Li Xinghan offered her thanks. Watching this, Li Xuanxuan nodded repeatedly, then asked, “Do you have a Dharma sword?”
With that single question, everyone present knew a sword was to be bestowed. Li Xinghan said respectfully, “I have Beiyu, a low-grade Qi Refinement Dharma sword. It was in my maternal uncle's collection and originally belonged to the Yu family. It was forged a long time ago, likely tracing back to the Jiang clan, and serves me quite well.”
“The Yu family.”
Li Ximing raised an eyebrow. Since Li Xuanxuan had brought it up, it was naturally up to him, the Enlightened Master, to bestow a magical implement. He remarked, “Back then... Yu Mujian possessed a sword named Tongzang. It was severed by Brother Jun, but the remnants are still kept in the vault. Forged from the copper of Mount Yan and the water of Piaoming, the crafting technique was ordinary, but the materials were exceptional.”
Everyone pricked up their ears to listen. Li Ximing continued, “Whenever you master Threefold Moonstream, come up to the mountain. I will personally find an artisan to forge a sword for you using Tongzang as the material.”
Li Xinghan hastily bowed in gratitude, a hint of joy surfacing on her face. It seemed this promised Dharma sword excited her even more than the Enlightened Master's earlier guidance and favor. Li Ximing turned his head and cast a glance over Li Zhouluo.
At Li Zhouluo's waist already hung a Foundation Establishment-grade Dharma sword, entirely brownish-yellow. Li Ximing found it somewhat familiar; it was likely Xushi, the standard-issue Dharma sword that his elder brother Li Xizhi had once used. Although it merely had the materials of Foundation Establishment rank without elaborate arts, it was quite fitting for Zhouluo's current use.
Over these years, Li Chenghuai had grown closer in communication with Li Xizhi and his wife. Li Zhouluo's cultivation resources and magical implements naturally required no worry from the Li family on Qingdu; most were provided by his grandfather, of a quality no worse than what direct disciples of Qingchi received. Within the Li family, his provisions were in a league of their own. Li Ximing thus only inquired about a few matters regarding his cultivation before dismissing the two juniors. He stopped only Li Quewan, saying, “You and Jiangqian wait down at the foot of the mountain first.”
Once the juniors were gone, Li Xuanxuan finally spoke. He did not ask about An Siwei, but said instead, “These two children are quite good. Then there are Zhoufang and Zhouyang... Your brother once looked at them and said the only thing worth mentioning about the two brothers was their honesty. Yet now, in the Zhou-Xing generation, aside from Zhouwei, Zhouluo, and Xinghan, only those two are presentable...”
His tone held no anger, only a touch of lament.
“As for the other dozen or so... Those who are half-hearted, dull-witted, and lacking schemes are still considered alright. Those who shut their doors entirely to indulge in amusement, secretly wallowing in wine and carnal pleasures... since they don't harm the common folk, Qingdu cannot punish them too severely and can only let them be... And there are one or two remaining... who are still locked up in the dungeons right now!”
Hearing this, Li Chenghuai hastily bowed his head and pleaded guilty, “It is because we, the elders... the brothers failed in our instruction...”
“Those of your Cheng-Ming generation have been either cultivating or fighting; hardly any of you are left now. This cannot be blamed on you...” Li Xuanxuan merely waved a hand and continued, “Zhouming was born with a wretched disposition... which is quite a troublesome matter.”
Hearing this, suddenly catching his own grandson's name, how could Li Ximing fail to understand? He glanced at Li Chenghuai and spoke, “Grandfather is reproaching me... I wonder what foolishness Zhouming has committed these past few days?”
Li Ximing had only just mentioned Li Zhouming not long ago. If something had happened without reaching Li Ximing's ears, it would normally be Li Chenghuai's fault. But Li Chenghuai was hardly withholding information—he had no idea what stupidity Li Zhouming had committed either! Yet the last person who had deceived this Enlightened Master had just been reduced to ashes. Caught under that gaze, even though this Enlightened Master was his own elder, Li Chenghuai was startled and froze in apprehension.
Fortunately, Li Xuanxuan had grown sharp with age. With a single exchange of glances, the old man understood what was happening and said, “This matter does not fall under Qingdu's purview; the blame rests on me.”
