Li Xicheng had spent an entire day wandering through the mountain forests. The clan soldiers whined and complained incessantly, feigning illness to drag their feet and refuse to march further. Li Xicheng simply continued forward on his own; only slightly more than forty percent of his troops remained by the time he finally arrived at the hills bordering the Li family's domain.
Within these hills lay a Qi Refinement-grade Lingbi ore vein, held collectively by five Embryonic Breathing clans who mined it for the Xiao family and were known as the Five Lingbi Families.
Advancing several more li, he entered the territory of the Rui family, directly adjacent to the Li lands. Coming upon two small spirit fields, the remaining troops promptly broke ranks and scattered in a swarm, jumping into the paddies to uproot rice until barely over a hundred men remained behind him.
"That is spirit rice!"
Four detachments of clan soldiers had passed earlier without harming a single stalk, yet now the crop was laid waste in the blink of an eye. Li Xicheng drew up his horse, shouting a token reprimand or two.
Although Li Xicheng cared for the younger clan members and frequently aided them with silver and provisions, the brothers he supported were those of exceptional talent. He harbored no goodwill toward profligates who tarnished the family's reputation. Letting his horse wander along the path, he thought to himself: *The lazy and stupid deserted on the road, and now we've peeled off another batch of the greedy and stupid. That leaves...*
As he held his spear, mentally running through the tallies, a squad of troops advanced to meet him from ahead, speaking respectfully:
"Young Master, the array is breached. Please ascend the mountain!"
Li Xicheng nodded, surveyed the terrain, and squeezed his legs around his mount, murmuring in puzzlement, "If this land could produce a major deposit like the Lingbi ore, how can its earth veins and spiritual energy be so impoverished?"
In the Li territory, these spirit fields would be barren plots that even the prominent surnames wouldn't bother poaching, yet the Rui clan actually used them to grow spirit rice; the sheer scarcity of spiritual energy in their domain was plain to see. Li Xicheng merely mused: *In soil like this, forget a harvest every two years—it would take seven or eight years for a single crop to ripen! No wonder the five families near this Lingbi mine haven't managed to squeeze out a single Qi Refinement cultivator in all these years.*
***
Rui Family Peak.
The grand array on the Rui family's minor peak had long collapsed—in fact, the Li family hadn't even had to breach it. Chen Mufeng had launched a few token strikes and shouted the Li family's name, and the defenders had scrambled in haste to open the formation.
Remembering his clan's instructions, Li Xicheng first climbed to the peak to inspect the spiritual spring.
The spring on Rui Family Peak was a pool of verdant green, slightly chilled, with spiritual energy somewhat lower than that on his family's Mount Huaqian. Unsure whether it was suitable, he filled a small jade vial to bring back for inspection.
Having settled the most critical matter, Li Xicheng crunched through the snow and stepped into the main hall of the Rui family.
Standing before him was a young man in armor, halberd in hand: Chen Mufeng. Ever since taking the peak, he had been waiting here for Li Xicheng, stationed in the hall with two rows of clan soldiers flanking him, sabers drawn in chilling arrays.
Chen Mufeng belonged to Chen Donghe's nephew generation and was Li Qiuyang's disciple as well as his son-in-law. Although the Chen family did not have many spirit aperture bearers, those blessed with apertures were all exceptional. At barely twenty-seven, Chen Mufeng had already attained the fifth layer of Embryonic Breathing, the Yujing Wheel.
Though his breakthrough was recent and his cultivation still unsettled, he held real hope of attempting Qi Refinement by thirty. He was promptly valued and promoted by the Li family, becoming a rising star of considerable renown within the clan.
The moment Li Xicheng walked inside, a crowd of Rui family members came scrambling down in sheer terror and dropped to their knees before him. The white-haired elder at their head raised a jade seal high above his head and prostrated himself:
"The Rui clan respectfully welcomes the general of the great house! We humbly present our azure seal, willing to serve as hounds and steeds to your esteemed family, to toil in your service and never rebel..."
