Huiyao

While the other two had yet to arrive, Li Yuanjiao stood with his hands behind his back, listening to Zong Yan recount the island's affairs. "There are over five thousand people on the island, mostly making a living by fishing. We also grow rice and fruits, but with so little arable land, it is mostly the women and children tending the fields..." "There are many monsters around us. Some are even subordinates of the dragon child. It is inevitable that they crave fresh meat; whenever people go out to sea and a few go missing, they have been snapped up as snacks." After they surveyed Zongquan Island for a short while, purple and golden lights flew in from the east and west. Zong Yan tactfully deactivated the array, and Li Qinghong and Kongheng landed one after the other. Li Qinghong looked around and said softly, "There are several islands to the east, but none compare to this one. This is quite a fine territory, decently sized, though regrettably lacking in rich spiritual energy." Li Yuanjiao nodded slightly, while Kongheng pressed his palms together, his voice mellow and resonant. "I traveled west. The sea is vast, offering no place to establish a foothold." Having heard all this, Zong Yan finally understood, rejoicing inwardly, 'So they are righteous cultivators from the inland world looking for a place to settle! Wonderful! They look like disciples of immortal sects—Zongquan Island has finally seen through the hardship!' Li Yuanjiao and Li Qinghong exchanged a glance, their minds made up. Seeing her elder brother keeping a stern, menacing face, Li Qinghong glanced at Zong Yan, who was beaming with delight, and said in a gentle voice, "Fellow Daoist has likely deduced our intentions. We wish to establish an outpost on the sea, and Zongquan Island suits our needs very well. Allow us to survey it first, and then we shall discuss the details with you." People were often quick to fear power yet slow to cherish virtue. Since Li Yuanjiao intended to play the villain, Li Qinghong adopted a far more courteous demeanor. Yet the disparity in strength between them was far too vast. Though Li Qinghong phrased it politely as discussing the details, Zong Yan knew there was no room for discussion—it only came down to whether this group deigned to take an interest in his island. He complied subserviently, and only then did Li Qinghong say, "Please guide Guest Elder Kongheng to survey the earth veins and inspect the spiritual energy." Kongheng chanted a Shakya holy name and departed. Standing shoulder to shoulder with his sister, Li Yuanjiao voiced his concerns. Li Qinghong pondered for a moment before replying, "From what I have observed along the way, the dragonkind of the Eastern Sea treat islands as fields and mortals as crops, rearing them like cattle and swine in a pen. Even Tangjin Gate and Xuanyue Gate must obediently pay tribute. For us to evade this will be nearly impossible." "Indeed," Li Yuanjiao said, lowering his eyes. "I wondered if we might meet that dragon child in person, or find some way to maneuver and substitute other items for the tribute. In any case, we must try." "Securing an audience with dragonkind will likely be exceedingly difficult," Li Qinghong said, shaking her head. "Though he is only at Foundation Establishment, dragonkind possess noble blood, and who knows how many monster generals serve under him. It is hard to say whether he would deign to meet us, not to mention how exorbitant his demands might be. It would be better to start with the lesser monsters and offer hefty bribes; the cost might even be less." The two rode the wind through the pitch-black night, unconsciously descending into the sea. In the nocturnal depths of the Zhulu Sea, countless tiny specks of emerald light shone. The crystalline radiance of techniques in the deep sea sparkled like stars, infinitely magnificent amid the darkness. Through the gloom, the glittering gold and jade of flood dragon palaces and dragon halls could faintly be seen. Li Yuanjiao nodded slightly and said, "Only upon coming to the Eastern Sea does one realize how small the inland world is. The monsters here possess formidable strength. The Eastern Sea monster clans alone can rival Jiangnan, and what is rarer still, they answer to a unified command, standing as one from top to bottom, deeply entrenched." Li Yuanjiao sighed and turned back to look at Zongquan Island. Li Qinghong said softly, "This island has neither fire veins nor substantial earth veins. It offers little revenue beyond a bit