Chapter 244: Yu Family’s Reaction

**Chapter 244: The Yu Family's Reaction**

"What? Huazhong Mountain has fallen? An Zheyang, supported by the Li family, actually turned around and bit us..."

Yu Mugao crushed the ink brush in his hand with a crack. He gloomily raised his head, glaring like a venomous snake at the cultivator kneeling on the steps. His heart was filled with uncontrollable rage, yet he couldn't utter a single curse. He coughed, a metallic taste in his mouth, and looking at the relatives below, each with their own hidden agendas, he dared not spit it out. He swallowed hard, then pursed his lips and said, "The Li family... have they gone mad? Where did they get the audacity to oppose my Yu family under the banner of An Zheyang!"

How could Yu Mugao not see through the truth? With just a thought, he knew it was the Li family pulling the strings, and his shock and anger were immense.

The Yu family had maintained its hegemony on the lake for so many years, with a disciple from an immortal sect as their backing. Which family on the lake dared to openly oppose the Yu family? Although underlying conflicts and hidden schemes were constant, on the surface, everyone was polite. Fei Wangbai, despite privately hating the Yu family to the bone, still showed utmost respect to Yu Xiaogui openly.

The An family was merely a tributary territory of the Yu family; ostensibly still the An family, but secretly already their vassal. Which family on the lake didn't know this? For the Li family to break through Huazhong Mountain under the banner of An Zheyang, while not a declaration of war against the Yu family, was akin to slapping the Yu family's face in front of all the families on the east bank. How could Yu Mugao not be shocked and enraged?

"Well, Li family! For these past few years, we've been preoccupied, and you've grown incredibly bold!" Yu Mugao let out a low cry, putting on a show for the guest elders and relatives below, but a warning bell rang loudly in his heart, and he mused, "Li Tongya is by no means reckless! Such aggression must mean he has a plan... Is it Li Chijing?" His expression grew increasingly grim. How could Yu Mugao not let his imagination run wild? The Old Ancestor had been lured away by a spell and had since vanished. And precisely at this juncture, the Li family, abandoning their previous low-key demeanor, brazenly attacked Huazhong Mountain. He was slightly alarmed and secretly thought, "Could it be... the Azure Sprout Sword Immortal, Li Chijing, has returned!"

If this conjecture were true, Yu Yufeng's whereabouts would become clear. Yu Mugao didn't know the relative strengths of Li Chijing and Yu Yufeng, and for a moment, his mind was in turmoil. He whispered, "Is there still no news of the Old Ancestor?"

"None yet..."

Seeing the person below meekly respond, Yu Mugao wearily straightened up and whispered, "And any news of Yu Mujian?"

"None..."

Yu Mugao sighed, muttering, "Nonsense... All utter nonsense! This is outrageous..."

Yu Mujian had once said he wanted to pursue the path of the sword and had gone north, towards the Tangjin Gate. He had been gone for over ten years, and only sent Yu Mugao three letters, all filled with trivialities like "don't miss me."

Now, with Yu Yufeng having gone south and Yu Xiaogui not yet returned, Yu Mugao was powerless to stop anything. He could only write to Yu Muxian within the sect, requesting aid, wondering if the Master of Yuanwu Peak could be persuaded to help.

In the past, Yu Mugao never actively bothered this younger brother; it was always Yu Muxian sending frequent messages, asking for cultivation resources. It could be said that a significant portion of the Yu family's spiritual treasures and stones had been sent to Yu Muxian, who used them to cultivate connections and improve his cultivation. Now, with the crisis so severe, Yu Mugao was finally willing to write for help.

He withdrew his gaze. The carved stone doors at the front of the hall suddenly creaked open, and a middle-aged man walked in softly, his grey robes gently swaying. His expression was solemn. Yu Mugao was instantly overjoyed, stepping forward and exclaiming with delight, "Father!"

Yu Xiaogui nodded slightly and waved his sleeve. Another person followed behind him, a pale-faced man with a long beard, holding a fan, who seemed to have a dissolute air about him. Yu Xiaogui introduced him to the pale-faced young master with a smile, "This is my son, Yu Mugao."

