Chapter 254: Jade Court Guard

Li Xuanxuan paused, allowing Li Tongya to fully absorb the good news, then continued, "With this Jade Well, we won't need extensive construction anymore. Now that Uncle has achieved Foundation Establishment, our family's roots are shallow, and we have far too few Qi Cultivators to effectively guard our territory. Perhaps we can also distribute the 'Knocking on the Courtyard Guarding Art' to cultivate more true-rooted cultivators."

"Excellent!" Li Tongya's eyes lit up. This Jade Well, which refines the chilly armor qi from beneath the courtyard, was no ordinary creation. It required extensive research and was adorned with numerous talismans. Having this Jade Well on Jade Courtyard Mountain saved him a great deal of effort.

Li Tongya pondered for a moment before replying, "Then select some loyal Spirit Aperture children with clean backgrounds. This cultivation method can quickly condense six cycles and nurture Qi Cultivators, so it should not be easily bestowed, lest they become uncontrollable."

Li Xuanxuan nodded and replied, "Your nephew plans to select six loyal individuals to cultivate first. They will normally be grouped under a department of the Clan Elder's Hall to carry out enforcement duties. However, the name for this department has not yet been decided."

Having held positions of power for decades, Li Xuanxuan naturally understood the intricacies. With a smile, he stepped forward, retrieved a brush and ink, and presented them with both hands. Li Tongya chuckled softly, picked up the brush, and said, "It's not that you haven't thought of a name! You were just waiting for me to come up with one."

He pondered for a moment, then, with elegant and powerful strokes, wrote three characters, explaining, "I have read both the 'White-Headed Knocking on the Courtyard Scripture' and the 'Knocking on the Courtyard Guarding Art.' The Dao foundation of the former is called 'Jade Courtyard General,' while that of the latter is called 'Courtyard Guard.' So, let's call them the Jade Courtyard Guards!"

***

East Mountain Yue.

The morning sun rose from the east, casting its light over numerous thatched huts and fences. The common folk had just awoken from their sleep, some going hunting, others tending to their fields. In previous years, the East Mountain Yue had suffered greatly from warfare, with corpses scattered everywhere. Over the past few years, the people who came with the Li family, alongside Shamoli, diligently worked to improve governance. They also brought many eastern people and related systems and regulations to restrain officials and nobles. Only in these recent years had life improved.

A swaying carriage moved along the muddy road, causing the Mountain Yue people to look up. Shamoli sat steadily inside the carriage, an entertainer on each of his spread legs, leaning into his embrace. Shamoli's large hand stroked the women's shoulders for a while, but his thoughts were far away.

"Flood dragons... their presence is quite imposing..."

Although the Li family had taken firm control of the East Mountain Yue, Shamoli was, after all, a Qi Cultivator. He was aware of the great commotion from the Li family last night. Seeing the magical light flowing from the east and two flood-dragon-shaped spells surging up and down, he felt quite uneasy.

"Could it be that they've started fighting with the An family? Li Tongya is, at least, a peak Qi Cultivator sword practitioner; defeating An Zheyian shouldn't be an issue. Just as long as they don't get into a fight with the Yu family..."

Shamoli believed that both the Yu family and the Li family had sect backgrounds. However, the Yu family had two additional Foundation Establishment cultivators, making their strength far superior to the Li family's. If they were to fight, the Li family might not be able to resist.

"If the Li family falls, how could I, the King of the Mountain Yue, remain secure? It would be difficult even to preserve my own life!"

Although Shamoli was suppressed by the Li family, he lived comfortably. His greatest fantasy was the Li family's decline, not its destruction. He had heard that the Yu family acted ruthlessly; if the Yu family attacked, Shamoli would have no choice but to pack up his belongings and become a rogue cultivator.

Shamoli was deep in thought inside the carriage when, unexpectedly, the curtain was suddenly pulled open, and a young man with short eyebrows and narrow eyes squeezed inside. Shamoli's expression soured for a moment before he forced a smile and replied, "Ah, Brother Tian Rong, what brings you to seek me out?"

