The Dou Clan (Part 1)

“Xiao Xian.” Li Yuanjiao stroked Jiaopanying at his waist, his brow furrowing narrowly. Unlike Li Tongya or Li Xuanxuan, whose plain exteriors concealed deep, calculating minds, the distance between his eyebrows was naturally narrow, giving him an ominous look at first glance. Now, as he frowned, he carried even more of the sinister air of a serpent or flood dragon. “The Xiao family's Yushan lineage... Qingxiao marrying over would be marrying slightly down, but Xiao Jiuqing is thoroughly shrewd and worldly, with good prospects ahead. If Xiao Xian is sincere and my sister is willing, it wouldn't be a bad match.” “The Yushan branch is among the prominent branch clans in our Xiao family,” Xiao Guiluan said, linking her arm through Li Yuanjiao's, her voice gentle. “Xiao Xian's aptitude isn't great, but Qi Refinement is still within reach for him. Qingxiao's talent is poor, but with the strength of the Yushan lineage, Xiao Xian will have no trouble helping her pile up enough resources for miscellaneous qi. It's a fitting arrangement.” Amid their talking and laughing, Mount Lijing appeared beneath their feet. As husband and wife descended into the courtyard, the clan guards below immediately came forward to greet them, respectfully saying, “Patriarch, Madam, Master Yuanping is already waiting inside.” Li Yuanjiao gave a slight nod and pushed open the door. Inside stood a youth clad in white, holding a folding fan. Looking about twelve or thirteen years old, with a pale complexion and a frail, sickly bearing, he was intently studying the calligraphy and paintings hanging on the wall. Hearing the sound, he turned his head, his eyes lighting up as he smiled. “Elder Brother, you're back.” “Mm.” Li Yuanping had been born to Li Xuanxuan and his main wife, Lady Dou, during Li Xuanxuan's Qi Refinement days, making him Li Yuanxiu's younger brother of the same mother. However, Lady Dou had gone into labor right around the time of Li Yuanxiu's death; the shock had disturbed the fetus, leaving the boy with congenital deficiencies. Fortunately, both parents were cultivators, and Li Yuanping possessed a spirit aperture. His talent was not exceptional—only mediocre at best—yet after five years of cultivation, he had attained the Chengming Wheel of the second layer of Embryonic Breathing. Li Yuanjiao acknowledged him, whereupon Li Yuanping smiled and said, “I hear Elder Brother has broken through to the third layer of Qi Refinement. Truly a cause for celebration.” In truth, Li Yuanjiao had not been burdened with many secular affairs in recent years. Most matters concerning Embryonic Breathing cultivators and mundane affairs within the clan were handled by Xiao Guiluan. She carried herself with dignity and breadth of mind, dispensed rewards and punishments with fairness, and kept both high and low thoroughly in line. With Xiao Guiluan's assistance, Li Yuanjiao's cultivation had not lagged behind. After being conferred the [Circulating Qi and Devouring Spirit Talisman], Li Yuanjiao's cultivation speed advanced by leaps and bounds. He surpassed Li Qinghong, reaching the third layer of Qi Refinement within five years—even overtaking his father, Li Xuanxuan. Li Yuanjiao nodded gently, stepped up to take the seat of honor, and looked at his still-youthful younger brother. He asked in a warm voice, “How is it? Are you keeping the Clan Rectory well in hand?” “Tolerably well,” Li Yuanping replied with a nod and a smile. “The Jade Court Guards have already reached the fourth and fifth layers of Embryonic Breathing. With the five of them joining forces, there is nowhere they cannot keep under control. Daily affairs usually amount to nothing more than punishing petty thieves.” Li Yuanjiao had never desired administrative power. Seeing Li Yuanping grow older day by day, he had promptly handed the Clan Rectory over to him. Seeing that he managed it rather well, Li Yuanjiao nodded in satisfaction and instructed gently, “Enforce clan law strictly. We must not allow overbearing scoundrels among our family's children.” As the brothers were conversing, a man hurried up from below, bowed prostrate in the courtyard, and reported respectfully, “Reporting to the Patriarch, a letter from Guanyun Peak has arrived.” “Bring it up.” The man below was clad in armor, with a square face and thick eyebrows, looking thoroughly honest and unassuming. He offered up the letter. Li Yuanjiao took the envelope, but instead of opening it, he fixed his gaze on the armored soldier. The messenger before the hall had always been a member of the Liu clan, a sight Li Yuanjiao was accustomed to. Yet this person seemed unfamiliar. After studying him for a moment, he asked in doubt, “Are you from the Dou clan?” The soldier dropped to his knees before him with a thud, somewhat frightened, and answered, “Replying to the Patriarch, this humble one is called Dou Yi. Madam Dou is my aunt... The messenger fell ill, so this humble one took his place.” “So you are one of Mother's people.” Madam Dou naturally referred to Li Xuanxuan's wife and Li Yuanping's mother, Lady Dou. Strictly speaking, Li Yuanjiao had to address her as Mother as well. Li Yuanjiao feigned sudden comprehension and smiled at Li Yuanping: “He even counts as your cousin.” Li Yuanping sat to one side. Hearing this, he merely nodded without sparing a glance at Dou Yi, occupying himself with pouring tea. Li Yuanjiao understood at once. Waving