Preoccupations

Thoughts churned within Li Suining's mind, yet he reined in his emotions with utmost speed. Weighing the urgency and priorities of the matter, clarity swiftly returned to him: *There are many great powers watching Lake Wangyue; I must not appear the least bit abnormal... Whatever the case, I cannot interfere with a True Person's actions. Whether he comes or not, I will simply do all I can to save Guest Elder Ding, just to guard against the worst.* *Yet where is the Jinzhang Shanghu Jue?* Doubt took root in his heart. Allowing a look of contemplation to surface on his face, he probed tentatively, "Still... gathering spiritual qi takes quite some time. Even once the True Person procures the cultivation art... this junior may still have to wait several years." Li Jiangchun shook his head slightly and replied, "Not necessarily. The True Persons command many followers and retainers; he can simply trade for it from their hands all at once." Those words instantly brought clarity to Li Suining's mind, and a wave of calm washed over him: *Indeed! In my past life, spiritual qi was already available for me to use as soon as I emerged from seclusion after a single year, which means the Jinzhang Shanghu Jue was definitely obtained through trade. When trouble broke out in the wilderness in my previous life, True Person Zhaojing rushed back in haste, after which he rarely ventured far abroad. That means nine times out of ten... the Jinzhang Shanghu Jue was sent from the East Sea by True Person Yuanbian!* *That also explains why the Jinzhang Shanghu Jue shares the exact same qi as the Xingwei Taicang Shen Juan... True Person Yuanbian is renowned for his mastery of array dao, blessed with profound fortune and countless treasures. The Xingwei Taicang Shen Juan, in all likelihood, was his as well!* *It was precisely because this turmoil in the wilderness claimed Guest Elder Ding and Protector An that the clan once more came under threat from the Buddhist cultivators. As a result, the True Person dared not depart at will until the Yang clan ascended the imperial throne. True Person Yuanbian would not enter the inland realm, and an item as precious as the Xingwei Taicang Shen Juan could never be entrusted to minor underlings. That was why he had someone send the Jinzhang Shanghu Jue first, since it shared the same qi!* He felt a slight relief, estimating that his guess was at least seventy to eighty percent accurate. Only one final doubt lingered: *If so, why did they still let me choose between the Xingchen Jianshi Jue and the Jinzhang Shanghu Jue in my past life? Could it be... there is more than one lineage...* As he was lost in thought, Li Jiangchun misunderstood his silence and offered comfort, "There is no need to worry. Though you started a bit late, the cultivation arts provided along the lakeshore and the several Daoist tomes you have studied are meant to solidify your foundation. The disciples on the lake must learn them all the same..." Li Suining reined in his thoughts and responded respectfully, yet his mind had already turned to another matter: *Back then, the sky was filled with gray fire. I wonder which figure from the north it was...* Having made up his mind, he spoke up, hesitating, "Uncle... there is something I do not know if I should mention..." "Oh?" Li Jiangchun was taken aback and looked at him in mild confusion, only to see Li Suining look up, his eyes faintly tinged with red as he sighed. "I wonder... what the clan's arrangements are for the Third Young Master in the wilderness." The Third Young Master naturally referred to Li Jiangxia! Li Jiangchun stopped in his tracks before him and sat down beside a small table in the pavilion, asking with apparent casualness, "What brought this on?" In truth, Li Suining had no business inquiring into the arrangements of the direct line. No matter how high Li Jiangchun's standing was or how much Li Ximing valued Suining, asking such a thing without cause would arouse suspicion; posing the question was anomalous in itself. But Li Suining had come prepared, and he sighed: "Father perished in Jiangbei for clan affairs... I never had the chance to see him even once since childhood... I heard he served under the Third Young Master and Guest Elder Ding, and the Third Young Master personally delivered his personal effects back then. As his son, now that I have received orders on the isle, I ought to pay my respects to this clan uncle..." Among the Three Holders, aside from Li Jiangliang who served at court, Li Suining was intimately familiar with both of the other clan uncles. This General Who Subdues the