This old man appeared to be the highest-cultivated person in the Rui clan, yet he was only at the fourth layer of Embryonic Breathing—weaker even than Chen Mufeng. Naturally, he dared not offend the Li family, who possessed a Foundation Establishment cultivator and a host of Qi Refinement experts. He simply held aloft the jade seal inscribed "Under Qingchi Governance."
Chen Mufeng had worked as an errand boy in the market before returning home to lead troops against the Shanyue nobility, eventually becoming a general. With rich worldly experience, he watched the Rui elder's lips flap, recognizing how practiced the man was at surrendering. He remarked with mild disdain:
"Pretty words, at least!"
"Enough."
Li Xicheng did not take up the comment, looking around instead. To one side lay two small mounds of spirit rice, evidently tribute, meager to a pitiful degree—less than a single family stipend back home. He glanced past them.
What did catch his eye were several dozen plump, tender white dumplings arranged on jade platters across the floor, glistening and snow-white, looking quite dainty. Beside them sat five or six jade vials brimmed with swirling blood qi.
Though Li Xicheng had spent several years in Eastern Shanyue and learned of many spiritual items, he had rarely encountered the murky under-the-table dealings among cultivators. Puzzled, he asked:
"What are these?"
The old man of the Rui clan hastily presented them. The fleshy things were pink, tender, and dainty. He answered deferentially:
"This is called 'rice flesh.' The Yu family... the Yu bandits previously demanded tribute in this form."
Li Xicheng stared at them for a moment, feeling an inexplicable chill crawl over his skin, and waved him away. Chen Mufeng, who had learned of this before, stepped up with a dark expression and whispered into his ear:
"The so-called 'rice flesh' means mortals nourished on rice, refined through secret arts. And 'blood mince' is merely an elegant euphemism for blood qi."
Li Xicheng's face turned pale and green. Thanks to his self-restraint, he refrained from exploding. Old Man Rui glanced between their expressions and instantly realized his attempt at flattery had backfired spectacularly. Forcing himself to speak, he said:
"This lowly one did not know your noble house disliked such things. I fear I have caused offense—please forgive me, My Lord! This lowly one is named Rui Qiongcuo. My ancestors... my ancestors were enlightened by the Xiao family."
Rui Qiongcuo was invoking his backing. Chen Mufeng cast him a sidelong glance and ignored him as well.
The Rui clan and the other families around the Lingbi mine had all been enlightened by the Xiao family in earlier years to extract ore for them. Calling them vassals was the polite phrasing; bluntly put, they were mine slaves. Surrendering came naturally to them, with no sense of shame attached.
The Xiao family had not provided any official tokens, but the Li family naturally could not annex the vassals of their own backer. Seeing Li Xicheng remain silent, Chen Mufeng stood still as well.
Rui Qiongcuo felt anxious drums beating in his chest. After all, the attack on the Xiao family was known to everyone, and he did not know the extent of their casualties. This made the crafty old fox rather uneasy: *The Li family... was also supported by the Xiao family. Perhaps nothing will go wrong?*
Just as he was thinking this, another figure entered from outside the hall. Lacking spiritual sense, the old Rui man only heard the halberd-wielding Chen Mufeng call out respectfully, "Master." Deducing the newcomer was likely a Qi Refinement cultivator, he hurried to lower his head, not daring to utter a word.
The arrival was none other than Li Qiuyang. At best, these small clans possessed only Embryonic Breathing cultivators, so the Li family had not bothered to deploy direct-line Qi Refinement scions, sending Li Qiuyang and others instead.
Li Qiuyang pulled his robes tighter, snow still clinging to his shoulders. Bearing a thoughtful expression, he held a pale green, diamond-shaped ore between his fingers and said quietly:
"Under orders from the clan, I went to inspect the Lingbi mine excavated jointly by the five families."
"Thank you for your trouble, Clan Elder," Li Xicheng replied. Seeing Li Qiuyang hesitate as if wanting to speak, he first took the ore into his safekeeping and said in a grave voice:
"Since the Rui clan has entered the fold of our Li family, there must be rules. You are no longer to use mortals as spiritual ingredients to produce things like 'rice flesh' or 'blood mince.' Our house holds this in the highest regard; do not test the law yourselves."
