“In a few more years, we will have to go to the commandery to pay tribute and report the news that our Li family has reached Qi Refinement. By then, it would be best to have saved up a hundred spirit stones so we can be certain of hiring a formation master to lay down an array.”
Li Xuanfeng had entered secluded cultivation again a few days ago; the peak of Embryonic Breathing was not far from Qi Refinement. Li Tongya had handed over the Golden Radiance True Edge Formula and the metal-stone sharp qi into his hands for Li Xuanfeng to break through to Qi Refinement.
The Ji family's Golden Radiance True Edge Formula was likewise a third-rank cultivation method, no worse than the River Unity Qi Formula, and actually suited Li Xuanfeng's archery far better. Li Tongya had thus passed it to him for his breakthrough, hoping Li Xuanfeng could represent the Li family on the journey to Guanyun Peak when tribute was next due.
After all, though Li Tongya had broken through to Qi Refinement, the moment the Vast Ocean Leviathan Talisman entered his body, he had made continuous breakthroughs all the way to the fifth level of Qi Refinement. Such cultivation speed was truly astounding. The last time he went to pay tribute, he had still been at the peak of Embryonic Breathing, so this would inevitably draw unwanted attention.
Li Tongya was cautious by nature and naturally unwilling to take such a risk. Although a fifteen-year-old Qi Refinement cultivator like Li Xuanfeng would also be astonishing, Li Tongya progressing at a snail's pace for his first thirty years and then breaking through to Qi Refinement and reaching the fifth level within five years—even a fool could see something was amiss.
“Has Second Uncle entered secluded cultivation?” Li Xuanxuan asked.
Li Xiewen spoke up, “Clan Uncle has been in seclusion for several days, saying he needs to consolidate his cultivation.”
Having arranged the family affairs for the past few days, Li Xuanxuan was about to rise when a clan soldier hurried up outside the door and reported respectfully, “Reporting to the Patriarch, people have arrived from Lichuankou. A group of Shanyue has come from the west with a vast train of wagons, goods, and slaves, saying the Eastern Shanyue has come to seek allegiance.”
“Seek allegiance?!”
Li Xuanxuan was taken aback and nearly laughed out loud. He said coldly, “We and the Shanyue belong to two different powers; no matter how many villages he has seeking allegiance, we wouldn't dare take them in. What does this mean? It seems this Mu Jiaoman is terrified and truly can no longer sit still.”
With Jianixi dead, over the course of a year, the entire Shanyue had fragmented and fractured into several small factions, leaving refugees and warfare across the land.
Li Xuanxuan's informants in the west had gathered intelligence: Mu Jiaoman had consolidated six or seven villages bordering the Li family, claiming a host of a hundred thousand Shanyue, also known as the Eastern Shanyue.
Among these hundred thousand Shanyue, Mu Jiaoman was the sole Qi Refinement cultivator, and Li Tongya's current strength far exceeded his. Looking at this, Li Tongya and Li Xuanxuan had felt their mouths water more than once, thinking several times of crossing the border to extort Mu Jiaoman.
After all, Mount Wu never cared about the Shanyue at the foot of the mountains; so long as the Li family did not openly annex territory, Mount Wu would most likely not interfere in the slightest.
It was just that the Shanyue territory was currently a pot of chaotic porridge. Li Tongya was cautious and had hesitated to march west to meet Mu Jiaoman, unwilling to gamble his life on the temperament of the people from Mount Wu. He had not expected Mu Jiaoman to send people straight to their door.
“Those Shanyue say they are willing to form marriage alliances, open trade, and pay tribute, asking for only one condition.”
“What do they ask?” Li Xuanxuan glanced down slightly, having already anticipated it.
“They ask that the Li family's Qi Refinement cultivators do not cross the border.”
Li Xuanxuan laughed heartily, exhaling the gloom pent up in his chest, and mocked, “Truly haughty before and humble now! We lived in fear under Jianixi's threat for so many years; now it's finally the Shanyue's turn to fear our family.”
***
“Is this what a lowlander tribe looks like?”
Mu Yalu led a large cart of beast pelts and grain behind her, cautiously taking a few steps forward. The clan soldiers ahead gathered around, gripping their spears and sabers as they watched them vigilantly.
“We are here to submit!” a Shanyue follower beside her stepped forward and shouted, but the Li family clan soldiers did not even look at him, their eyes full of vigilance.
Mu Yalu sighed softly. Far from feeling the sorrow of leaving home, her heart was filled with deep envy.
*These lowlanders have ample food and clothing, their expressions are calm, and even Shanyue nobles cannot wear the garments on their backs. The blades in their hands are finely forged, their armor complete and intact—it is truly unbelievable.*
*Now that locusts have swept through fifteen villages, people are starving to death even in Dajueting. It is truly a world of difference between heaven and earth.*
The clan soldiers swiftly parted to make way for a shrewd-looking youth clad in leather armor. Mu Yalu hurriedly cupped her hands in the manner of the lowlanders and asked softly, “Is your Excellency the Li family Patriarch?”
