Cold

Lake Wangyue. Lake Wangyue was stripped of its usual tranquility, bustling with festive joy. The various palaces across the islets were draped in vibrant red, and the people coming and going were all prominent figures within the clan; evidently, a great and joyous event was underway. Dressed in red ceremonial robes, Li Zhouming stood inside the hall with a smug air of satisfaction. Beside him, seated upon a grand jade chair, was an old man in black-and-red robes with a head full of white hair and a face brimming with smiles. "Father... I've truly brought you face this time." Li Zhouming's mother had passed away early, leaving only his father to attend today. Hearing his smiling boast, Li Chengzhi—most of whose teeth had fallen out by now—merely rolled his eyes at him and retorted: "This marriage was arranged by your grandfather. How does that bring me any face?!" Even so, seeing his son marry a direct descendant of an immortal sect—a high-level Foundation Establishment cultivator at that—Li Chengzhi was secretly immensely proud. A clear smile graced his lips. As he watched his son head down to receive the bride, Li Chengzhi drank two extra cups of wine, his face flushed and ears burning hot. Li Chengzhi was well-received in the clan, and as the direct mortal son of a Violet Palace cultivator, everyone treated him with respect. Moreover, Li Zhouming was the direct heir of the eldest branch. With these two identities combined, this wedding was even more grand and ceremonial than the clan patriarch's, drawing every notable figure across the lake. The old man raised his brows and glanced around. Guessing that his father, Li Ximing, would likely not be coming, he nestled into his chair without moving. He felt no excessive emotions about it, thoroughly accustomed to it. Ever since it was determined at age six that he could not cultivate, his father had cast him to the back of his mind. If only his talent were low, so long as he had a single spirit aperture, he could at least have learned some trade. But as a mortal, he could only live under strict constraints at the foot of the mountain. Back then, the clan rules were far harsher than they were now. Honestly speaking, Li Chengzhi considered himself someone who had endured true hardship; the suffering and bitterness he had tasted back then were not necessarily any less than those of his cultivating brothers. Precisely because of this, Li Chengzhi felt little emotional attachment to the clan's hierarchy and legacy—until Li Zhouming was born. Only then did a different sentiment awaken in him. As for his other children, whether born of his principal wife or concubines, whether living well or poorly, he at most helped them out here and there. But Li Zhouming alone was different—he had cast aside all pride to beg Li Ximing on his behalf, wishing he could arrange everything perfectly for him. As for the other children who had branched off, he no longer had the heart or energy to care. From that moment onward, Li Chengzhi ceased to blame his father, Li Ximing, in his heart. After all, he had become just like Li Ximing. Thus, all his resentment dissolved. Li Chengzhi had to admit that he had picked up a vermilion brush and drawn a stroke of endorsement across the very suffering he had endured all his life. Listening to the deafening gongs and drums in the hall, amidst the chorus of congratulations as the newlyweds entered from outside, all was revelry. Sitting at the seat of honor, the old man drank the wine offered by his daughter-in-law. He no longer cared about who was right or wrong, nor could he distinguish rights from wrongs anymore. Looking at Li Zhouming clad in vibrant red robes, a surge of burning heat rushed through his body, and his eyes reddened all at once. He managed only a single sentence: "It is best so long as the two of you live well together. It's just a pity... that I probably won't live to see your child." Though Li Zhouming was fond of play, his nature had never been wicked, and his emotions were easily stirred. Hearing such words, tears nearly spilled from his eyes on this day of great joy, and he choked back a few sobs. Once the numerous rituals were concluded, the surrounding crowd bustled him forward, washing away his sorrow as they proceeded happily to the next venue. The moment Li Zhouming left, this area fell silent. The lively warmth of the crowd shifted elsewhere, and the wind blew into the hall once more. The stone chair beneath him was bone-chillingly cold. Now that the alcohol's heat had faded from his head, Li Chengzhi felt only a permeating, seepingly cold chill inside his body. *This jade chair is meant for immortals to sit on, after all. It really is biting cold...