Chapter 139: Closed-door Meditation

Li Xuanfeng bid farewell to Liu Changdie, leaving some money for the young woman. He then rode the wind, flying south for several hours along the Ancient Li Path. Li Jing Mountain, shrouded in mist under a pale golden light shield, soon appeared before his eyes. He landed on the mountaintop, where he was immediately greeted by a joyful Li Xuanxuan.

"Brother Xuan, what makes you so happy?" Li Xuanfeng asked with a smile, his own lips curving upwards as he saw Li Xuanxuan's joyful face.

"Our uncle acquired a treasure sword," Li Xuanxuan said, shaking his head with a smile. "It contains a movement technique inheritance from Lingyu Gate, called 'Torrential River Stride.' It's a third-grade cultivation method, so naturally, it's a joyous occasion." He then handed over a jade slip and continued, "Everyone in the family has already read and memorized it. Uncle has already entered secluded cultivation. You should read it quickly."

Li Xuanfeng smiled and took the jade slip. He probed it with his spiritual sense, quickly reading through it, then said seriously, "It just so happens that it's the Lu and An families' turn to oversee the ore vein, so there aren't many family affairs. I also plan to enter secluded cultivation to break through, so I'll take this jade slip with me and leave family matters to you, brother."

Li Xuanxuan nodded in agreement, waving his hand to reassure him. "That's good," he replied. "Go ahead and cultivate in peace."

Since Li Xuanxuan and Chen Donghe were both at the fifth stage of Embryonic Breathing, Jade Capital Wheel, guarding the family was certainly not an issue. Li Xuanfeng nodded, put away the jade slip, and rode the wind to Meichi Peak to enter secluded cultivation.

Li Xuanxuan then descended the mountain, where he was met by Li Xuanling, who hurried forward, saying repeatedly, "Brother Xuan! Someone from the Yu family has arrived at the courtyard entrance and wishes to see you."

"Not a Qi Condensation cultivator?" Li Xuanxuan frowned. Usually, when other families visited, Qi Condensation cultivators would simply inquire from outside the formation. Only envoys or Embryonic Breathing disciples would request someone to announce their presence.

"He is a Qi Condensation cultivator, and he arrived by riding the wind," Li Xuanling explained. "But I heard him explicitly say not to disturb Uncle Tongya, so I came to report." Li Xuanxuan nodded, feeling puzzled. He straightened his clothes and walked a short distance. Upon entering the courtyard, he saw a middle-aged man in a long robe sitting on a chair. The man's hands were resting on and tapping the wooden armrest, looking uneasy. His aura was immense, indicating he was at least in the middle stage of Qi Condensation.

"Li Xuanxuan of the Li family greets Senior," Li Xuanxuan said, cupping his hands in greeting. The middle-aged man, with a sword on his back, also stiffly cupped his hands. Seeing that the visitor was not Li Tongya, he visibly relaxed. "Yu Mujian of the Yu family," he replied.

Yu Mujian had lost face during the competition on the boat and was severely scolded by Yu Xiaogui upon returning home. Coincidentally, the Yu family's market was about to open, so Yu Xiaogui dispatched him to apologize to Li Tongya and, while he was at it, invite the Li family to attend the opening ceremony.

Yu Mujian felt extremely dejected throughout his journey, fearing that Li Tongya would assume he was there to reclaim his sword. "Heaven help me!" he thought. He had been utterly bewildered by Li Tongya's talk of "sharpness" and "effortless control," not understanding a single word. Though he felt he had grasped the essence of swordsmanship in his heart, he couldn't actually comprehend anything concrete. How could he possibly face Li Tongya? Thus, he had to follow the protocol for Embryonic Breathing cultivators and enter the Li family's compound.

When he inquired with Li Xuanling, he learned that Li Tongya had already closed his doors to guests and entered secluded cultivation. Immediately, a great weight lifted from him, and he thought gleefully, "It seems even Heaven couldn't bear to see me remain in such an awkward position."

To his surprise, when Li Xuanxuan arrived and they exchanged names, Li Xuanxuan's face lit up with sudden realization. "You must be Senior Mujian!" he exclaimed with a smile. Yu Mujian felt as if he had been struck by lightning, realizing his reputation must have already spread far and wide. He then asked hoarsely, "You know me too?"

Li Xuanxuan saw Yu Mujian's expression and immediately knew what he was thinking. He quickly changed the subject and said with a smile, "Senior Tongya is indeed my uncle. He once told me: 'Among all the families around the lake, only Young Master Yu Mujian's sword techniques can be called true swordsmanship; the rest are merely wielding swords to hack and slash.'"

