Dongdi

The crowd raised their cups in celebration. Sporting a patterned cloth headband, Li Chengzai was in high spirits, but Li Xixuan kept his eyes wide, scanning back and forth and tallying the number of guests. Whatever ease he had displayed outside the courtyard had long since been cast beyond the clouds. 'That the Chens and the Ans sent no one... is understandable enough... But the households of Li Cheng and Li Chengpan didn't even offer a greeting... There are hardly any guests of consequence from the main lineage...' Li Xixuan watched with a grim gaze. He was not particularly surprised; the flicker of wishful thinking in his heart had simply vanished. Stepping in from the brightly lit, clamorous outer courtyard, he entered the pitch-dark main hall inside, where several children crouched in the corners. Li Xixuan raised a pale, plump hand and muttered in a low voice, "Go call the third son back for me!" Before long, Li Chengzai came resentfully into the courtyard, still wearing his patterned headband. Facing his sullen father, he pleaded, "...I've already asked... Cheng was dispatched to Milin by the Old Master, and Chengpan is right at Zhouluo's side, so it's only natural they couldn't make it... Why pull such a long face, Father? It puts everyone in an awkward spot." Li Xixuan glared at him and scolded, "What do you know! Though I haven't walked the path of cultivation and couldn't identify what fire that was in the sky that day, several cultivators have said that the eldest young master, Li Jiangqian, broke through and exited seclusion... Li Zhouluo may be mild and genial, but he certainly isn't!" Li Chengzai frowned as his father continued, "Our Dongdi is the most hard-pressed, so this time we had no choice but to take the lead... When you stick your neck out like that, once those above concede, the crowd divvies up the spoils and scatters like the wind, leaving the bird that stuck its neck out to be slaughtered at will... Right now, not a single one of them dares to show up..." Having grown up sheltered within the residence, Li Chengzai had relied on his father for almost everything. Hearing this, he panicked and asked, "Ah? How does that make sense? We went up to Qingdu together in the beginning, and we secured the hereditary protection! If they abandon us now, who will ever dare to step forward in the future?" Li Xixuan merely said, "Easier said than done. When those above wish to suppress you, their excuses are endless—there is always an excuse that satisfies both sides. So they pick on us. The one at the head is always the one who takes the beating! If we don't make plans now, disaster is sure to follow." Li Chengzai nodded repeatedly, but Li Xixuan's brow remained tightly knitted as he answered, "Earlier, we had some sway because the clansmen all had hereditary protection on their minds and leaned toward our side. Now that the hereditary protection has been granted, we are like a plucked phoenix—amounting to nothing at all. Fortunately, I planned ahead... The deeds and standing of our few children are solid and true, without much padding. "None of you need to make any moves regarding this matter. Just stay honest and keep your heads down. You can't best any of them. All you can do is maintain a low profile beneath Minggong's prestige. In a moment, I will go to the hall to plead guilty. Let everything fall on this old man. At most, I'll endure a bit of hardship; even at the worst, my life won't be in danger." Li Chengzai hesitated and said, "Every branch is celebrating right now. For Father to head up the mountain... seems somewhat untimely... It leaves us looking bad too. Besides, why make it seem like we did something wrong? This meager hereditary protection... compared to what the other branches received, it couldn't be any less..." Li Xixuan's face hardened, and he asked, "How is it untimely? Li Zhouluo is still in charge right now, and Li Jiangqian has only just exited seclusion. If we don't approach him now, when should we go? Wait until Li Jiangqian's blade comes stabbing at us before going? If Li Zhouluo relents now, Li Jiangqian will find his hands tied when dealing with us in the future!" "Oh..." Li Chengzai remained half-convinced, half-doubting. "Is the eldest young master... returning to govern the islet?" Li Xixuan chuckled in exasperation. Refusing to answer him another word, he shook his head, flicked his sleeves, and walked out. With the front courtyard packed with guests, he had no choice but to step over the threshold of the back courtyard and leave through the rear gate. The light morning mist was still chilly, forcing Li Xixuan to wrap his sleeves tightly about himself, his pale, plump face looking somewhat listless. 