Chen Yang rode the wind as the entire group hurried back in high spirits. The black-robed man stroked his beard and smiled, appearing thoroughly cheerful, while Fei Tongcai reminisced about past matters with his elder cousin, Fei Tonglu, laughing so hard his mouth could hardly close.
During their cultivation years, their ancestor Fei Wangbai had been slain with a single sword strike at their doorstep by Si Yuanli in plain view of everyone—an event that had become almost an inner demon for every member of the Fei family. Yet now, when the two spoke of the past, their faces were filled with blissful smiles, completely devoid of gloom.
Once they crossed the river, a crowd of Fei family members came out to welcome them, calling out greetings. Not knowing why the two were so merry, these people could only chime in and join in the laughter as they headed toward the lake.
Unexpectedly, the moment they reached the northern shore of the lake, they saw a cultured, refined Foundation Establishment cultivator standing guard on the bank—none other than Cui Jueyin, who was supposed to be guarding the river.
Cui Jueyin's smile stiffened slightly. Meeting Chen Yang head-on, he was about to speak when he saw Chen Yang's bright, radiant expression, and the man called out in a resonant voice:
"Greetings, Lord Cui! What a coincidence!"
This greeting startled Cui Jueyin, leaving him filled with doubt and suspicion. What kind of person was Chen Yang? Usually, his speech was low and forceful, and smiles were exceedingly rare on his face. How could he possibly be laughing heartily like this? With his brows and eyes relaxed and beaming, he hardly even looked like his usual self.
"Protector Chen..."
Cui Jueyin replied. His suspicion gradually subsided, and he said gently:
"By order of the main family, I am to guide Protector Chen and Fellow Daoist Fei to the lake. The grand formation of Hanyun Peak requires repairs, so the rest of you should proceed to the nearest manor peak to settle down. I will take my leave of you here."
Fei Tongcai nodded repeatedly and sent the others back with Fei Qingya. He and Chen Yang parted from the crowd, stepped to Cui Jueyin's side, and flew all the way toward the lake. When they arrived inside the grand hall, there was surprisingly not a soul in sight on either side.
Cui Jueyin shut the heavy doors and smiled at Fei Tongcai:
"Fellow Daoist, please take a rest. I shall take Protector Chen forward to report."
Fei Tongcai nodded with a smile.
Fei Tongcai's demeanor toward him was exceedingly bizarre. He was clearly just a Qi Refinement cultivator of the Fei family, yet facing Cui Jueyin—who was at peak Foundation Establishment—he neither bowed his head nor bent his waist. Not only was he devoid of the dread typically felt toward Foundation Establishment, but he even carried an easy familiarity, as if they were peers and colleagues.
Chen Yang showed not the slightest displeasure upon witnessing this. Exiting alongside Cui Jueyin, he smiled and said:
"Lord Cui, I met a genius in Jiangbei... Truly, an unyielding backbone of steel, one whom might cannot bend..."
Cui Jueyin, however, revealed a hint of struggle, looking quite unwilling to listen, and interrupted:
"And that Fei Qingya..."
"We can discuss it in detail in a moment!"
The two entered the inner hall. The surroundings remained completely deserted. Only then did they see Li Jiangqian seated in the center with a gloomy expression, his eyes narrowed as if two savage beasts had just entered, betraying a look of deep wariness.
When Chen Yang and Cui Jueyin came to a halt before the dais, Cui Jueyin knelt and bowed, while Chen Yang merely performed a slight salutation. Li Jiangqian laid down the vermilion brush in his hand and lowered his head to read through official scrolls, not uttering a single word.
The atmosphere in the hall instantly congealed. The cheerful smile on Chen Yang's face gradually stiffened. Cui Jueyin knelt firmly against the floor, a light sheen of sweat breaking out on the back of his neck, yet the entire hall remained deathly silent.
As time trickled by, Cui Jueyin finally said in a low voice:
"Reporting to the Family Head... I fear... Baiku Commandery truly is... the place where that exalted one has settled."
Chen Yang still stood bolt upright, his face filled with perplexity. Looking at him, Cui Jueyin broke into a cold sweat, just as Li Jiangqian spoke in a quiet voice:
"Wake Lord Chen up."
