Published: September 5, 2025
Chapter 653: Last Words and Gifts
Han Li gently unfurled the scroll in his hand, revealing a painting several feet long.
A young man in an azure robe stood vividly portrayed, smiling gently—it was Han Li himself.
Staring at the scroll for a long moment, Han Li sighed softly and rolled it back up.
After a brief pause, he fixed his gaze on the woman and slowly asked,
“May I ask why my grandmother left behind a true portrait of me? Could there be some deeper meaning to it?”
The woman hesitated at his words, then after some thought, carefully replied,
“Senior Han, before I answer, may I ask if you still remember the promise you once made to Miss Xin?”
“Of course I remember. You know about that too?” Han Li’s face flickered with surprise, a bit taken aback.
“The reason my family lives here is largely thanks to my lady’s insistence, and it’s somewhat related to you. However, until you fulfill your promise to Miss Xin, forgive me for not being able to speak plainly,” the woman said cautiously, stealing a glance at Han Li, her heart uneasy and hesitant.
With a “thud,” a square wooden box was quietly pulled from Han Li’s storage pouch and tossed onto the table.
“This…” The woman was startled, unsure of Han Li’s intent.
“Do not be alarmed, fellow cultivator! Inside is the severed head of the patriarch of the Fu Family. I have killed the entire legitimate line of the Fu Family. The remaining distant disciples pose no threat to the Fu Family’s standing in Yuanwu Country. I wonder if this counts as fulfilling the promise I made,” Han Li said calmly.
“What? The Fu Family patriarch was wiped out by you?” The woman’s face was full of shock.
She looked at the wooden box, bit her lip, and then opened the lid.
A strong stench of blood hit her face.
“It really is the Fu Family patriarch. Years ago, I secretly glimpsed this villain from afar,” the woman said, her complexion pale but still able to recognize the face, mixed with surprise and joy.
“Since I acted only a few days ago, the news should have spread already. Madam only needs to ask familiar people or inquire in the market district to confirm it’s true,” Han Li said with a slight smile.
“So you brought the head here because…” The woman suddenly understood.
“That’s right. I came specifically to pay respects at the old place to Miss Xin and Disciple Qi. After all, Han Li has few friends in life, and having avenged them, I want to show my sincerity,” Han Li’s voice deepened, his expression sincere.
“Miss Xin and Young Master Qi would surely be comforted in the afterlife by this. Senior, please wait a moment. I’ll be right back,” the woman said, her expression darkening briefly but then suddenly remembering something as she hurried away.
Han Li nodded slightly, curious, as the woman left the room in haste.
This time, she went behind a pavilion to a big tree, dug briefly, and took out a pale green jade box. Then she carefully carried it back inside and placed it on Han Li’s table.
“What is this?” Han Li squinted, preparing to hear an explanation.
“Senior Han, before Miss Qi passed away, she left a last wish to hand over the contents of this box to you, but only after you fulfilled your promise to destroy the Fu Family. The family matriarch was Miss Qi’s personal maid, so naturally she was entrusted with this matter. That’s why grandmother stayed here all these years and never moved elsewhere. If anyone could meet you again, it would only be here. Decades have passed with no return, so grandmother passed on this matter to me and even left your portrait in case you came back. Now that you have come and fulfilled your promise, I must follow Miss Qi’s last wish and give this to you. I can finally settle this weight in my heart,” the woman said calmly, a hint of relief on her face.
It seemed this matter had weighed heavily on her all along.
Han Li was somewhat moved. He glanced at the jade box and then sent his spiritual awareness inside. A trace of surprise crossed his face, but without hesitation, he grabbed the jade box and calmly opened the lid.