At this moment, the man was still holding a wine goblet in his hand, brimming with fine liquor that let its fragrant aroma drift in all directions.
After exchanging a blow with Gongsun Liang, not a single drop of wine had spilled from the goblet.
He regarded Gongsun Liang with a smiling gaze and spoke. "Grand Elder, it has been a while."
A hint of solemnity flickered across Gongsun Liang's face as he looked at the man. "Li Maoming! So you really were in Purple Star City all along. It seems you're the one standing behind the Young Master, propping him up?"
Li Maoming laughed at these words. "Grand Elder exaggerates. As Purple Star's Second Venerable, I naturally cannot stand by when something so major has occurred. As for propping up the Young Master… well, that's not quite right. I'm merely fulfilling someone's request."
Gongsun Liang let out a cold snort. "The only person who could move you must be her, then. Li Maoming — after all these years, you still haven't let go? It truly baffles me."
A flash of melancholy crossed Li Maoming's eyes. He shook his head with a wry smile. "I don't understand it myself. Let's not dwell on that today. Why not come have a few cups of wine with me, Grand Elder? We can sit down and have a proper chat. We're all part of the same family — why resort to blades and fists, making things so awkward?"
As he spoke, he even raised his goblet toward Gongsun Liang in a gesture of invitation, as though he genuinely wanted to invite him for a drink.
The atmosphere, which had been on the verge of erupting, turned somewhat peaceful after Li Maoming's interference.
Several Purple Star elders frowned at Li Maoming hovering in the void, their expressions wary and confused. Although Purple Star had always had two Venerables, no one knew who those two actually were.
And now it was clear that Li Maoming was one of them.
"So it's him! I remember now." Someone suddenly looked enlightened and let out a low exclamation.
A person nearby immediately asked, "Brother Zhang, you know this Venerable?"
"I've only heard of him, never met him. This is the first time I've laid eyes on him." The warrior surnamed Zhang replied in a low voice.
"Brother Zhang, tell me — what's this Venerable Li's background? And why did the Grand Elder say something about him not having let go after all these years?"
Hearing this question, the warrior named Zhang perked up with enthusiasm and said in a hushed, animated voice, "This is a secret very few people know. Let me ask you — the Young Master's mother. Have you heard of her?"
"Of course! She was the greatest beauty of Purple Star in her day. Her name shook the world — how could I not have heard of her?"
"Then it's simple to explain. I hear that the woman Venerable Li was devoted to was none other than the Young Master's mother."
"What?" The warrior was startled. "But — the Young Master's mother was with the Lord, wasn't she?"
"That's right. Back then, Venerable Li was one of the Lord's sworn brothers who helped conquer the world together. But because of the Young Master's mother… well, you know how it is — matters of the heart are left to fate. When that great beauty of Purple Star chose the Lord, Venerable Li vanished without a trace. Even the Lord didn't know where he went. So if anyone in this world could move him, it would only be the Young Master's mother."
"So that's how it is. With this Venerable standing guard, wouldn't that mean the Grand Elder can no longer touch the Young Master?" The speaker was visibly excited, for he too was on Zi Wuji's side — the stronger Zi Wuji's forces, the safer he would be.
"Perhaps." The warrior Zhang might know some secrets, but he lacked real confidence.
"Li Maoming, if you withdraw now, I will make sure to share wine and conversation with you another day." Gongsun Liang fixed his gaze on Li Maoming and spoke in a deep voice. "What do you think of my offer?"
"I was entrusted with a task, and I must see it through. Not acceptable, not acceptable!" Li Maoming slowly shook his raise, raised his goblet, and drained it in one swallow. He tossed the goblet aside and said with wistful languor, "Wine without a kindred spirit — one cup is enough for intoxication."
Gongsun Liang frowned slightly, pondered for a long moment, then spoke. "What if I were to have you repay the debt you owe from years past?"
At these words, Zi Wuji, who had been looking supremely self-satisfied all this while, suddenly changed color. He stared at Li Maoming in alarm and exclaimed, "Venerable Li — you owe this old man a favor?"
Li Maoming blinked, thought认真 about it for a moment, then let out an incredulous laugh. "Ah — I actually do owe him a favor. If the Grand Elder hadn't mentioned it, I'd have forgotten."
Gongsun Liang's lips curled upward. "Brother Li may have forgotten, but I certainly haven't. That favor was no small thing — I paid quite a price back then."
Li Maoming straightened his expression and cupped his fists. "The Grand Elder's kindness from those years is firmly engraved in my heart."
"Then this should be simple. I want you to withdraw now, and from that day forth, you and I will be square."
Before Li Maoming could respond, Zi Wuji cut in urgently, "You cannot! Venerable Li — don't forget what you promised her!"
Li Maoming furrowed his brow and gave a nod. "Of course I remember. Rest easy — as long as I'm here, no one will lay a finger on you."
Zi Wuji was overjoyed. "Thank you, Senior Venerable!"
Gongsun Liang snarled in anger, "Brother Li — are you going back on your word?"
Li Maoming looked troubled. "Grand Elder, there is a principle of first come, first served. I promised to ensure the Young Master's safety first. You're putting me in a very difficult position here."
Gongsun Liang had been seething, but upon carefully weighing Li Maoming's words, a sharp gleam entered his eyes. "In that case — you are determined to guarantee the Young Master's safety?"