North and Left Commander of the Fengwu Hall possessed a frank, magnanimous nature; out of regard for Suining's father, he had taken exceptional care of him, looking out for him time and again... Even now, reflecting on it brought a sigh of emotion. Given Li Suining's standing, he could have visited Li Jiangxia directly. However, Li Jiangxia was now in Foundation Establishment; others might not know it, but Li Suining knew full well that Li Jiangxia was currently in seclusion within the mountains—which, as it happened, allowed him to evade this catastrophe! At the mention of perishing in service to the clan, Li Jiangchun's gaze softened with emotion. During the decade of unrest, the wilderness was where the Li clan's cultivators had suffered the heaviest casualties, mostly falling to the Buddhist cultivators. Lowering his eyes with a sigh, he replied as expected: "Third Brother has already entered seclusion. In the wilderness, Uncle Zhoufang and An Xuanxin are assisting, with Guest Elder Ding presiding over matters. For now, focus on your cultivation with peace of mind." Li Suining nodded with an air of wistful disappointment, murmuring in a low voice, "Guest Elder Ding... ought to be visited as well. Yet Foundation Establishment cultivators have unpredictable whereabouts, and it would not do to trouble the clan elders. When my cultivation allows, I shall simply find an opportune moment, prepare a gift, and pay him a visit!" Having laid the groundwork and made his subtle suggestion, Li Jiangchun thought nothing more of it. Nodding casually with a faint smile, he strapped on his sword, stepped outside, and rode the wind, flying off toward the islets. After riding the wind for a time, he touched down at a pavilion. Pushing the door open, he stepped inside to find an elderly man seated upright in the seat of honor, holding a roll of wooden slips and studying them intently. "Greetings, Venerable Elder!" He bowed respectfully within the chamber. Li Xuanxuan hurriedly stood up, a smile surfacing on his face. Hurrying down several steps, he helped him up and said: "I have told you... no need for such formalities hereafter. Just push the door and come on in... Look at your Fifth Uncle—he comes sauntering in with a grin, paying no heed to etiquette." Li Jiangchun smiled and rose. Glancing slightly to the side, he indeed saw Li Zhouming clad in crimson robes, standing nearby with a kettle in hand, as though he had just finished refilling the old man's tea. Li Zhouming smiled with downcast eyes, yet his gaze lingered on the bamboo slips atop the old man's desk, his brow knitting slightly. Li Jiangchun escorted the elderly man back to his seat and said respectfully, "This junior has met with several of the clansmen." "Oh?" Li Xuanxuan raised his eyebrows, stroking his beard, as he listened to the youth speak: "Suihuan is impassioned, Suikuan is precocious, and as for Suining... having lost his father at an early age, he seems weighed down by many thoughts; he must have things burdening his mind... At fifteen, he has reached the fourth layer of Embryonic Breathing, which is decent..." He made no mention of Li Suining's request or his filial piety, choosing only the phrase "weighed down by many thoughts." Li Xuanxuan seemed lost in thought, while the dandy standing by chuckled, "Only decent... He's far better off than I was; he just can't compare to you." Li Jiangchun was of similar age to Li Suining, yet his spirit apertures had opened late. He began cultivating only at age seven, yet by age nine he had already reached the fourth layer of Embryonic Breathing. Later, after ingesting spiritual pills and talisman pills, he reached Qi Refinement at age ten, cultivating the Wugui Suoyin Divine Scroll. That same year, he attained sword qi, an achievement that sent ripples of astonishment all the way to the True Person. Li Ximing was exceedingly pleased and instructed him to study the clan's Yueque Sword Canon to hone his sword dao. His cultivation progressed rapidly nonetheless; having already reached the fifth layer of Qi Refinement, he deliberately slowed his cultivation pace and began studying the Shaoyin Xuanjun Water-Fire Record. It was precisely for this reason that Li Xuanxuan held a kind of wistful favoritism toward him. Li Jiangchun spent more time practicing swordsmanship than cultivating his internal qi, so the old man often went to visit him, frequently standing in the courtyard for an hour or two just watching in silence. Hearing his words now, Li Xuanxuan pondered further. Shifting the conversation, he asked with a grave expression: "Could it be... he feels the