Yu Mugao had to put aside his many questions for a moment and respectfully said, "Mugao greets Senior."

The pale-faced cultivator waved a hand, his jade ornaments jingling. He was also a Foundation Establishment cultivator. He replied softly, "Wu Shaoyun of the Wu family from Junnan."

"So it's an aristocratic family from Lixia Commandery!" Yu Mugao responded perfunctorily, then quickly transmitted a message with his spiritual power, relaying all the recent news. Yu Xiaogui was slightly displeased by his son's disrespectful action, but his expression changed subtly, struck by the barrage of news. Fortunately, he was a man of considerable composure, and he forcibly restrained himself, suppressing his anger. He whispered, "Please wait a moment, Brother Wu. I'll be right back."

Wu Shaoyun nodded gently, his expression unreadable, and sat down at the jade platform in the hall. The crowd dispersed silently. Only when Yu Xiaogui and Yu Mugao reached the back courtyard did Yu Xiaogui's expression suddenly change. He said in a deep voice, "What is the Li family thinking?!"

Yu Mugao gritted his teeth and whispered, "These people clearly targeted us precisely because Father was away from home! Or perhaps the Azure Sprout Sword Immortal has returned from the Southern Wilderness and plotted against the Old Ancestor..."

Yu Mugao recounted his speculation, feeling that something was amiss. He was about to offer advice when Yu Xiaogui waved his hand and said fiercely, "Perhaps they used some special spiritual medicine to trigger the Old Ancestor's opportunity. The Old Ancestor's magic power is profound; Li Chijing is merely at the early Foundation Establishment stage and couldn't possibly keep him. At most, it would just be a delay. The Old Ancestor has always been cautious and would immediately flee if things became impossible, so there's no need to worry. However, the matter of Huazhong Mountain cannot be overlooked. If we pretend nothing happened, how will our family maintain its standing on the lake in the future? Regardless, we must go to Huazhong Mountain!"

Yu Mugao was stunned for a moment, then nodded, saying somewhat urgently, "The Old Ancestor's disappearance is suspicious right now, and I fear... there might be an ambush at Huazhong Mountain!"

"They wouldn't dare touch me," Yu Xiaogui replied with a grim expression. "Firstly, there are too many eyes on that mountain. I am Muxian's father and a Foundation Establishment cultivator. No matter how unstable the sect becomes, Li Chijing wouldn't dare kill me. The same applies to the Old Ancestor's situation. If a Clarity Heart Talisman were sent down, what would become of Li Chijing's reputation?!"

Yu Mugao's thoughts were interrupted by Yu Xiaogui's rapid deductions. He could only nod, saying in a deep voice, "Father, I always feel there's something fishy! By no means should you engage Li Chijing! Just confirm the news and return; we can then plan further..."

Yu Xiaogui nodded noncommittally, clearly not taking it to heart. He replied, "Since the Old Ancestor hasn't returned yet, Li Chijing can't possibly be at Huazhong Mountain. Most likely, it's Li Tongya who brought people there. This is a great opportunity! He's just a Qi Condensation cultivator; there's a lot we can do. This time, we'll make sure the Li family suffers a significant loss!"

Yu Mugao wanted to speak but hesitated. Yu Xiaogui had already hurried out of the main hall and bowed to Wu Shaoyun. To his surprise, Wu Shaoyun folded his fan and smiled, "Brother Yu, are you heading to the Li family?"

"Precisely..."

Yu Xiaogui was startled. He then saw Wu Shaoyun toss his fan, catch it steadily, and chuckle, "The people below were making such a racket that even I, an outsider, heard everything clearly."

It turned out that Yu Mugao's uncles and brothers had been arguing as they retreated, alarming Wu Shaoyun and giving him a general idea. Yu Xiaogui smiled awkwardly and nodded, but then saw Wu Shaoyun slowly stand up, his eyes turning somewhat fierce. He said in a deep voice, "I, Wu, have also been considering making a trip with Brother Yu! My family has been investigating an important matter for ten full years and has finally found some clues. There are some things I need to ask the Li family of Lijing!"