These words were originally meant as a flattering jest, but Yu Mujian, with his simple nature, took them to heart. He was immediately overjoyed. Remembering his various provocations on the boat, he suddenly felt great remorse and sighed towards the sky, proclaiming, "Li Tongya is truly a noble gentleman! I am indeed a petty man!"

Li Xuanxuan was momentarily stunned, unable to follow Yu Mujian's peculiar line of reasoning. Yu Mujian sighed, then handed the invitation for the ceremony to Li Xuanxuan. Cupping his hands, he said seriously, "Once Senior comes out of seclusion, Mujian will personally come to apologize!" With that, he waved his hand and left, still muttering words like "sharpness" and "effortless control." He rode the wind and disappeared into the distance, leaving Li Xuanxuan and Li Xuanling looking at each other in bewilderment.

"This person..." Li Xuanling stammered, speechless. Li Xuanxuan was even a bit confused as he opened the invitation to read it.

The Yu family had already informed the various families of the time during the gathering on the boat, but they specifically sent someone to the Li family to deliver an invitation. This was both to show their respect and to extend an olive branch. "Brother Qiuyang is steady in his dealings, and his cultivation is just right; sending him won't make the Li family seem too high-profile. Let's send him," Li Xuanxuan decided after reading the invitation, then gave his instructions.

Time flew by like flowing water. Over the past year, there hadn't been many family affairs. Li Xuanxuan diligently cultivated while also carefully observing the activities of the various families. However, "Torrential River Stride" was profound and difficult to grasp, not something that could be learned in a day or two.

Picking up his talisman brush, Li Xuanxuan drew a talisman on the paper in one fluid motion. He had been practicing for over ten years, and his success rate in crafting talismans was finally profitable, adding a new source of income for the family.

The sunlight streaming diagonally through the window bathed Li Yuanxiu in a golden glow. The boy, now four or five years old, had just returned from school and stood quietly in the sunlight, watching his father.

Li Xuanxuan looked up at the child, smiled, and asked, "What is it?"

"Father, you haven't visited Jiao'er for a month." Li Yuanxiu's words made Li Xuanxuan slightly stunned. He frowned and whispered suspiciously, "Who taught you to say that?"

"No one," Li Yuanxiu said, pursing his lips. He seemed a little afraid of the serious Li Xuanxuan but still stubbornly looked up at him. "Alright," Li Xuanxuan responded.

Li Xuanxuan withdrew his gaze, nodded, picked the boy up, and headed out the door, a slight sigh rising in his heart.

Li Xiangping died in the territory of the Shan Yue. Although the Li family didn't know the exact details, they knew that Mu Jiaoman and Wushan were likely involved. However, to maintain stability and avoid attracting Wushan's attention, they had to let the matter go.

Back then, when Mu Yalu came for a marriage alliance, Li Tongya and Li Xuanxuan actually valued the ancient Mulu clan bloodline, seeing it as a strategic move. Should a major change occur in the Shan Yue someday, a Li family descendant with Mulu blood could advance west and control the Shan Yue tribes, saving a lot of trouble. However, as Mu Yalu was Mu Jiaoman's clan sister, Li Xuanxuan, though he didn't say it, harbored some reservations. This also led to a complicated, unnamable feeling towards Li Yuanjiao. Now, hearing the child's words, he secretly thought: "Regardless, to maintain the family's stability for generations to come, I cannot show favoritism."

As they reached the courtyard entrance, Li Xuanxuan gently put Li Yuanxiu down. The child cheered and went inside to find his younger brother Jiao. Soon, Mu Yalu's smiling voice could be heard: "Xiu'er is here, come sit here!"

Li Xuanxuan chuckled and entered the courtyard. Mu Yalu was startled for a moment, then quickly said, "The family head has arrived."

Li Yuanjiao, holding a wooden toy, looked up at him and called out clearly, "Father!" "Hm," Li Xuanxuan responded.

Li Xuanxuan nodded towards Mu Yalu, then sat down and watched the two children playfully interact. The sunlight at the foot of the mountain was even stronger, and as Li Yuanjiao smiled, facing Li Xuanxuan, the golden sunlight scattering on his face made his eyes appear slightly brown.

"Jiao'er, come here." Li Xuanxuan's voice trembled slightly. Mu Yalu, beside him, keenly looked up, her face filled with worry as she watched him. When Li Yuanjiao, not understanding why, approached, Li Xuanxuan cupped his face and looked, but found that in the shadow, there was no trace of brown left in his eyes.

Letting out a breath, Li Xuanxuan slowly stood up, his gaze unfixed. "There are important matters to attend to on the mountain," he said softly. "I'll take my leave first." With that, he stood up and left, leaving the two brothers, Li Yuanjiao and Li Yuanxiu, playing in the courtyard. Mu Yalu watched his departing figure, sitting silently in the corner.