Such practices were inherently dishonorable, and having them called out so bluntly made Rui Qiongcuo lose face. He nodded subserviently, groaning inward: *How overbearing... When the Yu family was here, they demanded blood qi as tribute; now that the Li family has replaced them, rice flesh is banned. Every aristocratic clan has its own temper! But with our earth veins so barren, if we don't cull the old, weak, sick, and disabled for medicine... what else can we do?*
Although the territory of the five families boasted valuable Lingbi ore, its spiritual veins and energy seemed to have been entirely sucked dry by the deposit. Vast swathes of land were left as desolate wastes of extreme spiritual poverty. Cultivating spirit rice and spiritual herbs was immensely difficult for the Rui clan, leaving them no choice but to resort to underhanded means merely to scrape by...
Observing his timid demeanor, Li Xicheng organized his thoughts and continued:
"Our family head understands your situation and does not intend to demand tribute for nothing. The Rui clan is permitted to send people to the foot of Yuting Peak in our territory to cultivate rice and study. Our family will only take twenty percent as rent."
The old man froze for a full breath. The shifty cunning in his eyes was replaced by profound bewilderment. Staring at Li Xicheng's face, he said dazedly:
"To the foot of Yuting Peak... to grow rice..."
Old Man Rui muttered the words twice, his eyes reddening. He asked in haste:
"May I ask how much tribute the noble clan requires?"
"Taking water from your spiritual spring, along with that twenty percent rent, will suffice as tribute!"
Li Xicheng waved a hand. Old Man Rui remained in disbelief, staring blankly.
Rui Qiongcuo knew all too well how fertile an aristocratic family's land was, how abundant its spiritual energy. He had harbored greedy desires in the past, but during his time leading the clan, the Ji family had been at its peak. Ji Dengqi was particularly domineering, leaving no room for him to covet anything.
Later, the Ji family fell and the An family came; the An family left and the Li family arrived. Powers like the White Jade Hand and the Moon Crescent Sword were even mightier, capable of wiping out his clan with a breath.
As for secretly selling ore... the Xiao family's vein-seeking techniques were profound. They knew exactly how much ore was missing from the mines and how much was delivered into their hands; if discovered, it would bring the calamity of total extermination upon his clan.
The Rui clan had also contemplated fleeing this wretched place, but the Xiao family sent men each year to collect the ore. The Ruis dared not make a move, forced to endure the torment year after year.
Now that hope had appeared, decades of bitterness welled up in his chest. Tears streamed down the old man's face as he bowed respectfully:
"Thank you, Young Master!"
Seeing Old Man Rui prostrate himself against the ground in overwhelming gratitude, Li Xicheng was somewhat surprised.
The orders had been issued by Li Yuanping; Xicheng hadn't thought about it that deeply. The Li family was short on manpower, and there were vast stretches of unused spirit fields at the foot of Yuting Peak—it was merely a choice between letting them sit idle or renting them out.
"Enough."
Old Man Rui was kowtowing like a click beetle. Li Xicheng ordered someone to help him up. The old man's face was bathed in tears; his emotion appeared genuine.
The Rui clan's gratitude was of little practical use to the Li family, but Li Xicheng possessed a kind disposition. Seeing the old man so moved improved his mood greatly, and he offered a few comforting words. Over on the other side, Tian Zhongqing arrived with his men as well.
The Pu clan was equally profuse with thanks, sending two Embryonic Breathing cultivators over.
"Let us head home, then."
Having arranged everything, Li Xicheng warned the Rui clan repeatedly. He made a copy of their cultivation methods, but upon close examination, they proved to be common, run-of-the-mill techniques that his family already possessed. Left with no further business, he marched his forces back to the clan.
***
This expedition felt somewhat like loud thunder but little rain. In just a single day, two families had been settled and the troops returned in triumph. The Li family had gained two vassals adjacent to their lands, the Rui and Pu families, binding them tightly through leased land far more closely than ordinary tribute arrangements would.