clan has mistreated him?" This was inherently a sensitive subject. Li Suining's elders were untalented, and his father had died in service to the clan. Although the lake had provided ample compensation and extended quiet care, youths often harbored extreme thoughts, making it hard to know what lay in their hearts. Being a man of cautious deliberation, this was the first possibility that crossed the old man's mind. Li Jiangchun shook his head quite decisively and replied, "He has his own thoughts... Though my Xiang Juchen is not yet formed and its subtle perceptions have yet to arise, I still possess some intuition. In all likelihood, he is someone of resolute will who understands reason." "Then all is well!" Li Xuanxuan smiled with delight and answered, "There were too many juniors present back then, so I could not speak with him for long. I shall find a day to test him myself!" Li Jiangchun recounted the conversations he had held with the various juniors. Li Xuanxuan nodded as he listened, all the while keeping an eye on the bright moon outside the pavilion. He said solemnly: "The crescent moon has risen. A night of such crisp, cool moonlight must not be missed." The Wugui Suoyin Divine Scroll favored nights of clear, cold moonlight; it was the ideal time for cultivation. Taking the hint, Li Jiangchun excused himself and withdrew. Yet no sooner had he stepped out of the pavilion than he saw a figure in crimson robes catching up behind him. This Fifth Uncle carried himself with dashing ease and refined elegance, and having achieved Foundation Establishment, he had become even more unconstrained. Walking out alongside him, he smiled and asked: "Jiangchun... do you enjoy listening to tunes?" Li Jiangchun felt a touch of helplessness and replied, "Sword arts take priority, and spell arts are intricate. Naturally, I have never listened to any." Having succeeded in Foundation Establishment, Li Zhouming's face naturally carried an ethereal luster. He wore less powder and rouge now, yet retained his playboy demeanor. Snapping his fan open with careless ease, he paused in his steps and said casually: "There is a song titled *Hen Shishui*—Lament for the Flowing Waters. It is quite intriguing; you might give it a listen." Li Jiangchun raised his brows, gave him a thoughtful look, took his leave, and departed. This left the playboy famed across the lake and islets standing between the pavilions. Raising his fan, he gazed at the moonlight falling upon his crimson robes, the smile on his face slowly fading away, replaced by a look of contemplation in his eyes: *It hasn't been just once... Every time I come to the pavilion, that song lyric is always on the Venerable Elder's desk. He reads it over and over again, touching the characters until the ink has blurred...* *Even late at night two days ago, when I wandered past here at leisure, the old man was still seated upright before his desk, head bowed, reading it again and again under the lamp, sighing ceaselessly...* *Hen Shishui...* His gaze drifted as he stood beneath the moonlight. Folding his fan, he murmured with an ominous undertone: "'Where have the scenes of old days gone... leaving only my spirit cold.'" *** Mount Dayuan Guangyin. Golden statues stood massive as mountains, radiant light showering down like rain. Where the luminance reached, primal magnetism filled the air. Ten thousand fathoms of brilliance shone from the dharma hall as a hundred monks descended the pavilion; colorful ponds rippled gently, and pure vessels held floral waters—truly a palace of pristine tranquility. Flight upon flight, terrace upon terrace of polished white steps glistened smoothly. A monk clad in gray robes sat before the steps, his expression distant and wandering. Beside him, a young monk holding an alms bowl waited, hesitating to speak: "Mohe..." The gray-robed monk rose, a faint glint of hope in his eyes. "Luejin, is there any word from Xuanmiao Abbey?" The young monk hesitated and shook his head, drawing a heavy sigh from the monk. "Lord Qi remains unwilling to see me... Once again, the common people will be plunged into misery." Brushing his sleeves, he rose to his feet. Suddenly pausing, he raised his brows and gazed down the mountain slope, only to see a monk standing upon the steps, ascending step by step with leisurely ease. This man was tall and broad, his eyes extremely narrow yet brimming with high spirits. His pupils were a pale red, and azure silk was tied around his waist, lending him an imposing aura. Walking barefoot, he pressed his palms together and smiled: "Fellow Daoist Fachang!" Fachang looked upon him, his