more incense and mortal devotion. The important thing is securing a foothold overseas. Our family's status as a prominent clan is gradually stabilizing, so we must consider the Violet Palace." "Without a suitable cultivation method or the right opportunity, that is merely empty talk," Li Yuanjiao said, shaking his head. "In my view, the only prize within our family's grasp is the treasure in Yu Muxian's hands. If we can obtain that, our family will make a tremendous leap forward." Given Yu Muxian's status, it was impossible for him to die in the inland territories. If their family wanted to plot against him, an ambush in the Eastern Sea was the only way. Furthermore, they would need to rely on the magical mirror's ability to shield against divination to evade Realized One Yuanwu's contingency measures—another troublesome matter. Li Yuanjiao merely said, "Once affairs on the island are settled, you return home first. I will remain here to guard the island and enter secluded cultivation to attempt a breakthrough to the mid-Foundation Establishment stage." "Meanwhile, we will dispatch people to the major market towns to gather all available information on various immortal foundations and the Violet Palace. Circulation of such knowledge is prohibited inland, but overseas there is still a chance to find it." "Very well," Li Qinghong agreed. After all, with no one in Jiangnan coveting her thunder-attribute immortal foundation, it was more appropriate for her to remain in Qingdu. After discussing a while longer, brother and sister descended back onto the island. Kongheng had already flown up on the wind and said politely, "Three earth veins on the island are reasonably robust, while the rest are frail and weak, their spiritual energy shallow. Erecting a Foundation Establishment-grade array is impossible; at most, it could reach the peak of Qi Refinement." Hearing this, Li Yuanjiao turned to Zong Yan and asked in a low voice, "When will the dragon child's subordinates arrive?" Zong Yan answered hurriedly, "Within the next few days!" Just at that moment, a sudden cheer erupted on the island. A person rode the wind upward and whispered something into Zong Yan's ear. Li Yuanjiao cast a cool glance at them. Understanding the cue, Zong Yan bowed and said, "Reporting to my lords, our island cultivates the *Six Yi Complete Unity Method*, upholding the path of the Violet Palace and Golden Core, while the techniques we practice are shamanic talisman arts. There are various ways to cultivate 'medicine'... all bestowed by the dragon child, solely to raise humans for dragonkind..." "Just now... they found an infant with the required birth chart..." He spoke evasively, deeply afraid of offending them, and whispered, "Whenever tribute is collected, the dragon child leaves behind specifications for the next tribute—someone with a specific birth chart... If that person cannot be found, a hundred people must be offered in substitution. That is why... whenever one is found... people inevitably rejoice." Before the Li siblings could say anything, Kongheng could no longer contain himself and said sternly, "How can there not be a shred of compassion! Even if it is sacrificing the few for the many, one ought not be so gleeful! If that vile dragon eats one less person next year, would you all thank it instead?!" Zong Yan dropped to his knees with a thud and cried in panic, "Master! You mustn't say such things, Master! Were it not for the dragon child's protection, passing demonic cultivators and monster generals would have devoured us down to the bone long ago! How could we not be grateful..." Kongheng froze, looking utterly bewildered. Only after several breaths did he exclaim in shock, "Does being a lesser evil mean it is not evil at all?!" Unsure of Kongheng's temperament, Zong Yan only raised his head in fright and mumbled, "Yet Lord Dragon Child saving us from greater evils is also an indisputable fact... Everyone knows to choose the lesser of two evils, so why must everything be condemned outright when it comes to this..." "Yet he clearly devours mortals! How can you still thank him?!" "Enough..." Li Qinghong intervened to smooth things over. Kongheng and Zong Yan operated on entirely different mindsets; arguing like this until dawn would resolve nothing. Zong Yan subserviently assented, while Kongheng let out a long breath, offered an apology, and sank into thoughtful silence. After dismissing the two, Li Yuanjiao stood nearby with his hands behind his back, somewhat lost in thought. He