The Inverted Dragon's Scale Chapter 384 – Unsightly!

Chapter 384: Unsightly!
Li Muyang went blank for a long while, before he nodded heavily to Lu Qingming, saying: “Uncle Lu, it’s grandfather’s birthday. As a junior I should express my respect. There is no need to ask. You’re too polite. Otherwise, it would seem I don’t understand the rules of etiquette.”
He was thinking to himself: in this great world the number of people that want to give a present to the Grandfather of the Lu family Lu Xingkong are as many as the stars. However, most people are not allowed to even enter the Lu family’s door.
He was currently living in the Lu residence, and adding to this Uncle Lu had directly asked him, so he must give him a presentable gift.
But, what sort of present would be presentable to someone like Lu Xingkong?
Fortunately, he knew that the black dragon had a secret cave not far from Tiandu. Perhaps he could find a piece of treasure suitable for him.
Li Muyang was calculating in his mind, but he had plenty of confidence. A man without money is no man at all. For Li Muyang the invisible wealthy man, money was nothing.
Lu Qingming gave a wry smile. “Muyang, Uncle Lu is not trying to profit from you, nor am I after your belongings, it’s just that——”
Some words were hard to say, and some things were still a secret. Lu Qingming’s heart was throbbing with pain, he pointed to the courtyard full of snow. “Even if you just write a word, paint a picture, snap off a plum blossom and send it over——I think my father will be very happy.”
Li Muyang smiled. “Uncle Lu, you don’t have to explain. You and I have traveled together, met at bamboo sea, and traveled thousands of miles to come to Tiandu. How would I not know what kind of person you are, you should also know what sort of person I am——You see me as a nephew, and Grandfather Lu also treats me as a grandchild. The Li family is indebted to the Lu family, the two families are like one. My birthday congratulations to Grandpa Lu is from the bottom of my heart, I really should not explain too much, otherwise, it will seem inelegant and insincere.”
Lu Qingming also felt some difficulty to continue on this topic, and every time he mentioned this matter, he felt a stinging pain in his heart.
So, he nodded and said, “Good. Good. No more talking, no more talking. As you have said, it is inelegant to talk about those things. Come on, let’s have a drink.”
“I propose a toast to Uncle Lu.” Li Muyang raised his cup, smiling, “No matter what, I will advance and retreat with the Lu family.”
Whether it was because of morality or personal feelings, Li Muyang was willing to help the Lu family, if the Lu family really could not withstand or were in danger.
But his parents and family had to be sent away early.
They were ordinary people and could do nothing to help the battle. Their presence in Tiandu would only distract Li Muyang.
However, send them to where?
Lu Qingming did not raise his cup to toast with Li Muyang, instead looked at Li Muyang with a serious look on his face. “There is another matter I want to talk to you about.”
“Uncle Lu please say it.”
“When my father’s birthday is over, you must leave immediately.” Lu Qingming said solemnly. “You should return to Starry Sky Academy to continue your study, as you said, the rapid ascension of strength is the most important thing. Only when one’s strength is strong enough can one truly protect your family from harm. As for your parents and Shinian will be sent to Wind City. The Wind City Lord is Lu family’s direct descendant Lu Wuyong. And hundred miles from Wind city is the Jade gate, and the General stationed at Jade gate is General Zhang Fengshan who is also a General that the Lu family had promoted to a high military officer, he can be trusted——If anything happens to Wind city, Zhang Fengshan can immediately send troops to the rescue.”
“Uncle Lu, how can I escape by myself when the Lu family is in danger?” “
“As long as you’re fine.” Lu Qingming smiled. “The Lu family owes you too much, this time we really can not drag you into the mire.”
“No.” Li Muyang refused. “I agree to send my parents and my sister to Wind city, but I will never leave. As long as the Lu family is still in danger, and Uncle Lu and Aunt Yu are not safe, I will not escape by myself.”
“Muyang——”
“I have decided, Uncle Lu no need to persuade me anymore. One must conduct oneself and the one they act with a clear conscience. If I leave now my conscience will feel uneasy. Even when I return to Starry Sky Academy, I most likely would not have the mind to cultivate. If anything happens to the Lu family, then I would regret it for a lifetime——”
“Muyang——”
“Uncle Lu, listen to me this time.” Li Muyang said stubbornly. “Because of my selfishness, I really want to send my parents and sister to safety first. However, because of conscience, I also really hope to be in the same boat with the Lu family and cross the danger together.”
Lu Qingming looked at the nearby Li Muyang, looking at his son, and did not say a word for a long while.
After accompanying Lu Qingming to drink two cups of wine, and talked for a while, Li Muyang bid good bye and left.
