated to Eastern Tomb Province. So I turned toward Eastern Tomb Province, originally planning to begin a slaughter. But then I happened to see the Pei Clan distributing food to the commoners. The townsfolk were full of gratitude, though to me it all looked like an act.”
“Still, I thought I’d wait for them to finish distributing food—at least that would benefit the people. I waited a few more days and then heard that an evil tyrant in the city had seized a young woman, forcing her into his manor, where she died miserably. Her husband went to seek her, only to be beaten to death at the gate. Her parents reported it to the authorities, but the officials ignored them; they died sick in bed, leaving behind only a lonely child.”
“What kind of person am I? Li Sifeng of the Clear Sky Sect! Seeing such evil, how could I sit idly by? Just as I was about to punish that villain, I reached the gate of his manor and found a large crowd gathered. Someone had already taken action before me—punished the tyrant severely! The townsfolk were cheering. After asking around, I learned it was the daughter of the Pei Clan’s patriarch who did it.”
Li Sifeng grew more excited as he spoke.
Li Qingqiu and Li Dongyue exchanged a glance—they understood each other without words.
“The next morning, I stormed into the Pei Clan’s ancestral mansion, demanding the patriarch come out and face me, so I could end it cleanly—no one could accuse us of injustice. But to my surprise, when I told him why I had come, that patriarch apologized to me and handed over the clansman who sought to seize the Emperor Mystic Sword, letting me kill him. Even when the other clansmen tried to intervene, the patriarch ignored them.”
At this point, Li Dongyue couldn’t help but ask, “So you didn’t kill him?”
Li Sifeng looked offended, glaring wide-eyed.
“Fourth Senior Sister, what do you take me for? Should our Clear Sky Sect disciples die in vain? I struck him down with one sword! But that wasn’t enough—I executed every person involved in that matter!”
“The Pei patriarch was straightforward—he had his people investigate thoroughly. Within an hour, those Pei clansmen were dragged before me. At first they cried injustice; later they cursed their patriarch. I waited for them to finish shouting before I struck.”
“I killed thirty-four in total—most satisfying! But the hired martial men among them were harder to pursue.”
When he finished, he looked toward Li Qingqiu, nervous and uneasy.
Li Qingqiu sighed.
“The Pei patriarch truly has a deft hand—decisive and ruthless.”
Li Dongyue frowned, staring at Li Sifeng.
“You think the grudge ends there? You killed so many of their clansmen inside their ancestral home. Put yourself in their place—would you feel it’s settled? Even if that patriarch did, what about the rest? Don’t underestimate a noble family’s foundation.”
Li Sifeng shook his head.
“I’m not that naïve. But the patriarch’s words moved me deeply—‘Better to resolve enmity than deepen it.’ He even betrothed his daughter to me on the spot. Fearing I might not trust him, he told me to bring her back to Clear Sky Mountain and consult Senior Brother. If it could be settled, we would wed on Clear Sky Mountain, and the Pei Clan would bring generous gifts.”
“Marriage alliance?” Li Dongyue was astonished, as though meeting a stranger.
Li Sifeng’s cheeks flushed.
“I’m not easily swayed. But I’ve learned much about the Pei Clan—they have countless branches spread across the world. To kill them all would be impossible. If the feud can be dissolved, isn’t that better?”
Li Qingqiu asked, “Are you certain that woman was the patriarch’s daughter?”
“Certain. The woman who punished the tyrant was her—I saw it with my own eyes. And at that time, I hadn’t revealed myself; the Pei Clan couldn’t have known I was coming. It couldn’t be a grand setup. Besides, on the road, Pei Miao told me her father despised martial arts and divine weapons, long disdaining those clansmen who made enemies in the martial world. By seeking vengeance, I actually helped him.”
Li Sifeng hurriedly finished, lowering his voice.
“Senior Brother, Fourth Senior Sister, Pei Miao is already staying in the guest courtyard. I wanted to ask if you two approve of this marriage.”
Li Qingqiu felt a bit dazed.
The once-bratty boy had grown up enough to start a family.
Time truly flew.
Seeing the twenty-year-old Li Sifeng acting so bashful, Li Qingqiu felt both gratified and uneasy.
Li Dongyue tilted her head toward Li Qingqiu.
“Senior Brother, what he says does make sense. If enmity can be resolved, it’s best so. Whether it works or not, let’s at least meet this Miss Pei Miao first.”
Li Sifeng looked at her gratefully.
Li Qingqiu’s face remained calm—but that very calmness made Li Sifeng even more nervous.
“Ask her if she’s willing to join the Clear Sky Sect. If she is, let her become a disciple first. The marriage can be discussed later,” Li Qingqiu said.
Li Sifeng’s eyes lit up.
He quickly rose, bowed in thanks, and then leapt away, vaulting over the courtyard wall with his lightness skill.
Li Dongyue shook her head and turned to Li Qingqiu.
