Over the years, only a handful of descendants from the Heavenly Mark Family had been able to enter the Genius Class at the Saint Spirit Academy.
While not being in the Genius Class didn't mean a lack of potential, those who made it there were often gifted individuals who ultimately achieved remarkable success.
Nie Hai, as the family head, had always been fair and just, never favoring any particular branch, which earned him great respect.
“Nie Li, tell me, what exactly happened with the Divine Sacred Family?” Nie Hai asked Nie Li, believing that Nie Li, among the younger generation, wasn’t someone who stirred up trouble without reason.
Moreover, with Nie Li’s recent admission into the Genius Class, he had earned the family's attention and support.
“Reportedly, I did offend the Divine Sacred Family, causing some trouble for the Heavenly Mark Family. However, I have already resolved the issue,” Nie Li replied calmly.
He respected Nie Hai but didn’t feel intimidated by his authority.
After his rebirth, he had grown far beyond feelings of fear.
Nie Li’s state of mind had transcended that of everyone present.
Nie Hai glanced at Nie Li, surprised.
He felt that today’s Nie Li seemed somewhat different.
Even facing him, there was no sign of fear, only a certain demeanor and grace.
“Ha ha, what a joke! Our Heavenly Mark Family was only able to shake off the pressure from the Divine Sacred Family with the help of the Alchemists' Guild. The guild wants us to help them cultivate various herbs, which is why they assisted our family. What does that have to do with you? How can someone of your age dare to say you've helped us solve the trouble?” interjected Nie Xiaori, following Nie Wei’s instructions.
Hearing Nie Xiaori's words, Nie Li cast a nonchalant glance at both him and Nie Wei before retorting, “How ridiculous! The Alchemists' Guild holds a status in Glory City comparable to that of the Three Peaks Families. Why would they help a weaker family like ours? Just because we can cultivate herbs? Many families can grow herbs! Besides, why would they offer our family a purchase price for herbs that is thirty percent higher than others?”
Nie Hai and the others paused, finding this a puzzling issue as they also wondered about the Alchemists' Guild's actions.
Their assistance seemed more like favoring the Heavenly Mark Family.
Still, they questioned why a powerful entity like the Alchemists' Guild would show such goodwill, which didn’t make sense.
As they observed the calm Nie Li, questions filled the minds of Nie Hai, Nie Wei, Nie En, and other high-ranking members of the Heavenly Mark Family.
Could this matter truly be related to Nie Li?
Beside him, Nie Li’s father, Nie Ming, saw his son confront the enforcement elder and began to panic.
He had little cultivation, and in the Heavenly Mark Family, he was merely a branch member, akin to a farmer.
He had never been in such a situation and anxiously knelt before Nie Hai. “Family Head, Nie Li is still young and doesn’t understand. I’m willing to take his punishment. Please show mercy!”
“Father, get up quickly!” Nie Li frowned upon seeing Nie Ming kneel and rushed to pull him up.
Nie Ming was an honest man. “You don’t need to kneel to anyone!”
“Little Li, you’ve made a grave mistake! You should admit your fault!” His father scolded, believing that an admission might gain some mercy.
He thought that Nie Li’s defiance would only complicate matters further.
Seeing his father kneel for him made Nie Li's nose feel a bit sour.
Whether in this life or the last, his father had sacrificed too much for him.
In his previous life, he had caused his father great suffering, and this time he would ensure his father faced no grievances.
Clenching his fists, he glared at Nie Wei, Nie Xiaori, and Nie Xiaofeng.
Nie Hai looked at Nie Li, a vague feeling stirring in him.
It seemed that the Alchemists' Guild’s shielding of the Heavenly Mark Family had some connection to Nie Li.
He turned to Nie Ming, saying, “Get up quickly, Nie Ming. Until this matter is clarified, we won’t hold Nie Li accountable. While Nie Li did indeed offend the Divine Sacred Family, our Heavenly Mark Family hasn’t suffered any loss. No one will unjustly punish Nie Li!”
Upon hearing this, Nie Ming looked lost, standing up hesitantly.
The family head wasn’t pursuing the matter? He was still confused about the situation.
“Family Head, if we don’t deal with Nie Li, how can we assure others? Even if there was no real loss to the Heavenly Mark Family, it is a fact that Nie Li offended the Divine Sacred Family. They might seek trouble from us in the future!” said the elder, Nie Wei, frowning.
“May I ask, Elder of Enforcement, whose side are you on—the Heavenly Mark Family’s or the Divine Sacred Family’s?” Nie Li coldly retorted.
“How dare you! What qualifications do you have to speak to me like this? There can be no rules without order; I’m only executing the law!” Wei huffed angrily.
“Elder, I don’t believe things are as simple as they seem. Little Li isn’t a troublemaker. What if this matter was caused by someone from the Divine Sacred Family? It doesn’t mean it was Little Li’s fault. Since the matter has passed, let's not dwell on it!” Elder Nie En spoke in support of Nie Li.
He understood that if Nie Wei punished Nie Li, it might negatively impact his own authority within the family.
