Marriage

Li Jiangqian sent Wang Quwan down to tend to his wounds. Before long, he saw a woman emerge from the side hall. She was dressed in white robes over a pale cyan gown. When Li Jiangqian saw her, a genuine smile finally touched his lips, and he greeted her: "Greetings, Aunt Xinghan. Congratulations, Aunt." Li Xinghan had only just broken through and emerged from seclusion. Discovering that her eldest nephew had already achieved Foundation Establishment, she smiled at him first and nodded. "It is I who should be congratulating you. I have only just emerged from seclusion and heard about Muquan Gate... Truly, they are brazen..." "Not quite..." Li Jiangqian shook his head, dismissed the surrounding cultivators, tightly shut the room doors, and replied with a slight smile instead: "From this matter alone, one can tell that Muquan Gate will not pose any great threat. Master Zhugong’s cultivation might be acceptable, but her sect governance is worse than leaving things alone. Her sect is filled with good-for-nothings who are fundamentally demonic cultivators from the Outer Seas. They cannot navigate—nay, cannot even grasp—the rules of Jiangnan. "I can see that Zhugong wants to copy Chengyun Gate's methods. But she is no Master Changyun, nor does she have a Zhong Qian at her side. Why was Chengyun Gate able to swiftly convert to the orthodox path? The demonic cultivators under Master Changyun were merely men who had surrendered to him on the spot during the North-South struggle. As a Real Person, if he wished to kill them, he killed them without hesitation or restraint, and everyone feared him. Master Zhugong, on the other hand, brought her whole entourage and household with her. The people beneath her are disciples of many years—this one a junior, that one a relative. Can she simply slaughter them at whim? A heavy ship is hard to turn. Even our Li family has to deliberate repeatedly before altering a single system. What can Muquan Gate possibly accomplish!" Though the Xuanmu Dao lineage had been riding high of late, he held Muquan Gate in little regard. He merely remarked: "Their demonic habits have not been purged clean, so those people are merely flailing about over there. My only worry is that once she exhausts the people of the East Bank, some deranged peak master among them might provoke our family, creating an unsightly mess when the time comes." Hearing this, Li Xinghan breathed a sigh of relief. With Li Zhouluo gone, Li Zhouming neglecting duties, and Li Chenghuai doing a brief tour before returning to secluded cultivation, she had been the only senior-generation cultivator holding the fort, which had left her on edge. Seeing Li Jiangqian so confident set her mind much more at ease. She replied: "It is good that you have a plan... However, I had another thought... Muquan Gate is recruiting disciples indiscriminately across the board. I hear the Yuan and Yu clans have both sent people to join them. Should we..." Li Jiangqian shook his head slightly. "After all, Foundation Establishment cultivators are running the sect; they will not manage it so loosely that it resembles a sieve. Anyone we send would never reach their upper ranks. Especially for houses like ours that possess a Violet Palace, leaning in too close is ill-advised... There is no need to send direct-line descendants and hand them leverage. We can just see if anyone from the branch lines is willing to try their luck. "As for whoever goes, let alone comparing them to Queyi or Quexi, the gap between them and Ding Mu would already be vast as heaven and earth. A few days ago, I sent someone to Mount Ziyan to deliver resources to him, and I heard Daoist Cao treats him rather well—even his Embryonic Breathing technique was a meticulously selected first-rate manual." Having sighed, he suddenly remembered something and asked with a slight smile: "During these years of your seclusion, Aunt... there was a man surnamed Zhuang cultivating on the West Bank who often sent letters requesting an audience. Did Aunt know of this?" At the mention of this, Li Xinghan appeared somewhat awkward and replied: "I know of it... The man's name is Zhuang Pingye. His grandfather is Zhuang Cheng, a renowned rogue cultivator from the Guyan Great Desert famed throughout Guyan for his talisman-sword arts. That day when I traveled to the desert to slay demons, I happened to run into him. We exchanged a few pleasantries along the way, politely saying we would meet again, but I never expected him to actually come to the lake..." The man had pursued her all the way from the desert to the lake; his intentions were clear for