* ... The main palace of the islet. Figures moved in haste within the grand hall. An old man in black robes climbed several flights of steps and entered the vast hall, bowing respectfully as he reported: "Reporting to the Patriarch: Midong and Fanyun are currently both searching for that token... A direct disciple from Chengyun Gate has personally arrived at Fanyun Cave to oversee the matter. The Three Streams region is stirred, and the commotion is immense." Seated above, Li Jiangqian had his eyes closed and his fingers pinched in an incantation, wisps of Lihuo fire drifting from between his lips and teeth as though he were practicing a technique. Hearing this, he raised his brows and said: "Good..." Of the Three Streams of Jiangbei, Baijiang Creek was divided among three factions: aside from the Li clan's Funan and Duxian's Midong, the remaining Fanyun Cave was a vassal of Chengyun Gate. The dispatch of this direct disciple could not possibly be about actually searching for some token; it was clearly Chengyun Gate's silent way of expressing support for this arrangement. This was undeniably great news. Without the tacit approval of a Violet Palace cultivator, Li Jiangqian had always lacked confidence in his heart. As for why the old man's report only mentioned Midong and Fanyun searching for the token and omitted the Li clan's Funan—the territory of Funan was sparsely populated, and most cultivators dispatched there were subject to term assessments, leaving them no chance to abandon their posts to search. As for whether the various subordinate powers under the Li clan were making moves, that was a matter for Qingdu and Mount Yuting. Li Jiangqian pondered briefly and judged that the timing was relatively ripe; after all, only one year and five months remained until the sixth month of the twenty-second year of Shenxuan. Thus, he asked in a low voice: "Have you... received any word from Midong?" Communication with Duxian Dao was currently handled by Qu Bushi. After all, the old man was quick-witted and pragmatic, and having met Guan Gongxiao back then, he knew some of the inside details. Qu Bushi replied: "A verbal message arrived this morning saying that the candidates have been chosen, though the whereabouts of the token remain unknown. Lord Gong said... if he were to 'find' it himself, it might look too fabricated. "As for the candidates, the first one Lord Gong selected is a Daoist from the South Sea who cultivates on an island mountain in the sea, adept at commanding venomous insects and fierce beasts. He cultivates 'Huaiyin Ghost' and goes by the Daoist name Daoist Bo. "The other is a cultivator from the North Sea who cultivates 'Gentu'. His Dao Foundation remains unknown, and we only know his surname is Huang." The reason Guan Gongxiao had laid out the two candidates clearly was, first, to ask if there was any issue with them, and second, to inform the Li clan so as to prevent them from having prior ties with the chosen candidates, which might result in an accidental blunder. As for Guan Gongxiao mentioning "finding" it himself, that was actually an allusion to Duxian Dao forging one on the spot. But Duxian Dao was not a lineage skilled in artifact refinement, so a forged token would naturally look fake and hardly convince anyone. Li Jiangqian considered for a while and replied: "Go reply to Fellow Daoist Gong: however many candidates there are, find a way to invite them all over. Once they settle in the area, the token will naturally surface. If it does not, we will consider other options. "The key is to stir chaos in the Three Rivers region. Right now, it is too peaceful, which is ill-suited to our plans." Having received his orders, Qu Bushi immediately withdrew. Li Jiangqian weighed matters repeatedly, and upon hearing a report from below that Chen Yang was waiting outside, he instructed: "Invite Protector Chen up." Soon, Chen Yang, dressed in black, strode in from outside. Though he rushed about day in and day out, his cultivation had advanced rapidly, and owing to his immortal foundation, his aura was exceptionally vigorous. He said respectfully, "Greetings, Patriarch... This subordinate has clan business to report... Muquan Gate has sent someone bearing gifts." Li Jiangqian frowned. Keen as he was, he simply asked: "What kind of gift requires