'I fought for this and fought for that, yet not a single one shows any gratitude. Securing protection for this one and protection for that one, but in the end, how many of them can actually amount to anything? In all of Dongdi, only Minggong has walked the path of immortal cultivation. Counting the days I have left, this old man can only help them this far...' Among all the clan elders, Li Xixuan was the most anxious, precisely because the Yuanwan lineage had far too few cultivators! Both were descendants of Li Xuanxuan, yet on the other side, the Yuandu lineage's Xidi, headed by Li Cheng, had Li Zhoufang and Li Zhouyang before, followed by Li Xinghan and Li Xingsai, and further down there was Li Queyi in Ziyan Gate. As long as a branch had cultivators, they could divide the household with peace of mind without being relegated to the islet's edges. Xidi was split into several branches. With the leading brothers, Li Zhoufang and his sibling, being cultivators, striving for hereditary protection or seeking outside posts was far easier... Every clansman they placed outside opened a new path for the future; the more people they placed, the easier things would become later on. How could it compare to Li Xixuan, struggling all on his own to seek a way out for his children and grandchildren? Yet even putting aside that his descendants couldn't cultivate, their very minds were disappointing. How could Li Xixuan not feel disheartened? Bundled in his robes amidst the morning chill, he felt cold down to his bones, his steps unsteady. Though the streets were filled with festive music, boundless sorrow weighed upon his heart. The road from Dongdi to the palace hall was not particularly long, but the hall stood on elevated ground, making the ascent a sweat-inducing trek for a mortal. Li Xixuan normally traveled by sedan chair, but having slipped out in secret, he naturally did not enjoy such convenience. He could only wait by the roadside for a spell before hailing a passing carriage. There were plenty of coachmen and couriers on the islet, but such occupations were considered undignified. Unless left with no other choice, direct-line members were generally unwilling to do such work; most of these workers were family members or servants of cultivators who had advanced to the islet or been promoted into the main lineage, working to supplement their households. He clambered into the small cab, finally feeling a bit of warmth. Jolted along, he drifted in and out of sleep. He knew not how much time had passed when the air gradually grew stifling, until he heard a shout from outside, "Master! We've arrived!" Li Xixuan lifted the curtain to look. Sure enough, an expanse of towering palace halls greeted his eyes. Only then did he crawl out of the carriage. Advanced in years and stiff in his waist and legs, he stretched his feet out, straining to step down. Unexpectedly, a coolness touched his waist—a pair of fair hands was supporting his back, smoothly and easily helping him down. Once steady on his feet, he exhaled a long breath and raised his eyes. The first thing to meet his gaze was a pair of plain black boots, devoid of patterned embroidery. Above them hung crimson robes with gold trim, fluttering gently in the breeze. Raising his gaze slightly higher, he saw a fair face with long, slender eyebrows. Beneath those dark brows was a pair of golden eyes, looking at him with a faint smile. Li Xixuan's breath hitched, and his heart clenched tight. "Eldest Young Master?" Li Jiangqian was tall and lean, towering far above the old man. An apricot-yellow flame flickered atop his black hair, casting a faint glow. Having helped Li Xixuan steady himself, he warmly took the pale, plump hand into his own and smiled. "What a coincidence to run into you here, Elder... What brings you this way...?" Under his gaze, Li Xixuan felt a chill seep into his heart. He had not even taken his own sedan chair when leaving, slipping out secretly through the back door precisely to arrive at the hall unannounced and catch them off guard. How could he possibly tell him? Managing to keep his expression intact, he forced a smile and said, "The hereditary protection was announced, so I have come to pay my respects to the Clan Head and express my gratitude for his kindness..." "Oh!" Walking alongside him toward the hall, Li