all to see. Li Jiangqian hesitated before asking: "I hear he is a remarkably handsome gentleman. Neither his looks nor his family background are lacking, and his family's sword dao inheritance is quite unique. In Aunt's view... what is his character like? Do you find him bothersome?" This was asking for Li Xinghan's thoughts. She raised an eyebrow slightly and replied: "He is polite in everything he does, so he isn't bothersome, and his family background isn't bad either. For now, he is naturally very sincere. However, my uncle previously asked Clan Elder Donghe, and Clan Elder Donghe wrote to an acquaintance in the desert to inquire. They said his reputation in the desert is passable—while he cannot be called a lecherous playboy, visits to brothels and winehouses are frequent occurrences. That is simply the local customs there... so one can hardly hold it against him. "After all, he is a young master of an established house. Having achieved Qi Refinement and roamed freely, such things are inevitable..." Li Xinghan shook her head. "In my view, he merely considers me suitable: decent-looking, comparatively high innate talent, and a background that can benefit him. If we speak of genuine affection, there really isn't much. In the past, while traveling along the North Bank and the desert, there was no lack of such suitors either; they simply weren't from backgrounds as prominent as his... My family, on the other hand, seems quite fond of him." Li Jiangqian had not anticipated this answer from her and asked: "Then what is Aunt's view?" Li Xinghan pursed her lips in a smile and replied: "He seems sincere for now, so let him cultivate on the West Bank. In the end, seeking the profound and pursuing immortality is the proper path. After all, I am not him and cannot divine his thoughts, so there is no need to assume the worst. Time will tell." Li Jiangqian could not help glancing at her again and remarked: "I thought Aunt might be a little flustered, but you are remarkably open-minded." "You..." Li Xinghan shook her head and chuckled. "You underestimate me. Back when I was cultivating and practicing the sword on the North Bank, several talents from the Fei family staged 'chance encounters' with me. After I turned them down once, the Fei family broke their legs, which left me terribly embarrassed." As the two were conversing, a man soon hurried up from outside the hall with trembling legs. He fell to his knees with a thud and bowed: "Patriarch! Master Houfu of Xiukui Abbey... has appeared on the islet! He wishes to see you and the Old Patriarch!" "What?!" Li Jiangqian was momentarily stunned, and both he and Li Xinghan were taken aback. 'This Real Person from Xiukui Abbey... having no ties with us... why has he come knocking at our door!' Li Ximing was not one with a vast circle of friends either. Caught off guard like this, nobody could have anticipated Houfu's arrival. It boded far more ill than good, and Li Jiangqian felt a cold dread settle in his heart. 'This is trouble...' Yet with a Violet Palace having arrived on the islet, an audience was mandatory and could not be delayed for even a moment. It was not a matter of inviting the guest inside; rather, Li Jiangqian and the others had to go pay their respects in person to match their difference in status. Though a seemingly minor detail, to the face-conscious Houfu, it was by no means trivial. Li Jiangqian swiftly stepped down from his seat and left the grand hall alongside Li Xinghan, making their way to the side hall. Entering through the doors, they indeed saw a young man in black shamanic robes seated in the main seat. Standing beside him was an exquisite beauty in white robes and a grey skirt, adorned between her brows with an unknown gemstone. Li Jiangqian led the bow and said respectfully, "Junior Li Jiangqian of the Wangyue immortal clan, unworthy Patriarch of the Li family, greets Master Houfu!" Perhaps because his etiquette was impeccable, Houfu was relatively courteous and nodded. "Rise." Li Jiangqian rose but did not take a seat, respectfully standing aside in wait. Li Xuanxuan also rushed over from Qingdu. After the old man bowed in greeting, Houfu raised his brows and spoke: "While traveling across the Outer Seas, by sheer coincidence, this Real Person traveled alongside Master Zhaojing of your noble clan for a time. Before parting ways, hearing that I was returning to the Central Continent, he asked me to deliver a message." "Many thanks, Real Person!" Hearing this, Li Jiangqian repeatedly expressed his gratitude. Li Xuanxuan felt a weight lifted from his heart; realizing that Li Ximing was in