Sword Aura to the Heavens
Chapter 83 - 82 Mother and Daughter

Chapter 83: Chapter 82 Mother and Daughter

The wind and rain persisted. Li Fan led the horse step by step, with more and more onlookers gathering, yet no one dared to move.

Just the name of Li Mountain was enough to intimidate the Cui Family.

If a Li Mountain disciple had arrived in Chuzhou, could there be a Great Sword Cultivator from Li Mountain present?

No one knew.

Guided by his perception, Li Fan walked step by step toward an area exuding a powerful and intense pressure. He arrived before a grand hall, and strong individuals started stepping out onto the stairs in front.

At the forefront was a dignified old man, accompanied by a middle-aged man. The two walked forward slowly, standing on the stairs, their eyes fixed on Li Fan.

"Why does a Li Mountain disciple come to my Cui Family?" the old man asked, looking at Li Fan. His name was Cui Mu, the head of the Cui Family, though he seldom appeared in public and rarely handled affairs now.

Matters concerning the Cui Family were generally managed by his eldest son, the middle-aged man beside him, Cui Qianqiu.

But today, a Li Mountain disciple had arrived, involving Li Mountain, so he had to come out.

"My friend Li Hongyi, the daughter of Li Daoqing, came to the Cui Family seeking her mother but was humiliated by your Cui Family, accused of trying to attach herself to the Cui Family’s name, and was injured. This is what your esteemed family has done. I have accompanied her, asking for only one thing: to let her see her mother."

Li Fan responded as he looked at the elderly figure on the stairs. If Li Hongyi had not been humiliated, and the Cui Family had let her meet her mother, would they need to come to the Cui Family in such a manner?

"Is there such a thing?" Cui Mu’s gaze fell on the middle-aged man beside him, asking because he did not manage external matters. He was focused on cultivation, and family affairs were handled by Cui Qianqiu. Cui Mu was not pretending ignorance; he genuinely did not know the origin of the matter.

"Father..." Cui Qianqiu whispered something in the old man’s ear, causing his eyes to show a strange expression, narrowing as his gaze fell on Li Hongyi.

She was his descendant.

It was the continuation of something from back then.

Li Hongyi’s mother was also a direct daughter of the Cui Family. This matter had caused quite a stir in the Cui Family back then, with Li Hongyi almost not surviving.

Moreover, it could be said that it was caused by him.

The Cui Family thought it was long over, but Li Hongyi unexpectedly came after twenty years.

His brows furrowed as he glanced at Li Fan, and Cui Qianqiu beside him also looked cold, with eyes showing a hint of hostility.

Li Hongyi had a Li Mountain Sword Cultivator accompanying her to the Cui Family, leading the horse to find her mother.

Since Li Fan was willing to accompany her and even lead her horse, their relationship wasn’t ordinary; otherwise, he wouldn’t use Li Mountain to pressure the Cui Family.

"Our Cui Family has resided in Chuzhou City for generations, never offending Li Mountain. In this matter of Li Mountain, the Cui Family wasn’t involved. You, as a Li Mountain disciple, barged into our Cui Family, questioned our family affairs, and injured a direct member; isn’t it excessive?" Cui Mu stared at Li Fan and asked.

"Will the Cui Family let her meet or not?" Li Fan, seeing the other’s expression, felt something was amiss.

He only asked to see a person, why was it so difficult for the Cui Family?

If there were no issues, after he announced his name, the Cui Family should have easily let him see her. Why was it like this?

Could it be that something really happened to Li Hongyi’s mother?

Li Hongyi also looked at the person opposite with some worry for her mother.

Cui Mu and Cui Qianqiu, along with others, stared at Li Fan, with the Cui Family’s gaze falling on him—a young man, forcing the Cui Family.

Yet, they truly dared not harm this young man.

No one in Da Li wanted to test the sword of Li Mountain.

Cui Mu stared at Li Fan, weighing his options.

"Take her there," Cui Mu said coldly, compromising.

If Li Fan didn’t see the person, he feared he wouldn’t let it go, but once he saw the person, he wouldn’t have a reason to interfere with their family’s affairs, would he?

Beside them, an old servant stepped out, speaking to Li Fan: "Follow me."

Li Fan glanced at those on the stairs. It seemed Li Hongyi’s mother was likely safe. However, given how they obstructed, they must have done something guilty, hence not daring to let them meet.

He turned around, leading the horse and following the old servant, leaving that area and entering the Cui Family’s residential zone through a side path.

"Miss Li, be mentally prepared; your mother’s condition may not be good." Li Fan turned back, speaking to Li Hongyi on the horse.

The guide was just an old servant.

Moreover, they had walked a considerable distance. Li Hongyi’s mother must have been placed in a very remote area.

If Li Hongyi’s mother were doing well, she would have known about Li Hongyi and wouldn’t have not come to find her.

"Okay." Li Hongyi nodded lightly, seeming somewhat distracted, with a hint of anxiety in her eyes.

Though she had never met her mother, she still yearned and missed. She knew it wasn’t her mother’s intention to abandon her but was forced. Her father had reminded her before he died to come to Chuzhou and find her mother.

The two followed the old servant to a very remote courtyard. Though the place was not small, no one managed it. Weeds grew around the courtyard, and cobwebs hung from the eaves, like a deserted courtyard.

This made Li Hongyi’s heart sink continuously. The old servant spoke: "It’s here."

With that, he turned and quickly left, as if fearing Li Hongyi might trouble him, slipping away swiftly.

