Chapter 1007: 尊位

"It's likely related to the state boundaries from back then..."

When Li Ximing achieved the Zi Mansion realm years ago, Zhang Gui and Wang Long came to the lake. The most esteemed Purple Gold scroll they carried recorded them as the Five Directions Envoys from Jiao and Yang Prefectures.

Zhang Gui and Wang Long must be Yang Pan's people.

This matter, initially met with doubt, gradually became clear. After all, when Li Ximing achieved his breakthrough, Qingchi was already rapidly declining. The Yang family also knew that the Solar Orthodoxy was bound to wane, and if the Li clan were to act recklessly, it could very well harm the Yang family's interests. Yang Pan sent these two Five Directions Envoys to reveal that the Yang family had a Zi Mansion realm expert, primarily to stabilize relations between the two families and secondarily to prevent potential future conflicts.

Besides this, the Li family had been in Jiangnan for a century and had gathered considerable information. Another name was associated with Yang Pan, Yang Jinxin:

The Zhe'nan Division.

According to unofficial rumors, Yang Pan was the head of the Zhe'nan Division, also responsible for handling the anomalies and "gold nature" (power) left behind by the deaths of many Zi Mansion realm cultivators in Jiangnan. As the rumors described it, he "governed matters related to the gold (power) of divine abilities."

It was unclear what status a Division-level force held in the Underworld or what role it played. But one thing was clear: this was undoubtedly a position of real power, and Jiangnan was merely their possession. In any case, the Yang family currently was far from a simple or weak force.

"Your esteemed clan is a true imperial descendant, the foremost in Jiangnan, unmatched by flattery from any quarter, and now you are pursuing truth... My fellow Daoist, you are too modest..."

Yang Ruiyi chuckled heartily and said earnestly: "Imperial descendant is an overstatement. There are few families who could claim that title in your presence."

These were truly heartfelt words. Regardless of Li Zhouwei's current situation, given time, he would undoubtedly become a first-rate divine ability user in the world, with Qilin blood flowing in his veins. Only if Emperor Zhao Zhaowu were resurrected, or if Emperor Zhao from the imperial family's paternal side in the Zhao Palace received a blessing, would anyone dare to claim the title of imperial descendant before Li Zhouwei.

After their exchange of pleasantries, the elder who had been sitting quietly by the window was gone. Both Yang Ruiyi and Li Zhouwei breathed a deep sigh of relief, and the tense, stiff atmosphere immediately relaxed.

Li Zhouwei raised an eyebrow, taking the opportunity to say thoughtfully: "I hear... the respected figure behind you, my fellow Daoist, is from the Zhe'nan Division. I wonder what kind of immortal division it is."

Yang Ruiyi's thoughts had clearly been on the elder. Though he was on home ground, he was even more nervous than Li Zhouwei, fearing he might say the wrong thing. Now that the elder had left, he seemed to come alive, his tone relaxing as he leaned back in his seat and smiled: "My lord's primary official post is not here but in the Hall. Posts in the Hall often come with rank but no specific duties. He concurrently holds this Division as his duty, so people have a particular way of referring to him."

He lifted his chin and casually added: "After all, the Hall is in the Profound Underworld Exile, and those spectral titles are usually not used."

Li Zhouwei vividly remembered the terrifying true form of the elder from moments ago, though he dared not dwell on it. He merely nodded in acknowledgment, but Yang Ruiyi said little more, vaguely stating: "The Zhe'nan Division has a long history; it was responsible for this region back then. Now, with the discipline lax, other divisions are not prominent, and many matters have been streamlined and consolidated under the Zhe'nan Division. Neither the Beijiang Division nor the Lingjian Division holds as much power as the Zhe'nan Division."

Li Zhouwei saw that he was speaking half-heartedly and held reservations, so he casually remarked: "Truly a big figure from the Underworld!"

Yang Ruiyi smiled and immediately changed the subject: "White Qilin, thank you for gracing us with your presence. I won't stand on ceremony. The elders value you greatly, calling you our nation's foremost pillar of support. Your esteemed clan also handles affairs with such discretion, which is highly appreciated... The most crucial matter today is to discuss this."

Li Zhouwei looked at him silently. Yang Ruiyi sighed: "My fellow Daoist, if you would, for the sake of the Underworld, lend your strength to our dynasty... the Yang clan will certainly offer compensation!"

Li Zhouwei took a sip of tea, already having the answer in his heart, and asked: "To pledge allegiance?"

Yang Ruiyi fell silent for a moment.

This was not a simple matter. For both the Chen and Linggu clans, bowing to the Yang clan was inevitable, and they had no standing to negotiate here. The Li clan was no different. The compensation Yang Ruiyi mentioned was specific to Li Zhouwei.

Li Zhouwei cultivated the Bright Yang orthodoxy, which was not a lowly path. It suited common people well, but Li Zhouwei, as one beloved by Bright Yang, had an extraordinary destiny. Since his birth, the Li clan had not called him by his given name, instead referring to him as "young master," allowing him to forgo bowing or kneeling, all to fulfill his destiny. Now, he also harbored the intention to ascend to a Fruit Position. If he were to pledge allegiance as a subject, it might seem harmless, but it would inevitably hinder his pursuit of a Fruit Position!

