Chapter 15: Refugees

For several months, Lu Jiangxian had diligently familiarized himself with the jade, thoroughly absorbing its power. He could have long since employed the minor illusion techniques recorded in the "Lunar Breathing and Wheel Nurturing Scripture" to communicate with the Li family. However, he deemed the timing not yet ripe. He never revealed his consciousness, instead lying silently in the ancestral hall like an inanimate object.

After all, the Li family members were not foolish. While the mirror itself might possess a high status, Lu Jiangxian was genuinely a novice in cultivation. Speaking now would not only require him to invent a background but also answer the Li family's numerous questions, needlessly creating vulnerabilities.

Fortunately, his divine sense now easily encompassed the entire Li household. On a daily basis, he would sleep and then, upon waking, treat his observations like a television series, finding it quite enjoyable. Only the occasional passing aura above Ancient Li Road would startle Lu Jiangxian, causing his heart to clench. Feeling those auras, some mighty, some ethereal, he would silently retract his divine sense into a tight ball.

Although the Li family had imagined Lu Jiangxian to be some sort of immortal artifact or magic mirror, he was realistic about his own combat strength: a base of the second stage of embryonic breathing, the "Inheriting Light Wheel," with the fourth stage, the "Green Primordial Wheel," being his absolute peak. Comparing himself to those powerful auras that made him feel as if thorns were pricking his back even when he was hidden in the mirror, he still believed it was prudent to be more cautious and lie low for another century or two.

"But why are there refugees coming from Ancient Li Road?" he muttered to himself, puzzled.

***

Li Changhu, along with a group of villagers holding torches, pitchforks, hoes, and other tools, stood at the village entrance, confronting a crowd of ragged refugees. Having just finished with Xiang Ping and Tian Yun's wedding arrangements in the past few days, Li Changhu had finally found time to cultivate when a Li family tenant rushed to report that a group of refugees had appeared at the village entrance.

"Refugees?"

The last time Li Changhu had seen refugees was over three years ago—a group of people surnamed Chen who had come over from Meichi Mountain. The climate had been favorable in recent years, and Meichi River sustained its population well, so it was unlikely for anyone in the upper or lower reaches of the river to be unable to make a living.

"They claim to be from Ancient Li Road," the tenant replied respectfully to Li Changhu, as if he had found his anchor.

"How could that be..."

Li Changhu considered for a few breaths, then waved his hand and stepped outside, saying: "Father is already asleep; there's no need to disturb him. Call Uncle Tian and Uncle Ren; we'll go take a look."

By the time Li Changhu reached the village entrance, Liu Linfeng, the head of the Liu family, another prominent household in Lijing Village, was already waiting, a dry pipe in his mouth. Seeing Li Changhu, he smiled and said, "Changhu, you're here."

"Maternal Uncle."

Li Changhu nodded as well. Liu Linfeng was his mother Liu Linyun's elder brother. Years ago, when Li Mutian defeated the wealthy Yuan family and divided their land, Liu Linfeng's father immediately took a liking to the young man. He overcame all objections to marry Liu Linyun off to him, establishing a strong bond with the Li family.

Li Changhu and Liu Linfeng called out to the refugees three times, and finally, a middle-aged man emerged. Although his face was smudged with dirt and his clothes were ragged, he carried himself with a certain dignified air. The middle-aged man cupped his hands and looked at the two with a wry smile, saying: "I was originally the head of a merchant caravan on Xia Li Road. The state of Wu to the south has captured Jingxia City, leading to widespread warfare and unrest throughout Xia Li Road. We were ambushed on the road and escaped by blending in with other refugees. Though I am unworthy, I was chosen by the others to speak on their behalf. We humbly hope that you two can take us in."

"This section of Ancient Li Road has been in disrepair for years and is overrun by wild beasts. How did you all manage to get here?" Liu Linfeng asked, puzzled.

"Many people died, of course. All the elderly and children perished," the middle-aged man replied with a bitter smile.

While the representatives of the two prominent families inquired about the refugees' circumstances, Old Man Xu, holding a woven straw cricket in one hand and a hoe in the other, squinted his eyes, examining the refugees. He lived at the village entrance and had been woken by the refugees early that morning. Hearing that Li Changhu was also coming, Old Man Xu happily fetched the straw cricket he had woven a few days prior, intending to give it to the unborn child in Madam Ren's belly.

However, he was now drawn to a young man among the refugees. This youth, dressed in tattered cloth and with a roll of animal hide around his waist, stared intensely at Li Changhu and Liu Linfeng with eyes that seemed to burn with fire. "Those eyes look very familiar," Old Man Xu murmured, stroking his pale beard, but he couldn't recall where he had seen them before.

"Everyone, listen to me!" Liu Linfeng called the refugees' attention, stepped forward, and announced: "I am the patriarch of the Liu family in this village. Lijing Village still has vast tracts of uncultivated land available. If you are willing, my Liu family can provide you with this year's food and tools. The land you cultivate will be considered leased from my Liu family, and we will only collect a 30% rent."

As the junior, Li Changhu stood half a step behind Liu Linfeng and also promised: "My Li family will do the same."

Upon hearing this, the young man among the refugees abruptly turned, staring intently at Li Changhu's face. His eyes, burning like fire, fixed on him for a few seconds before he quickly and contentedly lowered his head.

Old Man Xu, with great effort, finally squeezed to the front of the crowd to examine the refugees closely, but he couldn't find the young man anymore. Turning his head, he saw that the youth had already pushed his way to the very front of the refugees, just a few paces from where Li Changhu and Liu Linfeng stood. The middle-aged man, bowing beside the two prominent figures, glanced at the youth and wondered inwardly: "What sharp eyes! Is there such a person among these refugees? We've eaten and lived together for three full months, yet I've never seen him before."

"You can drink, eat meat, marry, and have children in Lijing Village, but you must not steal, nor commit adultery..."

As Liu Linfeng admonished the crowd, Old Man Xu's unease grew stronger. He watched as the youth sprang forward, falling to his knees before Liu Linfeng and sobbing. "My entire family suffered from the war, and I am the only one who escaped. After traveling thousands of miles, I finally met you two esteemed sirs who offered us refuge. I am eternally grateful! How could I possibly commit such shameless acts here!"

He cried so sorrowfully that the refugees behind him were also reminded of their own tragedies and began wailing. Soon, cries filled the air, and even Liu Linfeng was moved.

Old Man Xu, however, focused on the youth's exposed ankle as he knelt. His left foot, scarred and mottled, protruded from his tattered pant leg, with several black moles scattered across the ankle joint. A strong sense of recognition surged in his mind. His face flushed as if he were drunk, and he stared at the youth with alarm.

Li Changhu, standing behind, could no longer contain himself. He looked compassionately at the kneeling youth, stepped half a pace forward, and bent down to help him up. Old Man Xu's mind exploded, and his vision went blank, as if he had been transported back to that afternoon more than twenty years ago. He, Old Xu, was still a tenant of the Yuan family. Golden rice fields undulated in the autumn wind. A woman came to the fields, holding a child, and he, bowing obsequiously, spoke auspicious words: "Look at the moles on this child's foot—he's surely destined for greatness!"

"Wait!!" Old Man Xu forcefully straightened his back, which had been bent for over twenty years, lifted his head, and roared, eyes wide.

"Wait!"

He then heard another voice from nearby, shouting the same command in unison with him. It was the middle-aged man chosen by the refugees, looking at the youth's face with surprise and suspicion, who had spoken to stop them.

Before both men could finish speaking, the youth abruptly raised his head. Li Changhu, caught off guard, met his gaze.

Those savage, sharp eyes, like those of a wild beast.