The courtyard was very quiet, without the slightest sound. Not even a maid was seen. In a family like the Cui Family, if things were normal, there should be someone attending to the place where the young lady of the Cui Family lived.

The two continued forward. The courtyard wasn’t small, with rockeries and ponds. After passing through a long corridor, they looked ahead, by a pond, there was a pavilion where a woman sat quietly.

She seemed somewhat dull in her perceptions, not sensing anyone approaching and still sitting there in a daze.

Li Fan stopped his steps, giving Li Hongyi a glance. Li Hongyi walked forward step by step toward the pavilion.

"Since I am a prisoner, why do you come to disturb me?" the woman said softly. Her clothes were thin, without accessories, and she hadn’t groomed herself, simply dressed.

Li Hongyi stood quietly behind her, her eyes red, with tears falling, sobbing softly.

Was her mother imprisoned here?

The woman seemed somewhat puzzled and turned around. She looked a bit haggard, very thin, with some wrinkles, yet one could still see the beautiful face, suggesting she was exceedingly beautiful in her youth.

Seeing Li Hongyi, she was first puzzled. After a closer look, her heart seemed to skip a beat, her expression changed instantly, causing her body to tremble slightly, slowly standing up, her eyes immediately reddened, the mother and daughter so close seemed to sense their relationship.

The woman reached out with trembling hands, resting on Li Hongyi, carefully examining her features.

Li Hongyi’s tears continued to fall as she choked and called out, "Mother."

This call caused the woman to burst into tears instantly, hand trembling as she wiped Li Hongyi’s face, her voice trembling as she said, "Hongyi?"

Li Hongyi nodded vigorously, again calling out, "Mother, I’m sorry, I came late."

Saying this, she knelt on the ground. The woman moved forward, also kneeling, embracing Li Hongyi, bursting into tears and saying, "It’s my fault. I don’t deserve to be your mother."

The daughter grew up without seeing her, without caring for her, and even had to find her, leaving her feeling ashamed.

Li Fan stood quietly at a distance, watching the scene with a warm heart.

Is this family?

As an orphan, he only felt it from his senior brothers and sisters.

After the two cried together, Cui Yushang looked into Li Hongyi’s eyes, studying her face, and asked, "Hongyi, where is your father?"

"Father..." Li Hongyi lowered her head sadly, tears falling again. She met her mother, but her father was no longer there.

Seeing Li Hongyi’s demeanor, Cui Yushang seemed to understand, sitting on the ground as tears streamed down. But her gaze held a trace of light, coldly looking at Li Hongyi and asking, "Who? The Cui Family?"

Li Hongyi shook her head: "Father left because of slaying demons."

"Slaying demons..." Cui Yushang’s eyes dimmed. Was he still the same as when he was young?

"How did the Cui Family let you in? Did they harm you?" Cui Yushang asked again. It was not just letting Li Hongyi in; even if she wanted to leave, it wasn’t allowed. She had been held here by the Cui Family for a long time.

Her past caused quite a stir in the Cui Family. The Cui people wished her entire family dead.

She knew full well the Cui Family’s attitude towards her. How could they possibly allow Li Hongyi into the family?

"The Cui Family indeed wouldn’t let me in." Li Hongyi turned her head, looking at Li Fan down the long corridor, and Cui Yushang’s gaze followed, discovering another person there.

"Aunt Cui." When Li Fan noticed her looking, he nodded in greeting.

Cui Yushang also looked at Li Fan, observing his graceful demeanor. Such a handsome youth, she thought. Did he accompany Hongyi here?

But how did the Cui Family let them in?

"His name is Li Fan. He brought me to the Cui Family. They wouldn’t let us in, so he forced his way in, and the Cui Family didn’t dare stop him." Li Hongyi explained.

"Forced his way in?" Just as Cui Yushang wondered, Li Hongyi elaborated, "He’s from Li Mountain."

"Li Mountain." Cui Yushang suddenly realized: a Li Mountain disciple. No wonder the Cui Family didn’t dare stop them.

Cui Yushang’s experienced gaze softened. Standing, she respectfully saluted towards Li Fan.

"Aunt Cui..." Li Fan called softly.

"Thank you." Cui Yushang said sincerely. She knew the Cui Family’s stance. Without Li Fan’s intervention, she might never have met her daughter.

"No need to be polite, Aunt Cui. You two have much to talk about. I’ll wait outside." Knowing the mother and daughter had much to say, Li Fan thought his presence might be an intrusion, so he turned to leave.

Watching Li Fan’s departing figure, Cui Yushang turned to Li Hongyi, asking softly, "Who is Xiao Fan?"

"A friend." Li Hongyi replied, "We met in Lin’an County."

"Just a friend?" Cui Yushang looked into Li Hongyi’s eyes. Li Hongyi averted her gaze. "Do you like Xiao Fan?"

Li Hongyi hesitated, looking at her mother, then nodded lightly saying, "But I don’t expect anything."

Hearing this, Cui Yushang seemed to understand, her eyes dimming slightly.

That was a Li Mountain disciple. Moreover, he escorted Li Hongyi into the Cui Family alone—surely not because of a few words. This young man must be extraordinary even within Li Mountain; otherwise, how could he have the courage and capability to enter the Cui Family without hindrance?

"I’m sorry to you," Cui Yushang sighed internally, feeling ashamed. She couldn’t protect her daughter, had to rely on her daughter to find her, and couldn’t provide her daughter with a status to match her beloved.

To think of it was heart-wrenching.

She wasn’t fit to be a daughter, having wronged her parents.

She wasn’t fit to be a mother, absent from her daughter’s upbringing.

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