Li Xuanxuan lowered his voice, “A few years ago, when you were in secluded cultivation, Zhouming's cultivation was lacking. Thinking to lend a hand, I had Jiangqian arrange a position for him. Who would have thought he refused to go? The matter was dropped, and no one in the family knew of it.
“Later, when Chenghuai came out of seclusion, he directly assigned him duties. He went reluctantly. Fearing that his cultivation would fail to command respect, I privately gave him a spiritual item for his practice... In the end... when I looked at him a few days ago... his cultivation had not changed at all.”
Li Ximing straightened his posture, poured a cup of tea for Li Xuanxuan, and then said, “This junior has been negligent in discipline.”
Li Xuanxuan shook his head. “A blood descendant of an Enlightened Master... supporting him at home would be fine enough; the family does not lack for his share... Setting aside whether it loses face or not, it is simply because I hope for him to do well that I must say a few extra words.”
Silence fell over the mountain for a moment. Fearing that Li Ximing might grow angry, Li Xuanxuan added, “It is not to say he is utterly useless. Among the juniors, setting aside Zhouwei, those who have amounted to something are only the four of them: Zhoufang, Zhouyang, Zhouluo, and Xinghan. Zhouming at least listens to his father a little, which is not considered terrible among the brothers.”
Li Ximing already understood his meaning and replied, “Just give him an idle post to hold. We never expected him to amount to much anyway; it is enough to manage the few children who have ambition. Does Grandfather expect the family to prepare resources and send people to supervise his cultivation day and night? Our family has always selected the best based on talent and acumen. We cannot break the rules.”
Li Xuanxuan could only sigh. Turning to Li Chenghuai, he said, “Chenghuai, though this immortal foundation of yours is formidable, in my view... it is better not to deploy it for every little thing.”
Li Chenghuai was slightly surprised. Li Xuanxuan explained, “Some things are difficult for you to sense. When water is too clear, there are no fish. During these two years you have overseen Qingdu, both guest elders and direct descendants have felt silenced like cicadas in winter. Privately, they have begun coordinating ways to evade your questioning. On the surface, things appear increasingly peaceful and upright, but in truth, matters are growing ever more concealed. That is not a good thing.
“So long as their private actions remain visible to us, even if there are minor grievances or slight injustices, it does not matter much. What is terrifying is if the undercurrents become so cautious and secretive that neither you nor I can see them, forcing us to spend double the effort to investigate. There are so many wondrous spells under heaven; people will gradually come to understand and bypass your miraculous ability. If we place too much reliance on your immortal foundation, we will end up being deceived and manipulated by them instead.”
Li Chenghuai bowed his head in contemplation. The old man continued, “Secondly, you ought to focus on your cultivation right now rather than putting the incidental before the fundamental. You should only be called upon to provide corroboration for major affairs involving direct descendants. After all, this current state where every single matter must be brought to Qingdu for a definitive verdict also breaks the rules.”
In truth, Li Chenghuai had only just refined two magical implements himself and had yet to experience many of their subtle uses, holding down Qingdu purely out of a sense of responsibility. Sensing that the old man had long noticed this and was offering him a way to step down, he could not help but sigh with admiration in his heart:
‘The Old Master says little, but he is truly the one who sees through things with utter clarity in our family... After all, he has watched over the clan for more than a century...’
With genuine respect, he said, “Chenghuai obeys your command. Upon returning, I will hand over the authority of Qingdu!”
Li Xuanxuan stroked his beard with a smile. “Since that is the case, let Zhouluo take charge of Qingdu.”
“Old Master!”
Li Chenghuai tried to decline, but seeing Li Xuanxuan wave a hand, he could only take his leave and withdraw. Left alone with his grandson, Li Xuanxuan looked at the Enlightened Master sipping tea in silence beside him and asked, “Ming'er, where do you see the Zhou-Xing generation falling short?”
The celestial radiance at the white-robed, gold-patterned Enlightened Master's brow receded. Taking a sip of tea, he said, “Too benevolent... I fear they will be deceived.”
Li Xuanxuan praised, “Indeed.”