no grave danger, he was nearly moved to tears. Li Xinghan let out a breath of relief, the gloom on her face distinctly clearing into joy. Houfu pointed toward Xia Shouyu and added: "This junior was also entrusted to me by Zhaojing to bring back. He said she is to be wedded to a junior of his, and that she is also the descendant of a senior cultivator in the Outer Seas." Li Xuanxuan had already been observing Xia Shouyu. Thinking she was some senior cultivator from Xiukui Abbey, he had been musing on her exceptional bearing. Upon hearing this, his eyes immediately lit up: 'Zhouming is no longer young... I thought Ximing paid him no mind... but he had plans all along! Good, good, good... Now that he's attained the Violet Palace, he handles affairs so thoroughly...' Having heard this far, Li Jiangqian was finally certain that Li Ximing must be in fairly good shape, and confidence flooded back into him. He voiced his assent. Houfu, however, did not seem inclined to linger. He said calmly: "We conversed with Zhaojing with great delight. He cannot return to the lake for the time being, but he sent a letter through Shouyu. Your clan needs only to stay prudent and mind its own duties. "This Real Person still has pressing business in the west that cannot be delayed for an instant. The warfare across the Great Xiyuan rages incessantly, and Shu has suffered severe drought for nine years now. A few months ago, local clans collapsed, sects relocated, and people everywhere exchanged children to eat. Arriving a moment late means hundreds or thousands more dead. I shall make no further idle talk." Without waiting for their reply, he stepped into the Great Void and departed. As the others saw him off respectfully, Li Jiangqian was still pondering his words, his bright, keen eyes shifting: 'A severe drought in Shu... drought means no rain falls. When fierce drought grips the land without rain, and pools and springs dry up... that is the omen of a Lushui divine station.' While he was pondering the state of Lushui, Li Xuanxuan was already looking at Xia Shouyu. The old man stepped forward and asked: "This old man is Li Xuanxuan. Young lady..." "I dare not!" Xia Shouyu hurriedly curtsied, retrieved two scrolls from her sleeve—one red and one gold—and held them in both hands. She handed the golden scroll to Li Xuanxuan first, speaking politely: "Senior, these are what the Real Person bade me deliver to the family. This golden scroll is for the lake, while the red one... is my marriage contract." She showed no shyness, speaking with open grace, "It is for a disciple of the clan's Zhou generation, named Ming." Seeing that his guess was spot on, Li Xuanxuan put away the golden scroll and smiled with a nod. "Young lady... that child is the Real Person's grandson of the direct line—the only one." Surprise flitted across Xia Shouyu's eyes. She stood stunned for a moment, the corners of her lips curling up, and took half a step forward as she immediately asked, "Has he emerged from seclusion? I would be grateful if the family could arrange a meeting..." Li Xuanxuan had already retrieved the scroll. Li Jiangqian gestured with his hand and smiled, "Please..." Master Houfu's visit seemed to banish the haze lurking in the hearts of the Li family members, putting a lightness in everyone's step. Walking behind, Li Xuanxuan could not resist opening the scroll to read. Li Ximing had mentioned no matters of dire urgency. He noted that his injuries had largely healed and that the family need not worry; he was cultivating outside and would not be able to return anytime soon, so Ding Weizeng, Cui Jueyin, and the others were to guard the clan diligently. He did, however, specifically mention Duxian Dao, instructing Li Jiangqian and the others not to let tensions with the north escalate too far, and to ease relations early where appropriate: 'Presently, Changxiao is scheming from the sidelines and the situation remains unclear. There is no need to drag in Ye Gui and leave ourselves facing a wolf in front and a tiger behind, trapped in a dilemma.' Li Xuanxuan put away the golden scroll. By then, the group had arrived inside the main hall. Li Jiangqian took the golden scroll to read while waiting for the attendant sent to fetch Li Zhouming to return. However, quite a while passed without any response, and Li Xuanxuan immediately sensed something was amiss. Sure enough, the attendant returned with an embarrassed look and whispered to Li Jiangqian: "I could not fetch the Young Master... He went out to roam for pleasure... He is somewhere around the lake and has not returned..." With the degree of control