Li Xicheng returned with slightly over a hundred men. Citing defiance of military discipline and family rules, the Jade Court Guards executed over a thousand of the deserters and slackers, stripped the rest of their clan registry, and exiled them to the Shanyue lands, thoroughly purifying the clan.
The charges had been laid out airtight. Not only was Li Yuanping spared endless bickering with those clan elders and uncles, but he had also seized the momentum to straighten out the family discipline. With this major burden lifted from his chest, his steps grew noticeably lighter.
*Still, those clan elders and uncles aren't fools. They've seen through it, so my reputation is bound to take a hit.*
Li Yuanping had heard some curses, but he paid them no mind. Spending a few days placating the clan elders and uncles, he put the matter behind him.
Sitting beside a wide desk, Li Yuanping pinched a small letter between his fingers, his brow furrowed.
The letter was written by An Zheyan, stationed at Mount Huaqian. The spiritual spring water from the Rui family had been delivered there earlier in seven or eight jade vials, yet the old monkey had adamantly thrown every single one out of the cave.
An Zheyan had chattered and gestured like a monkey himself for a long while before finally understanding: the Rui family's spring was excessively cold and tainted with metal poison. If used for watering, it would likely destroy the spiritual root.
*This!*
Hearing this news, Li Yuanping broke into a cold sweat. He rejoiced inwardly; had the old monkey not stood guard, wouldn't they have wasted a Foundation Establishment-grade cash cow in vain?
Mentally crediting the old monkey with a merit, Li Yuanping considered whether to send someone to investigate the spring water while summoning Li Qiuyang, who had claimed to have an urgent matter to report.
Li Qiuyang wore a solemn expression as he retrieved a pale green ore from his storage bag and murmured:
"Reporting to the family head: we inspected the ore claimed by the Five Lingbi Families to be Lingbi ore and brought back a sample."
With that, he presented the mineral. Li Yuanping took it to inspect it. The ore was a dazzling light green tinged with faint golden light. As a Qi Refinement-grade spiritual material, it posed a danger of harming the human body; fearing it might harm Li Yuanping, Li Qiuyang had already sealed it with a spell.
Li Yuanping could not make sense of it, but Li Qiuyang was already explaining gravely:
"This is no Lingbi ore. It is Cuiyuan copper essence, originally a very rare spiritual material. I only learned of it while chatting casually with Xiao family cultivators.
"Cuiyuan copper essence is a Qi Refinement-grade spiritual material that requires Embryonic Breathing cultivators to mine. Its nature is biting cold and severe, exceptionally damaging to the body. Mining it before breaking through to Qi Refinement damages one's Daoist path and lifespan, making future breakthroughs increasingly difficult.
"The Five Lingbi Families have mined it year in and year out without realizing. The copper essence also contaminates spirit fields and harms spiritual plants; the reason the Five Lingbi Families could hardly grow any spirit rice or spiritual herbs is precisely because of this substance."
A chill ran down Li Yuanping's back. Everything clicked into place. Setting down the copper essence, he nodded:
"So that's how it is... No wonder the Five Lingbi Families have remained at Embryonic Breathing for so many years without producing Qi Refinement cultivators. And no wonder the Xiao family enlightened other clans—firstly, the Qingchi Sect strictly forbids spanning peaks and connecting commanderies, so they feared provoking the sect; secondly, they were loath to sacrifice their own people to mine it."
With just a bit of contemplation, Li Yuanping found answers to the doubts lingering in his mind. He muttered:
"No wonder that spring water had metal poison. It was likely tainted by the Cuiyuan copper essence as well."
Relieved in mind, he asked:
"Have the cultivators of the Rui and Pu families been settled?"
"They have been arranged. Plots have been marked out at Yuting Peak for them to cultivate spirit rice."
Li Qiuyang responded. Li Yuanping picked up a vermilion brush, inscribed a few characters on the small letter from An Zheyan, and handed it to him, saying softly:
"Please trouble yourself, Clan Uncle, to deliver this to Wutu Peak."
Chapter 347