Li Ximing lowered his voice. “Father told me from my youth that Lake Wangyue is a vicious land. Those who govern the clan must be the most adept at villainy, guile, and deception, so that they can subdue such people and bring peace to the common folk. Zhouluo and Xinghan are not lacking, but their origins are too lofty and everything has gone smoothly for them. While they excel at cultivation and combat, if they encounter the likes of Wenhu or Chen Yang, I fear they will be deceived.”
In fact, Li Ximing was putting it mildly. Li Zhouluo was not stupid, but if he truly went up against Wenhu, nine times out of ten he would be led around in circles. That was precisely what Li Xuanxuan worried about. He merely said, “Who can say? People improve as they grow older. Cheng'er was once nothing more than a taciturn child among the Cheng-Ming generation; no one would have thought he could amount to much. Let us wait and observe first.”
Li Xuanxuan had mulled over An Siwei's matter several times, but in the end he did not ask. He simply rose and said, “This old man has stayed on the peak for too long and cannot help blathering about household matters. Do not find me tedious.”
“Grandfather's guidance brings boundless benefit to the family.”
Li Ximing saw him off. Reaching the foot of the mountain, Li Jiangqian and Li Quewan were waiting off to the side, and behind them waited a broad-faced man. Li Ximing could not be bothered to ascend the mountain again, sitting down directly in a pavilion at the mountain base, and asked, “How is the matter of Mifan going?”
Li Jiangqian respectfully replied, “The Wang family member has arrived. This is Wang Quwan. While not of the same branch as Wang He, he is nonetheless from a direct line of the Jiangbei Wang family.”
The Wang clan was somewhat unique, a rather important local power. Having migrated primarily from the Qi region of the State of Zhao, not only did they boast a large population in Funan and Midong, but their clan had at one point extended into the territory of Tangjin. Consequently, members of the Wang family could no longer be treated as ordinary guest elders.
Li Ximing took a look. This Wang Quwan was plainly dressed and unremarkable in appearance. He therefore asked, “Jiangbei is unstable. Have the Wang clansmen encountered any difficulties upon newly relocating to the Funan territory?”
Wang Quwan clasped his hands and bowed low, his eyes cast down and fixed upon the ground, saying submissively, “The Midong region is fraught with unrest. That the Wang clan could escape that sea of bitterness is entirely thanks to our liege family. Now having received new lands, everyone has spirit fields to farm and stipends distributed; our ordinary clansmen live and work in peace and contentment, without hardships.”
His demeanor and phrasing gave the Enlightened Master seated above pause. Li Ximing swept his gaze over him, noticing that the man before him was in his prime, nearly fifty years old. He then asked, “What spells have you learned, and do you possess any crafts to support yourself? Does your clan have any artisan crafts to make a living?”
Wang Quwan kept his gaze respectfully pinned to the ground, displaying utmost compliance, his etiquette more meticulous than anyone's. He said in a deep voice, “Reporting to the Enlightened Master, this humble one has practiced the sword from youth and attained modest achievements, cultivating sword qi for many years. My elder brother Wang Qudao is currently near the Funan territory as well, possessing some pill-refining skills to supplement our livelihood.”
Li Ximing noticed that his mind was calm, neither obsequious nor arrogant—far from an ordinary figure—and his words revealed just enough without overstepping. A pang of unease rose in Li Ximing's heart:
‘He is no simple character either... Wenhu, Ding Weizeng, Gongsun Baifan... and now Wang Qudao and Wang Quwan... This land of Jiangbei is truly favored by heaven, far out of the ordinary... far too extraordinary.’
As Li Ximing did not immediately respond, Wang Quwan could only remain kneeling. But the Enlightened Master suddenly had a strange premonition:
‘How does our family compare to the Xiao family of old? Back then, when the Xiao family... looked upon our Ancestor Tongya, did they look upon him just as I look upon Wang Quwan now?
‘Did the Violet Palace cultivators back then look at my family and think the same thing—first came Wan Huaqian and Yu Yufeng, followed by Li Chijing and Yu Muxian, and then another Li Tongya emerged... This land of Lake Wangyue is truly favored by heaven!’
Thoughts churned in his mind, but after merely a brief pause, he nodded and said, “Very well. Since you are willing to serve in our family, all your treatments and stipends shall match those of our own clan's cultivators.”