Mu Yalu had truly made an effort before leaving home, washing away the patterns on her skin and learning all the customs and etiquette of the lowlanders. After enduring several scoldings, she had finally learned to speak softly and walk with much more restraint.
“I wouldn't dare claim such a title. I am the Li family's clan steward, Li Xiewen. Please step forward.”
Li Xiewen led Mu Yalu forward. Naturally, clan soldiers came forward to confiscate weapons and confirm she had no cultivation before allowing her to proceed before Li Xuanxuan.
Li Xuanxuan stroked his chin and glanced at Mu Yalu. She had a kind of wild beauty. He spoke calmly, “For what purpose has the Eastern Shanyue sent an envoy?”
Mu Yalu hurriedly bowed her head and said, “I am Mu Yalu, sister to Mu Jiaoman. Greetings to the Li family Patriarch. We are willing to trade, pay tribute, and form marriage ties with your noble family, asking only that the Li family does not cross the border to kill.”
Mu Yalu's words caused an uproar among the surrounding clan soldiers. The Shanyue had crossed the border to raid only the year before last, yet this year they brought gifts to curry favor; the stark contrast naturally astonished everyone.
“We searched for a long time for the Eastlanders whom Jianixi captured, and have returned them all; they are right behind the wagon train. We are sincere in seeking peace! If the Patriarch agrees, we are willing to intermarry with the Li family for generations, and I, Mu Yalu, shall be the beginning of this alliance.”
Mu Yalu referred to the people of the Li family as “Eastlanders” rather than using “lowlanders,” which carried a slight derogatory undertone, showing how thoroughly prepared she was.
Presenting a wooden box in her hands, within which lay a gleaming white fruit, Mu Yalu said respectfully, “Our king presents this spirit fruit to express his apologies for the eastward advance back then, hoping our two houses may melt away past grievances! This spirit fruit is also of great benefit to Qi Refinement. I hope the Patriarch will accept it.”
Li Xuanxuan looked at her. Someone stepped forward below to take the fruit. Li Xuanxuan said in a deep voice, “Please wait a moment, Envoy. We must discuss this among ourselves.”
Seeing Mu Yalu nod and step back, Li Xuanxuan whispered into Li Xiewen's ear, “Send people to untie our people first.”
With that, he turned and led his entourage toward Mount Lijing.
Below, the clan soldiers went straight forward to unhitch the wagons and untie the captive lowlanders bound behind them. Immediately, a Shanyue follower shouted and cursed, “Your king hasn't even agreed yet!”
Mu Yalu frowned slightly, wanting to call out to stop him, but that Shanyue man was already knocked to the ground, his face covered in blood, three teeth knocked out.
“You!”
Mu Yalu hurriedly held her people back, shaking her head sorrowfully, knowing full well that whether this succeeded or failed, these goods and slaves could never be taken back.
***
Li Tongya had only been in seclusion for a few days when a knock came at the door of his immortal's cave. Frowning slightly, he said softly, “Enter.”
Li Xuanxuan pushed the door open and entered, saying respectfully, “Second Uncle, the Shanyue have sent an emissary to sue for peace.”
With that, he laid out all the conditions one by one. Li Tongya listened carefully, then said in a deep voice, “Mu Jiaoman nowadays is nothing more than someone who can be finished off with a single sword strike. He is lustful and rash, capable of maintaining what he has but incapable of aggressive expansion. He is far inferior to Jianixi. Having him watch the west for us isn't a bad thing.
“If we truly eliminate him, the hundred thousand Shanyue would collapse overnight. Though it might plunge them into chaos for a few years, who knows what sort of ferocious fiend might emerge in his place? It's better to spare his life.”
Li Xuanxuan nodded in agreement and murmured, “The Shanyue have no grasp of intricate crafts, and their handicraft and smithing are exceedingly crude. As long as the Shanyue open up trade, it will be equivalent to us gaining a hundred thousand tenant farmers out of thin air.
“Furthermore, Second Uncle's talismans can be resold at a high price without needing to compete in the market. Once our family acquires inheritances for alchemy and artifact refining, we can use the Eastern Shanyue as a gateway to turn the hundreds of thousands of Shanyue into a dumping ground for our goods, just like the Qingchi Sect does.”
Li Tongya stroked his chin and said deeply, “Indeed. Take that Mu Yalu as your concubine, and just marry off any daughter of a lesser branch over to them. Remember to instruct her well; the person sent over must be chosen carefully.”
“Understood.”
Li Xuanxuan bowed his head in assent and was about to withdraw when Li Tongya turned his head and asked, “How many sons does Mu Jiaoman have?”
Li Xuanxuan pondered for a few breaths and said seriously, “I am not certain of that. Your nephew will immediately send men to investigate and report back to Second Uncle.”
Li Tongya nodded, waved his hand to dismiss him, pondered for a few breaths with lowered head, then dipped his brush in ink and began drawing talismans.
Chapter 108