Cui Jueyin scrambled to his feet, pinched incantation gestures, and cast several spells in rapid succession. Yet Chen Yang remained completely unmoved. Having no other choice, Cui Jueyin hitched up his sleeves and, catching the man off guard, struck Chen Yang across the face with two stinging slaps.
*Smack! Smack!*
Both blows had been delivered with substantial force. Chen Yang's cheeks turned bright red. With a dazed expression, he staggered back two steps and collapsed to his knees with a thud. His lips trembled ceaselessly; he seemed to want to speak, yet could not force out a single sound.
Li Jiangqian could only rise. Still avoiding looking at Chen Yang, he turned his face aside. Out of the corner of his eye, however, he noticed wisps of purple smoke drifting forth, tumbling restlessly across the floor. Seizing the moment, he bowed down and greeted respectfully:
"Greetings, Master!"
Then, a woman clad in autumn-yellow robes stepped into the hall from outside. Cui Jueyin reacted just as swiftly, bowing respectfully. Only Chen Yang stood stiffly in the middle of the hall, cupping his hands:
"May I ask which Master stands before me..."
At this point, Li Jiangqian was at a loss for words as well. He could only remain kneeling and plead respectfully:
"We entreat Master... please save him..."
Fortunately, Tinglan possessed great magnanimity and acted as if she had heard nothing. Pressing two fingers together, she tapped Chen Yang between the brows.
Chen Yang instantly stumbled back a step. In an instant, his two eyeballs turned a bright yellow, followed by a burst of radiance that incinerated them completely, leaving behind only two pitch-black sockets. He slumped to the ground with a thud, the back of his robes visibly soaked with sweat.
Fumbling about and paying no heed to the bloody tears dripping down, he knocked his head against the ground in rapid kowtows. Tinglan casually picked up a sheet of Xuan paper from the desk, took up the vermilion brush, and with a few swift strokes, sketched a pair of eyes.
Then she tossed it onto Chen Yang's face. Two eyeballs sprang into the pitch-black sockets, leaving only a blank sheet of Xuan paper drifting down to the floor.
Tinglan had not yet achieved her lifebound divine ability, so destroying his eyes first before fashioning new ones was clearly a clever shortcut. Giving Chen Yang a moment to recover, she then said softly:
"Now that the roles on your various sides are complete, the True Monarch has naturally revealed himself. That is not bad either; finding the exalted one so quickly saves plenty of trouble later..."
Her tone was brisk and light. Looking at Chen Yang's bowed head, she smiled:
"You are quite capable as well—to be able to sweat at all after being before that exalted one."
Chen Yang's newly formed eyes held only profound terror and dread. The hands propping him up on the floor looked pale, trembling faintly. Li Jiangqian spoke respectfully:
"Reporting to Master, there is still a Qi Refinement cultivator who returned after seeing the exalted one in person. He is waiting in the side hall... Would Master care to see him?"
Tinglan shook her head and took a seat in the primary chair. With a faint look of awe, she said gently:
"There is no need to see him. He is already beyond saving. His original consciousness has been utterly reduced to ashes. What replaces it now is who the exalted one thinks he is. If the exalted one thinks he is hearty, he will be hearty; if the exalted one thinks he is optimistic, he will be optimistic. If one day the exalted one thinks he ought to go save him, he will take up a blade and charge in, and no one will be able to bring him back."
"As for... you..."
Tinglan glanced at Chen Yang and murmured:
"You are a Foundation Establishment cultivator after all, and with my timely intervention, as long as you honestly hole up until the exalted one departs, this matter can be considered behind you."
In this brief span of time, Li Jiangqian had observed a great deal. Chen Yang was abnormal, yet Cui Jueyin had ultimately been oblivious to it, which clearly indicated that this influence reached far wider. Thus, he lowered his voice:
"Should we isolate him from everyone... and have him stay alone...?"
Tinglan pondered slightly and replied:
"That is up to you. So long as matters concerning the exalted one are not mentioned, he is completely harmless. Still, it is best to minimize contact."
"As for that young girl..."
Tinglan cast another glance over everyone and said quietly:
"Provide her with a quiet environment, and arrange for a few female cultivators from the Fei family to live with her. There is no need to pick talents."
Li Jiangqian nodded hastily and saluted:
"Junior understands."