Mount Qingdu and Mount Yuting currently held over the Li family, how could they possibly fail to find Li Zhouming? It was merely that he was lingering among the flowers again, which was why the attendant phrased it as unable to fetch him. Li Jiangqian felt somewhat awkward, but Xia Shouyu was sharp. She smiled and said: "No matter. The timing is quite charming—the season for spring outings. I can go along as well, without disturbing the Young Master's mood." The moment she spoke, Li Xuanxuan immediately recognized that she had a mind of her own. Covering for Li Zhouming right now would only lead to the same encounter later anyway, so laying it out openly was better. With a sigh in his heart, he replied: "Indeed... going together is best." Li Jiangqian had just finished reading the scroll and put it away thoughtfully, asking: "May I ask which immortal mountain or pavilion of the Outer Seas your esteemed path belongs to? So that we might pay our respects." Xia Shouyu smiled tactfully and answered: "My clan elders merely cultivate on an immortal mountain; it hardly merits being called a great immortal mountain or pavilion. Master Zhaojing has shown immense kindness to my family and to me. While the three Real Persons were discussing the profound mysteries amidst the mountains, marriage was mentioned, and this match was bestowed... "As for which Dao path my elders cultivate... Junior worries it might reveal the Real Person's whereabouts. For now... it is not convenient to disclose. Only when the Real Person returns and gives word will it be proper to explain clearly... I am truly sorry." Having received her airtight response, Li Jiangqian smiled and nodded, replying: "What words are these... Though you have not yet crossed our threshold, you are already half an elder. How could you ever say you are sorry to a junior... That is far too humbling for me!" The group walked out of the islet together and were just riding the wind into the air when they saw a streak of heavenly light speeding over from the lakeshore. Li Zhouming was clad in red robes, a fan hanging from his waist, flying in all haste toward the lake. Li Jiangqian caught sight of him at once and knew the coming moment would be awkward. Li Xuanxuan had tried kind words and harsh words alike, yet he remained utterly helpless before this junior of his. Anger surged within him once more, but with Xia Shouyu present, he thought to save the boy some face and turned his head away, refusing to look. Xia Shouyu seemed completely unbothered. She offered a slight bow and greeted: "Greetings, Young Master!" Li Zhouming had been glancing guiltily at Li Xuanxuan, only to find the old man surprisingly refrained from scolding him today. Before he could think it through, his eyes fell upon the strikingly gorgeous woman before him. Overjoyed and smitten at the sight, he nodded repeatedly and said: "Greetings, young lady..." Only once he was right before her did he notice that Xia Shouyu had already attained Foundation Establishment. Although his status was exalted, as a mere Qi Refinement cultivator, casually addressing a Foundation Establishment cultivator as "young lady" made him quail inside, leaving him a little embarrassed. Yet to his surprise, Xia Shouyu smiled and nodded, looking somewhat shy and endearing, which caused him to subconsciously lift his chin. Li Xuanxuan warned him with a glare, unsure if the rascal even caught the hint, and said in an aged voice: "This is Fairy Xia, the beloved daughter of a cultivator from an immortal mountain in the Outer Seas. Not only does she possess extraordinary talent and formidable cultivation, but she is gentle of temperament and as beautiful as a celestial maiden. This is the marriage your grandfather arranged for you... She came to see you today... yet where in the world did you run off to gallivant?!" "Huh?" Li Zhouming was momentarily dumbfounded. Although his grandfather Li Ximing had provided him with an exalted status, he had never paid him much genuine attention; from childhood to adulthood, it was always Li Xuanxuan who looked after him. Suddenly hearing this, he was so ecstatic that a broad grin skewed across his face, and he thought repeatedly in his heart: 'So it was Grandfather... Grandfather's divine abilities match the heavens... truly the style of a Real Person! Wonderful, simply wonderful! To think he found me such a gentle and lovely wife! From now on, I'll never curse him in my heart again... never again! Not only will I not curse him, I won't even let Dad curse him in his heart! I'll praise him to anyone I meet... What a good grandfather, heheh.'