a protector to deliver it?" This single question cut straight to the core of the matter, almost terrifyingly so. But Chen Yang was no simple figure either. Lowering his head, he replied respectfully: "When the Patriarch sent this subordinate to Muquan Gate to offer condolences back then, Muquan Gate treated me with great courtesy. Perhaps believing they could establish rapport through me, they sent someone hoping to sound out our clan through this subordinate. Muquan Gate hopes... to arrange a marriage alliance with the lake. "The messenger waited by the lake until I made my patrol, then approached me once no one was around, gifts in hand. Having been put in such a spot for no reason, I dared not be negligent; without giving any reply, I immediately came to the hall to report!" Muquan Gate's intentions were plain. Had it been someone else, they might have discreetly sounded out the matter for that lineage, described the current situation, and accepted the gifts along the way—after all, reporting such a thing to the master was awkward. Who could have known it would fall into Chen Yang's hands, who carried the matter straight to the hall. "No wonder." Li Jiangqian nodded slightly. Not long ago, Chen Yang had gone to Muquan Gate to attend Kong Guli's funeral. The Kong clan had avoided seeing him, which was only natural, yet the Xuanmu lineage had not made things difficult for him; instead, a direct descendant had come out to greet him, paid Chen Yang a few compliments, and treated him with courtesy throughout. Li Jiangqian had thought it was because of their ties with Ziyan, but today they had come seeking a marriage alliance. Thus, he said: "So that was what they had in store..." He smiled faintly and asked with keen interest: "On whose behalf was this proposed, and which lady are they asking for?" Chen Yang reported in a deep voice: "Muquan's intention is to propose on behalf of Dai Jinquan, the foremost figure among their direct line today. However, since he is somewhat advanced in years, they had me sound out our stance first. If the lake objects, they would make other arrangements. As for the bride sought... they subtly hinted at Lady Xinghan." Strictly speaking, the wilderness was vast, situated where various factions intersected, so Muquan Gate and the Li clan had no major geopolitical conflicts. Furthermore, relations between Ziyan and Wangyue were currently on the rise, making it entirely natural that Master Zhugong would want to forge amicable ties. Yet however well Muquan Gate planned it, and despite this female master being an esteemed Violet Palace cultivator whom countless people would trip over themselves to fawn upon, Li Jiangqian held little favor for this Xuanmu lineage in his heart. He thought to himself: *Whether Master Zhugong's divine abilities are vast remains to be seen, but whether her mind lies elsewhere or she has other designs, the lower echelons of this Xuanmu lineage are a disorganized mess. Their vile habits remain unpurged; setting aside their unsightly greed, I have heard they even behave arrogantly toward minor clans, held together entirely by Zhugong herself...* *Furthermore, while the Dai clan may not be hereditary demonic cultivators, they fought their way out of the East Sea and have a poor reputation to begin with. On top of that, they cultivate Earth Virtue, and I've never heard of any outstanding figures among them... Although Dai Jinquan is at Foundation Establishment, he is equally obscure... Had he not come to the lake to inquire previously, I wouldn't even have heard his name...* Likewise having migrated from the East Sea, Muquan Gate was inferior to Chengyun Gate in both lineage and personal rapport. What was more, proposing a marriage out of the blue at this juncture—who knew what troubles might follow? Muquan Gate was merely testing the waters. If Li Jiangqian showed interest and let slip any intention, Zhuang Pingye would probably pack his bags and leave in disgrace, or else Zhuang Cheng would have to come in person to apologize. Fortunately, Li Jiangqian disliked this Xuanmu Dao and, having weighed all factors, felt not the slightest inclination. Thus, he said: "Simply reply that Xuanmu's Violet Palace lineage is exalted, but our Master is away and has not returned, while our elder is severely wounded in secluded cultivation. There is no authority at home to make such a decision. "You know how to phrase it. Just say it is your own deduction; do not drag the clan into it." Chen Yang naturally understood