a hand dismissively, he said offhandedly, “In that case, go attend to Yuanping and find a post to serve in the Clan Rectory.” Dou Yi nodded repeatedly and slowly retreated. Li Yuanping could only give a wry smile, saying, “This is certainly not Mother's doing. Most likely the Dou family took it upon themselves...” “I know,” Li Yuanjiao nodded with a sigh. “As the saying goes, when a wall totters, everyone gives it a shove. But the Liu clan is the wife's clan of an ancestor after all. We must keep someone surnamed Liu in the hall so that word of disputes can reach our ears; only then will the prominent clans maintain their scruples and refrain from going too far.” Li Yuanping nodded thoughtfully and replied, “Your younger brother has learned much...” Li Yuanjiao gave a hearty laugh. The two brothers spoke from the heart, and then Li Yuanjiao's expression grew complex as he said, “This principle was also taught to me by Elder Brother. Though I have no ambition for power, handing it into your hands now ensures it won't be squandered.” He naturally meant Li Yuanxiu. From a young age, Li Yuanping had heard all about this elder brother whom he had never met, so he nodded in understanding. Meanwhile, Li Yuanjiao unfolded the letter. After scanning a few lines, he smiled: “It is a letter from Father.” Li Yuanping looked up quizzically, only to hear Li Yuanjiao continue: “The demonic calamity grows more rampant by the day. Currently it isn't just that Jiang Yan alone; dozens of others have fallen to the demonic path, slaughtering people all over. Consequently, talismans and magical artifacts both within and outside the sect have become even more sought after, and our income this year has increased substantially once more. “Father is thinking that now that our family's cloud bamboo has been harvested, we can send another batch over to manufacture talisman paper, which will reduce costs considerably.” Hearing this news, Li Yuanping lowered his head and said, “The demonic calamity has lasted more than five years, yet we have never seen the Purple Palace cultivators of the Qingchi Sect make a move. Who knows what Chi Zhiyun is thinking.” Li Yuanjiao paused and set down his teacup. He replied, “The demonic calamity... is not simple. Who knows what manner of person that Jiang Yan is, or whose pawn he might be. You've read the Clan History and know the terrifying might of the Purple Palace. For them to allow Jiang Yan to run wild like this, he must have received authorization from someone in the Purple Palace.” Li Yuanping pondered in silence. The two brothers chatted a few more words before Li Yuanping checked the hour. Not wishing to disturb Li Yuanjiao further, he took his leave. Only after Li Yuanping had withdrawn did an elegant woman step out from behind the hall. Dressed in splendid feathered robes, she bowed at his side, slightly furrowing her brows as she said in a low voice, “Husband, the Liu clan's decline has been too rapid. In a mere five years, they have fallen from a prominent clan to having their descendants scattered in all directions... I fear something is amiss.” “It's only within reason. How could that Liu clan boy just happen to fall ill? They went to great lengths to push their man in front of me simply to test how much affection we still hold for the Liu clan.” Li Yuanjiao tucked the short letter away beneath a pile of scrolls, continuing as if reciting familiar family lore: “The Tian clan was sent to the Shanyue lands. The remaining Ren, Chen, Xu, and Dou families likely began plotting years ago to squeeze the Liu clan out of the prominent clans. Only the Liu descendants were still indulging in pleasure. As soon as the news from the mountain traveled down, those families made their move. The Liu clan never had any capable figures to begin with; that they managed to hold on for five years is already thanks to the caution of the other prominent clans.” Xiao Guiluan nodded and smiled. “Times change. Many things that once bore the name Liu should now belong to Dou. I have met Mother many times; her methods are unyielding, and she is not one to be trifled with.” Li Yuanjiao chuckled heartily. Catching the undertone in Xiao Guiluan's words, he said gently, “I have also spent many years with Mother. In her eyes, the entire Dou clan cannot compare to one of Yuanping's little fingers. The Dou clan is merely the next Liu clan; there is no need to worry over them.” He paused, then continued, “Yuanping's temperament takes after Madam Dou; he will not be fooled by others. In a couple of years, once we hand the clan's affairs into his hands, you and I can go cultivate on Mount Wutu and live as a pair of immortal companions—would that not be blissful?” Xiao Guiluan nodded slightly. Yet the Xiao family she hailed from was a clan of centuries' standing, where the struggle for interests was treacherous in the extreme—unlike the newly established Li family, where brothers lived in harmony. Accustomed to seeing kin slaughtering kin, she could never feel at ease without power in her hands. For herself it hardly mattered, but she feared her son, Li Xizhi, might suffer mistreatment. Yet being exceptionally clever and having learned how to handle her husband Li Yuanjiao's temperament, she did not immediately rebut his words. Instead, she nodded with a bright smile, gazing at the flickering candlelight as she pondered how to gather more power and backing for Li Xizhi.