slowly closed his eyes. Li Qinghong turned to look, and Li Yuanjiao said, "A monster has arrived outside." The two rode the wind out and indeed saw a green fish suspended in midair. Bizarrely, a pair of scaled wings grew from its flanks, giving it an eerie appearance. Li Yuanjiao flew up to meet it. The fish-serpent fixed its massive fish eyes on the two, its wide mouth opening and closing as it spoke in clear, resonant tones: "Where do you Fellow Daoists hail from? This is the territory of our Zhunan Dragon Palace." This fish monster possessed a cultivation of the ninth layer of Qi Refinement, not yet having established its foundation. Because both Li family cultivators were at Foundation Establishment, far exceeding it in strength, the creature remained relatively polite, though it still addressed them as peers. Li Qinghong said courteously, "My brother and I were originally cultivators of a minor sect near Salt Lake. Our sect collapsed, and passing through here, we thought to establish a foothold. But being strangers in an unfamiliar land, we hope for Fellow Daoist's guidance." "Fellow Daoist is too courteous." The monster retracted its wings and stepped atop monstrous winds. The corners of its fish mouth curled upward as its scales ruffled one by one, dripping with mucus—it was impossible to tell whether it was smiling or crying. It answered, "I am of the Hui clan of the algae, humbly serving as Sea Patrol for the Dragon Palace. My name is Huiyao. If you two Daoists are willing to serve our Dragon Palace, I shall naturally hold nothing back." The fish tucked in its tail, transforming into a grotesque, half-man, half-fish form clutching a trident. Its eyes remained fixed on the two. Between the inland and overseas regions, the statuses of humans and monsters were reversed; Li Yuanjiao and his sister were now like Lu Ken, the deer demon of past years, reduced to the ones seeking favors. Li Yuanjiao was not one to stand on ceremony over pride. Even though the fish monster was hideous beyond measure, he maintained a smile and said in a deep voice, "Fellow Daoist, please." Descending together on the wind, they were greeted by Zong Yan, who rushed forward and bowed to the ground, saying, "Greetings, Grandfather Sea Patrol! This lowly one has already prepared the tribute!" Huiyao gave a sinister chuckle, swaying his head. "Heh heh! You've certainly lucked out! After struggling for so many years, you finally have something to look forward to!" "Yes, yes, of course..." Zong Yan nodded, overwhelmed by the favor, and bustled about directing his subordinates. The group entered the hall, where servants offered tea. Zong Yan knelt beside Huiyao and held up a jade bottle filled with vivid crimson blood. Huiyao waved a hand and scolded, "You blind fool! Distinguished guests have arrived today; it is improper to consume this!" As if granted an amnesty, Zong Yan retreated respectfully. Beside them, Li Yuanjiao's expression remained unchanged, while Li Qinghong's smile grew broader. Huiyao said, "My subordinate lacks manners. Please pardon the embarrassment, you two." Huiyao was no fool. With pure qi swirling across their faces, these two were either inland cultivators or disciples of ancient sects. Outmatched in strength for the moment, he was not about to court death by brazenly offending their taboos to their faces. If they truly slew him and fled, the dragon child would not necessarily pursue the culprits across thousands of li. After a brief exchange, Li Yuanjiao wasted no more words and asked directly, "Might I ask... how the tribute for Zongquan Island is calculated?" Huiyao surveyed him and said with indifference, "This place is barren. The dragon child has never bothered with it and has already assigned it to my Hui clan. I am the one who collects it, and I am the one who uses it!" The siblings exchanged a glance, realizing that Huiyao held the reins. Li Yuanjiao felt a growing headache, but Huiyao spoke up: "Does Fellow Daoist cultivate Kan Water? May I behold its wonders?" Li Yuanjiao nodded slightly. In the courtyard before them, a grayish-green flood serpent arose. Huiyao examined it and nodded. "It truly is the 'Jing Dragon King'! No wonder I felt a sense of kinship the moment I saw you... The dragon child of our palace cultivates this method as well; it is also the 'Jing Dragon King'." Muttering to himself, Huiyao assumed a solemn tone and said, "Since you Daoists intend to settle here, this tribute is a matter of mutual benefit. I shall not make things