Chapter 131: Inner Historian

Dim night fell, and a misty rain sprinkled on the mountain path. In Li Jingting's side courtyard, the lamp still burned brightly. She sat hunched over her desk, brush in hand, writing. Beside her, piles of cloth scrolls held the information she had gathered from the village elders during the day. She paused, subtly calculating the time.

"According to Old Man Chen, my great-grandfather was thirty when my grandfather left home. When my grandfather returned twenty-eight years later, my great-grandfather had already passed away... If that's the case, my grandfather achieved Foundation Establishment from a mortal state in just twenty-eight years... His talent truly was extraordinary. Even my grand-uncle, who was already in a sect, took thirty years, yet my grandfather, a rogue cultivator, managed it so quickly."

Li Jingting jotted down the timeline on the paper, her brows furrowing as she felt something was amiss. She mused to herself:

"If that's the case, why did Father say he only began cultivating at fourteen? By this calculation, wouldn't he have reached the Profound Realm in just a few months... I must have misremembered."

Poring over the cloth scrolls before her, Li Jingting felt at a complete loss. It seemed as though the history from decades ago was deliberately obscured from her. Despite not much time having passed, most of the details had been thoroughly erased. Furthermore, her grandfather, Li Mutian, had not descended the mountain for decades during his lifetime, leaving her with no point of reference for her writing.

"How very strange..."

Li Jingting lowered her head slightly, then heard a soft knock at the door. Quickly, she inverted a wooden box over the cloth scrolls to conceal them, then softly inquired:

"Who is it?!"

"It's me."

Li Tongya shook out his sleeves and stepped into the courtyard. Not a single drop of the misty night rain touched him; he stood dry and composed before the house, hands clasped behind his back, a touch of sorrow etched upon his brow.

"Oh, Second Uncle, please come in quickly!"

Li Jingting was startled and quickly rose to welcome him. Li Tongya, with a wave of his hand, gently pushed her back. He entered the room, took a seat by the desk, picked up a carved wooden slip lying nearby, read it, and nodded, saying:

"Well done."

Li Jingting listened respectfully, her gaze lowered, as Li Tongya quietly said:

"I have an important matter to discuss with you this time."

"Our family history often involves confidential matters. I intend to write it in two volumes: one, titled 'Internal History,' will be kept in the ancestral hall, hidden from ordinary family members. The other, simply 'Family History,' can be recorded as usual."

"I'll speak, and you record."

Li Jingting nodded obediently, picked up her brush, and watched as Li Tongya quietly narrated. One spoke, and one wrote.

As time flowed, Li Jingting's expression shifted constantly, and her heart was deeply shaken. Although she didn't fully comprehend many of the terms, such as 'receiving talismans' and 'guidance,' she was utterly stunned by the vaguely revealed conspiracy involving several Zifu cultivators, her hands and feet trembling. Finally, she heard Li Tongya say:

"...Jing tirelessly cultivated, eventually forming a Dao foundation. His abilities were miraculously abnormal. He condensed a sword intent called 'Moon Gateway,' defeated Chi Jiuyun with his power, and shook all the sects. The Qingchi Zifu, upon witnessing this, declared, 'It is acceptable,' and then sent him to the Great Flood Dragon in Southern Xinjiang, where he was refined into a pill and consumed by the demonic flood dragon."

Based on his own deductions, Li Tongya had largely reconstructed the sequence of events, which closely matched the truth. However, upon hearing this, Li Jingting's brush faltered. She slowly raised her head, her expression a mix of shock and terror, and murmured:

"Refined into a pill?! Grand-uncle... this... this is unbelievable!"

Li Tongya remained silent, watching her. After she had wiped away her tears and composed herself, he finally said in a low voice:

"That is what happened. You must now determine how to write the 'Family History' based on the 'Internal History.' It is crucial that you conceal any inconsistencies and do not expose details from the 'Internal History,' such as the 'receiving of talismans' and 'guidance.' The cultivation speeds should also be adjusted to seem as reasonable as possible."

"Write carefully, check thoroughly, and leave no loopholes. Jing'er's story must be written as if he ventured deep into Southern Xinjiang, so no one becomes suspicious."

"Yes, I understand!"

Li Jingting responded hoarsely, her heart heavy with sorrow. Only then did Li Tongya stand, instructing:

"First, write a draft and send it to me. Do not leave the compound for the next few days, and there's no need to speak of Jing'er's matter to anyone else."

With that, he left the courtyard, riding away on the wind. Li Jingting bowed respectfully and waited for a moment. Once only the whistling of the wind remained in the courtyard, she finally looked up at the dark clouds in the sky, wiped the corner of her eyes, and returned inside.