“Is Elder really executing the laws fairly? The last time Nie Xiaori assaulted someone from the Heavenly Wing Family, a few gifts were enough to settle it. I didn’t see Elder Wei punish Nie Xiaori then,” Nie Li pressed closely.
“The two matters are simply not comparable. The conflict between Nie Xiaori and the Heavenly Wing Family was for the family’s interest. Moreover, the Heavenly Wing Family's influence cannot compare to the Divine Sacred Family!” Wei's face darkened.
He felt upset that Nie Li dared to confront him, especially since today Nie Hai was standing on Nie Li’s side, making it difficult for him to oppose the family head.
“If Elder hasn’t investigated thoroughly, how do you know that I wasn’t fighting for my family’s interests? Just because I couldn’t provoke the Divine Sacred Family, you want to punish me heavily, merely for show? If the Heavenly Mark Family can’t protect its members, then what's the point of this family?” Nie Li said coldly.
The room fell into shock.
No one expected Nie Li to say such things.
This was more than just confronting the elder; it implied he wanted to leave the Heavenly Mark Family.
Previously, Nie Li had been seen as timid and afraid, yet today he dared to speak such words in front of Nie Hai and the elders.
This was unusual.
Nie Ming trembled with fear and harshly scolded, “Little Li, what are you saying? Hurry and apologize to the family head!”
“Hmm, getting cocky now, thinking of leaving the family? Don’t forget, it is the Heavenly Mark Family that nurtured and protected you, allowing you to become who you are today!” Elder Wei said coldly, “You ungrateful little brat!”
“The Heavenly Mark Family is our family. Yes, the Heavenly Mark Family has provided us protection, but it is not only they who nurtured me. My parents worked hard every day growing food and herbs, raising me, and they too contributed their efforts to the Heavenly Mark Family. Therefore, we don’t owe anyone anything. I, Nie Li, owe no one!” Nie Li straightened his back and declared.
“That’s outrageous! Impertinent!” Elder Wei’s face turned dark as he prepared to reprimand Nie Li, but Nie Hai raised a hand to stop him.
Nie Ming hurried to pull Nie Li, confused about his son’s sudden boldness.
Little Li had always been timid; what had changed him so much that he dared to confront the elder and the family head?
Nie Hai squinted his eyes, examining Nie Li.
Today, Nie Li’s reasoned arguments had certainly changed his views.
Before so many elders, Nie Li showed no sign of the previous timidness.
He chuckled, “Nie Li is right. The Heavenly Mark Family belongs to us all. Each member contributes to the family, and it is our duty to protect them. Until things are clarified, we should not punish a family member lightly!”
Elder Wei found this hard to understand.
What was going on with the family head? Nie Li had said such rebellious words, yet Nie Hai supported Nie Li.
What did all this mean?
Upon hearing Nie Hai’s words, everyone, including Nie Ming, was stunned.
They had thought that after such defiance, even if Nie Li wasn’t expelled from the family, he would be severely punished.
Yet, Nie Hai seemed unconcerned, showing he stood firmly with Nie Li.
Elder Wei frowned slightly, secretly thinking that something wasn’t right with this old fox, Nie Hai.
His leniency towards Nie Li seemed unreasonable.
Meanwhile, Elder Nie En and others regarded Nie Li with thoughtful expressions.
After listening to Nie Hai, Nie Li felt a bit lighter in his heart.
After all, he still had affection for the Heavenly Mark Family.
The words he spoke were due to his dissatisfaction with some individuals in the family.
Since the family head was so magnanimous, there was no need to dwell on those issues.
“Ning’er, you’ve just returned from the Saint Spirit Academy and faced such matters. Please go rest for a while. Tomorrow, I’ll check on your cultivation results!” Nie Hai stood up, stretching lazily and laughing heartily.
At that moment, everyone revealed shocked expressions.
Not only did the family head not hold Nie Li’s mistakes against him, but he also seemed to draw closer to Nie Li.
Nie Ming was filled with excitement upon hearing Nie Hai's words.
The family head wanted to personally assess Nie Li's cultivation results, which was a tremendous honor!
Nie Li noted that even though he wasn’t a direct descendant of Nie Hai, the family head was treating him quite generously.
The members of the Nie family exchanged bewildered glances, struggling to comprehend the situation.
Just then, a family member rushed in, addressing Nie Hai, “Reporting to the family head, Director Yang from the Alchemists’ Guild is here to visit!”
“Director Yang?” Shock appeared on the faces of Nie En, Nie Wei, and Nie Hai.
None of them expected Director Yang would come to the Heavenly Mark Family so late at night! They had interacted with the Alchemists’ Guild many times and knew well Yang’s high standing within the guild—not only under the guild leader and elders but also a figure of immense power!
A single word from someone like Director Yang could make or break a noble family.
His help had restored the Heavenly Mark Family from a difficult situation under the pressure of the Divine Sacred Family.
The Alchemists' Guild was a powerful entity, rivaling the Three Peaks Families and boasting a greater influence in Glory City than either the Divine Sacred Family or the Sacred Nether Family, second only to the Snowstorm Family that possessed a legendary demon spirit master and controlled the city lord position.
In the face of someone so authoritative as Director Yang, even Nie Hai had to show utmost respect.
(End of Chapter)