“Senior Brother, what do you think?”
Li Qingqiu replied, “If everything he said is true, then this marriage is the best way to end the grudge. But if it’s false, then the Pei Clan’s schemes run deep. To dare set such a trap—they must be eradicated.”
Li Dongyue nodded and sighed.
“I used to wonder which of us seven would marry first. I thought it’d be Third Brother—didn’t expect it to be Sixth Junior.”
Li Qingqiu chuckled.
“Why Third Brother?”
“He’s handsome and cold by nature—girls like that sort.”
“Is he more handsome than me?”
“Of course, a little less than Senior Brother.”
“Then why didn’t you think I’d marry first?”
“I just feel you wouldn’t.”
“You guessed right. I won’t bow to worldly love. My goal surpasses affection itself.”
“Yes indeed, Senior Brother is the greatest.”
……
That night, Li Qingqiu gathered his junior brothers and sisters to explain everything.
Their reactions varied.
Li Sijin immediately exploded, cursing Li Sifeng for being bewitched, wanting to rush to confront Pei Miao, but Li Dongyue stopped her.
Zhang Yuchun was pleased, saying if it was all true, it would actually be a good thing.
Jiang Zhaoxia volunteered to visit the Pei Clan again and investigate thoroughly.
Wu Man’er simply grinned at everyone, silent.
“Senior Brother, Senior Sister, I believe Pei Miao. Can’t you give her—and me—a chance? The marriage isn’t settled yet. Like Senior Brother said, we can observe first.” Li Sifeng stood and spoke anxiously.
Hearing that, Li Qingqiu summoned the Dao Lineage panel to find Pei Miao’s portrait.
The disciples’ portraits were arranged by time of entry, so he only needed to check the newest.
Soon, he found her.
【Name: Pei Miao】
【Gender: Female】
【Age: 17】
【Loyalty (to Sect Master / Sect): 83 / 72 (Full Value: 100)】
【Cultivation Aptitude: Good】
【Comprehension: Average】
【Fate Traits: Greatest Love, Deepest Hatred; Twin Dragon Empress】
【Greatest Love, Deepest Hatred: For the one she loves, she can give everything—even her life. If betrayed, that extreme love turns into extreme hate.】
【Twin Dragon Empress: Bears the fate of a nation’s mother—destined to give birth to two Heaven’s Mandated Emperors. Extraordinary fate.】
……
When Li Qingqiu saw Pei Miao’s loyalty, the tension in his heart eased.
High loyalty meant she was likely truthful.
As for why it was so high—it was obvious Li Sifeng had spoken much about him and the Clear Sky Sect during their journey back.
Her aptitude and comprehension were decent.
But when he read her fate traits, his brows furrowed.
Greatest Love, Deepest Hatred was acceptable—if Li Sifeng ever betrayed her, then being hated would be his own fault.
As long as he treated her well, that trait was even reassuring.
But Twin Dragon Empress…
Pei Miao would become an empress?
Then should this marriage proceed—or not?
If not, she would become another man’s wife.
What would happen to Li Sifeng then?
If yes… wouldn’t that mean…
Li Qingqiu’s mood grew heavy.
No matter the outcome, he didn’t wish to see either.
More than becoming an emperor, Li Qingqiu wanted Li Sifeng to pursue immortality alongside him.
If Li Sifeng became emperor, cultivation would surely be delayed.
He recalled Li Sifeng’s own fate—ambitious and unscrupulous.
With the Pei Clan’s aid, that ambition could grow boundless.
But if he forbade the marriage, the Pei Clan might turn to another, letting Pei Miao become someone else’s wife—if she then became empress, would her Greatest Love, Deepest Hatred make her their enemy, even the Clear Sky Sect’s?
At that moment, Li Qingqiu even felt a murderous urge—to eliminate Pei Miao.
But only for a fleeting instant.
He knew he couldn’t act rashly; he had to consider Li Sifeng’s feelings.
Moreover, a woman fated to bear two Heaven’s Mandated Emperors—could she be a peerless genius like Zhao Zhen?
Li Sifeng, arguing with Li Sijin and Jiang Zhaoxia, noticed Li Qingqiu’s frown.
His heart skipped a beat.
Panic rose—he stopped arguing at once.
To him, his Senior Brother was like a father.
If Li Qingqiu disapproved, the marriage could never happen.
Pei Miao had said earlier, if his Senior Brother disagreed, they could elope.
He had gotten angry right then—he would never betray his Senior Brother.
If his Senior Brother truly refused, he would abandon the marriage.
Now he stayed quiet because he didn’t want to anger him further.
He might not understand a woman’s heart or the world’s hearts—but one thing he knew for sure: Senior Brother would never harm him.
Jiang Zhaoxia and Li Sijin followed his gaze and, seeing Li Qingqiu’s dark expression, also fell silent and sat back down slowly.