'Li Zhouwei, after all, is the Son of Bright Yang. Even if he endures humiliation in a subordinate position, he must still harbor ambitions and, taking advantage of the current world situation, he is bound to strive for a Fruit Position.'

Severing someone's orthodoxy often leads to irreconcilable blood feuds, and obstructing someone's pursuit of "gold" (power) or placing obstacles in their path to a Fruit Position is also deeply resented. How could Yang Ruiyi not be cautious?

'Moreover, my family stands to benefit from this.'

On Yang Zhuo's side, it was the same principle. Li Zhouwei's identity and destiny were special. If he were to bow to Yang Zhuo, it would not only greatly benefit the new dynasty established by the Yang family but also elevate Yang Zhuo's own destiny!

Knowing these concerns, Yang Ruiyi observed his expression. Li Zhouwei, however, remained silent, his golden eyes fixed on him, seemingly awaiting his next words. Yang Ruiyi met his gaze briefly, then, without further delay, smiled and explained: "White Qilin, you needn't worry. We fully support your pursuit of the True Lord position. This matter isn't as serious as it seems... We will ensure the impact is minimized. After all... the new dynasty's governance isn't harsh. The Chen and Linggu clans are tributary states, granted princely titles and retaining their lands in the commanderies as fiefdoms. Though they must heed our commands, their fiefdoms remain self-governing. As for the Li clan... it will be even more lenient." He smiled: "We will certainly do our best to preserve your status and satisfy White Qilin!"

Li Zhouwei was not surprised. In fact, neither the Yang nor the Li clans were surprised. There was no room for negotiation on this matter; the involvement of three generations of Li clan members—Li Xizhi, Li Zhouluo, and Li Jiangliang—was already a clear hint. The Yang family's grand strategy required a part from the Li clan. The vague protection and assistance given to previous generations were Yang's idle moves, yet they all came with a price. Whether the value was equal or not, and regardless of the Li clan's willingness, the time for repayment had come. His words were clear. From another perspective, the Underworld held a position regarding Li Qianyuan similar to Luoxia's—a dead, or at least half-dead, Li Qianyuan was what the Underworld wanted to see, hence their 'full support.'

'Therefore, Luoxia never cared. After all, the Li clan was within the Underworld's domain. Even if Luoxia didn't act, the Underworld would naturally keep an eye on them... They weren't eager to damage my destiny; rather, they largely intended to help fulfill it.'

'The attitude of the world's foremost power, this last piece, is also in place. This Bright Yang Lord... has brought Luoxia and the Underworld to cooperate, with the Dragon clan reluctantly agreeing... Years ago, Qingyu invited Li Zhouwei into the mountains and personally explained the matter of Wei and Li, saying that Li Qianyuan had irreconcilable conflicts with fifty percent of the orthodoxies... Looking at it today, fifty percent was an incredibly conservative estimate! It's likely that the remaining ones, while not irreconcilable, still couldn't bear to see him.'

Li Zhouwei's golden eyes calmly met his gaze. He said softly: "The Li clan has received grace from the Heavenly Court's predecessors, so it is only right that we contribute our share."

Yang Ruiyi smiled slightly and replied: "There's one more matter... regarding the Great Kindness Golden Lotuses."

"Great Kindness Golden Lotuses..." Li Zhouwei raised an eyebrow and asked: "Lord Yang has already returned to Quanya, hasn't he? Is there something that can't be resolved?"

A trace of helplessness crossed Yang Ruiyi's face as he replied: "The Great Kindness Golden Lotuses themselves aren't the problem. The issue lies with the innumerable cultivators and common folk affected by them, scattered throughout Lixia and Quanya. If the Golden Lotuses were to be destroyed, it would likely result in millions of casualties."

Li Zhouwei remained noncommittal inwardly but feigned understanding, nodding slightly as he listened to Yang Ruiyi shake his head and say: "Fortunately, my lord is naturally divine and possesses miraculous abilities. The gentlest and most convenient method now is to seal off the Great Kindness Golden Lotuses, neutralizing their influence. In eight to ten years, they will naturally dissipate. All these Great Kindness Golden Lotuses are under our surveillance, except for... two in a wild, uncultivated area that are difficult to manage."

Li Zhouwei immediately understood that Yang Ruiyi spoke of the Great Kindness Golden Lotuses, but in reality, he was referring to the handover and division of the wildlands. He set down his cup and asked: "What is your esteemed clan's view on this?"

Yang Ruiyi simply said: "My lord's idea is... that the wildlands should remain in our hands for now. Once things are properly arranged, they will be transferred to your esteemed clan in another manner."

The loss of manpower in the wildlands was actually much less than estimated, but the Great Kindness Golden Lotuses had already poisoned the surrounding areas and were relics from the Buddhist realm, making them difficult to handle. If the Li family took them, they would have no means of dealing with them for a while, so handing them over to the Yang clan would save them trouble.