Wang Quwan bowed respectfully in acknowledgement, only to see the Enlightened Master flick a finger. A jade slip landed before him. The Enlightened Master said, “Our clan possesses the Xiaoshi Tianqing Sanyun Jue, which is far superior to whatever low-tier technique you cultivate, not to mention it includes chapters for Foundation Establishment. Cultivate it for now.”
A gleam of delight surfaced in Wang Quwan's eyes. Almost in an instant, he grasped the Enlightened Master's intention. The Wang clan had Wang He serving in Duxian Dao in Jiangbei, and the Wang surname was the largest in the region, boasting multiple direct lineages. If the Li family wished to stabilize its rule, a Wang clan Foundation Establishment cultivator was indispensable. He immediately received it respectfully and offered his thanks:
“This junior offers his deepest gratitude to the Enlightened Master! The Wang clan shall remain loyal ministers to the liege family in Jiangbei, sparing no effort and facing ten thousand deaths without hesitation to help the Enlightened Master and Patriarch stabilize the territory.”
Seeing that he had grasped the surface layer immediately and spoke with far greater candor, Li Ximing merely nodded. “The family will set aside portions of Three-Perfect Realm-Breaking, White Breath, and Yellow Sprout pills for you. When you are ready to make the breakthrough, make a trip to Mount Zhijing.”
Wang Quwan respectfully voiced his thanks and took his leave down the mountain. Watching him depart, Li Ximing looked toward Li Jiangqian and asked, “Is there a candidate within the clan to cultivate the Mifan arts?”
Li Jiangqian nodded and replied, “Reporting to the Enlightened Master, this junior looked into it earlier. Unfortunately, Sister Queyi, whose talent was higher, has already broken through and cannot switch in time. Among the Jiang-Que generation, there are three at the fifth and sixth levels of Embryonic Breathing. While this technique originally requires time to gather qi, fortunately the Wang clan still had some in reserve, which we retrieved. We had a clan brother begin cultivating it first, and will finalize the decision later.”
Having seen Wang Quwan's competence just now—he could get things done, and in a few years when his cultivation grew higher, he wouldn't turn out too poorly—Li Ximing felt much more at ease. He remarked, “Wang Quwan is quite a figure. As things stand, the Mifan inheritance could only fall to him, which shows he has ample fortune on his side. Keep a close eye on him. The Jiangbei Wang clan is too large to bind completely, but if you employ Wang Quwan well, he will be no worse than Ding Weizeng.”
“This junior shall keep it firmly in mind!”
With the matter of Mifan settled, Li Ximing drew a stone box from his sleeve. Within it lay the last orders of Real Person Changxi. Handing it to Li Jiangqian, he said, “I am making a trip to Ziyan Gate, and perhaps on to Xuanmiao Temple afterward, to deal with Shanji Commandery first. Notify Li Cheng to dispatch men and assemble the disciples of Xuanyue. Have them retrieve the items beneath the high seat of Xiyue Hall to corroborate with this copy.”
Having finished speaking, he did not linger, transforming into celestial light and streaking away. Li Jiangqian remained bowed until that light vanished completely beyond the horizon, only then straightening up. He looked toward Li Quewan, “How have things been with you these past few months, Sister?”
“Not much progress.” Li Quewan replied with a look of worry, adding, “It seems Shanji Commandery cannot be held. Now having to abandon the entire commandery, with all of Xuanyue's foundations scattered, who knows how those few of the Kong family will react.”
At the mention of this, Li Jiangqian merely remarked, “How else could they react? Has our Li family not been benevolent and dutiful enough toward them? Look at Xuanmiao Temple, and look at Mount Jingyi. Our family is saving their lineage. What cannot be defended must be abandoned, no matter how precious. Could they expect our family to throw away our lives to protect it?”
Li Quewan sighed. “Brother Qian, the principle is sound, but when people are trapped within the game, they can never see clearly. In the eyes of Xuanyue, this might not be considered a rescue, but something their old ancestor traded spiritual tools and treasures to secure—and they gave them to no other family... It all depends on whether that Kong Guxi can see reason. If he cannot sort it out, his end will be far worse than Yuan Fuyao's!”
Chapter 741