and said: "The gifts they brought..." Li Jiangqian waved his hand and replied: "As for whatever gifts they brought, find a way to handle them yourself." "This subordinate has already delivered them to the side hall." Chen Yang responded impeccably. Just as he was about to withdraw, Li Jiangqian called him back and instructed: "Once you have answered the envoy from the east, make a trip to Funan. Jianglong has an exceedingly important matter there. He has not yet reached Foundation Establishment, so his authority is somewhat weak after all. You are thorough and prudent; go lend him a hand." Picking up the written decree already prepared on his desk, he handed it to Chen Yang and said in a grave voice: "The clan has an ample supply of Foundation Establishment cultivators nowadays. Take my command and have Miaoshui and An Siwei travel together to the wilderness, garrisoning along the riverbank to guard the north." Li Jiangqian was not merely providing backup for Li Jianglong, but also preparing for the future "clash of arts" with Duxian Dao in the territory of Funan and on the river—after all, if they dispatched people only right before the date of the enemy's surprise raid, wouldn't that look like foreknowledge and give away the game? Chen Yang hesitated slightly and asked, "Is there something amiss with the matter in Funan...?" Chen Yang was prone to overthinking, so Li Jiangqian waved his hand and replied, "Do not dwell on it. Once you arrive there, inquire carefully with Jianglong and spare no effort in assisting the Second Young Master in seeing this through. If there is any slip-up in this affair, it will endanger both your life and his." At these words, Chen Yang's expression changed abruptly. He bowed and withdrew. Li Jiangqian's heart stirred slightly: *Protector White Ape has been in seclusion for several years now. Back then, both he and our clan's Master were heavily wounded. He should be recovering soon, but I still need to inquire through the formation, lest something goes wrong without our knowledge.* After dispatching Chen Yang to the north, Li Jiangqian still had plenty of business to attend to. Although the wedding of his uncle—who was the direct grandson of a Violet Palace cultivator—had reached a close, the arrangements before and after were extensive. As he made marks and annotations across numerous memorials with his brush, he heard an announcement from below, and an old man with white hair clad in ink-blue robes walked in from outside the hall. Li Jiangqian hurried away from the master seat, stepping down to support him. Li Xuanxuan waved his hand, his aged face grave, and said: "Qingchi has issued some unknown command, and Li Quantao has urgently returned from the north. Less than half the time he previously mentioned had passed, yet passing by Lake Wangyue, he didn't even have time to stop and rest, leaving behind only a letter. "This letter was even delivered via the cultivators patrolling the lake... Take a look at it." "Li Quantao?" Qingchi generally had five-year terms of service. Whatever crucial task Li Quantao had been sent to execute, when he passed by the lake back then, he had spoken of Chi Zhiyun. Yet only a year or so had passed, and he was urgently recalled. Li Jiangqian frowned slightly, his heart tightening. *It wasn't long after mentioning that his descendant had been used as an instrument of murder that he was urgently recalled... Heaven forbid this is about Chi Buzi returning...* Although Chi Buzi's actions were utterly cold-blooded and ruthless, he was, after all, a Violet Palace Master who possessed four divine abilities. Such a Great Master—a direct disciple of the Qingsong Taiyang lineage—ranked among the top five in Jiangnan. What was more, this precious tree of the Chi clan was still young; if Chi Buzi were to return, Qingchi would undoubtedly be turned upside down. Taking the letter from the old man with a solemn expression, he pulled it out to read. There was not much content; the beginning consisted of polite greetings and well-wishes. Turning the page, the handwriting became considerably more hurried and scrawled, and the contents were bizarre: 'On the twenty-second day of the tenth month, sudden cold struck Yishan City. Pines and cypresses sprang from rock; frost coated the flat ground. Soon came a violent blizzard, accumulating over one zhang and six chi deep on level ground. Hailstones rained down, large as bowls and bushels, snapping trees and leaving countless beasts and birds dead or wounded.'