'This "another manner" likely meant either enfeoffment or a reward...'

Li Zhouwei nodded and replied: "We appreciate your clan's trouble."

Yang Ruiyi then smiled: "It's no trouble at all. I should be thanking your esteemed clan for your trust."

After discussing all matters, Li Zhouwei finally grew serious and stated solemnly: "Two more members of my clan... one is my cousin Li Zhouluo, who received a lord's enfeoffment, and the other is elder Li Yuanqin, who cultivates in Qingchi... I wonder how your esteemed clan intends to handle them?"

Li Xuanxuan had pondered this matter for a long time. Since Li Zhouwei was meeting Yang Ruiyi, he inquired about it in detail.

Yang Ruiyi glanced at him in surprise, then dropped his smile and replied: "Li Zhouluo... after all, has Yang clan blood. If he stays with my Yang family, he can be safely protected, and you won't need to worry about anyone trying to manipulate him and influence our two clans. This is good for him and good for both our families."

Li Zhouwei gave him a deep look. Yang Ruiyi added with a smile: "However... there's no need to scrutinize it here. Once the new dynasty is established, he will have his choices, and we can just wait." He looked confident as he quietly turned to Li Zhouwei: "As for Li Yuanqin... the Ning clan will guard Yishan City and the Southern Borders for my lord. This is a reward for Ning Wan. If the Li clan truly needs him, feel free to approach the Ning clan; Ning Wan surely won't refuse." He paused, then smiled: "However... in my opinion... it's good that a branch finally moved out; not returning to the lake is also a good thing."

Li Zhouwei looked at him thoughtfully: "A reward... Ning Wan still has means..."

As both men were acting in their respective family's interests, there wasn't much more to discuss. Yang Ruiyi offered tea, signaling the end of the meeting, and smiled: "My fellow Daoist, just wait a few years. One day, when the stars appear in the heavens, shimmering ceaselessly and illuminating both day and night, that will be the day Fengwu establishes its nation, and golden carriages and jade horses will come to the lake to confer your honored title!"

With that, he personally rose from his main seat to see off the golden-eyed young man, then stepped forward and pushed open the pavilion door himself.

"Creak."

The warm light of early morning instantly streamed into the pavilion, illuminating the stone steps. A cold breeze blew, and a man was waiting outside the pavilion.

The man had handsome features, sparkling golden eyes, and wore a long robe with coiled cloud patterns, covered by a brocade gown with paired beast motifs. He was extremely elegant, exuding the dignified air of a scholar-general, waiting outside the pavilion.

As soon as the pavilion door opened, he immediately bowed, respectfully saying: "Greetings, Lord... Greetings... Father!"

Li Zhouwei stood before the pavilion, basking in the brilliant sunlight, his hands clasped behind his back. Yang Ruiyi's laughter echoed outside: "Fourth Young Master's immortal merits are outstanding; my lord often speaks of them. Truly, a tiger begets no cub!"

Li Jiangliang knelt before the pavilion, showing no emotional fluctuation from his words. He waited cautiously until he heard his father's voice: "My fellow Daoist, you flatter me."

Li Jiangliang's heart was complex. He subtly raised his head and stepped aside, only to see two hems of robes approach. The black-clad man smiled: "I won't disturb you further." His figure vanished instantly, completely erased, as if he had never been there, leaving only the golden-eyed young man standing quietly in place. Li Jiangliang raised his gaze a few inches: "Father."

"Walk with me."

"Yes."

Li Zhouwei raised an eyebrow and began strolling along the corridor between the pavilions. Li Jiangliang followed close behind him, listening as Li Zhouwei asked: "In the court... what duties do you hold, what position do you occupy?"

Li Jiangliang hurriedly replied: "Your son is currently formulating the new dynasty's rites. Once the major affairs are settled, I should be managing some civil matters."

Li Zhouwei paused, turned, and scrutinized him for a moment, then said: "You are indeed different from your elder brothers. Cui Jueyin taught you for over ten years, and you truly absorbed it all, not disgracing our family's teachings."

Li Jiangliang had certainly not expected such words from his father. He was momentarily stunned, and after a few seconds of silence, he finally grasped the meaning: "Father... Thank you, Father."

Li Zhouwei turned to look at the clouds beyond the covered walkway, leaning on the white stone railing, and said quietly: "That day, when your elder brother returned from Mushroom Forest Plains, I heard what you said. You said you would rather die than touch a single thing from our family's possessions..."

Li Jiangliang stood by his side, looking at his golden eyes, his expression complex. But his father's tone gradually softened as he calmly said: "Actually, you also know whether or not you use the family's power is not important. If the day comes when you are truly helpless and have to use it, it will be unavoidable. There's no need for such a severe oath."

Li Jiangliang lowered his gaze and suddenly prostrated himself on the ground. Li Zhouwei's words faded, echoing only in his mind.

'Staying with the Yang clan might present more opportunities.'