Shockwaves

A chill ran down Centurion Chen's spine. Reaching for his waist, he found the jade pendant had already vanished. When he looked up again, a plume of black flames was bearing down upon his face. He barely had time to throw up his arms in defense before he was knocked rolling across the ground with a dull thud. Xu Xiao cast a disdainful glance at him. "What kind of garbage cultivation is this?" Centurion Chen had been brought down by a cultivator merely at the third layer of Embryonic Breathing, and he had sensed something was wrong long before this. Believing the youth was possessed by an evil spirit, terror seized his heart. With his communication jade token gone from his waist, he opened his mouth to shout for help. "Subdue!" A vivid crimson medallion suddenly manifested in Xu Xiao's hand. With smooth edges, a black upper half, and a red lower half, archaic seal script was carved in relief across its surface. At his soft bark, the medallion emitted a gentle red glow and shot forth like lightning. Centurion Chen let out two strangled gasps. After a brief struggle, he fell to his knees with a thud, his arms dropping limply to his sides. In a single exchange, his mind had been captured, leaving him entirely at the other's mercy. Fearing that any delay might draw other Jade Court Guards, Xu Xiao wasted no time. Conjuring the black mark in his hand as before, he took an effortless stride forward, formed a hand seal, and drove a palm into Chen's chest. Whether a Jade Court Guard was injured or killed, it would become a massive incident. Xu Xiao had held back his strength when fighting him earlier, and he did not strike to kill now either. Instead, he repeated the same trick, planting the spell inside him, before putting away the medallion and watching the man slowly emerge from his stupor. Centurion Chen's mind was groggy. It took several full breaths before clarity rushed back. When he looked at Xu Xiao again, his eyes were brimming with dread. Clenching his teeth, he took up his long saber, looking as if he intended to make a desperate last stand. Xu Xiao sneered. "Centurion Chen... think carefully. You and I are grasshoppers tied to the same string now!" Centurion Chen immediately realized the reality of his situation, his heart sinking. Sending his spiritual sense circulating through his body, he dropped the saber in defeat. A wave of desolation welled within him, yet he had no intention of throwing in his lot with this monster. *No... it matters not if I die, but my young and old... they cannot be brought to ruin by me.* With great effort, he forced out, "Just who are you?!" Xu Xiao watched him quietly and lowered his voice. "I know your family is situated on the Li clan's territory... I won't force you. Pretend neither of us saw anything. That way, you preserve your own life and the lives of your family... "As long as you act blind and let me walk away, when the time comes, I will take Lingzhen and leave... I will never cause trouble!" He judged the leverage to perfection. Coupled with the magical treasure's power to influence the mind, he turned and walked away with absolute confidence. Centurion Chen was sorely tempted. He stared blankly at Xu Xiao's departing back, an intense battle waging within his mind. Swallowing the bitter pill in silence, he rode the wind and took to the sky, flying toward the mountains as if nothing had occurred. On the other end, Xu Xiao looked up, watching him take flight. With only harm, no benefit, and his own life on the line, Xu Xiao was ten parts out of ten certain of his compliance... *When the day of departure comes, what I do... won't be up to you!* He ambled leisurely back to his residence. *** Inside the grand hall, Li Chengliao sat at the head seat holding a jade slip. The hall was expansive. Just a step away from him stood a tall White Monkey with a staff slung across its back, an expression of utter solemnity on the old ape's face. The White Monkey had reached the eighth layer of Qi Refinement, yet it could not speak and seldom interacted with anyone. Within the Li clan, it was a loyal, solitary retainer tasked with guarding Li Chengliao. Below knelt Chen Mufeng on one knee, head lowered as he made his report. "You say... that Xu Xiao took two palms from Old Man Liu and left injured?" Li Chengliao listened from the high seat to Chen Mufeng's respectful reply. Pondering for a couple of breaths, his brow smoothed, and he said with a hint of remorse, "It seems my narrow-mindedness has harmed him." Chen Mufeng dared not answer. Li Chengliao possessed a mild temperament and said amiably, "In that case, let the matter between the Liu family and me be dropped. But that Old Man Liu is short-sighted; he will inevitably put pressure on his daughter. Go summon him here. I will explain it to him clearly so he doesn't make things difficult for the two of them." "Understood!" Chen Mufeng respectfully withdrew. Li Chengliao pondered how to resolve this matter quickly so he could return to the mountain to cultivate, thinking to himself: *Though Xu Xiao appears capable, he carries the demeanor of someone unwilling to bow to others. When the chance comes, I should win him over and send him off with a few spirit stones. Our small temple cannot accommodate such a great Buddha...