Tian Rong's gaze lingered reluctantly on the entertainers, which displeased Shamoli. Tian Rong then seemed to realize his impropriety, shifting his gaze before speaking, "This Mountain Yue region is quite uninteresting, except for the bit of flavor you provide here."

Tian Rong was indeed the son of Tian Youdao. After they were all banished to the Mountain Yue region, Tian Rong, who was always a dissolute wastrel, naturally latched onto Shamoli. Shamoli initially thought he had gained a connection to the Tian family and was overjoyed, treating him with great enthusiasm.

However, after only three days, Shamoli discovered that this man was a complete good-for-nothing. Besides his unruly nature, he was also extremely restless, and his words were so outrageous that even Shamoli, with his mediocre Mountain Yue background, found them unbelievable, wishing he could expel him from the palace.

Although Tian Rong was useless, he was Tian Youdao's only son. Shamoli didn't want to create an enemy unnecessarily, so he could only try to avoid him by carriage. Unexpectedly, Tian Rong completely missed the hint and pursued him all the way here, leaving Shamoli at a loss for words.

"Sigh." Shamoli sighed, listening to Tian Rong's stream of nonsensical obscenities, and secretly thought, "I heard that Tian Youdao is also quite formidable, a senior figure in the Li family. How could he have a son like this! Life is truly unpredictable..."

Shamoli was drowsily listening when suddenly his ears twitched, and he heard a clear voice from outside: "Tian Zhongqing pays his respects to Your Majesty."

"Please, come in quickly!" Relieved to finally interrupt Tian Rong, Shamoli straightened up immediately. Although Tian Zhongqing couldn't compare to the cultivators of the main family, he was still considered a minor genius among those with different surnames. Shamoli was instantly delighted and unceremoniously cut off Tian Rong.

*Whoosh!* The thick curtain was swept open, revealing the bright sunlight outside. Tian Zhongqing had regular features and a steady demeanor. Although he didn't think much of this 'barbarian' in his heart, he still gave him due respect and politely said, "Your Majesty!"

With a quick glance, the shifty-eyed Tian Rong in the corner caught his attention. Tian Zhongqing's heart jolted, and a blazing surge of anger welled up within him. He exclaimed, "What are you doing here?!"

Tian Rong shrank back, saying nothing. Shamoli's expression was awkward; he detested the man and offered no way for Tian Rong to save face. Tian Zhongqing observed the expressions of both men and instantly understood, fuming internally, "I told him not to get too close to Shamoli... but it went in one ear and out the other!"

Tian Zhongqing's heart pounded. He wished he could slap the man to death, but Tian Rong was Tian Youdao's only son. Not only had Tian Youdao shown great kindness to Tian Zhongqing, but he was also the pillar of the Tian clan. Tian Zhongqing had no choice but to suppress his fury, cupping his hands towards Shamoli and saying, "The family head has summoned you. I request Your Majesty to go to Lijing Mountain for an audience!"

Shamoli was instantly startled and rose, trembling as he asked, "May I ask, sir, was anything mentioned regarding the purpose?"

Tian Zhongqing shook his head and replied, "Just an audience."

Having said this, he cupped his hands, waved his sleeve, jumped out of the carriage, and departed. The more Tian Zhongqing thought about it, the angrier he became, but his anger soon turned to fear. He mused, "My mistake led to the entire clan being banished to the west, but perhaps it wasn't entirely a bad thing. Tian Rong's temperament will cause trouble sooner or later..."

Tian Zhongqing waited for a moment, but Tian Rong still didn't get out. He strained his ears and could still hear Tian Rong's complaints and Shamoli's impatient responses from inside the carriage. Tian Zhongqing felt his anger surge uncontrollably again and said fiercely, "This brat will definitely be the one to bring disaster in the future!"