brows drooping as he sighed, "So it is Fellow Daoist Queliyu... Indeed, it is you who has come... In the end, it was you." Queliyu's faint reddish pupils fixed upon him, a gray hue seemingly surging within them, prompting Luejin at the side to take a step back. The Mohe spoke in an unhurried drawl: "You should have known long ago. A million followers of my Dayu Dao were slaughtered in Jiangbei—with such tremendous karma, how could I not come?" Fachang's gaze was complicated. Inviting him into the hall, he looked up and asked, "Then... Lord Que... how many more people are you going to slaughter this time?" Queliyu broke into laughter. With his sharp chin and fair skin, he was originally a handsome monk; this smile only accentuated his striking demeanor. Tilting his eyes, he replied: "Our Dayu Liangli Dharma Gate eradicates demons and defends the Dao, forging a mortal realm of boundless gratification so that everyone may cross the sea of desires and ascend the empty mountain—slaughter? What kind of talk is that!" "Once again you smear my Dayu Dao, and not for the first time. Were it not for the sake of the Damu Dharma Realm, I would surely have extinguished both your body and soul." His tone was calm, yet laden with murderous intent. Fachang acted as if he had not heard the threat, simply clasping his hands and sighing: "I harbor no other intention; I merely hope that in employing such methods, Fellow Daoist might spare the innocent." "Innocent..." Queliyu sneered, "You truly understand nothing. Sitting idle in that position of yours, how many innocents have you actually saved? You wish to save the innocent, yet the million souls of my Dayu Dao... did you save them? You have merely shouldered karma in vain!" "The present age is an age of upheaval. Whichever sect's threshold one enters, one performs their deeds; who among them is truly innocent? In the south, private favors are traded and aristocratic clans drive the common people like cattle and sheep—are they innocent? Or do you mean those wicked folk who slaughter, butcher each other, and refuse the faith in daily life?" He smiled, "If there truly are a few innocents who have endured poverty and devastation to this day, when the Buddhist light shines upon them, they will naturally resonate and be taken into our Dao." "To put it bluntly... Fellow Daoist simply holds doctrines contrary to ours. Just return to your Baima Temple." Fachang remained silent for a long time. Then he noticed another figure ascending the steps behind Queliyu: an ordinary-looking man, seemingly one who cultivated the Arhat path, bare-chested with a venomous dragon coiled around his torso, faintly revealing lean, powerful sinew. Queliyu raised his brows, cast a glance at the newcomer, and remarked casually, "Lingci, this is Mohe Fachang, an eminent cultivator of Baima Temple." Fachang's gaze swept over him with compassion. Clasping his hands, he answered, "Congratulations to Fellow Daoist on acquiring such a worthy disciple." Having spoken, he turned away and silently retreated down the steps, leaving behind the cavernous dharma hall and its new master. Lingci bowed low within the hall, noticing that Queliyu's expression was grim. The Mohe spoke coldly: "Those from the Damu Dharma Realm have always been like this. Had he truly dared to stand independent of the Seven Daos and follow the ways of ancient cultivators, I would have respected him three parts. Mediating from the middle only makes things messy, loitering indecisively by the riverbank. If the higher-ups truly order him to march south, will he obey or disobey? Had Qi Lanyan not shared some friendship with him and had him transferred away in time... he would still have to endure this hardship!" Lingci lowered his gaze, listening as Queliyu paced and sneered: "He went along with the deeds of Bright King Shengming Jin, yet now he feels compassion toward you—what a joke." Lingci nodded and said respectfully, "Master, concerning the matter of heading south..." "There is no need for you to get involved for the time being." Queliyu's pale reddish eyes slowly narrowed as he replied, "The painting Li Zhouwei took back then tied him to immense karma as well. You have yet to fully digest the benefits reaped from those million souls... You cannot be thrown away so easily. Just wait for me at Mount Dayuan Guangyin." Lingci bowed his head in assent. The Mohe before him had already vanished, leaving him kneeling on the floor, prostrating before the various golden statues throughout the hall, as faint murmurs continued to echo in his ears: "Marvelous, marvelous..." "Seen through, seen through!"