"Now speaks of that Yu Mugao—what an arrogant, overbearing figure! Clad in fluttering black robes, wielding divine armaments and treasured weapons, he calls out: 'The parasol tree hosts the phoenix—will the little cultivator submit?!'"
The tavern was lively and packed to the brim, with onlookers craning their necks and staring wide-eyed, crowding three rings deep inside and three rings deep out. In the center, a gray-robed man stroked his goatee and proclaimed with solemn gravity:
"That An Jingming was a peerless immortal talent, so he naturally looked up with a cold laugh and cried:"
"'My bones are immortal, blessed by Heaven itself! What kind of parasol tree does a tiny centipede dare call itself?!'"
The moment the gray-robed man finished his line, the crowd erupted in roars of approval and unending cheers. The storyteller preened, stroking his beard with immense satisfaction.
At the edge of the crowd stood a boy of eleven or twelve. He stood tall and poised, wrapped in a fur-lined robe with snow-white trimming circling his cuffs, looking every inch the young master of a wealthy house.
Yet the surrounding crowd paid him no direct heed, parting unconsciously by some unseen sway to leave an open circle around him. With his left hand, the youth held a boy of five or six who looked clever and bore a striking resemblance to him.
"Brother Xizhi, this An Jingming has quite the reputation," the younger boy piped up in a childish voice.
The richly dressed youth swept his sleeve with a smile. "An Jingming did many good deeds in life and possessed extraordinary talent, yet he met a tragic end. Naturally, people remember him all the more vividly."
The little boy nodded with vague reverence. He was small and could hardly see through the crowd, and with the onlookers cheering, he could barely make out the words. He hurried to ask, "And then?"
"And then?" Li Xizhi stood with his arms folded, answering casually, "The play claims he fought against overwhelming odds, carved his way out in a single breath, and roamed freely between heaven and earth from then on, unburdened by worldly ties."
"The play claims?" Li Ximing tilted his head, unable to resist asking, "What about in reality?"
"In reality, he was naturally killed by the Yu family. Even his head was cured with saltpeter, and it is likely sitting in the Yu family's treasury right now."
Li Xizhi's expression turned bleak. Youths inevitably harbored sweet dreams of achieving Qi Refinement in three years and Foundation Establishment in ten, which lent him a quiet sorrow for An Jingming. He lifted Li Ximing into his arms and said gently, "Read fewer plays and scripts, and read more of the Clan History. Only then will you understand the bloodbath stretching thousands of li beyond the peace of these few towns."
Nestled in his arms, Li Ximing hummed in agreement. Suddenly, a figure appeared before them, a sword at his waist. His expression was solemn, though his tone held a touch of helplessness as he lowered his voice:
"Young Masters... you gave me quite a search."
Li Xizhi glanced at him and replied, "Congratulations, Uncle Gongming. Reaching Qi Refinement truly makes a difference—you found us faster than the Jade Court Guards."
"You flatter me, Young Master." Having just emerged from seclusion after breaking through to Qi Refinement, Xu Gongming was overflowing with joy. At Li Xizhi's praise, a smile broke across his face, and he replied, "The young master is too kind!"
Over the past five years, the Li family had remained safe and sound. When news spread that Li Tongya had single-handedly repelled the Yu family, it only cemented his reputation for having slain a maha. The renown of the Moon Crescent Sword resounded ever louder, with rumors spreading as far as the regions of Wu and Xu.
Drawing upon years of accumulated strength, several members of the Li clan had broken through to Qi Refinement over these five years. First, Lady Dou had used Xiaoqing spirit qi to achieve Qi Refinement, bringing glory to the Dou clan for a time.
Later, Xiao Guiluan used the Xiao family's Qingxi elemental qi to achieve Qi Refinement. It was likewise a third-rank cultivation method, adept at neutralizing afflictions, dispelling poisons, and overcoming foes with gentle restraint, making her prowess a cut above ordinary Qi Refinement cultivators like Lady Dou.
Counting Xu Gongming, who had just emerged from seclusion, and Li Xuanxuan stationed far off at the market, the Li clan possessed five cultivators of the early Qi Refinement realm who practiced orthodox methods—more than enough to guard their ancestral seat.
"Has something happened?" Li Xizhi, who had now attained the third level of Embryonic Breathing, asked while holding Li Ximing.
Xu Gongming lowered his voice and replied, "The Second Master has returned from Wutu Peak. He is currently deep in discussion with the clan head in town, waiting for the two young masters to join them."