Meanwhile, Lu Sisi returned to Huaqian Mountain, only to find the foot of the mountain bustling with a festive, joyful atmosphere. A banquet stretched to the village entrance, and celebratory music drifted on the air. His own descendants and those of his brothers stood in long lines, eating and drinking freely at the feast.

He himself had little time left and was desperately seeking a way out for the Lu family, yet his descendants below were still merrily drinking and singing. The sight instantly caused Lu Sisi to feel a tightness in his chest and shortness of breath. Landing at the foot of the mountain, he saw Lu Yuanlu, his family's Qi Condensation cultivator, with a beautiful woman on each arm, clad in resplendent golden robes. His face was full of smug pride, and he was trampling a blood-stained man underfoot while raising his cup and singing boisterously.

As Lu Sisi landed among the crowd, the festive music on the grounds abruptly ceased. Everyone looked up at him, then disappointedly lowered their heads. Lu Yuanlu shot him a sidelong glance, kicked away the servant beneath his foot, and declared loudly:

"Old Ancestor, you've returned just in time. Why not join us for a few drinks?"

Lu Sisi observed his disrespectful demeanor but showed no anger. He remained silent, his heart filled with desolation, as he secretly lamented:

"This child is inherently impulsive and arrogant. I have but a few years left to live, and the family will have to rely on him in the future. If I were to offend him now, he would inevitably harbor resentment. After my death, I fear I would be subjected to his retribution, a truly unsightly prospect. For now, I must indulge him."

So he forced a smile, his old face creased into a semblance of cheer, and whispered:

"Drinking is good, yes, drinking is very good!"

Seeing his expression, Lu Yuanlu laughed heartily, and the banquet music immediately resumed its joyous tune. Lu Sisi slumped into his seat, gazing at the cheerful, laughing crowd before him, his heart aching with an unbearable emptiness. He gnashed his teeth, silently fuming:

"Sing, drink, indulge yourselves! How many good days do you truly have left? It's only because I, in my youth, was too engrossed in secluded cultivation and never restrained any of you. I always believed Foundation Establishment was within reach and couldn't waste time, and thus I allowed you all to grow into such ignorant, foolish individuals!"

Waving away those who crowded him with wine cups, Lu Sisi raised his head and stared at the sky for a moment, muttering:

"Who is that?"

The music lingered for a moment, then three streaks of light flew down from the sky, coming to rest over Huaqian Mountain. Everyone stared blankly upwards, then heard a vast, icy voice descend:

"Lu Sisi, come out and answer!"

Lu Sisi was jolted awake. He rose on the wind and looked towards the three figures in the sky. In the center stood a young man in brocade robes, his eyes closed, silent. Behind him, on either side, stood two figures—one tall, one stout—both glaring at him.

"Ah, it's Young Master Yu! This old man humbly apologizes for not greeting you sooner! My deepest apologies!"

"So you are Lu Sisi!"

Lu Sisi's heart quaked with fear. He immediately put on a fawning smile, bowed deeply, and invited the three to descend onto the mountain. However, Young Master Yu, who was in the center, dismissively glanced at him and unhurriedly stated:

"Our Yu family has recently allied with Qingchi. In the past, we haven't had the pleasure of meeting our neighbors. Now that our Yu family disciples have entered the Yuanwu Peak of the Qingchi Sect and established a foothold within the sect, my father wishes to meet all of you. Old man, would you be so kind as to grant us an audience?"

"I... I... Alas, I, Sisi, greatly admire the prestige of Foundation Establishment families. If the Yu family has any instructions, I, Sisi..."

Lu Sisi was overcome with terror and immediately began to ingratiate himself, but Young Master Yu cut him off with a dismissive wave. He gave Lu Sisi a disdainful look, shook his head impatiently, and softly said:

"From now on, my Yu family will be the authority over Moon Lake! I've already visited all the families around Moon Lake, and they have all pledged allegiance to my Yu family. Does the Lu family have any objections?"

"By no means! By no means! The Lu family also pledges allegiance to the Yu family and would never harbor disloyal thoughts."

Lu Sisi plastered on an obsequious smile, showering him with praises. Young Master Yu's expression finally softened slightly, revealing a hint of smug satisfaction. The two figures behind him also ceased their glaring, instead smirking silently.

"Good!"

Young Master Yu let out a hearty laugh, then his tone shifted, and he said coldly:

"Since the Lu family is so discerning, then naturally, tribute will be expected. I am aware your Lu family still holds some influence on Moon Lake Peak, so we will not interfere with you. However, whatever amount of tribute your Lu family pays to the Qingchi Sect every five years, you will now submit an equal portion to my Yu family."

He paused, then Young Master Yu lowered his head, squinting at the pale-faced Lu Sisi, and smiled:

"That won't be a problem, will it?"