* Just as he was contemplating this, an old man came tottering up the hall. It was none other than Old Man Liu. Though customarily arrogant within his own manor, inside this hall, he could only fall to his knees and remain prostrate. "Liu Tai of the Liu clan pays his respects to the Clan Head!" Drenched in cold sweat, he offered a respectful greeting. "Patriarch Liu... since your Lingzhen and the Xu clan's son are of one mind, you should fulfill their wish and stop obstructing them... Let them set their betrothal. When the wedding day arrives... I might even count as a matchmaker..." Li Chengliao read the jade slip in his hand and took a leisurely sip of tea, issuing the instructions offhandedly. Old Man Liu had been a dandy in his youth, but he had witnessed and heard tales of the Li clan's rise in its early days, which still struck terror into his heart. Because of Liu Rouxuan, he had even met Li Tongya once. Back then, he had been young, kneeling below in shivering fear, not daring to lift his head as he heard Li Tongya call him by his given name, Liu Tai, and inquire about the Liu clan's situation. His legs had gone weak with fright. Now an old man, he understood the gravity of the stakes, yet his very life lay in another's hands, making it impossible to speak. Receiving no response, Li Chengliao raised his brow and glanced down. "Hmm?" Old Man Liu was scared out of his wits. He wished to shield Xu Xiao to save his own life, yet he could only stammer timidly, sweat pouring down his face. Before Li Chengliao could speak again, he was already kowtowing against the floor with loud thuds, sobbing uncontrollably. Li Chengliao's smile gradually faded. He regarded him closely, then descended the dais, his jade boots clicking crisply against the stone steps. He stood in silence, watching the old man's sweat drench the floor. Having realized the truth, he said in a heavy voice, "Liu Tai, what is going on?" The name "Liu Tai" struck like thunder beside the old man's ears, making his legs tremble until the weight finally broke him. He wept, "Ancestor, Xu—" He had only managed a single word before the White Ape behind Li Chengliao suddenly snapped its eyes open, taking a step forward to seize Old Man Liu. Yet how could it be in time? Black flames erupted from Liu Tai's limbs and bones, exploding violently out from his chest and abdomen. Blood splattered across the entire hall as his viscera flew in all directions. A geyser of black blood surged through the air of the grand hall. Li Chengliao stepped back, but the hem of his robe was still speckled with black blood, stray drops staining his chest and collar. Amidst the boiling black blood, a black imprint leapt forth, attempting to soar into the air. But a large, fur-covered hand caught it, adroitly trapping the black light in its grip. The black light struggled with all its might to pierce through, yet it writhed helplessly beneath the surging demonic power. Though its grade was far superior, the demonic power was simply too vast, forcibly grinding it down into nothingness. The White Monkey withdrew its hand and stepped back. Li Chengliao reached out to wipe the blood from his collar, unfastened his brocade robe, and draped it over his forearm. "Chiliarch Chen!" Li Chengliao barked abruptly as he draped the garment neatly over the back of a chair. Chen Mufeng, who had hurried back in, widened his eyes in horror at the black blood coating the floor. He dropped to his knees with a thud, his voice trembling. "Subordinate admits his crime." Regret flooded his heart. He felt both terror and hatred toward Xu Xiao, along with a faint sense of relief that the person before him was a junior; had it been Li Yuanping, a kick would have landed on him long ago, leaving him no room to speak. With his back turned to him, Li Chengliao suppressed his fury. "What are you doing kneeling there? Gather everyone at once and keep watch on the Xu family! Xu Xiao might not know yet!" Chen Mufeng sprang from the ground, riding the wind to crash straight through the doorway. Li Chengliao's voice still echoed through the courtyard behind him: "If you let him escape, you need not bother returning." Chen Mufeng urgently shouted his assent and dashed out. Li Chengliao's thoughts drifted back to the past events concerning Chu Yi of Yufu Commandery, and a profound unease gripped him. He knew many secrets, and because his own mind had not been influenced throughout this ordeal, it meant Xu Xiao was at least not as formidable as Chu Yi. *With the Kong family and Chu Yi as precedent, this matter cannot be treated lightly.* He waved a servant over and ordered, "Have people watch the Liu family, especially Liu Lingzhen." At this moment, not a shred of thought regarding fulfilling others' wishes or worrying about his reputation remained in Li Chengliao's heart. It was filled entirely with dread, hatred, and murderous intent. Promptly commanding the White Monkey, he rode the wind alongside it, ascending toward Mount Qingdu. When Li Chengliao reached the mountain, the great hall was empty. Only a young maiden sat in the courtyard combing her hair, blessed with phoenix eyes and willow-leaf brows. A hollow dread seized Li Chengliao's heart. Though his expression was grim, he still addressed her: "Aunt." Li Yuexiang was younger than him, yet she was of a higher generation. Seeing his state, she asked, "Why are you in such a hurry? My brother has already entered secluded cultivation." Hearing that Li Xijun was in seclusion, Li Chengliao's heart sank. Li Yuexiang added, "A few days ago, he sensed an opportunity to break through to the seventh layer of Qi Refinement. It was a rare chance, so he hurriedly went into seclusion to make the attempt. It is best not to disturb him." *Disaster!