Hearing that his father had returned from Wutu Peak, Li Xizhi's expression grew solemn. "Understood. Thank you, Uncle Gongming!"
With that, he cast the Divine Movement Technique and hurried toward the foot of the mountain.
***
Li Yuanping was now nearly twenty years old. Years of managing clan affairs lent his gaze an imposing weight when it settled on anyone. Though his face remained pale and his cultivation sat only at the third level of Embryonic Breathing, no one dared underestimate him.
Li Yuanjiao sat beside him in his customary black robes. Having recently broken through to the sixth level of Qi Refinement, he held a pale purple jade slip in his hand and spoke in a deep voice:
"Did Xizhi take Ming'er out again?"
"Indeed." Li Yuanping gave a faint smile and replied, "Brother, the appointed day draws near, and he won't have many days left at home. It is good to let the two brothers spend some time together."
Li Yuanjiao nodded in silence. Before the new year, Yuan Tuan of Qingsui Peak had emerged from seclusion after successfully establishing her foundation, achieving the immortal foundation 'Qingxuan Peak.' She had taken over the position of peak master of Qingsui Peak and opened the peak to accept disciples.
Upon leaving seclusion, Yuan Tuan had sent a warm reply to the Li family. In her letter, she had first expressed her condolences over Li Chijing, then stated that she had accepted a mission and would travel to Lake Wangyue in a few months to assess Li Xizhi's latent talent and bone structure.
Although the Li family lacked the secret arts and testing formulas accumulated by the Three Sects and Seven Gates, Li Xizhi's cultivation speed spoke volumes. Reaching the third level of Embryonic Breathing in six years was more than enough to qualify him for the Qingchi Sect.
Li Yuanping laid down his vermilion brush. Seeing Li Yuanjiao's grave countenance, he asked in confusion, "What matter... prompted Brother to return in person?"
"Calculating the days, the time to pay tribute to the Qingchi Sect has arrived," Li Yuanjiao answered with furrowed brows.
Li Yuanping came to a realization and replied, "Rest easy, Brother. Though the demonic calamity has gradually subsided over these years, business in the market remains brisk. In recent years, we also took in several miscellaneous qi cultivators of other surnames, yielding a bountiful harvest of spiritual goods. Meeting this tribute will pose no problem. I have been busy with this matter these past few days and have organized all the arrangements; there will be no shortcomings."
After hearing Li Yuanping's reply, Li Yuanjiao nodded in approval and said, "With you overseeing family affairs over these years, I naturally rest easy."
His tone shifted, and he lowered his voice. "However, I received word from Guiluan. She says that this year, Yu Muxian of Yuanwu Peak personally took charge of the tribute collection, and is sailing toward Lake Wangyue aboard a Rosy Dawn Cloud Vessel!"
"Yu Muxian!"
Li Yuanping froze, his expression souring. He lowered his head and murmured, "That does make things difficult..."
Li Yuanjiao exchanged a look with him, both well aware of how thorny this matter was.
After all, Li Tongya had severed Yu Xiaogui's dao path, and word was that he had been clinging to life over the years through spirit medicines and blood sacrifices. Yu Muxian was widely connected within the sect, and members of Yuanwu Peak had long felt indignant on his behalf.
It was only because Yu Muxian himself had held back from declaring his stance, coupled with the Li family's reputation for sword immortals resounding repeatedly across the region, that no one had dared step forward to cause trouble.
Now, Yu Muxian, as a Foundation Establishment immortal cultivator, was personally descending upon Lake Wangyue with formidable momentum. Li Yuanjiao felt an unspoken unease. Outsiders all spoke of the Li family as an unbroken lineage of sword cultivators, with the Qingsui Sword Immortal and the Moon Crescent Sword as celebrated brothers of terrifying renown.
"Yet only we know our own bitter truth..."
In the entire Li clan, only Li Yuanjiao and Li Yuanping knew that Li Tongya had passed away. Li Yuanjiao pondered quietly for a moment, then offered comfort:
"I once heard our late granduncle say that Yu Muxian is self-serving and ungrateful. Besides, our family enjoys the protection of an immortal clan. Perhaps he will not go too far!"
Li Yuanping nodded slightly, a hint of calm returning to his pale face. Just then, a handsome and gallant youth clad in brocade fur stepped into the courtyard, leading a little boy by the hand.
Li Xizhi released the hand, stepped forward, and bowed respectfully. "Xizhi greets Father and Uncle."
Chapter 321