Naked Sword Art

Chapter 508: Father-in-Law

Xiao Fang followed the two elders through the towering doors of the Patriarch’s Hall.

Inside, the space opened into a vast chamber supported by jade pillars etched with ancient reliefs—battles, treaties, and generations of Li clan history carved into stone. Lanternlight reflected off polished floors, casting a calm glow over the assembled figures within.

At the far end sat the Patriarch of the Li Family Clan, his posture upright and composed. On either side of him stood several men in martial robes—generals and commanders, their auras restrained but unmistakably seasoned by years of diligent training.

The man who had escorted Xiao Fang stepped forward.

"Patriarch, this is the guest who requested an audience."

The Patriarch’s gaze settled on Xiao Fang the instant he entered. It was steady, weighing—not sharp, but deep.

"So, it’s our honoured guest," the Patriarch said kindly, but his gaze was steady and probing as he was still unable to see through his cultivation. "I trust your stay thus far has been agreeable. You may step forward."

Xiao Fang did so without hesitation, stopping a respectful distance from the dais.

"Young, yet unafraid," the Patriarch continued. "You have already made quite an impression tonight."

At his gesture, the generals inclined their heads—some with polite curiosity, others with thinly veiled skepticism.

Before anyone could speak, the woman elder leaned closer to the Patriarch and whispered into his ear, her voice low.

"Patriarch... I suspect he may be a Heavenly Realm cultivator."

The Patriarch’s fingers paused against the armrest.

In this entire clan, Divine Realm cultivators could be counted on one hand. As for Heavenly Realm experts—there hadn’t been one born into the Li Family Clan for over five centuries.

If what he was told was true... that meant that Xiao Fang certainly wasn’t someone he could afford to offend.

’If only we could gain his support...’ the Patriarch thought.

Yet even as the temptation surfaced, he suppressed it at once. There were lines he would not cross. No matter how valuable an ally Xiao Fang might prove to be, he would never trade his daughter like a bargaining chip.

No lunch was free, so the Patriarch wanted to take his time.

The Patriarch let the silence stretch for a breath longer than necessary, allowing the weight of the hall to settle.

"Patriarch, may I speak?" Xiao Fang asked.

"Of course," he replied. "Since you have come before us openly, speak your purpose. What brings you to the Patriarch’s Hall at this hour?"

Xiao Fang clasped his hands lightly. "I was informed that the Li Family Clan may soon be drawn into conflict with the Song Family Clan," he said evenly. "I also learned that the Gao Family has yet to confirm whether they will stand alongside you."

A faint stir rippled through the hall.

One of the generals scoffed. A broad-shouldered man with a scar running across his jaw stepped forward.

"And what concern is that of yours, boy?" he said sharply. "War is not something you read about in manuals. What could someone your age possibly know about it?"

Another general laughed coldly. "That’s right. If you’ve got nothing better to do, return to your mother’s tits and let grown men handle grown matters."

A few others nodded in agreement.

Yet not all voices joined in. Two of the commanders remained silent, eyes narrowed, watching Xiao Fang closely. Anyone allowed to walk into this hall—after what had just happened outside—was not someone to dismiss lightly.

Xiao Fang neither flinched nor bristled.

"I didn’t come to lecture anyone on war," he said. "I came to ask whether I could be of help."

The murmurs grew louder this time.

But at that moment, the Patriarch had heard what he wanted to hear.

Raising his hand, the hall quieted instantly. It was at that moment that they realized that the Patriarch was indeed interested in Xiao Fang’s proposal, so the atmosphere in the hall shifted, as many of the generals felt as if they had offended the wrong person.

Finally, the Patriarch spoke,

"You are not of the Li Family Clan. You owe us no loyalty. So tell me—why do you wish to involve yourself in our battles?"

Xiao Fang exhaled softly, then lifted his head.

"The truth is simple," he said. "There is someone in this clan I intend to marry."

The hall froze.

The Patriarch’s eyes narrowed—not in anger, but in focus. If Xiao Fang really came here to ask for Li Xiang’s hand in marriage, even if he really was a Heavenly realm cultivator, he wouldn’t hesitate to tell Xiao Fang to leave immediately.

Still, the Patriarch remained calm as he asked,

"Oh? And who is the lucky woman you wish to marry?"

Xiao Fang didn’t hesitate.

"Li Lian."

The moment the name left his mouth, the hall erupted with opposition.

"What?"

"Li Lian?!"

"Do you even know who she is?!"

Even the Patriarch felt as if he was put into an awkward position. Although Li Lian wasn’t one of his daughters, she was the daughter of one of his generals, he couldn’t just sell her off without his permission.

Turning his head to Li Lian’s father, he seemed to be observing Xiao Fang quietly before looking to the Patriarch. Seeing as the Patriarch was looking right back at him, he understood what that meant.

Finally, he stood up.

Seeing Li Lian’s father approach Xiao Fang, the other elders quieted down.

"Young man, Li Lian is my daughter’s name, but she’s currently attending the Black Paradise sect. Could she be the one you’re referring to?"

Xiao Fang recognized him immediately. He was the same man that had visited Li Lian while she was still in the Outer Court.

Expanding his senses, Xiao Fang could sense the agitation from the young man that was standing behind Li Lian’s father. Xiao Fang had never met him before, but he could guess that it was likely Li Lian’s half-brother.

From his memory, Li Lian had once told him that her mom was her father’s concubine, and that he had two other wives.

Making a respectful gesture towards Li Lian’s dad, Xiao Fang replied,

"Father-in-law, with your permission—"

"Enough," he suddenly cut Xiao Fang off. "If you really have some ability to help us, then I’ll deliver her to you myself."