Chapter 192: Revealing Information

The rain was falling softly across the land, and it was exceptionally quiet inside the carriage. Li Tongya stroked his beard and said softly, "'This person is quite cunning... No one could have predicted his cultivation speed. He's probably planning to use the chaos on the lake to break through to Foundation Establishment in one go.'"

"Once he achieves Foundation Establishment, he'll be free to roam the world. Internally, he can use the advantage of defensive formations to resist Yu Xiaogui. Externally, he'll have even greater freedom, making the Yu family hesitant to act against his clan..."

As soon as Li Tongya finished speaking, Li Yuanxiu took over, saying gravely, "'What's more, given his talent, he certainly won't stop at Foundation Establishment. If An Jingming simply escapes outwards, who would dare to touch his clan? In twenty or thirty years, he'll return as a Peak Foundation Establishment cultivator, or even a Purple Mansion cultivator!'"

Li Xuanxuan was silent for a moment, then raised his eyebrows and said, "'It's not that simple. Our Li family has now expanded to its limits both east and west. To the west, there are mid-Foundation Establishment cultivators of the Shan Yue, leaving us no more room. If the An family establishes itself to the east, our Li family will be caught between Moon Lake and Dali Mountain. Where would we find room to expand in the future?'"

Seeing that both younger generations were taking the matter seriously, Li Tongya nodded. He had a plan in mind, but instead, he looked at Li Yuanxiu and smiled, "'Do you have a plan?'"

Li Yuanxiu's spirits immediately lifted. Knowing Li Tongya was testing him, he cupped his hands and said softly, "'When our family absorbed the Lu family, it was handled poorly because of that fool Lu Yuanlu. While the families on the lake didn't openly say anything, they secretly harbored resentment and became quite wary. If we were to rashly interfere with the An family's affairs again, we would likely incur public wrath... Now, the only strategy is to 'drive a tiger to swallow a wolf.'"

Seeing both elders nod, Li Yuanxiu smiled, "'We are anxious, but the Yu family is far more anxious. The Xiao family's enterprise is about to rise. At that time, we will have strong external support and the deterrence of a Sword Immortal within. If An Jingming achieves Foundation Establishment, we would merely be confined to one place.'"

"As for the Yu family, they forcibly levy tribute from the families on the lake, frequently interfere in their affairs, and gradually erode their independence through marriages with vassals. Every family hates them to the core. However, the Yu family is powerful, and Yu Mugao's methods are sophisticated. He uses a combination of suppression, division, and co-option against the larger families, which has stabilized the situation."

Li Yuanxiu chuckled softly and replied, "'They are the most afraid of An Jingming achieving Foundation Establishment. Once they get wind of this news, even Yu Xiaogui, their Foundation Establishment ancestor, might break out of his seclusion!'"

"'Excellent.'"

Li Tongya nodded in approval, exchanged a glance with Li Xuanxuan, and instructed, "'Since Xiu'er has a plan, I'll leave this matter to you. Discreetly let the Yu family know about it.'"

"'Your son understands!'" Li Yuanxiu bowed his fists, confident, and departed. Li Xuanxuan watched him go with a cheerful grin, while Li Tongya glanced at Li Xuanxuan and chuckled, "'You've certainly raised a good son!'"

"'Heh heh.'" Li Xuanxuan chuckled twice and bowed his fists, saying, "'Uncle, I'm pleased to inform you that my principal wife is due to give birth again in a few months, adding another sibling, from the same mother, to Xiu'er.'"

"'Oh?'" Li Tongya raised an eyebrow and said softly, "'You've done well in this regard. Ling'er is devoted, and Feng'er is still troubled by the events of that year. Among the younger generation, you are the only one who has proliferated the family line.'"

Waving his hand, a hint of worry appeared between Li Tongya's brows as he said gravely, "'It's just that An Zheyan was right back then. Yu Mugao is ruthless. He's wary of An Jingming, but he's equally wary of our Li family. He would never let our family off so easily. In recent years, the Fei family has caused him much trouble, and the Yu family also absorbed two other families, so he simply hasn't had the free hand.'"