difficult for your clan." He extended a webbed fish hand and said leisurely, "One medicine mortal per year, along with ten Embryonic Breathing spiritual items and two Qi Refinement spiritual items—either ores or spiritual materials will suffice... As for how passing monsters demand bribes, you two shall handle that yourselves." Monsters had little need for spirit stones, so most of what he demanded were spiritual items and mortal lives. These conditions were far steeper than Zong Yan's original tribute of three hundred people every five years. Though Huiyao claimed he would not make things difficult, the price he named was far from pleasant. Before either could speak, Huiyao added outright, "The rules of our Dragon Palace dictate... no matter where you two hail from, once in the territory of dragonkind, you must obey dragonkind's commands..." Huiyao stopped just short of saying, "Do not put on airs with me." His tone was harsh. Listening to this, Zong Yan broke into a cold sweat, terrified that the siblings lacked composure and would flare up in anger at the provocation. With a thud, he dropped to his knees, clutched Huiyao's fish foot, and wailed, "Grandfather Sea Patrol! It was this lowly one's lack of foresight and failure to properly gather information! For the sake of this lowly one's years of toil, please grant us a way out..." Curling his lips, Huiyao kicked him away. Li Yuanjiao, however, did not lose his temper and said courteously, "I understand Fellow Daoist's meaning. It is only that this practice of offering medicine mortals runs contrary to our family's rules. Might it be substituted with other items?" "Other items?" Huiyao burst into laughter and mocked, "Others use medicine mortals to substitute for spiritual items, yet you do the opposite. How foolish! Do you even know their value? What could you possibly produce year after year to make up for it?!" Li Yuanjiao took a jade box from his storage bag and said softly, "What about this?" Huiyao looked down and saw a small flower resting in the jade box. He sniffed it and asked, "A Foundation Establishment spiritual item?" "Indeed. One flower accounts for five years." Li Yuanjiao turned his hand and stowed it away, giving the creature no chance for a closer look. Huiyao wiped away his drool and argued, "Five years? How could it be worth so much?!" Li Yuanjiao replied, "Think carefully, Fellow Daoist. This is a spiritual flower from the inland world, worthy even as an offering to a monster general. I was only able to obtain it through some favors and dealings with the Han family." Covetous greed was written all over Huiyao's face. Li Yuanjiao paused briefly and asked, "Can this serve as a substitute?" "It can! It can!" Huiyao agreed repeatedly. Li Yuanjiao, however, began to play hard to get and said in a grave tone, "A pity... this item cannot be displayed in public... Sigh... let us go back to medicine mortals instead!" "Fellow Daoist! Fellow Daoist! What do you mean by that?!" Huiyao's expression changed abruptly. Li Yuanjiao said in a hushed voice, "This item was acquired through illicit reselling, and the Han family has always strictly contained news of it... If word gets out, disaster will surely follow!" Though the Wanling Flower was not entirely unique to their family, when combined with the characteristics of the two siblings, its origin would be glaringly obvious. With countless calculations running through his mind, Li Yuanjiao had naturally anticipated this, and decided to tempt the monster with profit to bind it to the same boat. "Ah!" Huiyao's face drained of color as various possibilities flashed through his mind. Li Yuanjiao smiled and said, "I came to the Eastern Sea merely seeking a place to establish a foothold. If things cannot be arranged, at worst I can dust off my robes and head back inland; the Dragon Palace cannot chase me there. Fellow Daoist, you had best think it through!" His tone was mild, yet the veiled threat was unmistakable. Huiyao fell silent for a moment, only then realizing that between those few sentences, Li Yuanjiao had quietly stepped right in front of him, one hand resting on his sword hilt. A jolt of terror struck Huiyao. He could faintly see a bluish-white sword radiance rippling beneath Li Yuanjiao's fingers. For a moment, his legs turned to jelly in sheer dread. The situation had shifted too quickly. In virtually a matter of words, all the authority backing him had been completely neutralized, and he seemed left with no choice but to yield to this man.