She waited until Li Muyang went far. Draped in a snow fox fur coat, Gongsun Yu appeared behind Lu Qingming.
She and her husband stood alongside each other, looking at the clear footprints in the yard that lined the back of the garden, as though a Li Muyang would jump out from every foot print.
“Husband is fulfilling his filial piety, as your wife I understand. But don’t you worry that your father will be disturbed by the gift of Muyang?” Gongsun Yu said grudgingly. “If it weren’t for him, my child Muyang——how would my child Muyang suffer so much pain? How would he be blamed for so many crimes? How would——how would us parents not be able to reunite with him?”
Lu Qingming’s face revealed a painful expression, as he said in an ashamed tone of voice: “Xiao Yu, I understand your feelings, I also know you hate my father. My Lu family owes you, there’s nothing I can explain. But——it is my father’s 60th birthday, I want to make him happy. Also the Lu family is going through a difficult time, life or death and rise or fall are unknown——I do not want him to have any regret. I also don’t want to leave with any regret.”
Gongsun Yu gently sighed, and after a long while, said aloud: “If he knew it would be like this, then he should not have acted that way?”
“This is the will of the heavens.” Lu Qingming firmly grasped his wife’s hand, saying in a low voice——
Bang bang bang——
There came several loud knocks at the door. No, it should be said several kicks to the door.
Someone who could do something like this, there was only Li Muyang’s little sister Li Shinian.
As expected, before Li Muyang could say ‘please come in’, Li Shinian had kicked the door open.
When she saw the helpless expression in Li Muyang’s eyes, she immediately went back out again and closed the room door, standing in the doorway and softly asked: “Big brother, can I come in?”
“Come in,” Li Muyang sighed. When will this girl be able to learn to knock on the door first before entering someone else’s room?
Li Shinian once again pushed the door in and grinned “Big brother, you’re awake?”
“I got up earlier.” Li Muyang set aside the brush in his hand before he continued, “but it’s strange that you woke up so early. Come on, what’s the matter with you getting up so early?”
“I did it for you.” Li Shinian said, grinning. “Brother, do you remember what I said to you last night?”
“I don’t remember.” Li Muyang shook his head.
“I told Sister Xiaoxin last night that I will tell you to bring the ‘Winter plum blossoms bloom proudly in snow’ painting to her early in the morning——Last night when we were parting Sister Xiaoxin also specifically mentioned this matter. Hurry wash up and bring the ‘Winter plum blossoms bloom proudly in snow’ painting to her.”
“Haven’t you gave her that painting already?”
“I did but there was not a single thing on the painting, it was nothing but a blank sheet of paper. Do you think I could tell Sister Xiaoxin that the painting you are holding is the ‘Winter plum blossoms bloom proudly in snow’? In that case, is that not telling others that Li Mu is Li Muyang and Li Muyang is Li Mu.”
“You have taken the painting, I have to re-draw another one.” Li Muyang explained.
“That is of course. Hurry draw now. Once you finish immediately bring it over, do not make Sister Xiaoxin wait long.”
Worried that Li Muyang would delay, she headed straight over to Li Muyang’s desk. “I will set up the paper for you and will grind ink for you, you can start now.”
“Don’t worry, I will draw——” As Li Muyang was speaking, he hurriedly used his body to block Li Shinian.
“Huh?” Li Shinian narrowed her eyes. “Li Muyang, what are you doing? What are you hiding? Oh, heavens, you’re not looking at those erotic books again, are you? You still haven’t gotten rid of those bad old habits before.”
“What bad habits did I have before——wasn’t it you who wanted to read those books?”
“Yuck yuck——I am as clear as ice and clean as jade, I would never touch those books.” Li Shinian lightly bit her thin lips, as she stared at Li Muyang. “Are you going to take it out, or do you want me to snatch it off you?”
“I really don’t have those books.”
“Its not those books? Don’t tell me you brought back something more unsightly from Starry Sky Academy?” Li Shinian curiously stretched out her little hand. “Quickly let me see.”
“——”
While Li Muyang was stunned for words, Li Shinian suddenly rushed up behind Li Muyang, and quickly lifted up a paper full of writing that Li Muyang was covering up. A fragrant ‘Winter plum blossoms bloom proudly in snow’ painting was right in sight. And, it was the painting that Li Shinian wanted to give to Cui Xiaoxin last night.
Li Shinian grinned. “I was worried that someone would feel unconfident to go. So it was all prepared——Were you that impatient? No wonder you hurried back home last night?”
Li Muyang’s face suddenly went red in a ‘swoosh’, trying to explain, “I was worried that I would forget how to draw the painting, so——I practiced several times.”