"'The quieter this person is, the more unsettled I feel...'"

Li Xuanxuan also fell silent upon hearing this, then cupped his hands and said, "'Now that Xuanling is in seclusion for a breakthrough, we brothers should also be more cautious. Unless Yu Xiaogui himself makes a move, who could possibly harm us?'"

"'Hmm...'" Li Tongya nodded gently. Li Xuanxuan then asked for advice on some cultivation issues. Li Tongya, having cultivated for many years, enlightened him with his guidance, even though they practiced different cultivation methods. Li Xuanxuan left joyfully, his mind cleared.

"'Once I return to the mountain, I can focus on breaking through to Foundation Establishment. Without a Foundation Establishment cultivator holding down the fort here in Hushan, I will always feel unsettled.'" Li Tongya sighed softly, closed his eyes, and began to cultivate.

When the Li family's troops returned to the Four Li Jing Towns, there wasn't much noise from carriages or horses. Most of the high-ranking Li family members had left the town with the troops. Only Li Yuanyun, leading some people, waited at the town's entrance to greet them. Li Yuanjiao and Li Yuanxiu disembarked from their carriages. The brothers embraced for a while, discussing the events of the past few months.

Beside them, Li Qinghong stood smiling, holding a spear. She wore light soft armor. The girl, now twelve or thirteen, had bright eyes and dark hair simply tied behind her head. She stood gracefully, her eyes, typically gray-black like all Li descendants, narrowed lightly with a playful smile as she watched her brothers.

"'Qinghong!'" Li Yuanjiao scratched his head. Having grown up playing with Li Qinghong, he had always treated her like a boy without feeling any difference. Now, after several months away, he looked at her again and saw that she had blossomed into a young woman. He felt a slight embarrassment, calling her name stiffly, as if he barely recognized her.

"'What's wrong, Brother Jiao? After fighting the Shan Yue for months with your troops, have you forgotten your own sister?'" Li Qinghong raised an eyebrow slightly. Her originally gentle features suddenly became bright and spirited. Without makeup, her cheeks were slightly flushed from ample vitality, and she replied playfully.

"'Not at all, not at all.'" Li Yuanjiao laughed heartily. Her words immediately made him feel at ease again, and he called out, "'When I'm back in town, I'll spar with you again!'"

Li Yuanxiu smiled warmly, drawing Li Yuanyun forward. Li Qinghong immediately called out clearly, "'Brother!'"

"'Hmm.'" Li Yuanxiu was just pondering the arrangements after returning to town. Hearing her, he looked up, his eyes brightened, and he smiled, "'Qinghong has grown quite a bit this year.'"

While the juniors of the Yuan-Qing generation were chatting, a person dismounted from the carriage behind them. He had a serious expression and slightly graying temples—it was Li Xuanxuan.

"'Father.'" Li Yuanjiao and Li Yuanxiu respectfully called out. Li Xuanxuan nodded slightly, then looked at the smiling Li Qinghong before him. For a moment, he felt a blur, as if he saw Li Jingyuan from over ten years ago. However, Li Jingyuan was gentler and quieter, while Li Qinghong's features were more spirited, making her appear bright and vibrant.

"'Uncle.'" Li Qinghong called out with a smile, causing a slight emptiness in Li Xuanxuan's heart. He responded verbally, but his mind drifted for a moment, and he mused, "'I should also go see Jingyuan when I get back. She's been in seclusion for so many years, and I went on the western expedition against the Shan Yue as soon as I came out, so I haven't seen her yet.'"

While Li Xuanxuan was testing the younger generations on their cultivation progress, Li Yuanxiu stood silently in the back. Li Pingyi quickly stepped forward and whispered, "'Young Patriarch, Tian Zhongqing has been summoned.'"

Li Yuanxiu mentally re-evaluated his plan several times, then nodded and replied, "'Have him wait for me in the Clan Elder Hall.'"