Chapter 278: Minghui

Xiao Xian quietly stepped out of the courtyard. The biting cold wind instantly sobered him up considerably. He walked a couple of steps on the stone stairs with his hands behind his back, feeling the gusts of northern wind all around. A servant behind him stepped forward two paces and said fawningly:

“Young Master, you are truly devoted to Miss Qingxiao. You allow Li Yuanping to direct you entirely for her sake… Everyone can see it, and surely Miss Qingxiao is deeply touched.”

Xiao Xian nodded noncommittally, inhaling the faint scent of incense wafting through Lijing Town. His kind nature meant his servants spoke freely, and even words like “entirely directed” didn’t anger him in the least.

Seeing him silent, the servant could only follow quietly. Xiao Xian, however, had been touched by the servant's words. He walked along silently, caressing the jade archer's ring on his finger.

To be honest, while he held good intentions for Li Qingxiao, his efforts weren't *that* dedicated. His current actions didn't just represent him, Xiao Xian, but also the Yushan lineage.

“Ancestor Chuchou had always been close to our lineage, but he passed away of old age last year. Our family lost its backing, and Father grew increasingly worried… These past few years have been more and more financially constrained…”

Xiao Jiuqing was a libertine with many children, and not a few of them possessed spiritual aptitudes. Xiao Xian's talent wasn't particularly good, so he had never truly held much significance in Xiao Jiuqing’s eyes.

That year, accompanying Xiao Guiluan as she married into the Li family, the arduous journey changed Xiao Xian's fate. He returned home with those two damp, sticky pastries and confided in his mother. Having navigated the complex politics of the inner chambers for years, his mother immediately grasped the crucial point.

She then called for Xiao Jiuqing and, after exaggerating a bit, delighted him immensely. Xiao Xian, in a hazy state, felt both fear and unease. Everyone was spreading rumors that their affection was heaven-sent, and for a time, it seemed Xiao Xian couldn’t *not* go to the Li family.

“What kind of fate is this…”

Xiao Xian had diligently worked these past few years, genuinely unable to tell if his actions were due to family pressure or his feelings for Li Qingxiao. He gave a bitter smile. He had helped Li Yuanping inquire about many things, but without Xiao Jiuqing gathering information, opening the armory, and searching ancient texts behind the scenes, how could Xiao Xian, a mere cultivator at the embryonic breath stage and not even from the Xiao family's main lineage, possibly obtain such secret information?

The evening breeze swept over his face, making Xiao Xian even more sober. He hadn't actually drunk much spirit wine; being around Li Yuanping always made him restless, so he had made an excuse to leave the courtyard after a few sips.

Lijing Mountain lay silently dormant in the darkness of the night. Xiao Xian turned to gaze at the vast mountain, coiled on the ground like a serpent dragon, and a faint sense of dread suddenly welled up in his heart.

“The Li family has the semblance of wolf pack leaders; they are likely biding their time, bending the knee and bowing, but utterly unwilling to simply survive under my Xiao family or even the Azure Pond Sect… If my father and I befriend the Li family, it might turn out to be a disaster in the end…”

The servant behind him bowed, attending to him. Noticing Xiao Xian’s gaze fixed on Lijing Mountain, he said softly:

“Young Master, this mountain’s ley lines are shallow, and its spiritual energy is not evident. It’s not considered a famous mountain.”

“Famous mountain?”

Xiao Xian shook his head with a self-deprecating laugh, then came back to his senses. He slowly walked away, replying:

“One can never say for sure.”

Lijing Mountain was lit up from top to bottom. Dots of golden candlelight floated throughout the mountain, making the otherwise dark slopes seem less formidable.

High above the mountain forest, amidst the clouds, Li Tongya stood suspended in mid-air, arms crossed, his tightly wrapped longsword on his back. He stared expressionlessly at the person before him.

The person had a kind yet plump face and large ears. A brown-yellow robe draped over his body, and in his hand, he held a staff radiating golden light, its golden rings clanging together. A colorful aura swirled behind his head, and his gaze was calmly fixed on Li Tongya.

