Chapter 22: Li Huihui’s Heart-Knot

"The courtyard was filled with notes. Every single one was a curse against our family, filled with calls for us to 'die.' They even warned us that if we continued to appeal, not only would your sister’s leg remain broken, but her very life would be forfeit."

As Li Chengyang spoke, a tear slid down his cheek. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. When he opened them again, his gaze was clouded with complexity, and his entire demeanor seemed to have aged several years.

"Xiao Mu, it’s all because your father is useless. If I weren't so powerless, I would have been able to seek justice for this."

"But we are just an ordinary family. Your father cannot protect you, nor can I protect your sister. I had no choice but to sign that settlement agreement."

With a sigh, Li Chengyang clenched his fists, his face filled with bitter resignation.

Hearing this, Li Mu could no longer contain the fury in his eyes. At that moment, his gaze was so intense it felt as if he could devour those responsible.

He was the leader of the Hell Legion. As the name implied, wherever they went, it was hell on earth; not even a blade of grass would survive!

He was also the sole successor of his sect. Whether in terms of influence or sheer power, no one in Banyang City could compare to him!

He swore that he would drag those vermin out and make them pay for their blood debt.

Seeing the strange look in Li Mu’s eyes, Li Chengyang immediately urged, "Child, you promised your father. This matter is over. Do not bring it up again. Those people behind the scenes are beyond our reach. We are destined to be unable to offend them."

"Even if we sacrificed our lives, we wouldn't be able to stir up a ripple."

Li Mu took a deep breath and nodded. "Don't worry, Dad. Do you think I'm the type to do something so foolish?"

Seeing Li Mu’s response, Li Chengyang smiled with relief. "That’s good. Why don't you go to your sister’s room? She has a heavy heart, but she is worried about you as well. Go talk to her; perhaps you can help her resolve her internal conflict."

Li Mu nodded again, stood up, and went to Li Huihui’s room, knocking on the door.

"Huihui, may I come in?"

Li Huihui remained silent. She did not want to interact with her brother.

"Huihui? Are you asleep? Give me a sign, or I’m coming in."

"Get lost!" Li Huihui snapped. "You aren't my brother. I don't want to see you!"

Hearing this, Li Mu sighed. "I understand how you feel, Huihui. I know you hate me—hate me for disappearing for so long without a word."

"But your brother was helpless, too. I cannot tell you the reason why I left. All I can say is that I was taken away, and for all these years, I wasn't able to return. Can you forgive me if I say that?"

Li Huihui did not respond to his words; instead, she hid under her covers, sobbing softly.

She truly missed her brother—missed how things used to be. She wanted to be in his arms and pour out all the grievances of the past few years.

But she couldn't do it now; she couldn't overcome the knot in her heart.

She hated her brother—deeply! She was even suspicious of him!

While it wasn't quite a life-or-death feud, the rift was severe. If not for his unexplained departure, their family wouldn't have ended up in this state.

Her suspicion stemmed from the family heirloom. The heirloom had only appeared recently, and her uncle had even tried to seize it.

Now, her own brother had appeared out of thin air. She couldn't help but wonder if Li Mu had returned for the sake of that heirloom.

When Li Mu heard no sound from inside, he sighed. "Huihui, rest assured, I will find a way to heal your leg."

With that, he turned and left.

Upon hearing that her leg could be healed, Li Huihui’s anger briefly flickered into joy. But then, she thought of something else.

Her leg had been injured for so many years; she had seen countless doctors, and none could cure it. Could a brother who had just returned really heal it?

How could that be possible?

Li Huihui wiped the tears from her face and offered a cold, mocking laugh.

Unlike her, Yang Suying and Li Chengyang were filled with joy and shock upon hearing that their son could heal his sister.

"Xiao Mu, is what you said true? Huihui’s leg can be treated?"

Li Mu nodded. "Don't worry. I have a way to heal Huihui’s leg."

"By the way, Mom and Dad, I need to go out for a while."

Li Mu walked out of the courtyard and made a phone call. The person on the other end answered immediately. "Sect Master, what are your orders?"

"I need to see you now."

"I will come over immediately, subordinate."

"No need. Send me your location; I will come to you."

Chen Ming replied instantly, "Yes, I am here, awaiting your arrival."

Li Mu hung up and headed toward the outskirts of the village.

Meanwhile, Chen Ming looked toward his door. "Come in."

Soon, a woman stood before Chen Ming—Qiao Ruowei, the very woman Chen Ming had been targeting.

Qiao Ruowei had come to plead for something today, and she was exceptionally respectful toward the man before her. Even though the Qiao family held a significant status, they were nothing in Chen Ming’s eyes.

Qiao Ruowei swallowed hard, not daring to even breathe deeply.

Chen Ming observed her state and said calmly, "I wonder what brings you here, Miss Qiao?"

Under Chen Ming’s gaze, Qiao Ruowei broke into a cold sweat, her face turning pale.

Though she had been outside, she had overheard fragments of the conversation within.

She had gathered that a very important figure had come to see Chen Ming, and Chen Ming had addressed the person as "Sect Master!"

Clearly, this Sect Master possessed immense power, enough to make even Chen Ming show such extreme deference.

Furthermore, the fact that Chen Ming was merely a subordinate of that person! If this were to spread, it would cause a sensation in Banyang City!

Chen Ming was no mere manager of the Banyang City Chamber of Commerce; he was a leader in most of the major industries. He belonged to the very peak of the pyramid, while they were only a mid-tier family.

The combined industries of the Qiao family couldn't even compare to Chen Ming’s.

And yet, such a titan addressed the person on the other side as "Sect Master" with such humility, clearly eager to serve any request the man might have.

The more Qiao Ruowei thought about it, the more she perspired.

Seeing her anxiety, Chen Ming showed no mercy.

"Miss Qiao, my patience is limited. If you cannot state your purpose within five minutes, I will have you thrown out immediately."