Tinglan said with deep meaning:
"You must understand that the exalted one will leave sooner or later, but those women might not be able to leave. Even mortals would be prized treasures—not a single piece of their corpses would be left behind. And if they are cultivators... their usefulness would be immense. Those who are willful and unruly are difficult to use, but those who are obedient and sweet, or aloof and pure... make for fine material indeed..."
Li Jiangqian looked up slightly, sudden realization dawning in his heart. A killing intent flared within him, only to quickly subside into calmness as he said respectfully:
"Many thanks for Master's guidance!"
Tinglan then said leisurely:
"Ning Wan is watching over Li Quantao, his son, and the affairs of Jiangbei, so it was convenient for me to make this trip."
She looked at Li Jiangqian and smiled:
"The Li clan is truly the Wei Li, and Li Zhouwei is truly the White Qilin. Excellent indeed—he can rival Tu Longjian!"
Tinglan's remark might have seemed unprompted, but it rang crystal clear in Li Jiangqian's ears. She was evidently referring to how he, Li Jiangqian, had not suffered much influence and had been able to command with calm composure throughout this series of shifts. This gave this Master—and perhaps all the Masters—an even firmer conviction regarding the Li family's bloodline:
*The son of the White Qilin... Golden Core bloodline... Only this could allow one to barely escape the exalted one's influence.*
Having spoken, she dispersed into purple smoke and vanished. After seeing her off with respectful words, Li Jiangqian calmly raised his head and seated himself in the primary chair. Below, Chen Yang was dripping with cold sweat, clearly harboring profound terror over his own actions throughout the journey.
Li Jiangqian paused briefly, then said with a smile:
"Protector Chen! As for the Master's immortal decree... regarding the selection of those Fei family women... how should they be chosen?"
Chen Yang said respectfully:
"Those who are jealous, restless, prone to stirring up trouble, and unrelated to our family from the Fei clan... supplemented with one or two gentle, kind-hearted Fei women who share kin ties with our family."
"A gathering of female cultivators will inevitably breed conflict. We can send cultivation resources as we please. If the exalted one arrives here feeling dissatisfied and wishes to find some amusement, this will allow him to vent his frustration quickly. No matter what, the Fei family is her maternal home, and his time is very tight; he will not linger in Jiangnan."
Li Jiangqian chuckled:
"Protector Chen is truly back."
He lifted the brush in his hand, musing:
*The Master's meaning is quite clear. When the time comes, several immortal sects might harbor designs on Fei Qingya. Alienating her from the Fei family in advance benefits both our clan and the various immortal sects—after all, it would be an awkward affair.*
*Come to think of it, the last incident involving Chu Yi occurred in Yufu Commandery, right near Ziyan Gate...*
Li Jiangqian looked up slightly, an association quickly forming in his mind, and asked:
"The highly sought-after Qianlizi on Ziyan's Muzuo Peak... seems to be around a hundred years old now, does she not? Protector Cui, do you know her name?"
Cui Jueyin pondered for a moment:
"It seems... her surname was Han? As for her given name... that is very difficult to know. After entering the sect, she has always cultivated under her Daoist title, making it very hard to inquire about her original name."
"I understand."
Li Jiangqian nodded, contemplating deeply, and said in a low voice:
"The matter of Fei Qingya will be handled by Protector Chen with full authority. Everyone who comes into contact with her from first to last must be replaced with female kin. The peaks where they cultivate must also be sealed off to prevent anyone else from entering..."
"Especially members of my family."
Li Jiangqian already had a plan in mind:
*Since Master Tinglan said that whatever the exalted one thinks becomes reality, Chen Yang was already cast as an affable senior. Perhaps if he had arrived earlier, that dandy would have made a move, prompting Chen Yang to draw his blade in aid and forge a three-month pact...*
*Since he has already represented my Li family as an affable senior, whatever happens on Hanyun Peak will likely not be blamed on the Li family; let them digest it amongst themselves...*
He added an extra instruction to put Chen Yang's mind at ease:
"In ordinary times, you need not contact them. When the True Monarch arrives, find an excuse to enter secluded cultivation; there is no need to meet him again face-to-face..."
"Understood!"
Chen Yang's expression had gradually settled into calm. Receiving his orders, he stepped down from the side. Li Jiangqian pondered for a moment, then instructed:
"Have Fei Qingyi come up."