* Though Li Chengliao knew telling Li Yuexiang might not help, he still summarized the incident in brief words. After listening, Li Yuexiang set down her comb. Looking thoughtful, she answered, "He bears a karmic mandate, which is why Brother suddenly entered seclusion, and why Grandfather and Clan Elder Donghe took a group of Qi Refinement cultivators to congratulate Master Houfu, leaving our fighting strength vacant?" Reminded by Li Yuexiang, Li Chengliao was instantly seized with terror. Only then did he connect the dots that all the respected Qi Refinement elders of their clan had traveled east. He rasped, "Can a karmic mandate truly possess such divine power?! It must be a coincidence!" Li Yuexiang tied up her hair and answered, "Do not panic yet. Before Brother went into seclusion, he gave me a piece of jade that can summon him out. Keeping his situation in mind, do you want to try?" Li Chengliao nodded decisively, saying in a heavy voice, "Please awaken Eighth Uncle. This matter is of paramount importance—it is better to kill by mistake than let him slip away. If any blame arises, I will bear it entirely." Li Yuexiang retrieved a jade pendant from her breast and murmured, "What talk of bearing blame? Nonsense!" With a slight squeeze of her fingers, she crushed the jade pendant to dust. *** Qingdu Cave Dwelling. His face slightly pale, Li Xijun stepped out of the cave dwelling to find several people already waiting for him. He surveyed the area, took a small letter, and a Jade Court Guard came forward, saying respectfully, "Reporting to my lord, the Clan Rectory sent word... saying that Young Master Chengliao... has run into some trouble." "The Eldest Young Master?" Li Xijun frowned. The Chengming generation of the Li clan was not exceptionally gifted; setting aside Li Chenghuai, who carried high hopes and was only just beginning to understand the world, the only one he remembered was Li Xicheng's eldest son, Li Chengliao, who was generally magnanimous and dependable. He asked, "What happened?" "Reportedly... he had a conflict with the town's Xu family... over a woman." "What?!" Li Chengliao had performed well on the mountain for all these years, so Li Xijun had not expected him to cause such a commotion the moment he descended. Displeased, Li Xijun refrained from passing judgment before understanding the full details, saying in a low voice, "Set this matter aside for now. Summon Yuexiang to see me." For Li Yuexiang to awaken him so urgently, something grave must have occurred. Li Xijun's first thought was that something had happened to their elders across the sea, breaking their jade talismans and necessitating rescue, which filled him with profound anxiety. Just as he rose, another person hurried up and said respectfully, "My lord, the young mistress and young master have arrived to pay their respects." Li Xijun sat back down and waved his hand. "Let them come up." Li Yuexiang and Li Chengliao quickly stepped inside. Before Li Xijun could grasp the situation, he kindly offered them seats. But Li Chengliao did not even have the time to sit, whispering urgently, "Eighth Uncle! There is a person at the foot of the mountain who may bear a karmic mandate, and I fear he intends to emulate Chu Yi's precedent!" These words completely defied his expectations, proving far graver than anything he had envisioned. Li Xijun raised his brow, startled and alarmed. He said in a deep voice, "Where is he? Have we provoked him?! How far has it gone?" "I have stabilized him for now. He is not as terrifying as Chu Yi, but he is just as bizarre. Perhaps he truly bears a karmic mandate; he cannot be underestimated." Li Xijun rubbed the jade pendant at his waist. A breath later, the waters of the lake beside Qingdu began to churn, and a demonic wind swept through the courtyard. A black-robed youth rushed in, his dark, sinister snake eyes scanning the room before bowing his head. "Did Young Master summon subordinate with orders?" Li Wushao had long since cultivated the two hooks on his tail, finally bringing his combat strength up to standard. Li Yuanjiao had stationed him at home to guard the clan and cultivate. Li Xijun said softly, "Trouble has broken out in the family. We will need to trouble Senior Wushao." Beneath Li Wushao's feet, two dark rays circled within his shadow. He nodded and retreated behind Li Xijun. Li Xijun said, "Let's go! We shall take a look!" Li Chengliao nodded. Li Xijun hesitated briefly, then reached out to stop his younger sister, Li Yuexiang, saying solemnly, "You two are not permitted to go. People of this sort are often unfathomably bizarre; who knows what vicious schemes he might employ." Li Yuexiang paused, then drew a talisman from her sleeve and pressed it into her brother's chest. "Brother! Father left this for me; take it for protection... We do not know what cultivation he possesses, so beware of him concealing his true identity." Li Xijun gave a silent nod, rode the wind into the air, and plummeted swiftly toward the town. From a distance, he could see several figures patrolling the skies above the small town, wandering in a loose formation that was tightly coordinated beneath the surface. The entire Li clan appeared no different from ordinary days, yet its vigilance had already been pulled taut in secret. A Jade Court Guard beside him recounted the sequence of events into his ear, then led his gaze toward the gates of the Xu family residence from afar, whispering, "My lord, this person has an Embryonic Breathing third layer cultivation. Should we dispatch someone to probe him and lure this Xu family fiend out for my lord to observe?" "No need for such trouble." Li Xijun formed an invisibility seal and stood atop the clouds. Rather than descending to probe with his spiritual sense, a white light surfaced within his eyes—resembling frost and snow, clouds and mist—as he focused his gaze. The Xu family's warding array was exceedingly crude, meant only to isolate the interior from outside view. Under the combined power of his ocular technique and talisman qi, it quickly faded into transparency. With a sweep of his vision, Li Xijun instantly spotted the handsome youth in the courtyard. "Third layer of Qi Refinement?!"