“Murong Xia has already left my family’s territory. Even if you release your spiritual sense, you won’t find her. Master, you’ve confronted me for a long time; you should be satisfied now!” Li Tongya said slowly, his tone relatively calm, though anger was surging within him. He had mentally instructed Li Yuanjiao to let Murong Xia go, which was already a reluctant move. This Buddhist cultivator had held him at a stalemate; without using his Dharma Mirror, he truly couldn't do anything about Murong Xia, and was even at a disadvantage…

“Benefactor, your righteousness is profound; Minghui is eternally grateful!”

The Buddhist cultivator nodded slightly, and the golden light suppressing Li Tongya slowly faded. Li Tongya also retracted his rising spiritual light, feeling a slight release of tension in his heart.

Li Tongya had been cultivating on the mountain when Li Qinghong crushed her distress talisman, immediately startling him awake. Although Murong Xia only displayed cultivation at the sixth or seventh Qi Condensation layer, Li Tongya genuinely felt threatened, which prompted him to prepare to act. However, he was then intercepted by this Buddhist cultivator who appeared from nowhere.

The Buddhist cultivator said nothing, raised his staff, and unleashed a golden light, forcefully suppressing Li Tongya. Li Tongya exchanged a dozen blows with him, feeling his internal organs burn as if on fire, and immediately understood he was no match. He could only maintain a stalemate until Murong Xia crossed the border, at which point the tension eased.

“A benevolent Chan sect, yet it shelters a demonic cultivator who devours people… Master, what a truly kind disposition you possess!” Li Tongya remarked with understated sarcasm.

Minghui chuckled softly and replied:

“Benefactor, you are too attached to appearances. Murong Xia merely removed the outer skin of these people. She is saving the noble ones; it is these ‘two-legged sheep’s’ great fortune, a tremendous blessing that takes nine lifetimes to cultivate, to enter the realm of ultimate joy!”

Li Tongya sneered but did not reply. Master Minghui slowly formed a hand seal and continued:

“This humble monk is the head disciple of Lotus Temple, dispatched to escort Murong Xia south. If I have caused any offense, I ask for your understanding. Blessings will surely be bestowed upon you as repayment…”

“Murong Xia practices the Path of Benevolent Joyful Demon, which is also our sect’s Benevolent Joyful Chan Dao. She is destined to travel south and consume a total of sixteen thousand seven hundred and fifty-six people. Afterward, she will attain enlightenment in Linghai Commandery, achieve Mahā, transform into Benevolent Joyful Chan, and enter the land of blessings together with those sixteen thousand seven hundred and fifty-six people. This is a great merit and a great act of benevolence…”

Li Tongya had long heard that Chan cultivators were eloquent, and now he had witnessed it firsthand. Without taking the bait, he immediately replied:

“The south is the domain of our Immortal Dao. Has your sect received permission?”

Minghui nodded gently and replied:

“The Immortal Sect acquired the Xu State and killed our sect’s Lianmin. Allowing Murong Xia to travel south was the exchange. The Sword Immortal should also be aware of this. If any offense was caused, this humble monk will personally go to the Southern Border to apologize.”

Upon hearing this, Li Tongya finally understood why this person was so polite: it was because of Li Chijing. The Immortal Sect’s recovery of Xu State appeared mighty on the surface, but in reality, it was merely an exchange of interests in secret.

Although Li Tongya disliked the methods of these individuals, he had no choice but to concede, replying:

“I see.”

Minghui retracted the staff in his hand. Seeing that Li Tongya was amenable, his smile immediately became much warmer. He said gently:

“I see that your esteemed clan also governs kindly, which aligns perfectly with our teachings. We truly have a connection. How about allowing me to stay here and propagate my teachings…”

Li Tongya immediately shook his head in refusal. He didn’t want the slightest association with Buddhism and wished this person would leave as far away as possible. There was no way he would let him stay. He simply replied:

“Fellow Daoist, you still need to escort Murong Xia. Do not delay.”

The refusal was clearly evident in his words, but Minghui pretended not to understand, and shamelessly asked again with a smile:

“Murong Xia is escorted by several other masters; this humble monk is not indispensable. Your esteemed clan has a connection with my sect…”

“We are but a small mountain and a small temple; we cannot accommodate a powerful master like you.”

Li Tongya had no choice but to directly refuse him. Minghui showed no annoyance and replied:

“Very well then. Besides that, I do have one more thing to ask of Benefactor.”