Soon, the man entered from outside the hall. Ever since his breakthrough, he had been detained on the isle, unable even to step outside the grand hall. At this moment, his face was filled with anxiety. Bowing before the hall, he spoke cautiously:
"Greetings, Family Head."
A look of profound helplessness surfaced on Li Jiangqian's face. Stepping down from the dais, he spoke in a tone of exasperated disappointment:
"Master Tinglan has just departed!"
These words terrified Fei Qingyi so much that he kowtowed in a panic, immensely nervous. Li Jiangqian merely said:
"How many times have I told you! Jiangbei involves vital affairs of the Masters, with who knows how many Violet Palace cultivators involved, and now you nearly ruined their grand endeavor! Had the Lake not stepped in to mediate, your entire Fei family would have become a stepping stone for others!"
Fei Qingyi had never imagined it could be so grave. He froze where he knelt, listening as Li Jiangqian said coldly:
"Listen well: the current Fei Tongcai has been ensorcelled; no one may go see him. I will dispatch him to guard a ferry crossing near Jiangbei under an appointment within the isle. His cultivation resources will be several times greater than what your clan provides, with far better treatment. Once this period passes, we can bring him back."
Fei Qingyi hastily voiced his thanks, but Li Jiangqian waved his hand and said softly:
"There is an even more important matter... Though Fei Qingya herself remains unaware, she is now the reincarnation of a Master and no longer belongs to your Fei family. Several Masters specifically commanded that her cultivation method is unique and cannot be tainted by mortal karma. She is forbidden from meeting outsiders and will cultivate on your Hanyun Peak. I will seal off those peaks and leave a few people to accompany her cultivation. If anyone in your family disturbs her, it will be a capital crime warranting your clan's extermination."
How could Fei Qingyi have dreamed his clan would encounter such an affair? A chilling dread filled his heart:
*Without a Violet Palace cultivator, what right do we have to know anything... We are nothing more than cannon fodder.*
Li Jiangqian continued:
"I am informing you of this secret only so that you may restrain the Fei family. If this leaks and draws enemies, not only will your Fei family be wiped out to the last soul for harboring her, but our Lake will also suffer immense fallout."
His tone softened considerably, and he said in a low murmur:
"Fellow Daoist Fei, these matters are top secret, known only to me, Lord Cui, and a select few. It is only out of regard for the deep bonds between our two families that I am saying a few extra words to let you in on this. The situation is extremely serious right now. Because members of your clan's direct line appeared and disrupted others' arrangements, and out of respect for my family, they could not simply kill them off, the various Violet Palace cultivators are thoroughly displeased."
"This humble cultivator understands!"
The hands Fei Qingyi extended from his sleeves were trembling. Li Jiangqian sighed:
"This exalted one reincarnated into Fei Qingya... In her past life, she cultivated the Dao of Ruthlessness, which is why she now cultivates Cold Qi. Keep to your place, and nothing will happen. But if you get too entangled or overstep, when she seeks to prove her Dao and slays to validate her heart, it will be no laughing matter."
Having thoroughly intimidated Fei Qingyi into groveling with profuse gratitude, while Cui Jueyin beside them did not even dare raise his head, Li Jiangqian then said:
"Lord Cui, accompany him on this trip. Handle the arrangements properly. Do not meet with her in person; just let the individuals from before make the arrangements."
The two hurried to withdraw, and Li Jiangqian sat back down, exhaling a gloomy breath.
He, Li Jiangqian, could never tell Fei Qingyi the truth. One could never underestimate the greed in anyone's heart. Were Fei Qingyi to learn that a direct daughter of his clan had become a woman favored by a True Monarch, it would inevitably ignite a terrible upheaval. At that point, no matter how much he warned Fei Qingyi not to contact the True Monarch, the man would think it was merely an empty scare tactic and might very well try to worm his way close.
Yet the pretext used to bring Fei Qingya back was Fei Qingyi's breakthrough; they could not simply lock him away, which would inevitably leave a massive hidden hazard. Now, he could only fabricate a complete, airtight story that matched the series of orders issued earlier and beforehand.
"I can only adapt to circumstances as they unfold..."
Lifting his brush, he jotted down several orders and frowned:
"I must also meet with the Old Lord and have him confine Uncle Zhouming to his quarters. He will have to endure some hardship for now..."
Chapter 875