Jiangqian shook his head with a chuckle. "You are too courteous, Elder! Though this junior has cultivated for a few years, I still have much to learn from your dedication! I had thought that while the clansmen were on their best behavior during the evaluation, once they received their hereditary protection they would swagger about and indulge in pleasures... Seeing you now, your deeds truly match your words from start to finish. For the Dongdi clansmen to have an elder like you to guide them is truly fortunate beyond measure, wouldn't you say?" Li Jiangqian's speech was always pleasant to the ear, yet Li Xixuan had no idea what medicine he was peddling in his gourd. His scalp tingling, he only wanted to reach the hall as quickly as possible. His pace quickened by a fraction, and seeing the palace doors right ahead, he replied, "Indeed..." Li Jiangqian nodded with a smile and said, "This junior had the exact same concern, so early this morning I conferred with the Clan Head. Those clansmen receiving hereditary protection... must still be kept under close watch. Should anyone, old or young, in a lineage commit an offense, that lineage's hereditary protection will be suspended for further review and deliberation. That way, we prevent anyone from fishing in troubled waters!" "Ah..." As if struck by lightning, Li Xixuan was stunned for a moment, nearly freezing dead in his tracks. What had Li Xixuan come here to do? To plead guilty! With those words from Li Jiangqian, the moment he pleaded guilty, his entire family's hereditary protection would be revoked! He stood frozen for a full breath. Hastily gathering his thoughts, he managed to speak, "Isn't that... a bit too harsh? After all, which family doesn't have elders and youths? Could it be..." Li Jiangqian sighed and shook his head, cutting him off, "Elder, your heart is simply too soft! How could this be considered harsh? Dongdi naturally won't make mistakes... Elder, there is no need for you to worry on behalf of the other lineages... Ah, Di Liguang has arrived... Elder, please!" Timing it perfectly, Li Jiangqian cut him off right at the palace doors. Without waiting for a response, he offered a bow and dissolved into an apricot-yellow glow that rose into the sky. Caught completely off guard, Li Xixuan found Di Liguang already stepping forward to greet him, speaking respectfully, "Sir, the Clan Head is currently receiving cultivators from Ziyan. Is there an urgent matter?" Li Xixuan exhaled two deep breaths, lightly cupped his hands, and withdrew without a word. Only when he had walked all the way down the terrace steps did the old man sense that something was amiss. He began to ponder: 'A matter this significant was decided just like that? Without a whisper of wind on the islet beforehand? I was frightened by that boy!' Just as he was about to turn back, fear gripped him once more. "No... no... Since he spoke like that... how can I still go up and plead guilty? He is practiced at turning black into white and white into black. When the time comes, it will be said that I voluntarily confessed and renounced my descendants' hereditary protection to uphold clan discipline. My family will hate me to death..." Li Xixuan felt his limbs turn cold. Shivering for a moment, he thought to himself, 'There's no way around it... no way out... If Minggong doesn't exit seclusion, if I don't want to be tormented to death by that boy... my only choice is to go beg the Old Master!' *** Outside the hall, all was clamor, yet Li Zhouluo's inner hall remained quiet. Cui Jueyin stood right in the center of the hall, turned slightly to the side with hands clasped together, reporting upward, "Reporting to the Clan Head, this is Fairy Wei... and this is Daoist Cao." "Greetings, Clan Head." The two bowed slightly, and Li Zhouluo immediately replied, "Greetings to both Immortals." The one Ziyan Gate had sent as a replacement was Tinglan's confidante, Wei Danying. Dressed in yellow feathered robes, she looked somewhat awkward. Daoist Cao, on the other hand, was powerfully built, with a face full of dark beard, leading by the hand an eight- or nine-year-old child who looked frail and thin. This was clearly to resolve Daoist Cao's romantic entanglement. Cao Chu appeared quite at ease. Judging by his features, he seemed frank and hearty. His clenched fist was the size of a vinegar jar, and heavenly light rippled across his robes. Ding Mu's thin hand could only grasp one of his fingers. Cao Chu said in a deep voice, "I am exceedingly fond of this child, so I must trouble the lake to part with what it treasures." As for whom he was truly fond of, all present knew full well in their hearts. Wei Danying hesitated before saying, "Fellow Daoist Cao Chu's situation... presumably the Clan Head is already aware. Since he has resolved to take a disciple, according to Ziyan's rules, I have come forward to ask the Clan Head... When the time comes, his family can be brought along as well." Wei Danying clearly was not close with Cao Chu. Knowing the matter was none too honorable, the female cultivator broached it vaguely. Not wanting to embarrass her, Li Zhouluo nodded and said, "To be accepted into Ziyan's sect is this child's good fortune. As for his future cultivation resources, the lake will provide a portion for him as well. His family may certainly go along with him; please rest assured, everyone!" "Good!" Cao Chu appeared delighted. Cupping his hands in salute, a broad smile spread across his face. He had a naturally booming voice, and this exclamation rang out loud and clear, making Wei Danying flush with shame. She hurriedly said, "Fellow Daoist Cao, please step down first..." Cao Chu did not linger. Heartily cupping his hands, he withdrew cleanly. The frail Ding Mu had not uttered a single word. Led by the hand as Cao Chu took two steps at a time, the boy was so scrawny he looked like a wooden puppet, yet a smile showed on his face. Watching the master and disciple depart, Li Zhouluo frowned slightly. Wei Danying let out a sigh of relief, raising her eyes with a smile. "This matter put the Clan Head in an awkward position... Even within our sect, Cao Chu is known for being unconventional. Normally, other cultivators rarely visit his peak. Fortunately, he only amuses himself with his wives and concubines, so his character is passable..." Earlier, Li Zhouluo had also glimpsed the radiance of Cao Chu's magical power, and felt just as awkward inside: 'How on earth did this Cao Chu come to cultivate Bright Yang... Well... I suppose it is only fitting that he cultivates Bright Yang...' By tacit agreement, the two moved past the topic. Wei Danying's expression dimmed as she said, "Over recent years, Changxiao and Hengzhu have fought fiercely in the Qingzhou Sea. Changxiao Gate suffered many setbacks, which was originally a good thing; our Ziyan had little presence overseas, so it was the perfect opportunity to expand our reach. "Yet trouble arose in the East Sea, forcing Wen Wu to be reassigned. This matter... is very bad. The earth veins in my Ziyan Gate's maritime domain underwent massive tremors, and subterranean fire and magma erupted outward. It is said the blazing light can be seen from a thousand li away... "The dragonkind in the sea have all fled to the surface. Word is that the seabed is engulfed in fiery fiendqi, plunging living beings into misery. Vast numbers of both demons and humans have perished." Ziyan Gate's overseas strength fell short of Changxiao and Hengzhu, and they had invested considerable effort overseas over the years. Judging by Wei Danying's demeanor, the damage suffered this time was grave. After all, when earth veins and fire veins shifted together, and undersea at that, the water veins would inevitably be affected as well. With all three disturbed, the devastation wrought upon formations and structures was catastrophic. With a heavy expression, Li Zhouluo asked in a low voice, "Has the cause been determined...?" A touch dejected, Wei Danying replied, "Either it is a Violet Palace cultivator of profound attainment in the path of Earth Virtue, or it truly is a shift in the earth veins, an unforeseen calamity. At any rate... not only have the Zhenren of our sect gone ahead, but cultivators are also being dispatched to garrison the East Sea... "With the redeployment of cultivators, manpower here on your noble clan's side will inevitably be thin. If progress slows, please do not take offense." Li Zhouluo nodded gravely, indicating his understanding. Ziyan Gate had an underlying reason for telling him this after all. His clan's formation was in no hurry anyway, so he said gently, "It is no trouble. It is best that Ziyan handles its own affairs first." Wei Danying then took her leave and exited the hall. Li Zhouluo saw her off as she headed north. Observing her route, he noticed she was almost certainly heading toward Xuanmiao Temple. 'Master Sumian inherits the Precious Earth lineage, a cultivator of Earth Virtue with deep expertise in earth veins. It seems they intend to ask for his aid.'